TOBY'S TALES OF HORROR

Founded in 1949 by Elliot Caplin, Toby Press published reprints of newspaper strips, licensed animated and movie characters, as well as their own original romance, war, westerns and more. Since superhero comics had cooled off after WWII, they avoided that market.

Caplin, a cartoonist himself, was the brother of Al Capp and he reprinted a number of his strips including Li'l Abner, Shmoo and Wolf Gal early on. Under the Minoan Publishing Corp. imprint, he published thirteen issues of the comic you see here, TALES OF HORROR from June 1952 until October 1954. He also published two other horror titles, the one-shot TALES OF TERROR in 1952 and three issues of THE PURPLE CLAW (January 1953 - May 1953).

Caplin pulled the plug on his comics business in 1955; sources blame the onset of the Comics Code Authority as the reason, but it's hard to claim that since he only published a total of 17 horror comics during the Pre-Code era.

The standout in this issue is Myron Fass exercising his predilection for grisly images in the story, "Who Shall Inherit the Earth?" He would use several stories from this issue later in the Eerie Publications reprints.

NOTE: Ads have been removed from this scan, except inside front cover w/indicia.

TALES OF HORROR

Vol. 1 No. 4

January 1953

Toby Press (Minoan Publishing Corp.)

Editor: Elliot Caplin

Cover; Ernie Schroeder

Page: 36

Cover price: 10 cents

CONTENTS

"The Curse of King Kala"

Script: ?

Art: Ernie Schroeder

"Death From the Sea"

Script: ?

Art: Ben Brown; David Ganz

"The Man Who Imagined a Monster!"

Script: ?

Art: Ernie Schroeder

"Who Shall Inherit the Earth?"

Script: ?

Art: Myron Fass

WHAT'S BEHIND THAT DOOR? CRYPTOLOGY!

Due to be shipped on October 2 is this brand new horror 'zine from the fine folks at TwoMorrows Publishing. TwoMorrows you may know, published the legendary book. THE WARREN COMPANION back in 2001 (yours truly was a contributor to that fine tome). They also publish an annual Halloween horror issue of another one of their comic 'zines, BACK ISSUE.

According to their website, three more issues are already planned through early 2025. It looks like the editor will be horror comics' Crown Prince, Peter Normanton, who dazzled us some years ago with his indie-published FROM THE TOMB (TwoMorrows has two FROM THE TOMB books currently available -- look for the covers on the sidebar of this post.

 À la EC Comics, et al, The Cryptologist will guide us through each issue, and according to the provided information, it will be a mix of articles about retro monster movies and comics. If any of you are lucky enough to know about this outfit and the quality -- no, the highest quality publications about comics and pop culture, you know this will be as good as it gets.

NOTE: Descriptions are from the publisher.

“Greetings, creep culturists! For my debut issue, I, the Cryptologist (with the help of From The Tomb editor Peter Normanton), have exhumed the worst Horror Comics excesses of the 1950s, Killer “B” movies to die for, and the creepiest, kookiest toys that crossed your boney little fingers as a child! But wait... do you dare enter the House of Usher, or choose sides in the skirmish between the Addams Family and The Munsters?! Can you stand to gaze at Warren magazine frontispieces by this issue’s cover artist Bernie Wrightson, or spend some Hammer Time with that studio’s most frightening films? And if Atlas pre-code covers or terrifying science-fiction are more than you can take, stay away! All this, and more, is lurching toward you in TwoMorrows Publishing’s latest, and most decrepit, magazine—just for retro horror fans, and featuring my henchmen Will Murray, Mark Voger, Barry Forshaw, Tim Leese, Pete von Sholly, and Steve and Michael Kronenberg!”

"Heh-heh-heh, it’s me again—the Cryptologist—and my ghastly little band have cooked up a few more grisly morsels to terrorize you with! Amongst them is Roger Hill’s conversation with diabolical Don Heck, along with a complete 1950s story by that fabled horror comics artist! For something even more gruesome, Steven Kronenberg slices up his favorite severed hand films! Barry Forshaw brings back the otherworldly horrors of Hammer’s Quatermass, while Tim Leese spends more Hammer Time on that studio’s output. Then, Richard Hand resurrects spooky old radio shows, while editor Peter Normanton prepares a viewing of horror-inspired covers from the Shadow’s own 1940s comic book! We’ll cover another Killer “B” movie classic, along with more pre-Code comic books, and Pete Von Sholly gives his twisted take on cartoon horror. So peer into the dark side with TwoMorrows Publishing’s latest terror—scribed just for retro horror fans!"

“I, the Cryptologist, am back with editor Peter Normanton and my horrible little troop of ne’er do wells, to inflict the dread of Mars Attacks upon you—the banned cards, model kits, and despicable comics, along with a few words from the film’s deranged storyboard artist Pete von Sholly! The chilling poster art of Reynold Brown gets brought up from my vault by Steve Kronenberg, along with a host of terrifying puppets from film, and more pre-Code comic books Dr. Wertham would prefer you forget! Plus, Tim Leese spends more Hammer Time on that studio’s films, we run from another Killer “B” movie (1959’s The Manster), and Justin Marriot flips through obscure ’70s fear-filled paperbacks. It’s more retro-horror to satiate your sinister side!”

