THE CREATURE FROM DIMENSION 2-K-31

Another tale about a blob, this time from outer space that appeared in THE THING #1 (Charlton, February 1952) with pencils Al Tyler and inks by Bob Forgione. It combines horror, science-fiction and war elements.

If you're interested in owning a copy of Charlton's THE THING head over HERE to my pre-Code horror comics sale page where I've got a copy of #16 that's in pretty good shape.

BEWARE THE BLOBS!

Five years before Steve McQueen encountered a giant, jellied mass in a small town in Pennsylvania, a horror comic introduced the concept. Working feverishly at the Farnley Experimental Laboratories, bacteriologists Fisk and Bartlett have developed a "rare and malignant" species of bacteria that evolves into a giant, hungry, flesh-eating blob. It's up to Dr. Hughes working conveniently at another bacteriology lab nearby to come up with a solution before the thing consumes the entire planet.

"Nightmare of Doom" appeared in Harvey's CHAMBER OF CHILLS #15 (January 1953) with art by Al Avison. Generally referred to as the cover story for this issue, based on the image, Lee Elias likely had only the story title to rely on.

STARTLING L.B. COLE COVERS

Star Publications, Inc. was founded by artist L.B. Cole and attorney Gerhard Kramer in 1949 and lasted until 1954 after Fredric Wertham included a number of their titles in his book, "Seduction of the Innocent" which became instrumental during the United States Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency hearings held in April of that year.

The imprint specialized in crime, horror, romance and funny animal titles. Italian illustrator Bruno Premiani was the primary editor, with additional editing by Cole. Premiani would go on to co-create the Doom Patrol and Teen Titans for DC. Some of the artists that contributed work to Star were Frank Frazetta, Joe Kubert, Alvin Hollingsworth and Wallace Wood.

STARTLING TERROR TALES was published from 1952-1954. L.B. Cole drew the covers for the 13-issue run in varying styles. His most remarkable are the ones he created with bright, lurid covers and, along with the electrically-charged titling must have really made these jump off the stands.

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.

CRYPTOLOGY NO. 5 NOW SHIPPING!

Light the bonfires! Release the Kraken! TwoMorrows' CRYPTOLOGY #5 is now shipping!

Here's the 411 from editor Peter Normanton himself:

“If you thought you heard the rattle of bones, you were right! This time ’round, I, the Cryptologist, have dug up a few skeletons in the closet of my creepy little magazine. We have the Ghost Rider, from comic books through until his incarnation on the cinema screen! There are skulls aplenty on the covers dating back to the pulps, Martin Goodman’s Atlas Digests, and horror comics from the pre-Code era! We unearth Hy Fleishman’s hideous skeleton covers from the 1950s, along with a few of the stories he drew. “Toys from the Crypt” examines Walt Disney’s skeletons, vintage Pirates of the Caribbean models of the 1970s, plus Last Gasp’s Skull Comics and the films of William Castle. If that’s not enough, our Killer B department has exhumed a few skull and bones classics: House on Haunted Hill, The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake and The Skull! And don’t forget our Hammertime section. So roll the bones for a magazine made especially for you retro horror fans, by Leese, Voger, the Kronenbergs, and editor Peter Normanton!”

For me, there's another reason to celebrate -- I've got an article published in this issue! "Hoist High the Skull and Crossbones! The Pirates of the Caribbean, From Theme Park Ride to Model Kits" is about the beginnings and very early days of the now-famous franchise. I'm really excited to be on Peter Normanton's CRYPTOLOGY writing team. 

To order and see a 22-page preview click HERE.

I WANT MY EYES!

This unintentionally hilarious story, "The Terror of Akbar", was produced by the Iger Shop for Farrell's STRANGE FANTASY #10 (February-March 1954). An ancient mummy comes back to life and breaks out of his sarcophagus to reclaim his eyes that have been returned to the museum where he is on display. All he has to do is follow the bouncing eyes. A laugh out loud moment is when he has just broken free and is "attracted to the light", a hard thing to do when one is sightless, to say nothing about tracking them down in the first place! Also of note is the name "Akbar" has its origins in India/Pakistan, not Egypt. Artistic license!