Tales from the Crypt Set 1 (20-29) by Insainment

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ILLUSTRATED

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“S’HSuSPENSTORYf]

story begins

a lonely old house on the edge IDE, NIGHT IS FALLING.

[yes f BUT MY BONES ARE BEGINNING! AH.. I'M TIRED FROM TO ACHE. ..AND THE PAINS IN MY MY TRIP? LET ME BACK... ARE GETTING STRONG? SIT DOWN FOR A

^ ¥

y rr hasFREDERICK?] been^HeH 1 MUST HAVE ANOTHER [OPERATION TONIGHT F/V£ YEARS rj BUT,

WHILE?

THIS TIME

. .

]

WAS IN VIENNA? TWO YOUNG STRUGGLING SCIENTISTS. ..WITH AN IDE A ?~ IFOUR EXPERIMENTS ARE CORRECT, T ETERNAL LIFE HENRY.. AND WHAT WE HAVE PROVEN ABOUT J REPLACING THE 61 THIS ELAND IS TRUE, WE HAVE SOLVED WITH A YOUNGER 0 IT

/THEN.

THE BAFFLING PROBLEM OF THE AOINO OF \oAN MEAN ARREST HUMAN BODY? THINK WHAT IT CAN MEAN iMWOLD ASET

—

WE MUST PROVE NO COUNT^a you’re a FOOL, henry? THINK or rrij [AS YOU WISH, FREDERICK >7\HERE? IN A HENRY? WE MUST/ ME OUT; FREDERICK.) YOU CAN LOOK AS YOU LOOK TODAY BUT WHERE CAN WE GET IjHIS PAPER?) TRY IT. ON FI FT Y. A HUNDR |D YEARS FROM r7 x DO NOT WANT A YOUNO GLAND? WHERE* IOOF.' J OURSELVES? ETERNAL LIFE? I NOW ? T WANT IT, EVEN IF YOU [WILL WE FIND ONE )( WANT TO GROW OLD DON’T ? YOU WILL PERFORM THE AND DIE WHEN MY j OPERATION ON ME T WE OWE IT j TO SCIENCE.. .TO THE WORLD 1 Jj^^^TIME COMES? ..

—

Ah,yes,frederick...i remember well' the paper TOLD OF A YOUNG COLLEGE STUDENT'S UNTIMELY DEATH f OUR EXPERIMENTS HAD PROVEN THAT THE GLAND REMAINED ACTIVE AFTER SUDDEN DEATH FOR 48 HOURS f THAT NIGHT, WE WENT TO THE CEMETERY AND EXHUMED THE STILL

——-TR LITTLE SICK 1 FROM THE ANESTHETIC ALL RIGHT f

...BUT

T HAT WAS FIFTY YEARS AGO<

TWENTY YEARS LATER, I WAS OVER FORTY FIVE... YOU SENT FOR ME • WHAT A SHOCK TO SEE YOU... STILL ” YOUNG. ..STILL FULL OF YOUTH f

REPLACE

WITH A

MUST YOUNC, STRONG GLAND.' WE MUST CONTINUE WITH THE EXPERIMENT' WE MUSTY WE

IT...

> [EXACTLY' WELL, THE GLAND HAS' [WEAKENED... IT MUST BE

Ireplaced? henry,

must

Lbe replaced TONIGHT*

'After your recovery, the conversation about PUBLISHING A REPORT WAS FORGOTTEN... AND I WEN AWAY? BUT TEN YEANS LATER YOU SENT FOR ME A6AIN?"

rTHE GLAND MUST WORK MUCH HARDER NOW? IT CANNOT LAST AS LONG?

MAY NOT BE HERE BY THEN, FREDERICK? WHY

NOT

TELL...

NOW *

“And so, for the fourth time in forty-five years.we WENT AGAIN TO A CEMETERY AND REMOVED A BODY NOT YET rl

CANNOT HELP

YOU, FREDERICK!

AM TOO OLD TO DO

KINO OF

^jad

THIS

WORKfip\V'”

*>ffii

THE W JUST HOLD HENRY' ’

LIGHT,

AM STRONG. I WILL MANAGE IT ALONE-fJ

USE A LOCAL ANESTHETIC,

WANT TO WATCH IN THAT < MIRROR ON THE CEILINGiJ

'NO. ..IT WILL NEVER COME TO THAT.' ^**1 PERHAPS A

YOUNGER GLAND'

A CHILDS'S

YOU MUSTS'

YOU MUSTS

JB )

OOOqfs

YOU...

VOU STRUCK.

GASP.. .YOU... FRÂ£l ttY HEART/'

HELLO... POSTAL UNION/ WANT TO SEND A fTELEGRAM... QUICKLY. .TO FREDERICK ASTON.. 1

TELEGRAM FOR FREDERICK

CASTONf

ClEVER.THESE SCIENTISTS f SENDING A TELEGRAM TO HIMSELF... THAT WILL BRING A YOUNG MES8EN0ER TO HIS

Carefully, Frederick

THE SCALPEL LAYS BARE THE PLACE WHERE THE GLAND IS LOCATED...

...AND THEN... AS

[Shocked

Weakly, he sinks to the steps. HIS BODY BENT AND OLD... HIS FEATURES CONTORTED... UGLY... WRINKLED-WITHERED...

And that's the

story, dear reader? Frederick FINALLY DID DIE, MOLD MAN WHO KNOWS?HE MIGHT HAVE LIVED LONGER IF HE HADN'T CRAVED ETERNAL LIFE' OH... BY THE WAY-I SUPPOSE YOU'RE WONDERING WHAT FREDDY SAW WHEN HE...ER _ 7 OPENED UP...THAT MESSENGER' WELL... HE FOUND NOTHING' IT /<T^\ / SEEMS THAT PART OF THE BOY'S SPLEEN HAD BEEN REMOVED... V THE PART WITH THE GLAND' fL' SEEING THAT GAVE OLD FREDDY I \ WjAT'V 7 THE SHOCK OF HIS LIFE? WELL... I LL SEE Y0U NEXT ,SSUE W,TH ANOTHER TALE FROM THE .'

...

'HE

CRYPT OF

[TRRORf

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; OUT OF THE DARK NI6HT HE WALKED.HIS HANDS TRAINED IN THE ART OF KILLING, HIS BRAIN A SEETHING FERMENT OF DESTRUCTION? HIS EYES SAW LIFE, AND HIS HEART LOVED THE GRAVE, FOR HE WAS

Edgar bowman was a careful workman.' he checked I HIS SWITCHES AND HIS WIRES CAREFULLY, EVEN AS I

AAAAASHHH.'HO...NO?

I LL D< ANYTHING' GIVE ME ANOTHER

CHANCE.'

DIDN'T KNOW... IT

WOULD BE LIKE- - THIS.'

HE WAS A BAD MAN.' HE PAID THE PENALTY f AND Iâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; I WAS

FATE'S INSTRUMENT TO r BRING HIM TO HIS DOOMfJT

SPINELESS WEAKLINGS, EVERY LAST ONE OF 'EM' I THOUGHT THIS ONE

WOULD

BE DIFFERENT. SHE'S

SUPPOSED TO BE COLD -INHUMAN' BUT SHE YELLS JUST LIKE THE .

REST?

,^-v

PRISONS SENT HIM INVITATIONS TO ATTEND THEIR EXECUTIONS AS QUEST OF HONOR...

From ocean to ocean, the name of edgar bowman BECAME KNOWN. HE WAS A SYMBOL OF JUSTICE.' HIS HANDS WERE OUICK AND CERTAIN. HE KILLED CALMLY, QUICKLY.'

WITH HIM, DEATH WAS A SERVANT TO HIS WENT ON THE RAOIO.ON TELEVISION

BIDDING? HE

CASPER JONES--NOT GUILTY? ARTHUR BOWAY-NOT GUILTY? WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH >

JHOSE

JURIES,

ANYHOW*^

WE FIND THE DEFENDANT, BETTY BATES -NOT GUILTY l

WE FIND THE DEFENDANT, GEORGE FLOOD NOT .

—

GUILTY'

THAT'S ALL THEY ' SAY, THE IDIOTS!

THEY

ARE

GUILTY! GUILTY OF-

UURDERf AND

CAN

AS STATE EXECU-

— it's up to me to EXECUTE THEM! OF COURSE! BEING TESTED— BY SOME HIGHER AUTHORITY! IF I FAIL— they'll take my job away! y. TIONER

I'M

an executioner! of course WHAT I AM. AND SINCE

THAT'S I

I'LL executer

That

night, as

casper jones

e^mnuur,

A f HIS HAND WILL TOUCH THE Iron fence gate .and whe» .

DOES...

1 DEAD BY EXECUTION.' IT WAS A SIMPLE MATTER TO RIG UP MY WIRES SO I COULD FLOOD THAT METAL GATE WITH ENOUGH ELECTRICITY TO KILL d A DOZEN MURDERERS?

ONLY THE FIRST/THERE

SAFE ...SAFE AT LAST, AFTER ALL THOSE MONTHS OF WORRY.' X DON'T KNOW WHO KILLED JIM BUT I DIDN'T/ AND THANK GOODNESS... THE JURY BELIEVED ME

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

WARM SHOWER/

IT'LL

HELP

ME SLEEP.. .LET ME FORG MY MURDER TRIAI

eeeeseAAA/^^

DEAD/ ONE MORE HAS PAID THE SUPREME PENALITY FOR HIS EVIL/ BUT THERE ARE OTHERS.. MANY OTHERS FREED FROM THEIR FATE BY A STUPID JURY. .. .

TWO HAVE DIED/ GEORGE FLOOD WAS FREED BY A JURYT I WAS THERE MYSELF TO HEAR THE TESTIMONY IN HIS CASE / BUT HE SHALL NOT ELUDE JUSTICE/ a

THAT GEORGE FLOOO CLOSED HIS ACCOUNT BOOKS AND WALKED TOWARD HIS LITTLE SUBURBAN

WHEN THIS LIVE WIRE TOUCI FLOOD-- IN HIS RAIN-WET CLOTHES — IT WILL BE JUST AS EFFECTIVE AS THE ^ELECTRIC CHAIR HE W4 2.-, CHEATED?

TION-GLOVEO HANDS-

’

%\AAGGGHH'

In the police stations, hardfaceo detectives are

day, a plainclothes

man

TOOK UP HIS POSITION, ALWAYS WITH HIS EYES FASTENED ON THE FORMER PRISONER OF THE LAW...

as the executioner leaped forward, HIDDEN BY DARKNESS AND THE SHADOWS, A BRILLIANT LI3HTED UP BOLT OF ELECTRICITY THE SCENE LIKE A BEAMOF SUNLI_GHT7__^

But even I'LL BE HIDDEN IN THE^B SHADOWS --A OUICK LEAP ^1 1 -AND THEN TO LIFT HER INTO .THE WOODEN WATER TROUGHWHERE HIGH VOLTAGE WIRES WILL ELECTROCUTE HER ... ^

^^^^_

man there

. •

IF IT HAON'T BEEN FOR THAT 1 LIGHTNING... I WOULDN'T HAVE SEEN HIM. ..UNTIL AFTER HE'D LIFTED MISS BATES... AND TOSSED HER IN THAT ELECi JRICALLY TREATED WATERT^B

I —I'M

TO k!

SCARED? I DON'T NO... NO? STOP.

DIE!

T0Pf

AAAAAGGGH.'

Itate Trooper Mark Holliday looked down at the body stretched in the snow at his feet. The man had evidently been skiing down had momentreacherous Hairpin Turn tarily lost control of his skis and had crashed head-on into the gnarled old tree which poked its tremendous girth up out of the snow and ice around it! .

"YOU do much skiing, Benson?" asked on the

hand tight

hill?"

Trooper Holliday rubbed his chin, let his rest momentarily under his coat. When he brought it out, the fingers were gripped

standing at the Trooper's elbow. “This turn on the ski slope has a bad reputation, I know but still ... he claimed to be an EX.

Awful bad ACCIDENT!"

around

his revolver.

"You better put your hands up, Benson we’ve got a trip to make to Headquarters!" .

Trooper Holliday nodded almost unconsciously to the tall man's speech. Funny thing, he mused. An EXPERT skier, this Jack Benson sayB and yet the man can't stop himself short of such an obvious obstacle as this old .

tree!

Trooper Holliday looked down at the dead man. His eyes roved over the figure moved on to the trunk of the tree and then crossed back to the spot where towering Jack Benson .

less than five-and-a-half feet tall and those skis are long enough for a giant! A is

Giant

YOU!"

CRYPT-KEEPER’S CORNER EXTRA me

have a question that has puzzled for e while now. wasn't around In the early 50's, but have a few original Tales from the Crypt comics and noticed Inside the front cover of them at the bottom It says that “Tales From The Crypt" was formerly “The Crypt of Terror." have the last “Tales From The Crypt" which was #46, and Inside there Is an article that says E.C. was not planning to make a #46. Instead they were going to make #45 the last and make a fourth title called “The Crypt of Terror," but because the comic censors felt Tales. Vault and Haunt were a "bad Influence on kids" they made a Crypt #46 and ended the 3 titles. What would like to know Is was there ever a "Crypt of Terror," and If not why did they print that lies" was formerly "The Crypt of I

EC atartad a tltla callad INTERNATIONAL COMICS In 1 S47 with an laaua 01 Tha dtla was Chang ad twloa (to INTERNATIONAL CRIME PATROL and. latar, to CRIME PATROL), .

CRYPT,

than, daaplta tha laaua numbar. With tha fourth laaua of CRYPT, tha tltla waa

changad to TALES PROM THE CRYPT; H la thla nama which waa uaad for tha longaat thna and

OF TERROR

THE

CRYPT

Benson started to sputter his innocence, but one look from the Trooper quieted him. "Couple of things don't look like accidents to ME! The bark of the tree where the victim was supposed to crash, for instance," said the Trooper. "If you look closely you'll find it isn't even peeled and yet the man was supposed to hit it hard enough to crack his skull! And his clothing got too much on him, especially for an expert skier! But what points the finger at YOU," said the Trooper, as he steered Benson down the snow-covered hillside, "are those skis! The man on the ground

"I just happened to be looking out of the window of the Inn when I saw this guy go shooting down the hill," big Jack Benson was saying, his large St. Bernard’s eyes roving over the landscape. "Sure happened sudden an awful tragedy accident like this!" .

Hol-

like this

you've owned that inn up there

Benson's eyes squinted at the State Trooper before he answered. "Can't say as I have. Officer ... first kind like THIS!"

"I can't imagine how in the world it could have happened," mumbled the giant of a

skier!

"See any other accidents

liday.

in all the time

man

PERT

snow

stood, his feet stamping against the keep his toes warm.

01 |

TALES FROM THE CRYPT.

ABOVE IS THE COVER OF “CRYPT #1” (CRYPT OF TERROR #17, 1950) AS IT APPEARED UPON ORIGINAL RELEASE.

iDttister Corning picked up the telephone and called the Police station. While he held the phone, waiting for the connection to be made, he let his eye rove around the room. He

could breathe a little more easily now. he thought to himself, his eye resting for one moment on the trophy case with the metal plate Curascrewed to its top. Mafhew Corning tor was inscribed in black on the bronze strip. "Is this the Police station?" he asked the voice on the other end of the line. "Tins is Mathew Coming. Curator over at the Midtown Museum and Zoo. I'm' afraid there's .1 think we'll been a little trouble over here need your assistance!" Coming reached across the desk as he spoke and picked up a

vial

which contained an

oily

liquid.

cleared his throat, rolled the vial between his "The trouble took place just ten minutes ago over in the Snake cage! A man eviwho once worked here wandered in we've got dently poked around! And now a corpse on our hands!" fingers.

Coming could make worth his while to be quiet about the episode And so he had made preparations to something in the way of a welcome Smith farewell party, he thought to himself with a they had been the chuckle! The snakes easiest way out of the difficulty! Who could question the death of a man who had stumbled into a cage-full of poisonous serpents?

before. Unless, of course, it

The Detective stared down at the body of the man which the Zoo attendants had dragged out of the Snake Cage. The clothing around the shoulders was tom and shredded and deep in the man's throat were two tiny punctures, which were beginning to turn .

bluish! Nasty thing, thought the Detective to be killed that way by the bite of a poison.

ous snake! He stared closer to the corpse, and then he straightened out, his pencil point tapping against the glass top of the Curator's desk.

"Anybody

else around

when you heard

the

nojse from the Cage?" the Detective asked

Coming. It had gone off precisely as he had planned Coming thought to himself as he dropped the vial into his coat pocket. That meddlesome Smith had come back today as he had promised. All set to tell the authorities about that bit of trouble Coming had with the law years it,

"Nobody that I know of,â&#x20AC;? Coming answered. his fingertips rubbing against the vial in his coat-pocket. "I guess we were alone here just the two of us and a cage-full .

SNAKES!"

"Those marks are curious," the Detective said, his pencil tapping. "I remember reading something recently about snakes. Seems they very rarely will bite a man above the knee .

certainly not as high

reason to arch

up as the

throat!

And

the

... no snake is large enough back and reach much higher than a off the ground!"

simple

its

foot-and-a-half

Corning gulped. He could

feel

his

palm

moist against the vial in his pocket.

"Those punctures undoubtedly contained snake venom," the Detective was saying, but Coming could no longer hear him very disdon't think they were administinctly. "But tered by a snake's fangs! Perhaps YOU can I

tell us how they WERE administered. Coming down at Headquarters!" .

Mister

SO THAT IT'S UNRECOGNIZABLE. FINGERPRINTS BURNT OFF WITH ALL LABELS SNIPPED OFF THE CLOTHING * THIS IS A REAL .

ACID..

UNKNOWN CADAVER*

RUN DOWN8TAIRS TO LET THE HOTEL MANAGER KNOW. .. ANO TO CALL THE \ LAW? YOU STAY HERE ... JUST TO MAKE SURE NOBODY TAMPERS WITH ANYTHING 1 I'LL

DETECTIVE

BETTER CALL THE POLICE. THERE'S SOMETHING UP IN ROOM 608 THAT THEY'LL BE ANXIOUS TO SEE *

IT'S NOT ON MY Y tIIND ..IT'S ON MY

MUROER.EHf THAT'S 1 BAD YOU'O BETTER]

FLOOR'. A BODY AND! KNOW WHAT

MYSELF*

CALL THE POLICE,

^SHANNON?

THAT MEANS. ..I'M A PRIVATE OETECTIVE L

EXCUSE ME,

SIR.

I COULDN'T HELP OVERHEARING YOU

DON'T YOU THINK WE'D

BETTER CALL THE HOTEL MANAGER. TOOT I MEAN.. RIGHT HERE

IN HIS

HOTEL.

W- WHY.. IT'S A RECEIPT FROM THE

STREET-WALKER CAMERA COMPANY! FOR ONE OF THOSE PHOTOS THEIR CAMERAMEN TAKE ALL OVER THE BRING IN THE RECEIPT AND THEY DEVELOP THE PICTURE WHICH CORRESPONDS TO THE NUM8ER ON THE RECEIPT THEY . HAND YOU?

CITY... YOU

â&#x20AC;&#x2122; HERE COMES JACK ...WITH SOMEONE WHO LOOKS LIKE A COP! I'LL SASHAY DOWN J TO THAT PHOTO OUTFIT... GET THE PICTURE DEVELOPED! THAT MAY TELL US WHO THE

Five blocks YOU BET, MA'M...HAVE IT READY IN A JIFFY! JUST GRAB A SEAT.-. IT WON'T LONG! (|

KjAKE

VICTIM IS!

HERE IT IS, LADY... ALL DEVELOPED AND PRINTED! AND IT'S A BEAUT.. CLEAR AS CRYSTAL! LUCKY THE CAMERA THAT TOOK IT HAD BEEN TURNED IN FOR THE DAY OTHERWISE YOU MIGHT HAVE HAD TO V WAIT FOR A WHILE! .

YES... J- JUST

OVER?

HAND

NO ONE I KNOW... BUT MAYBE IT'LL HELP JACK OR THE POLICE FIND OUT WHO THAT IS THERE ON THE FLOOR ! THIS MAY BE THE CLUE .THAT SMASHES THE CASE!

While back at the majestic hotel.

EXCUSE ME, CAPTAIN HALL... I DON'T LIKE TO ON THE POLICE. ..BUT MAYBE THIS WILL HE SINCE THE SAFE WAS RIFLED.. .AND ONLY WINSI KNEW THE COMBINATION. ..THIS MAN MAY HAVE BE

KILLED BECAUSE HE ACT OF ROBBERY f

CAP'N HALL... HERE'

THAT INFO ON THE AIRPLANES YOU WANTED' JUST CAME INTO THE NEAREST STATION HOUSE OVER THE TICKER'

NEVER l MIND THE LONG STORY.. WHAT'S THE

LOW-DOWN'

HE SIGNEO INTO THE TRANS NATION AIRLINES AT 2:30 OR SO... BOUGHT A TICKET ON THE 2:38 PLANE TO CHICAGO. REGISTERED AS PAUL WINSLOW OF THIS CITY.' NO CHECK YET AS TO WHETHER HE ACTUALLY GOT ON THE PLANE!

W-WHAT A

WINSLOW

THE |

GUESS YOU ALL OVERHEARD THAT

OEUCATE

OF MY

STAGE-WHISPER ASSISTANT'S' IT WAS SO QUIET IN HERE YOU COULD HEAR AN EAVESDROP' IF WINSLOW IS ON THAT 4 PLANE, HE'LL BE PICKED UP AS SOON AS IT LANDS' UNTIL THEN, jl .WE'LL JUST WAIT'

IS THIS..

WAKE

SAW

This is the night of the full moon. the buildings of GOTHAM ARE STEEPED IN A DRENCHING RAIN AND A HEAVY FOG BLANKETS THE CITY.FORMING EERIE PATTERNS IN THE NIGHT. .. .

Between lightning flashes, a

figure runs the LENGTH OF A STREET.. DARTS TO THE DOORWAY OF A BUILDING AND FRANTICALLY HAMMERS ON THE DOOR. HE .

YES? WHAT CAN

)

rALPH.' 1

WHAT ON EARTH...?

THERE' NOW JUST LIE BACK J AND RELAX. RELAX, AND TELL ME WHAT'S FRIGHTENED < YOU SO...

A DAY LIKE THIS 1

MAKES YOU FEEL

* GLAD YOU'RE RALPH? ALIVE, EH

We THOUGHT LITTLE OF THE

EVENT AND RETURNED TO THE INN. AFTER A GLORIOUS DINNER WE RETIRED TO THE ROOM WE SHARED AND

WENT TO

BED.

THAT WAS MY LAST RESTFUL NIGHT, GEORGE.

FOR AS WE DESCENDED FROM OUR ROOM THE NEXT MORNING,WE FOUND THE INN A HUBBUB OF EXCITEMENT...

FEAR

AND

WHAT'S ALL THE COMMOTION ABOUT, DESK CLERK? .

WAIT, WHAT'S THIS Â«

HERE REDDISH STAIN. ..LIKE. ..LIKE BLOOD?. AND SHORT CURLY HAIRS f DOS'S HA/B f OH.NO.

HUM... A

NO.

NOTHING

...

HURRY UP, RALPH.' GOT A BIG NIGHT OF FUN AHEAD' WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE GOING TO SEE THE FOLIES>

Gay, EXCITING PARIS' THE THRILLING, PULSATING NIGHT LIFE, COUPLED WITH THE WINE AND CAREFREE ATMOSPHERE INDUCED US TO PROLONG OUR STAY...

'YOUNG WOMAN BRUTALLY SLAIN.' IF ATTACKED ONE SHOE

...BODY MUTILATED.. .AS

WILD ANIMAL

MISSING. .rONE SHOE

I QUICKLY DRESSED, AND DISPOSED OF THE BLOODY SHOE BY THROWING IT DOWN AN INCINERATOR SHOOT! WHEN I RETURNED TO OUR ROOM, GEORGE, YOU WERE

THERE.."

s'" I

WH...WHY, RALPH! I thoOght you were HAVING A GOOD TIME? BUT, IF YOU WANT TO LEAVE, IT'S OKAY BY ME?

As OUR CAR SPED TOWARD THE COAST OF FRANCE, I FOUGHT TO KEEP FROM BEING ENGULFED BY THE FEAR THAT SEETHED WITHIN MEKNOW.' IM SURE.' BUT WHAT CAN I DO? IN X STOP MYSELF? HOW CAN I STOP?? fA WHEN I'M OUT OF THIS COUNTRY. ..YES, E THEN I'LL BE ALL RIGHT AGAIN...

Time inched its way across the CALENDAR AND THE WEEKS PASSED QUIETLY..QUIETLY... UNTIL A FEW DAYS BEFORE WE WERE TO SAIL! FOR IT WAS A NIGHT OF A FULL MOON-. AND THE WEREWOLF STALKED AGAIN?"

YES, RALPH, YES' I'M THE WEREWOLF' I KILLED THOSE PEOPL Ef I DID IT'

. .

AND NOW FM GOING

TO KILL

YOUff

The horrified scream ofa man in the agonies of DEATH PIERCES THE NIGHT'S STILLNESS. ABOVE THE WET,

DESERTED STREET, THE FULL

WITNESS,

MOON

THE ONLY

NO.. .NO.. \T CAN'T BE' THAT ^ NAME HEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CUTTING ON THE GRAVESTONE.. .THAT'S MY NAME! AND MY DATE OF BIRTHf BUT c THAT'S^ vTHE DATE OF DEATH. TODAY' '

KORDQ^'

/ The

Look For

following

complete

list

This Seal. titles, all

which bear the

Code-Seal of

The Association of Comics

Magazine

Publishers

ON EVERY COMIC MAGAZINE YOU BUY! This seal is used lieves in

magazine

the Association of

decency and good

distributors, wholesalers, printers

and engravers serving the

in censorship ...

you want the best comic magazines, always look

the front cover.

It is

TALES FROM THE CRYPT

The Association has been joined by leading

taste.

The Association does not believe If

Comics Magazine Publishers, which be-

your guarantee

of quality

industry.

believes in self-regulation.

for the Association seal

and entertainment.

HAUNT

THE

FEAR

THE VAULT OF

HORROR •

WEIRD SCIENCE •

WEIRD FANTASY •

MODERN LOVE bert B. rk,

Y.,

—elsewhere

—total 75c Frighted 1B00 by

Publist

C. PnbFeidBtein, Associate under the act of

Bi-Monthly by

$1.50.

TALE

WELL...HEH, HEH...I SEE ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TIME FOR ME TO TELL YOU ANOTHER SPINE-TINGLING TALE.. .ONE OF MY VAST COLLEC TION OF CHILLERS WHICH I KEEP HERE IN THE CRYPT THIS STORY IS A FAVORITE OF MINE. ..ONE THAT I GUARANTEE WILL MAKE YOUR BLOOD RUN COLD AND YOUR HAIR

STAND ON END

CALL

IT...

m. THE

YOU ARE ABOUT TO BEGIN A FRIGHTFUL ADVENTURE. ..CONCERNING a luxurious Ocean liner and THE STRANGE AND UNEXPLAINED EVENT? THAT WILL OCCUR IN...

STATEROOM

What wonderful

luck?' only ONE of the two berths in STATEROOM 13 HAS BEEN TAKEN.' YOU PAY THE PURSER AND BOARD THE SHIP' AND NOT A MOMENT TOO SOON... FOR AS YOU REACH THE TOP OF THE GANGPLANK, ,

CAST OFF THE ELL, AS A MATTER OF

BUT YOU MUST HAVE BERTH OPEN.

ONE

I'LL TAKE

ACT, SIR... THAT

ANYrs*

^CLASS'

FORWARD

MAKE HEADY FOR; \

DEPARTURE...

ASHORE....

NUMBErT

AH.. .WHAT

TUGS STRAINAND PUSHING THE GIANT LINER OUT INTO MIDSTREAM 'THEN-

STATEROOM DO YOU^^3T

AWAY... THE LITTLE

'last call... ALL ASHORE THAT'S GOING

YOU WATCH AS THE DOCK SLIPS ING

MAY I TAKE YOUR BAGS AND SHOW YOU TO YOUR r—

LINES..

IS...

YOU'RE NOT < SUPERSTITIOUS.

WHY.

The color drains from the STEWARD* CHEEKS... HIS EYES HORROR A%HE STARES

FILL WITH

WHY. .THANK JOU, STE WARD?

WHY..

WHAT SEEMS

YOH...ER...’

TO BE THE TROUBLE^ NOTHING, A fc STEWA R D? SIR...

CAB IN .SIR’/

N0T HIN

The STEWARD SETS YOUR BAGS DOWN

YOUR STATE-

ROOM, CHECKS THE PORTHOLE TO SEE THAT IT IS SECURELY BOLTED, AND THEN EDGES TOWARD THE DOOR < THERE IS A LOOK OF FEAR ON HIS FACE...

WHAT IS IT, OLD MA N ? WHAT IS THERE ABOUT THIS ^ ^CAB IN THAT FRIGH TENS

YOU

I... I... .

DON'T KNOW,

ONLY... ONLY..-

NO ONE WHO HAS EVER BEEN ASSIGNED THIS CABIN HAS COMPLETED HIS CROSSING IN ITT SOMETHING... SOMEONE. FRIGHTENS THEM INTO LEAVING \\ IT f WHY ONE PASSE N6ER EVEN ) WENT MAD FROM WHAT HE SAW HERE..^/ ’

j ’

—

^ The STEWARD MUMBLES SOMETHING ABOUT GHOSTS AND SLIPS FROM YOUR GRASP? YOU WATCH AS HE HURRIES DOWN THE CORRIDOR, AND THEN YOU CLOSE THE

TWO

BERTHS...

HMMM?

GHOSTS... BAH? HE'S PROBABLY PLAYING A TRICK ON ME... SUG-

GESTION AND STUFF...

WONDER WHO HAS THE HIS BAGGAGE IS HERE ? HE’S PROBABLY UP ON DECK SAYJNG GOODBYE TO THE GOOD OLD I

UPPER?

U. S. A.?

TOLD I'LL

turnin' you are tireo, and THE FRESH SE A AIR HAS MADE YQU SLEEPY...

^ 4

HELLO? I SAME HERE? GUESS YOU MUSTS RATHER SMALlJ BE MY ROOM- ^STATEROOM, MATE? GLAD To) ISN'T IT? HAD 1 .MEET YOU? jflTO TAKE IT..-. ] ONLY ONE LEFT?] OH...

DOOR.

fc.

— After DINNER YOU DECIDE

You STOW YOUR BELONGINGS IN YOUR ASSIGNED BERTH AND SURVEY THE CABIN ? IT IS SMALL, WITH ONE PORTHOLE... AND THE

HE? TURN

J ME, TOO? GLAD WELL.. IN? I'M

GUESS PR ETTJ

YOU'RE HERE, THOUGH' t

MSI. T IRED

THE STEWARD TOLD ME SOME AWFUL YARN

ABOUT THIS ROOM...

YOU DON'T KNOW HOW CONG YOU'VE BEEN ASLEEP.. ONLY... SUDDENLY YOUR EYES ARE OPEN? YOUR STATEROOM SMELLS STRANGE? THE PECULIAR SMELL OE DAMPNESS-STALE SEA-WATER? AND YOU ARE COCO... A GUSH OF AIR IS COMING FROM THE OPEN PORTHOLE...

f——

BLAST? THE PORTHOLE IS OPEN? I'D BETTER CLOSE IT. OR RISK A NASTY COLD?

—

WOULDN’T TAKE SERIOUSLY? HE'S

OH, I

IT’

r YES-WELL. ^GOqp-NIGHT'

PROBABLY PULLING. your leg?

YOU GET UP AND STUMBLE TO THE PORTHOLE IN THE DARKNESS? THE BOLTS HAVE BEEN LOOSENED AND THE FINE SPRAY FROM THE SEA WETS YOUR FACE? YOU SLAM IT SHUT, BOLTING IT TIGHTLY... AND THEN, FROM THE BERTH ABOVE YOURS, COMES A " "’f BLOOD- CURDLING CRY.

—

WHAT

THE...?

With a single leap, your roommate springs FROM HIS BERTH TO THE FLOOR AND OASHES MADLY TOWARD THE STATEROOM POOR... what /S it? WHAT'S

YOU LISTEN TO

WR0N6JYn0.'N0'N0? 1

HIS FOOTSTEPS RUNNING FULL SPEED DOWN THE CORRIDOR? POOR OLD BOY? PROBABLY SEASICK? YOU SHUT THE DOOR AND GROPE YOUR WAY BACK TO YOUR BERTH? YOUR EYES CLOSE AND YOU SLEEP AGAIN? THEN, DURING THE EARLY MORNING HOURS, YOU ARE AWAKENED BY A GROAN...

W&T

MM MM ? NOT A VERY GOOD

SAILOR...

IJBLtoo^hap? u^e^ojii^^^^_

rRp

1 The NEXT MORNING, THE SUN STREAMING THROUGH THE PORTHOLE AWAKENS YOU AND YOU DRESS QUICKLY f THE CURTAINS OF THE UPPER BERTH ARE DRAWN... YOU LEAVE WITHOUT DISTURBING YOUR ROOMMATE...

On DECK, THE STOPS YOU.

SHIP'S

DOCTOR

I WONDER IF YOU' / WHA...?YOU CAN TELL ME WHAT f MEAN.. HE HAPPENED LAST > didn't come BACK TOTHE NIGHT? WE FOUND YOUR ROOMMATE / STATEROOM’

I...

m NO' WE HAVE HIM IN THE SHIP'S ’ HOSPITAL? HE’S SUFFERING FROM SHOCK ? CAN YOU TELL ME cr— WHAT HE SAW THAT MIGHT? I...T HAVE CAUSED IT?_ j—/ HAVE N<

COWERING

PASSAGE... BABBLING LIKE AN IDIOT f

LOOK?I HAVE A LARGE CABIN! WHY DON'T YOU BRING YOUR THINGS OVER THERE AND r SPEND THE REST OF YOUrJ

S TRIP WITH

MET^—-

—

OH, REALLY, DOCTOR? ARE YOU INFERING k

THAT THE RUMORS

( ABOUT STATEROOM

g\l3 ARE TRUE

YOU LAUGH, REFUSING THE DOCTOR'S INVITATION? YOU SPEND THE DAY RELAXING IN YOUR DECK-CHAIR. SWIMMING IN THE SHIPPS POOL. ..AND PLAYING CANASTA IN THE GAME ROOM AFTER DINNER? IT IS VERY LATE WHEN YOU RETURN TO YOUR ROOM... _ HO- HUM? GAD, l'M TIRED!

THAT BERTH CERTAINCC fe

LOOKS INVITING?^^

YOU CHECK THE PORTHOLE TO $££ THAT IT IS SECURELY BOLTED AND THEN YOU STRETCH OUTON YOUR BERTH' YQU LAY AWAKE THINKING ABOUT THE AGONIZING SCREAM OF YOUR ROOMMATE THE NIGHT BEFORE, WHEN.

WHAT

THE PORTHOLE IS OPEN AGAIN... AND. PHEW... THAT SMELL OF^ ^SEA-WATER AND DECAY..

YOU GET UP AND CLOSE IT' YOU ARE FRIGHTENEO' YOU DISTINCTLY REMEMBER CHECKING IT BEFORE YOU WENT TO BED' YOU TIGHTEN THE BOLTS WITH ALL OF YOUR STRENGTH AND STAND THERE FOR A WHILE-STARING' OUT TO sea' SUOOENLY. what’s that? a moan... COMING FROM THE UPPER

THE...?

YOU SPRING TO THE BERTH AND TEAR THE CURTAINS APART..’. THRUSTING YOUR HAND IN, TO D1SCOVER IF THERE IS ANYONE THERE...

THAT SMELL..:THAT NAUSEATING SMELL OF STAGNANT SALT-WATER' AND^^ and.,

YOU TAKE HOLD OF SOMETHING... SOMETHING COLD AND WET.. ICY COLD. ..SOMETHING LIKE A MAN’S ARM' ANO AS YOU PULL, THE CREATURE HURLS ITSELF FROM THE BERTH... A CLAMMY, OOZY MA$S<

aaaaaagh.'

AN INSTANT, THE HORRIBLE MONSTROSITY HAS DARTED OUT In

OF THE STATEROOM DOOR'

GOOD LORD' SO THAT'S WHAT IT IS' X...X'LL ^t... FOLLOW IT'

BERTH...

KEEP AWAY.' KEEP AWAY.'

YOU CHASE THE DARK SHADOW THROUGH THE DIMLY LIT PASSAGE’ AND UP TO THE COMPANIONWAY '

BLASTED THING.' IT’S

GETTING AWAY.'

YOU WATCH AS IT SEEMS TO GO OVER THE RAIL AND INTO THE SEA...

MUST BE DREAMING' THAT CURSED MEAL TONIGHT...IT... ^ IT DIDN T AGREE with

I...

YOU CANNOT RETURN TO THAT HORRIBLE ROOM SO YOU WALK THE

WELL FRANKLY, \' ' WHY DON'T YOU CAPTAIN, THERE LET ME FIX YOU /S' SOMETHING J UP IN THE OFFIVERY HORRIBLE N CERS' QUARTERS HAPPENED IN MY \FOR THE REMAINSTATEROOM LAST DER OF THE I

PECK. FINALLY CURLING Uf> IN A PECK CHAIR UNDER A STEAMER BLANKET TO SLEEP A DREAMLESS SLEEP? THE MORNING SUN BLINDS

YOU AS YOU ARE SHAKEN AWAKE-

NIGHT f

MIGHT

HAVE BEEN MY

WENT TO YOUR STATEROOM? YOU WEREN'T THERE?

klS ANYTHING

LOOK HERE CAPTAINTYyOU ARE RIGHT,! CAN'T WE GET TO /SIR? ONLY, WHAT TO THE BOTTOM OF \CAN l DO? I*M J THIS? THERE MUST) INCLINED TO 4 BE A LOGICAL BOARD UP I EXPLANATION? ROOU'^M

TRIP?

IMAGINATION BUT...

WRONG? f*

THAT WILL SOLVE NOTHING? PERHAPS' IT alONLY A STOWAWAY... TRYING TO LIGHTEN PEOPLE OUT OF THAT STATEROOM SO THAT HE CAN SPEND > THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIP IN COMFORT? A MANIAC PERHAPS (J

[hmmm?that\ TH0U6HT HAS \ (never OCCURED ] TO ME 'YOU MAY] I

BE RIGHT?!

YOU ARE RELIEVED THAT YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO SPEND ANOTHER NIGHT ALONE IN THAT ACCURSED STATEROOM? TOGETHER WITH THE CAPTAIN, T0NI6HT YOU MAY SOLVE THIS BAFFLING PROBLEM? ^SEE YOU THEn7\ ABOUT TEN?//

VAT

YES..

\ (stateroom 13A

A*: •••

TELL YOU WHAT?)

TONIGHT, I WILL STAND WATCH WITH YOU? IF HE SHOWS HIS FACE .WE'LL BE ABLE TO OVERPOWER HIM

TOGETHER?

GOOD, CAPTAIN? i'm glad YOU are TAKING A MORE , REALISTIC ATTITUDE THAN YOUR SUPERSTITIOUS

CREW?

Your day is spent anxiously... and towards evening, YOU FIND YOURSELF BECOMING NERVQUS?FIN ALLY, IT IS TEN O’CLOCK.. AND YOU MAKE YOUR WAY DOWN TO TH E i STATEROOM?

YOU CHECK THE PORTHOLE. YOU AND THE CAPTAIN. ..AND MAKE SURE THAT IT1S TIGHTLY BOLTED. I'LL SIT

HERE ON’

THE BERTH/ WHY DON'T YOU SIT

THEREON MY »

VALISE...

The rook is dark' only the hum OF THE ENGINES IS HEARD. FAR BELOW... AND THE MUFFLED ROAR OF |THE SEA, OUTSIDE / SUDDENLY... I

GOOD/

NOW... SHALL

WE TURN OUT THE

Mffl

LIGHT..

THAT’S-.T HAT'S IT,

/Tf

LET'S

(NO? NO?

CAPTAIN?

BE r

YOU...

L KILLED YOU. RIGHT THERE ^ ...IN THAT BERTH/ PUSHED YOU OUT THAT PORTHOLE... INTO 4 THE SEA/ YOU CAN'T BE...YOU J

CANT

CAN'T...

YOU'RE

DEAD' I MUR- * DERED YOU ' zM

Horrified, you watch? the captain SLUMPS TO THE FLOOR-WHITE AS CHALK? THEN, SATISFIED, THE TH/NR TURNS AND

HURLS ITSELF OUT OF THE PORTHOLE-

ROOD LORD/

HERE WE GO, A CAPTAIN/ THINGS^ ARE BEGINNING

You SPIN AROUNO/ THE TH/NO... THE HORRIBLE CREATURE OF LAST NIGHT IS RISING OUT OF THE TOP BERTH / THE CAPTAIN IS SHRINKING BACK...

^^3ET

YOU RUSH TO THE PORTHOLE AND SLAM IT SHUT... SOME STRANGE FORCE SEEMS TO RESIST YOU...

J bto pop' rT"

The captain is deao. .LITERALLY FRIGHTENED TO DEATH AND AS YOU TURN TO LOOK THING, YOU ARE .

AFTER THE

ASTOUNOEP TO SEE

THAT...

THE PORTHOLE IS CLOSED, fc AND. BOLTED / jgm .

'Heh, heh/ and that's y THE STORY, DEAR READ-

ER? THE CAPTAIN RECEIVED THE SHOCK OF HlS LIFE, EH? WELL, HE SHOULD HAVE REALIZED... YOU CAN'T GET AWAY WITH MURDER... NOT EVEN AT SEA... ON YOUR OWN

SHIP? OH, IF

BY"

YOU EVER

THE WAY?

REALLY

SAIL THE ‘OCEAN OUEENj

ASK FOR STATEROOM

’

|§SJ$j]\

DROP ME A FEW LINES' WRITE YOU LIKE MY TALES AND HAVE TIME TO KILL. THE CRYPT-KEEPER, RM. 706, DEPT. 20, 22S LAFAYETTE ST..N.Y.C. 12, N.Y.

TO:

THIRTEEN? TELL 'EM T

\SENT YOU?

Xhe

sun had already gone down behind

the heavy jungle growth along both banks

sluggish

the

beached

when Canady,! aÂŤd staggered

stream,

boat

flimsy

his

ashore.

A hundred

swampy

water's

yards back from the

edge ivas a village he had

never seen before

...

primitive circle

weathered huts he hadn't known existed on this

unmapped,off-shoot of the Orinoco

But there

caped

was good reason why

his notice

during

been managing the

all the

River.'

had

es-

sometimes searching

sometimes

to express himself,

sound. Drucker

... his

spection

led

the

manners

of the

who had .

One

guides rose from behind him,

of the

ensuing silence Canady watched

in the

cross the hut to the door.

pmd

hidden under the mat his grim-faced tribes-

being here."

( t

his belt, his fingers t<J

groping

its

holster. Just in case! "They're .

for his

wondering

Canady began and his hand .

touched the empty

it,

gun

holster.

they had watched his face

when he had seen

the object!

moving unoBtru-

certain that his revolver v

an ugly-

and they hate my barging

into their village as

find

They knew

himself,

he had seen

realized

trembled as

range

here!

several inches

art object

men

to rise,

thought to himself as he pretended

ively

looking bunch

Watched the

passed momentarily

and Canady braced whether the chief and

There was

floor opposite the Chief,

former resting place.

people J

escorted

flame-colored moustache?

its

ing eyes that Watched him settl^ on the

make

in-

earth.

over a grass mat and moved

hardly noticed the cold .and appl:

"They don't

of .

and him

cotjj

gave only passing notice boat

words

He had come to find him would pay anyone who knew where Drucker was. Had they seen a tall man with red hair ... a man who had a swallowed up by the

longing Jo the village chief, i

natives

for

a surge

from sight as

Just ^vanished

trip.'

native's left foot as

Canady was

plantation foreman

had disappeared a week before on an

time he had

Plantation. In his fifteen

years in the tropics, he had never

ventured so for into jivaro

ady spoke

much as

But there's no choice

hate being I've got to

clue to Dfucker's whereabouts!"

And even as him. from

on the

floor,

began

they

sides of the

to close in

huh Canady was human head there

underneath the grass mat that

had been moved

the head, with the red

hair looking so ludicrous over th4 shrivelled skin

In the language of the jungle people

all

conscious of the shrunken

Can-

the

head with

ored moustached

the' bitshy flame-col-

There were four of them. rich, spoiled, bored? they had all the money they WANTED, THEY HAD BEEN EVERYWHERE AND DONE EVERYTHING? AND SO, WHEN SOMEONE SUGGESTED THAT THEY TRY THE MAGIC OF THE ANCIENTS, THEY BR EWED. .

4R4TAI l*AD

WHAT BOSHf YOU don't TAKE ANY STOCK IN rA'>»rjUNK,DO IH, WELL..