“I, the Cryptologist, throw open my putrid sanctuary, as acclaimed illustrator Alex Ross regales us with the gory lowdown on his Universal Monsters paintings. Tim Leese and Hammer Time then take us face-to-face with that studio’s classic film “Brides of Dracula.” Mark Voger puts the horrors of 3-D movies of the 1950s into focus, and editor Peter Normanton literally brings that era’s 3-D comic books to life with a mini-history, and complete 3-D story reprint! From there, we embark on a journey to discover the early origins of blood-curdling slasher movies, as a prelude to the macabre pre-Code artwork of Atlas’s Bill Everett and ACG’s 3-D maestro Harry Lazarus. Another Killer “B” movie awaits (courtesy of Steve Kronenberg), as does cartoon creepiness by Pete Von Sholly. It’s a crypt full of the macabre, prepared especially for retro horror fans!”

PRE-CODE HORROR ACTION FIGURES?

Just when you thought you could put your wallet away, a new crop of horror collectibles has popped up like a patch of sinister mushrooms!

Super7, the maker of those types of mini figures that were made so popular years ago by Funko, has released their first wave of mini action figures based on characters seen on the covers of classic Pre-Code horror comics and they're due to hit the market in a day or two.

The figures are made of painted injected plastic and stand 3 1/4".

Visit the Super7 site HERE.

Purchase the first wave of  Super7 Pre-Code figures HERE.

NOTE: Descriptions are by the manufacturer.

Back of blister package.

BAFFLING MYSTERIES (SEAWEED MONSTER)

Turbid waters may normally hide the Seaweed Monster from the unsuspecting surface dwellers, but once he rises from the depths to find a new Queen, a new terror will walk among them! This 3.75” scale, articulated glow-in-the-dark ReAction Figure of Seaweed Monster features cardback art inspired by the cover of the July 1952 #7 Baffling Mysteries comic book and depicts the creature as if it has just emerged from the murky depths. As scary as his story is, the real horror would be to have a collection without the Pre-Code ReAction Figure in it!

THE BEYOND (VORACIOUS WEREWOLF)

The race to find a cure is on, but it looks like time has run out as the Werewolf within takes over! This 3.75” scale, articulated Pre-Code ReAction Figure of Voracious Werewolf is inspired by the 1950 comic cover art from The Beyond #1, featuring the lycanthrope looking ravenous in torn clothing. The tale this comic was derived from may have been too intense for the general public, but for fans of the genre, the Voracious Werewolf Pre-Code ReAction Figure will be just the right addition to their collection!

BLACK CAT MYSTERY (RADIUM MAN)

Public Health Notice: As Radium Man can attest, exposure to excessive radiation can seriously impact your complexion and dental health! This 3.75” scale, articulated glow-in-the-dark ReAction Figure of Radium Man features cardback art inspired by the cover of the June 1954 #50 Black Cat comic book and includes a Radium stick accessory. As scary as his story is, the real horror would be to have a collection without the Pre-Code ReAction Figure in it!

CHAMBER OF CHILLS (HEARTLESS ZOMBIE)

There’s no cheating the clutches of death or the heart-connection of eternal love! This 3.75” scale, articulated Pre-Code ReAction Figure of Heartless Zombie is inspired by the 1954 comic cover art from Chamber of Chills #23 and features the undead visage of a decayed, re-animated man, complete with tattered business suit attire. The tale this comic was derived from may have been too intense for the general public, but for fans of the genre, the Heartless Zombie Pre-Code ReAction Figure will be just the right addition to their collection!

CHAMBER OF CHILLS (DEAD DARLING)

On your wedding anniversary, there's more than one way to ensure that you'll be together FOREVER! This articulated, 3.75-inch scale Pre-Code ReAction Figure of Dead Darling is inspired by the 1953 comic cover art from Chamber of Chills #19, featuring a blonde bombshell with poisoned chalice accessory. The art was also the inspiration for the iconic Misfits record "Die Die My Darling," and this figure was done in cooperation with the band. The tale this comic was derived from may have been too intense for the general public, but for fans of the genre, the Dead Darling Pre-Code ReAction Figure will be just the right addition to their collection!

CHILLING TALES (GRAVEYARD GHOUL)

What is the Graveyard Ghoul doing in the Boodega? Only those of stout heart and stomach can handle the answer to that mystery! This 3.75” scale, articulated glow-in-the-dark ReAction Figure of Graveyard Ghoul features cardback art inspired by the cover of the December 1952 #13 Chilling Tales comic book and depicts the Ghoul ready to desecrate an untold number of graves. As scary as his story is, the real horror would be to have a collection without the Pre-Code ReAction Figure in it!

GHOSTLY WEIRD STORIES (COMMANDER BEN WOODRUFF)

Super7 patrons, we can confirm that this outer space journey led by Commander Ben Woodruff has gone horribly awry! This 3.75” scale, articulated glow-in-the-dark ReAction Figure of Ben Woodruff features cardback art inspired by the cover of the March 1954 #122 Ghostly Weird comic book and comes with a detachable cracked helmet and breathing hoses as accessories. As scary as his story is, the real horror would be to have a collection without the Pre-Code ReAction Figure in it!

THE UNSEEN (SPINE-CHILLING GHOUL)

What is it that the undead crave? Is it revenge? Love? Eternal companionship? Only the Ghoul knows for certain! This 3.75” scale, articulated Pre-Code ReAction Figure of Spine-Chilling Ghoul is inspired by the 1952 comic cover art from The Unseen #9 and features the risen soul with green skin and a missing eye, as well as tattered clothes and hair. The tale this comic was derived from may have been too intense for the general public, but for fans of the genre, the Spine-Chilling Ghoul Pre-Code ReAction Figure will be just the right addition to their collection!