Monday, June 30, 2025

LAIR OF THE SPIDERY FIEND!


Ready for some "Weird, Spooky and Supernatural Stories"? Well, Ace Comics delivered them in spades. This issue of THE BEYOND, besides some pretty good stories, has some of the craziest horror titles yet. The Lou Cameron cover is a winner.


THE BEYOND
Vol. 1 No. 20
May 1953
Ace Magazines (Ace Comics)
Editor: ?
Cover: Lou Cameron
Pages: 36
Cover price: 10 cents

CONTENTS
"Prophecy of the Black Dream"
Script: ?
Art: Ken Rice

"Horde of the Faceless"
Script: ?
Art: Mike Sekowsky?

"Lair of the Spidery Fiend"
Script: ?
Art: Dick Beck

"Calling All Ghouls"
Script: ?
Art: Chic Stone
































Friday, June 27, 2025

EERIE ADVENTURES


Ziff-Davis' EERIE ADVENTURES one-shot is one of the horror titles Dr. Fredric Wertham references in his anti-comics screed, "Seduction of the Innocent". Yes, there is murder, mayhem and a lot of "frightening" images throughout, enough to come under his ruthless scrutiny.

There is mention that the lawsuit over the title between two major publishers, Ziff-Davis and Avon, led Wertham to believe that "the courts cared more about protecting the financial interests of publishers than the well being of the children". A stretch in anyone's book, I'd say.

Ziff-Davis caved and dropped the title after one issue. Avon probably had more expensive lawyers!

EERIE ADVENTURES
Vol. 1 No. 1
Winter 1951
Approved Comics, Inc. (Ziff-Davis Comics Group)
Editor: ?
Cover: Allen Anderson (illustrating interior story, "The Grim Reaper")
Pages: 36
Cover price: 10 cents

CONTENTS
"Famous American Ghosts" (1 page)
Script: ?
Art: ?

"The Vampires From Venus!"
Script: ?
Art: Bob Powell (Howard Nostrand backgrounds)

"The Grim Reaper"
Script: ?
Art: Al Carreno

"The Fountain of Youth!" (text story)

"The Perfect Hideout!"
Script: ?
Art: Gerald McCann

"Deadline For Death"
Script: ?
Art: Bob Powell; Howard Nostrand

"Preview of Death" (1 page)
Script: ?
Art: ?

"From Beyond the Grave" (1 page)
Script: ?
Art: Bob McCarty?

Back cover illustration: Bernie Krigstein

NOTE: All lettering by Ben Oda