BE THAN

IT’LL

SITTING AROUND LISTENING TO

SOMEBODY’S

Yh*t night, in JIM Robert's rooms, the four got TOGETHER WITH SHOUTS OF LAUGHTER WHERE'D YOU EVER DREAM UP ALL f

BABY, IT TOOK ME HOUR* TO GET THESE THINGS?

MARYLYN? TOADS' TONGUES' A LAPWING'S EAR? THE FOOT OF>A DAY-OLD BAT?

THIS,

THE NAILS OF A DOG BORN

FIRST THE HAIR OF

A BABY MOUSE.

we're all sick of everything f

THOUGHT THAT WE COULO TRY SOME MAGIC SPELLS... OLD SPELLS WORKED BY CAGLIOStRO AND DEE? THEY WON'T WORK, Of COURSE...

BUT

"7 f

WHISPER

BELTANE, HOG'S BANE '

f )

iur . ti

DOG'S

TOOTH, w|TCH S

RUTH

TIP OF EAR AND SPIT OF TONGUE f MOSS FROM A DEAD MAN'S GRAVE? J

NOW ,

WORDS TO TOUCH THE EAR 1JJ

WILL 8E FUN TO "TRY...

THEN THE WING OF A BABY BAT?

DEAD...

STIR, STIR

â&#x20AC;¢

look.'**

PINCH OF DUST

FROM A MUMMY CASE!

Loud

in the dark room, mary,lyn screams' her hands beat up at SOMETHING VAST, UNSEEN' HER GREEN-TINTED FACE WRITHES EERILY IN STARK TERROR...

GOT TO.. HAVE LIGHT GOT TO .KNOW WHA... WHAT HAPPENED j

l-look' marylyn’s

SHOE...

AND STOCKING...

EEeeyyAM&HHff

LET'S GET ..OUT OF HERE* CALL THE POLICE' GET

(

HELP FROM...

SOMEBODY

WE CAN GET 1 HER BACK OURSELVES, OLDMAN* -RELAX* relax' MAYBE IT’S JUST A MATTER OF ANOTHER SPELL OR SOMETHING... ,

X DON’T LIKE THIS* MAYBE I'M... A SISSY OR SOMETHING... .

BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS LIKE THIS... THAT

SCIENCE HAS NEVER

GRAZ Yf

THIS

WHY

DID

WE EVER THIS?

SHAKING,

OLD

MAN*

HER... J

RIGHT

OUT OF THEM'

OH, JIM DARLING, UP'

HUSH WE HAVE TO SAVE

MARYLYN

OUR FAULT, OLD

MANf HERE, THIS LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING...

SEANCE

TO SPEAK TO THE

dead'

EXPLAINED' WE'D .

START

WHATEVER...

WAS ...MUST HAVE RIPPED

BETTER.

PE eEt ECrRR... PlEEEA&SE COOOOME TOOOo

CONCENTRATE IT'S

MARYLYN

SHE'S CALLING ’0 ME

OH. MY heaven' OHHHH...

M5/E

ME A HAND? HELP ME? SOMETHING ...HAS HOLD OF ME... CAN'T SEEM... TO FIGHT IT tfFF...

JIM? GIVE

HOLD Yl ME? I'M P so

HIS COAT-SLEEVE... RIPPED

SCARED ?J|

FOR'

HE'S... GONE,

JIM...

so...

heeelp ossss.., Lo ooOk INNN ™EEE BqOOOK.

ALL-RIGHT'

WE CAN DO

IT...

BY A DIFFERENT

I DON'T LIKE But I'LL GO

[CALM DOWN? hsTTR

SPELL...

IT.

THROUGH WITH

STEADY, NOW'

TO READ THE

I'M GOING

SPELL..

ONLY...

GONE. ..TOO FAR...

I’LL DO... WHAT-

NO' NO.' NOT THE WINNIE, YOU’RE POLICE' X WOtfT L.CRAZY ' LET STAY HERE ALONE? GO OF ME? JIM, YOUAND.I... J’PLEASE..

TOO'

OFF ? NOW I AM GOING THE POLICE' THIS HAS

)

EVER I CANLISTEN TO ME' I won't LET YOU GO FOR THE POLICE' WE STARTED ALL THIS? WE CAN FINISH IT? BUT YOU MUST HELP ME? JIM —

DO YOU

HEAR? THEY ARE

CALLING TO YONDER... ,

US. ..FROM OVER FROM SOMEWHERE..

BEYOND THE

GRAVE...

BY THE SECRETS OF THE NINE, BY THE SWORD OF SAMECH AND THE SPHINXED CHARIOT? BY THE BAPTISM OF THE FOUR ELEMENTS AND THE KEYS OF

THE FIFTY GATES... I SUMMON YOU? APPEAR? BRING BACK THOSE YOU HAVE TAKEN?

COME' I COME AT YOUR CALL,ENCHANTRESS ' I COME... /

I'LL

L ATTTT.

I'LL

Panting, sobbing, his WORLD REELING AROUND

HIM,

ROBERTS STARES AT THE GIGANTIC THING THAT THEIR SPELLS HAVE SUMMONED UP JIM

SHEER HORROR EYES ...

CAN JUST ABOUT... REACH

PHONE

BY MYSELF (YE/IF r

HIS

}

the...

SAVE YOU. SAVE YOU.

GGGGNNN N Y Y ya a a a a

TOO

His nerves exacerbated, jim COLL APES IN A â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;DEAD FAINT t HE DOES NOT SEE THE MONSTROUS HORROR BEND OVER HIM...

BEING LIFTED AND CARRIED-

JlM OPENS HIS EYES. ..TO FINO HIMSELF] RECLINING IN A COFFIN... JUST AS THE GLOATING MONSTER IS SHUTTING THE HEAVY LID OOWN ON HIM.? J

NO ...NO.' DON'T. DON'T...

M Wm

41- 1- RIGHT, I I

With

a thud, the coffin

THAT" COFFIN. LET'S

PUFFS 5 PUFF I CAN'T GET

IIT

UPf

IT'S

STUCK?

TO BREATI'-

PETE? JIM WILL\ BESIDES... WE SUFFOCATE J TOOK A BODY IN THERE? OUT TO MAKE WE'VE GOT TO PUT IT BACK? COME pN BACK TO THE CAR. WE'LL GET

SOME TOOLS

THE

SURE, RIGHT AWAY ? BOY, WAS HE EVER

SOARED.' SURE FOR ALL THAT MUMBO-

NAILS... SUFFOCATE... IN HERE... GETTING HARDER

OPENj ^VJIM

(FEU

THE

PETE

JOKE'S GONE FAR ENOUGH.' HE LOOKED HALF DEAD WITH FEAR,

closes

HAMMERING ME IN... CAN HEAR THE HAMMER... HITTING

HE'S...

Et-

IJUMBOf WHEEEEI

YOU'RE NEXT, MISTER? AND YOU CAN REST ASSURED... I GOING TO BURY YOU.. DEEP.'

His nerves exacerbated, jim COLL APES IN A â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;DEAD FAINT t HE DOES NOT SEE THE MONSTROUS HORROR BEND OVER HIM...

BEING LIFTED AND CARRIED-

JlM OPENS HIS EYES. ..TO FINO HIMSELF] RECLINING IN A COFFIN... JUST AS THE GLOATING MONSTER IS SHUTTING THE HEAVY LID OOWN ON HIM.? J

NO ...NO.' DON'T. DON'T...

M Wm

41- 1- RIGHT, I I

With

a thud, the coffin

THAT" COFFIN. LET'S

PUFFS 5 PUFF I CAN'T GET

IIT

UPf

IT'S

STUCK?

TO BREATI'-

PETE? JIM WILL\ BESIDES... WE SUFFOCATE J TOOK A BODY IN THERE? OUT TO MAKE WE'VE GOT TO PUT IT BACK? COME pN BACK TO THE CAR. WE'LL GET

SOME TOOLS

THE

SURE, RIGHT AWAY ? BOY, WAS HE EVER

SOARED.' SURE FOR ALL THAT MUMBO-

NAILS... SUFFOCATE... IN HERE... GETTING HARDER

OPENj ^VJIM

(FEU

THE

PETE

JOKE'S GONE FAR ENOUGH.' HE LOOKED HALF DEAD WITH FEAR,

closes

HAMMERING ME IN... CAN HEAR THE HAMMER... HITTING

HE'S...

Et-

IJUMBOf WHEEEEI

YOU'RE NEXT, MISTER? AND YOU CAN REST ASSURED... I GOING TO BURY YOU.. DEEP.'

WORKED OUT f PETER, PERFECTLY' ALL \HURRY? THOSE SCENIC SH) FT EFFECTS... SMOKE AND THINGS... JSmM BUT WE'VE GOT TO GET THAT •'We COFFIN OPEN f fcaBy

X AM, I AM.' GOOD

WANT

GRIEF, I DON'T

ANYTHING TO HAPPEN TO JIM EITHER, YOU KNOW'

WE'VE GOT TO WORK FAST? R UGGGH... DON'T SOMEBODY'S LIABLE TO REMIND ME 1 MY FIND THE DEAD BODY WE HANDS FEEL TOOK OUT OF THAT COFFIN FUNNY JUST AT AND CARRIED AWAY... kTHE THOUGHT OF IT' jg LOOK! THE COFFIN GONE ' * j

HURRY/

NOT \ NOBODY HERE, OVER (EITHER? WINNIE, HERE?) DO YOU... SEE IF gf ANYONE DIGGING 3 JH A GRAVE ? <

NO ? NO, X DON'T' BUT WE MUST FIND JIM' WE HAVE TO...

WHAT

CARETAKERDID YOU... just.:.

,-^UP' YOU HAVE TO... )

UP/ THE MAN

IT...ISN'T

DEAD/

J \

WINNIE

MEANS A

DIGIT

BURY A COFFIN?

IS.

JOKE/

YOU KNOW YOU’VE

...

GOT TO OPEN THAT COFFIN'

1 WOULDN'T OPEN THAT COFFIN FOR ALL THE GOLD IN FORT KNOX ' 1 BURIED HIM PLENTY DEEP' THAT MAN DIED FROM... LEPROSY.' ANYONE WHO TOUCHES THE CORPSE WILL GET IT' Jg

SCIENCE FICTION

fans: FOR THE BEST IN THE NEW SCIENCEFANTASY FIELD.i.FOR A MAGAZINE JAMPACKED WITH ASTOUNDING, AMAZING.AND EERIE ADVENTURES INTO THE FANTASTIC ...FOR SCIENTIFIC SUSPENSESTORIES AT THEIR ILLUSTRATED BEST READ. ..

since she insisted on buying the dog,

he had hated the big golden animal

his wife

brought into the house! As far back as he could remember he had been afraid of dogs,

even the tiny wriggling pups he saw in the

Shop windows

Pet

but

monster she

this

had brought home was huge, even

for

Great Dane!

The savage hate he felt.toward the dog she

grew with each passing day

called Hamlet .

and

tear!

was matched by

the hate

Fear which multiplied

sight of the

was most

down

awful

mere

he wasn't careful

to start

his spine!

frightening of all

tion that his hatred If

his

until the

animal was enough

cold chills running

was

the

And what

his realiza-

was returned by Hamlet! .

mendously powerful

well, the

dog was

tre-

...

was

all set

from the house

room he had

@ON

SURE-FIRE

WINNER'^S^

SALE NOW

AT ALL NEWSSTANDS'

means ner

for

his wife

would be away

several hours! With me-

care he examined the basement

ticulous

ANOTHER "NEW TREND"

fixed

of escape!

was

all

to give the

the

room with no

The metal tub

set for the

dog

one

cor-

was going

bath he

a few minutes

Hamlet's

last bath!

He examined

the pipes leading to the tub.

With the faucets removed

which was even

at this

like this, the

water

moment splashing in

could be turned

And with the have

do would be

into the room.

and

out,

never have

he would unchain

and bring

right outside

With the door shut on his

the water running,

he would

worry about that animal again!

He whirled

at the

eyes wide with

sound behind him, The door

terror!

room had slammed shut

was no way

there

The plan

to get out!

to himself ...

Hamlet from the post him

he would

all

fail!

He smiled

way

way,

slam the door and

would be impossible couldn't

only from the outside!

off

lock fixed this

to turn

and off

his

to the little

the water

from in here!

232 BIG PAGES IN

144 BIG PAGES IN FULL

Here under one cover, in color continuity, reand arranged in edited chronological order, are all I he stories of the Old Testament heroes from the four issues of the magazine four colors Printed in full

throughout and bound varnished with brightly

heavy board covers.

illustrated.

Even standing on

on the edge

tip-toes

COLOR

FULL

COLOR

Containing the complete story of the Life of Christ and Peter and Paul and the founding of the Early Christian Church. Included are maps showing Palestine at the time of Jesus and chronological indexes of principal events and Scripture references to episodes

the tub the water reached almost to his lips!

There was scarcely six inches

and the surface

the ceiling

head

tilting his

far

between

left

the water

was

rising

keep

to .

but

by the second! For the

hundredth time he screamed, at the top lungs: "H-HELP!

the water!

back he was able

the air trickling in through his nostrils

of his

OLD TESTAMENT

HAMLET! HELP!"

No.

I— From

No.

2— More

the Creation

to Joseph

But the only sound he could hear in re-

sponse was the onrush that

water

mouth

into his

the flood

I5e

OLD TESTAMENT

Old Testament

Heroes

NEW

1.5c

TESTAMENT No. I— The

Early Life

I5e

of Jesus

was even now beginning

his ears

to .

surge up

pounding

^EDUCATIONAL COMICS. 225 LAFAYETTE

ST..

INC.

NEW YORK

12.

N. Y.

against his tightly-shut eyes! P

He opened help of

his

mouth

for

last

scream

for

COMPLETE OLD TESTAMENT COMPLETE NEW TESTAMENT

and there was the bruising impact head

striking

There was no air

left

the

cement

in the flooded

even the surging sound

ceiling!

room

the water

had Addr

stopped! All he could hear bling sound

was a

which seemed

in his strangling throat

thin

to start

bub-

deep

City.

L'r

’. .

,.7Sc 50c

OLD TESTAMENT OLD TESTAMENT

No.

15c

NEW TESTAMENT

No.

...

Drag over that battered COFFIN, kiddies and stretch your palpitating CORPSES on the worm-eaten lid .. being very careful, of course, not to jar its worm-eaten contents!) ,

(

...

once, again time lor another of our discussions! The first item on my old list of things to DIG UP with you is TITLE of my now familiar magazine!

it's

GRAVE musty

O.K. Ed, there's your letter good luck! For 75c apiece, I'd send you my own personal copies ... but I've never kept them! Can't stand to have them around they scare the daylights outa me! .

NEW

the

As you no doubt are aware, my magazine has always been tops in TERROR the first word in HORROR and unsurpassed in SUSPENSE! So when my frightened pub.

agreed to publish my tales which I keep here in the CRYPT we called the magazine THE CRYPT OF TERROR! Lately, however, the old coot's ulcer has been acting up, and every time I've handed him lisher first

the latest issue, his seeing the word TERROR in the title has given him a bad case of hic-

cups! This, naturally, aggravated the old boy's tummy even more so tor his sake, as well as for the sakes of all my readers with weak tummies, 1 reluctantly agreed to change the title of my TERROR-IFIC mag to TALES FROM THE CRYPT! But do not be alarmed, all you FIENDISH FANS! To paraphrase a phrase, a CORPSE by any other

Dear Crypt-Keeper, I want you to know

CRYPT OF TERROR

that everytime a put on sale at my

candy-store, I will buy it you. You don't scare me! .

and

will

HAUNT

A. (NMI) Ghost (No address given!)

So haunt me, Ghost 1 1 dare you Only you better not show up -around the CRYPT! I I

might scare the SHEET off you! Go dissolve your ectoplasm in a vat of sulphuric acid!

name is still a CORPSE! And let me assure you. THE CRYPT OF TERROR by any other name will still be ... ah TERROR-BLE! Now let's dig into the MAIL MAUSOLEUM .

which,

gems

CHOKED

full of

Slab 13

hot-foot

your epistolary I say

CRYPT-KEEPER'S LITERARY SELECTIONS

A further listing of my favorite fine mystery

Dear Crypt-Keeper,

literature,

hate to admit this, you old geezer, but your magazine is the very best HORRORTERROR book I have ever readâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; barring none! I have an almost complete collection I

THE CRYPT OF TERROR. However.

not

Morgue Refrigerator Dodge City, Kansas

City

don't you give yourself with an acetylene-torch!

and peruse a tew! (Gad, did

THAT

Your magazine leaves me cold! The Occupant

Why

have issues No.

No.

and Ng. 16. I them, and he in-

H. P. Lovecraft

Karloff, Boris:

And

Bram

your

Lurker-at the Threshhold the Darkness Falls

Stoker: The Mystery of the

Sea

wrote to your publisher for formed me that these particular issues were am appealing to you. Please your "corner " I will offer

sell-outs! So I print this letter in

to pay as high as 75c apiece to anyone who can send me these issues in good condition! Ed Szep

which you can obtain

local library!

Ocean Parkway

Brooklyn. N. Y.

And so, dear readers, don't forget to tell all your friends about the new title of my magazine ... I wouldn't want anyone to miss this issue because he was still looking for the

CRYPT OF TERROR! And keep your letters pouring in tell me what type of stories you like best! lust write to: THE CRYPT.

KEEPER, Rm. 706, Dept. Street, N. Y. C. 12, N. Y.

20,

225 Lafayette

”

GOOD LORO /

OOM't look at it, MISS BENNETT? IT'S TOO HORRIBLE.'

Perhaps it was the fact that our childhood was MISERABLE... OUR PARENTS BEING POVERTY-STRICKEN? PERHAPS IT WAS THE FACT THAT I, JANET BENNETT; HAD REMAINED UNMARRIED, AND HAD CONTINUED TO LIVE KITH MY BROTHER GREGORY, THEREBY INCREASING HIS RESPONSIBILITIES? WHATEVER THE REASON, GREGG HAD SHUT HIMSELF OFF FROM THE WORLD TO STUDY. . TO BETTER HIMSELF. ..HIS LIFE,. . AND MINE. GREGG? YOU MUST "GET SOME SLEEP?

LEAVE ME ALONE, SIS? BE ALL RIGHT. . .

I'LL

His days occupieo in his regular JOB, GREGG SAT UP HALF THE NIGHT PORING OVER TEXT BOOKS ? I KNEW THAT SUCH HARO WORK. ., CONSTANT STUDY. .WOULO HAVE ITS EFFECT? HE GREW PALE. ..HIS EYES CLOUOEC .

GREGG? YOU MUST STOP

DRIVING YOURSELF? YOU [> WILL BECOME ILL.

AM TAKING CARE

OF MYSELF, JANET? DON'T WORRY ABOUT

But i could not HELP but worry?

gregg's condition

GREW PROGRESSIVELY WORSE? AT LAST I COULD RESIST NO LONGER? I BEGGED GREGG TO LET ME CALL IN OUR FAMILY DOCTOR f OH, YES, GREGG

'ALL RIGHT! ALL RIGHT? LET THE OLD COOT COME OVER AND EXAMINE ME IF IT WILL MAKE YOU ANY HAPPIER ?

Dr. WENTWORTH EXAMINED GREGG THOROUGHLY. .. AND AFTER HE HAD FINISHED, HE TOOK ME ASIDE ?

YOU HAVE BEEN LOOKING RATHER

Q BAD LATELY!

DR. WENTWORTH GAVE ME THE PRESCRIPTION, AND LEFT f GREGG INSISTED THAT THE PRESCRIPTION BE FILLED BY A CHEMIST IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AN OLD MAN WHOSE SHOP WAS OLO TOO... OLD-FASHIONED AND DEVOID OF THE

GLITTEROF THE MODERN DRUG STORE? AS

WITHERED, BONEY HANDS AND STUOIED A MOMENT...

MADAM? WHAT

YES,

CAN

DO FOR YOU?

That

evening, the medicine ARRIVED, AND I SAW THAT GREGG TOOK IT BEFORE DINNER? ,

THERE r

DOES

TASTE BAD?

J0.

RATHER

TASTELESS NOT TOO BAD, SIS?

I WAS CAREFUL TO SEE THAT GREGG TOOK HIS MEDICINE BEFORE EVERY MEAL, AND THEN. ONE EVENING ... r

GREGG? YOU'! NOT STUDYING.

FOR

HAVE SOME OF IT? IF NOT.. I’LL HAVE TO ORDER IT? .

TO FILL THIS

LIKE —? I'DPRESCRIPTION? I...

f WELL THEN, WIL THIS PRESCRIPTION CONTAINS J A RARE DRUG! I HOPE X if YOU DEUVER IT

ENTERED

THE SHOP.

I...

I DON'T

FEEL LIKE IT, T0NI6HT, gf

JANET!

He BEGAN TO r

PACE THE FLOOR AS

THINK I’LL GO OUT TONIGHT, JANET? TAKE IN A SHOW? DON'T WAIT UP FOR ME...ToH y . ALL < f RIGHT-

I ^

|ar-3^

GREGG?

1 REJOICED ? AT LAST GREGG HAO BROKEN AWAY FOR AN EVENING OF RELAXATION? I WATCHEO HIM AS HE SAUNTEREO OOWN THE STREET? I OON’T KNOW WHAT TIME HE CAME IN... BUT THE NEXT MORNING, AT BREAKFAST, HIS EYES GLEAMED. AND I FEEL IT, OH, GREGG ? YOU GRAND TIME < LOOK SO WELL ? MET SOME OLD COLLEGE CHUMS

The DAYS WENT BY AND GREGG

THAT NIGHT GREGG WENT OUT AGAIN, THE NEXT NIGHT.' HE WAS A CHANGED

AND AGAIN MAN... HE BECAME A LOVER OF PLEASURE... A HUNTER OF RESTAURANTS AND GAY PLACES? X WAS HAPPY... ANO YET... ALTHOUGH I KNEW NOT WHY... I WAS FRIGHT-

- —* WHY DO YOU LOOK AT X... 1 DON'T ) ME SO STRANGELY, SIS ? WHAT,/ KNOW. GREGG oo you see ? XTg

’

fcT.r-,

CON-

HORRIBLE LOOKING DIGIT

TINUED TO TAKE HIS MEDICINE...

IN HIS

HANDKERCHIEF AND STAMMERCQ-

RENEWING THE PRESCRIPTION FROM THE OLD CHEMIST WH EN IT RAN OUT? ONE MORN IN6-

1 BURNEO IT.. Iletme BANOAGE IT FOR YOU, LAST NIGHT... I..

I...

GREGG? I... X... /WHAT? YOU SAY SOMETHING, SIS?. GOOD LORD

GREGG

'MM

night, after grbcg went out, i called WENTWORTH... BUT HE HAD GONE OUT OF TOWN? HE WOULD NOT BE BACK TILL MORNING? X SAT STARING OUT OF THE WINDOW... AND ABOUT MIDNIGHT X WAS AWAKENED BY THE KEY IN THE LOCK-

That DR.

I CANNOT DESCRIBE THE FEAR THAT CREPT INTO MY HEART AS SRE66 SNAPPED AT ME? THERE WAS A STRANGE LOOK IN HIS EYES' A LOOK X HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE..,

WELL, WHERE DOES (AT THE OLO I < CHEMISTS' ON SCRIPTION FILLED? BROOM STREET. HE HAVE THE PRE-

myoear? you say yes' HE STILL takes^/regularly? .the stuff JTnf I

L AM GOING TO MY ROOM? BRING MY BREAKFAST TRAY UP IN THE MORNING AND LEAVE IT AT THE DOOR...

Dr. WENTWORTH GOT HIS COAT AND WE HURRIED TO THE OLO-FASHION CHEMIST SHOP' THE OLD MAN GREETED US AND THE OOCTOR PROCEEDED TO ASK SOME QUESTIONS...

MR BENNETT HAS BEEN IN REGULARLY TO FILLTHAT PRESCRIPTION' CONTAINS A RARE

LONG T/ME

I'VE HAD FOR SOME TIME.

1...I...

llT

RIGHT...

NOT THE DRUG.'

KNOW WHAT TO

JgE^

TOO..

The DOCTOR TOOK THE CANISTER, AND WE LEFT. DOCTOR WENTWORTH' SHOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT MY BROTHER HAS BEEN TAKING FOR THE . PAST MONTH OR SO J

—

PHEW' WHAT/.? THIS? THISIS\

MAYBE A ...FEW YES, I SEE THE LABEL IS BUT I TELL YOU THIS ) YEARS f I_I DON’T

DRUG WHICH I'LL HAVE TO ORDER, NOW' I ONLY HAD A LITTLE-

HAD

The old man went into the back and returned WITH A MUSTY CANISTER, WHICH HE PRIED OPEN FOR THE DOCTOR..

NOT WHAT I PRESCRIBED' OH

OH, YES'

FRANKLY, MISS BENNETT, X

DO NOT KNOW'

That evening my brother gregg did not go out AS usual' he CAME DOWN FROM HIS ROOM AND ANNOUNCED...

SHALL HAVE IT ANALYZED... BUT I HAVE A FEELING THAT THIS GOES BEYOND THE REALM OF CHEMISTRY AND MEDICAL SCIENCE?

Thave had my little

fling, but now it IS OVER? AM GOING BACK TO MY BOOKS' I DO NOT WANT TO BE DISTURBED? I WILL REMAIN IN MY ROOM.,. “S MY MEALS WILL BE SENT UP AND LEFT OUTSIDE?

rrr

THAT CLEAR? Ij

—T

Greg® went back to his room., and Ehe next MORNING, WHEN I PLACED HIS BREAKFAST TRAY BEFORE THE DOOR. "? AflY'iTYT'T T 1 T EtH .

GREGG? YOUR ARMS?

YOU'RE SPYING ON ME?; DON'T WANT YOU SPYING

GREGG? BREAKFAST?

tON ME?

I RUSHED TO HIM, BUT HE PICKEO UP HIS TRAY AND SLAMMED HIS DOOR... LOCKING IT... MpngS;

OH, GREGG?. . . SOB.. .GREGG

1 WENT DOWNSTAIRS, AND CALLED THE DOCTOR ...

.THEY'RE ALL BANDAGEO!

When

i did not see gregg Fok SEVERAL OAYS. I CALLED OR. WENTWORTH AGAIN. ANO TOLD .

£any newsTj i've sent it off, 'DOCTOR t MISS BENNETT? IT s> 1 r r WILL BE ABOUT A

—j

WEEK BEFORE WE KNOW? ___ C

HIM OF GREGG'S WRINKLED, ROTTED FINGER... HIS BANDAGEO HAND ANO HIS

BANDAGED ARMS...

fBWmimn!

HAVEN'T HEARD FROM THE LABORATORY YET, MISS BENNETT, BUT I I

JHINK

I'D

BETTER COME

OV.ER...

DOCTOR?

face with his hands as if to SHUT OUT A HORRID SIGHT. „ AND THEN HE TURNED

He covered his

Dr. WENTWORTH ARRIVED AND WENT UPSTAIRS ? HEARD HIM KNOCK AND GO IN? AFTER A WHILE HE CAME DOWNSTAIRS? THERE WAS UNUTTERABLE HORROR IN HIS EYES ? HE GULPED... STEAD YING HIMSELF BY GRASPING THE BANISTeR^^BBBl

DO NOT SEND FOR ME AGAIN, MISS BENNETT? I CAN DO NOTHING IN THIS HOUSE ?

SEEN HIM? CHOKE... I HAVE ...EXAMINED 1 AM IN MY SENSES? I HAVE DEALT 'WITH DEATH ALL MY LIFE... BUT I... NEVER.. 1 I

HAVE

HIM?

ANO

NOTHIN6

THIS..

NO,

BUT.. .DOCTOR.

DOCTOR

The next day, as i was crossing the street in FRONT OF THE HOUSE, T HAPPENED TO GAZE UP AT Gregg's window.

ff^ r TlfT

—

The blind was being drawn back, not by a hand, but A ROTTED STUMP... A BEASTS PAW SHAPELESS HORRIBLE? AND BEHIND IT, TWO EYES OF BURNING FLAME GLARED AT ME AMIDST SOMETHING AS FORMLESS, AS GHASTLY AS THE ROTTING PAW. '.WMMli .

I CALLED DR.WENT WORTH AS SOON AS I GOT INTO THE HOUSE. ..AND, ALTHOUGH AT FIRST -HE REFUSED, MY .FRIGHTENED TEARS FINALLY PERSUADED HIM TO COME ? WE SAT DOWN IN THE SITTING ROOM...

?THE CHEMIST I SENT THE DRUG TO WAS UNABLE TO ANAL/ZE IT.' IT’S CHEMICAL COMPOSITION < WAS UNKNOWN TO HIM ALTHOUGH THE RESULTS OF TESTS SHOWED THAT IT WAS SIMILAR IN ACTION

Something wet had fallen on my HAND? t LOOKED UP? THE CEILING

TO THE DIGESTIVE PLEASE, DOCTOR?] I AM AFRAID, ' YOU MUST TELL MISS BENNETT, THAT THIS WHOLE ME WHAT IS WRONG WITH EPISODE IS MOST UNNATURAL? THERE GREGG? ARE FORCES INVOLVED -| HERE SUPERNATURAL IT FORCES... THAT WE TODAY KNOW LITTLE

T WWl

ENZYMES

< /

IN THE f iC'.y HUMAN BODY? YOUR ( BROTHER IS BE/NG\y\rf<£

DIGESTED ALIVE'

^Mlf/VABOUT'

Dr. WENTWORTH GRABBED HIS WALKING CANE AND HASTENED UP THE STAIRS ? IGNORING HIS ORDERS TO TO REMAIN IN THE SITTING ROOM, I FOLLOWE D 'AS HE BROKE DOWN THE DOOR, THERE BURST FORTH A FEARFUL ?,

There upon the floor was a dark putrid mass... NOR SOLID. .. BUBBLING. AND OUT OF THE MIDST OF IT SHOWN TWO BURNING POINTS,..LIKE EYES? AS THE THING LUNGED FOR US, DR. WENT WORTH... TEARS IN HIS EYES... STRUCK AT IT SEETHING... NEITHER LIQUID

WITH HIS CANE... AGAIN AND AGAIN ... UNTIL

LIVED

LUVVA MIKE' WILL YOU LOOK AT THIS' WHY IN THE WORLD DID DRAW THIS FACE? DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE 1 WAS DOING IT f FUNNY... THE EXPRESSION IS ONE OF EXTREME.. FEARf J&rj l

OH, WELL... NO ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

USE WORRYING ABOUT

A SWELL DAY? TOO NICE A DAY TO I'LL TAKE A WALK?

GOSH,

IT?

WORK?^

.THINK

SURE IS STRANGE' MUST HAVE BEEN DAYDREAMING' MY MIND WAS A MILLION MILES AWAY' BUT WHY, ON SUCH A LQVEIY DAY, WOULD DRAW SUCH A... , A HORRIFIED FACE? I

Sometime LATER...

DOES A PERSON GOOD TO GET SOME CLEAN, FRESH AIR. .SUNSHINE? i've walked a good FIVE MILES AND I DON'T FEEL A BIT TIRED'

...

YES, SIR? NOTHING LIKE THE GREAT OUTDOORS? NATURE SURE IS WONDERFUL.. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE AN ARTIST TO <

APPRECIATED

IT.'

SAY... WHAT'S THAT NOISE?

SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE BANGING... OR HAMMERING ON SOMETHING? OH. OVER THERE... A HOUSE?

^ I WAS RIGHT* THERE HE IS WORKING ON A GRAVESTONE t THE^E MUST BE SAMPLES OF HIS WORK' j NICE DESIGN'

HMMM...ALEX KQRDOVA GRAVE - ) STONES f NICE CHEERFUL, -*r-\

YES,

OCCUPATION' SOUNDS LIKE THAT NOISE IS COMING FROM BACK

AROUND

MUCH NOISE, HE DOESN'T HERE* WELL, THE MAN KNOWS HIS GOOD? WHAT'S HE WORKING . -2 JL

HE'S MAKING SO

KNOW

I'M

W JM

STUFF... HE'S

ONNOW?

’BORN APRIL 25, 1922

HMM

..LET'S

THEODORE

SEE f HERE LIES WARREN"' ???

WHY, THAT'S MY NAME' “BORN APRIL 25 1922 .' HOLY SMOKE.' I WANT A CLOSER LOOK AT &} THAT GRAVESTONE ' ,

GOOD LORD' THIS IS FANTASTIC ?/ CALM DOWN, YOUR FACE YOU ARE THE MAN I l MISTER? TAKE IT [DREW' WHAT'S GOING ON? AM EASY ? WHAT'S I DREAMING ? THE MATTER?

YOUR NAME ? HMM... THAT'S MY NAME / QUITE A COINCIDENCE! BUT, MY DATE OFT DON'T WORRY, MISTER... 1 BIRTH WHAT /THIS IS JU-ST A SAMPLE I'M MADE YOU PUT / DOING YOU KNOW, TO SHOW MY NAME AND V PEOPLE WHAT KIND OF A BIRTH-DATE ON WORK I DO y

THAT HEADSTONE THAT'S

AND

THAT THING

MAYBE SO, BUT \ THERE ISN'T ANYTHING TO YOU HAVE MY DATE \GET EXCITED ABOUT ? I OF DEATH AS JUNE ) JUST PUT TODAY'S DATE 9, 1950 ? THAT'S.../ BECAUSE I'M GOING TO FINISH IT TODAY? LIKE THAT'S TODAY.' * AND THEN THERE'S ) AN ARTIST DATES HIS THAT PICTURE /CANVAS WHEN HE FINISHES I DREW., A PAINTING?... WHAT'S THAT |. OU SA '° AB0UT A PICTURE?

COINCIDENCE' ..I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT MEANS, BUT

IT'S...

IT'S

BOSH.' I'LL ADMIT IT'S ODD, ALL RIGHT? BUT I DON'T BELIEVE IN SUCH A THING

gO «

HERE? LOOK AT THIS? \ WELL, I’LL BE DARNED? IS THIS A DRAWING OF^SURE IS ME, ALLRIGHT? YOU, OR ISN'T IT ? YOU DIDN'T MAKE ME »w«A LOOK ANY TOO HAPPY, DID YOU ? illiil

fey

lt1taR08(H^lhI

THERE'S MORE TO THIS THAN JUST

THING JUST

HAPPENED, DEAR I f

WAS..

YOU TWO

WHY YES,

YES... VERY

MR.

KNOW ^ KORDOVA? YOUR EACH N WIFE AND I OTHER? WERE...ER... GOOD FRIENDS YEARS

After

AGO.'

FRIENDS?

FOR DINNER? WE ^ CAN TALK ABOUT ...OLD TIMES' a

’

WHY.. .ELLEN...

DON'T THINK I OUGHT TO IN- 4

TRUDE?

nonsense'alexTwhy, yes... WOULD LOVE TO OF COURSE' HAVE YOU STAY' ) DO STAY, MR. ^WOULDN'T YOUA WARREN' i

|R DEAR? r-"^

MEAN...

I'M HAPPY TO COOK FOR YOU, ME A l? WAS SUPERB' YOU ARE TRULY A J k TED? YOU ^’ CULINARY GENIUS' T ALWAYS WERE APPRECIATIVE' I didn't KNOW YOU J WERE SUCH A OF MY.. V TALENTS', y GOOD COOK'

AH-HJL.. ELLEN, THAT

dinner.

GOOD

IT'S

GRAND TO SEE 1 YOU AGAIN.TED? YOU MUST STAY A

ELLEN, PLEASE? YOU’RE EMBARRASSING OUR ij .

GUEST'

OH, KEEP QUIET' YOU.. .YOU

NINCOMPOOP.'l DON'T KNOW WHY! EVEN BOTHER TO

ANSWER YOU, YOU'RE SO t—, stupid'

NOT ARGUE' WE HAVE COMPANY,

REMEMBER'

r SAID, SHUT UP.' WHY CAN’T YOU BE NICE LIKE TED, HERE, FOR A CHANGE? HONESTLY, l DON'T KNOW j

WHAT EVER POSSESSED ME TO MARRY A FOOL

LIKE YOU'

NOW, SEE HERE? ) LOOK AT YOU? A MISERABLE^ I'VE HAD JUST J WRETCH/ YOU'LL NEVER BE \ ABOUT ALL ANYTHING BUT WHAT YOU ARE? 1 I

CAN TAKE

Wf'mf lr

(

DUMB GRAVESTONE CUTTER?* ^ TED'S A SUCCESS' HE HAS

MONEY' HE

YOUNG, HANDSOME, EXCITING.' YOU'RE NONE OF THOSE THINGS? m S

OH-H, THAT MAN? HE AH...^ AGGRAVATES ME TO / ELLEN... 1 DEATH? I CAN'T /PERHAPS HIM ANY I'D BETTER MORE ? ESPECIALLYALEAVE ... SINCE I'VE MET>wL AGAIN. TEDDY. •/Z'TllfTl I j

STAND

I'VE HAD ENOUGH' I'M GO AHEAD, RUN,YOU GOING OUT TO MY WORK ! SPINELESS SIMPLETON! SHOP? THERE ARE SOME / FOR ALL CARE YOU , THINGS WANT TO DO? CAN GO OUT AND iVfFf-f COME BACK? I

YES

FORGET ABOUT BUT.. .A TED? JUST THINK <1 HAVEN'T OF YOU... AND ME.' \ FORGOTTEN? THOSE HOURS? AND WE. )OH, THERE'S > ITS BEEN A LONG TIXC DllTvnil MICUTC <' NIGHTS. WE HAVE TO _-/ NO USE YOUR TALK ABOUT..) KIDDING MYSELF. KISSES. OLD TIMES? < ELLEN. I AM 7 GLAD TO SEE REMEMBER *7 YOU AGAIN? BUT r

NO, TED... DON'T GO? ALEX WON'T BE BACK FOR

ALEX,) NO

NO,

)

WAS CRAZY

MARRY

ALEX? TO KNOWN ALL ALONG THAT IT V IT'S NOT WAS YOU I WANTED? AND YOU WANT'^ RIGHT? < YOUR ME, TOO ? I CAN SEE IT IN YOUR EYES? IT’S NOT TOO LATE... WE HUSBAND. CAN STILL BE TOGETHER? KISS J# 4 ME, TED? KISS ME HARD I

I'VE

ELLEN...

YOU'RE MARRIED..

KISS

ELLEN. ELLEN..

WHAT HAPPENED?

ALEX KORDOVA JUST KILLED .

SOME

GUY.

CAUGHT HIM

WITH MRS. KORDOVA? BEAT

^HIM TO

A PULP

nirHfVUOQ rib HI All Home #"? WHICH ONE PAID HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO TRAIN AT MY SIDE?

‘

Larry

Rex

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mm mm

F Down

the long corridor to the little green door, THE CONVICTED MAN... FLANKED BY THE WARDEN AND A GUARD... SLOWLY MAOE HIS WAY-DOWN THE "LAST

Outside the dark grey walls, in THE PRISON YARD, STOOD A BLACK HEARSE f A FACE PEERED OUT FROM BEHIND DRAWN CURTAINS.

~ WAIT

HE'LL

CRACK

THEY

ALWAYS

OOF*

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

The professor busied himself with electrodes, PLATES, AND OTHER GAOOETS.WHICH HE FASTENED TO ~~~ COOPER'S BODYf THEN. . LOOKS LIKE A GIVES THERE f l'VE THROWN THE^^FRANKENSTEIN FRANKENSTEIN ME ^

MOVIEf

THE

CREEPS'

After the two minutes had passed, the apmratusI WAS TURNED OFF f ALL EYES WATCHED THE STILL FORM f THE SECONDS TICKED OFF.. .TEN... TWENTY. |

LOOK!

ALIVE

Slowly the draped figure

stirred.. .theh sat

•HA...

WHAT.

HAPPENED?

' CERTAINLY i H

FLESH BURRED

OR/PES.' his JS ALL

HE LOOKS..

HORRIBLE

UPf THE SHEET FELL AWAY AMD... HAS BEEN SUB-

JECTED TO A

VERY HIGH

AMPERAGE charge's

DON'T GIVE HIM ANYTHING UNTIL I'VE HAD TIME TO

DETERMINE WHETHER his

BRAIH has

LOOEY .' YOUTsURE^Y

JHEARD

bEEhJ^^^

MS'S BOSS*.

rTT~

SURE? (

\HERE.'

THANKS FOR THE FAVOR. PROF' HERE'S

MY PAYOFF'

'JIMMY.' DOHJA

rYOU SHOULDN'T !

HAVE

DOHE

THAT,

JIMMY' HE WAS GONNA FIX UP

UoUR BURNS'

DON'T NEED' ITf NOW... I'M GONNA 4 GET THAT ] L JURY/ A I

f WAIT. JIMMY'

DON'T DO NOTHING!

FOOLISH'FORGETl Lthe JURY' THEY

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;J

[ JUST DID THEIR L. DUTY'

[MEANWHILE, AT THE COOPER GANG'S HIDE-OUT.

BOSS' -COMET

JUROR IN c0 VICTIM of murdered? f EARED gangland retaliation^

^s&

{ 1

If 1

M LOOK AT HIM'

THAT TAKES CARE OF YOU,

“TJUROR NUMBER TWO? J

GET them? EVERY Last one or

|W«Ti

rtll

THEM?

The police grilled suspect AFTER SUSPECT? MEANWHILE THE OTHER JURORS WERE GIVEN POLICE PROTECTION-,

r—^r YOU RE BV

“'ALL

RIGHT? ALL RIGHT? J I'LL TALK... I'LL

coopts » HE'S ALIVE tai k

it's

^ V M

'WH;;

’S

S'OKAY, BOYS?

HOGAN? GET THE'' "YEAH? THEN 1 WHY DON'T YOU f NECESSARY PAPERS' WE'LL TAKE LOOK IN HIS THIS STOOLIE'S GRAVE FOR l SUGGESTION ?_^J Lhis BODY'

LYIN6?

EMPTY

IS ALIVE?

^ B

Yes, judge 'cooper lived? at ^ LEAST HE MOVED... AND TALKED' HE WAS A LIVING CORPSE? AND HIS, BODY CONTINUED TO DECAY, AS ALL DEAD BODIES DO? SOON, HE HA! DECAYED TO SUCH A POINT THAT EVEN THE 'LIFE' THAT THE POOR D PROFESSOR HAD GIVEN HIM SLIPPED AWAY? TOO BAD, THOUGH? HE WAS GETTING TO LOOK PEAL

IS THE TALE OF TWO PEOPLE WHO VISITED AN AMUSEMENT PARK. ..AND WERE AWT AMUSED? I CALL

THIS

LOOK, GEORGE'

AMUSEMENT PANE/ LET’S -«

STOP FOR A WHILE?

IT.

LOOKS LIKE THE WHOLE PLACE IS BOARDED UP, RUTH? THE SEASON'S.

OVEN, YOU KNOW?

SOUNDS LIKE

WATER

WHAT^S THAT,

' I GUESS WE MIGHT AS ‘ WELL LEAVE

GEE

I’M

GLAD AT

RIDE

TRY

RUTH

SPLASHING'

DON’T KNOW, GEORGE' ALWAYS SO DARK^f THOSE THINGS... T

I...1

OPEN!

IT’S

IT f

aren’t very

BUSY. ARE

YOU?

DARK BOAT RIDE f

MOLD MILL RIDE.. WITH A

•

TWO

OH LOOK. GEORGE f

HowQUAurrri

WATERWHEEL ' 1

you’re FRESH. \oid you forget GEORGE ARNOLD //WHO YOU JUST

OOOOHf it's

HARRIED

TODAY,

DARK/

PLEASE. GEORGE / THE MAN WILL

MMi

)

HEAR YOU...

OH, IT'S JUST ONE OF THOSE WAX DISPLAYS THEY HAVE IN THESE .

RIDES {

THOSE WAX

WHEN

FIGURES, THEY'RE DONE BY AN EXPERT, ALWAYS DO LOOK REAL? NOW,

WHERE

WERE WE?

YOU WERE ABOUT TO GIVE ME A . .

SAY.Y THIS ISN'T FUNNY ANY MORE/ THESE DISPLAYS ARE. RE YOL TINS '

-r

—

WE'LL BE OUT SOON, RUTH! X MUST SAY, THE OWNER OF PLACE HAS A MACABRE

LOOK, GEORGE' ONE.

ANOTHER

THIS

I'M

GLOSING MY

IwE .WE HIT SOMETHING?

UGH/ THEY CERTAINLY DO LOON REAL.. .THAT DECAPITATED CORPSE ...AND THE

SENSE OE HUMOR

DRIED BLOOD

YOU? THEY'RE

ALL PRETTY DISGUSTING? IT'S. ..SOMETHING SOFT.. IN THE WATER' X... I'LL LIGHT MY CIGARETTE LIGHTER...

GOOD LOfiDf

IT...

IT'S A

BODY

I... CAN'T MOVE THE BOAT? IT'S... JAMMED ON THIS... CORPSE? WE'LL HAVE TO WADE THE REST OF THE WAY...

