Mystery Master

Croydon Publishing Co. delivered to us a pair of nifty 1940's "Mystery Master" horror tales, both of which can be found in the pages of the equally short-lived Variety Comics series. Running a mere 3 "mixed bag" issues, Mystery Master may have looked more like Ben Franklin than The Cryptkeeper, but he still stood out among the superhero, cops 'n robbers, and comedy selections featured in 2 of the 3 issues --and managed to spin a couple of superb chillers as well! A mad science experiment turns truly monstrous in "The Web", from the dynamic debut issue of Variety Comics #1 (1944), followed by a sinisterly swingin' old dark house set-up in "The Mystery of the Eccentric Collector", via Variety Comics #3 from 1946. According to GCD, the latter story artwork is credited to Leo Bachle, the first tale remains uncredited.

With Knife in Hand!

Most of the great Jack Katz stories that we've featured HERE at THOIA over the years have been devoted to his ominous output for Pines publishing house. So sometimes it's only right to remind everyone that he also did some amazing work for Atlas as well-- like this deadly doozy from the murderous May 1954 issue of Strange Tales #28.

Curtain Call

Surpisingly, we've only seen a few posts here over the years from DC's great Secrets of Haunted House series (click HERE for more!) And today's entry falls under the "Tales of Destiny" banner, featuring the purple cloaked, Hand of Fate-esque horror host, Destiny himself actually interacting with the story characters as a foreboding warning to the shivery love shenanigans that await. It's a far-out Jess Jodloman illustrated tale that also adds in some mad science and sweet sci-fi elements for the final climactic, galactic cherry on top. From the August 1979 issue of Secrets of Haunted House #15. One more March post still ahead— stay tombed!

Stranger in Town

We're celebrating the first day of Spring 2026 here at THOIA, as well as over at AEET, complete with some do (though focusing on don't) tips about how to really bring your plants and garden back to life! Well, maybe not exactly THIS much "back to life", but you all know what I'm talkin' 'bout, right? And when was the last time we saw anything by Reed Crandall around these parts? It's seriously been a long cold, errr, half decade+, for sure! And okay, don't get your hopes too high, cuz this ain't even by him anyway, even though it's credited to him! It's actually, of course, terrifyin' Tom Sutton layin' down his usual brilliant, and ominously organic artwork! Also, that stunning London After Midnight cover painting is by the great Basil Gogos, and not Charles Schulz, or Barry Gibb, --via the awesome April 1969 issue of Creepy #26.

The Iron Man

Iron Man?!! But I thought Kars said we were done with hero stuff for a while! Annnnd indeed we are, as this is not a Marvel post, --but a wild robo Atlas classic from the January 1953 issue of Mystery Tales #7. Carl Burgos even delivers a hairy-scary dash of lycanthropy to the first page, making it eligible for a Werewolf Wednesday post as well! Yes, today's perfect post is all about the fiendish fake-out!

The Death Ray

It's time to WHOOSH! some living things into skeletons somehow, which means it's also time for another half-baked Captain Battle horror adventure bonanza, via the December 1941 issue of Silver Streak Comics #17! This time Cap and his trusty sidekick Hale take on Dr. Dracula (lol) and his dingbat death ray. And if you think you've seen the last of death rays this week-- think again! I've got another one aimed at you up next for March of the Mummies Monday, in fact... yes, we must not forget the monthly themes that I tend to flimsily throw together here at the last minute. WHOOSH!