"Sheer Fear!"

I remember reading this story when I was a kid and thinking it was really cool, very clever, and super creepy-- see what you guys think! And for obvious reasons, I'm always reminded of it every time I watch Creepshow (1982.) From the April-May 1974 issue of House of Mystery #224, with ghastly art by Gerry Talaoc, and a good script by Sheldon Mayer.

Men with Fangs!

THOIA's Friday Freak-O-Meter has officially gone off the charts with this terrifically illustrated Joe Sinnott terrorama from the December 1952 issue of Suspense #25. And if the more observant of you out there are slowly starting to see a pattern with the posts developing here, well-- you may be on to something, finally... sheesh!

"Who Shall Inherit the Earth?"

When dirty rats rise to power, it's time to fight the dirty rats with everything you have. Don't let the dirty rats win! From the January 1953 issue of Tales of Horror #4, and reprinted a couple times in the Eerie Pubs, as well as Haunted Horror #6. Make the dirty rats pay. Are you hearing me? Do you fully understand what I mean? Fight a dirty rat-- today!

The Opener of the Crypt!

It's Lurid Lit 101 time again, and after our last post which weaved a rather wicked spin on a Shakespeare classic HERE, let's fulfill a recent request for not only mo' Edgar Allan Poe, but also for some Frank Brunner art! Now this is how you really weave together some legends-- and a fine addition to our recent look at illustrators who know their way around a scary skeleton drawing too! This is based on the John Jakes sequel to Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado", and originally appeared in the May 1973 issue of Chamber of Chills #4.

Dr. Nemesis

If you were looking for something different today in the world of Ace Magazines terror, then you definitely came to the right place! SEE! A crazy, throat slashing masked surgeon! Corpse play! Sexy nurses! Suicide! And a plague of Black Death infected rats unleashed! Whoa nelly, it seriously doesn't come more exciting and bonkers than this! Throw in a gloriously gory, and very unique two-page splash panel spread, (art by Bruce Currie) and it all adds up to non-stop, action packed fists o'fun in a hospital of horrors! According to the internet, Dr. James Bradley, aka "Doctor Nemesis" would also later go on to be the co-creator of the Human Torch android! From the June 1942 issue of Lightning Comics V3#1.

Build a Better Rat-Trap!

Terror team time from Bill Benulis and Jack Abel, taking us out with a hysterically ratty finale from the August 1953 issue of Adventures into Terror #22, --hope everyone enjoyed our Atlas 2024 Fest! I'll try to add more Atlas tales in the coming months, but up next some long awaited requests from other various publications and eras. Stay tombed...

The Pit and the Pendulum

Continuing with the Edgar Allan Poe entries of "Famous Tales of Terror", this time around from the November 1944 issue of Yellowjacket Comics #3. There are a lot of nightmarishly fun visuals here, and hey, if you need help decorating for a Halloween party next year, be sure to refer back to this story...