Fear and terror clutched at their hearts as GEORGE AND RUTH RUSHED FROM THE HORRIBLE

f' YOU

DIDN'T LAUGH AT MY EXHIBITS, DID YOU?

GEORGE! IT'S... -

HIM.'

NO WORE WILL THEY LAUGH 'NOW. MY EXHIBITS LOOK REAL? BECAUSE I USE REAL PEOPLE AND THIS IS

HI LAST

DISPLAY... A

MEDIEVAL

TORTURE CHAMBER THANKS TO YOU TWO...UKE THE OTHERS WHO WANDERED INTO THE DESERTED AMUSEMENT PARK AND FOUND THIS RIDE...

’

LOOK AT HIS HE «

’EYES...

m>f J

ALL SUMMER THEY LAUGHED AT MY EXHIBITS, THE FOOLS? THEY SAID MY WAX OUMMYS DIDN'T LOOK REAL'

NOW \

CAN

SHOW THEM? HEH-HEH...

WILL BE ABLE TO FINISH IT.' THERE'S NO USE RUNNING... YOU

...I

CAN’T GET OUT' THE EXIT CLOSED... AND LOCKED .'

I'M A

KEEP AWAY, YOU CRAZY

THERE'S NO USE CALLING* NO ONE WILL HEAR YOU' THE PARK IS DESERTED..

IDIOTf |

SEN!US...

CREATE REALISTIC..

DON'T LOOK,

RUTH? DON'T LOOK.'

WHAT A HORRIBLE END CAUGHT IN THE WATER-WHEEL.' I

RIDE FINALLY

DESTROYED HIM ? COME, ROTH' LET'S

BUST THAT PADLOCK AND GET AWAY FROM HERE f REMEMBER 1 WE'VE GOT A

HONEYHOOR TO

FINISH.'

was the most unusual fraternity initiation ever seen on the CAMPUS.

OR ON ANY OTHER

CAMPUS, FOR THAT MATTER? THE THREE PLEDGEES WERE TAKEN OUT TO THE OLD PALMER HOME ON THAT INFAMOUS NIGHT FIFTEEN YEARS AGO, AND INSTEAD OF THE PLACE BEING AMUSINGLY HAUNTED, IT TURNED INTO

Aâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;

It was on a night in 1934 that this strange tale HAD ITS BEGINNING ? TODAY, FIFTEEN YEARS LATER,

THERE

STILL NO EXPLANATION FOR WHAT HAP-

PENED AT THE

PALMER PLACE?

V GET A LOAD OF LES WILTON [BACK THERE.. .SCARING THE WITS LOUT OF THOSE POOR FRESHMEN?

^ the claimsWASthat

HE'S GONE ABOUT PREPARING THIS HOUSE FOR THE INITIATION AS IF IT WERE THE CLOSING SECONDS OF THE BIG

EVEN

IF IT

JUST AN OLD DUMP BEFORE...

IT IS

HAUNTED NOW?

)

..AND

AS THE LAST STEP

PASS THE TEST OF COURAGE ? A LONELY JOURNEY INTO THE WHICH

PALMER PLACE. ^ OLD H LEGEND TELLS US

• IF THE RIDE ANYONE WANTS TO DROP OUT NOW... LET HIM SPEAK UP fc-OR SHUT HIS MOUTH FOREVER? EVERYONE

^fy^HAunrEor

EACH ONE OF YOU WILL FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS I GAVE ON OUT HERE

YOUR

HAZING, nxtino, BOYS... du i a... YOU'LL tuu ll n«vt HAVE TO IU

„

HERE'S YOUR LIGHT, HENDERSON.. YOU MIGHT AS WELL START THE BALL ROLLING? AND REST ASSURED OF ONE THING, BOYS... THIS IS NO SCHOOLBOY PRANK. AS YOU'LL SOON LEARN? a4 HEH

—

HEH?^^^M|

READY...?

^r-YEs

i-i

-XAsq...

guessV^B

WAVE THAT LANTERN AT US FROM THE FIRST AND SECOND J LANDINGS, HENDERSON... AND -C JUST COOL YOUR HEELS IN THE > ATTIC TILL 1 COME UP FOR YOU IF YOU'RE NOT ALREADY 8ATHEDi IN COLD SWEAT, THAT IS ?

YOU'RE DRIVING THESE FRESHMEN PRETTY HARD, LES. YOU a MUST HAVE GIVEN THIS PLACE OUITE A BUILD.

UP BECAUSE THEY LdOKED SCARED TO DEATH FROM THE

LOOK

HENDERSON'S ffi? YOU IN A MINUTE IF HE HAD THE CHANCE^^H\« IN

NOW..

)

STARTSfl

WENT

WAVING THAT/ THROUGH THAT LANTERN PLACE LAST \ WEEK... RIGGED FLOOR WINDOW ? A FEW CON-

AT THE FIRST

» HI I

(

TRAPTIONS FOR

THE BOYS TO

TRIP OVER? \\‘S OUGHTTO BE

„

\\ o

GOOD FOR SOME LAUGHS BEFORE THE EVE* NING'SOVER?

POOR

M ^ JjJ

EYE... HE'D KILL

KID

MUST

HAVE RAN ALL THE WAY UP TO THE

SECOND FLOOR f AS IF THERE WAS A A GHOST BEHIND 'IM

JUST A BOYISH PRANK, THAT'S ALL!

HAVE GOTTEN HENDERSON THEN... 'CAUSE IT'S BEEN SEVERAL MINUTES SAW HIM \ SINCE WE ) AT THE SECOND FLOOR... AND IT

THINKS HE'LL TURN THE TABLES AND SCARE US A BIT t PROBABLY SITTING UP THERE 1 IN THE ATTIC, WAITING TO JUMP OUT AND YELL BOO At ME WHEN COME UP TD^^B I

RELIEVE HIM

DOESN'T TAKE THAT LONG TO GET UP TO THE ATTIC'

SO WE'LL HAVE A LITTLE CHANGE OF PLANS... TO MEET THE EMERGEN CYf INSTEAD OF LES WILTON GO-

UP THERE SECOND PLEDGEE'

ING l

.WE'LL PICK

THE lgg

HEY...

I DON'T KNOW HOW HE DID IT BUT WILTON'S GOT THESE FRESHMEN SHAKING IN THEIR BOOTS f NO GUY WOULD NORMALLY TREM OF A HAUNTED BLE AT THE THOUGHT IM.II rcc LIC Tun ICUT HE THOUGHT '‘house’. UNLESS THERE WAS DIRTY WORK AFOOT/ .

l ir~i

HEH HEH? LOOK AT

HIS FACE

WIU

YOU' IMAGINE THAT.. A GROWN MAN, SHAKING LIKE A TEEN-AGE .

v^GA

M-ME? Y-YEAH..

BE RIGHT THERE

WHAT IN THE WORLD DID YOU DO itililii ?_ r THESE neat TO iu THAT nuuuc, HOUSE WILTON BOYS HAVE A LOOK OF ABSOLUTE 4 DREAD ON THEIR FA AW. IT'S NOTHING ' JUST A COUPLA LOOSE STEPS A FEW COBWEBS i

CES^J^

SOME SQUEAKY

DOORS...

l-IT'S

HAPPENED AGAIN

WATERS NEVER REACHED THAT ATTIC WINDOW' DON'T LIKE THE LOOKS

Ss.

THIS...

AW.

THEY PROBABLY TURNED FROM THE SECOND ..AN WE'LL FIND 'EM HIDING

RIGHT AROUND

FLOOR

NEAR THE FRONT DOOR ' IF THESE TO GO GUYS HAVEN'T THE GUTS T UP THERE THEN THEY RE NOT < FIT TO BE GAMMA DELTAS f J ...

« YOU.. ARLING... C MON OVER HERE' YOU'RE NEXT, MAN. GO UP TO THAT ATTIC AND TELL THOSE PALS OF YOURS TO STOP THEIR MONKEYSHINES 'THIS IS A FRATERNITY .

INITATION

NOT A SCHOOLBOY

T-I DON'tVoU'LLGQ ALL RIGHTTHINK I... k)R THEY'LL FIND YOU X C... CARE/IN A DITCH? I DIDN'T TO GO ? yRIG UP THIS PLACE

atS HEj

^B ^B

JUST TO HAVE A COUPLA PUNKS SPOIL OUR FUN? IF THE THREE OF YOU ARE PLANNING TO GIVE ME A SCARE YOULL

Mb REGRET

HEH.HEH? LOOK AT 'IM SHAKING? BET THE OTHER TWO'LL HAVE A BIG SURPRISE FOR ARLING. THINKING IT'S THEIR BELOVED J LES WILTON MAYBE THE * ..

—

?Jr-

,^^k ^B '^^k /' '^^kl

^k\

KID'S RIGHT, LES

MAYBE SOME 1

v, D/D

•

G.',

FIVE MINUTES, WILTON... AND NO SIGN OF -<

ARLING? ALL

THREE OF GONE.'

'EM..

PELT- TO BE

It f

. .

T. THAT? AND I DON'T LIKE THE LOOKS OF THIS... IT’S N... NOT LIKE WATERS AND HENDERSON TO FOOL AROUND ? B...BUT> T'LL GO ? tmuu SPOKEN LIKE A REAL GAMMA —

THERE. ARLING'S AT THE FIRST FLOOR SAFE AND SOUND? FROM THE LOOK ON HIS FACE HE MUST HAVE STUMBLED, OVER THAT SKELETON X BORROWED FROM THE LAB, TOO ?

WRONG UP THERE

W WE DIDNYPLAN ANY JOKES

^ IM

HE S AT THEjON HIS WAY TO THE SECOND ATTIC ? HOLD YOUR BREATH, FLOOR.

)

BOYS.

HERE'S WHERE THE REAL FUN BEGINS... IN

THE NEXT SIXTY

SECONDS.

THE STUPID PUNKS... TOO YELLOW TO TAKE THAT LAST FLIGHT OF STEPS' ^I LL SHOW 'EM REAL FEAR

GIMME THAT LIGHT, JENKINS. I'LL GO UP THERE MYSELFf FIRST TO PROVE TO ALL OF YOU THAT THERE'S NO DANGER UP THERE. AND SECOND, TO KICK THOSE GUYS .

OUT OF THAT PLACE... AND OUT kJDFTHE GAMMA DELTA? BBSBS

I TOLD YOU I DIDN'T LIKE THIS WHOLE SETUP 'THE WINDOW... IT'S BEEN SMASHED' .

IT'S

WILTON I'D

UTTLÂ£

EXCITEMENT INTO THIS INITIATION .

DO I LOOK ANY THE WORSE FOR

NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT HERE ON THE SECOND FLOOR jsrEITHER.

THOUGHT INJECT A

wear?

T WE LL COMB THIS PLACE UNTIL WE FIND ALL FOUR

NOT A TRACE

OF 'EM' MIKE... FRED... SEARCH EACH ROOM WITH A FINE-TOOTH COMB' WE'LL GET THIS THING

ANYONE

STRAIGHTENED OUT IF IT TAKES THE REST OF L THE NIGHTf

OF ,

THE FRONT

IN ,

ROOM..

OR ANY OF THE OTHERS EITHER' THE DUST WASN'T EVEN DISTURBED'

NO ONE 1 ON THE SECOND J

OUTSIDE,

NO FOOT-

WILTON'S IDEA OF A JOKE...

HAZING THE

WHOLE BUNCH OF US'

COULD ]

PROBABLY

T...THIS IS

FLOOR

W...WELL...

EITHER' AND SINCE NO ONE

M AND

GOES

HERE

T...THE DOOR...IT OPENS

EASILY' AS IF SOMEONE ELSE OPENED IT .BEFORE WE D...DID'

HAVE LEFT THE HOUSE...

PRINTS ' THEY A WHICH MEANS MUST 1 THEY'RE ALL ALL BE | STILL IN UP ) THE THERE' /i HOUSE' J T. THE ATTIC f I

G-GOOD HEAVENS

YEARS k

WILTON f H.HE'S AGED FIFTY THE LAST FEW MINUTES TURNED WHITE' 1

H...HIS HAIR... IT‘S

LOOKS AS IF HE'S GONE INSANE LISTEN TO HIS MOANING'

H...HE

NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE NEVER EVEN HEAND OF EOUALf THAT WILTON KID ...CAN'T GET A COHERENT WORD

THIS.

ITS

OUTOF HIM'

HIS MIND... IT’S

CRACKED... HE'S COMPLETELY INSANE ' AND THE OTHERS..

THERE SHE GOES... CONSIGNED TO FLAMES BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER' AND WITH IT... THE LAST TRACE OF WHAT HAPPENED TO ARLING, WATERS AND HENDERSON' -

VANISHED

FIFTEEN YEARS AGO IT HAPPENED. AND NO EXPLANATION HAS EVEN BEEN FOUND AS TO THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE THREE

FRESHMEN

OR WHAT AWFUL HORRORS

LES WILTON SAW

THE MOMENTS

BEFORE HIS MIND CRUMBLED '

c b

Greetings, dear reader' we meet again? remember me? i am THE OLD WITCH in each issue of this, THE CRYPT- KEEPER'S MAGAZINE. I BREW A TERRORTALE HERE IN MY CAULDROH ' THIS TIME, I HAVE COOKED UP A CHILLER -D/LLER.' 1 CALL IT...

DEATH

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN,yYES/ SHE'LL '-v LARRY? NANCY WILL BE PROBABLY GET THE .THRILLED? Js SHOCK OF HER LIFE/

As HE STRUCK JOHN, LARRY GRABBED THE WHEEL AND GUIDED THE CAR TO A STOP/ THEN HE DROVE TO A POINT WHERE THE ROAD SKIRTED A MOUNTAINSIDE...

They called

it an accident/ LARRY'S PLAN HAD WORKED PERFECTLY? AT THE FUNERAL, HE COMTHE GRIEF-STRICKEN

FORTED

NANCY.

The months passeo, and Lawrence CABOT CAME TO CALL MORE AND MORE OFTEN AT THE HOME OF THE YOUNG WIDOW.NANCY BAXTER...

SUPPOSE

YOU'VE GOT YOUR YOU'RE LIFE AHEAD * . RIGHT, OF YOU, NANCY? YOU } LARRY? CAN'T THROW IT AWAY?

WHOLE

% J

'^NANCY/ YOU KNOW HOI I've FELT ABOUT YOU.'. EVER SINCE COLLEGE!

'And that is Lawrence

.CABOT'S STORY... SO FAR' ( WAIT.' HEAR THAT HOLLOW .BOOM? THE COFFIN' LET'S . I SEE WHAT HE'S UP TO... i

* HAH'

NOW TO OPEN YOUR CASKET AND STRIP YOU OF YOUR LAST POSSESSION. JOHN BAXTER? /

H-M-M-M? FOUR MONTHS

^ASN'T HARMED IT ANY? IN GOOD CONDITION

THE GROUND

IT'S

STILL

Larry cabot removed the TUXEDO from the CORPSE OF JOHN BAXTER AND RE-COVERED THE ' GRAVE? THEN... |—

—

The church was hot? and

as larry stood

VESTRY. WAITING FOR THE CEREMONY TO BEGIN, IT...

MUST BE MY .IMAGINATION. ..BUT I FEEL... SUIT- WERE CRUSHING ME?

THOUGH... THIS

f f

>Y£M£fUI/l Ann!

HEH.HEH? iff KNOW HOW. DON'T WE. 'STRANGE? THIS REPORT JEMBALMSAYS THAT LARRY DIEDJ/NG FLUID f OF POISONING.. FROM BUT HOW ] EMBALMING FLUID!'J DID LARRY EVER COME IN CONTACT ] fntiL/f~\pmr with that?

0$E H

(

DEAR READER? WHEN LARRY GOT HOT UNDER THE COLLAR,*** BOOT ABSORBED THE EM6ALMING

FLUID WHICH HAD CONTAMINATED C TUXEDO AND NOW, LARRY N JOHN'S

REALLY HAS EVERYTHING THAT / JOHN HAS? NO NANCY... NO JOB... \ NO PRESTIGE. .MO NOTHING.' JUST A A NICE, COOL COFFIN IN A NICE. COOL BRAVE

FEATURING

THE KEEPER OF THE CRYPT OF

TERROR.'

THE KEEPER OF THE VAULT OF I,

HORROR'

AUTHORIZED

CONFORMS

This seal lieves in

magazine

used by;-the Association

decency and good

Comics Magazine Publishers, which be-

The Association has been joined by leading

taste.

distributors, wholesalers, printers

The Association does not believe

you want

the best

the front cover.

It is

and engravers serving

in censorship ...

comic magazines, always look

the industry.

believes in self-regulation.

for the

TALES FROM THE CRYPT

Association seal on

your guarantee of quality and entertainment. :

[•==

ONLY THE BEST COMICS CABRY THE SEAL

TWO-FISTED TALES

The Association has adopted a code ol ethics to assure good taste and high editorial standards. Only comic magazines that meet the code requirements are permitted to use the special! "Code-Seal". This magazine is a "Code-Seal" magazine. Thore-are many others.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

THE VAULT OF

THIS SEAL

Means QUALITY

The Association is constantly working to give you better entertainment and more information about the world we live ih. It works \with Parent-Teacher organizations,

Associations,

women's

educational groups,

way

WEIRD

welfare

clubs, religious organizations of every faith

and^othors s interested ir in the American

HORROR

SCIENCE

life.

stand w, raise sta If there should be discussion about coir munity, ask those interested fo write 1c

HENRY

WEIRD FANTASY

SCHULTZ,

Executive Director Association of Comics Magazine Publishers 205 East 42nd Street, New York 17, New York E.

Tales from the CrW, Feb.-Mar>; 1951- VoL 1. No. 22 (formerly Crypt of Terror). Published Bi-Monthly by 1 c P„h. Itsblng Co.. Inc.. 81^225 Lafayette\St., New York 12. N. Y. William M. Gaines. Editor. Albert U. FeldSK-lD, Associate Editor Reentered as second class matter June 29, 1950. at the Post Office at New York. N. Y.. under the act of March 3 1879 Outyear subscription in the U. S. 60c plus 15c for packing and mailing— total 75c—elsewhere *1.50. Entire contents codvrighted 1950 by I. C. Publishing Co.. Inc. Printed In U. 8. A.

HEH.HEH* WELL? SO WE MEET AGAIN, DEAR FRIENDS f WELCOME? ^ WELCOME ONCE MORE TO THE CRYPT OF TERROR f THIS TIME I HAVE A REALLY CHILLING TALE FROM MY COLLECTION OF SPINE- ^ TINGLERS TO RELATE TO YOU* NOW, LIE BACK IN YOUR CASKETS*#' TUCK YOURSELVES IN WITH YOUR SHROUDS* COMFY? GO 00,' THEN I'LL BEGIN* r CALL THIS STORY,

k. S'

THE THING

*enAW,

James barry and william j

;

FERTH WERE BOTH IN LOVE J WITH THE SAME GIRL, LAURA > MASON? JIM WAS KINO. .CONSIDERATE ... A GENTLEMAN.' FUNBILL WAS BRAZEN. LOVING. .AND AT TIMES, LAURA

MARRY ME, LAURA? I I CAN MAKE

KNOW

» you haPPy !

/BUT, JIM ? WHATl A80UT BILL?

rr'n

X.. .I'M

AFRAID

OF WHAt HE'LL

DO WHEN HE FINDS OUT?

DON'T WORRY, LAURA! BILL WILL HAVE TO TAKE It LIKE A MAN? ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE 1

AND WAR.Y'KNOWfJ

THE TYPE TO .GIVE UP J I EASILY?

WAS ALMOST AFRAID OF HIM? AND SO WHEN JIM ASKEO THE INEVITABLE QUESTION. J .

LauRa

DIDN'T KNOW HOW RIGHT SHE WAS WHEN SHE' SPOKE THOSE WORDS? YES ? BILL WAS NOT THE TYPE TO GIVE UP SO EASILY? HE WANTED LAURA? .

Soon, LAURA AND JIM WERE MARRIED? THEY WERE VERY HAPPY THOSE FIRST FEW WEEKS... BUT THEN, BUSINESS CALLED JIM OUT OF TOWN FOR A FEW CAYS

.AND I'LL HAVE HE KJOOf IF I HAVE To KILL YOU,

EVEN *»'

BE NIGHT,

BACK THURSDAY DEAREST?

JAMES BARRY/

tfen.

YOU'RE JOKING WITH ME, JAMES BARRY...

BUT I'VE BEEN fc

SERIOUS/ Jm

LAURA

I? 'BYE?

.....

DH.JIM? I'm AFRAID/ I don't want to be j LEFT ALONE BILL MIGHT.

—

JiH'S CAR SPED ALONG A

MAN '

STANDING

r CRAZY

PRESSED HARO ON HIS BRAKES AND CAR SCREECHEO TO A STOP.

f HE ROAD.

DARK COUNTRY ROAD TOWARDS THE MAIN HIGHWAY' YhE HEAOLIGHTS, KNIFING THROUGH THE VELVETY SLACKNESS, SUDDENLY ) FELL UPON.

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

FOOL ( I COULD. HAVE KILLED YOU? WHO ANYWAY ? ARE YOU .

SHADOWY FIGURE MOVED TOWARDS THE CAR .AND HE PASSEO THE HEADLIGHT. A GLINT OF SHINY STEEL

. .

THE SOUND OF A STRUGGLE SHATTERED THE SILENCE HANGING OVER THE DESERTED ROAD AND THE HEAVY WOODS FLANKING IT? THEN THERE WAS A THUD AND A

HE... HE'S GOT A KNIFE? HE'S... GOING TO KILL ME.'

Bill ferth picked up the body of the murdered james BARRY AND DRAGGED IT INTO THE WOODS.-.

AND NOW, LAURA WILL BE

MINE/ ALL MINE'

Again the thick silence of the woods was 'BROKEN? THIS TIME BY THE SOUND OF A SPADE STRIKING THE SOFT EARTH BELOW TOWERING TREES. .

. GOT TO GET RID OF THE BODY SO NO ONE WILL EVER FIND IT? GOT TO .

BURY IT DEEP

THESE WOODS?

GIVE YOU SUCH A CRUDE BURIAL. JIM CL' BUT IT'S THE BEST I CAN 00 UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES? MllllllUill'lllllllllilNllliillJlIHI/flTlwili

SORRX TO BOY. t

A LITTLE LATER, THE SLEEK FORM OF JAMES BARRY'S AUTOMOBILE HURTLEO OVER A CUFF INTO A DEEP LAKE...

NOW TO COVER

IT UP, DITCH THE CAR, AND GET BACK HOME? THEN

THEY'LL NEVER FIND THE CAR? IT'Lt SINK INTO THE MUD AT THE BOTTOM, I Of THE LAKE? *

ALL I DO IS WAIT / IF I PLAY MY jCAROS RIGHT, SHE'LL BE MINE' ’

And so the' job was done? bill FERTH HAD PLANNED EVERYTHING CAREFULLY? THE WEEKS WENT BY, ano then the time came for HIM fO GO ANO SEE LAURA. . T

YES, LAURA? BUT IT'S^I CAN'T OVER a MONTH NOW ? BELIEVE HE'S LEFT YOU? THAT, bill? SOMETHINGS HE'S PROBABLY FOUND ANOTHER HAPPENED TO l

w'J B JHIM?

WOMAN/

wfr.nmSCwL' 71

KNOW

•<

lf££L

iTr

BltL COULD WAIT? HE HAD PLENTY OFT^ME? SHE'D COME AROUND? HE WAS SURE? AFTER /NOTHER MONTH IF ANYTHING HAD HAPPENED TO HIM, YOU WOULD HAVE KNOWN <

NOW.UURA? CAN'T

YOU SEE? Ht'S LEFT YOU ...DESERTED ^ YQU ?

‘**t.

NEVER COME NEVER

HE'LL

BACK!

THEN I'LL WAIT FOR ) him FOREVER / I'LL NEVER STOP LOVING HIM, BILL? JIM WAS.MY LIFE / •* WITHOUT HIM..

< '

THEN... IT'S ALL WASTED? THE PLANNING.. .THE WORK.

..THE WAITING...

MASTED

rWHAT

DO YOU

MEAN?'

WHAT ARE YOU SPYING?. .

TESf X :

KILLED HIM/

HE'S DEAD/

WANTED YOU, LAURA AND HE

Lstood

MY way/

j&MH

TV- you K KILLED

NOW... I'VE

^AJIM? I HATEYOU\ YOU... YOU...

YOU.

NATE.

EITHER f

' W...

KIU YOU, LAURA/

YOU, NO ONE ELSE WILL IKE SURE OF THAT / >

YOU...YOU'RE .

A RAVINS

]

MAD.

MADMAN fj

Bill ferth forced laura into his car AND DROVE HER TO A DESERTED CABIN.. IN THE WOODS NEAR WHERE HE HAD

'KILLED JIM.

WHEN X LOCK YOU IN, YOU WON'T BE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; ABLE TO ESCAPE / i.

i .

;deep

^TOIS room has no windows.. .so

COT TO

I CAN'T HAVE

MANIAC/ HATE

WHAT ARE

I'm GOING TO SET FIRE TO THE CABIN/ THEY'LL NEVER FIND WHAT'S LEFT OF YOU.. .NEVER/ IT'LL BE ASHES... ALL ASHES/ Kvr-tfl

YOU GOING TO DO

1|tO Mf

jMM

Faced with the horror of being BURNED ALIVE BY THIS MADMAN, (laura SCREAMED FOR HELP..

It WAS AN EAR-SPLITTING SCREAM THAT SHOT THROUGH TOE WOODS, REVERBERATING FROM TREE TO TREE

And SOMEWHERE OUTTHERE, UNDER THE SOFT EARTH THAT COVERED IT... SOMETHING STIRRED. .THEN PUSHED ITS DECAYED AND ROTTED HAND UPUP. .. THROUGH THE BLACK DIRT INTO

ji_t)W!.Y,TilE EARTH GAVE WAY, AS THE THING PUSHED UPWARD. CLAWING? THE CLEAN FRESH SEEPEO DOWN l.«TO ITS SHALLOW GRAVE...

Jr GOT TO ITS FEET CLUMSILY... STOOD ERECT IN THE MOONLIGHT.' IT LIFTED ITS HEAD...

JT MOVED FORWARD AT A STUMBLING GATE? ITS ROTTED LEGS... ITS SIGHTLESS EYES. . .THE DECAYED FLESH THAT CLUNG HERE AND

LISTENING' IT HAD HEATO SCREAM.'. A SCREAM THAT HAD MADE IT SEEK

THERE TO WHITENED BON E . .MOVED THROUGH THE UNDERBRUSH...

•

THE OPEN AIR...

at The cabin, bill poured the can of KEROSENE AROUND THE OUTSIDE WALLS.

Back

GO AHEAD... SCREAM, YOU FOOL? NO ONE WILL HEAF fclBML. 'OU?

MBIgWi

r OH.. '.SAVE

Outs lOE, BILL WATCHED AS THE flames LEAPED higher ME,.

WHEREVER YOU

kYOU PROMISED.

OOOOH/

ani

HIGHER? THEN. FROM THE FRINGE OF THE TREES, HE SAW THE THING COMING... STUMBLING. ..STAGGERING. .

did not see bill? it was looking at the BURNING CABIN? BILL PUT HIS HANOOVER HIS MOUTH HE WAS SICK? HE WHIMPEREO...

The thing

gpHBB|

————

FLAMES

went into the fire? it did not feel the LICKING AT ITS TATTERED CLOTHES.. .ITS ROTTED

FLESH ?

The

a few moments it came out? its hair was singed' ITS decayed flesh was charred? where the fire HAD TOUCHED THE BONE, IT WAS BLACK AND SCORCHED? IT CARRIED the6irl...

After

—

BBI^—

ThE THING PUT LAURA DOWN ON THE COOL GRASS FAR FROM THE BURNING CABIN? SHE WAS UNCONSCIOUS? SHE HAD FAINTED BEFORE THE THING HAD REACHED HER? SHE HAD NOT SEEN

thing

WAS DEAD?

COULD FEEL NOTHIN6

Bill was.screaming now? he began to run WILDLY INTO THE WOODS.. SCREAMING. .SCREAMl

Then the thingturned... towards THE HYSTERICAL SHRIEKING THAT CAME FROM THE NEARBY WOODS...

it shambled towards the SCREAMING BILL AS HE CRASHED MADLY THROUGH THE THICK UNOER-

Slowly

111

—

SUDDENLY, BILL

STUMBLED INTO A YAWNING BLACK

HOLE.,

GOOD GOD ? HIS GRAVE? JIM'S GRAVE.

WHERE

[The thing- was on top of him, pinning h m down ? he Tf [to STRUGGLE, BUT THE THING WAS STRONG.' IT HELD Hit i

[-EASILY.

‘

LET ME

GO? LET

ME GO f

The thing was coming, now.' bill trieo to stano .... BUT HE COULDN'T? THE PAIN!. H£ HAD BR0KEN H)S Lggf HE TRIEO TO DRAG HIMSELF FROM THE SHALLOW PIT.. BUT THEN...

WITH ONE ROTTED And THEN THE THING BEGAN, ~ “ AND DECAYED HANO.TO

W NO

burying Them.

. .

DIDN’T TAKE LONG TO FILL THE GRAVE? THE DIRT WAS GETTING TO BILL'S RYES,.. . HIS MOUTH? HIS

SCREAMING WAS WILDER NOW... HYSTERICAL, MAD, TERRORIZED STREAMING. ...

And

then... after a while...the SCREAMING STOPPED...'

.NQf YOU CAN'T

BURY ME ? I'M ALIVE.

YOU'RE

M/mtAUVE/

DEAD ? DEAD?

And

that's my story, dear reader']

JIM CERTAINLY KEPT HIS PROMISE TO LAURA, DIDN'T HE? LUCKY FOR

HER SH E FAINTED BEFORE HE \ GOT THERE, THOUGH? SHE'LL ALWAYS \ IN A N/CE WAY, NOWt

REMEMBER HIM

AND POOR BILL ? NOW JIM'S GOT j -7 HIM FOR COMPANY * / ...oow,n there j WHERE IT’S COLD £, AND BLACK? WELL.) 1 f \ ( TH£T CAN always/ HOLD GRAVE 1 I \

—

CONVERSATIONS

MSiiiluiV V K&S * fik

t° gether

(

heh .

]

NOW, IF < N0T T0 ° ) BROKEN UP OVER

HEH

Y01J,RE

™'S TALE. ..WHY NOT READ ON'MORE CHILLS AW All WUf I

SO YOU ALL LIKE VAMPIRE STORIES. EH? WELL, THIS ONE WILL CURDLE YOUR BLOOD f I CALL IT. .*f*\e*\ .

tfY STORY OPENS. A SLEEK BLACK CONVERTIBLE STREAKS ALONG A OESERTEO HIGHWAY LATE ONE DARK MOONLIT NIGHT... I V

PLEASE, FREDDIE.' DRIVE

SLOWER/ I’M NERVOUS

•

SHE HANDLES LIKE A BABY CARRIAGE/

Suddenly, from outof the gloom, a huge FALLEN TREE COOMS ACROSS THE PATH OF THE

FREDDIE/ LOOK .

out

T DON'T WORRY, JEAN.'

IS yA'M /W

There is a crash of metal and shattering glass as TWO TONS OF STEEL HURTLE CRAZILY INTO THE FALLEN barrier...

rrr

Slowly.one of the occupants OF THE SMASHED CAR STIRS. .,.. SHAKES

HI!

Ill

llil

WHAT...HAPPENEO? I-.I...

.Then, silence t a twisted mass or wreckACE LIES GROTESQUELY ON A LONELY COUNTRY . .

HIGHWAY...

'-y

Frantically, freddie struggles TO FREE THE PINNED GIRL FROM T THE WRECKED AUTOâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; (" shf's""

Y UNCONCIOUS'GOT

JEAN.' m

Fred duncan... ace reporter for the 'evening sun'. MAKES HIS WAY TOWARD THE DARK FORM OF THE RAMSHACKLE HOUSE AND KNOCKS' THERE IS NO ANSWER... DOOR ...OPEN

TO...GET HELP'

Shocked and stunned, the man STAG6ERS WEAKLY DOWN THE ROAD IN SEARCH OF AI*D. A LIGHT... 1 OVER THERE .'MAYBE...

HAVE A PHONE'

CAN.. .CALL A DOCTOR!

HERE'S A PHONE' I'LL CALL DOC BENSON! HE LIVES NEARBY!

— III A FE« MINUTES, ANOTHER CAR FLASHES ALONG THE [itnNAT TOWARD THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT... f-~f

The CAR SCREECHES TO A STOP BEFORE THE WILDLY WAVING

FIGURE OF FRED DUNCAN.

ACCIDENT...

[

DOWN THE

ROAD? JEAN'S UNCONCIOUS?

what HAPPENED, FREDDIE?

*CRE HE COMES? DOC.. .DOC. IT'S ME. .FREDDIE.'

HURRY*

DUNCAN GETS INTO THE DOCTOR'S CAR AND THEY TO THE SCENE OF THE WRECK... DID

YOU CALL AN

AMBULANCE ?"]

INCREDIBLE? THIS GIRL'S

ALMOST

-V

YES? IT'S VERY STRANGE? SHEONLY HAS A FEW MINOR CUTS ABOUT THE HEAD AND SHOULDERS, AND YET...

SHE HAS LOST-

ALMOST FATAL

AMOUNT OF BLOOD.' SHE TRANSFUSION -= IMMEDIATEL Y.'

’will NEED a

WILLT’DO?

DEAD... FROM

LOSS

OF BLOOD*

HASTY BLOOD-TYPE TEST PROVES

NO, FREDDIE? YOU'RE

T WHAT CAN

'Hi. DO? IS NOT HER BLOOD TYPE f NEITHER IK THERE TIME

AM I ! r-=r-N

TO GET HER to

TOWN?

WHAT?) WHO ARE’ r I WAS JUST' rou? f PASSING BY'

PERHAPS I CAN BE OF SERVICE?

PERHAPS MY BLOOD WILL

DO?

The MINUTES FLOWS SLOWLY

TICK by as the life-giving liquid IN TO THE DYING GIRl Js VEINS.

MY NAME DOES NOT MATTER' I ONLY CARE TO KNOW THIS GIRL'S IDENTITY... FOR SENTIMENTAL , REASONS ' 1

SHE'S

QUICK TEST REVEALS.

YOU HAVE THE SAME BLOOD TYPE ' ROLL UP

^’YOUR SLEEVE •

IT IS DONE 'YOU HAVE SAVED HER „ LIFE, SIR'

HOW CAN YOU,

r™ OF COURSE'

EVER REPAY

MR... MR...

JEAN JACKSON!

LIVES IN TOWN' W0RK3 ON THE

PAPER WITH ME... THE 'EVENING SUN'?

'THE" TALL STRANGER SMILES ANO'SOWS AND DISAPPEAR S INTO THE NIGHT..

THEN TURNS

’‘"’ODD

THAT HE SHOULdTBP^ThANK HEAVENS? OR ELSE JEAN WOULD HAVE BEEN AGONER?

HAVE COME UPON US fcfcWHEN HE DID?

50*

FRED DUNCAN TAKE JEAN BACK INTO

»« NAVEVHER ADMITTEO TO THE HOSPITAL l

LT*. Hi '

FREDDIE.' I CAME OVER AS SOC* AS I COULD/

•€AN'S DISAPPEARED'

FROM THE HOSPITAL? WHERE DID SHE SO?

ROAMIN0 AROUND,'

There is no si6n of jean at her apartment, and none of ICR FRIENDS OR RELATIVES HAVE SEEN HER' SHE HAS GONE... V1H SHED INTO TH,N «». . 'l AMNESIA, PERHAPS'

LOOK FOR HER f SHE'S NO CONDITION TO BE

«,

...VaAB

That

night, as a ragged hobo tramps a lonely highway Outside of town.

And.. .in the blackness or the

night.,

A TWISTED FIGURE, HIS FACE DISTORTED PAIN, LIES ON A LONELY ROAD.. BLOOD DRAINEO FROM HIS CONTORTED BODY.. IN

DEAD... THE

IE IT’S

DAY,

THE

TH^ WORK OF

IS ,

VAMPIRE/

SHOCKED BY THE DISCOVERY OF THE

BODY..

In TWE DAYS that FOLLOWED, FRED OUNCAN SEARCHED EVERYWHERE FOR JEAN. ..TO NO

NONSENSE.' IS NO SUCH THING.'

THERE

AVAIL { MEANWHILE...

—-

|r r FOUR

VAMPIRES.' 4.1

DEATHS

FOUR

MADNESSES

jjIT'S

NIGHTS' A PERSON AIN'T ypTjfi SAFE AT NIGHT ANYMORE'

And

then,

OOC BENSEN GAME

FREDDIE... I... I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT JEAN, FREOpiE.' SHE'S IN GREAT DANGER,

WHEREVER SHE

IS ?

tmj‘4

REMEMBERED THAT WHEN I EXAMINED THEN YOU HER, AMONG THE SMALL LACERATIONS ANO .THINK SHE ABRASIONS ON HER NECK WERE TWO SMALL } WAS HOLES' THAT MIGHT ACCOUNT FOR HER ATTACHED TREMENDOUS LOSS OF

)

BLOOO.'

THE

VAMPIRE WHILE

WAS

CALLING

YOU

. .

"PRECISELY' BUT THE EMERGENCY

TRANSFUSION ROBBED THE VAMPIRE OF A VICTIM ' HOW- /' WH EVER... IT- WILL TRY AGA/H.'J Ci

Tj"

YOU'VE GOT TO GET \v/AIT. ..WAIT THAT VAMPIRE BEFORE/ A MINUTE IT FINDS HER f 1

THAT LONELY STRETCH OF ROAD WHERE JEAN AND I HAD THE ACCIDENT.' ALL OF THE VAMPIRE'S VICTIMS WERE ATTACKED IN THAI SAME LOCALITY ! IF WE WERE* TO GO THERE. ..ARMED...

)

f «- Y

METHOD KNOWN TO DESTROY TO DRIVE A WOODEN THROUGH ITS HEART, SO... Q S THE PLACE WHERE THE ] iieC«£»T OCCURRED' I'Ll. STAY

MINUTES DRAGGED INTO HOURS;

’IRE >S

Snatching the stake' he" had" BROUGHT, FREDDIE RUSHED TOWARO THE SCREAMING DOCTOR...

Frfrs

BK.DOC'VOU » me [

down

ROAD'

SO OD LORD THE

yAdAHAH.'

.«*'

. '

'"n

T HE

UP TO THE FEASTING BEAST, FREDDIE RAMMED TAKEINTO ITS HEAVING CHEST.

VAMPIRE fELL TO THE GROUNO. DEAD f VrEDDIE' TU RNED IT OVER WITH HIS FOOT... rt-s~P< IT... T CAN'T BE NO' NO' JEAN' JEAN DEAREST.' YOU.' YOU THE VAMP!RE.' BUT NOW? HOW?

ELEMENTARY'

'mu ' THE NAN •HO SAVED HER

LIFE...

WAN. DEVIL .

.VAMPIRE... IT'S KILLED DOC.

G000 P^HAPS

OF US WILL f ONE ATTRACT HIM...

'yes' /MADE HERA VAMPIRE.' AT FIRST SHE WAS TO BE MY VICTIM. ..mi THEN.. .HER BEAUTY.. I FELL IN LOVE WITH HER 1 •.

’

WANTED HER' THAT'S WHY VOLUNTEERED THE

TRANSFUSION

...

GIVING HER ’

AND SHE

MY BLOOD MADE HER A VAMPIRE TO ME' BUT NOW

CAME

YOU HAVE KILLED '

MUST...

KILL

HER.. .AND SO.,.

YOU...

X HO...

SuspenStory THE WAY OUT!

FANS/

HERE’S ANOTHER MAGAZINE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO TERRORIZE YOU TO MAKE THE BLOOD FREEZE IN YOUR VEINS' FOR SPINE- TINGLING TALES AT THEIR ILLUSTRATED BEST...READ:

hey had seen him here aboardhe could escape now, the which he dung so precariously within the next few They would hunt him down

ship; unless life to

was doomed hours!

relentlessly

regardless

how

crowded the ship was they would disof him so that no trace was left.

pose

After

And

all,

death

was

their business!

they were skilled practitioners.

No matter where he hid they would hunt him down without remorse. To go

the ship's officers

would be

merely to expose his identity, and choosing between the methods of his pursuers and the authorities was something a fugitive could not do! Ther.e was only one way out: if he was to make good his escape he must leave the boat. Even out here in midocean his chances for survival were better in the tossing seas than on the same deck which harbored certain death! After all, the ship Was on one trade routes other were bound to pass by! And, overboard, they would probably conof the busiest

craft

him drowned books as dead. chance! sider

their

©ON

ANOTHER "NEW TREND"

SURE-FIRE WINNER!*5

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write him

was

off

his only

Somehow he evaded them

until

darkness had fallen around the churning ship. Silently he crept towards the stern rail, and reasonably sure that he had not been seen, he dove far over the ship's side. The impact of the water against his face and after

ed him ... it was like feelblow of a sledge-hammer! down he plunged, into ack turbulence of the water i

ship's rear.

great weight

around him, as if the water

i in

was an enemy, in league with i who were intent on destroying He tried to move his arms, to

legs, to fight his

way back

surface. In another thirty sec-

he knew his breath would give He had to get back to the surface

s ! !

144 BiG PAGES IN FULL Containing

COLOR the

FULL

complete

in its

throughout and bound with brightly varnished heavy hoard covert.

illustrated

wake, he was being

as he fought desperately

Like immense razors were cutting through the sea ing could withstand their murs sharpness! He was doomed he had escaped the enemy on 1 ship only to fall prey to the iropellors.

propellers even

a forward!

now

suck-

They were coming

those blades! furious whirr the smell of his .

tament -heeoes from the four issue* of the magazine. Printed four io colors

ever closer to the ship!

p his head above water he saw hip veering closer In the temious milky-white of the ship's s he saw the momentary glint of

COLOR

Here under one cover, in full color continuity, reedited and arranged in chronological order, are all ike stories o! the Old Tes-

story of the Life of Christ Peter and Paul and the founding of the Early Christian Church. Included are maps showing .Palestine at the time of Jesus and chronoipgical indexes of principal events ^nd Scripture references to episodes

and

d then, somehow, he felt himself being propelled up3 swiftly 's by a force he could not exl In less time than it took him to a into the depths he shot clear e water and gulping free air e more, he discovered the source s salvation. The water for yards md him boiled white and angry, looked up in fear and saw the ip's stem hovering high and omis above him. His plans had gone “y awry. Instead of being left far

He could hear could even

own

horrible

OLD TESTAMENT to

Joseph

OLD^ TESTAMENT Heroes

No. No.

ror^ ,he Creation

2~ More

Th TJESTAMENT No, |*“ «

NEW

Old Testament

£ar 'v L,fe

(

EDUCATIONAL COMICS,. INC. NEW YORK 12. N

225 LAFAYETTE ST.

COMPLETE OLD TESTAMENT COMPLETE NEW TESTAMENT.

OLD TESTAMENT OLD TESTAMENT

NEW TESTAMENT

No.

No. 2 No.

. .

THE PT-KEEPER’S CRYPT

CORNER that bed of nai

quivering bodies upon

POINTED of the voting

VAMPIRES,

last

ng nights

,of

has just handed

and

pMents taken

.was 1

DIE, garnered you

first

BLOOD TYPE "V” HOUSE OF HORROR,

Mfngels’

Naturally,

represented

this

place.

chiller,

Wood was

text,

last

What

bottom!

with his in

TERROR RIDE. BURIAL, (Hmmm BURIAL

place.

GRAVE

/my^niagazltftj

•

a.:

contract with us so that

things up!

mag and even

ing shrunken tete-a-tete!

'Smarter?

comics looking for mine? Doncha like to scrounge and scrounge and not find it because all the copies

the

have been sold out? Doncha like to be deprived of don't blame you! So here’s sleepless nights? Well.

hit

result!)

this time, fiendish fans,

that this issue of

CHE VAULT OF HORROR! plan to trick the OLD on

'her

information on

THE.

masterpieced by Kurtzman

received third place honors. Fourth place was snagged

Oh,, one more thing before we terminate’ this revoltI have received requests for how to subscribe to m.y magazine Doncha like to rummage through inferior

GHASTLY

time with his curdler!

a’ real

look for the

a ghastly little piece

Graham

HIM!

mad-mag,

THREE GHOULUNATICS in three magazines: TALES FROM THE CRYPT (OF TERROR), THE VAULT OF HORROR, and THE HAUNT OF FEAR!

