Remember that time that Streaky the Supercat accidentally used his X-ray vision on a couple of criminals, burning out sections of their brains such that they no longer remembered Supergirl’s secret identity? Oh no? It happened in Action Comics #271 (October 1960) and yeah I’m with you Linda Lee, let’s not worry about further repercussions […]
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In EC’s Haunt of Fear #28 (Sept 1954), a story called “The Prude” tells how Mr. Forbisher, a twisted council member with ties to powerful businesses in an 18th century town, tries to establish a law against kissing in public. The council members stand up to him, so he vainly attempts to coerce the press […]
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The Vault of Horror #20 (March 1953) features a pretty gruesome cover. It depicts a man beaten to death with a sledgehammer, which appears to be taken from the story titled “Easel Kill Ya!”. By early 1953, EC was definitely pushing the boundaries of what Gaines called “good taste”.
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Ray Bradbury’s story-telling prowess makes another very memorable appearance with “The October Game” in Shock SuspenStories #9 (March 1953). I love it a lot because it’s dark and scary in ways that are completely different from other bits of horror schlock that EC comes up with because it’s about the real and true horror within […]
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Speaking of dismemberment, The Haunt of Fear #17 (December 1952) also features a story drawn by Jack Davis called “Garden Party!”. A wife is driven insane by her insensitive boob of a husband who tramples her prize petunias during a barbecue – naturally she dismembers him and roasts his bits on the barbecue. EC Comics […]
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The Haunt of Fear #17 (December 1952) continues to showcase Ghastly Graham Ingels‘ artwork with a truly twisted tale called “Horror We? How’s Bayou?”. In this twisted tale, a creepy Sidney, living in the Bayou, lures strangers out to his lonely home so that his insane brother Everett can murder them and dis-member them. After […]
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Atlas (Marvel) Comics had quite a few publications (more than DC) throughout the Golden and Early Silver many of which were driven by Stan Lee. In the anthological Adventures Into Weird Worlds #11 (July 1952), a one-shot villain named “Swami Mordo” makes an appearance, who shares a name and some characteristics of one of Doctor […]
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The Haunt of Fear #14 (June 1952) continues EC’s march into gruesome territory. The story “Take Your Pick!” features a cold-hearted, penny-pinching husband who refuses compassion at every opportunity. After turning away beggars and destitute friends, sending a dog to sleep outside in the winter, driving on by someone who was hit by a car, […]
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In Atlas/Marvel’s Mystic Comics #10 (April 1952), it becomes pretty clear that someone over at Atlas (perhaps a Mr. Stan Lee?) is really jealous of the attention that E.C. Comics is getting. Each story features a little blurb that pays homage to an E.C. comic book: Cryptic Tales, Vault of Evil, Crypt of Shadows… I’m […]
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Speaking of riffing on ideas, Marvel Tales #107 (February 1952) has a tale called “Going My Way?” wherein a spooky ghost utters the phrase repeatedly to the driver of a car, who comes to realize he has died and this is an angel of death. The famous Twilight Zone episode “The Hitch-Hiker” also used this […]
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