The Thing on the Roof!

Let’s take a look at one more 1970’s Robert E. Howard comic book adaptation this week and then get back to the pre-code days, shall we? This one is from the March 1973 issue of Chamber of Chills #3, and like yesterday’s tale is also illustrated by Frank Brunner. Howard's original version of this story saw print in the February 1932 issue of Weird Tales and is another favorite of mine—enjoy!

TOMORROW: On with the Horrific Fest!

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Other forms of "ancient and deadly..."

The Monster from the Mound!

I’ve set aside the Horrific series fest for another day or two and by popular demand adjusted the coordinates of the THOIA Time Machine for the January 1973 issue of Chamber of Chills #2, where we find yet another great Robert E. Howard horror classic adapted by Roy Thomas for Marvel Comics, with art by Frank Brunner.

TOMORROW: More Robert E. Howard Horror!

More Frank Brunner too!

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Originally published in the May 1932 issue of Weird Tales as “The Horror from the Mound” this odd vampire western hybrid was actually one of the first REH tales I ever read… and when I did, it literally made my skin crawl! The vampire creature seems much more terrifying in the original than Brunner's more human-ish visualization for Marvel, here is an excerpt:

“At the window a face glared and gibbered soundlessly at him. Two icy eyes pierced his very soul. A shriek burst from his throat and the ghastly visage vanished. But the very air was permeated by the foul scent that had hung about the ancient mound. And now the door creaked—bent slowly inward. Brill backed up against the wall, his gun shaking in his hand. It did not occur to him to fire through the door; in his chaotic brain he had but one thought—that only that thin portal of wood separated him from some horror born out of the womb of night and gloom and the black past. His eyes were distended as he saw the door give, as he heard the staples of the bolt groan. The door burst inward. Brill did not scream. His tongue was frozen to the roof of his mouth. His fear-glazed eyes took in the tall, vulture-like form—the icy eyes, the long black finger nails—the moldering garb, hideously ancient…”

Dig Me No Grave!

Today our flashy Time Machine is set ahead for the October 1972 issue of Journey into Mystery #1, where we find a handful of my heroes all colliding in one great story*. To most of us, Gil Kane and Robert E. Howard need no introduction, but if you need a refresher just click on their names to get the scoop (all others proceed on your MARVELous mysterious journey...)

*Credits also to Roy Thomas and Tom Palmer.

TOMORROW: True, Amazing Accounts of the Strangest blah blah blah...

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