THE THING FROM THE GRAVE! Sec-

place

DEATH SUITED GRAHAM well

in ht (

can both appear in

the driptale,

We are now working WITCH intq signing

tabulating

ELECTRIFYING

WA¥ TO

this isstie,.he

entitled

ond

rl,

iem well supplied with .

results!, Peidsttin’s

SHOCKING In

BURY the results sries! My small staff of let’s

after

and drinking ... I. BLOOD, you know! ping

time for another'of our

It’

it!

discussions! Fir;

the scoop straight from the

you have

trust

MUMM Y’S mouth! Send

75c and yoqr name and address written clearly in blood (or ink, if you simply cannot obtain that tasty beverage) to me.

realized

TALES FROM THE CRYPT

marks a milestone in publishing all

for one?

Well,

in this issue

you have the

time

each for himself

. .

HATE each and

Y* see,

history!

THREE MUSKETEERS

of the

other!

You’ve heard all and

The Crypt-Keeper, Room 706, Dept. 22,

one for

for,

the very

first

225 Lafayette Street,

THREE 'GHOULUNATICS

and all However,

for none! the

have gained something- by

THE OLD WITCH

N Y C

Gad, how we

VAULT-KEEPER this

unholy

allowing her to appear in each of our magazines. This,

plus the fact that she has her

HAUNT OF

FEAR, meant

own magazine,

THE

that she appeared three

12,

•

„

For this paltry sum, you will receive a full year’s supply ... six disgusting issues of this, my terror-ific magazine. And remember, keep those letters of approval and disapproval pouring in! Vote for your

alliance.

tricked both of us into

•

favorite story

Mail your

letters

and watch for the reeking to me at the above address! .

results

WE NEED SOMETHING NEW/) A SUPER SOMETHING DIFFERENT,' JATTRA CSOMETHING THAT NO PflT T/ON, EH, OTHER AMUSEMENT Iffil KANE? A PARK AROUND HERE paJSET ST has'

ALLOW TO INTRODUCE MYSELF/ I AM ROBERT BIXBY, CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER/ I HAVE, HERE IN THIS BRIEF CASE, PLANS FOR A NEW

TYPE HIGH-SPEED ROLLERtan GOPSTER'

Suddenly, there is a knock on THE DOOR, AND THE MAN CARRYINS THE BRIEF CASE ENTERS THE SHACK.

YES/ WE'RE THE

gentlemen/ YOUR PROBLEMS ARE SOLVED/

UNFORTUNATE L

ONES/

ARE YOU THE OWNERS OF THIS AMUSEMENT PARK?

but 'tit NAVE A ROLLER-

KANEfTld

COASTER/

is tr/jiA WHAT WE

NEED/

ffi wm

mm CROSSEN/ I CAN SEE IT NOW/ 'THE FASTEST ROLLER- COASTER IN THE . WORLD/.'. ' WE OARE YOU

MISTER//

YES,

TO RIDE

ITV.,

r3C

AH, GENTLE-

we'll men/there's BUY IT/ r JUST ONE see stipulation! THE PLANS/

)

let's

STRINGS ATTATCHED

jToKAY/ WHAT'S T. FOR THESE PL YOUR PROPOSITION?] I WANT TO BE TAKEN IN AS A

mum/

Bat gBB VjpnEa Â«

THIRD PARTNi '

rur/RE

SM .'.EUEkT PH

0 PARTNER.' WHY

TAKE

HIGHWAY ROBBERY.'

IT.. .OR

WILLING

PlEHEXT

NIGHT, AT

ROBERT

LEAVE

OKAY' OKAY' IT'S A DEAL? WE'LL DRAW UP THE NECESSARY T PAPERS' 5

IT'l

THERE ARE OTHER MEN WHO'O BE

TO...

BIXBY'S HOME...

GOOD' AS SOON AS WE’RE AliT SIGNED UP, I'LL SHOW YOU THE PLANS... AND

A WORKING MODEL THAT IVE-CONSTRUCTED'

BlXBY LEADS KANE AND CROSSEN INTO A LARGE ~ * "ROOM... fci THERE IT IS, LOOKS KINDA QUEER GENTLEMEN A SCALEnr T° me' Muw Binaag

mm THAT THE jlKBES AND

(

PAPERS ARE ALL ) ALL RIGHT, GENTLE' ORDER BlXBY, 4 MEN 'THIS WAY

. I

MODEL.'

ROLLER-COASTER

WBfsrgzi_-.

gtm

^ '

-if IS

VMOS'

*iltn'zfl v

;

_LJ'

\ |g

• BUILT ON THE BLED

•AT

PRINCIPLE

NO RAILS

OFA^

SCIENTIFICALLY BANKED

f EACH TURN AND DROP f THIS Beces friction and allows r\ GREATER SPEED f rrr. ;

THE FIRST DROP

PRACTICALLY

STRAIGHT DOWNY A

THIS CURVED

SLIGHT

TWIST IN THE CURVED TRACK KEEPS THE CAR FROM ACTUALLY BECOMING A FREE-FALLING BODY '• THE SPEED GATHERED HERE WILL BE BETWEEN IOO AND /OS

MILES PER HOUR .'

)

THERE THEN FOLLOWS A SERIES OF TURNS, BANKS, RISES, AND MORE DROPS CALCULATED TO MAINTAIN THIS SPEED THROUGHOUT THE RIDE' THE CAR IS STOPPED BY A _/ TWO HUNDRED FOOT ''AMAZING' INCLINE... WHICH IT ABSOLUTELY CLIMBS UNDER

OWN POWER r THEN ,

ITS

AMAZING'

BBB

IT IS

READY

BEGIN AGAIN'

’ |j

HOW SOON CAN CONSTRUCTION ON THIS... THIS 'EIGHTH WONDER' BEGIN ?

And SO, WORK 0* THE "NEW SUPER HOLLER-COAST!

IMMEDIATELY/! 'EIGHTH WON-

DER7

SAY,

•

that's great* Y rTHAT'S WHAT WE'LL

CALL '

THE

IT/

begun/ soon, giant fingers of steel point sky-

ward.

WE'VE SUNK EVERY DON'T ) bixby/ your 'BrainLAST CENT WE’VE/ WORRY, CHILD' BETTER BE ALL N VGOT IN THIS/ GENTLEYOU SAY IT IS. . 0 R ELSE.' MEN/MATH!W\ I

EIGHTH WONDER

OF THE WORLD'.*

MfHf

B NwI AS

EMATICAL FIGURES CANNOT lie/ IT WILL

fc^BpSiV

LlTTLE BY LITTLE, AS THE DAYS AND I WEEKS GO BY, THE HU6E COLOSSUS .^1

'WELL, GENTLEMEN/]

ALMOST COMPLETE /

IT IS

And THEN, THE LONG awaited day ARRIVES WHEN THE LAST RIVET IS DRIVEN HOME... AND THE "EIGHTH

BUT YOU said..

7/-1

WONDER OF THE WORLD" IS COMPLETED.

HOW SOON [ PATIENCE, TILL WE /GENTLEMEN /FIRST BUSINESS? /THERE ARE OPEN FOR

\MATHEMATh J CALLY IT

"SHOULD WORK PERFECTLY/but IF THERE WAS ANY ERROR IN THE CONSTRUCTION.. WELL... WE MUST

IT TO FINO OUT/ U1BJ

TO BE

soothe next

day, the

SANDBAG TEST is

made.

WHAT'S THE SANDBAG THE SANDBAGS REPRESENT JJ FOR, BIXBY ? XT' OUR FUTURE RIDERS/ THIS TEST WILL SHOW US IF A HUMAN BEING WILL*?EMA/N IN THE CAR . as it takes the TURNS AND BANKS. . OR WILL « B E THROWN FROM IT.

TEST

—

ar-i

jjB TEST

MHTSOME TESTS

And

WORK f

is released... ano it rolls down an INCLINE, GATHERING SPEED/ THEN IT REACHES THE FIRST DROP/ AT 106 MILES PER HOUR, PLUMMETS

The car

EARTHWARD/ THEN.

EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE GOING ACCORDING TO CALCULATIONS...

.1“

WHEW/ LOOK AT THAT CAR

. go* atm

PEOPLE WIL

COME FRO* ALL OVER TO RIDE HE

After

bixby leaves, grosser TURNS TO KANEâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; fl YEAH? DIO YOU HEAR HIM? WE WERE OUR AMUSEMENT \ FOOLS PARK ? HE'S A PARTNER! Jto give BUT IT WAS OUR r-! HIM A MONEY, KANE? YOURS THIRD AND MINE! PARTNER-

N I

KANE? A WAY OF GETTING IT BACK.' A WAY OF GETTING"! RID OF HIM?

KILL HIM?

SHIP..

WHAT'S YOUR

T HE

NEXT MORNING, KANE AND CROSSEN MEET BIXBY AT

WHAT'S UP,

KANE ?

YES? COME OVER CROSSEN, HERE, NOTICED ) SOMETHING FUNNY AS < THERE ? I'LL SHOW YOU AS THE CAR THE CAR MADE THE BIG J PASSES US? KANE, DROP, YESTERDAY r "j HERE, CAN START THE / CAR AFTER WE GET THERE? /ASStka^.. /s?\

/VI C(]f

As THE

MAKE THEIR WAY TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FOOT DROP? THEN CROSSEN SIGNALS TO ASE THE CAR... AFTER THIS... THERE'S ^ ER AND WATCH IERE? HERE

CAR, LOADED WITH SANDBAGS, HURTLES DOWN INCLINE, CROSSEN BIXBY... RIGHT INTO ITS PATH-

THE ALMOST PERPENDICULAR PUSHES

ONE MORE TEST TO j

L MAKE .CROSSEN ? I...

IS KILLED INSTANTLY! — A TON OF STEEL FLYING AT 105 MILES PER HOUR PACKS A MIGHTY WALLOP THEY CALL IT AN UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT.' KANE AND CROSSEN HAVE IT HUSHED UP.' THE PUBLICITY MIGHT HARM BUSINESS... f~~7 YEAH' AND LOOK AT THE WELL! TO DAY'S. THE CROWDS FLOCKING IN DAY, KANE! Jjl ALREADY' V" l BIG

Yes' THE CROWDS COME PROM ALL OVER AS KANE HAD PREDICTED' THEY FILL THE NEWLY RENOVATED AMUSEMOT PARK.. .EACH PERSON CLAMORING TO BE THE FIRST TO RIDE THE "EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD’.'.. :

LADlES AND GENTLEmIn.' ITHINK IT 1S ONLY FITTING AND PROPER THAT... BEFORE

\ *-

WE OPEN THIS WONDEROUS ROLLER-COASTER TO YOU, THE PUBLIC...^ PARTNER AND I, rWHO BUILT AND PLANNED IT, BE THE ~ FIRST TO RIDE IT' 'WR l ^ :

The CAR IS RELEASED AND IT BEGINS TO MOVE DOWN THE NCUNE, GATHERI

ING SPEEOA SHAME,IMAGJNE, CROSSEN' ] POOR SIX8Y NEVER L KANE! A

EVEN GOT TO RIDE HIS.

OWN BRAINCHI^C'

\SHAME'

Jag

HERE COMES

THE FIRST DROP, KANE'

I’M GOING TO CLOSE MY EYES'

The CROWD

IS STILL! A HUSH HAS FALLEN OVER IT 'THE ONLY SOUND HEARD IS THE WHIRRING OF THE ROLLER-COASTER CAR OVER ITS CURVED TRACK' THEN

I’M... AFRAID.'

THEY’RE COMING

BACK (

HEE H EE THAT'S RIGHT 'THEY WEfi DEAD' THEIR NECKS SNAPPED LIKE DRIED TWIGS' HEE, HEE! YEP, IT WAS THE FASTEST... THE GREATEST .'

P"HE CAR MOVED UP THE TWO-HUNCRED FOOT INCLINE AND CAME TO A STOP' THE TWO MEN IN THE CAR DIDN’T MOVE' THEY JUST SAT THERE, LEERING.. THEIR HEADS AT A GROTESQUE ANGLE... THEIR EYES BULGING.

THEY’RE DEAD.

BOTH OF THEM /

THEIR NECKS. BROKEN...

ROLLER COASTER IN THE WORLD HEE, HEE t

FAST...

SO CONSTRUCTS... THAT NO HUMAN BEING COULD survive the STRAIN OF A RIDE IT ! BIXBY HAD

m&pJ&M«

HPjlAWl

THOUGHT ABOUT THATf XX WAS ONE TEST HE SHU HAD TO MAKE' TOO BAD HE DIDN’T GET THE

CHANCEfSEE YOU NEXT ISSUE? 'bye, now!

« "ft

HEH? HEHf DON'T LOOK SO SURPRISED f YES, I AM THE VAULT- KEEPER.' I’VE BEEN INVITED BY THE CRYPT-KEEPER TO TELL ONE OF MY BETTER STORIES TO YOU f AND IN RETURN I’VE ASKED HIM TO RELATE ONE OF HIS CHILLERS IN MY

IT IS THE EVENING OF DECEMBER 31, 1950.. .NEW YEAR'S EVE.. AT THE HOME OF ROBERT AND BESS ARNOLD. WE FIND THEM ENGROSSED IN HECTIC PREPARATIONS FOR A PARTY... •

OH, ROBERT, HOW

COULD WELL.THERE'S NO YOU BE SO THOUGHTLESS )USE CRYING OVER AS TO FORGET TO PICK UP /SPILT MILK • STORES YOUR COSTUME FROM -S CLOSED NOW. I'LL THE STORE ? JUST HAVE TO GO v V WITHOUT... WAIT A MINUTE

-7

—

f UP IN THE ATT/C' THERE'S LOTS OF

(

BEEN UP HERE I WAS A KID? CONFOUND IT? I'M CERTAIN THOSE OLD CLOTHES WERE IN ONE OF THESE TRUNKS? MAYBE THAT ONE OVER THERE jBUk IN THE CORNER?

WELL.l HOPE FIND

...HAVEN'T

/YOU

SINCE

OLD CLOTHES UP / SOMETHING.' THERE? CLOTHES 1 AND .HURRY, WORN BY MY DEAR... IT'S GETTING LATE? ANCESTORS GENERATIONS AGO? I'LL RUN \ * UP AND HAVE A LOOK ?

^^ MM

'THE CURSE OF THE ARNOLD CLAN HMPF? NEVER SAW THIS BEFORE? A BOOK TELLING ALL ABOUT MY

ANCESTORS? WRITTEN IN 1903... ALMOST FIFTY YEARS A GO? WONDER

WHAT

IT SAYS...

"1750— the lies in his

AH'HERE'S WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR? HOPE THEY WANT TO ...SAY, WHAT'S THIS? AN OLD

FIT? DON'T

BOOK'

the Arnolds, Jeremidh, dedth-bed with his tuiQ sorts,

first of

Jdson and George, at

his side..."

I SHALL SOON BE OF ANOTHER LEAVE A WILL STATING THAT MY IS TO BE DIVIDED BETWEEN THEE BOTH ON JANUARY 1ST, 1751 ? USE THE fmgjA p— ^ MONEY WISELY?

SONS...

WORLD.

WEALTH

‘But one soft, Jdson Arnold, brooded and]'( “And by New Year's Eve, J&aon. had decided/ sulked as Neui Year's Day moved closer, JASON.' 'TIS NEW YEAR'S PATIENCE, GEORGE ever closer..." EVE.' WHY DO YE BRING 4 I HAVE SOMETHING ME OUT HERE IN THIS J§ TO SHOW THEE? I SHALL NOT SHARE FATHER'S Hb WILDS? WEALTH WITH GEORGE? I AM OLDER THAN HE... I SHOULD i HAVE IT ALL' I WILL NOT BE DONE OUT OF IT? )

»»»?—«

THERE, GEORGE! JASON ? BE YE DAFT? 1 THERE, BEFORE THEE, ON SUCH A FREEZING 4 IS WHAT I HAVE ' EVE, YE BRING ME HERE BROUGHT THEE TO GAZE AT A MERE HOLE TO SEEf tar IN THE EARTH?

^ ,

)

"Jason tossed, his brother's limp form, into the qapmq hole and heaped the cold., moist dirt upon him. Suddenly,.." WHA..? 'TIS GEORGE!

JASON.

inheritance... but he lived

-.GOING CRAZY? CAN'T FORGET GEORGE'S CURSE Y BE ALIVE IN FIFTY YEARS, I WILL BE THE ELDEST ARNOLD? MAYHAP IF I GIVE HIM A DECENT BURIAL, THE CURSE WILL » NOT OCCUR? Cj

THE EARTH, GEOR6E?

THY GRAVE IT BET'

jn .jmif

JASON? I CURSE THEE, JASON ? I CURSE THEE AND THY DESCENDANTS? EVERY E/FTY YEARS,

ON NEW YEAR 'S EVE; THE ELDEST OF THY DESCENDANTS SHALL BE BURLED ALIVEFf THIS BE MY CURSE, BROTHER JASON?

—

CALUNG TO ME FROM ta HIS GRAVE? ram

In a fearful state, Jason finished his work end returned home. He received the

entire

TIS NO MERE HOLE

r 'T/S

—

in.

fear..."

“And so

it liras

Georqe's body laid to rest in

that with the Spring thau

was ’found' and a mausoleum...

later

HERE, MY BROTHER? X BURY THEE WITH THY TRUSTY MUSKET AND POWDER-HORN IN THE HOPE THAT NOW AT LAST YOU WILL SET MY MIND JHUfUfilBKfi AT REST ? toy.

)

ff "But Jason found no peace. He squandered all hie wealth, trijinq to find happiness, and on New tear's Eve, fifty

house

years

later,

collapsed...

while cowering in hisk cellar,

and Jason was buried

his.

alive.'

HEH.HEH, HEHf QUITE A ^ TREASURY OF INFORMATION, EH? WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE READING THAT BOOK, AND IT WAS ABOUT

YOUR FAMILY? HEHf OF COURSE .LYDWD READ ON." AND THAT’S JUST WHAT ROBERT ARN6LD DID? J

^ t

'The

first

curse of the Arnold clan

"Jason Arnold had died the next fifty years all

in 1800,

was

had come

and

for

well... until

KWii

to pass/

were no buildinqs or people by which Albert Arnold could be harmed. Nothing, exc ept-"

"No, there

WHA.. ? QUICKSAND.' I'M

THE ARNOLD CURSE SHAN'T WORK ON ME' I’VE < IN THIS WILDERNESS FOR YEARS... ALL ALONgf I'LL NOT BE BURIED UNDER A FALLING, HOUSE OR ANY SUCH THING?

LIVED

"And for the second time, the curse erf the Arnold clan had

taken

it's

toll,''

"It was the same in i9oo. On New Year’s Eve, lUilliam Arnold,

while working the nqht shift in a coal mine, was trapped in

shaft cave- in.'"

trapped in a bog of quickSAND? HELP' HELP I'LL BE JV& BURIED ALIVE.'

SfaerfWm

HMPF? THAT'S ALL THERE IS? S LET'S SEE... LAST TIME WAS IN 1900. THEN THE NEXT TIME

NEW YEAR'S EVE, 1950.. GOOD GOSH THAT’S TONIfiHTf AtyD I'M THE MB

WILL BE

OLDEST

LIYINff

'ARNOLD/^M

HA f WHY, IT’S RIDICULOUS N THOSE DEATHS WERE ONLY A LOT OF FREAK ACCIDENTS'HA! WHAT NONSENSE? NOTHING'S gi GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME'JM

I FOUND A HONEY OF A COLONIAL COSTUME, DEAR?

i 1NU TES-r«OBERT.», E ;RE

HEH? WELL, ROBERT AND BESS

WENT TO THE PARTY. THEY HAD A GAY TIME LAUGHING, DRINKING DANCING? AND THEN THE HOST , MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT.../'

HAfHAf THAT’S RIGHT, FOLKS, A SCAVENGER HUNT EVERYONE WILL DRAW ATICKET, AND THE < N FIRST PERSON TO BRING BACK WHATEVER'S WRITTEN ON THEIR TICKET GETS A PRIZE? CMON.^

OH, GOODNESS

HAVE TO BRING BACK A

MOOSE-HEAD?

I j

GOSH' I HAVE TO FIND AN OLD MUSKET AND A POWDER-HORN? WHERE THE DEVIL WILL I Ifc

HEY-Y-Y...

...

j—

MY ANCESTOR, GEORGE ARNOLD, WAS BURIED WITH A MUSKET AND POWDER-HORN? HM-M-M.. AND THE CEMETERY ISN'T c=~-

EAR FROM HERE.EITHER^Jgg^

—

there's the mausoleum OVER THERE? BOY? THIS PLACE IS WEIRD .' HOPE THIS DOESN'T TAKE

i'll have to sneak in. the CARETAKER WOULD NEVER < LET ME IN THIS TIME OF NIGHT, ESPECIALLY IN THISJ

...CEMETERY IS JUST AHEAD? I'LL HAVE THAT

MUSKET AND «' POWDER-HORN

GET-UP?

LONG?^

BEFORE THE OTHERS EVEN k ,

START '

I'M IN LUCK? THIS DO$fc IS

OLD, THE LOCK HAS‘JUST ABOUT

RUSTED AWAY? I COULD HAVE OPENEDIT WITH A HAIRPIN?

MUSKET AND POWDER-HORN SHOULD BE INSIDE? UHh THIS.. THIS SLAB IS... SURE HEAVY.' <|

AH? HERE IT IS? THE LAST RESTING PLACE OF GEORGE Arnold? a

...

GEORGE ARNOLD

WHEW? BOY? THAT WAS A JOB.' UGH? WHAT A SMELL? HERE'S THE MUSKET AND...

WHAT’S THAT

BLAZES' THE CARETAKER'S COMING TO MAKE HIS

ROUNDS? .

CAN'T LET HIM FIND ME HERE'

WHAT’LL

I DO?

he's coming closer.' if he SEES THIS OPEN DOOR. HE'LL

INVESTI GATE.' I'LL HIDE IN'

ONE OF THE COFFINS' AFTER HE PASSES, I'LL LE AV E

OLD GEORGE 'WON'T MIND IF USE HIS RESTING PLACE FOR WHILE.' NOW TO... CLOSE M THIS.

^ HEY' WHAT

.TOP.'

HAPPENED ? THE LID.' GREAT SCOTT IT LOCKED WHEN I SHUT IT [I'M LOCKED IN f I CAN'T GET OUT

tel HELP'

CARETAKER.' CARETAKER .'iSOB'- PLEASE.' HELP HE.' GET ME OUT.' I'LL BE BURIED ALIVE.' PLEASE.'

PLEASE'

Robert's screams lasted for along time. BUT FINALLY, INEXORABLY, THEY CEASED.' AND THEN ACROSS THE CEMETERY CAME THE CHIMES .OF A CHURCH 8EL-L.... TOLLING THE HOUR OF MIDNIGHT. IT WAS NEW YEAR'S EVE... AND tHE CURSE OF THE ARNOLD CLAN ONCE AGAIN HAD COME TRUE '

BUT THE CARETAKER, HIS EARS MUFFLED AGAINST THE

COlJ),

DOESN'T HEAR THE CRlEB ROR

HELP THAT ARE BEING DROWNED OUT BY THE WINTRY GALE AND HE PLODS TIREDLY ON...

HA .'HA .'HA /WELL, ROBERT REALLY GOT \ HIMSELF INTO A GRAVE SITUATION, DIDN'T HE? POOR'ROBERT. ..TOO BAD HE HAD TO GO OUT \ WITH JHE OLD YEAR.' AT LEAST, HE WON'T HAVE \ A NEW YEAR'S HAN^OVERf NO, ROBERT WASN'T DEAD DRUNK. ) HE WAS JUST DEAD f HEH f /jBrjjP' WELL, VISIT WITH'ME IN MY \

WMZ1

WfWifc.-: Mlliak.

THE VAULT OF 7 MAGAZINE. HORROR DROP IN. .HEH'

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FEATURING

LOCKED THIS

THE CRYPT-KEEPER

ITHE OLD WITCH

THE VAULT-KEEPER

I'M

LOCKED

MAUSOLEUM WITH THIS THING

WITH

the

senes

Pictured above are the covers of the first twelve issues of the new series of full color EC CLASSICS. Like this issue you are reading, each issue of the EC CLASSICS contains two covers and eight complete EC stories chosen from a particular EC title.

Don't miss a single issue! Ask your favorite Comic Book Shop to stock these order directly from the publisher. Single back issues are $6.00 each, 2-4 copies $5.00 each, 5 or postage.

EC CLASSICS,

more $4.00 each.

All prices include

1 1 (TALES FROM THE CRYPT). Published bv Russ Cochran. Publisher. Ltd., at 202 Aid Avenue (P.O. Bax 469). West Plains. 6577S. Russ Cochran. Editor and Publisher. Copyright 1951. by I.C. Comics, Inc., renewed by William M. Gaines. Entire contents 1988 by William M. Gaines Printed in L.S.A

EC CLASSICS

ISBN

0-939947-1 1-2

TERRO, ! THE CRYPT OF TERROR COME into come INTO the muF. dear nFAR fiends' come COME in' IN Welcome, AM YOUR HOST, THE CRYPT-KEEPER I SEE IT IS TIME TO TELL YOU OF MY SPINE-TINGLING HORROR STORIES FROM MY VAST COLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; LECTION HERE IN THE CRYPT HMMM' LET ME SEE' AH? / KNOWfTHtS ONE IS SURE TO FREEZE THE BLOOD IN YOUR VEINS GUARANTEED TO MAKE LITTLE SHIVERS RUN UP AND DOWN YOUR CRAWLING SPINE? THIS .'

ANOTHER

LITTLE ADVENTURE INTO TERROR... THIS CHILLING ORDEAL...IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN TO YOUf YOU ARE THE MAIN CHARACTER 'READY? GET A GOOD CR/P ON YOURSELF? THEN TURN THE PAGE AND BEGIN THE TALE

REFLECTION]

DF DEATH'

You're at the wheel? you and carl have been DRIVING SINCE DAYBREAK ? IN TWO MORE HOURS.YOU'LL BE HOME? YOU'RE TIRED, NOW? THE STRAIN OF DRIVING THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND INTO THE NIGHT IS BEGINNING TO HAVE ITS EFFECT? YOUR EYELIDS ARE HEAVY...

YOU STOP THE CAR AND CARL GETS OUT? YOU SLIDE ACROSS THE SEAT ANO CARL SLIPS BEHIND THE WHEEL...

YOU DRAW YOUR COAT UP TIGHT

YOU STARE OUT THROUGH THE

AROUND YOU ...PULL YOUR HAT REACH INTO YOUR POCKET FOR YOUR GLOVES...

SHIELD ? THE ROAD COMES OUT OF THE DARKNESS AT YOU AND SLIDES BENEATH THE CAR.. .UNENDING ... FASTER ... FASTER ? CARL BEGINS TO WHISTLE AN OFF-KEY TUNE? THE MOTOR PURRS THE ROAO

DOWN...

MAYBE MAYBE

I WILL, ’

WINO-

...

CARL?

Your head begins to nod ? carl's whistling continues. ..flat, unmelodic? SUDDENLY HE GASPS?YOU LOOK UP? A PAIR OF HEADLIGHTS... BRIGHT... BLINDINGHURTLES AT YOU FROM THE DARKNESS 'CARL SHOUTS? YOU TRY TO SCREAM BUT IT CHOKES UP IN YOUR THROAT... A RATTLING COUGH ...

YOU FEEL YOURSELF FLYING FORWARD... A BLASTING LIGHT.. .THE PAIN — THE COLD... ANO THEN THE VELVET NIGHT CLOSES IN? ALL IS QUIET, EXCEPT FOR A DISTANT ...FARAWAY-WHIMPERING...

The blackness is empty... ETERNAL * YOU FLOAT IN IT.. TURNING ... TWISTING. FALLING...THEN RISING AGAIN THE PAIN IS GONE. ..EVERYTHING IS GONE. ..ONLY THE !

YOU OPEN YOUR EYES* TINY

PIN-

POINTS OF LIGHT BLINK BRIGHT AND DIM BEFORE YOUf A LEAF FLUTTERS.. THEN GLIDES AT YOU* YOU ARE ON YOUR BACK ...GAZING UP AT THE NIGHT

YOU RAISE YOUR HEAD AND LOOK ABOUT* YOU ARE LYING AT THE EDGE OF A ROAD.' YOU REMEMBER NOW! THE HEADLIGHTS... THE CRASH.. THERE MUST HAVE BEEN A COLLISION* BUT THE WRECK ...THERE'S NO SIGN Of IT...

DARKNESS... ON. ..ON. ..DARK...

BLACK

..EMPTY.

YOU GET TO YOUR FEET* YOUR CLOTHES ARE TORN AND DIRTY* THERE IS A SMELL... A SICKENING SMELL' YOU LOOK UP AND DOWN THE ROAD* NO SMASHED GLASS* NO TWISTED METAL* NOTHING* JUST A ROADCLEAN WH ITE ...REACHING INTO THE NIGHT... ...

CAR IS COMING* YOU STUMBLE OUT ONTO THE CONCRETE* YOU RAISE YOUR GLOVED HAND AS THE CAR BEARS DOWN UPON YOU* ITS WAILING BRAKES ^ BRING IT TO A STOP...

W CRAZY

FOOL.* DO YOU WANT TO GET YOURSELF I KILLED?!. ..I...

YOU STEP CLOSE TO HIM* YOU BEGIN TO ASK HIM IF HE'LL DRIVE YOU INTO TOWN ...THAT THERE'S

The car meshes gears and roars away* you can HEAR HIM SCREAMING* YOU CANNOT UNDERSTAND

BEEN A WRECK* SUDDENLY YOU SEE THE WILD LOOK EYES* A LOOK OF STARK TERROR?HZ STARES AT YOU AND SHRIEKS.

THEN YOU LAUGH TO YOURSELF * OF COURSE ?YOU MUST HAVE BEEN CUT IN THE ACCIDENT* MAYBE THE SIGHT OF BLOOD SCARED HIM* YOU START DOWN THE ROAD... TOWARD TOWN... TOWARD HOME...

IN HIS

a tramp huddled is a hobo. NEAR THE FIRE? HE STIRS SOMETHING IN A CAN HUNG OVER THE FLAMES? HE LOOKS UP AS YOU APPROACH.

Then you see it? the fire? someone under THE ROAD- BRIDGE... COOKING? YOU MOVE TOWARD HIM? PERHAPS HE HEARD THE CRASH. SAW THE ACCIDENT.

WELCOME, PARDNER

YOU'RE

HUNGRY, SET YOURSELF DOWN? THE STEW'S JUST ABOUT DONE?

YOU MOVE INTO THE FIRELIGHT? HE LOOKS INTO THE CAN... STIRS IT A BIT... THEN TURNS TOWARD YOU? SUDOENLY THE BLOOD DRAINS FROM HIS UNSHAVEN FACE? HE CR/N6ES... ^K...K...KEEP AWAY... I...l4>J<

rf^^y

, .

The tramp claws his way up to the embankment Ar.0 RUNS, SHFIEKIN6, DOWN THE ROAD? YOU WATCH HIM AS HE VANISHES INTO THE NIGHT.

YOU CONTINUE ON TOWARD TOWN ? YOU'VE GOT TO GET HELP? THEN YOU STOP/ YOU LOOK DOWN? A PIECE OF A NEWSPAPER

UNDER YOUR FOOT? YOU READ THE DATE.

She's frightened? what woman wouldn't be? a LONELY ROAD AT NIGHT? YOU.. A STRANGE MAN. STEPPING OUT IN FRONT OF HER CAR... FORCING HER TO STOP OR HIT YOU? OF COURSE SHE'S FRIGHTENED... .

f YOU GET INTO HER CAR.' YOU DRIVE IT INTO THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN AND LEAVE IT. .THE WOMAN UNCONSCIOUS BEHIND THE WHEEL? YOU MAKE YOUR WAY HOME.. .HOtkf/ BUT WHEN YOU REACH IT. .

ThE WINDOWS ARE BOARDED UP?YOU CANNOT UNDERSTAND? THERE IS A SIGN

TACKED TO THE HOUSE? YOU .TO READ IT.

MOVE CLOSER.

Foreclosed? on January 15,1951? lYou walk toward him? you want BUT TODAY IS... OR IS IT? THE TO ASK HIM THE DATE? HE COMES NEWSPAPER YOU FOUND? REMEMBER? I HAVE YOU BEEN UNCONSCIOUS FOR I

ALMOST TWO MONTHS? YOU TURN AWAY FROM THE HOUSE? A LONE FIGURE APPROACHES ON THE DESERTED DARK STREET. . .

BEGINS TO RUN FROM YOU? YOU RUN AFTER HIM! YOU ONLY WANT TO ASK HIM A QUEST/ON WHY DOES EVERYONE STARE AT YOU W/DE-EYED. FAINT. .

RUN FROM YOU? WHY? CARLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HOUSE? YOU'RE IN FRONT OF CARL'S HOUSE NOW? CARL. .WHO WAS WITH YOU. WHEN THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED ? YOU GO UP THE STEPS.. .STAND BEFORE THE OOO R. RING

SCREAM.

. .

Heavy footsteps approach? the door opens?carl STARES OUT AT YOU? YOU WAIT FOR HIM TO SCREAM... TO RUN. .WAIT FOR THAT LOOK OF HORROR. BUT NOTHING HAPPENS.. .

YOU RUSH INTO HIS APARTMENT? IT IS DARK ' CARL OBJECTS' YOU TELL HIM THE STORY 'YOU BLURT IT OUT... EVERYTHING' THE CRASH... HOW YOU WOKE UP... THE PEOPLE THAT SCREAMED WHEN THEY SAW YOU? EXCEPT CARL... CARL DID NOT SCREAM'

He STARES

AT YOU, BLANKLY' THERE IS NO RECOGNITION ' DON'T YOU KNOW ME, CARL? DON'T YOU RECOGNIZE YOUR OLD FRIEND AL?\ YOU SAY? HE SHAKES HIS HEAD ANO TURNS AWAY.. | vnnRr imr> this iÂ«t <tnnr 1

r SORT OF A GAG? SURELY YOU KNOW r

THAT AL AND 1 WERE IN AN ACCIDENT! ALMOST TWO MONTHS AGO.. .THAT AL \' killed.. HORR/BL r MAHGL ED.

LWA S

WAKE

UP,

AL/ YOU'RE HAVIN6

A NIGHTMARE

YOU LOOK AROUND.' YOU'RE

THE CAR/ CARL IS DRIVING/ YOU'VE BEEN DREAMING. DREAMING

THE WHOLE HORRIBLE EXPER/ENCE. .

MY NIGHTMARE/ I ORE A MED I WAS DEAD.9 EVERYTHING WAS SO REAL/ THANK GOD IT WAS ONLY. L

DREAM f OH/ YEAH/

YEAH/

YOU WATCH THE ROAD AS IT UNFOLDS BEYOND THE HEADLIGHT GLOW AND RUSHES TOWARD YOU AND UNDER THE SPINNING WHEELS/ YOU WONDER IF YOU SHOULD TELL CARL ABOUT YOUR DREAM.. .

YOU STARE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD/ FAR AWAY THE HEAOLIGHTS OF AN APPROACHING CAR KNIFE THROUGH THE DARKNESS/ ICY FINGERS GRIP YOUR HAMMERING HEART/ THEY'RE COMING AT YOU NOW.. FAST. .

WE'LL BE HOME SOON.AL/

/ YOU'RE PARALYZED/THE DREAM.' IT'S SO MUCH LIKE THE DREAM f YOU TRY TO SCREAM BUT NOTHING COMES OUT/ CARL GASP S. THEN

YOU TRY TO MOVE

LOOK Â»

OUT...AL ...WERE

GO/N6 TO HIT,..

and the impact is a squeal of brakes. OF TEARING METAL AND SHATTERING GLASS..

There

YOU FEEL YOURSELF THROWN

YOU OPEN YOUR EYES? YOU CAN

FORWARD... A BLINDING LIGHT... A

SEE THE STARS... ABOVE YOU...

YOU STRUGGLE TO YOUR FEET? THE ROAD IS BARE' THERE IS NO SIGN OF THE WRECK? FROM FAR OFF.. THE SOUND OF A MOTOR TELLS YOU OF AN APPROACH ING CAR? YOU STEP

OUT INTO THE

ROAD...

YOU LIFT YOUR HEAD AND GAZE DOWN TOWARD YOUR FEET? THE

smell... the sickening smell of rotted FLESH BURNS YOUR NOSTRILS? SO MUCH LIKE THE DREAM-ONLY NOW YOU KNOW WHAT THE STENCH IS? THE CAR STOPS? YOU MOVE TOWARD IT-

The

CRAZY FOOL? DO YOU WANT TO GET YOURSELF KILLEO?

IS REAL f YOU KNOW WHAT'S ABOUT TO HAPPEN? HE SEES YOUR FACE? YOU STEEL YOURSELF FOR HIS REACTION? IT COMES? A HAUNTING TERRI-

The DREAM FIED

SCREAM

HEH.HEH? WELL. KIDDIES? THAT'S IT? LIKE IT? LIKE BEING A CORPSE? WELL. YOU MIGHT AS WELL GET I USED TO IT? IT' S BOUND TO HAPPEN... EVENTUALLY. OH, COME, COME? WHY THE GRAVE LOOK? YOU'VE GOT I TIME? HEH, HEH? MAYBE YOU'LL KNOW IT'S COMING \ BY HAVING A DREAM LIKE 1 POOR AL IN THIS STORY? J IF YOU DO, YOU'LL HAVE J SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO? IN THE A MEANT IME YOU CAN LOOK J FORWARD TO SOME MORE CHILLING TALES IN THIS BOOK? COMPOSE YOURSELF? ] READY? O.K. THEN I'LL TURN/ OVER TO THE OLD r

YOU'RE DEAD f YOU KNOW IT, NOW/ DEAD/ AND 17 THIS TIME. IT ISN'T A DREAM... \A THE END VI

WI TCH/

HEEiHEE YESf ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;S ME AGAIN' THE OLD WITCH... MISTRESS OF THE HAUNT I'VE BEEN WAITIN6 FOR YOU? SEE ? THE FIRE UNDER MY CAULDRON STEAMING AND BUBBLING f IS LEAPING HIGHER AND HIGHER f MY EVIL BREW IS SO CONE IN... COME IN AND GAZE INTO THE SWIRLING, BOILING CONTENTS OF MY CAULDRON' GAZE DEEP... AND SOON YOU'LL SEE A GRIPPIN6 TERRIFYING TALE UNFOLD' A TALE I CALL... '

OF FEAR.r

B5 T

RESPECTS!

‘

He stood for a moment, hesitating befoueI THE YAWNING OPENING IN THE IRON FENCE, THEN MOVEO THROUGH- Luctc T| |

UP THE GRASS CARPETED PATH, PAST THE GRAVES OF THOSE LONG OEAO.THE MAN ...ANTHONY COLTON. STUMBLEO' IN HIS HANDS HE CLUTCHED A PAPER BAG ' EVERY SO OFTEN, HE STOPPED AND LOOKED ABOUT... SEARCHING... SEARCHING - -J HELP ME, ANNA f I DON'T KNOW MY WAV t GUIDE ME, ANNA' GUIDE ME TO YOUR 6 RAVE _ > .

—

it standing cold and still in the white MOONLIGHT... T* MAUSOLEUMS IT ROSE ABOVE THE GRAVE STONES LIKE A SKYSCRAPER RISES ABOVE THE SPRAWLING TENEMENTS OF A GREAT CITY.. MAJESTIC... IMPOSING... CONTEMPTUOUS...

Suddenly he saw

Anna HAD come from a

rich family' anthony EDGED CLOSER' THEN HE SAW IT 'THE LETTERS CUT DEEP AND DARK IN THE GLEAMING M ARBLE OVER THE DOORWAY. ..

MUST BE MUST BE ITS —

COOPER’' THIS THIS

Anthony breathed a silent prayer

The door swung silently

AS HE APPROACHED THE HU6E METAL DOOR f SUPPOSE IT SHOULO BE LOCKED

THE HINGES HAD BEEN WELL OILED TO PREVENT SOUEEKS FROM INTRUDING UPON THE SOLEMNITY OF THE RECENT FUNERAL 'ANTHONY STEPPED IN.

HE CLOSED HIS EYES AND LEANED AGAINST X.J opm~OH. un, vrc I

THANK GOD

IT’S

OPEN

The casket stood in the center OF THE FLOOR... SILENT... STILL f ANTHONY GASPED, THEN THREW HIMSELF PROSTRATE UPON IT AND WEPT...QUIETLY... PITIFULLY...

AJ\(

After a while.the hoarse sobbing STOPPED? HE STOOD UP AND OPENED THE PAPER BAG? THE SHARP CRACKLE OF THE PAPER ECHOED FROM THE WINDOWLESS WALLS IN AN ABNORMAL VOLUME.

HERE

IT IS.

Anthony gazed down at the casket with the FURRY MOUND LYING ON THE LID? HE STARED INTO THE BLACK WOOD OF THE STUDDED BOX? FROM FAR AWAY THE MUSIC DRIFTED TO HIM. . HAPPY MUSIC. . LAUGHTER? A MERRY-GO-ROUND.. .GOING ROUND AND ROUND AND ROUND. .

TONY? LET'S RIDE

Anthony shook his head.'then HE TRIED THE LID? IT WAS SEALED CLOSED? HE SIGHED. j IT'S NO GOOD THIS WAY, ANNA? YOU CAN'T FEEL

LITTLE ANIMALS THAT THEY GIVE AWAY AT AMUSEMENT PARKS WHEN YOU KNOCK OVER THE STACK OF BRUISED WOODEN BOTTLES? ANTHONY BRUSHED IT AGAINST HIS RACE FOR A MOMENT, THEN LAID IT REVERENTLY UPON THE COFFIN LID...

SURE, ANNA? SURE! C'MON?

Those stolen hours of happiness? that day at THE AMUSEMENT PARK WHEN HE WON ANNA THAT " FURRY LITTLE THING. . /"' I J <3 There you are, V", y FOR YOU, ANNA?JDEAD-EYE? OH, TONY, TONYf ) YOUR YOU DID IT? YOU 1 JUST FOR YOU Sj HERE'S prize? k_ did it? . .

DON’T YOU THINK YOU'D BETTER 6ET IN BACK, ANNA? WE'RE 6ETTING CLOSE TO THE HOUSE ?

OH, TONY DARLING? WHY DOES IT HAVE TO END? WHY?

OUT HERE...

ANNA... HERE

Then the music faded away and the sound of the CAR MOTOR REPLACED IT... THE HUM OF THE TWELVE

IT.

—

T W

And then the motor stopped? anna got out of THE FRONT SEAT OF THE IMPRESSIVE LIMOUSINE, AND TONY OPENED THE REAR DOOR FOR HER? THEN HE PUT ON THE BRASS-BUTTONED CHAUFFEUR'S COAT, AND THE / — PATENT- LEATHER PEAKED CAP. .

OH, TONY? DON T JOKE WITH ME KISS ME, MY DARLING/ TELL

YOUR WIFE YOU LOVE HER/

He stood there, staring at THE casket/ outside, A CLAP OF THUNDER EXPLODED/ THE MAUSOLEUM C SLAMMEO WITH THE SUDDEN GUST OF HOT WIND/ T RAIN BEGAN F

LOVE YOU,

ANNA/

RAINING ANNA? RAINING LIKE THAT NIGHT... THAT NIGHT YOU CAME TO MY ROOM ABOVE THE GARAGE...

ANNA/ WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

CAN T STAND

IT ANY LONGER, TONY/ WE'VE GOT TO TELL MY UNCLE/

T BE FOOLISH,

ANNA/ YOU KNOW WHAT WOULD ^

DON

HAPPEN/ he'd DISOWN YOU... CUT YOU OFF

WITHOUT

DONT CARE/

DON’T

CARE/

YOU'RE FORGETTIN6 ONE THING, ANNA/ YOU'RE UNDERAGE! HE CAN ANNUL THE MARRIAGE/

HE WOULDN'T.

CENT/

Yes/ it rained that night/ but anna AND TONY DIDN'T CARE/ THEY WERE TOGETHER/ STOLEN MOMENTS OF n»mnL»... / j UST ONE MORE YOU'VE GOT TOGO, MUSS, MY DAR-^, LING/ I~~'l ANNA/ YOUR UNCLE WILL BE LOOKIN6 FOR YOU/ |

kiss and then she left/ she hurried across the sopRAINping GROUNDS. .HER FLIMSY DRESS CLINGING TO HER SKIN, SOAKED/ AND WHEN SHE OPENED THE DOOR. I... I TOOK A WALK, UNCLE/ WHERE WERE YOU? WHERE I GOT CAUGHT IN THE RAIN/ WERE YOU

One more

He STOOD BEFORE ANNA ...THERE ^HEB

...

INSULTCO

HER...

(

THAT PWAFTY MANS ION? HE ACCUSED

BEEN RAINING FOR HOURS.' I SAW TOU COME ACROSS THE LAWN ? YOU'VE BEEN TO THE GARAGE ? TO HIM f I KNOW' I'VE SEEN THE WAY HE LOOKS AT YOU? DON’T THINK I'M BLIND? DON'T THINK I DON’ T KNOW YOU'VE __ BEEN CARRYING ON .../^

DON'T

HATTERS f

X PLEASE?

