The Undead Thread: Pre-Code Horror 22 22

[precodekeith]

Jeez, don't ya just hear those code footsteps?

 

Edited November 9, 2005 by precodekeith

[precodekeith]

This one is pretty ratty, but ya gotta admit it's pretty cool looking for being so close to Code.....

 

Edited November 12, 2005 by precodekeith

[originalisbest]

Not bad Keith - often times there seems a lot to like about the just-before-the-code-hit books as far as cover art - we just inherently look down on them compared to earlier comic horror gems, as they get emasculated as far as content.

 

Well, since it's my birthday today, I'd better stop slacking off, and post some precode books! Let's see... this Crime Suspenstories I feel perfectly justified posting in precode land; all EC fans will know that the Crime books had a horrific touch to them - in particular, those issues (such as this #17) that had a guest horror spot from the Old Witch. All the stories in this one are winners, as well as the classic (and truly horrific) cover - if you don't have the original, pick up a reprint, you won't regret it!

 

[Forbush-Man]

Well, since it's my birthday today, I'd better stop slacking off, and post some precode books! Let's see...

 

They should've made that cover a little more graphic......

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday!

 

 

And let me also be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas!

[originalisbest]

So! Let's keep the home fires burning... similar to the Crime #17, this Dark Mysteries #10 has a lot of flaming colors to contrast with the dark blue background - works really well. IMO, the just-prior Dark Mysteries covers (8, 9, not the Wally Wood #'s 1 &2) were a little too cartoonish, which harms the horrific impact. Not so here - Hy Fleishman did a really good job generally of flushing out his covers, borrowing (I think) a page from the Wally Wood school of shading - you know, the dark streak down the centerline of the body, illuminated from behind with a solid color - see the effect here on our buxom young babe in distress!

 

[originalisbest]

Thanks Fuelman! And a merry Christmas to you too.

[originalisbest]

More fire themes - m, I'm not a firebug, I swear? Anyhoo, on this Fight Against Crime #16, doesn't seem to me anyone's being any too smart. Lady, that kerosene can is gonna make a heck of a boom, and it probably will get rid of you too! Guy with the knife, well, I'll give him a break, mebbe he doesn't see the can lying there... nice cover composition though! And what does logical thinking have to do with precode horror anyway (I love my wife... but I love you more, mistress... divorce? Naahh - she'd never let - eh, let's just kill her! )

 

[originalisbest]

All right then, enough of this smoldering fire stuff. On to fragrant (I can only imagine), mouldering corpses! As only "Ghastly" Graham Ingels could draw them. Looking at this cover, one could understand having a sense of anticipation for the new Haunt of Fear coming out - what would it look like? Even so, it's been mentioned to me before (and I agree) that as nice as many Ingels Haunt covers are, where he really shines is in the splash pages...

 

[originalisbest]

I do believe I have time for one more, for now - will post some more books this aft. This 'un, The THING! #9, really impresses me with its mood; dank and clammy and creepy, I can hear the chains rattling as rats scurry down them, with plenty of assorted splashes and muck around the sewer pipe flooding the place. Alas, I think it is probably too late to assist the damsel in question... there's a noted story inside for SOTI fans, where robots stomp a man's face - really not that horrific a panel, it's moreso the idea...

 

[adamstrange]

Glad to know it paul - I rather like that cover, didn't know how the stories were -

 

mm - since it's my birthday today, I believe I'll give myself a present, and go post some more books in the undead thread!

 

It's your birthday and we get the gifts.

 

Next you can have my birthday too.

[precodekeith]

Well, since it's my birthday today, I'd better stop slacking off, and post some precode books!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

 

Those are some GREAT covers!

 

Love that DM! Oh, and Ghastly! Fuggitabowtit! He was the best!

[originalisbest]

Thanks guys! Just popped in but allofasudden I gotta go out agin - nonetheless, I have about 6 more scanned that I can post later. And I will. If I can see straight.

[originalisbest]

Well then! I'm back, a little tipsy (none the worse for wear), met a new girl (let's call her "blondie") - well, well, well, quite a birthday!

 

But I promised 6 more scans, so here I goes: this is an unusual cover look, not surprising considering the publisher, but I don't recall too many done in the manner of Strange Mysteries #6:

 

[originalisbest]

And this one, while not as striking as Mysterious Adventures #13, still is an admirable effort at showcasing a larger-than-life skull coming at you (oh, Bill!)

 

[originalisbest]

This one follows in succession - and was a darned hard issue for me to turn up. I rather like the orange surgery doors, orange and black always seem appropriate on a horror book -

 

[originalisbest]

More mystery items - but these are Mister Mystery's - #14, which is a cover that has grown in its appeal to me:

 

[originalisbest]

...and Mister Mystery #17, which I enjoy in spite of the dialogue, which probably wasn't needed:

 

[originalisbest]

Last but certainly not least, another fine Farrell effort with this Strange Fantasy #8. I personally would make haste in the opposite direction, lady! Goodnight y'all - I'm tired. A fine birthday it was.

 

[precodekeith]

Glad you had a good b-day!

 

One thing I like about MM 17 is that ol' MM himself is ready to puff on that cigarette in his hand. Nice touch.

[sfilosa]

Just picked up this one. Don't normally collect this title but liked the cover.