Skin-Deep

Is everyone enjoying these Atlas Suspense stories? I guess it had been a while since we had ourselves an Atlas Fest around here, and you guys definitely let me know it! And we have a few more to go, including one starring this glamour puss who thinks she's the be all / end all in beauty! Boy, does she ever have a thing or two to learn... from the October 1952 issue of Suspense #23, and featuring some real nice art from Syd Shores.

Horror at Haunted Castle!

Last month we saw Dick Ayers' classic Ghost Rider take on the Frankenstein's Monster out west, so this month let's see how the beautiful Blonde Phantom tackles said undead creature, --from the Summer 1947 issue of Blonde Phantom #14! This might very well be the first ever Frankenstein Friday around this blog... it's definitely the first time I've ever posted a Blonde Phantom adventure here! Enjoy!

The Return of the Monster

Just when you think Atlas Month is over-- here it comes again like a rampaging beast from Hell! Yes, looks like it's not quite through with you yet! And speaking of, looks like we haven't seen the last of Frankenstein's monster either! From the June 1950 issue of Marvel Tales #96, with unsigned story art credits going to Gene Colan and Vince Alascia, --and meanwhile, spooky Syd Shores turned out the seriously terrific cover art piece. So what came first, the cover or the splash?

Fresh Out of Flesh!

Sometimes it's hard to believe that I've been chuggin' this blog along since 2007, and as we are sure to finally reach 2,000 posts sometime in the upcoming year, the inevitable question I occasionally get asked is, "When does THOIA finally run fresh out of stories to post?" and to be honest, I really have no answer for that question. It seems that every time I turn to my collection I discover more gems that I have somehow overlooked in the past. But I do know of someone who is seriously fresh out of flesh-- AIEEEEEE! --as we continue chugging' along on our Stan Lee Tribute Fest! From the Sept. '53 issue of Menace #7, artwork by Syd Shores!

The Fatal Note!

Another dreadfully drenched tale of death and drama (and sweat beads) on the high seas, from the Ziff-Davis summer 1952 issue of Nightmare #1. Real nice art by Syd Shores, with a possible sweat bead assist from Rudy Palais (just joking.) Sweat beads-- the beads of sweat!

The Movie House Horror!

When the TV set was first introduced everyone initially thought it was just another fad gadget that would disappear after time. But once the 50’s kicked in, drive-in and theatre owners began noticing their audience numbers were dwindling fast, and of course the blame fell completely on the TV. It didn’t take a genius to see that people were now staying home and watching movies instead of going out. But what could theatre owners do? This is where 3D movies and madmen like William Castle come in, creating gimmicks and other outrageously exciting promotions to lure people back to the silver screen. Kind of like the madman in this story…

From the Jan. 1954 issue of Mystery Tales #17