YOU WON'T BE FOR

LET ME HER? /J LOVE

UNDERAGE...

)

HER'

THAT.. THAT...

CAME TO SEE HER

BUT

GO AWAY? YOU'RE NOT WANTED HERE?

AWAY...

HE TURNED TONY AWAY? THE

SEE

DON'T YOU > —^5JUNDERSTAND ?

HARRIED TO

HARRIED f

HER HUSBAND, COOPER

I'M

MR.

)

CEE0IN6S? SHE'S

WHAT? \

YOU MUST KNOW, WE'RE

HAVE

THE HARR!AGE ANNULLED f \ WON'T LET YOU

THROW YOUR LIFE

LONG? I'VE STARTEO ANNULMENT PRO-

I "

UNCLE ? STOP IT? STOP IT? I CAN'T STAND YOUR EVIL INSINUATIONS

T SILLY FOOL / l'LL

CARE WHAT I LOVE HIM! ALL THAT

YOU SAY? THAT'S

DOC-

TOR CAME... AND TONY STOPPED HIM AS HE WAS LEAVING... f-^

HOW IS SHE, r SHE'S FAILING, TONY ? DOESN'T DOCTOR ? > SEEM TO WANT 7

TO LIVE

While I

no' you're FINISHED WITH

inside... ( no,

TONY. GASP.

WANT

TONY f

HIM'

FINISHED f

And so she died? up to the end, her uncle had REFUSED TO LET TONY SEE HER? THE FUNERAL HAD SEEN HELD THAT AFTERNOON? TONY HAD NOT BEEN ALLOWED TO ATTEND? BUT, NOW HE WAS HERE YES, ANNA? I'M HERE AND EVERYTHING IS

ALL RIGHT, NOW? I'VE JUST KILLED HIM?

From somewhere a STREAM OF WATER RAN DOWN THE STONE WALL OF THE MAUSOLEUM... DOWN THE WALL ONTO THE COLD FLOOR AND UNDER THE CASKET^ THE

RAIN...

COMING

Tony turned to go? it was OVER ...FINISHED? NOW, HE WAS GOING AWAY? THE OLO MAN ...WAS DEAD? ANNA'S DEATH HAD BEEN REVENGED... __-y GOOD-BYE ANNA ? SOMEDAY. I'LL COME BACK 'SOMEDAY... ,

IN..."

JUST KILLED YOUR UNCLE f

I'VE

He tugged at the huge mausole um door? t NOT MOVE? IT WAS... i

DID

Tony pulleo and wrenched at the door? it was no USE? SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TO COME AND OPEN IT FROM THE OTHER SIDE... S' HELP ME? _ PLEASE.

LORD.' HOW'LL I GET OUT OF HERE?

WAS THE ONLY REPLY ?TONY HAMMERED HIS FISTS WERE RAW-AND BLOOO

CLAP OF THUNDER AT THE METAL DOOR UNTIL OOZED FROM THEM...

S-â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Vt

PLEASE-. GOD.. .SOMEONE. ..SOB. ..SOB.

The rain fell incessantly? it formed little RIVERS THAT RAN OFF BETWEEN THE HEADSTONES! INSIDE THE MAUSOLEUM A STEADY SOBBING q^. ,

ECHOED THE FALLING OF THE RAINDROPS

...

The night passeo and the oay dawned.' and THE DAY PASSEO. ..AND NO ONE CAME TO THAT PART OF THE CEMETERY' SO NO ONE HEARD THE KNOCKING- THE CALLING FROM THE mausoleum...

WEEK WENT BY... AND EVERY DAY THE KNOCKING... THE HAMMERING CONTINUED BUT NO ONE HEARD... EXCEPT A FRIGHTENED TRAMP ONE EVENING AT TWILIGHT WHO RAN OFF, TERRIFIED ? THE WEEK STRETCHED TO TWO WEEKS. ..THE POUNDING WAS BECOMING FAINTER NOW f BUT TONY WAS STILL ALIVE' THEN, ALMOST A MONTH LATER... THE BEATING AN D THE CALLING STOPPED... .'

DAY FOLLOWING TONY'S DEATH, AFTER HAVING BEEN LOCKED IN THE MAUSOLEUM FOR ALMOST A MONTH, THEY FOUND HIM' THE ENGRAVER WAS DELIVERING THE PLAQUE FOR ANNA'S COFFIN... AND WHEN THEY SWUNG OPEN THE MASSIVE METAL DOOR.,

The

GOOD LORD.' LOOK' A DEAD

MAN?

THE 6UY MUST HAVE BEEN

TRAPPED

LOOKING FOR?

T AND EATING. AI

HERE' HE STAYED

ALIVE BY CATCHING WATER IN THIS URN...

HEY. ..THIS

COFFIN’S

AROUND HIM

BEEN PRIED

OPEN

THAT CHAUFFEUR OF THEIRS? THE ONE THEY'VE BEEN JBI

IT'S ,

v—

BONES'

^WHAT'S THIS.

OH GOO, NO.4

MY HEE.HEE? AND DEAR READERS' TONY, ANNA. THE CRUEL OLD UNCLE... THEY’RE ALL DEAD NOW.' EACH ONE KILLED THE OTHER YOU MIGHT SAY f ANYWAY, IT WAS A MEATY LITTLE TALE, WASN’T IT? 1 HOPE YOU THAT'S

THE WHITE PICKED-CLEAN BONES BACK INTO THE COFFIN AND SEALED IT UP AGAIN ' THEN THEY CLOSED THE MAUSOLEUM...

STORY,

^ |

...

> |

DIDN’T.. -ER... UP. AT

THE CHOKE SAD ENDING' WELL, IF YOUR STOMACH'S STOPPED DOING FLIPFLOPS, I’LL TURN YOU OVER TO THE .

KEEPER Tf CRYPTHE HAS AN0THER

’

(

M‘W&Mft TIM

.1|^

'Wm*

TALE FOR YOU TO \ CHEW ON ' BYE .NOW'

SEE YOU LATER ON WITH ANOTHER POT * */ OF PUTRESCENCE.'

VJffl'y'J

ONE IS EITHER A BELIEVER OR AN UNBELIEVER' THERE IS NO HAPPY MEDIUM ...AS ALAN BITSBY DISCOVERS THE NIGHT HE ATTENDS HIS FIRST...

My STORr BEGINS AT THE HOME OF WALTON FAR ACCOUNTANT FOR THE FIRM OF BITSBY & COMPANY. AT THIS PARTICULAR MOMENT, WALTON IS HARO AT WORK 'ENTERTAINING' MR. ANO MRS. ALAN BITSBY ..THE BOSS AND HIS WIFE ' LET'S SEE WHAT'S GOING ON I I HAVE TO APOLOGIZE f QUITE ALL RIGHT,

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

MR. BITSBY'

I... I

FIND

THAT I AM .FORCED TO ASK YOU FOR A

RAISE

...

SALARY

THERE HAVE BEEN

EXTRA EXPENSES.

LATELY. ..AND...

LET'S NOT TALK TONI6HT,

BUSINESS

WALTON.' SEE ME IN THE MORNING f I'LL SEE WHAT I CAN > DO FOR YOU? J

OH, THANK YOU, MR. J QUITE ALL BITSBY •.THANK . RIGHT, WALTON?

YOU

QUITE.

. .

T SHE... SHE

THIS WHAT YOU MEAN BY EXTRA EXPENSES, WALTON? SENDING YOUR

DEAR MR. AND MRS. BITSBY? I'M SO SORRY ifc LATE.. . BUT THE SEANCE TOOK SO

L0N6

WIFE TO

SEANCES fy

WANTS TO MR. j GO, BITSBY? AND

TODAY/ J-i/'

HAPPY/ BAN

NONSENSE

IDIOTIC

THOSE

MEDIUMS ARE FAKES? THIEVES AND FAXES f THEY PRY ON LONESOME TAKE OLD PEOPLE. ADVANTAGE OF THEIR LOSSES? WHOM DOES

N NO... MY POOR DEPARTED BROTHER, MAXUM ? AND TODAY I HEARD MS VOICE

TELL US WHAT HAPPENED, AGNES?

jNE VER MIND,

y >

'Well, agnes farnum began, 'i arrived at the

WERE THERE AHEAD OF ME

J I'M SO GLAD? I'VI COME TO HEAR MY MRS. DOBER? OOCTOR PODOS COMMUNICATES BROTHER MAXUM? WITH MY SON WHO DIED IN THE ) LAST WEEK HE WAR/ PAUL SAYS HE'S A KNOCKED, BUT HAPPY, NOW? . DID NOT SPEAK/ IS

^MEOIUM'S HOUSE ABOUT THREE- TEN? THE SEANCE WAS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN AT THREE-FIFTEEN? THE OTHERS

MY NAME

NOT FOR YOU

MEDIUM WOULD MILK YOU DRY?

THIS CHICANERY

YOU'RE A RICH WIFE? A

MAN'S

HE ‘PRODUCE' FOR YOU, MRS. WALTON... YOUR

MOTHER ?

MARTHA?

Of)

YES? I REMEMBER? IT WAS TOO BAD? THE DOCTOR WORKED SO

HARD? BUT DID YOU HEAR MY WFE, SARAH ? HOW NEAR SHE WAS?

YES. MR.

( THE

VOICE

WAS

DOCTOR ) SAYS HE'S GOING TO TRY TO

HATCH?

HER 1

\make MY

STRONG?/

SON

MATERIAL\IEE TODAY ?

'We sat around THE TABLEf doctor pooos turneo out the

LIOHTS/ THEN. .

I'M

SO GLAD YOU'VE

HOPE

now/ all join hanos THE SEANCE ABOUT

Sft

BEGIN/

COME AGAIN, MRS. FARNUMJ PERHAPS TODAY, YOUR — BROTHER MAXUM WILL

SPEAK

TO US/

MRS. OOBER ON MY RIGHT/ THE DOCTOR WAS DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM ME AND I COULD SEE FACE IN THE GLOW OF THE CANDLE / EVERYONE.. .QUIET / CONCENTRATE/ I AM ABOUT . TO GO INTO MY TRANCE f

CMrT HATCH WAS ON MYLEFTf

HIS }

WATCHED HIS FACE / HE STARED INTO THE CANDLE, MUTTERING UNINTELLIGIBLE WORDS/ PERSPIRATION BROKE OUT ON HIS FOREHEAD / HE WRITHEO AS IF HE WERE IN PAIN/

‘I

THEN../(i^

HARVEY?

SARAH IS

WAS MR. HATCH'S WIFE/ HER VOICE WAS SAD. ALMOST A WAIL../

‘It

THAT YOU?

The medium twisted in what seemed like agony WE WATCHED MR. HATCH'S FACE / HE STARED WIOEINTO THE DARKNESS. / r rnn ,,,^M .

YOU MUST FORGET HARVEY/ MY LIFE IS FINISHED/ YOURS IS NOT/ YOU MUST ACCEPT life WITH-

OUT ME/

I...

GOING, NOW /

TM j ejfi

NO/ CONE

BACK/

•'She was gone/ the doctor was still

THEN

IT IS

MRS.

CAMEf THAT

his

FARNUM/

stupo^

SHARP CL EAR RAPPIN6. ' MAXUM? is THAT YOU? SPEAK TO ME, MAXUM .

YOUR BROTHER,

—

PLEASE ?

¥ 'I LISTENED ? ISTR A N E OmTeARsT] BUT I HEARD NOTHING ? THEN... A y VOICE ...FAR AWAY...' L OH, AES, WJ MAXUMf I E\ CAN HEAR #1 * SOU HEAR

CANT STAY LONG AGNES' iT...irs SO ,

HARD.' MAYBE.

MAYBE... NEXT.. time...

fc Nf’

^’Mrs. DOBER'S face LIT UP? IT \ [the one that dieo in the war.

YOU

TOLD

SOLDIER. DON'T '

lHE'S [MRS.

GORE,

WANT TO SEE

AT LEAST... AT

FARNUM? •DOCTOR PODOS. COULDN'T '

HOLD

HIM

A M

LEAST HIS

HEARD

VOICE

TODAY...

MOTHER

1 .

NO, MOTHER.'

YOU, PAUL.'

NO.' DON’T.'

SEE HIM /

COME BACK?

LOOK

MOTHER? DON'T/

you...

THE DOCTOR SAID HE'D TRY! PLEASE, DOCTOR ? LET ME

'Slowly a mist rose in the darkness 'it began TO TAKE S HAPE' IT WAS A MAN ...IN UNIFORM .'A PAUL? I'M BEGINNING TO SEE

ask

HARRY, NOW • MHY

L DID

WANT TO

'YOU LAST TIME, MOTHER! I'M

MUCH

I...I

RAUL/ IS THAT YOU? I'M HERE, PAUL ? A

MAXUM f WAIT' THERE'S SO i

AAGNES' CAN

I COULDN’T HELP IT? I SAW HIM I SCREAMED •CLEARLY? HIS FACE WAS HALF-SHOT AWAY.' IT WAS ,

AWFUL...

A MFUL I

HAUL? MY PAUL! SOU'RE...HURT.‘

TOLD YOU NOT TO TRY TO

SEE ME, MOTHER ? TOLD. ..YOU...

...

f THEN HE WAS GONE, AND THE SEANCE WAS OVER /

r FAKE

NOTH IN 6 BUT A FAKE, THAT* what HE isf jr—

f YOU’LL GET NO RAISE J BUT SHE FROM ME, FARNUM. IF / HEARD HIS VOICE, MR. YOU INSIST UPON BITSBY/ LETTING YOUR WIFE SPENO GOOD 1/ maxum's MONEY OH THAT JX VOICE ,

’

- TRASH

IF I PROVE HE’S A FAKE, FARNUM, WILL

YOU

FORBID YOUR

WIFE’S SEEING HIM

AGAIN?

HEH.HEH/ A CLEVER PLOT, EH, DEAR READER/ MRS. FARNUM CALLS DOCTOR PODOS AND MAKES THE APPOINTMENT/ THE THREE OF THEM, BITSBY AND THE FARNUMS, LEAVE FOR THE MEDIUM'S HOUSE, WHILE MRS. BITSBY STAYS BEHIND/

THAT SIMPLE/ MARTHA, MY WIFE, WILL STAY HEREf WE THREE 'sounds WILL GO TO YOUR ‘MEDIUM’/ I'LL ASK TO SPEAK TO MY FAIR 'DEAR DEPARTED WIFE, MARTHA'f WHEN HE PROOUCES > ENOUGH HER SPIRIT, YOU’LL KNOW HE’S A FAKERf TO MEf .

lights are lowered, ano the seance begins? they all join HANDS? THE DOCTOR GOES INTO HIS HYPNOTIC TRANCE? HE TWISTS AND

The I

SWAYS.

[you

The medium WR/THES now? he SEEMS TO BE IN TERRIFIC PAIN? HIS FACE IS BATHED IN SWEAT THE VEINS ON HIS FOREHEAD

CALLED bitsby* ,ijj t

ME?

SEE' WHAT'O 1 TELL YOU? A FAKE f A

I...I

DON'T >

UNDERSTAND?

FAKEf.

HEY LEAVE? THEY 60 HOME TO WALTON FARNUM'S HOUSE, CONVINCED? BITSBY IS TRIUMPHANT? AS WALTON OPENS THE DOOR, BITSBY CHIDES HIM... I

They rush into the house? martha bitsby~lies ~ / GROTESQUELY ON THE FLOOR.. OH,

HAW, HAW? SEE? THEY'RE ALL FAKES-ALL OF 'EM ? CONVINCED NOW. WANTON ?

YES, I'M

AFRAID

DEAD f MARTHA'S IrTHEN... THEN DEAD f \ HEA WASN'T FAKEfJ

WHAT HAVE

DONE?WHAT

HAVE. ..SOB... 1

WE...OONE...

SOB

HEH, HEH? IT'S SO NICE TO SEE YOUR EAGER .' FACES LEERING AT ME AGAIN, IN EXPECTATION WELL, YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED. I ASSURE YOU? FROM MY PRIVATE COLLECTION OF HAIR-RAISERS, I'VE SELECTED THIS STORY

FOR YOUR ...HEH.. ENJOYMENT'

HEH? EVER READ TRAVEL FOLDERS ? YOU KNOW... THOSE PAMPHLETS THAT TELL ABOUT ALL THE GLORIOUS WONDERS AND BEAUTIES OF THE WEST INDIES? PALM TREES... MOONLIGHT ON THE OCEAN. ETC. ETC.? HEH.' HEH.' HEH.' ...STRANGE, ISN'T

IT.

THAT THEY NEVER MENTION OTHER INTERESTING SIGHTS THAT TOURISTS ARE NOT TO SEE? SIGHTS LIKE... A VOODOO RITUAL ? SIGHTS,

HURRY

UP,

JAY .WE'RE

CONFOUND IT. BILL I

DON'T LIKE THIS

ALMOST

ONE BIT? ALMOST

THERE?

WISH WE'D NEVER COME TO HAITI

CALL

IT...

HAITI.'.. ISLAND OF BEAUTY-SERENITY' HAITI'.. ISLAND OF LEGENDS... MYSTERY'

FOR PETES SAKE. JAY ' THERE' LOOK' WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE L BILL SHUT UP. IN TIME OR THEY'LL HEAR US JUST

BILL, LET'S GET OUT, I KNOW/ OF HERE ? IF THOSE (. 1 KNOW/ ( NATIVES CATCH US > ) KEEP WATCHING THEIR / QUIET, RITUAL, THEY’LL...! WILL V YOU?

DOING*

AS THEY WATCH THE DANCERS’ FRENZY, THE HIGH PRIESTESS PLACES A DOLL BESIDE THE STILL FORM OF THE CORPSE..

A NATIVE WAS SHOT TO OEATHIN TOWN

WHAT ARE THEY .

TODAY? THEY'RE '

WORKING OVER K HIM NOW ?

The voodoo drums beat louder and the HIGH PRIESTESS BENDS OVER THE BODY? THE NATIVES CLOSE IN AROUND HER, BLOCKING HER FROM VIEW...

Minutes later, the chanting.screaming

.And THEN, THE DEAD NATIVE ST/RSf HIS EYES OPEN, GLASSY AND EMPTY. AND HE RISES f THE DOLL STANDS UPRIGHT.. AND THEN DARTS AWAY INTO THE JUNGLE f

BILL 'THE DOLL: THE DEAD MAN

mhhm

NATIVES WITHDRAW. ..LEAVING THE PRIESTESS STANDING OVER THE BOOY AND THE DOLL? NOW THERE IS AN EXPECTANT SILENCE...

ALIVE ff HE.

THE.

f BtL L f THEY'VE

THEY'VE SEEN

us.'

CAUGHT HE:

HELP f BILL f COME BACK f DON'T ngjgl

LEAVE ME

HEH? BILL RACES MADLY BACK TO THE HOTEL AND ANXIOUSLY PACES

THANK HEAVEN YOU'RE OKAY? I... I WAS WORRIED SICK OVER YOU? BUT YOU'RE ALL R G H T .. YOU ESCAPED

THE FLOOR IN TERROR? AS DAWN BREAKS, AND JAY FAILS TO APPEAR,

HE BEGINS FRANTICALLY TO PACK HIS VALISE? SUD-

DENLY, THE DOOR

OPENS

YOU'RE EXHAUSTED? BUT A GOOD NIGHT S REST WILL FIX YOU UP? YOU LIE DOWN... AS SOON AS 1 FINISH PACKING OUR THINGS WE'RE LEAVING THIS ISLAND? WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE

The two friends leave for new york on THE NEXT BOAT. TWO DAYS OF COMPLETE REST HAVE APPARENTLY SETTLED JAY'S NERVES ...AND THE FRIGHTFUL ORDEAL IN HAITI IS ALMOST FORGOTTEN BY THEM BOTH? BUT ONE NIGHT WHEN BILL ENTERS HIS

THE NATIVES SENT A DOLL AFTER MEf/rS STARTING TO MOVE ' 60T TO 6ET R/D OF ITT... THE PORTHOLEf A

VOODOO DOLL ? BILL, ARE YOU .

T CERTAIN?

COM2 22R2, (W/C/C/

VEST YES ' I THREW IT 1 OUT THE PORTHOLE? THE IT AFTER \ ME? IT...IT HAD A LONG 1 NEEDLE IN ITS HANDS '

NATIVES SENT

BILL.'

WHAT'S THE MATTER??

•

OH MY BUNK? IT... IT g

DOLL.*...

YOU MUST HAVE BEEN SEEING THINGS, BILL?

> YOUR EYES ARE r PLAYING TRICKS? J

JAY? A VOODOO r

MOVED '

YOU... YOU THINK SO? MAYBE ...MAYBE YOU'RE RIGHT? IT CERTAINLY IS y—

FANTASTIC .

ENOUGH...

f Curious, bill hastily rips the package open? AND THEN HIS HANDS TREMBLE... HIS MOUTH DROPS WIDE AS HE STARES AT THE CONTENTS...

STRANGE... NO RETURN ADDRESS... NO POSTAGE .

WONDER WHAT'S

IN IT.

VOODOO DOLL f

Frightened terribly bill DASHES FROM THE ROOM f THEN HE STOPS.

. 1

'IJPsf'.v I 1

THREW

« 1l_

DESTROY

IT'

BUT...

...THERE'S the box. THE PACKAGE. BUT .

WHERE’S THE DOLL

MAYBE

.IT CAME BACK WHEN I THREW OUT THE PORTHOLE? IT CAfl IT MIGHT GET AWAY? L. BETTER GO BACK.. BETTER MAKE SURE? .

MOVE I'D

IT IN

THE FIRE' THE r L AMES

^ 1 .

GONE.' SOMEWHERE IN THIS ROOM.' HIDIN6.. WA/T/HS TO POUNCE ON ME f WA/T/NG TO m

STAB ME WITH

THAT.

HELP.' HELP f

THAT NEEDLE f

wwA

s* A

/tW*/

T BILL f WHAT THE DEVIL s ARE YOU \ SCREAMIN6 \

ABOUT*

WHY DON'T THEY LEAVE ) I'LL TELL YOU WHY. BILL? BECAUSE YOU ME ALONE? WHY THEY WANT TO KILL,/ ( WITNESSED A SACRED RITUAL .' ME? 7 VOODOO FOR THAT, YOU MUST ^ V DIE T J

JAY.' THANK REAVER YOU'VE COMET THE DOLL'S BACK' IT

WANTS TO KILL ME.' J

DO^

HOW CAN YOU BE SO CALM WHEN...?

[

HAT HA'HAf I HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT, BILL? I'M

ALREADY DEAD/

STOP.'

THE DOU!

YES' AND SOON YOU'LL LOOK ABOVE YOU. BILL.'

— H

take it

OFF MET THAT NEEDLE

DIE!

HEH? IT... IT JABBED ME? IT JABBED ME AND THEN WENT LIMP? HEH? IT... IT DIDN'T KILL ME... y— ( HEY.

/r—

MY...

NECK.' GETTING NUMB...

HUNTS'

'YES? THE NEEDLE WAS POISONED.' SOON YOUR WHOLE BODY Wl LL HUNT' < > THEN YOU'LL BE \ DEAD... AS /AM ) DEAD? .

YOU'RE DEAD f AND I'LL BE DEAD CGASPJ IN A MOMENT.' DOLL' IT- IT

(GASP) THIS

KILLED ME' THIS WICKED, VICIOUS VOODOO DOLL.'

YES, I'M DEAD' THE NATIVES KILLED ME THAT NIGHT? THEY KILLED ME AND BROUGHT ME BACK TO LIKE. ..UKE THEY DID TO THAT DEAO NATIVE ? THEY SENT ME TO YOU WITH THAT VOODOO DOLL TO PUNISH YOU.' THE DOLL HAS DONE ITS JOB?.. AND WHEN YOU DIET' WILL CEASE TO EXIST ALSO? - I’M A ZOMBIE.'

— S

—

I LL DESTNOY

IT/... NIP IT TO SHREDS .' NIP IT.' IGASPJ

TEAR IT'-?

Bill’s rage suddenly ceases? A SCREAM STRANGLES IN HIS THROAT AS HE STARES DOWN AT WHAT HIS HAND HOLDS. . .

WHA...

WHAT'S THIS?

HEH? HEH? HEH? SUCH JOY? NOW WASN'T THAT HEANT- NEND/N6? OF COURSE, JAY COULD

HAVE TOLD BILL WHAT HAD HAPPENED, BUT I GUESS HE JUST DIDN’T HAVE THE HEART' WELL, BILL GOT THE POINT, HEH? HEH... IN THE CUTTING CLIMAX TO THIS THNOBB/NG TALE? I HOPE I’LL BE SEEING YOU IN MY OWN MAGAZINE. THE VAULT OF HORNON ' UNTIL THEN, FIENDS.

HEH, HEH,

BE OF STOUT HEART.

HEH?

The Complete

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33033

™ t,on

H?YPT

VpVfn wVY

HEH.HEH' I SEE YOU GOT UP ENOUGH NERVE TO BUY TALES FROM THE CRYPT AGAIN' WELL,] WON’T DISAPPOINT YOU f YOU’LL GET YOUR FAIR SHARE OF SHAKES ANO SHIVERS BEL IEVE ME READY TO BEGIN? GOOO? NOW LIE BACK AND I’LL TELL YOU THE FIRST STORY? IT’S F GALLS IT

NO?

NOTH/NO 7

THERE MUST BE THEY CAN OOf SO SEE

\S0METMN6

CAN BE DONE E. FOR YOU? THEHE\F IS NO OPERATION!

\SPECIAUSTSf MAKE SURE/

But every doctor i went to told me the same STORY? IT WAS USELESS? WHEN I STARTED TO MISS CUES ONSTABE. vnn

Ano then rr came/ the thick, heavy silence f i WAS STONE DEAF/ I WALKED IN A WORLD OF STILLNESS? THE TRAFFIC, THE CROWOS.THE ORCHESTRAS IN NIGHT CLUBS. .ALL SILENT? I HAD TO LEARN TO LIP- READ TO UNDERSTAND WHAT JOAN SAID TO ME... .

I SAID

OUR HONEY'S PRACTICALIY

SONS/ UNDERSTAND

WE'RE

ALMOST BROKE. ..BROKE...

CLEANED OUTf

THINBS GOT WORSE? X TRIED TO FIND WORK, BUT I COULDNlj DO ANYTHIN6 ? ACTING WAS ALL X KNEW? THEN X THOUGHT OF AN OLD FRIEND, JOHN BAYNE ? JOHN AND I HAD PLAYED SUMMER STOCK TOGETHER? THEN JOHN HAD GONEBLtNPfJ I WENT TO SEE HIM. T DID... DID YOU SAY MY WELL, WELL, HARRY 6OR0ON ) NAME, JOHN? I.. .Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;M DEAF? I CAN'T NEAR IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU? . YOU? DID YOU SAY MY .

NAME?

YES, JOAN. .

~ TO HIDE HI EYES'[GOOD THESE EYES'

LORD

I HAD DIFFICULTY READING JOHN'S LIPS, BUT J MANAGED TO UNDERSTAND ENOUGH OF WHAT HE SAID TO GET

John's eves gleamed yellow in THE DIM LIGHT OF HIS ROOM.'THEY

WERE THE EYES OF A

CAT...

WHAT DID^YESf THEY'RE CAT'S DO TO I EYES ' BUT WHO 1 YOURSELF? J CARES, HARRY? ft YOUR EYES... I CAN SEE.' jT

WHAT..

YOU

THE WHOLE STORY.,. f T u TiiHiT '^B r OUT~ABOUT HIM THROUGH

Nf Hi

™

ANOTHER EX-BLIND MAN'HE'S A GEN/US.' HE OPERATED ON HI'. GRAFTED THESE CAT'S EYES' AND NOW.. I CAN A SEE...

DOYOU THINK HE CAN HELP ME, RESTORE MY HEARING A SAME WAY’

JOHN

The shop was in a dark and winding back street IN THE SHABBIEST PART OF THE CITY f THERE WERE STUFFED ANIMALS IN THE DUSTY WINDOW... JOHN SAID HE WASH'T A 'H*

Sja THE

DOCTOR... BUT... TH/S.' THIS

™ ^

LOOKS LIKE A TAX/DERM/Srs >553-1

I WENT IN? A LITTLE BELL TINKLED BEHIND A CURTAINED DOOR AT THE REAR OF THE SHOPf THE ODOR OF STALE'HE CAME NESS AND DECAY HUNG HEAVILY ON THE FROM BEHIND THE C URTAIN' HE WAS TALL AND DARK. SINISTER LOOKING.

1 SEE BY THE WAY YOU WATCH MY LIPS THAT YOU ARE DEAF ' ' COME INTO THE BACK I WILL EXAMINE YOU / I

SHOP'

The rear of the shop looked

like an alchemist's NIGHTMARE' THERE WERE BOTTLES AND JARS OF VARIOUS COLORED LIQUIDS AND POWDERS' BUT IN THE CENTER OF THE ROOM WAS A MODERN- LOOKING OPERATING TABLE WITH UP-TO-DATE EQUIPMENT' HE EXAMINED ' ME YOUR AUDITORY NERVES ARE PARALYZED' I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE YOUR WHOLE HEAR/HG SYSTEM A L WITH SOMETHING D/FFEREHT...

—

/ I PROPOSE TRANSFERSYSTEM of A BAT WTO YOUR BODY >

I AGREEO TO THE OPERATION.' AFTER WHAT DID I HAVE TO LOSE?

ALI

[

BATf /yes'

4 RING THE AUDITORY

the BAT'S auditory system IS UNIQUE/ IT IS EXTRA-SENSORY/ IF THE OPERATION S A SUCCESS, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO HEAR BETTER THAN YOU DID BEFORE YOU LOST YOUR HEARING... I

5»

When

i came out of the anesthetic, I LOOKED ABOUT f HE WAS

STANDING OVER ME ? HE STARTED TO SPEAK., ~

- MY HEAD/

CERTAINLY

HOPE S O f

HOW DO YOU FEE L?lpON 'T TALK.

IWU imMUinc

lun

n«VC

TUUElVC.lt

TURNED A RADIO UP FULL BLAST THAT’S WHAT EVERYTHING SOUNDED LIKE TO ME AS WAY HOME ? WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR VOICE? SHE WAS UPSTAIRS ON THE

I COULDN'T BELIEVE it? JOAH. ..and another MAN/ l DECIDED NOT TO TELL JOAN ABOUT MY 6000 FORTUNE... ABOUT MY HEARING BEING RESTORED? X WANTED TO WAIT .TO FIND OUT MORE? THAT NIGHT, I COULDN'T SLEEP? I GOT DRESSED AND WENT FOR .

I GUESS I WALKED ALL NIGHT WHEN I RETURNED, JOAN WAS GONE.' SHE HAD GOTTEN A JOB SINCE I LOST .'

HEAVY DROWSINESS CAME OVER REMEMBER FALLING

I DON'T

;EP...

BUT WHEN X AWOKE.

MY HEARING AND MUST HAVE LEFT EARLY THAT MORNING. .

WHAT IN BL.

I SLIPPED TO THE FLOOR.' I WAS IN A CLOSET.' X HAD FALLEN ASLEEP HANGING UPSIDE DOWN FROM THE CLOTHES POLE. .

HAPPEN> !NO TO ME?

WHAT. ..WHAT'S

I WAS FRIGHTENED.' I SHAVED CAREFULLY, CLEARING MY FACE OF THE GROWTH.' THEN I STEPPEO INTO THE SHOWER' AS I RAISED MY ARM TO SOAP UNDER IT. .

/ HAIR/ HAIR GROWING .

HA/RS.

I DRESSED QUICKLY AND RUSHED TO MY FRIEND .

STRANGER PROPRIETOR.' IT WAS GETTING DARK X BURST IN HIS DOOR WITHOUT KNOCK-

HlS ROOM WAS DIMLY LIT.' HIS FELINE EYES GLOWED WIT AN EERIE YELLOW LIGHT.' HE LAY IN A CORNER. ..WHITE, PICKED-CLEAN BONES ABOUT HIM.' HIS FACE WAS COVERED WITH A SILK-BLACK FUR.

OUTSIDEf ing.

JOHN/

GET OUT.. QUICKLY/

ACROSS MY ARMPIT

JOHN’S HOUSE. .JOHN, WHO HAD FIRST RECOMMENDED THE STRANGE SHOP WITH ITS STILL

WHAT THE. A MEMBRAHE/ A MEMBRANE GROWING

ON MY FOREHEAD. .MY

NOSEf FINE GREY

’

GETAWAY FROM ME, BEFORE TOO LATE/ 1.. J'M AN

^ ITS

ANIMAL/

T WHAT'S HAPPENED? ME' TELL ME/

JELL

John snapped on a light. LOOK AT NET LOOK I'M

IT'S THAT HORRIBLE FIEND? HE. ..HE'S DONE 1 SOMETHING TO ME? THESE AREN'T CAT'S EYES HE'S GIVEN ME? THEY'RE THE EYES OF A HELP MYSELF? i PANTHER? I... I HAVE AN INCESSANT URGE TO ..KILL? R

John snarled?

his eyes

[out? I BEGAN TO WALK.

burned?

got

!1that explains FALLING ASLEEP 1 I HANGING UPSIDE DOWN THE CLOSET... THE GREY IN

HAIRS ON MY FACE... THE MEMBRANE GROWING ACROSS \MY ARMPITS ? I... I'M \TURNING INTO A BAT... 1

GOOD 'THEN I'LL QUIT MINE-TODAY?

IT'S

TOO

LATE, JOHN! IT'S

EVEN BEGINNING TO LOOK LIKE A PANTHER? DON'T GO TO HIM, HARRY? DON'T...

TOO

LATE?

NIGHT, AS I WALK EO THROUGH THE BLACKNESS, I BEGAN TO UTTER SHORT SHRILL SHRIEKS? AND I LISTENED FOR THE SHRIEKS TO ECHO BACK? I WAS USING THE BAT'S RADAR LIKE DEVICE FOR TRAVELING THROUGH THE DARKNESS ? WHEN DAWN CAME, I MADE MY WAY HOME — j ^ J opT fl JQB JOAN 'NIGHT WORK? WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL NIGHT? CAN YOU UNDERSTAND ME? WHY DID YOU STAY OUT ALL NIGHT? |

i lay exhausted on the BED? AGAIN, I DON'T REMEMBER FALLING ASLEEP. BUT WHEN I AWOKE, I WAS HANGING UPSIDE DOWN IN THE CLOSE T? I HEARD VOICES -JOAN’S VOICEAND A MAN'S. STILL

She went out and

IS IT

A LARGE INSURANCE POLICY..

$15,000? HE TOOK IT OUT WHILE HE WAS ACTING AND MAKING GOOD MONEY?

.IN EFFECT?

I LISTENED? FROM MY LAIR CLOSET, r LISTENED.

I COULDN'T BELIEVE MY EARS? THEY WERE PLANNING TO HUHPÂ£H ME ? I GOT DOWN FROM THE CLOTHES POLE AND SLOWLY OPENED THE DOOR

THE

THE PREMIUM fWE'LL BE DUE NEXT MONTH? I WCHfAFTER

YES' IS

J WE KILL

RUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS AND UT THE DOOR BEFORE THEY PULP STOP ME...

HIM...

GOT TO GETAWAY? 1 1

GOTTO GET AWAY FROM THEM? a

jiP Joan's lover came after me.' the sidewalks WERE OARK AND DESERTED? I.. .RAN. ..UTTERING LITTLE SHRILL HIGH- PITCHED SHRIEKS? THEY WARNED ME OF FENCES, DEAD-END ALLEYS, AND BLIND STREETS. .

I RAN, I LOOKED DOWN?CLAWS SPRANG FROM MY FINGERS WHERE NAILS HAD GROWN-

lay sprawled grotesquely ON THE COBBLESTONES. .WHITE AS CHALK.' TWO PUNCTURES TRICKLED CLARET ON HIS NECK' HE WAS DEAD' HAD DRAINED HIS BLOOD...

I'M A

THROUGH THE TO

VAMPIRE BAT

SE.. .BACK

I DIO

CHA

YOU GET HIM, ..

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

HAPPENED ORDINARY BAT...

KILLED

HIM, JOAN.'

HARRY

WHAT...

TO YOU?

HARRY NO/ X\

NO,

Her throat was white and soft WHEN

HAP FINISHEQ

not uke his .

NOW, I'VE GOT ANO HIDE

WELL, THAT'S HARRY'S STORY, THINK HE WAS A

HMMPH' NOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN DULY BORED BY THE CRYPT-KEEPER'S FAIRY TALE, I'LL TELL YOU A HORROR STORY COME CLOSER AND GAZE INTO THE BUBBLING CONTENTS OF MY CAULDRON.' GAZE DEEP AND SOON YOU'LL SEE THE FIRST SCENE OF A CHILLING YARN I CALL...

LIVING .DEATH.'

Lester jerome and arnolo manning CLOSE FRIENDS ALL THROUGH THE YEARS AT MEDICAL SCHOOL' THEY HAD STUDIED TOGETHER, AND GRAD-

Yes' LESTER AND ARNOLD HAD BEGUN THEIR MEDICAL CAREERS TOGETHER' BUT SOON, THEY BEGAN TO DRIFT APART' THEY BEGAN TO DIFFER ON THEORIES OF

UATED TOGETHER' THEY HAD EVEN NTERNEO TOGETHER AT THE SAME HOSPITAL' THEY HAD DONE EVERYTHING TOGETHERf AND, TOGETHER, THEY HAD FALLEN IN LOVE WITH THE SAME GIRL.../ " '

MEDICINE,.,/

-J SAY. THAT'S

C'MON LAURIE' MAKE UP YOUR MIND.' LESTER OK ME.' 1

WHY

NOT,.

BOTH OF ’

YOU?

1 I

SAY THAT I

MIND.' THEY ARE

PSYCHOLOGICALLY

BOTH TAKE HER TO THE L

MOVIES,

ARNOLO'

BAH 'LESTER, YOU'RE

the MAJORITY OF ILL- MAD.' CM ILLNESS IS NESSES ARE NOTHING • AN ILLNESS AND BUT PRODUCTS OF THE (SHOULD BE TREATED

NOT A 8AD IDEA' WE'LL

INCURRED'

A^ .

AS SUOHf

f DIDN'T GET HIS CHANCE' THE HOSPITAL BOARD VOTED HIM DOWN, AND DOCTOR ARNOLD MANNING PERFORMED THE OPERATION' HE DID HIS BEST, BUT...

SHE

...SHE

DIED,

NO' YOU COUL ) 'HAVE LISTENEOTO HE' BUT ^/YOU'RE

/ COULD HAVE SAVED HER' I COULD HAVE SAVED HER

Bur LESTER

YOU HAD GIVEN ME THE

CHANCE YOU RILLED

HER, MANNING' YOU... ANO

SURGERY/

YOUR

OH LORD.'NO..

A SURGEON .'OPERATE .'CUT 'THAT'S ALL YOU KNOW.'

NO'

LESTER.'

WELL, I'LL SHOW YOU, DOCTOR MANNING' SOMEDAY. I'LL CONVINCE YOU THAT I WAS RIGHT.'

PASSED' DOCTOR ARNOLD MANNING BECAME A WORLD FAMOUS SURGEON, WHILE DOCTOR LESTER JEROME REMAINED AN OBSCURE PSYCHOSOMA-

And SO THE YEARS

PERHAPS, DOCTOR 1

JEROME 'PERHAPS... BUT I DOUBT IT'

lit,

rnioiuiH,,

' DOC JEROME? I WOULDN'T 60 TO HIM ON A BET HE OON'T GIVE YOU PILLS OR

Â»'

NOTH/N'f JUST HYPNOTIZES

THE GUY OUGHT TO BE PSYCHOANALYZED HIMSELF? HE'S

NUTS'

YOU ...PSYCHOANALYZES YOU...

oay, while doctor Arnold m anning was performing a routine operation.., _/ .. .

One

DOCTOR MANNING 'WHAtJTTeE? EVERYTHING IS IT? IS BLURRED'T-TAKE \ OVER. ..DOCTOR... m...

(Doctor manning slumped to the floor, unconsckx HIS ASSISTANT TOOK OVER WHILE THEY CARRIED DOCTOR MANNING OU TOF THE OPERATING ROOM TO A

HOSPITAL BED. .

PUPILS DILATED.

NO PAIN REACTION' GET HIM TO _ X-RAY,. AT ONCE'

DOCTOR .'YOU J

MEAN...

Hee.hee' THAT'D be some TR/CK, eh, dear reader? YEP? ARNOLD CERTAINLY WAS IN A HOPELESS PREPICAHE'S A MAD QUACK

M-ENT.-.| nor.mR MANNING! 'what about... doctor JEROME? HE CLAIMS THAT A TUMOR GROWTH CAN BE CONTROLLED BY..

ll ...I'D

RATHER. ..GULP..

DIE? PRETTY STUBBORN WASN'T HE? WELL, HE CHANGED HIS MIND ' DOCTOR M ANNING THpUGHT IT ** OVER REAL HARD ... HERE WELL, WELL 'THE FAMOUS SUR- J. GEON-. DOCTOR ARNOLD MANNING' AND TO WHAT DO I OWE THE g EXTREME PLEASURE.

f OOCTOR LESTER JEROME STEPPED ASIDE AND DOCTOR ARNOLD MANNING ENTERED THE NEAT WHITE OFFICE' ONCE INSIDE, HE EXPLAINED TO DOCTOR JEROME THE REASON FOR HIS VISIT.' DOCTOR LESTER JEROME LISTENED QUIETLY, AND THEN... WHEN DOCTOR MANNING HAD FINISHED .BURST OUT LAUGHING.' .

SO' THE SKEPTICAL DOCTOR MANNING TURNS TO PSYCHO“ SOMATIC MEDICINE AS A LAST RESORT, EH? NOW, NOT YOU RELUCTANTLY AGREE (laugh, J TO GIVE ME A CHANCE, C LESTER! eh?

WHY SHOULDN'T I LAUGH. ARNOLD? WHEN LAURIE STOOD BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH, I SMS A QUACK... A { CHARLATAN BUT NOW.WHEN

YOUR LIFE

AT STAKE. ..YOU COME

RUNNING? WELL... I CANNOT REFUSE YOU? IN FACT, IT WILL GIVE ME GREAT PLEASURE TO PROVE JiU THAT I AM CORRECT. Vtflll

Lester led Arnold manning into a dimly lit room HE SEATED HIM IN A COMFORTABLE CHAIR AND TRAINED A SPOTLIGHT ON HIS EYES... YOU WILL NOT DIE, r WHAT. WHAT IF I SHOULD DIE 1ARNOLD? I'LL SEE ' WHILE UNDER YOUR HYPNOTIC TO THAT/ TRANCE, LESTER? (

—

— — .

Soon doctor arnolo

manning's eyes grew heavy? UNDER THE SPELL OF DOCTOR LESTER'S SOFT SOOTHTONES, ARNOLD FELL INTO A DEEP HYPNOTIC ING

SLEEP.

—

.YOU WILL REMAIN IN THIS I.. J STATE UNTIL I UTTER THE WORD 'LAURIE'TjuNDER. 1 THEN YOU WILL AWAKE? DO YOU STAND. J UNDERSTAND? .

AND WHILE YOU ARE IN THIS HYPNOTIC TRANCE, YOU WILL NOT DIE/ REMEMBER? YOU NOT DIE.

ARNOLO. WILL

Doctor Arnold manning left doctor Jerome's OFFICE AND WALKED THOUGHTFULLY TOWARD HIS HOME.' AS HE CROSSED A BUSY INTERSECTION....

ThEYPULLED ARNOLD FROM BENEATH THE WHEELS HAD PASSED QVERHIM? HE WAS IN A SOMEBODY GET

THAT CAR.'

AN AMBULANCE!

CAR.' THE

FRONT]

AIN'T...

\E...W/LL BE.'

The WAIL OF THE AMBULANCE SIRENl SCREAMED THROUGH THE CITY AS ARNOLD MANNING WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL... GOOD LORD' r

IT'S...

HANNING .'

BUT THAT'S

IMPOSSIBLE.' V THIS MAN IS DEAD.'

^ S

HE'S BEEN RUN OVER'

r HE.. .HE'S DEAD? J < HIS HEART HAS STOPPED BEATING.' I

'look, DOCTOR 'T BUT HIS HEART * ^IS HAND JUST < HAS STOPPED.' TWITCHED.' HOW CAN A MAN , ) BEALIVE...MOAN... MOVE. ..WHEN HIS HEART HAS STOPPED?

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;y

WTJ UNBELIEVABLE! THIS / INCREDIBLE.')

ISA

corpse/

When doctor manning

oid

not

OOCTOR MANNING CAME TO ME.' HE ASKED ME TO CURE A TUMOR HYPNOTISM' I PUT HIM IN A TRANCE AND ASSURED HIM THAT HE WOULD MOT DIE WHILE

RIDICULOUS?

