Triple-Header!

If the ancient Egyptian Karnak Curse in our previous post didn't do it for you, then how about a curse from the creepy old Carnoc Castle grotto instead? This story originally appeared here at THOIA in a black and white reprint version way back in 2017 (HERE), --but everyone hated the scan quality so I swore on the blood of thy ancestors that someday I would re-feature the proper, original story from the October 1951 debut issue of This Magazine is Haunted #1. George Evans art definitely deserves to be viewed in this manner, any 'ol way. Annnnd because the story is a whoppin' 13 pages long, I thought, hey, why not make this post even longer with some additional TMIH filler quickies, like even more fun Facts About Witches and Witchcraft (from TMIH #20), as well as a two-page Ditko horror adventure, via TMIH #17. This blog is pretty damned haunted too, you know?

Skulls! Skulls!! Skulls!!!

The second half of the 28 Years Later film saga, The Bone Temple, opened in theaters this weekend, and we're going to see it this Tuesday night, in fact. Now, not to get "a-head" of ourselves here for anyone else who hasn't seen it yet, (though I'm sure the posters, trailers, and scenes from the first half of the previous movie hath etched the towers of chilling skull totems into everyone's gasping eyeballs already anyway), but that brings me to this: I've been hanging onto Werner Roth's rather savage, "The Grinning Skulls!" from the January 1953 issue of Strange Tales #14 for about a year now, patiently waiting for just the right occasion to post it, and now you will see EXACTLY why. And not to be outdone by one juicy jolt of jungle jitters, but I also have a god-damned (get it?)  Stan Lee / John Romita decap classic via the January 1953 issue of Mystery Tales #7 that will really flip your lid! If that ain't enough, I've also included an old WW2 photo with a back story that's even more macabre than either of today's Atlas Tales combined. Click HERE for it if you dare... ugh!

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 Clutch of the Devil Fish!

Had ourselves a tough turkey decision to make this Thanksgiving, so now we're heading out for some seafood instead! Yep, things from the darkest depths make for a most delectable dish, but what if that thing from the deep wants to eat you back?!! A.C. Hollingsworth is in way over his head with this high seas horror hottie who's ringin' up the dinner bell on some modern day Ahabs that are literally beggin' for their just deserts and holiday desserts. From the October 1954 issue of Dark Mysteries #20. One more November helping up next...

One for the Money... Two for the Show!

It's been a very long time since we ventured into the excellent era of 80's Eclipse terror-tory stories, so here's a fun little two-parter featuring the same story set-up in each, but with two brutally different, outrageous outcomes! Written by Bruce Jones (of course), and featuring some really great cartooning by Bill Wray, this short but sweet "Choose Your Favorite Climax" combo is still packed with plenty of meat, and is a real horror hoot for you giggling gore fans! From the December 1984 issue of Twisted Tales #10, and highlighted with a perfectly putrid cover painting by joltin' John Pound!