REVENGE IS SWEET

You've heard the old saying, "First come, first served"? That's the title of this story from MISTER MYSTERY #18 (Stanley Morse, August 1954) with art by Tony Mortellaro. It proves that the tables can be turned on a husband who seeks the help of Mr. Morte to quickly dispatch his wife who has fallen for another man. But a twist of fate proves that revenge can be sweet as candy.

NOTORIOUS PRE-CODE HORROR COMICS COVERS

When horror comics began to crowd each other out on the newsstands, publishers had only one tactic to lure readers: the cover. They could slap on all the enticing blurbs followed by exclamation points they wanted, but it was the image that had the most impact. The best and the most remembered of these aren't because of artistic or skillfully-rendered ability (although some of them were quite well done), it's because of their shock factor -- the more revolting and disgusting, the better. As Stephen King later put it in his book Danse Macabre, ". . . if I find I cannot terrify him/her, I will try to horrify; and if I find I cannot horrify, I’ll go for the gross-out". These sample cover images certainly accomplished that.

Art by Lee Elias.

Art by Warren Kremer/Lee Elias.

Art by unidentified artist.

Art by Don Heck.

Art by Don Heck.

Art by Bernard Baily.

Art by Bernard Baily.

Art by Tony Mortellaro (?).

Art by Bob Forgione/Vince Alascia.

Art by Bernard Baily.

Art by Warren Kremer.