The Devil's Prize

After posting Curse of the Werewolf last week, (also from the Jan '52 issue of Worlds of Fear #2), I was reminded by "Lil Raven" that there was still one story left from this issue to post, aka to chalk up as yet another THOIA full issue presentation. The story in question is the excellent Bob Powell chiller, The Devil's Prize, which I was positive I had already posted here at some point over the years. But no, apparently I had not, and then it occurred to me that it wound up in IDW / Yoe Books Bob Powell's Terror collection instead-- lord how I wish I could've included it in my Devil's Tales book too! In any event, and even if you already own the Powell collection, it deserves another summoning, if not for some superbly stunning panels (sock it to that skull!) and yes, to deem it yet another full issue blahblahblah here at THOIA. And don't forget to check the archive for the super creeptacular City of Fearful Night which we also reprinted in HAUNTED HORROR #13!

HAUNTED LOVE #3 / Tomb for Two

IN STORES this Wednesday, April 6th-- it's HAUNTED LOVE #3! Yes, screams a charm as the third and finale fright-filled issue of IDW’s hair-raising new hit misery-series, HAUNTED LOVE concludes with a gag-gle of gruesome guys ’n gals ensnared in shivery tales of love and romance gone horribly awry! Seven macabre matches most definitely NOT made in heaven-- and here we have a FULL STORY preview of the first terrible tale from the issue-- an awful Tomb for Two, originally presented in the March 1952 issue of Journey into Fear #6. (WARNING: HAUNTED LOVE is not recommended for lovers of long walks on the beach, soft music, or candlelight dinners.)

The Legend of Rose Hall

What's the shivery secret behind the tortures, black magic, and murderous legend of Rose Hall's very own evil witch, Annie Palmer? Try not to die of fright as this tale of ultimate terror unfolds to the last screaming, supernatural panel!! From Menace #166.





And when I say Menace #166, I of course meant Dennis the Menace Bonus Magazine Series #166. APRIL FOOLS, ya'll!!! 

(FYI: A true THOIA horror tale coming up tomorrow)

Curse of the Werewolf

This wild 'n wooly (and lengthy) werewolf tale from the Jan '52 issue of Worlds of Fear #2 (Fawcett Publications), features some very nice art by Sheldon Moldoff and Ed Moline (??), as well as a few panels where some obvious Lon Chaney Jr. Wolf Man photo reference was used-- for example the first panel on page 5 is a rather well known image from Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein from 1948 (and is pictured at the very end of todays post too.) If you spot any others let us know about 'em in the comments! Oh, and Happy Easter to all of my THOIA friends, long time returning chums as well as new ones... today you all get a killer hairy wolf dude instead of a filler hairy bunny.

The Bat and the Brain

Science goes absolutely flappin' bat balls bonkers in this weird but totally fun "vampire" tale from ACG's Nov - Dec '52 issue of Skeleton Hand #2. GCD lists Gus Ricca as responsible for illustrating one of the coolest skeleton specters I've ever seen in a precode comic. So hold on to your brain cells, my friends, this one might hurt a little...

















***INSTANT REPLAY***

HAUNTED LOVE #2 / Two for the Money

I went to Chicago before I had a chance to update THOIA last week with news about HAUNTED LOVE #2 being released, but I hath returned and here's the skinny-- a little late with apologies! So if you enjoyed the first issue, #2 promises more eerie girls from beyond the grave, monsters, monkeys, Hell, there's even a story about a guy in love with a guillotine! Today's FULL STORY preview though originally appeared in the October 1954 issue of Mysterious Adventures #22, pencils by Bill Savage, and feels a bit like a fast paced and freaky EC leftover. So rush out now and get HAUNTED LOVE #2 before they sell-out-- sounds as if comic shops are under-ordering again, as usual.

Wilson's Woman

THOIA returns after a brief hiatus (February was project overload month!) with a request from Tara "The Terror" who writes in expressing her relentless love for HAUNTED LOVE #1 (thank you!) while also inquiring about a rotten romance story she remembers reading a long, long time ago. Pretty sure I got what the mad doctor ordered for ya today, and though I don't usually post Atlas tales anymore due to blatant, greedy asshole comment abuse around here over the last few years, I'm making a exception because she asked nicely. Originally featured in the May 1954 issue of Mystic #30 (art by Doug Wildey and rockin' cover art by Russ Heath)