Circle of Death

An old family curse comes full circle once more, in this chilly, atmospheric entry from the December 1952 issue of Weird Horrors #5, --and thus proving again that sometimes love actually won't keep us together. Anyone recognize the artist?

The Great God Pan

As long as we're fishin' it up in this wicked sector of the weird, wooded wild (see our previous post HERE), we may as well get in a little hunting too! And now, not to be confused with the same named horror classic by the awesome great, Arthur Machen, but this time around the Great God Pan has to share his vengeful, shirtless tale via the January 1947 issue of Four Favorites #27 with some oddly intrusive narrative pop-ins from "The Unknown", a cloaked, Death-like horror host figure who would eventually get his own Ace Magazines comic series in 1951, (aka The Hand of Fate.) Paul Parker's artwork doesn't seem as tightly streamlined here as it is on his awesome Kirk of Scotland Yard tales (check the THOIA archives!) but its still pretty fun none the less. And, if you did come here looking for something Machen related, I went ahead and added a one page "Phantom Bowman" quickie from the December 1952 issue of Weird Horrors #5 at the end. If you're not hip to how or why it's related to Mr. Machen, well CLICK HERE for the full scoop-- it's a very interesting WW1 story. And finally, if anyone needs more sinister Satyr action, CLICK HERE as well-- whew!

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 Vampire Fog

Earlier this month marked the 40th anniversary release of one of my all time favorite John Carpenter films, The Fog (1980.) I'm sure I don't need to recap the movie here as it's quite the supernatural classic, so instead enjoy this similarly themed tale of foggy fright on the high seas of horror, from the June 1952 debut issue of St. Johns Weird Horrors #1.

Priestess of Baal / Sinister Return

We're still screaming for our mommies with the release of my new book this week, MUMMIES, (IDW / Yoe Books) available everywhere NOW, or order a couple online HERE (and FYI: I have a few extras to spare as well if anyone wants to order one directly from me just send an email) --but seriously, what better way to celebrate the holidays this year than with the colorfully wrapped gift of wrapped, reeking corpses! Now while neither of today's classics made the final edit of the book, both are still pretty great in their own evil ways, starting off with Bob Forgione's strangely sexy "The Priestess of Baal" from the Oct '52 issue of Weird Horror's #3, and followed by an encore presentation of "The Sinister Return of the Priestess of Baal" (no relation to the Forgione story) from the Nov '52 issue of Baffling Mysteries #11, art by Chic Stone. I've also spiced up this post with pix of Lana Turner as the Priestess of Baal from MGM's 1955 film epic, The Prodigal!

Joe Kubert (1926–2012) / Map of Doom

Celebrating a life of amazing, masterful artistry, (read more HERE) today we have an encore presentation of my favorite Joe Kubert precode horror tale-- originally posted here at THOIA back in Nov. 2007, from the Oct. '53 issue of Weird Horrors #9.

Joe Kubert
(1926 – 2012)