Kronos--Zagros--Eborak!

Some of you may have pondered: "When did Mr. Karswell first get hooked on Satan?" And the answer comes via the very first time I read a DC horror comic yarn illustrated by the ever fearsome, Frank Thorne! More precisely, the August 1976 issue of House of Mystery #244. This wildly wicked story is overloaded with great Kashdan moments: a sinister brainwashing ceremony, half-nude cult cuties, a kick ass kung-fu fight in a steam bath, and a final page with more clever twists than a pentagram shaped pretzel! If you've never read this one, you're in for a treat. And a very special "Kronos--Zagros--Eborak" to those of you lovin' that diabolically demonic Luiz Dominguez cover below, too!

Slave of the Pharaoh

Let's quickly detour back to the House of Mystery for a macabre Mummy Monday rampagin' murderama, via the November 1980 issue of HoM #286. It's 5 packed pages of creepy crumblin' chaos, plus a joltin' Cain quickie-- not to mention a really great cover from 'ol King Kubert too!

"Sheer Fear!"

I remember reading this story when I was a kid and thinking it was really cool, very clever, and super creepy-- see what you guys think! And for obvious reasons, I'm always reminded of it every time I watch Creepshow (1982.) From the April-May 1974 issue of House of Mystery #224, with ghastly art by Gerry Talaoc, and a good script by Sheldon Mayer.

"I Hired a Ghost!"

An appropriately themed Halloween party in a haunted house tale from the May 1953 issue of House of Mystery #14, with classic art by Leonard Starr and Bruno Premiani. And yes, maybe you're one of the odd ducks just now discovering THOIA, (really?!) --so as the eerie invite below states: "You Are Invited To Enter And Join In Our Fun!" Have a great holiday everyone, burn the midnight fires this evening, and we'll see you all next month for lots rots more!

The Lovely Little Lady with the Sea-Green Tail!

I've been revisiting one of my favorite old 60's TV series lately, CLICK Voyage to the Bottom of Sea, and this episode in particular featuring a lovely mermaid and her angry mate reminded me of a very similar tale from the April 1979 issue of House of Mystery #267. So kick off those vacation shoes for a pair of flippers, we're treadin' in some dangerous waters as we get July 2023 rollin' out on a weird "...wave of mutilation..."

Teddy Doesn't Seem to Smile Anymore!

Wow, we haven't had a Frank Robbins story around here since 2016. Time to fix that with a funny little 3-page chiller from the August - September 1974 issue of House of Mystery #226. Nobody draws cute women quite like 'ol Frank did, and here's a perfect example...

Things Like That Don't Happen

Jess Jodloman became our spotlight artist for the month of May, so here on the final day of the month is our last post highlighted once more by his splendidly spooky illustrations. And say, if anyone's heading to the beach today to celebrate the holiday weekend, be sure to steer clear of the older area of the boardwalk, especially one particular coin-op mechanical fortune teller machine with the uncanny ability-- good or bad-- to see right through you! Please enjoy this atmospheric tale from the July 1976 issue of House of Mystery #243 and everyone have a very pleasant holiday, --we'll see you in June!

One Way Passage / Mummy Dearest

Everyone seemed to enjoy the Jess Jodloman artwork featured in our last post, so I dug around a bit and found another tale by him for you, a terrifically satanic passage from the May 1986 issue of Elvira's House of Mystery #3 via DC, with some ferociously hellacious Halloween devils heatin' up the last five flaming pages! And while most of you know that I'm not the biggest fan of Elvira (I am forever dedicated to Team Vampira), I was actually quite a fan of this short-lived series back in my teenage high school days. And just to make things even more eerie, how about a 3-page mummy quickie from Elvira's House of Mystery #8 as well, with equally astounding art by killer Kerry Gammill too!