The Anti-13 / Something Very Special

THOIA has the Devil in the details with today's double-doomed dose of Gold Key grimmess. A hot new party plan produces some rather unexpected results in, "Something Very Special" from the March 1976 issue of Grimm's Ghost Stories #29  --and features a truly amazing cover painting by the great George Wilson. It's one of my super sizzlin' Satanic 70's favorites, for sure! But first up, let's visit another perplexing party, via the September 1975 issue of Grimm's Ghost Stories #26. No spoiler here as they're attempting to do the exact opposite of the gaslit gang featured in the other story, (sort of), --but with no less deadly, endgame consequences! And similar to the plot point in our previous post HERE, this one also has an interesting "projection" angle. Yep, if the Lord (of Darkness) moves in mysterious ways, then so can science! ::SHIVERS::

The Ghost Maker / He Couldn't Live Without Her

Let us now kick start Fearbruary into ghoulish gear by picking up right where we left off last month with another double feature of g-g-g-ghost stories! And this time we'll be visiting two Gold Key classics, the August 1974 issue of Grimm's Ghost Stories #18, as well as Grimm's Ghost Stories #28 from December 1975. Both tales fall into our lurid month-long look at love and other monstrosities of matrimonial madness 'n mayhem-- though I may sneak something non-Valentiney into the mix occasionally too. So hands up, who thinks the guys in both of these stories each got a raw deal in the end?

A Study in Terror

We made a bunch of macabre monsters in our previous Landor post HERE, and now --with the help of Boris Karloff-- it's time to make another! But be warned, if you choose to play a monster, be extra careful that you don't actually become one, too! I love a good stormy night of horror inside an atmospheric, seaside cliff mansion! From the June 1972 issue of Boris Karloff Tales of Mystery #41, with story art by Hy Eisman, and cover painting by the great George Wilson.

The Fiendish Spectre

This story was one of my first encounters with a Gold Key comic that truly frightened me. I mean, I was just a dopey little kid, but that evil Jack Sparling spirit with those claws and teeth --that nobody but the victim could see-- really did me good for a few sleepless nights. It also kind of reminded me of the Haunting record fiend in the old ads. From the December 1970 issue of Ripley's Believe it or Not #23.

Beasts and Banshees!

Thirsty Thursdays are here again, with a couple of sex-crazed supernatural thingies out lookin' for some flingies. I believe most people view these Ripley's stories as being a bit G-rated and tame, but how often do you see a comic book tale from Gold Key where a helpless lady in a nightgown is grabbed by her hair, and flung onto a bed where a half-human creature can then "follow his bestial instincts?!" "The Monster of Croglin Grange" is from the June 1969 issue of RBION #14, followed by a screaming second sizzler, "Prey of the Banshee!" from the October 1971 issue of RBION #29, --this one's highlighted with a beautiful John Celardo illustrated lead female looking like she stepped right out of John Buscema's pretty girl playbook.