RETURN TO OOCTOR JEROME'S OFFICE IN TWO OAYS, LESTER INQUIRED AT THE HOSPITAL AND LEARNED ABOUT THE ACCIDENT.. /gentlemen'

IN THIS HYPNOTIC STATEf SO. ..HE

CANNOT DIE

UNTIL

l PELEASE HIM' NOR WILL HE DECAY OR TAKE ON ANY

y_ x J

T OH? YOU ^ DOUBT ME'

/ then you

jflpL

FIGURE IT OUT, ,1 GENTLEMEN ?

V WjHKf sooo oat ?_*

/ ,

YES, ARNOLD' YOU'VE

BEEN_J

DEAD FOR ALMOST THREE MONTHS' I'VE KEPT YOU FROM DECAYIN6 THROUGH HYPNOSIS' YOUR TUMOR IS GONE, TOO? ’ Y YOU SEE-. I COULD HAVE SAVED LAURIE... I... •r' •

YESTERDAY, DOCTOR MANNING RE8AINED CONSCIOUSNESS? WE X-RAYED AND FOUND THAT HIS CEREBRAL TUMOR HAS ALMOST ENTIRELY DISAPPEARED? HIS HEART STILL DOES NOT BEAT? f GOOD? TAKE J HE ASKED FOR YOU? HE IS i

‘

TERRIFIC PAIN'

J JME TO

HIM.'

lyr

WHAT ...THE...

rlEE.HEE? SO ARNOLD FINALLY CAUGHT UP WITH HIMSELF? WHAT WAS LEFT

OFHIMSELF, ANYWAY? WELL...HOW / I LONG CAN A DEAD MAN FIGHT OFF DECAY, EH? rrs BOUND TO WEAR \ YOU DOWN SOONER OR LATER ? OF COURSE WITH ARNOLD IT HAD TO MAKE j UP FOR LOST TIME? TOO BAD ARNOLD / DIDN'T LISTEN TO LESTER, ANYWAY ? \ MAYBE HE WOULDN'T HAVE MADE SUCH L A MASS OF

—

HIMSELFf'BYE.

W\% H

now? i'll

jlffl

TURN Y0U 0VER to that i PURVEYOR OF \ FAIRY TALES- J vault- \ keeper.' )

OH, BY THE WAY? IF YOU WANT A PHOTO OF ME IN THE FLESH, READ THE CRYPTKEEPER'S CORNER?

he drew the revolver from its holster, took aim and fired at point-blank range.

Three shots rang out, and he smiled grimly as he moved toward the crumbling cabinets along one of the walls. He wasn't considered a deadexpected

He hadn't find anybody sitting here and guarding that fortune in jewels but he had taken care of whoever it was, anyway! The curse be damned!

shot for nothing!

He patted the it

gun-holster at his side;

reassured him and he pressed on

through the matted undergrowth of the jungle. It couldn't be much further, he reflected ... according to the map the site was a mile east of the River of

The cabinets were jewels

Doom.

Imagine those idiots, back in Port Prince, he chuckled, as he hacked his way forward. Isn't it just like these Haitians falling for every VooDoo story they hear! They're positive that a fortune in jewels is hidden in this

crumbling dump, yet no one has the guts to trek through the jungle after it, just because there's supposed to be a deadly curse on the house where the

stuff

He patted

hidden!

VooDoo

floor,

staring

off

there

full of

sparkling

was a king's ransom

of something fired the gun,

long dead! Twice he almost convulsively .

and still the creature kept advancing, never wavering, never altering

its

funereal pace! In the next instant the truth burst in upon him in a wave of panic. This

superstition!

The clearing opened with unexpected suddenness in front of him, and under the dripping centuries-old trees he saw the dilapidated house they had described to him. It was ghostly, with that vapor seeming to rise from its sides, he thought, moving cautiously toward the sagging front door and into the dank building. He froze in his tracks immediately. Someone was seated in a chair in the center of the

tucked away in this hovel, his for- the taking! Suddenly the floor creaked behind him and he whirled, his hand gripping the revolver. The chair in which he had left his victim ... it was empty! And by the glittering light of the gems he could see that there was no pool of blood where there should have been one! His head moved slightly as he slipped the safety catch on his revolver and he saw approachslowly, ominously, as if there ing was all eternity to accomplish its task ... a being with the bloodless look .

the

heavy revolver at his side once again. His gun would take care of any curse careless enough to try to keep him from getting his hands on that treasure! Let the Haitians beware of the curse they dreaded the gun at his hip made him safe from this outlandish

into the

murkiness of the room. Quietly, taking great pains not to make a sound.

curse he had heard whispered about at Port Au Prince ... it was one of the

Walking Dead! THAT was why no one would accompany him on his trek they knew that bullets were pathetically useless against one of the dreaded creatures! .

And now the curse was reaching out and touching him, and a chill such as he had never before felt was moving down his body. It was all over, he knew, in his last moment of consciousness!

body and

soul,

He had been claimed, by a ZOMBIE

HELLO, AGAIN, YOU LITTLE MONSTERS?

Scene: the home of duncan REYNOLDS' TIME: MIDNIGHT?

MIDNIGHT? BRR-R? THESE ^ HORROR STORIES (YAWN-N) CERTAINLY GIVE A PERSON GOOSE-PIMPLES? i

HOW THE DEVIL DID GET HERE? LAST THING I REMEMBER, I OH, WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? I WANT TO BE HERE? SOMETHING TELLS ME I I SHOULD BE HERE?

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

HEH.HEH? DUNCAN SURVEYS THE DESERTED STREET, AND ON THE CORNER HE SEES... A RESTAURANT I'M IN LUCK? HOPE IT'S STILL OPEN FOR

BUSINESS?

N ...OUGHT TO 60 TO BED? (YAWN-N-N) FEEL TIRED? BUT MAYBE I BETTER HAVE A > SNACK FIRST? DIDN'T REALIZE I WAS SO HUNSRY.'l'fOMNf)

BOY I'M SO HUNSBY, MY STOMACH HURT, I BETTER GET. SOME FOOD.' J

AHf IT IS OPEN?

RsX AXO

Blackness clouds

his eyes and mind' he FEELS HIMSELF FLOATING IN A WHIRLING VOID.. AND THEN, SUDDENLY, IT IS OVER. .

WHAT TH...? A CEMETERY.' HOW DID I GET HERE..? WHERE'S THE RESTAURANT? AND THIS T SHOVEL.' HOW DID I GET THIS/ SHOVEL ? 1

Against his will, he enters the cemetery AND GOES FROM ONE GRAVE TO ANOTHER...

WHAT AM I DOING? WHAT AM I LOOKING FOR? HAVE I GONE CRAZY? WAIT.' THIS . 6RAVE' A RECENT ONE Is 1

'/cfftircpr

NOW I KNOW WHY I HAVE

THIS SHOVEL.' BECAUSE I N HAVE TO DIG UP THIS. .THIS GRAVE.' THIS GRAND NEW . .

GRAVE.'

—

Bewildered, and driven by A FURY HE CANNOT RESIST, DUNCAN AGAIN AND AGAIN DIGS

DO'm^^m .

AH' HERE IT ISf HERE IS WHAT I'VE BEEN SEARCHING 7

Suddenly, a spark of realization seeps INTO HIS CONCIOUSNESS. A REALIZATION OF WHAT HE IS ABOUT TO W GOOD LORD.' L..I MUST BE INSANE? WANTING TO. .TO. .NO? NO.' DON'T ML LET ME DO /Tf .

Finally, the coffin is bared, LID RAISED

THE

DEEPER INTO THE EARTH

FOR ALL EVENING?

OH PLEASE.' PLEASE' DON'T MAKE ME DO IT.' BUT... BUT I. HAVE TO. SOMETHING'S FORCING ME TO. .OH-H. I... I FEEL. DIZZY AGAIN... ,

Y Y HE

Heh.heh? again the empty terrifying blackness SURROUNDS HIM AND WHEN HE REGAINS CONSCIOUSNESS... wh A WHAT 9 MUST

STARES, HORRIFIED, AT THE MUTILATED, PARTIALLY DEVOURED BODY BEFORE HIMI... I TRIED NOT TO DO IT? I TRIED BUT THE CRAVING WAS...TOO .t*

STRONG? I... WHAT'S THAT NOISE?

PEOPLE fA CROWD OF PEOPLE... WITH TORCHES!

THEY'RE AFTER HE... COH/NS THIS WAY

r-rr

THEY WANT TO TAKE AWAY HY FOODYBUT I WON'T LET THEHY I'LL RUNAWAY J WITH IT Y

-r

Tiring under the corpse's weight as he DODGES AND WEAVES THROUGH THE GRAVEYARD,

DUNCAN SUDDENLY

TRIPS.. AND

)

•

THEY'VE SEEN ME ?...HAVE TO RUN FASTER /I'LL HIDE MY ^ FOOD? MUSTN'T LET THEM ) CATCH ME ? 1

y——

eternity seems to pass, but finally

ARM QUIVERS-HIS EYES FLICKER AND

his

OPEN...

FALLSY ’ THE GRAVEYARD... THE CORPSE? OH... I... I GET IT NOW? HUH? I'VE BEEN HERE ALL THE TIME ? MUST HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP? I'VE ONLY BEEN DREAMING

THAT'S STRANGE? WHAT ARE ALL THE SHELVES > AND FOOD FROM THE REFRIGERATOR DOING ON THE TABLE? I DON'T REMEMBER PUTTING THEM THERE?

Stunned by his discovery, he stares at THE GRUESOME SIGHT AND SUDDENLY HE REALIZES... r

Perplexed, duncan opens the refrigerator DOOR... AND OUT TUMBLES A PARTIALLY

EATEN CORPSE' r

HEH? HEH? HEH? THE MORAL OF THIS TALE IS'HE WHO EATS AND RUNS AWAY, WILL LIVE TO EAT ANOTHER DAY.'* HEH? ISN'T THAT SILLY? WHO EVER HEARD OF EATING A DAY.' DUNCAN CERTAINLY WOULDN'T? IT'S TOO BAD HE TRIPPED AND FELL IN THE CEMETERY... BUT THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CARRY AROUND TOO MUCH DEAD WEI6HTf HEH ? HEH ? HEH? AND NOW, I'LL TURN YOU BACK TO MY FELLOW GHOULUNATIC, THE CRYPT-

was a

diabolical

Cba WDOia

be,,

jM/Ealpb was £01*0 ,

Cora clutched her shawl tightly around her THROAT AND STARED HORRIFIED INTO THE DARKNESS OF THE HALLWAY OUTSIDE HER ROOM? RALPH, HER HUSBAND, GRASPED THE ARM OF HER WHEELCHAIR, STUOY'NG HER... HE. ..HE'S

h0 >

COMING. CORA?

UNCLES COMING FOR US'

YOUR

NO.RALPH?

I...1

Cora's face was wet with perspiration ? her hand TREMBLED— THE KNUCKLES WHITENED... AS SHE DREW HER SHAWL PROTECTIVELY ABOUT HER ? RALPH SMILED SLIGHTLY AS HE WATCHED HER REACTION' IT WAS GOING TO WORK' IT HAD TO? U/ STOP IT. RALPH? listen! CORA? L/STEN HIS FOOTSTEPS... ON THE STAIRS? HE'S COMING TO AVENGE HIS

STOP

IT...

Tears filled cora's eyes' they SPILLED OVER THE RIM OF HER EYELIDS AND RAN CRAZILY DOWN HER

Cora gasped? ralph chuckled

HEMEMBEH.ZORV REMEMBER THE NI6HT

^ KILLED HIM?

’

TO HIMSELF' POOR CORA' ONE MORE HEART ATTACK WILL SURELY KILL HER?', THE DOCTOR HAD ’

CHEEKS? SHE BEGAN TO SOB... HEAVING SOBS THAT WRACKED HER 800V AND SHIFTED HER WHEELCHAIR.

—

TOLD RALPH...

SOB... SOB-.PLEASE-.

REMEMBER.

P PLEASE .RALPH'

CORA? WE DID

DON'T...

WE..

AH? FRANK? GLAD YOU CAME? WHO'S YOUR FRIEND? S.

0H.THI3 IS RALPH KEARNS.'HEV (nonsense? how do FROM NEW YORK? I TOOK THE YOU DO, RALPH? I'M LIBERTY OF BRINGING HIM _ < CORAS UNCLE, ALEX ALONG TO YOUR NIECE'S WEATHERBY? GLADr-' PARTY? I HOPE YOU TO HAVE YOU ? 1 mind f I

T don't

Ralph smiled to himself as he watched cora SQUIRM IN HER WHEELCHAIR? YES? THAT WAS WHEN HE HAD FIRST MET HER... f THAT'S YOUR HOSTESS? HEY, FRANK? WHO'S CORA WEATHERBY ? SHE THE PRETTY ONEGETS ALL THIS WHEN * THE OLO GEEZER CROAKS? SOLE HEIR...

Sole heir' all

of alex weatherbys wealth WOULD BE CORA'S SOME DAY? SUODENLY IT HAD COME TO RALPH. ..THE WHOLE PLAN.../-' : V. a / OH, YEAH? SURE, A — WELL, FRANK?‘ YOU'RE SOME PAL 'AREN'T YOU GOING > TO INTRODUCE ME? J

RALPH'C'MON? -» COHA...

rr~

FOR BREATH? RALPH EYED HER HER CHALK-WHITE HER WRINKLED FOREHEAD? SHE WASN'T PRETTY NOT ANYMORE? NOT AS SHE HAD BEEN WHEN HE HAD .

SKIN.

FIRST ASKED.

Again Ralph laughed silently? cora. .. always the PUSHOVER f LIKE NOW. CRINGING.. SHAKING? THE SILLY POOL? HE HAD WANTED HER UNCLES HONEY.. NOT .

' OH, RALPH? 00 YOU 'WILL YOU MARRY ME, CORA? I> REALLY WANT ME? KNOW WE'VE ONLY KNOWN EACH 7 OTHER A SHORT TIME. YET... .

Not that cora had been so bad to LOOK AT BACK THEN? YET. TO RALPH... EXPERIENCED. WORLDLY. SUAVE... THE MONEY HAD SEEMED 30 MUCH

WORE ATTRACTIVE.

The wino outside cora's bedroom WHISTLED THROUGH THE TREES? ANOTHER NOISE... ANOTHER GASP? RALPH WATCHED HER CLOSELY. SHE WAS BREATHING

. .

And THEN THE WEDDING? RALPH ESPECIALLY REMEMBERED THE WEDDING? HOW HE HAD SLIPPED THE RING ON HER FINGER. .SAYING .

THE WORDS... BUT THINKING.

HEAVIER NOW .PAINFULLY. .. .

OH, CORA.

Ah, THE HONEYMOON? THE CRUISE TO EUROPE. ..ON THE OLO MAN'S MONEY "v WITH ALL MY HEART, CORA?

—^ .

BEAUTIFUL MOON TONIGHT? LOVE ME, DARLING?

f WHAT A

And then those rotten months at the plant? WORN/N6, LINE ANY OTHER LABORER, IN THE OLD MAN'S PLANT.. _ 1 ‘ OF COURSE, UNCLE 'v GOT TO START AT THE ALEX? I UNDERSTAND? BOTTOM, SON? SOMEDAY I WANT TO LEARN THIS PLANT WILL BE ."

—

CORA'S.

AND YOU'LL

HAVE TO RUN

IT...

Yes? the next few months had been tough on

Wanted

it' ralph had hated it? hated every ABOUT IT.' AND THEN IT HAD COME TO HIM? THE PERFECT SOLUTION.../OF COURSE? WHAT A FOOL I'VE J .

THING

XJW

BEEN?

WHY

RALPH? HE HAD HAD TO BE ON CORA WASN'T EASY.../""

—

...AND

'THEN, IN FRONT OF THE MEN, , HE INSULTED ME ...CALLED ME INCOMPETENT ... help him’ , ^TOiasiiH *wy A NUMSKULL.' 1 ...

WHY WAIT TILL

]

/JmaW jdfidiNa the old geezer dies? why not

(

Mmt

TAKEN PATIENCE. I CAN'T UNDER STAND HIS ACTIONS? REALLY CAN'T? )

CALLED ME A

GOLD-y

DIGGER .' ACCUSED ME OF MARRYING YOU

OH, RALPH, DARLING? I'M

SO SORRY?

I'LL.. .I'LL

HIM...

SPEAK

YES? AND THEN HE SAID CUT YOU OUT OF HIS i HE ACCUSED YOU OF THE SAME THING.. f LET HIM? THAT ALL YOU - •i HE'S NOTHING CARED ABOUT WAS BUT A BITTER ’ HIS MONEY.' I CROTCHETY OLD SKINFLINT? .

"S.

FOR YOUR INHERITANCE /]

-T

A PUSHOVER. ..THAT'S WHAT CORA HAD ALWAYS BEEN AT FIRST SHE HAD VIOLENTLY OBJECTED, BUT SOON .. SHE HAD RELUCTANTLY AGREEO..

WHY NOT? IT'S YOUR MONEY, RIGHTFULLY? HE'S OLOf HE'S

LIVED 7

HIS LIFE? IT'LL

BE EASY...

r—

ALL RIGHT.' ALL R/6HT/ WE'LL KILL

HIM?

-~-T

And so, one night, as old uncle alex weatherby HAD BEEN STROLLING NEAR T HE POND ON HIS VAST ESTATE...

—

Later that night they had

IT'LL LOOK LIKE^C HE FELL STRUCK HIS HEAD.. AND 1 .

DROWNED

)H.

RALPH?

]

SOB... I'M .

AFRAID.

'ml

CALLED THE POLICE... YES? HE WENT OUT^ ABOUT THREE HOURS ’AGO... AND HASN'T— ^COME BACK ? J

Yes, THEY'D GOTTEN AWAY WITH IT? CORA INHERITED THE MONEY BUT SOMETHING HAD HAPPENED TO HERfPERHAPS IT WAS HER CONSCIENCE BOTHERING HER? AN YWAY.SHE'D BEGUN TO BROOD... LOSE WEIGHT AGE RAPIDLY..

•

She had grown nervous. ..frightened? she'd jump AT EVERY SOUND? THEN SHE'D HAD HER HEART ATTACK.. SHE'S A SICK WOMAN, RALPH? ANOTHER ATTACK WILL SURELY KILL HER ? SHE 7 MUST TAKE IT VERY jfT

sasy...

And so the ioea had come to ralph? with cora OEAD, THE WEATHERBY FORTUNE WOULD BE MS... ALL OF IT? AND CORA WOULD BE A PUSHOVER... WHAT.'

I...I

THOUGHT

SAW

HIS

UNCLE ALEX'S FACE

...

US...

FACE-!> STARING

THROUGH THE WINDOW ?

NO?

JOKING. WITH ME ? .

YOU'RE...

7 SOB...

wind slammed a shutter OOWNSTAIRS AND RALPH SNAPPED OUT OF HIS REVERIE.' CORA, STILL TREMBLING, WAS STARING INTO THE

The

DARKENEO HALLWAY...JP .WAS

THAT

’

Ralph

smiled.' this night...the

HAD BEEN PERFECT' ‘I SHOULD HAVE BEEN AN WIND... EVERYTHING

MOMENT MOMENT HER POUNDING HEART WOULD FAIL-. mr

ACTOR', HE THOUGHT' ANY NOW... ANY

Suddenly her eyes seemed to POP OUT OF HER HEAD' RALPH WAITED.' 'THIS

IS IT,

8UHE\ HE

THOUGHT ? SHE HEAVED A FINAL WRETGHING GASP AND DOUBLED UP.. CORA'

It CAME THROUGH THE DOOR' IT WAS BENT OVER.

The STENCH

OF GRAVE-MOLD FILLED THE ROOM.

KEEP AWAY.'

KEEP AWAY FROM MET ^

It stepped wto the pond...waoing out to the MIDDLE' THE POND BOTTOM WAS SOFT OUT THERE.. LIKE QUIOKSANDf RALPH'S SCREAMING WAS WILD... ALMOST ANIMAL-LIKE-

The thing stood

rigid... there in the center of THE POND-CLUTCHING THE STRUGGLING RALPH,'SLOWLY, THEY BEGAN TO SINK ...DEEPER AND DEEPER INTO THE SOFT MUD... jÂ® |

OBJECTIONABLE 1950s EC COMICS!

uifVfy

orv

SINCE HENRI'S MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;VE HAD TO IMDRK GOOD ^A LATE EVERY NIGHT AND LORD.' THIS ISN'T WAX.' THIS IS A HUMAN HA HD

FEATURING

THE CRYPT-KEEPER

|THE OLD WITCH

fHE VAU LT-KEEPER

BACK

ISSUES!!

FACSIMILE THE COMIC YOU HOLD IN YOUR HANDS IS PART OF THE CHRONOLOGICAL. WE REPRINTING OF THE FAMOUS (AND INFAMOUS!) EC COMICS LINE OF THE EARLY 1950s! BITTER STARTED WITH THE FIRST ISSUE OF EACH TITLE AND ARE ON OUR WAY TO THE FROM THIS END! GET ON THE BANDWAGON. AND FILL IN THE GAPS IN YOUR COLLECTION

BACKLISTM

IN FULL EACH 32-PAGE COMIC REPRINTS THE COVER AND ENTIRE STORY CONTENT OF ITS 1950s PREDECESSOR. SCHEDULES COMIC BOOK COLOR IN STANDARD COMIC BOOK FORMAT THEY ARE RELEASED ON QUARTERLY SCIENCEOTHER TITLES IN THE LINE ARE VAULT, WEIRD FANTASY, TWO-FISTED TALES. HAUNT. WEIRD SPAN AS THOSE FANTASY AND CRIME! THE BACKLIST ON EVERY TITLE REPRESENTS THE SAME ISSUE ILLUSTRATED ABOVE SEE THE AD IN THIS COMIC TO SUBSCRIBE TO ANY OR EVERY TITLE! #1." 32PG CRYPT #' WHEN ORDERING PLEASE IDENTIFY AS32-PG TITLE ISSUE #7: FOR EXAMPLE ”32PG SHOCK TITLES ISSUE #4 AND UP $2 $3 EA(^(SUBJKT TO AVAILABILITY). ALL OTHERS UP THRU #3. $1.50 EACH. ALL EACH INCLUDE $5 PER ORDER FOR SSH ($10 OUTSIDE US). MISSOURI RESIDENTS MUST ADD 6.225% SALES TAX US FUNDS ONLY SENDORDERSTO

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417-256-2224

POB469

WEST PLAINS, MO 65775

CRYPT AND ASK FOR THE ORDER DESK. USE THIS NUMBER FOR ORDERS ONLY!

Oamatcwa ****’£1 '.No 9 Saptan»«f '994. PuManad Quarlarty In 3»pt«mew. D«c*mB.r. March a nd JurwBy m M 9*™? 1994 ** 65775-3832 •aoond-claas poataga paid at Was' Plalna, MO. EMM eontarta

M Crypt (USPS 006*081 Vo> ns.

—

FOR THIS COPY OF THE CHTPT OF I SEE YOU MANA6E0 TO SCROUNGE UP COU) CASH TERROR GOOD' OON'T WORRY? YOU WON'T BE SORRY? YOU’LL GET MORE THAN YOUR MONEY’S WORTH OF CHILLS' I'LL SEE TO IT? YES, ITS HE AGAIN? YOUR HOST IH HORROR, THE CRYPT-KEEPER. WELCOME HAVE ONCE MORE TO MY HOVEL. THE CRYPT OF TERROR' FOR MY FIRST OFFERING TO CURDLE YOUR BLOOO. I HERE IN THE CHOSEN ONE OF MY BEST TERROR TALES FROM MY VAST COLLECTION OF SPINE TINGLERS CRYPT? THIS IS THE STORY OF CLYDE FRAHKL/H, THE RENOWNEO ANIMAL HUNTER ? REMEMBER HIM? REMEMBER WHEN HE DISAPPEARED? WELL, I FOUND HIM-OR WHAT'S LEFT OF HIM?THIS IS HIS STORY— AS

/WELL? HEH.HEH?

HE TOLO

m rnopgsvf

TO ME

...

IN HIS

VERY WORDS'

CLYDE SARCASTICALLY CALLS

IT...

Yes. I'M CLYDE FRANKLIN? MY STORY BEGINS ONE NIGHT IN MY LUXURIOUS HOME? IT WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE I WAS TO LEAVE ON ANOTHER OF MY HUNTING EXPEDITIONS? A REPORTER FROM THE 'MORNING GLOBE’ HAD OROPPEO IN TO INTERVIEW ME? I FOUNO HIM WAITING FOR ME IN THE TROPHY ROOM? HE STARED AT THE HEAD-LINED WALLS WIDE-EYED-

[HOW COULD TOO HUNT 'THEY...

THEY'RE

THEIR HEADS ANO HANG THEM *H£? IT'S CRUEL' cruel.'

SPORT

NOW' NOW' BE REASONABLE. SIR' I

HUNT FOR

IT'

THE PURE SPORT THESE ARE MY..MY SCORES

his

sport?

IS IT?

S MURDER.' THESE POOR CREATURES ONCE LIVED LIKE YOU OR If YOU

LIKE TOUCHDOWNS... IN FOOTBALL'

SURELY YOU CANNOT DENY A MAN

MURDERED

THEM?

The young reporter stormed out of my TROPHY ROOM STAMPED ACROSS THE MARBLE HALL WHISKED HIS HAT OFF THE RACK... OPENED THE HUGE OAK DOOR AND SLAMMED IT HARD? I BEGAN TO LAUBH... .

POOR FOOL? HAH. HAH? A WHATS HE SO WORKED UP ) ABOUT? AFTER ALL 'THEY'RE ) ONLY ANIMALS.'

i 1

™

THESE POOR CREATURES.. KILL TWM...THEN STUFF

awe-

SOME.' SOME OF VthEM LOOK.. SO , \\ ALIVE.' y-rfds

J ,

My trip this time was to take ME UP THE ALASKAN HIGHWAY IN SEARCH OF CARIBOU. PUMA. MOOSE. OR ANY OTHER UNFORTUNATE ANIMAL THAT MIGHT CROSS MY GUNSIBHTS. . -_ip=y AFTER AFRICA AND INDIA. THIS

WILL BE

TRIP

TAHE.'J

a few miles out of prince GEORGE, CA NA PA. I MADE M Y F1RST| camp. JTthere OUGHT TO BE PLENTY OF MOOSE AND CARIBOU IN THESE WOODS' 1 Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;LL TRY MY LUCK BRIGHT AND EARLY TOMORROW MORNING

Just

FOR THREE HOURS/ FINALLY I CAUGHT UP WITH HIM.' HE WAS

STANDING IN THE SHALLOW WATERS OF A SMAL L LAKE PRINKING HIS FILL. I|

LOOK AT THOSE

AHTLEESf WHAT A

TROPHY HElL MAKE /

He turned toward me AND bellowed AS I came out IN

THE OPEN.' I RAISED MY GUN. -SIGHTED CAREFULLY.. .

droppeo to his knees/ he snorted in pain' EYES REOPENED' HE STUM8LE0 TO HIS 1 FEET AND CHARGED., f

HIS BEADY

I STOOD MY

GROUND.' I RAISED MY GUN AGAIN.' I I COULD HIT THE VITAL SPOT/

He went oown as the bullet struck him he rolleo over and lay oead at my feet' he was TREMENDOUS/ his HEAO WAS 00*0 TO BE A WONOER.'

FUL ADQITION TO MY TROPHY ROOM.

The next day, i broke camp and continued on my WAY? ABOUT NOON, I STOPPED AT ONE OF THE FEW GAS STATIO NS ALONG THE ALASKAN HIGHWAY. _ BETTER FILL ER UP. MISTER. AN \ ( GOOD ?DEA TAKE A CAN TO SPARE.' NEXT V. 1

STATION'S

TWO HUNDRED

MILES.'

yâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;

SAY' THAT'S SOME

MOOSE-HEAD

YOU GOT THERE? WHERE'D YOU "

HIM

BAG

1 /

I SLAMMED MV FOOT DOWN ON THE BRAKES? THE TWO FRONT TIRES EXPLODED AS THE SPIKES RIPPED INTO THEM f THE STATION-WAGON LURCHED 0NA2ILV, AND 1 FELT IT GOING OVER...

There was a horrible crash and everything went BLACK.,.

When z came

Suddenly, as z lav there, z heard voices COMING FROM THE ROOM WITH THE THROBBING MO

to. z was lying on a couch in a rustic CABIN/ AS THE COB- WEBS CLEARED, I HEARD A STRANGE SOUNO? IT WAS THE STEADY THROBBING OF A MOTOR COMING FROM T HE NEXT ROOM. .

WH WHERE AM zr I...X * REMEMBER/ THE CNASNf

EASE' DON’T' Tna^ uivr urBrY t A A

NO.' PL

My BLOOD FROZE

IN MY VEINS / IT SOUNOED LIKE SOMEONE WASJIEING TORTUREO.. W HflT IN FlAZES .

I TRIED TO MOVE/ AN EXCRUCIATING PAIN SHOT THROUGH MY LEG/ I LOOKED DOWN / IT WAS

TWISTED

IT ”

PLEASE. ..NO? A 44*AA AH' .

WAS.

BROKEN/my LEO is BROKENf 1 CANT MOVE'

—

Suddenly the ooor openeo/for A MOMENT I HEARO THE MOTOR LOUDER /AND THERE WAS ANOTHER SOUND.. A GURGLING SOUNO? LIKE WATER BEING PUMPED THROUGH

^^Vr AH/

YOU'VE

COME

He closed the

door, shuttin g out the SOUNDS^ HE SMILED ATME...|| rxHt rrrJZT HOW DO YOU FtfcLY 1 ^^pFOR MY LEG? YOU WAS AFRAID YOU a iy TALK LIKE YOU MIGHT HAVE A // KNOW SOMETHING 4 CONCUSS ION f ABOUT MEDICINE.' 1 I WMY C0ULDW ’T Y0U I ri \ \ FUT MY LED IN A M

s'~-

SPLINT

GOING

TO A DOCTOR?

AMY-

SPIKES' I ^ THE YOU PUT A \

PHERE.'rOU'RE )

MY. ..MY

THEM ACROSS 1 THE ROAO?^

EXACTLY.' LEX US SAY I 'BAGGED

yWHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH ME?

YOU AS A HUHTER ] BAGS AH AHIHALf^ ^

u°oooaa 4 *"hhy

Wrro A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT, I MANAGED TO HALF MOP, HALF DRAG MYSELF ACROSS TH E ROOM TO THE D OOR?' I FLUNG IT OPEN „J| f WHY. THERE'S NO Yffl.'l

ONE MERE f

y|\

won was empty.' oh a bare, white table was a RATHER L ARflE ROUNO BOX.' IT LOOKED LIKE A HAT BOX f IT SEEMED The

Over the table a bottle hums upside

I OR AGGED MYSELF, PAINFULLY, TO THE

There, on the table, was a L/Y/HG BREATH/HG, HUHAM HEAD' IT BLINKED XT ME THROUGI WIOE EYES.

. .

—

YAA aAAaAaAAAH

I STOOD ROOTED TO THE

SPOT;

UNABLE TO MOVE.' THE INDESCRIBABLE HORROR I FELT NUMBED MY SENSES .

mmDr~~7^HOH, YOU FOOL/

GET AWAY FROM ,

DO YOU HEAD

HER SET OUT

fZPi HERE ' HE ‘S HAD HAD/

I GRASPED THE HANOLE ANO RAISED THE COVER' THE

TABLE.' I

STARED DOWN AT THE STRANGE BOX.' X SAW NOW THAT IT WAS ONLYA COVERf SUDDENLY THE HAIR ON THE BACK OF MY NECK CRAWLED' ONCE AGAIN CAME THAT PATHETIC SAP MOAN.. 7=r it CAMF FROMl T

down.'

OF bottle used to aominisRAH FROM IT OOWN TO THE

OH THE FLOOR, A SMALL MOTOR THROBBED' TO BE A PUMP

BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE/ DO YOU BAHT TO EHD UF LIKE a

MET

SPUN AROUND

YOUR TROPHY TwHXYES'THIS IS WHERE ROOM' I WILL KEEP THE HEADi O’ ALL OF nr GAME'

A SHELF...

SHORT.' \T jtsTcMX. IT WHAT YOU WILL- IT'S MY MURDER.'

YOU'RE ORA YOU CAN'T

HUNT

IDEA OF

SPORT'

HUMAN BEINGS'

SPONGE' the can ' GET AWAY, BUT MY BROKEN LEG SENT ME SPRAWLING HE CLAPPED THE DAMP SPONGE OVER MY NOSE AND MOUTH. AND I SMELLED THE SICKENING PUNGENT ODOR OF CHLOROFORM f I BEGAN TO LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS... ' DRIFTING OFF INTO A BLACK ABYSS— r~r 1

He came at me with

and

tried TO

faded and i came to, i was OUT OVER THE WHITE EXPANSE OF THE TABLE TOP' THE DOOR OPENED' HE CAME IN ' HE

When the darkness STARING

HEH.HEH'YESf THAT'S CLYDE FRANKLIN'S STORY.. IN HIS r THAT'S HOW HE TOLD IT TO ME WHEN 1 DROPPED IN TO SEE MY FRIEND WHO UVES IN THE LITTLE CABIN NEAR THE ALASKAN HIGHWAY fYOU ^ SHOULD SEE HIS TROPHY ROOM NOW.' HE'S GETTING TO BE QUITE

OWN WORDS '

WlT 7/ '

%'A*-

;

»\T

THE HUNTER' NOW. I’LL TURN , YOU OVER TO MY FELLOW GHOULUNATIC THE VAULT- fl "• SOME MORE .

KEEPER.

SKUL L -DUOGERYf

I SEE IT S 'OUEST-SPOT' TIME FOR ME AGAIN.' TIME FOR ME TO GRACE THE PAGES OF THE CRYPT-KEEPERS MAGAZINE WITH A HORROR TALE FROM MY PRIVATE COLLECTION OF SP/HE- T/H6LERS HERE IN THE VAULT OF HORROR YES, I AM THE VAULT- KEEPER/ COME IN AND UE OOWN ON THAT STRETCH-RACK OVER THERE ' YOU LL HAVE A PIPPINS wvvw GOOO TIME IK WITH min THIS ima TALE OF THE int maisMBnc HACABRE X I AH AM HDUU ABOUT TO RELATE.' U KCLAI t. “ -- "L, wr 1*" X CALL IT

+mm —

— I

v@wa&®

wen?

Donald abelson stooo at the door of his loveut LITTLE HOME AND KISSED HIS WIFE GOOD-BYE f HE WAS LEAVING FOR THEOFFICE'HE LOOKED INTO HER SOFT BROWN EVES AND WHISPEREO THE WARNING HE HAD REGULARLY REPEATED EVERY MORNING SINCE THEY HAD BEEN MARRIED. r I WON’T. OONf GOOD-BYE.' DON'T

GOOD-BYE. JUDY DEAR' I'LL BE

HOME AT THE USUAL REMEMBER...

DOOR

TIME.'

DON'T OPEN THE

TO STRAHSERS.

WORK TOO HARD!

Judy abelson watched her husband, DONALD, STROLL DOWN THE SMALL-TOWN STREET. ..

Then she went inside' she closed the door

PLEASE... YOUNO LAOYf HAVE PITY ON A POOR OLD WOMAN... WHO HASN'T A

CATCH

TWO DAYS' SPARE A CRUST COIN... PLCASC/

m Of BREAD, OR A

YOU HAVE T A LOVELY 'HOME, MA'AM' BUT BETTER STILL, YOU HAVE A LOVELY YOUMS BODY...

MY BODY? WHAT... > 4 {WHAT DO YOU HCAHT

Â£1 a

JUST WHAT IVE

BEEN LOOKING FOR' r-'

WHAT DO YOU WAHT...J .

f [

ARSO-RAD/HO VISHNU*A6RO-

RAMBU-H/NtSHU...

to. she was LYING ON THE FLOOR'SME STARED

When she came

DOWN AT THE FAMILIAR RU6'THEN HER GAZE FELL UPON HER HANOf IT WAS KNOTTY. ..WRINKLED ...THE HAND OF AN OLD HONAN-

NO f OH, DEAR 60D.N0 *

IROOKED L.MBSj

DQMALD f THIS

JUDY* CONE

HONE- 6ASH. QUICKLY f SOWTHtHQ .

.JIQRAISLE

Meanwhile, a trim young figure moved down THE MAIN STREET OF THE SMALL TOWNâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; THE STOLEN COPY OF JUDY ABELSON.

FUNNY' SHE ACTED LIKE SHE NEVER

f SAN US [

BEFORE f

. 1

]

WHAT ARE YOU DOING

'HERE? WHERE'S NY , - wire ? t=r~^

CHEEKS AND WEPT...

I AN JODY... ME ~r—

FOR COD’S SAKE, OLD WOMAN rYoONALD' BELIEVE STOP YOOR WHIMPERING AND | f I AM... TELL ME... WHAT DID TOO /s , DO WITH JUDY? //

.n^ a .vn,...j AwD wmehi CONSCIOUSNESS FOUND MYSELF IN HER BODY ' DONALD ...SOB ...WHAT WILL I DO? WHAT WILL I DO... REGAINED

Donald listened to the incred- Donald turned away? he thousht ible STORY f HE STARED AT THE FOR A MOMENT. AND THEN... OLD WOMAN IN DISBELIEF... rALL RIGHT' IF YOU CAN ' I DON'T BELIEVE} LET ME PROVE t ANSWER THIS- MIGHT YOU? X CAN'T... 1 AM 4UOY.OONAUJ' YOU ' WHAT WAS ^^‘ask ME ANYTHING//believe THE NUMBER OF THE < ONLY JUDY 1

THAI

WOULD KNOW ') ROOM

THE HOTEL

WHERE WE SPENT OUR

HONEYMOON ?

Donald couldn't believe hs ears' he asked other questions PERSONAL QUESTIONS' THE BENT OLD WOMAN ANSWERED THEM ALL.. .CORRECTLY...

...MORE

Donald hung

up.'

SHE'S 00 WN HERE' WAITIN' FOR THE ] 'THREE- TEN.' BOUGHT A TICKET TO NEW YORK.' NOW,! DON’T ^MEAN TO PRY.. .BUT...

The

ringing of the telephone INTERRUP TED DONALD'S EXCLAMATI0W I OON? THIS IS GEORGE

[

he spun around, facing the anything' ^

r YOU SAY YOU'RE JUDY! ARE, you'll follow my

YOU >

ANYTHING/ Donald led the olo woman to

INSTRUCTIONS... DO

ANYTHING I

WANT/

OPENED THE DOOR. HURRY' THERE'S NO TIME TO LOSE?" ..

PERHAPS IT ISN'T TOO LATE? I j HAVE A PLAN BUT... I'VE GOT OSS TO LOCK YOU IN THIS CLOSET' —7 WILL YOU LET ME f

Donald closed the closet door on the olo woman THE KEY AND RAN FROM

IF IT

WILL

HELRDONALDu OF COURSE'

It was three o'clock when oonald reacheo THE STATION.' HE SPOTTED JUDY'S FAMILIAR FIGURE SITTING IN THE WAITING ROOM? HE WALKED UP TO

GO AHEAD.'RUN AWAY'

Suddenly, a desperate mao ioea crashed into DONALD'S MIND ? HE STEPPED UP TO JUDY'S BODY -< AND SNARLED...I -KT" ^ — SO YOlSRE / HUH » RUNNING AWAY. JUDY f SO YOU CANCER ? CANT RACE THE FACT THAT U DIE ' YOU HAVE CANCERL THAT YOU'RE ll^|| GOING TO DIE IN TWO ]/f\ Hs 7 MONTHS .' /l VI .

Suddenly Judy's booy... seated on THE BENCH.. STIFFENED? THEN... THE COLOR DRAINED FROM HER CHEEKS? SHE SLUMPED FORWARO, JUDYf JUDYf.

TOM, DONALD,

DARLING^ CMON '

DONALD? I'VE GOT MY BODY BACK? /

SHE'S GIVEN ITMAfiltf I

HAVE

TO GET r

DONE IT

MY BODY

I'VE

GOT

BACK... GET

BACK...

CAMPTO-ARGORADIMO-

Donald and judy sped back ACROSS TOWN? THEY RUSHED (NT THE MOUSE? SOMEONE WAS HAMMERING ON THE CLOSET DOOR? DONALD TOOK HIS GUN FROM THE Pg9K '^SfWHAT ARE YOU J

./wE'VE GOT

TO GET TO THE

CANCER- DIE.' what

YOU THINK YOU'LL SHARE ME THE GRIER OF WATCH !NG YOU DIE. EH* ALL RIGHT... IF THAT'S THE j" WAV YOU WANT IT_. J|

HOUSE f

;

SHE'S IN THERE, \ GOING TO DO, JUDY? LOCKED IN \ DONALD ?

THE CLOSET...

I'M

GOING TO KILL HER, JUDY ? SHE'S \ GOT TO KILL HER OR SHE'LL HORRIBLE THING AGAIN.' NO

3te|g

EVIL? I'VE

DO THIS ONE WILL v

HER

MISS HER? WE'LL BURY

THE CELLAR.'

——

Donald emptied his gun into the closet door ? THEN, THEY OPENEO IT ? THE 0L0 WOMAN WAS DEAD I

THEY CARRIED HER BODY TO THE CELLAR AND BURIED HER... , f | i

KT37

HEH.HEH? NO, KIDDIES' MY STORY ISN'T OVER' NOT YETf THE ENO

CAME ABOUT SIX MONTHS ONE NIGHT, AFTER JUDY AND DONALD HAD GONE TO BED, JUDY HAD A TERRIBLE NIGHTMARE 'SHE HEARD THE OLD WOMAN'S VOICE,

Judy, now in the corpse of the old WOMAN. STUMBLED UP THE CELLAR STAIRS' BITS OF FELL AWAY

Donald WENT FOR

HIS GUN' THE DECAYED

FOUL-

SMELUNG CORPSE OF THE OLD WOMAN FOLLOWED HIM TO JUDY'S ROOM f DONALD FLUN6 OPEN THE DOOR ' JNG FRAN-

k CORNER ^ CRYPT-KEEPER’S Dear Crypt-Keeper.

Dear Crypt-Keeper. like you the most out of The Vault-Keeper and The Old Witch. Your comics are great. watch your show on HBO whenever can and watch your Saturday morning cartoons. have the first book in the series of Crypt books, and also have a book called Jokes From the Crypt " read one of your also have some of your cards. After comic books my sister and my mom read them. My whole I

family likes scary things

One of your best stories was "Swamped" in HAUNT *5 Another of my favorites is "Reflection of Death!" In CRYPT

think The Old Witch is a geezer. like your comic books a am very lot. This is the first time ever read your comical Impressed with the stories. The Vault-Keeper is worse than The Old Witch. The Vault-Keeper stinks at te«ng stones. I

also write my own comics. Have you ever spooked someone? My favorite story is "Reflection of Death!" in issue #7. Keep up the good work. I

Robert

Rafallk,

3rd Grade

Schenectady.

•7.

am 9 years old. Sometimes feel sad. pull out some TALES FROM THE CRYPT. read stories and feel great. I

Just started [recently].

Your

friend.

New York. NY

Sherry Sookaram

Dear CK.

RT2.BX37 SO 57626

Carter.

Dear Crypt-Keeper.

am a

big fan and a very old fan of you, started getting interested In you when was three; now I am nine, almost ten. I got CRYPT 7 [and seven others). I read them all I

New York. NY

Jacob Heltfrlch

me again You know. David Rodriguez still want to off the sled in your story "Wolf Baffl" (available in GLAD HAUNT »4 as a back Issue), and won't stop writing until you answer Itl Hehll can wait forever: the real question is. can you? Eternally yours, It's

know who was thrown

David Rodriguez

Huntington Park.

watch the "Tales from the Crypt" TV show, and have to say: What's with the Crypt-Keeper? If you ask think It needs more BLOOD. Yours Truly. I

Just

Donna Ross, age 10

Plainfield.

Dear Russ,

books on Tales trom the Crypt. When grow up. want to become a doctor also want to become a comic book colector. John Wrtgley [is the only?) comic book collector know. He collected 160 books [by] i960, [and by) 1966 had a total of 206 comic books I

love your comic

watch "Tales from the Crypt" on FOX. I like the one with David Warner, about that [Felicity) girt. That's one ol my I

favorites.

Jonathan Carter, 11 years old

Decatur.

Dear Crypt-Keeper. I am 1 I watch your [HBO] 1 years old don't think I'd like the cartoon.

i's It swinging? Ok here. just recently began lg EC oomlca. My first was CRYPT 17. My favorite sancel". It was cod. Could you tell me the Crypt8 orgln? I've always wondered how he came to be. om the Crypt Rules!!! Cryptically yours.

