Murderer's Mask

Getting back into the swing of 1950's precode Golden Age horror with a short but interesting one featuring some nicely detailed art by Mean Gene Colan. From the Winter 1951 issue of Weird Thrillers #2, and highlighted by a gorgeously painted cover by Allen Anderson.

The Soul of Benjamin Sprague

A chilly Christmas classic from the THOIA archive returns, originally presented in Weird Thrillers #3 from 1952, and this one highlighted by a terrific terror team-up of pencil and ink artistry-- including Howard Nostrand, Martin Epp, and clearly Bob Powell!

Happy Horrordays, everyone!

The Soul of Benjamin Sprague

Happy Xmas Eve(L) everyone! To those of you still at work and pulling a half day, or those of you already at home and wrapping presents (or murdering Gingerbread men with your teeth), here’s my present to you, from the Winter/Spring 1952 issue of Weird Thrillers #3. This Trading Places-esque tale by Bob Powell was actually already featured over at The Fortress last week (the indentical St. John Nightmare #13 reprint version from ‘53), but since I already had the original Weird Thrillers version scanned I’m gonna go ahead and post it here anyway for those that missed it.

I sincerely hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday… and remember, he sees you when you're sleeping...

TOMORROW: More ghosts! More Bob Powell too (I think...)

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Vintage Xmas AD

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Vault of Xmas Card

THOIA reader Squa Tront (aka Paul Beatless of Eastleigh England) sends a phantasmically chilling, personalized holiday greeting to each and every Pre-Coder out there. But dare I say Old Boy; I think we’ve always known what you look like under the Santa mask--- AIEEEEE!!

Thanks again Squa, and another screaming round of good cheer to everyone! AIEEEE!!

The Monster and the Model

Today’s post comes from the Sept-Oct 1951 issue of Weird Thrillers #1 and features a cool ‘n creepy, and rare, photo cover of Rondo Hatton (so says Overstreet but it sure doesn’t look like Rondo to me.) If you like stories where a dill weed cop says stuff like “holy mackerel!” in the face of evil, then you’ll find this one to be a fun and mildly spooky cracker jack of a tale, playing out more like a Lance Storm or Dr. 13 horror / crime adventure. Enjoy!

PS: Has today's cover mystery "monster" indentity been solved? Read the comment from Habakkuk Zylbyrbutz in the Saturday Nov 22 comments and tell us what you think.

TOMORROW: Speaking of Lance Storm, Brian Hirsch takes the horror reins this weekend and brings you 2 days of terrorific posts, including Lance Storm in Séance of Horror! Plus, a creepy severed hand tale from an early issue of Horrific. And just cuz Karswell’s taking a mini-vacation doesn’t mean you should miss ‘em!

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And head over to Chuck’s Comic Book Catacombs sometime today for Sandflower of Venus, a THOIA submitted tale featuring some gorgeous artwork and tons o'swashbuckling action and chills! It’s also from the Sept-Oct 1951 issue of Weird Thrillers #1!