A Coffin for Carlos

We've discussed the 'ol "bury you now, dig you up later" scheme in these scary old precode stories many times in the past, and it'll come as no spoilery surprise to learn that it doesn't work out in today's post either. But this time there's a twist, and it barely makes sense, --and bah, who cares? This is the stuff that made Atlas horror so great in the foist place, ya lousy bums! From the Dec. 1952 issue of Marvel Tales #110, with art by Don Perlin and Abe Simon (cover art by Russ Heath.)

The Night of the Poltergeists

Doctor Graves is back for one more supernaturally creepy, Charlton encounter, and it's another petrifyin' pile-on of poltergeists to boot! From the February 1970 issue of The Many Ghosts of Doctor Graves #18, with diabolically damned art by Golden Age great, Don Perlin (plus a Ditko cover art assist as well!) Hope everyone enjoyed this mini-fest of Charlton chills 'n thrills, I promise we'll get back into the regular mix of things for the rest of the month-- stay tombed!

R.I.P. Don Perlin (1929 - 2024)

News has just surfaced that dynamite Don Perlin passed away a few weeks back at the age of 94, and THOIA honors his comic book greatness with a precode double feature from his astounding days at Atlas. "Death, Where is Thy Sting?" is from the December 1953 issue of Astonishing #28, and "The Dinner Guest" can be found in the October 1954 issue of Astonishing #35. And after the posts, find out more about Don Perlin by CLICKING HERE!

The Place on the Hill

Another goofy artist determined to be creative in a haunted old witch house-- you'd think these people would learn their lessons, but nooooo. From the February 1953 issue of Weird Horrors #6, and possibly illustrated by Don Perlin who worked on some great supernatural Marvel titles later in his career, ie Werewolf By Night and Ghost Rider, but is probably most famous for having co-created Moon Knight. This is another oddball tale that the Eerie Pubs reworked / reprinted a few times in the early 70's as well.

The Invisible Curse

Let's wrap up this month with a wild tale of witchcraft gone terrible wrong, from the Sept. '52 issue of Weird Terror #1. Todays entry takes off from the start like a possessed race horse and seriously just gets more maniacally delirious with each page. A dynamite Don Perlin and Abe Simon story definitely worthy of the multiple Eerie Pub reprint / re-makes in the 70's-- it even found its way down under into the Australian Gredown, Satan's Corpse, one-shot in 1981.

Crawling Death

You know you want insane precode horror, and friends, it seriously doesn't get much more bonked out than this one! And as with our last post, todays adventure into doom is also from the April 1952 issue of Chamber of Chills Magazine #7. Yes, if horribly giant, half human crabs are what you crave then this is the tale for you. And if you love dialog like "I'm gonna kill it!! It might be some rare species!!" then this is also your cup 'o crab meat (dipped in melted butter!) Lord, do I ever adore the inspired design of those fang-filled crab claws. The story might be a real head scratcher, but the art somehow pulls it all together. Somehow. And FYI: this would be a good double feature with Bride of the Crab which can still be found scuttling around in the THOIA archive right HERE. Yes, make yours a crabby date night tonight!

Singing Slaves

The already horrific concept of slavery becomes even more horrific in this Don Perlin and Abe Simon classic, our last tale (featuring a dynamite final panel) from the May 1953 issue of Horrific #5.

Vintage AD