TV show

lot,

D.Walchle tell

you my

Wayne. IN *1; or you

origin, in

QLAO CRYPT

collect your comics, but unfortunately

can’t tlnd

but

them

now. You, The Vault-Keeper and The Old Witch's comics are the scariest I've ever read. Are the stories In your comics the ones In the TV show? right

Needham.

Paul O'Leary

can say

Is.

great comic!

Keep

coming! I'm 12

don't have HBO. but your regular TV. Your comics are only at one place. Chesterfield Mall. Print my address. I love pen-pals. also love Stephen King movies and books.

going on 13. and a great tan.

hope you publish

this letter

because someone has to

sister!

have something to

settle!

rules!

think 1

Jason Parker

568 Sunbridge Dr MO 63017

Sarah Lownsdalle

Chesterfield.

tell

he's stuck up! Well, I have some things to settle with Please print my address because me and Lloyd

show comes on Saturday now on

Great comic! Your #1 Fan,

CX)

CT GA 31312

Teachers

Guyton.

now— mustn’t fight! I deleted the names, and negative, to save you some fisticuffs, flstiesl You all know by now that anyone can be #1 ’cause you’re all *1 with ss long as you buy CK the comlcsl! It’s like Joey says, next letter... Now,

Hey CK.

positive

I've been an avid horror fan since I was 1 1 Up until now. at 15, nothing grosses me out like CRYPT. II has the best storyline and art. My favorite frame Is from "Reflection of Death!", when the character sees his mangled reflection In the mirror. was wondering If you sold any CRYPT posters; my parents won't let me hang real decomposed bodies on .

jny wall. so... I've been wondering Is If you had any tips on draw corpses and other gruesome pictures. I’ve they look too. well, alive. If there Is anyone out

Another thing

how

tried, but

there

who Is as much

of a horror fanatic

as me. write to me.

MlkeTormey

39 Wllllmantlc.

Bolivia

CT 06226

What, no 14-year-olda? Ye’ know, the thing that bugs me the most about the HBO and kld-vld "CryptKeeper" Is the squeaky voice. Not at all like my real, sepulchral baritone!

They do adapt authentic EC comics stories, and retain the original titles. You’ve perhaps noticed that all of them are presented as mlna, even when they were actually told by VK or OW. We have no EC posters, but it would taka only 2000 trading cards to cover an 8*10 watll —CK

just moved to Indiana. What want to know Is, do you have a fan dub? If you do I'll be willing to Join. think that never your comics, shows, and cards are the greatest. miss any of your shows because they're so cool. I

Cameron Lee

Check latest

last

Carmel, IN

month’s

HAUNT

8 and INC SF 8 for the

FAN CLUB NEWS nows, and watch

for that

feature In VAULT, as well.

— CK

Dear CK.

TALES FROM THE CRYPT comic. CRYPT video. CRYPT television series. CRYPT cartoon. CRYPT pin ball There

and CRYPT trading cards What next? Are there going to be TALES FROM THE CRYPT jackets, t-shirts, baseball caps and figures? Or. even a computer game. (I hope so)? Is

there a video

can buy of the

HBO

television series?

Famham Surrey. GB

Oliver Wlngrave

Brits 8 Celts consume the tho; sorry.

me—

"Reflection of Death!", despite some wonderful art by Al Feldstein. was an all-too-typical story of the time. EC turned out masterpieces which everybody remembers. I'D admit that Bill Gaines and Ns merry GhouLunatlcs told their share of cliched stories, such as this one. Yet. with the good come the bad. and the EC output of brilliant short stories could not be matched.

Yet.

The Old Witch's

tale for the issue, "Last Respects!”, was better than the Initial tale and was a real splne-tingler. Without any supernatural overtones, this story showed just

how far a typical red-blooded 1950s boy would go for his Graham Ingels did a great job on the visuals, and this story presented one of the few times that I've enjoyed Graham’s unique work; usually [I prefer] the cleaner and more slick styles of Craig and Feldstein Overall. "Last Respects!" was an enjoyable, If slightly horrific, piece. And most fascinating ot all. the subject matter is not something wNch Is totally unbelievable. Did you ever catch "Alive." CK? Or even those wacky headhunters always trying to sautee GilMgan? Aah, the classics of film and television.

tall me the HBO shows

videos are the only way to I don’t know details, there,

—CK

"Seance!" was definitely the best story In the issue. It was great to see Jack Davis' art In this story, especially to note the evolution ot his art. from yesterday's comics to today's commercial art. caricature and package art. The exaggerated faces that have become a Davis trademark In tNs story, which gave "Seance!" an almost-humorous visual Impact. The story itself was suspenseful and quite a testament to the power of fortune tellers, gypsys. mediums and psychics. And a note to you. CK: *'a happy medium”? Ha. ha.

were present

Finally,

read

CRYPT 7 and

think

quickly.

I'd

all

love to see such

This

In Haiti

was

quite

one which went by all too EC's voodoo stories could be

albeit of

Theme

mlnlseries

a mlnisertes format.

show

Joey Marchese

up.

such as a

Union,

wouldn't be caught undead watching “Alive.'*

—CK

Death!".

chopped

offl

(Never make your sister madl)

OW.

your comic books and that new cartoon on Both are very interesting and enjoyable to read get up and watch and watch. On Saturday mornings "Tales from the Crypt." Moot of the time read the comic books. To me. nothing Is more exciting than reading horror I

wrote a letter In CRYPT 7, Is not stuck up because he doesn’t claim to be the best! I think is real think the witch and you make a ghoulish couple! And think you have your way ot getting your lace in the crowd! You have a comic, card set. show on FOX and HBO, and a cartoon on Saturday mornings! I

Dear CK. VK.

MHB. who cool!

have "Voodoo Death!"

Maybe

presented, at least the best of them,

"vampire" compilation or a book of lovers' tales. a stuck the No. 1 fan is

think you should decide who Is! think "Last Respects!" was real Ghoulerlfflc! "Seance!" was very thrlHing. and so was "Voodoo would give you two thumbs up but got my hand

Ghoulatlc!

And

an interesting piece

Dear Crazy Bag of Bones. I

—

just finished CRYPT #7 and was disgusted! Not at your pulse-pounding tales of horror, but at the letters pages! These #1 fans— humph! Yet. have the solution to their conundrum ot just who deserves to be EC's #1 fan. Without further ado, here It is: WHO CARES? What's really Important, mind you. is who deserves to be #0 fan!! After all, with tO comic books all the rage, what about that worthy fan who is #0? And the newest trend: Chromium Fan #1 !! Now let's get serious. CK. Is being the plain, old. non-enhanced #1 fan important at a*? didn't think so. On to the stories...

girl.

Dear Crypt-Keeper. HI.

sans

really like

television.

stories.

Travis Montle

Alpena. Ml

^ EVERY H/OHTAS

(

LEAVE* [

HAVE TO DRESS FOR A HEAVY DATE.'

Margaret singer slams the

Y fALL FAR AS > RIGHT,

YOU'RE CONCERNED' NOVA WILL TOU I

DOOR ON POOR EDWA RD WALLACE. > POOR SAP.'WOrrTHE~

1^M^|

MARGIE.' I'LL GO?

EVER

CATCH ON THAT HE DOESN'T RATE WITH

BUT r

WON'T

ME? HOW MANY TINES DO I HAVE TO SLAP HIS FACE

e/VEUP/

YOU LOOK PRETTY i

6LUNf

)

A GIRL, BUT SHE WON’T SIVE

tumbles

The stranger rises and disappears into THE NI6HT? EDDIE STUDIES THE SMALL WHITE CARD? IT READS "ULRIC STRONHAM, ALCHEMIST'? AN ADDRESS FOLLOWS.

.'(

/r~

y jyaM&V [

y—

AN ALCHEMIST/ SAY? I THOUGHT THOSE GUYS WENT OUT WITH THE MIDDLE AGES? OH, WELL. I CAN'T LOSE ANYTHING? I'LL GO SEE HIM?

WHY*MW1 WON'T SHE BREAK SHE KNOWS

GIVE I'M

-j

ME A

CRAZY

HER.' BUT SHE TREATS ME C DIRT/ SHE ACTS LIKE SHE J CAN T STAND ME?

ABOUT LIKE

Eddie crosses the street andentersthe OESERTED PARK' HE SLUMPS DOWN ON A BENCH? SOON A STRANGER COMES ALONG? HE STOPS EVES EDDIE. THEN SITS DOWN BESIDE HIM. t ’"s^ATTER.YOUNGFELLErTTi yrfJF/nilNUTS ABOUT

MOVES SLOWLY DOWN THE DARKE INO STREETS.

The stranger smiles... reaches into his pocket. AND P ULLS OUT A CARD. HUH ? WHAT CAN 'Vt OH IS THATVX'f WELL. GO SEE THIS GUY' HElL FIX YOU UP? GUARANTEED!

The address on the card leads edwaro wall ace to a dark WINOING STREET IN THE OLDEST PART OF TOWN? THE BUILOING HE IS LOOKING FOR IS A RUN-OOWN. DIRTY TENEMENT? ME CLIMB RAT- NFESTED STEPS TO ULRIC STRONHAM '» DOOR. \

LyEs? MB/ T,SJ5fwhatcan ^irr .4 DO H KW /'l

1 rr

FOR YOU

I. .. I WAS GIVEN YOUR CARD ? THE MAN SAID YOU COULD HELP ME ? rjr"

The

wrinkled, wizened old man steps aside and EDWARD ENTERS A WEIRD ROOM? BOTTLES AND JARS LINE THE WALLS.. EACH FILLED WIT H BRILL IANTLY

COLORED LIQUIDS AND POWDERS.

I-TMIN^

IOVE WITH A GIRL' BUT SHE—SHE DOESN'T ?

LOVE

ME'

VERY SIMPLE' HERE' TAKE THIS' IT’S A LOVE POTION.' MY SECRET FORMULA' JUST A FEW DROPS ANO SHE'S to youps. ..all yours.

IT...

NOT GOOD-BYE, YOUNG JMAN' AU RE VOIR... FOR

NOW.' YOU'LL BE BAOX.'l JHEY ALL COME BACK' 1

MUST

BE VERY EXPENSIVE... IF IT

REALLY

WORKS' ]

OH,

ONE DOLLAR

IT WORKS'

THAT' AND

gr ONLY

IT’S

I GUARANTEE VERY CHEAP...

ONE DOLLAR.'

/FOR THE>-

ANT/DOTE:

TjC

THAT ALL?

I'LL

ME/ (

OH. NO' NOT THIS REALLY

MAKES MARGARET FALL MADLY IN LOVE WITH ME. YOU WON'T r SEE ME AGAIN f

TARE

IT '

AHYTHWGf

Edward rushes from the weird ROOM.

INYTHINGTO GET BID OF YOU f

DOWN THE GARB AGE -LADEN

STAIRS. AND BACK ACROSS TOWN TO MARGARE T'S APARTMENT... .

'ohTeDWARD<ARE r*L fcAME TO YOU BACK AGAIN?/ SAY GOOD- BYE, MAROARET/l'M I TOLD YOU. . .

WELL? HERE'S TO \

YOU MARGIE? i'll! ALWAYS LOVE

'-r

V0ULj

'(j

EdOIE RELUCTANTLY OPENS THE DOOR? MARGIE WATCHES

OH TyOU BIG. OVERGROWN KID? COME HERE? I'LL KISS YOU .

OOOO-BYE 1

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;]/~lTU

—

)

HEH.HEH' , YEP.' IT JUST LIKE ) OLD ULRIC.THE ALCHEMIST; SAID' C. MARGIE FELL .HEAD OVER HEELS']

SOME.

EDDIE AMD SHE WERE MARRIED.' J SHE ADORED urn WORSHIPPED '

LOVE YOU, EDDIE'

him

LOVED HIM

LOVED

MARGIE.'CUT

DARLING... DARLING \ EDDIE.' SWEET. ..H AMO-

HIM

OUT? I*M

)

j TRVIM8 TO

DIVINE

EDDIE.' OH,

OH, HOW..

THERE?

LOVE D HIM TILL EDOIE THOUGHT ill miiil.O 80 MADf

M| [

SIT OVER

)[

Margie, spurned by eddie. moves TO THE CHAIR ACROSS THE ROOM' THERE SHE SITS. SMILING SMIL«-?ING AM D STARING AT EDDIE .

HOW X T) READ '60 1

DON'T YOU HAVE\ I LOVE YOU.' ANYTHING T0 DO, S I HAVE NOTHING

MARGIE? MUST IN LIFE TO DO YOU SIT ANO EXCEPT LOVE STARE AT -JJST YOU.' YOU'RE MY

EVERYTHING-

LATE THAT SA ME NIGHT THAT ED DIE KNOCKS ON

KILLS

HER?. T

YES f I CAN'T k AH' YOU’VE FINALLYCOME BACK.' ] STAND HER ANY J I MUST SAY IT TOOK YOU LONGER < LONGER.' SHE T THAN USUAL 1 YOU MUST BE A VERY CRAWLS ALL PATIENT MAN 1 YOU WANT THE OVER ME.' SHE'S ANTIDOTE, NO£flUBT ? DRIVING ME J,

y CRAZY.' [

YES' THE POTION IS CHEAP' THE ANTIDOTE IS EXPENSIVE.'! LOS.

INTENDED TO RILL HER f YOU SAY IT LEAVES NO TRACE? 1

*Jg HOW

•

^TU

MONEY ON THE POTION' BUT I NOPE THAN MAKE /TUP ON J 1

JH WyXf ^

THE ANTIDOTE.' HHQ ANYONE POTION..

WHO BUYS THE POTION ALWAYS BUYS THE ANTI DOTE.. SOONER

OR LATER.' WELL,

YES OR NOT

Y-YES.I GUESS'y

At BREAKFAST

But MARGIE, THE DEVOTEO WIFE, WAITS PATIENTLY FOR EOWARO TO RETURN TO THE TABLE? ANO EDWARD DID SO WANT TO AVOD WITNESSING HER -.SHALL WE SA Y...FINISH ...^A '^mmmTcoffefsXis it, DEAR? OK Lgood THIS MORNNG') I'M SO m K’ISN'T IT? XrSL HAPPY... 1 i- 1...

THE NEXT MORNING, EDWARD SPILLS THE •ANTIDOTE' INTO MARGIE'S COFFEE WHILE HER BACK

llJiSN^^Y^THArs

ALL RIGHT?

OH, DEAR?

YOUR \ MARGARET' I TOAST ISN'T f LEFT MY WATCH READY YET' I'M > IN THE BATHSORRY, DEAREST' 1 ROOM, ANYWAY' ,

^owAPDf

tDWARO SLUMPS TO THE FLOOR AND

VERY STILL?

HE IS QUITE OSAO' SWIFT ANO SURE... JUST LIKE ULRIC SAID? THERE IS A SLIGHT SMI LE ON HIS FACE...

OH, WELL? SO

I'M

I DRANK

D£ADf AT

LEA

Yes, EDWARD SMILES AS HE MOVES THROUGH THE MIST? BUT THE SMILE IS

SHORT-LIVED, FOR... THAT...

£,0\AIARD/\

MARS/P'S voice' y\

inARLIA/G /JL

EDWARD? BUT DON'T WORRY? MAYBE SOMEDAY YOU MIGHT

/MS TO TAUS k PROM THE i

CRYPTf FOR

THE WORKS...IN WAX'

,cmamqeS

sorrM IN Mr STORY BEGINS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY... ENGLAND f ON A DARK AND WINDING STREET IN OLO LONDON STANOS A FAMOUS STRUCTURE.. THE HODS WAX MUSEUM' INSIOE. THE OWNER BARKS _ OBOFBS AT HIS NERVOUS. SCURRYING WIFE,

LAM

r ni/rrnr, MARIE? IT IS HURRY, umcf FINISHED t YOU MAY , TIME TO OPEN UPf UNLOCK THE DOORS? ARE ALL THE TABLEAUS

DUSTED'

The FAME OF THE HOGS LANE WAXWORKS IS WIDE-SPREAD?OUTSIDE THE BATTEREO DOORS, A CROWD HAS ALREADY GATHERED TOURISTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TRAVEL TO SEE THIS FAMOUS MUSEUM. ..ANO ITS NOTORIOUS CHAMBER OE HORRORS STOP PUSHING?) WELCOME, LADIES AND GENTLE ^/"MEN? WELCOME TO MARIE AND HENRI MATAUD’S WAXWORKS ?

YES 'MARIE AND HENRI MATAUD’S

WAXWORKS I

WORLD RENOWNED ?

YOU CAH /MAC/HE.

its way into THE MATAUD ESTABLISHMENT... FILLING HENRI’S OUTSTRETCHED HANDS WITH COINS AND PAPER MONEY' IN3I0E.WAX FIGURES STAND E XPECTANTLY, AWAITING THE PRYING EYES— (p| rasp anirs ,

( V

Y’KNOW WHY BECAUSE THE WAX FIGURES LOOK SO REAL/ THEY...* THEY LOOK ALMOST AL/YE.'AHD IN THE CHAMBER OF HORRORS...

\WELL...

The anxious throng pushes

oulp?Aigh? it J rr’s the famed TURNS MyIhATCHET MURDERER, STOMACHE') CYRUS EVERARO (( ^JT WITH ONE OF HIS i

rntflwt

victims' r\

THATlS JACK .THE AMAZING' T OOOH? ) RIPPER? I’D ..'HOW ALIVE V. THE

SWEAR HE moved ?

THEY LOOK7SLOOO'

SHE ACTUALLY LOOKS/HE STRANGLED THIRTY.

LIKE SHE’S BEING

STRANGLED

THREE WOMEN BEFORI CAUGHT HIM...

^Jl^HEY

THE MATAUD WAXWORKS.IS QUITE A PLACE-.QUITE A PLACE.. PARDON ME. GUARD? CAN YOU TELL AGNES ? THAT’S A WAX GUARD? I’O LIKE SOME INFOR-, FIOURE/ PEOPLE ARE4

LYE_S?

ME... .

NATION.. GUARD... I SAY? THAT’S I’LL REPORT..

—VERY RUDE?

LAUGHING AT YOU

ARRIVES.' THE MILLING THRONG IS USHERED OUT, AND ONCE MORE THE DOORS ARE CLOSED.' HENRI MATAUO BREATHES A SIGH OF RELIEF... f

WELL? TODAY WAS NOT SO BAD. WAS IT, MY FRIENDS? AT LEAST THERE WERE NO MISCHIEVOUS CHI LOREN, EH?

y—

WHEW? WELL, MARIE.' ANOTHER YES, HENRI/ I EH? IT IS A RELIEF TO JJ WILL DRAPE THE HAVE SILENCE AGAIN. IS IT if < TABLEAUS WHILE NOT? YOU COUNT THE 1

DAY,

DAY'S

RECEIPTS.'^

Henri calls marie’s name several times before

HA ftIE? THE BEST TUESDAY WE HAVE HAD THIS YEAN, MARIE?

'MARIE/

^HE RU8HE? VPT9 HIM,.,,r-r-r s0>m J HAR/Ef DION'T YOU )( HENRI? I WAS... HEAR ME CALL YOU?

Suddenly

his eyes fall upon THE EXHIBIT OF JOHN GARROTE,

SUSY? BUSY DOING WHAT YOU HAVE NOT DRAPED THE *f

FIGURES?

YOU...

”MON DIEU? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? HIS HEAD/ fOU \ TURNED his w

HEAD?

HIM?

BUSY?

SORRY

SORRY? HE BES8ED ^ ME TO DO IT ? WHAT ARE YOU HE SAID HE ABOUT? COULN'T STAND LOOKINO AT HER

TALK!NS —j

YES. HENRI?

-X FELT

SORRY FOR

’

EYES...

’MARIE? YOU

Henri twists the waxen head SO IT ONCE MORE STARES DOWN AT THE STRANGLED GIRL— ,

ARE OUT OE f

YOUR MIND?

MARIE.'

LEAVE THE 3 /W, HENRl'

FIGURES

J ur DOESN'T SAY? THArS CYRUS EVERARO THE

YlOOK SO

HATCHET MURDERER'

WJI,

M TV

8AD...

DON'T?

ALONE?

MARIE? COMEp yEsThENRI

HERE?

MARIE? WHAT

HENRY f HE WAS SO

TIRED? THE HATCHET

HEAVY? FELT. SORRY FOR HIM?

IS...SO

HAPPENING TO YOU? YOU ARE GOINS

MAD?

POSITION.

I TOLD YOU, MARIE / LEAVE

..AND I MEAN IT? I'LL KILL YOU/

THESE STATUES ALONE/IF CATCH YOU CHANGING ANY ASAIN, SO HELP ME ...I'LL I

—^

KILL

YOU/j^SSf^S

That

EVERARD?

AM.

SORRY/ SOB...

night in their quarters above the wax-

^/'ThAVE

Y UPYOUMYARE

MADE^ST

MIND, MARIE' GOING TO -^S. VACATION ' K

YES HENRI ,

fJWf

yT^Jtll fl^S

PARIS... FOR A

AWAKENED BY THE SOUND OF LAUGHT ER... MARIE'S LAUGHT ER.

<^^MfMARIEr~SHEs ” NOT

DESCENDS TO THE WAXWORKS BELOW.../

T~-

MARIE? ARE

Henri's voice echoes through THE SILENT WAX MUSEUM'HE LIGHTS

V msm

IARIE/YOU CRA2Y FOOL 'WHAT HAVE YOU DONE

f GAZE .MOVES FROM TABLEAU TO RUINED? YOU'VE RUINED

IeNBI'S NOW... MY FRIENDS ARE HARRY. HENRI..

ILL

ALL HARPY...

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;)

THE EXHIBITS f

TABLEAU.

LOWEREO M'SIEU EVERARO'S

Indeed, marie had altered the chi IT IS| IN FACT, NO LONGER HORRIBLE.

HATCM6T...

THEY WERE AO UNHAPPY, HENRI*

WE WERE T0RTURIN6 THEM? < THEY COULON'T STAND IT ANY longer ? I HAD TO DO Iff < L

Henri's face

CLENCHES

flushed? he

HIS FISTS. MOVING

TOWARD MARIE 7 I '

TOLD YOU WHAT I'D DO. MARIE f TOLD YOU WHAT I'D DO IF YOU TOUCHED THEM AGAIN... S,

Henri's hands close about MARIE'S WHITE THROAT. TIGHTER.. TIGHTER- .TIGHTER.

Marie^bodygrows

limp and, SHE SLIPS FROM HENRI'S GRASP.. HENRI TURNS AT A SOUl BEHIND HIM-.

DEAD

Outside, in the oark deserted london street, a BLOOO- CURD LINO SCREAM FILLS THE AIR, ECHOINO OVER THE CHIMNEY-POTS...

YAAAAaAAa

T HE NEXT MORNING WHEN THE HOGS LANE WAXWORKS DOES NOT OPEN <. MY STORY, } ITS OOORS THE POLICE INVESTIGATE? THE DOORS ARE FORCED? INSIDE, 1 'HEE.HEE? AND THAT'S KIDDIES? DIDN'T IT JUST MELT V. THEY FIND A STRANGE SIGHT? A HUGE TABLEAU OF WAX FIGURES STANDS ' REVERENTLY ABOUT THE BODY OF MARC MATAUO AS SHE LIES ON A WAX- \ LYOUR COLD HEARTS? YES, HENRI WAS 'ALL BURNED UR OVER WHAT MARIE FLOWER BEDECKED ALTAR? AT THE FOOT OF THE ALTAR, A HUGE CANOLE DID TO THE CHAMBER OF HORRORS? BURNS? ANO IF YOU LOOK REAL HARD, YOU CAN SEE... BENEATH T>C TRANSBUT HE SOON COOLED <VT...WHAT LUCENT WAX OF THE TREMENDOUS CANDLE... THE REMAINS OFHENRI WAS LEFT OF HIM THAT IS f THE HENRI MATAUDf > FIGURES THAT HE AND MARIE he... he's the \ CREATED, CERTAINLY WERE LIFE- \ ^ LORDf \ LOOK')mLl»ICK..OE THE \ LIFE WEREN'T 1 fj) oandl e' t— Urn'll THEY? TOO LIFE . j ,

•

r»nr,

^-^1

^ a

bJER&n wWfc?

UKElFYOUASK

ME 'MARIE WASN'T crazy AFTER AU~ EH°

WAS HENRI

WHO WAS THE <

Op ORnextSEE YOU<J IP.'

iXxA l

fJSln

THE VAULT OF HORROR'

YOU SAY IT'S A 45-MINUTE BUS TRIP. WITH A TRANSFER. TO THE COMIC BQPK SHOP? YOU SAY A HARROWING 30-MINUTE DRIVE ON THE EXPRESSWAY TO THE MALL. AND THEN A 30-MINUTE MERRY-GO-ROUND RIDE TO FIND A PARKING PLACE? YOU SAY YOUR TOWN DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A COMIC BOOK SHOP OR BOOKSTORE? IS THAT WHAT'S TROUBLING YOU. BUNKY? WELL. THEN. YOU SHOULD. IT'S

TO RUSS COCHRAN'S REPRINTS OF THE ORIGINAL 1 950s EC COMICS! LEAVE THE WORRIES TO US. AND GET OUT AND TAKE A WALK IN THE SUNK DIRECT FROM THE PUBLISHER TO YOU. IN A HANDSOME. STURDY MANILA ENVELOPE MAILED FLAT TO YOUR OWN MAILBOX!

RUSS COCHRAN, PUBLISHER

WEST

PLAINS,

START MY VAULT

NAME

4-ISSUE subscription

to the

WEIRD FANTASY

CRIME

ADORESS

65775

417-256-2224

or call 1-800-EC

CRYPT

REMIT $8 EACH (SI 2 OUTSIDE US IN US FUNOS) MISSOURI RESIDENTS MUST *00 6 326S BALES TAX !

your scissors • use you" own

mss*

YET MORE EC COMICS!! FOR APPROXIMATELY A YEAR. GLADSTONE PUBLISHED A LINE OF EC REPRINT COMICS CONSISTING OF THE TITLES SHOWN BELOW. EACH ISSUE CONTAINED 64 PAGES IN FULL COMIC BOOK COLOR. THE FIRST 32 FROM THE 'KEY' TITLE AND THE LAST 32 FROM A SECOND TITLE. IN ADDITION. THERE ARE OCCASIONAL ARTICLES ABOUT THE MACABRE IN LITERATURE. A THEN-CURRENT LETTER COLUMN AND OTHER READER-WRITTEN FEATURES. RUSS COCHRAN NOW HAS THE ENTIRE BACKSTOCK OF GLADSTONE'S EC REPRINT LINE! EVERY ISSUE IS IN STOCK AND AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPMENT. COMPLETE YOUR EC COLLECTION BY PURCHASING THESE COMICS!

CONTENTS OF GLADSTONE EC COMICS Q LAO CRYPT #1: CRYPT 33(1062)

12:

CRIME 17 (1053)

Q LAD VAULT VAULT 34 HAUNT 1 #1

(1063) (1050)

CRYPT 35

(1053)

*3:

VAULT 27

(1052)

CRYPT 30 CRIME

CRIME 18(1051)

12:

13:

(10531

•4:

CRYPT 18

(1050)

W SCI 22 (1053) W FAN (1050) 1

#2:

W SC1 16 (1053) W FAN 17(1050)

#3:

W SCI W FAN

8(1951)

*5:

CRIME 18 (1953)

(1050)

HAUNT 22 (10531 VAULT 13(1950)

*4:

VAULT 23 (1052) HAUNT 13(1952)

*4:

WS-F27

OLAO WEIRD SCIENC #1:

14 (1950)

FAN

(1955) 11 (1952)

WHEN ORDERING. PLEASE IDENTIFY AS GLAD TITLE ISSUE

CRYPT 45 CRIME

»5:

(1954)

*8:

5(1951)

VAULT 19

W FAN

(1961)

#8:

(1952)

S-F 28 (1955)

CRYPT 42 CRIME 27

(1954) (1055)

VAULT 32

(1053)

W FAN

8(1951)

OLAD HAUNT •1: HAUNT 17

*2.

8(1051)

HAUNT 5 (1950)

W SF 29 (1955)

FOR EXAMPLE "GLAD CRYPT #1." GLAD CRYPT #1 IS $5; GLAD CRYPT #4. GLAD WEIRD #1 AND #4 ARE $4 EACH; ALL OTHER ISSUES ARE $3 EACH. INCLUDE $5 PER ORDER FOR S&H ($10 OUTSIDE US).

wmmm USB Missouri residents must add 6.225 % sales tax Russ Cochran, Publisher 417-256-2224 P.O.Box 469 West Plains, MO 65775 OR to order call 1 - 800-EC CRYPT and ask for the order desk USE THIS NUMBER FOR ORDERS ONLY!

Send orders to:

' Collect > all 110

Crypt Cards. >

or else!

8 Cards Per Pack Randomly Packed Premium Cards

The

lovable ghoul with

attitude

now has

The wise-guy Cryptkeeper from HBO's TALES

his very

own

and he'll scare you silly. demented in all kinds of

trading card series

FROM THE CRYPT is

deliciously

horribly funny situations.

The

10-card set features the Cryptkeeper (and a few unsuspecting victims), photos of the original

comic book series, the gory details on what goes on "behind the screams" of the TV show, plus randomly packed Cryptkeeper holograms and a TEKCHROMEâ&#x201E;˘ premium card.

TALES

FROM THE CRYPT trading cards are too funny for TV.

Collect the entire set.

Your

friends will just die of envy

Russ is dealing from a full deck, so ante up and write or these putrid pasteboards today!

RUSS COCHRAN 417-256-2224 or

POB 469 call

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call for details

WEST PLAINS MO 65775

CRYPT and

ask for the order desk. PRINTED

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7J07)73n\-i

OUTRAGEOUS 1950s EC COMICS!

7}O7J70n\-i

TQUICKLY / LIFT OUT IN

^GROUND

ITHE CRYPT-KEEPER

HIS^

r HE DOESN'T BELONG OUR SACRED GRAVEYARD.' HE DESECRATES THE VERY IN WHICH HE'S BURIED!

COFFIN

FEATURING

BACK ISSUES!! THE COMIC YOU HOLD IN YOUR HANDS IS PART OF THE CHRONOLOGICAL, FACSIMILE REPRINTING OF THE FAMOUS (AND INFAMOUS!) EC COMICS LINE OF THE EARLY 1 950s! WE STARTED WITH THE FIRST ISSUE OF EACH TITLE AND ARE ON OUR WAY TO THE BITTER END! GET ON THE BANDWAGON. AND FILL IN THE GAPS IN YOUR COLLECTION FROM THIS BACKLIST!!

CRYPT

SHOCK

CRYPT *3

SCI -2

SHOCK

«2

CRYPT

W SCI

SHOCK

»3

SHOCK

CRYPT

W SCI >5

W SCI

SHOCK

CRYPT

EACH 32-PAGE COMIC REPRINTS THE COVER AND ENTIRE STORY CONTENT OF ITS 1950s PREDECESSOR. IN FULL COMIC BOOK COLOR IN STANDARD COMIC BOOK FORMAT. THEY ARE RELEASED ON QUARTERLY SCHEDULES. OTHER TITLES IN THE LINE ARE: VAULT, WEIRD FANTASY, TWO-FISTED TALES, HAUNT, WEIRD SCIENCEFANTASY AND CRIMEI THE BACKLIST ON EVERY TITLE REPRESENTS THE SAME ISSUE SPAN AS THOSE ILLUSTRATED ABOVE. SEE THE AD IN THIS COMIC TO SUBSCRIBE TO ANY OR EVERY TITLE! WHEN ORDERING PLEASE IDENTIFY AS 32-PG TITLE ISSUE #7: FOR EXAMPLE "32PG SHOCK 32PG CRYPT #1 $3 EACH (SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY): ALL OTHERS UP THRU #3. SI .50 EACH: ALL TITLES ISSUE #4 AND UP $2 EACH. INCLUDE S5 PER ORDER FOR SSH ($10 OUTSIDE US). US FUNOS ONLY PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE MISSOURI RESIDENTS MUST ADD 6.225% SALES TAX MARYLAND RESIDENTS MUST ADD 5% SALES TAX GEMSTONE PUBLISHING 417-256-2224 POB469 WEST PLAINS, MO 65775 OR TO ORDER CALL 1-800-EC CRYPT AND ASK FOR THE ORDER DESK. USE THIS NUMBER FOR ORDERS ONLYI Iho Crypt (USPS 008806) Vo). 1 No to, December 1994. published quarterty m September. December. March and June by Gemstone PubbeMng. 202 Aid. West Plains. MO 86775-3532 Second-class postage paid at West Plains. MO. Entire contents 1964 by VYMam M. Gaines Agent. Inc. Tales from the Crypt 928 S 1951 by 1C. Publishing Co., he., re 1979 by Games. Agent. Inc. All rights reserved Nothing harem contained may be reproduced without the written permleeion of Gaines. New York. New York. Annual subscription rate >8 1(12 outside US payable W US finds! Printed In Postmaster tend address changes to Tales from the Crypt, Puaa Cochran. PO Bos 489, Waat Plains, (1778-0469.

TalM from

WMamM

UCA

rnpo Welcome to the crypt Of terror, horror fienos' â&#x20AC;&#x153;ORE

AM TO UN HOST

MY MA0-MA6 TALES .

he again ... THE CRYRT * KEEPER? once FOR MY FIRST OFFERING . X HAVE CHOSENHi CRYPT. ..A FAVORITE OF MINE f IT'S A

yes. its

PROM THE CRYPT

FR0M MY VAST COLLECTION OF TERROR YARNS THAT CHILLING STORY OF YOODOO ANO REVENGE / I CALL

KEEP

THIS LITTLE EPIC...

7 s max noon' he is a recent M HAITI' ME HAS SPENT PENNY TO COME MERE? BACK HONE IN THE STATES, MAX WAS A FAILUREfFENTON BREEDLY, THE AFT CRITIC, SAJO m is WORK WAS POOR!ARTHUR 6REEM. THE ART DEALER, COU.ONT SELL A PICTURE' AMO SO, LAWRENCE D/LTAMT, THE FAMOUS ART COLLECTOR, HAD BOUGHT UP EVERY \ FAINTING THAT WAX HAD DONE, CHEAP F\T HAD BEEN ENOUGH TO \ t*e

ARRIYRL

HIS LAST

YOU

DOWS •

ROUSHIMS ITT YOU ARTISTS ARE ALL AUKEf

TO HAITI... THE

ISLAND OF L

VOODOO f /

WHAT IN BLAZES ARE YOU TALK/MB ABOUT? I NEVER SOLD A PICTURE FOR MORE THAN

FIFTY SUCKS BACK IN

YOUR WORK. DON’T YOU?

THAT’S JUST

IT ' I

SOLD THEM ALL... EVERY PICTURE. TO LARRY

MASTERf SM... tOO STILL

HAVE

THE STATES'

YEAH? WELL, FEMTOM SPEEDO' CHANGED HIS MINDfw.% COLUMNS CALL YOU A GENIUS... .

SHABBY CLOTHES.

<DtLTAMT...

THAT’S

IMPOSSIBLE

SAW

ONE OF YOUR PAINTINGS GO FOR FIVE WAS AT

6RAMD'TT

THE

ARTHUR SREER SALLERfESf LARRY D/LTAMT SOLD IT...

’

Max is LEO INTO a thatched hut where a wrinkled OLD NATIVE HU DOLES OVER A SMALL FIREHE SAT HE COME Twhat 00 YOU '

TO BUY VOODOO Tjf WANT VOODOO FOR-WHITE MAN’i

NATIVES ARE DANCING AND CHANTING.

60 AWAY. WHITE MAN'THIS

nor fon rouf so away '

After max tells the old native YOU SAY YOU ARE

ANT1ST YOU MAKE 6000 FICTONES

The WRlNKLEO OLD MAN PUTS A SMALL POT UPON THE FIRE ANO BEGINS A WEIRO CHANT ' THEN HE TURNS TO MAX -

AT THE FOUL-SMEU INS. GURGLING. STEAMING CONTENTS IN THE POT' SUDDENLY ME PLUNGES HIS RIGHT HAND INTO THE BUB-

Max HESITATES' HE STARES DOWN

BUNNf

DIDN'T

YOU WANT

VOODOO ? you I

HOST DO IT?

VOODOO IS FINISHED f

VOODOO GIV E

YOONS

M£,_ HONEYT

GET ONE OF THOSE

DO US TO STICK FINS INTO

OKAY' OKAY' BUT IF THAT STUFF IS

AS HOT AS IT looks ll Neva .

BE ABLE TO

FAINT ASAIN...

WHAT? IS THAT ALL ? ' SAY/ WHAT IS THIS’ DON'T I

WM_ WHY

PLACE YOUR HANO... TBUT I’LL 1 SCALD HAND YOU FAINT WITH ... INTO BOIL- \MYSELF'i

You are ANT/srr YOU CAN ONAWT YOU DON’T NEED DOLL' NOW YOU SO... A ..

, l

THERE IS A CRASH BEHIND MAX 'HE SAINS HE VASÂ£ ME HAO BEEN O/iAWIMS >S LYING

The rat, startled bv max's exclamation, darts AWAY LEAVING HALF OF THE CRUST UNEATEN THE SAME HALF THAT STILL REMAINS ON THE PAPER IN MAX'S SKETCH PAD.' SUDDENLY MAX GASPS' ON .

Max

takes his palette knife and scratches a IN THE PORTRAIT'S CHEEK'THEN HE DOWN TO WAIT' NOTHING HAPPENS' SOON MAX'S HEAD BEGINS TO NOD f SLEEP CREEPS UPON HIM' THEN, AS HE DOZES OFF- HE TOPPLES FORWARQ

SMALL NICK SITS

8000 LORD' my SELF- PORTRAIT r

FINISHED

T0M6HTT

WONDER

..r.

[Then max begi ns to laugh.. in horror AT MIS SELF- PORTRAIT frr Z'BUT. WHAT POWER I HOLD. NOW. seems IE BMILIMB AT HIMWHAT BE VERSE I CAN HAVE' ANY ( OH LORD' MY PORTRAIT\ PICTURE I DRAW IS VOODOO f HAPPENS TO THE ) ANYTHING THAT is voodoo, J CAN'T DESTROY IT* /\ PICTURE HAPPENS TO THE \ORI8IRAL SUBJECT ' I'VE GOT TO PROTECT it prom

Max stares wide-eyed

won

jH I...

THE

BL OOD ' CUT MY FACE ON BROKER VASE

WHEN

FEU

Several days later, with a loan from bob DICKSON. MAX FLIES TO NEW YORK.. .HIS PRECIOUS SELF-PORTRAIT UNDER HIS ARM... THINQ I'VE GOT TO 00 IS PUT THIS PORTRAIT WHERE will B_E SAFE'

^^^^HH^TTrst

HARM

rXl

Max goes straight to his old studio apartmeni BUILDING' HARRY HALLEY, HIS EX- LANDLORD WHO HAD THROWN HIM OUT FOR NON-PAYMENT OF RENT, ' [ANSWERS THE DOOR.. -

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;-S

WELL

MAX MOOR

'l SUP-

POSE YOU WANT YOUR OLD STUDIO BACK. EH? WELL, IF

HERE'S YOUR

1 RENT AND A IN

BACK*

MONTH ADVANCE..

owe OP Hit HAL LEY *1 LESS

ONCE YOU .KICKED ME OUT, WHEN I WAS BPOXEf

MW. HALLEY

LE6

SO YOU LIED TO ME, EH, BREEDLY? YOU

CRUSHEOf WE'LL

AT MY PICTURES

HAVE TO AMPUTATE

AMO SAID THEY WERE EH? WE LI

LOOKED

6000,

TAKES AN ERASER AMO ERASES THE EYES ON four's PORTRAIT.

WELL t-

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

IN PAIN .'HIS

NOW YOU'LL NEVEP SEE ANOTHER PICTURE A6A/N.

WIFE HAS JUST

PACE...

aaaa aaa.

PLUMB ACIO AT HIS a THERE' THAT WILL

FIX YOU f NOW MIYBE YOU'LL SPEND MORE TIME WITH MEYhO*, MAYBE YOU WON'T BE

SUCH A LADIES' MANY

THAT WAS AN UNDERHANOEO TR/CK. GREEN? YES' UNDER-

YOU LIED TO ME, ARTHUR' YOU TOLD ME MY PICTURES WERE WORTHLESS... THAT you \ COULDN'T SELL THEM' THEN YOU DID... WHEN THEY WERE )

NO L 0N6ER MINE

HIS STUDIO.

HANDED' SO_ NO HANDS FOR YOU. ANYMORE '

BIG

MAX MOOR SITS BEFORE

AIR.' I need

SOMEBODY SET AN AMBULANCE' MR. 6REEN JUST CAUGHT HIS HANDS IN THE

A/Rf

i can't .

I'M

MIS SKETCH

Suddenly max realizes what

happening' he

SUFFOCATINS.

BREATHE/

AIR TiSHT .SAFEf PORTRA/T. SUFFOCATINS/ GOT

Just as everything goes black MAX MANAOES TO OPEN THE SAFE' HE LIES BEFORE IT, 8UCKING IN THE COOL AW = GASP.. THE SAFE IS NO 600D I'VE GOT TO FIND A BETTER SPOT THE GASP- PORTRAIT NEEDS AIR... -Y ,....

MATT-CUTTER-

TOl .GET

MAX 60CS TO the closet' he PUTS THE PORTRAIT INSIDE' IN THE ROOF OF THE CLOSET IS A SKY- LIGHT... IS A GOOD SPOT' I CAN OPEN THE SKY-LIGHT SLI6HTLYAND LOCK THE DOOR*

THIS P|r|

IT..

OUT... INTO

THE

AIR...

THE SUBWAY STATION, A HORRICROWD GATHERS- STARIM6 DOWN AT THE REMAINS OF MAX MOOR UNDER THE HUGE WHEELS OF THE

FIED

COURSE, MAX MOOR'S VOODOO POWERS NIGHT ] HAVE BEEN A SERIES OF COINCIDENTAL f

ACCIDENTS' WHO'S TO SAT* FENTON BREEDLY IS BL/NO' HARRY HAUEY HAS A ONE LESf ARTHUR BREEN NO LONGER HAS HANDS I OON'T THINK WE CAN ASK THEMf) )

THEY MIGHT BE PREJUDICED f kWt POOR { MAX' HE'D BE NO HELP.'ukt. WAS DOING \ ALL NISHT. TOO. UNTIL THAT SION PAINTER WET' THAT WAS WH EN

MAX DID.'VZU.! GO ON TO THE VAULT / \

KEEPER' HE'S GOT ANOTHER HORROR YARN TO SPIN f AND YOU STILL HAVEN'T

i ,

]

LET “ E SEE< WH*T HORROR STORY FROM MY PRIVATE COLLECTION OF ^ IN MY VAULT CAN I PALPITATE YOUR LITTLE CADAVERS WITH THIS TIME ? Y0UR H0ST /N HORROR. THE VAUL T- KEEPERfK H. I KNOW' HERE'S A DELIGHTFUL IN YOUR BONES' IT*S A FAVORITE OF MINE THAT X

GH0ULS L6REETINGS I KEEP HERE

HE H

!IL'?; / «THAT CHILLERS

VSuPtXZMb*THAT WILL CURDLE THE MARROW SP/HE-T/HOLER AFFECTIONATELY CALL

BORROWED BODY/

High up over swanky park avenue, in an elaborATELY FURNISHEO PENTHOUSE APARTMENT, AN ATTRACTIVE WOMAN PACES THE PLUSH CARPETEO FLOOR NERVOUSLY SMOKINO CIGARETTE AFTER CIGARETTE 'FROM TIME TO TIME SHE GLANCES ANMOlSLY AT THE FRONT 00 OR EIPECTANTLY'FINALLX THE CHIMES STARTLE HER AND SHE RUSHES TO THE IT OPEN YOU'RE CRAZY, SANDRA INVITING ME MERE • IF YOUR HUSBAND FOUND OUT ABOUT US, HE ‘D DIVORCE YOU IN

DRIVING ME NUTS, sanora!

WHEN ARE WE

TONtSNT i ¥c*ERE, BABY ! CANT STAND IT ) YOU LOOK ANY LONGER \RAYISNIN6. EITHER. freo'K tonight! _ I WANT TO BE

NO. FRED' WEVE GOT A LOT TO ,

OKAY AFTER JUST ONE

TALK ABOUT... PLANS to

UTTU

KISS.

RID OF HIM FOR

GOING TO

eooof

Finally freo reluctantly releases sanora DORSAY, WIFE OF THE WEALTHY COR FOR AT 10 H

OKAY, SANDRA 7 HERBERT ALWAYS WALKS SMOOT' WHAT'S HOME FROM BOARD MEETINGS' THE FITCH* / YOU'LL WAIT FOR HIM ,

ON? YOUR JUST

A CERTAIN ALLEY.

i've seen him with

ER-.YES

TIONED SURE

MV WIFE. EM?

