TODAY'S RED PLATE SPECIAL

Wha? Cannibalism again? Well, it is one of mankind's greatest taboos, and what better place to exploit it than in a horror comic! This EC-inspired story, "The Cannibal!", is from OUT OF THE SHADOWS #13 (Pines/Standard Comics, May 1954) with a script by Carl Wessler, an unknown penciler and inks possibly by Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio.

HEADLESS AND LOVING IT

Here's another example of a "headless" story. This one is short and sickly-sweet and called "Junk-Man's Treasure" from OUT OF THE SHADOWS #14 (Visual Editions, Inc./Pines, August 1954). Pencils are by Rocco Mastroserio and inks are by Nick Cardy.

WHAT'S FATE GOT TO DO, GOT TO DO WITH IT?

These stories really don't have much to do with fate, but they do provide some light horror fare. We've got disembodied heads, a werewolf (with an all too-familiar plot) and a couple other monster types to sate our thirst for four-color horror. The story titles promise much, but don't deliver like some other horror comics did at the time. Still, it's a pretty good looking book, thanks to the likes of Lou Cameron, Rocco Mastroserio and Mike Sekowsky. If the truth be told, there were a lot of other horror comics at the time that were also flavored with a heavy serving of vanilla.

THE HAND OF FATE began with issue #8 after MEN AGAINST CRIME was shelved with its seventh issue. It ran for 19 issues, from December 1951 to December 1954, when Ace was crushed by the weight of the Comics Code Authority.

NOTE: The two-page text story, "Unburied Dead" is reprinted from CHALLENGE OF THE UNKNOWN #6 (Ace Magazines, September 1950).

Does Ace's THE HAND OF FATE get any more "horrifying"? We'll find out in later posts.

THE HAND OF FATE

Vol. 1 No. 8 (First issue)

December 1951

Humor Publications Inc. (Ace Comics)

Editor: ?

Cover: Kenneth Rice

Pages: 36

Cover price: 10 cents

CONTENTS

"The Revolt of the Heads"

Script: ?

Pencils: Lou Cameron

Inks: Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio

"A Hand of Fate Mystery #1" (one page)

Script: ?

Art: ?

"Canyon of the Living Dead"

Script: ?

Art: Jim McLaughlin

"A Hand of Fate Mystery #2" (one page)

Script: ?

Art: ?

"Death Howls By Moonrise"

Script: ?

Pencils: Maurice Gutwirth; George Appel

Inks: Vince Alascia ?; Maurice Gutwirth; George Appel

"Monster of the Bayous"

Script: ?

Art: Mike Sekowsky

Inks: Vince Alascia

EERIE NO. 1 (1951)

The beginning of the 1950's saw a major change in the appearance of pulp fiction magazines when most titles were converted from the standard, 7 x 10 size that had been used since the 1920's to the smaller, digest-size (5.5 x 8.25). One holdout was Joseph Meyers, publisher of Avon Books, who tried a new combination science-fiction pulp/comic book after a suggestion by his printer, J.W. Clements. The editor was noted science-fiction writer/anthologist Donald A. Wollheim, who was not apparently thrilled with the idea.

Hampered by generally uninspired stories, the title only lasted for two issues due to weak sales (July, 1950/December 1950). The first issue is noteworthy, however, for its cover by James Bama. The comic portions were inserts of Avon's EERIE COMICS and the recently-published OUT OF THIS WORLD. Both contained the John Giunta-drawn Conan swipe, "Crom the Barbarian".

Sol Cohen began working for Avon in 1947 and edited their comics division from then until 1956. Coincidentally, Cohen was the circulation and business manager for EC Comics from 1947 until 1949. After a few years at Avon, he was promoted to vice-president. In addition, Cohen was an associate of ex-girlie magazine publisher Harry Donenfeld, now best known as the head of of National Periodical Publications/DC Comics. The two assisted in forming attorney Bill Friedman and his wife Sophie's Youthful Publications in 1949. Youthful published two Pre-Code horror titles, BEWARE and CHILLING TALES. While not credited, Cohen might have been the editor of the first all-original, all-horror comic book, EERIE COMICS in 1947.

There was no tip-toeing with these stories as some publishers did with their first try at horror comics for reasons of either caution in producing anything too violent or terrifying or they hadn't gotten the hang of it yet! EERIE, on the other hand, went full-tilt; the only thing missing was actual bloodletting and gore. Otherwise there is a full complement of werewolves, zombies, and other unsavory characters. The book is also peppered with sadism, bondage and provocatively-posed and transparently-dressed females, making it for a splendid read for those so inclined.

NOTE; Ads have been removed from this scan.

EERIE

Vol. 1 No. 1

May-June 1951

On-sale date: February 16, 1951

Avon Periodicals Inc.

Publisher: Joseph Meyers

Editor: Sol Cohen

Cover: Unknown artist illustrating "King of the Living Dead"

Pages: 36

Cover price: 10 cents

CONTENTS

"The Werewolf of Warsham Manor"

Script: ?

Art: Moe Marcus; Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio

"King of the Living Dead"

Script: ?

Art: Martin Thall

"The Subway Horror!" (originally titled, "The Strange Case of Henpecked Harry" from Eerie Comics #1)

Script: ?

Art: Fred Kida; Bob Fujitani?

"The Monster from the Pit"

Script: ?

Art: ?