Joseph Medley, Lady Killer / Strangler

Like our previous post, "Joseph Medley, Lady Killer" is based on a true crime case, and this time about a psychopath who targeted women with red hair. The comic book adaptation, also like our previous post, started out in one comic book series, --the May 1948 issue of Murder Incorporated #3 (Fox) --and then later got the reprint / retitle Star Publications treatment in the September 1952 issue of Shock Detective Cases #20. I created an image at the end of the post to avoid additional "Barnes Confusion" (as we also saw here strangely / previously), and it's important to note the cool addition of those gnarly "strangler" hands in the later, updated splash. Is Rudy Palais responsible for those new monster mitts as well? No idea, but he created the rest of the asphyxiatingly awesome art presented here-- so hang on to your windpipes, ya'll, cuz this one's a real *CHOKE!* killer of a tale!

Homicidal Madman!

Aka "The Amazing Dr. Holmes: Murdering Lothario of Illinois" tells the true crime story of vicious psycho con artist / serial killer, Dr. Henry Howard Holmes, aka H. H. Holmes who engaged in a lengthy criminal career in Chicago during the late 1800's. First published in the August 1948 issue of Famous Crimes #2, and later as "Homicidal Madman!" when reprinted / retitled for Star Publication's September 1952 issue of Shocking Mystery Tales #50, this is a slightly muddled, though still somewhat decent adaptation of the sensationally disturbing story, and features many of the more brutal Holmes atrocities, unflinching laid out for you the comic book reader --in particular, one very unnerving acid bath sequence! Read more about HHH and his "Murder Castle" of horrors HERE at the Wiki entry, --if you dare!

The Case of the Strange Murder

If you enjoyed being buried alive in our previous story HERE, then it's time once again to dive in over our heads for yet another smothery love triangle gone horribly wrong! Speaking of heads, you may be scratching your own when today's crime horror classic from the November 1953 issue of Startling Terror Tales V2 #7 incorrectly reveals just how quickly a body actually decomposes in quicksand! But it's still a grimy, fun tale none the less, and it's just the start of our lurid look into Star Publication's most sicko murderers and maniacs --and this theme should also run its rotten course through most of December Week 3, so stayed tombed for lots more! 

Cover art by L.B. Cole, of course!

No Harm Done on the Witches' Sabbat + Norman Was Right!

Like many of you this evening, THOIA is also dressin' up to paint the town orange 'n black (and red) with costumes and candy and all kinds of wicked Witches' Sabbat shenanigans. Now where did I put that sacrificial dagger, anyways? And oh, look at 'ol Norman over there, hookin' up with the absolute purrrrfect girl of his screams-- err, dreams, via the April 1952 issue of Suspense #17! She will most certainly have a bone or two to pick clean with him before the night is over! But first up, let's do what everybody loves the most on a night like this, and that's playing a spooky prank on an unsuspecting victim! Yesss, hee-hee, we've got our sights set on someone in particular-- let's just hope we can actually pull it off without a horrible hitch, --from the April '54 issue of Shocking Mystery Cases #58. Everyone have a great holiday, and Mr. Karswell hopes you all enjoyed this month of petrifyin' posts. See you in November for lots rots more-- HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Dead Man's Revenge

It just wouldn't be Halloween without a vicious visit from the greatest monster of 'em all-- Frankenstein's Mobster Monster, that is! This dynamite, Jay Disbrow crime horror updating of the Mary Shelley classic is from the September 1952 issue of Shocking Mystery Cases #50, and is seriously packed with awesome art, and tight, uniquely compact story telling as only Disbrow seemed to know how to do (and all done in a mere 6 pages, no less too!) Star Comics definitely got their money's worth out of Jay (as well as utilizing L. B. Cole on those gnarly great covers), --it's just a shame they couldn't have used a better quality printer as nearly every single thing they ever published looks rotten. Oh well, hopefully this won't hamper damper everyone's overall joy and celebration of this oddly overlooked, Golden Age, creature feature monsterpiece!