WIFE SEVERAL TIMES! YOU SURE. COOPER* YESTERDAY AS A X SANORA NEVER MEN-

MATTER OF FACT* YOU SAY YOU HAVEN'T SEEN lji HIM FOR A WHILE...

And so we leave the plotting lovers ano CROSS TOWN TO AN IMPOSING OFFICE BUILDIN6 THE BOARD MEETING OF THE DORSAY INVESTMENT COMPANY IS JUST BREAKING UPSAY. HERBERT' WHO'S TMIsT WHY, HE'S A FRIEND FRED HUNTSONf — OF mine, cooper' MAVENT SEEN HIM for MONTHS...

IT'

WAS

ARE YOU

SANDRAY

WELL, REALLY, HERB IT WAS JUST ONCE n 1

MIGHT BE A

FREtfS AN OLD

FLAME OF san

MISTAKE

BUT I'VE SEE THEM TOGETHER OH FIVE

. 1

DRA'S-.THE y're JUST..

PROBABLY

FRIENDS... now!

Down

the dark deserted STREETS BETWEEN THE TOWER N6 SILENT BUILDINGS HERBERT OORSAY MOVES I

YOU'D BETTER

SO MOW,

FRED' GOT EVERYTHING

STRAIGHT*

RIGHT' I KNOW THE SPOT' HE'LL HFV£R

SHOW WHAT NIT

HMf G NIGHT. BABY?

SURE

CANT

GIVE YOU A LIFT, HERB?

THINKING... *

Somehow, Herbert manages to side-step the attack AND THE EMPTY SILENCE OF THE DESERTED STREET IS SHATTERED BY THE IMPACT OF THE FETAL PIPE AGAINST THE STREETLIGHT POLE...

Herbert BEGINS TO RUN WILDLY DOWN THE OARK

STREET. ATTACKER CLOSE AT HIS HEELS' AS THEY DASH ACROSS AN INTERSECTION. A SPEEDING TRUCK SUDDENLY LOOMS BE FORE THEM- ITS BRAKES SHRIEKMO Wm ~m

Herbert

HIS

—

CRAZY FOOL 'RAN RIGHT

High up in her luxurious penthouse apart) 3 an ORA DORSAY SMILES TO HERSELF AS SHE Ll SHE MUSES,

ON A CHAISE- LOUNGE '

‘BY NOW.'

Far across the sleeping city, an ambulance screams INTO THE RECEIVING RAMP OF THE EMERGENCY WING OF A HOSPITAL AND WHINES TO A STOP/ A WHITE-SHEETEO. BLOOD-STAINED FORM ON A STRETCHER IS REMOVED FROM THE YAWNING REAR DOORS. HURRY/HE'S 601MS GOT HIT BY

’lT1

OVERT SUDOENLV THE DOOR CHIMES WIPE THE

HER LOVELY FACE.

WHO CAN THAT BE FRED f he‘o have more WHO

SEME

FAST'

Meanwhile sanora

opening

WHY... I.

THE PENTHOUSE DOOR YEST I surprised TO HERBERT SEE HE, SANDRA f .

DON’T

NO,

A TRUCK...

ACT

HERBERT/ IT'S \W!TH HE, 1 JUST THAT.. YOU’RE) SANORA/ Z ALL MUSSED... UP/) KMOW WHAT EVERYTHtHOi -*\ r^f 1 KNOW ALL

IILE AT THE PENTHOUSE. ALL RIGHT... ALL RIGHT/ PUT DOWN THAT ’ IT'S TRUE f HE DID TRY POKER, SANDRA / TO KILL YOU f TOO BAD HE PUT IT DOWN/ DIDN'T/ NOW I'LL HAVE , TO FINISH THE JOB. S

(

ABOUT FRED ANO YOU

HERE YOU ARE, DOCTOR/ lOCCt OF

AORENAUN/

NEVER MINO.NURSE! HE'S DEAD. c .

But. exactly at that moment, THE DORS AY PENTHOUSE

>ANORA STANOS OVER THE

Tit's from \FEEP THE OORSAyJ A WAT APARTMENT*

[listen'

Wnn6h7’

SOT TO PUT ON AN ACT FOR THE NEIGHBORS. -MAKE IT LOOK LIKE SELE-

I’ve

DEFENSE

While at the hospital, the doctor has just COVERED FRED HUNTSON S FACE WITH THE SHEET

S°?000000H‘ A HE

HE'S\

ALIVE/]

|""r

M ^^

—c HERBERT' Hr HO' NOf I

*£•

V eee£££ .

don't, sandra/ HEART STOPPED'] DON'T HIT ME~\ DEL IKIOUSi

impossible' mis

CM. HEH ' WHO WOULDN'T BE SHOCKED. EH, KIOOIES?\ NO* WOULD YOU LIKE TO WAKE UP IN SOMEBODY \ CISC'S BODY* VEP' THE EXACT MOMENT THAT HUNTSOM OfCO. HCPBEPT DON3AY WAS MUNDBtED BY HIS WIFE' BUT SOMETHING STBAN6E

HAS HAPPENED- SOtCTHINO WC/NO ' HERBERT DON SAY ISN'T DCAD' NFS AllYE IN FNCD HUNTSON S BOOT/ ISN'T THIS AN *m NESTING DEVELOPMENT’

HEANOTHE^* SHE SCPCAMED WHOLE THING' BEG6ED HIM THE BEAST TO STOP.' WAS SEATING J -A SHE MUST HAVE HEN-

YES' WE

HIT

AT MEN POfTHOUSt, SANDRA

CALLS THt HOSPtTAl

DOCTOR' DOCTOR MR. HUNTSON. THE PATIENT IN SOS' 1 HE'S

SONC.

HIS

BCD ’S EMPTY.'

BROKEN BOOT MOVES TOWARO MEW. I'm ,

HEKBEKT

HUSBAMD

•* NO'HO' FKED' LISTEN TO HE .' YOUKE DEUN/OUS.

YOUR

KEEP AWAY FROM ME ,Y TOU THOUGHT YOU KILLED ME WHEN YOU STKUCK ME WITH THIS KOKEK DON'T .

OH BOD.' YOU ^ ABE

HEKBEKT.'

YOU ABE.

YOU.

WHAT BEEN

SANDRA?

HERBERT'S DEAD. fred' I KILLED HIM ' the police THINK IT VMS SELE-DEEEMSE we're SAFE

EKED

THE ONE I AN

S HEKBEKT DEAD

...

.WHO'S

)

FKEDS BODY

YES, SANDRA f NOW YOU'RE KOKEK.' HOW 010 YOU KNOW ABOUT THE POI«R. CONVINCED. AREN'T YOU? i

FRED’ HOW 010 YOU. OH, LOBD. NO'

AND DON'T TRY TO BET MY

THAT KEEP THE M rBUN-DESK DBAWEB... 2

THAT'S I'VE

TRYING TO TELL YOU ALL ALONG..

'HEH.HEm' AND THAT'S MY TALE.^\ OEAR FIENDS' SANDRA TOOK A ) LITTLE CONVINC/N6 TO REALIZE ( THAT IT WAS REALLY HEKBEKT IN '

FKED’S *tW/THEN,S»« FINALLY

SOT IT... BUT GOOD .' THEY FOUMO j SANDRA'S BOOT— AND FRED'S TOO- } STONE COLD DEAD/ WELL. AFTER ALL. HOW LONG CAN A GUY WHO'S .been hit by a truck LAST./mrtuaf OH. BY THE WAY * IF rou WANT TO SEE / HOW LONG YOU . CAN LAST. JJST r send for back ISSUES! THE IN1

Ptk&rfWB

L/ # JVHV.

J **'"

FORMATION ON HOW TO GET 'EM is iN THE CKYPT-

) (

KEEFEK S ) COKMEHf J

CRYPT *8

Dear Crypt-Keeper.

kicks butt! My favorite stories: "Bata Belfry!" (faithfully reprinted in Vd. 1 of the Random

lore your stories Your stories are better than the VaiitKeeper's {I think the Vault-Keeper « a stupid Mot.) I

Goodbye

for

Cranston. Rl

#9 you seemed upset because no 14-year olds wrote to you So. here am Here's what thought of Issue •9 In issue

love you- stories

House

books) and "Scared to Death'" The Old Witch is a maior loser "The Living Death!" is boring and cheap. "Midnight Snack!", predictable and obvious

now. your friend forever.

Michael MoKnlght

The Otd Witch and The Vault-Keeper

"The Trophy" Brilliant! Awesome! Loved it! Judy You're Not Yourself Today!" Disappointing The worst story in the

book!

"Loved

to Death!!" Not bad at

all.

really liked the

"The Works... In Wax!" Excellent' One of the one problem. Who the **!* Is Lucy Bordman?

ending

best! Just

e penpals! Your craziest fan. S from the Crypt"

The story -Scared to Death! " in Issue *8 was the best story in that book. The worst story was The Old Witch's, that really

sucked Please

7927 Rambler PL OH 45231

Cincinnati.

am a

Invite

all

letters

Until next slime.

my address

Oara Conner

Five groat

Which issues are "The Reluctant Vampire!” and Abra Cadaver" gonna be in? If anyone else wants to write.

minds with but a single

—CK

thot.

CRYPT and also watch your shows What think CRYPT should [be] a it has scary stones movie theaters Then see how many peooie like It!

tug fan of

"Lucy Bordman took an ax and gave her mother 40 wacka. Whan she aaw what Lucy done, Lizzy Borden joined the fun.”

"The Switch” la In CRYPT 28, yet to come, or get it now In GLAD CRYPT S. "Reluctant" was In VAULT 9, get It now. “Abra" wasn't the title of an EC story. Diva me a two aantanca plotline and I’ll ID It. —CK

Don't forget Amicus did a CRYPT and a VAULT during the 70s. People say they're on video, with the VAULT one labeled CRYPT II. CK

You are my idol. I'm a 14 year old girl collect your comics and cards, and tape your shows, except the ones on FOX on Saturday because they cut all the good parts out

like ts that

movie

Tony Rlzor

Lima.

—

I love the comic CRYPT 7 Are you a girl or a boy? I hate the other creepy comics, like THE VAULT OF HORROR They sucki The only creepy conic I like Is yours. You're the best

celebrate Halloween year round I'm a really gory person I have even developed your sick vocabulary So when do we start getting soma Crypl shirts out??? give much thanks to John Kasslr for bringing you back from the dead on your show. must say your cards are a real kick In the teeth lo find. I would like to hear from Mike Tormey who wrote you a letter In CRYPT #9. t draw a lot I

Scott LeBeau

Mt. Vernon.

Bata In My Belfry! from CRYPT #8 was a fun story recognized "The Living Death!" as Poe's "Facts In The cleverly uxJated Graham IngeO "

Case Of M VakJemar" was the perfect choice

to illustrate this bizarre tale

book he

CRYPT,

Paula Santos

says. "T-shirts faaturing HBO CK In next catalog. Will have about • to choose from. Plus, 1 exclusive to EC Comics." Torso little goober,

And draw I

By the way. on "Talea from the Cryptkeeper" the stories are obviously not EC. and your face Is green What's the deal with those cartoon guys? Barry McCollum

draw a lot of skulls and been In many art shows corpses Please print my address Mike write me! Thanks, for making my Rfe (or death) a gory I've

Poe

and Ingels jusf seem to go together. I'm remembering his fine work on the "Cask Of Amontillado" adaptation "Blood Red Wine! " m Crime #3.

Duncan Reynold's story w with a hunger for literature wonder whet reading, perhaps "Frankenfurterstein"?!

Isn’t

fliaal

—CK

ha?

really dug "The Trophy!" In Crypt #8! Your trophy room Is the greatest. d>d you bag them all yourself? In the picture of your trophy room if looks like VK'a mouth is sewn shut Is that the only way you could keep him quiet? I

Pullman

Jim Davis Sorry, got

no Idea.

And still I hear him MUMBLING up

there)

—CK

Aa we’ve Intimated In these pages before, sometimes you borrow an Idaa and aomatlmaa you borrow tha plot it’a atorad In, too. And aomatlmaa you ramambar to aay thanks, and aomatlmaa you don't. That’a

—CK

bualnaaa.

a amovin’ ahaat racalvad hara. Part of tha signature was burnad off. “Dark Demo... Mayba It waa "Dark Oamoathanaa."

Bottom

hall of

enjoyed reading CRYPT number 7. "Reflection of Deathl" a neat idea, having the reader being the person In the But then they ruined the Illusion by showing the face and then giving him the name Al The of the name of the reader being Al is rather remote, so It would have been better to refer to the character as "you" I

was

story.

of the character

chances

The Feldstein cover for CRYPT #9 seemed weak compared to the one that he did for #8 Those covers that require a talk balloon to carry them over are seldom as good as those (without) You have no doubt noticed that Jack Davis never had balloons In any of his cover Wustra lions Oavis seemed to be a very versatile artist as he did good work In the war and SF comics as well aa In the horror

mags love your comics! Your stories are wonderful! love it al the end of your stories when you make funny comments I

have a beach towel, watch, cup holder, poster, two shirts, a pen and the HBO TV show cards of you. also have some issues of CRYPT. think the story in *8 ("Scared to I

Please

my address

write to me.

and

Rosalie

14 years old

I'll

people

Hke your comics can

who

write back

Death!")

was

great! Ghoullshty yours.

West

Corey DoBak

wrote

this letter with the

Too bed you

couldn’t E-Mail

Hertford.

ShortsvHe.

Crypt-Ke eper pen It

Ertl.

Vineland,

Chris Drake

new

the field of comic books

something mean, there are too many super heroes out there today That is why like EC comics so much' They are my number ones! So give EC two skufe up! It's

good to see

7 Park ST NY 14548

love your tales, they 're so creepy Your spookier than The Vault-Keeper and The OkJ Witch How come m your show you're dead but In the comic you're not? Creepingly yours. I

through the Crypt.net!

Why

In the TV show on FOX is the Crypt -Keepe- bald and has no skin when the one in the comic book Is the total

opposite?

Rockaway. NJ

Harold Craft Personally, the Crypt-Keeper Is the beet out of Say hi to the Crypt star tor me I

love every

EC comic.

threel

have also been a fan I [am] a fan of your CRYPT reprints of the HBO show "Tales from the Crypt" for a while but the only thing from the show I don't like « The Crypt-Keeper; I I

Goldsboro.

Enc Johnson I

all

eapeclalfy Hke your horror comic®.

expected him to be more

the comic books.

planning to get the [hardback] COMPLETE CRYPT very made I think It Is the best horror comic ever

Houston.

Raul Alarcon

soon because

Englewood.

Adam Owens I

am s big fan of you and your show on HBO you have a dub please! please! please send an application !o)oin If

far

a bit disturbed by your comments about the CryptKeeper s voloe on the TV show and I he cartoon (as mentioned in CRYPT #9) I can do several voice Impersonations very well, but my favorite Is the Crypt-Keeper's vole* can do It excellently (although, the laugh is because I

really, really, really, really

Corey Agee

would

like to (Okv

CRIME

n 9 last monthl

So if the Crypt-Keeper even needs a back-up I" be hanging around! Any other horror-crazed and ghouls out there? could use a pen pal. write to Pleasant screams.

tncky).

Martinsville,

don't operate a fan club, but other tans dol You should eeo The Vault-Keeper's “Fan Club News" page, which ran In HAUNT. INCREDIBLE SF and

—CK

vocalist.

bolls

Jarrod Brito (CK.

Jr.)

9371 Anderson ST Thornton.

CO 80229

HBO/FOX's CK la a victim of external lipoauctlonl have no argument with TV-Keeper'a voice per ae, but It ain’t a patch on mine own) CK I

—

When

I'm Trtsta

Then

let

are you? This you!

Trlsta Whites eH

got done reeding

CRYPT »7

from

was

first letter

hope you

age B

plain awesome! love your comics some of the stories are weird but just don't Me and my sister started collecting your comics They're great! I've watched your show so many times'

You are awesome! Just Actually,

care!

loved

It. She said It was cool. Voodoo Oeathl" How old

friend Tabbie read

favorite story

Nishad Mafmudar

Pittsburgh.

Wei see

Anderson. IN

am old enuf to appreciate a well-written, well* spelled legible letter from e young peraon, especially Congratulations) CK I

—

when they are SO young! I

got

first

EC comics a couple weeks ago I'm 9 My favorite story In the book Is

old. I'm your »1 fan.

years "Bats

sucks big My Belfry!" agree with Jarid Brewer They should taka my advice and shoot VK right between the eyes They should have an EC comic that only has you and your stones. gotta go now

time

Luke T orgrtmson

Bozeman.

Bad news! Shooting VK In the heed doesn't even make him angry (It does get Ns attention). I know, It And I want my bullet back! —CK I

tried I

on |uet got my love them! brought to school and everybody wanted to look at them! Me

love your show!

first

watch

whenever

CRYPT comic and pack of cards

them and my tnend decided to amazing!

doesn

start

it's

a Crypt Club!

love your attitude can't befceve you' I'm 11 years old 1

will

It,

Sis

sister

Newmarket

Zack Ginies

Oat with

— CK

My name is Matt Smith. am ten years old wrote to you before have some questions to ask you. 1) Do you Bie Mortal Kombat guys? 2| Are you rtcn$? If you are could you send me a CRYPT comic? 3) Did you ever kill somebody? 4) Do you Ike to play sports? 5) Can you send me a picture of yourself? And sign your name on It? know am asking for a lot. but It would be real nice If you did I

have two more questions to ask you A) What Is your Do you kke Beavis and Butlhead?

favorite animal? B)

Matt Smith

Ubca.

like them, but foresee no long term relationships. got that way by NOT giving 2) Sure, I'm rlch$l And, 1)

away oomicsl 1) Someone peeked! 4) I played deadend for the NY Stankees football team In IMS.

Why should

learn to write iust for you? A) like animals. B) Didn’t I Just answer that? 5)

just love

of you!

your comics.

pall Also,

first,

don’t

—CK

My brother has [hardbacks?] books a CRYPT f9 would love a pen me a free comic and w* give you a me the

favorite issue

can you give

"The Switch " Bui you have to give

story called

comic

ok?

Jeremy Rainer Forest

BA Lee ST LK. Ml 56025

Blackmail, eh? Well. EC already has a story titled "The Switch" (see above), so you’ll have to up the

—CK

ante to gat a freebie outa met Hah, hah!

just read CRYPT «9 It was cool Two tales In that issue were adapted by the HBO series My favorite tale trom your magazine Is "The Works m Wax! I

Dusty Gann

Pembroke,

You're the best out of the three. All your stories are the beet My favorite is "Bats in My Belfry!". Whet is your favorite?

Wei

Jevln Ctaxton

tell

them

keep making them

coot.

Royse City. TX

for

VAULT, WtINO FANTASY and TWO-FISTIO next month. Oort FICTION and CftIMI dot SUtSCRlM toco ow od In

forgot HAUNT, INCMOiBLf SCKNCf thorn ot yew local comic hecA chop or

HERE'S A HAIR-RAISING TALE OF

ERROR?

CALL THIS ONE

WIIUAM-AL HID

^teON

MY FARM f

TIME. TOO?

right -

YOU THE FELLER WHAT CALLED ME ON THE RHONE 'BOUT BUTIN' THE FARM »

CITY TELLER who's interested .IN BI/YIM'

—

14 DIESEL

'THAT’S RI6HT

YOU

MUST BE HIRAM BECFERf MY NAME IS ROT

MAD ISOM

Hiram turned and gesticulated toward the OPEN FIELDS AND THE RAMSHACKLE FARM HOUSE WELL THAR SHE IS ? PERFECT' EXACTLY I.

—

YOU MEAN YOU STILL ^ OF COURSE' THE LISTINS SAIO JWAN T TO BUY 'ER»AYOUR ASKING PRICE WAS SEVEN

—

pyjJTITTW^JMTjl^THOUSANO DOLLARS' '

WHAT DO YOU THINK* JwHAT

—

'OK

YEP' YOU CAN

HAVE

*ER ..LOCK,

STOCK ANO BARREL. FOR THAT AMOUNT'

LOOX/N6

I'M

good' then

ITS A DEAL f

SHALL WE GO UP TO THE HOUSE AND LSIGN THE ' .

NECESSARY 4 PAPERS? 1

Hiram got into roys car and THEY DROVE UP THE DUSTY ROAD TO THE HOUSE SAY, YOUNG FELLER! MIND IF I ASK YOU | A QUESTION?

jjK

AND

FIVE MILES

LOOK .

FROM TOWN' ANC THE LANO IS

PERFECT' ALMOST

FLAT.' EXCEPT FOR .THAT SMALL HILL

^^OUT

Hfll

correct

YOU'RE NO FARMER'

)

I'M GOING

I KIN TELL THAT'

<TO TURN IT WHAT DO YOU WANT\ INTO AN THIS OL‘ FARM FOR, IA/RRORT ANYWAY?—--' ANO FLY1X6 SCHOOL.

-.XL

A/RPORTf FLY/N6 j IT'S A PERFECT LOCATION JUST OFF THE MAIN HIQHWAY. SCHOOL /

^ HMU

m/lk

THERE

HLL

A BULL -DOZEN i YOU AIN*T GONNA BULLLEVEL THAT OFF DOZE that INDIAN ]

jiq

time' runways ^/ 'HOUND. MR. MADISON,

ARE YOU? T WOULDN ADVISE IT? T—

And SO ROY MADISON AND HIRAM

BECKfcn a.untu THE BILL OF SALE AND THE BECKER FARM WAS

AND HERE'S YOUR CHECK, MR BECKER' NOW. HOW SOON DO YOU THINK I CAN

YOU SEE, I AIN'T GOT FAMILY. AND I'LL NEED ..

WORK TILL

1 KIN FIND

REMEMBER. MR. _ME, HIRAM* JUST

WATCH.

MADISON* 1 1 WARNED!UH*,

The huge bull dozer roared as roy thre FORWARD BEAR* SLOWLY IT BORE DOWN UPOI RISE OH THE OTHERWISE FLAT LANDSCAPE HERE GOES YOUR INDIAN MOUND,

Coughing and barking, the bull-

THEN SPUTTERED TO A STOP HALFWAY THROUGH THE ANCIENT BURIAL

dozer's POWERFUL TREADS SHOVED 6LEAMIN6 PLOW INTO THE INDIAN MOUND

ITS

site... r

WHA T IN BLAZES. ® SHE’S CONKED OUT

Roy swung himself down from the orivers seat OF THE MECHANICAL MONSTER AS OLD HIRAM CAME ON THE RUN...

Roy BENT AND PICKED SKULL

LOOK.'

QMagg

UP A

—

IT MUST BE THE REMAINS OF ONE OF THE POOR OEVILS THAT WAS BUN/ED HERE ’ IT

OON*T KNOW, HIRAM 'ENGINE JUST DIED ON ME' SHE- GOOD LORD

^5,

LISTEN. MR MADISON'

LISTEN*

DRUMS..

Roy and hiram turned their HEAOS SKYWARD' FROM FAR OFF CAME THE SOUNO OF TOM-TOMS... THROBBING—

DON'T BE FOOUSK' /HIRAM* THAT'S just HEATumrMlMO- IN THAT \

PILED UP'

(

THUMDERHEAD i

IIP

THERE.

I TOLD YUK MR. MADISON I TOLD YUH L NOT TO PLOW UP THAT

PULSATING...

IMO!AM BURIAL MOUMO NOW THEY'RE GONNA .1

^OME AMO 9IT US.

COME BACK, HIRAM

COME BACK.'

7 NOT ME, MR madison' l'M

MOT ST/WIN6 l

4*.

-/-?

Roy watcheo as the fleeing hiram becker DISAPPEARED DOWN TK ROAD IN A CLOUD OF DUST' SUO OENLY A CLAP OF THUNDER EXPLOOEO OVERHEAD AND IT REGAN TO RAIN ' ROY FLUNG THE Ml TO THE GROUNO FIRST THE _ [OULLOOEEP COMPS OUT ANO NOW I TM/ST PAIMf I'LL HAVE TO

Then rot sprinted to the house just as the rain BEGAN TO FALL IN HEAVY SHEETS ' HE SLAMMED THE DOOR AND CURSED ' OUTSIOE IT WAS SETTING DARK

4. QUIT POP

—M

Later, as nisht closed in on the ramshackle farm HOUSE. ROY SAT NEAR THE FIRE' OUTSIOE. THE RAIN BEAT INCESSANTLY ON THE ROTTED ROOF ' SUDDENLY, THE DISTANT SOUNO OF TOM-TOMS BEGAN AGAIN...

But THE STEAOY DRUMMING OF THE TOM-TOMS SEEMED TO DRAW CLOSER AND CLOSER TO THE OLD FARMHOUSE' ROY BEGAN TO SHIVERP FEAR CLUTCHED AT HIS HEART' A COLO CHILL RAN UP MIS SPINE' SUDOENLY THERE WAS A HEAVY

Roy flung

open the battered

DOOR AND OAZEO OUTSIDE INTO THE BLACKNESS. THAT YOU, HIRAM? TOUT) THINK

..IT...

THOUGHT

Amid the steady throbbing of THE RAIN CAME A CLEAR UNMISTAKABLE SOUND THE BLOOO CURDLING SHRIEK OF ROY MADISON.

OH HY 600

^AA 6 A AAaa ^,

ho! NO!

It WAS OLD HIRAM BECKER'HE CROSSED THE RAiNSOAKED FIELO TOWARD THE HOUSE' SUDDENLY HE STOPPCO AND Sf ARID IN AMAZEMENT ' THE BULL 007 CR SAT SILENTLY IN A MUOOY PUOOLE NEAR THE INDIAN BURIAL MOUND ' BUT THE MOUND -

BFhF/W/^* houhd' .nr. Ht SL'r. r

A..

^ I

4 ;;a:s

Hiram stared down at the crumpled figure of roy STRETCHED OUT IN A DRIED POOL OF BLOOD ON THE FLOOR 'HE STIFFLEO THE FEELING OF NAUSEA THAT OVER HIM.

As THE SUN ROSE OVER THE OLD FARM, THE SKY HAD CLEARED' HERE AND THERE, PU DOLES OF MATER ATTESTED TO THE FACT THAT IT HAD RAINED ALL THAT NlftlT' A LONE FIGURE MOVCO DOWN THE MUOOY ROAO... I

Hiram turned toward the water-logged house' STOOO DARK AN0 SOMBRE IN THE MORNING SUNLIGHT'| HE MOVED TOWARD IT SWUNG OPEN THE BATTERED IT

HEE, HEE? YEP? THE FIRE'S CRACKLING UNDER MY CAULDRON.' THE EVIL BREW, BUBBLING AND GURGLING, .THE OLD IS JUST ABOUT FINISHED.' CONE INf COME INTO THE HAUNT OF FEAR.' X AM YOUR HOSTESS MITCH... REAOY TO DISH OUT ANOTHER OF MY DELICIOUS MORSELS OF MADNESS' GOT YOUR DROOLCUPS FASTENED SECURELY? GOOO? THEN I'LL BEGIN THE TERROR!Z/NO TALE I CALL.. .

Â«0 T

HOYAM

AJsJl,

**.,

IT WAS

A BRIGHT SUNNY SUNDAY M0RNIN6 IN JULY OF 1892 IN A SMALL SEACOAST TOWN THAT MY STORY HAD ITS BEGINNING' THE DOORS OF THE LITTLE WHITE

CHURCH THAT STOOD IN THE VILLAGE SOUARE HAD JUST BEEN OPENED, AND THE MORNING WORSHIPERS

WERE

FILING OUT.

N,y

OH, MR. MAYOR? LET ME THANK rr'IOU AGAIN FOR YOUR GENEROUS j f CONTRIBUTION TO OUR STAINED- S GLASS WINDOW FUND? IT SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO FILL OUR QUOTA? PERHAPS

THE WINDOW WILL BE INSTALLED BY THE TIME THE ELECTION ROLLS

AROUND?

THINK NOTHING OF IT. REVEREND f ZONLY WISH Z COULD HAVE

GIVEN MORE' BUT. AS YOU KNOW. BEIN6

Y ANO THAT 1

’ 4

AN HONEST POL!- i TicJAM DOES NOT MAKE A MAN RICH'

WHY YOU HAVE

BEEN RE-ELECTED SO OFTEN. MAYOR FULTON BECAUSE THE TOWNSFOLK KNOW YOU ARE AN

HONORABLE MAN'

Meanwhile... nearby, cyrus mangate, mayor jed FULTON* OPPONENT IN THE COMING ELECTION, %

( i L

/^P

Z*> LIKE

SNARLED TO HIMSELF. HMMPH' LOOK AT Hit*' RICH TEOUS OLD STUFFED SHIRT/ THREE TIMES HE’S BEATEN ME FOR THE / MAYORALTY? THREE TIMES' BUT THIS TIME ... fh .

THIS TIME

WILL bZ

TO HAVI

TALK WITH /(LUNCH WITH

’YOU. SIR? IT’S

WITH ME, MR

DIFFERENT.

to, sir'

are

SURE...

VERY JMPOR-)r MANGATE? MY

Yah' my 1 WORTHY

TANTf ^ ^

OPPONENT... MR. MANGATE'

SERVANT HAS

THE DAY OFF... < and I’D WELCOME THE COMPANY '

wsl pjur

DRINK TO THIS ELECTION,/ NONSENSE. CYRUS' YOU I KNOW Z CAN’T BEAT

{

YOU...

^ Jf

CAN’T TELL.

H 1

PFV?

Cyrus drew a small square of foloed paper FROM HIS POCKET AND EMPTIED THE CONTENTS INTO .THE MAYOR* DRINK.. MAYBE THIS TIME WILL BE MAYBE, MR. MAYOR f YOUR CHANCE. CYRUS MAYBE YOU’RE 1

RIGHT.'

FULTON DRAINEO'HIS ’

PHEWf BAH' WINE'S

’

BAD* POOR VINTAGE f r

TASTES] <ALL RIGHT T0 M£A I JED f IT

[ ,

TASTED BITTER.'

f '

’

AND WHEN YOU DIE. rOU 'SPECT THEY’LL GIVE YOU A RIGHT NICE

FUNERAL EH? .

> i

WHY NOT

r...

BUT

HAVEN'T THEY.JEO? J THEY’VE ALWAYS THOUGHT YOU WERE \ AN

HONORABLE.

BOD- FEARING RIGHTEOUS MAN.'

THEY THOUGHT YOU

COMMITTED SUICIDE.. ANO NOTE CONFESSING GRAFT and CORRUPTION. THEY'D BE PRETTY SORE AT

MHATS WRONG WITH MET 1 FEEL FUNNY'

LEFT A

NOT GET DECENT BURIAL

YOUEH? YOU NIGHT

Fx ve POISONED YOU. YOU RIGHTEOUS OLD FOOL /AND SEE THIS? IT’S YOUR CONFESS/ON. YOUR SUICIDE ;

I-

NOTE

MaTOR FULTON SLUMPED TO THE FLOOR ? NOW, WE LL SEE.JEOf WE'LL BEE WHAT THE TOWN THINKS OF YOU AFTER THIS/ <

I'LL JUST LEAVE THIS NOTE ANO THE EMPTY POISON PACKET OH THE TABLE

CLEAR UP AHY EVIDENCE OF NY BEING

HERE

AND LEAVE i

CLflK’fewffiSK

^AFTER CAREFULLY REMOVING ANY TRACES OF HIS HAVING VISITED THE MAYOR’S HOUSE. CYRUS MANOATE SLIPPED OUT. |U NSEtW_: _ HEH, HEH' WELL, JEO' X GUESS

THIS CINCHES

MY ELECTION.

AND RUINS YOUR SPOTL ESS

REPUTA TION

. .

^k'SBEEN POISONED: IT ..IT'S

MURDER'

...

Y WHO. )

WHO COULD HAVE IT? THE WHOLE TOWN LOVED AND

DONE

RESPECTED

him'

trig

Oh. WHAT A FUNERAL THEY GAVE POOR MAYOR FULTON? EVERYBODY IN THE TOWN TURNED OUT TO MOURN HIS HE WAS A

MANr i

Cyrus was at the funeral, too? there were MAMY SUSPECTING GLANCES THROWN IN HIS DIREC-

GOOD /"THE BEST

tat MAYOR k

HEE, HEE ? YEP? CYRUS'S PLAN GOT FOULEO THE OLD BAG OF WIND DIDN’T COUNT ON A SU6HT BREEZE 'anyway, when the { SERVANT DISCOVERED MAYOR FULTON'S BODY AND THE SUICIOE NOTE WAS NOT FOUND WITH IT... AN AUTOPSt-WAS PERFORMED f

EVER

TOWN

THIS

HAD.'

[hen' two davs'after the funeral, as the locIT^ ’OLIGE WERE INVESTIG ATING THE MAYOR’S DEATH...

hTy~look AT THIS.' l -I

CAN'T

Vf-

UNDERSTAND Tf

THEY._DIDN'T PINO THE SUICIDE NOTEf what could have happened.

•

J j

rl9'

-ft

•

™

FOUND

BOOKCASE'

SUICIDE AO T£

“ U3T H4VE 4B -

^-LEN OFF f

‘

Y AT

JhT

;

? -

TOWNSFOLK WERE SHOCKED AT THE HAT THE MA YOR’S DEATH W AS A SUICIDE

FIRST, THE

NEWS

VDON TBEUEvFyWMY SHOULOV'' THE POLICE S ^ J HE DO SUCHA /SAY THE NOTE _ IT' CONFESSES THING7 STEAL INC

wJ-^7

(T^/rr^ XyE ah' Ythat

’

ALL THESE YEARS. CAND ALL*. 'THE TIME POS/N6 AS AN UPS TANDINC, J STEAL IN'.

SUICIDE THA-rsiLET’S J RIGHT' A SIN/ HE DON’T /8ET /SUICIDE'S BELONG INOUR)him \a SIN... t CEMETERY., your.. \

HOWEVER? CYRUS MAHGATEMAD WORKED

AND WE TRUSTED HIM ALL THESE YEARS' BELIEVED in him' never DOUBTED his HONESTY AND NOW HE LIES THERE AMONG DECENT PEOPLE...in the CHURCH BURYIN' 6R0UNDS/ ARE you GOING TO ^ STAND FOR THAT? ARE YOU

GOD-FEARIN' r

»>AN...

AIN'T NO ROOM IN 4 IUR BURY IN' GROUND!

FOR A SINNER...

kj *

Anxious hanos wieloed spades and shovels D IGGING UP THE FRESH GRAVE If* THER e" Vou 7?'si'HUC*7l.ir% GET THE ROPES ON IT r ^ the COFFIN... AND HAUL'IM •"

COFFIN WAS CARRIED TO THE

CyNUS BEGAN TO HAUL AT

KNOCKED THE OARS WEWBOARO.

I...I

WHAra THAT?

lORRfwm-* WHO ARE WUf 4

,6000 f

Iand so. with a gurgle ANOA BULP. MY STONY ENOS' POOR \

CYRUS? HC DIDN'T

END UP IN THE NICE. NEAT LITTLE CEMETENY BEHIND THE SMALL WHITE CHURCH, EITHER^ WELL- IT'S LIKE ONE OP

THE TOWNSPOLK SAIO ' THERE <, WASN’T ROOM THERE POR S/MMERS? what's THAT? WHAT ABOUT JED? HE WAS NO S/H< HER? OH. BUT HE WAS? THOSE THINBS M THE SUICIDE NOTE WERE

TRUE? C'MOM?

010

DMpU* YOU EVER MEET AN WaX&R' H°HYSr POL/Tb IV

C/AM?

HEE. HEE

HEE-HEE! Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;M GOING TO DO LIKE THESE TWO GOOFY GHOULUNATICS, AND GET MY

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CONTENTS OF GLADSTONE EC COMICS d LAO CRYPT #1:

CRYPT 33(19521 CRIME 17

QUO PI

11953)

(1663) (1960)

P2:

*3:

VAULT 27 (1962)

P3:

HAUNT

OLAO WEIRO SCIENCE PI

CRYPT 36 11963) CRIME 16(1951)

CRYPT 39 CfUME

(1963) (19501

*4 CRYPT 18 (19601

â&#x20AC;¢5

W SO W

22 (1963) FAN 1 (1960)

18(19631 FAN 17 (1960)

HAUNT 22

(1963)

VAULT 13(1960)

18 (1963)

WSa

W 3C1 W FAN

9(1961) 14 (1960)

94 VAULT 23 11962) HAUNT 13(1662)

W S-F 27 (1966) W FAN 11 (1962)

CRYPT 46 CRIME

CRIME 16 (1963)

VAULT

VAULT 34

HAUNT

98:

(19641

98:

(1961)

8(1661)

W S-F 28 (1966)

CRYPT 42 (1654)

CRWE 27 (1956)

6(1661)

VAULT 19

W FAN

OLAO HAUNT 91: HAUNT 17(1962)

98:

VAULT 32 (1953) FAN 6(1961)

92 HAUNT 6 (1960) W &F 29 (1956)

FOR EXAMPLE GLAD CRYPT GLAD CRYPT #1 IS $5; GLAD CRYPT #4, GLAD WEIRD *1 AND #4 ARE $4 EACH: ALL OTHER ISSUES ARE $3 EACH. INCLUDE $5 PER ORDER FOR SSH ($10 OUTSIDE US).

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printed

in u.s a.

ORIGINAL

ajoajajm-i

FEATURING

[THE CRYPT-KEEPER

|THE OLD WITCH

|THE VAULT-KEEPER

EC COMICS FROM THE

1950s!

u uaya

TERROR

_ HEH.HEH? SO YOU'RE BACK FOR MORE% EH? SO YOU LIKE HOPPOP STORIES, EH? WELL, I'VE GOT A LITTLE TALE ABOUT PEOPLE WHO UKE HOPPOP THAT will WARM YOUR COLD HEARTS' YES, ITS ME... THE CRYPT- KEEPER. YOUR HOST IN THE CRYPT OF TERROR/ COME IN? JUST DRAG OVER THAT BURLAP SACK HI IN IT ISN'T QUITE STIFF YET? COMFY? GOOD? NOW .

|ANO SIT DOWN? IT'S NICE AND SOFT.'THE CORPSE LISTEN TO THE TERROR- TALE I CALL

The hunchback cowereo before the red-hot STOVE. A BOTTLE OF ACID RAISED MENACINGLY IN HIS WARTY HAND? THE SHAGGY- HAIREO UGLY MAN MOVED TOWARD THE TERRORIZED HUNCHBACK. REACHING FOR

I'M GOING TO CHOKE YOU, YOU TWISTED LITTLE

MONSTER'

SCAM/ED BY TATO

r KEEP AWAY FROM MET THIS IS ACID I HAVE? IF YOU TOUCH ME, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;LL..,

( 1

The wild looking man's strong fingers closed

HRIEKING HYSTERICALLY, THE SHAGGY ONE PLUNGED HUNCHBACKS FACE DOWN UPON THE GLOWING TOP THE RED-HOT STOVE? THE HUNCHBACK HOWLED ? A WAS HEARD AND A CLOUD OF SMOKE

ON THE HUNCHBACK'S THROAT ? SUDDENLY 1C SCREAMED IN PAIN' THE HUNCHBACK HAD FLUNG THE CONTENTS OF THE ACID BOTTLE INTO HIS FACE...

Suddenly the gory scene was BLOTTED OUT BY A FLASH OF RED

The curtains parted and the

CLAP CL

HIS FACE THEN THE SHA6GY HAIRED MAN CAME OUT, HIS FACE HORRIBLY DISFIGURED BY THE ACID BURNS' THEY

DRA VO.'MSTUPEN- r BOWED TO THE CHEERING DOUS ' __PLAY-G0ERS..

“

As THE

HUNCHBACK STEPPED FORWARD, CHARRED?

VELVET AS THE CURTAINS CLOSED? A GASP ERUPTED FROM THE SHOCKEO AUDIENCE? THEN A TUMULT OF APPLAUSE EXPLODED? -

;

^X^7^g

ENTHUSIASTIC CROWD MOVED TOWARD THE EXITS, BABBLIG... TWO AMERI CANS REMAINED THEIR SEATS- TREMENDOUS. HELL, ARTHUR? MILES? THE MOST WHAT DID /AMAZING DISPLAY THINK 0 OF HORROR I HAVE EVER SEEN?

Apr

”

ARE PARISIANS ANY^B DIFFERENT THAN NEW YORKERS, MILES? BROADWAY WOULD GO MAD OVER

THIS STUFF

SURE WE CAN ’I MAKE A DEAL WITH THEM, MILES ?OH-OH?

I’M

ARTHUR

THE

HORROR

EFFECTS OF THE 4 GRAND QU/GNOL ARE ALL CLOSELY GUARDED SECRETS

HERE COMES M'SIEU MATIER... THE OWNER?

FRENCHMAN APPOACHED THE TWO AMERICANS... I BELIEVE YOU Y THAT'S RIGHT ARE THE TWO /M'SIEU MATIER! AMERICANS A I AM MILES WHO CALLED Y ANDISH, AND ME? THIS IS ARTHUR

—

The tall, gaunt, pale-faced

COME INTO MY OFFICE, GENTLEMEN' YOU SAW THE PERFORM-

WAS

TO BE SEATED. I AM GLAD YOUXM'SIEU MATIER? WE WOULO LIKED IT, GENTLE) MEN' NOW. WHAT /LIKE TO PRODUCE THE CAN I DO FOR GRAND 6U/6_ . YOU? .

J {TERRIFIC:

ANCE?

mack'

The theater owner led the TWO MEN INTO A SMALL OFFICE AND MOTIONED THEM

1/V '

YOU THINK

' WE'RE SURE OF IT< HORROR IS SWEEPING

THE

GRAND GUIGNOL .

HAVE

IT IN

COM/C

X At* SORRY. GENTLEMEN I DO NOT THINK WE CAN DO BUSINESS ?

THE COUNTRY BACK THERE ' THEY EVEN

WILL BE AS SUCCESS-

FUL IN AMERICA AS IT IS HERE IN PAR,S ? /38a

—4

WE CAN OFFER YOU GOOD PRICE.

)

m’sieu matier'

WHAT

P/ERRE MAT/ER! THE

METHODS

we use

ducing THE

HORRIBLE

pro-

EFFECTS IN OUR PLAY WERE INVENTED BY HIM, AND HAVE BEEN JEALOUSLY GUARDED EVER SINCE' ONLY X KNOW THEM' EVEN THE ACTORS HERE DO NOT KNOW HOW THEY ARE DONE'

AND THE SECRETS ARE ALL IN

YOUR

HEAD. M'SIEU?

YOUR

OBJECTION

BOORS

THE GRAND GUIGNOL WAS STARTED BY MY FATHER.

NOES PLAYS AMERICA!

IT IS

IMPOSSIBLE!

OH, NOT REMEMBERING THEM WOULD BE MUCH TOO DIFFI-

NO! THEY ARE ALL WRITTEN DOWN in A manu

CULT'

SCRIPT WHICH X KEEP IN SAFE NOW, IF YOU WILL EXCUSE ME, THE ' NIGHT'S RECEIPTS i

THAT

The two Americans left the theater and moved DOWN THE NARROW TWISTING ALLEY IN THE MONTMARTRE SECTION OF PARIS WHERE THE BRAND OU/S~~ NOL THEATER IS LOCATEOWELL. MILES? V' BLASTED FRENCHMEN? YOU^ WHAT DO WE DO j CAN'T TALK SENSE JO THEM ? l NOW? THEY’RE ALL SO DARN l,

COULDN'T HAKE ME GIVE UP . ^ THOSE SECRETS? j^A

WHAT WOULD STOP ME FROM. K/LL/N6 YOU FOR THEM?

SENT/HENTALf

Suddenly, the two men stopped? they stood BENEATH THE STREETLAMP, STARING AT EACH OTHER.

r OUR PLANE LEAVES \

OH, COULDN'T II

MILES IF I WERE IN H/SSHOES, I'D DO THE SANE TH/N6 YOU

IHE

AMERICANS TURNED AROUND AND HEADED BACK TO THE GRAND GUIGNOL...

rOJTHE RUE CHAPTAI

HE WAS A FOOL FOR TELLING HURRY/ HE SAID US ABOUT THAT MANUSCR/PT/J SOMETHING ABOUT THE

THE

MORN/NQ / WE'D BE FAR AWAY BEFORE ANYONE > FOUND HIM? jgrt*

Outs 'TSIDE THE

OFFICE OF THE GRAND

GUIGNOL, MILES

ANO ARNOLD

HESITA-

THEN SLOWLY OPENED THE DOOR? INSIDE, MONSIEUR MATIER WAS STOOPING BEFORE THE SAFE.

TED

'THE

SAFE.. IT'S

OPEN/

WE'RE

LUCK/

ONSIEUR MATIER PLACEO THE METAL BOX INTO THE SAFE BESIDE THE VOLUME MARKED 'PIERRE MATIER, METHODS’? TWO SHADOWS MOVED TOWARD HIM? HE TURNED. WIDE-EYED... T I

The gun exploded in his face? HE SLUMPED TO THE FLOOR? A HAND REACHED OUT AND REMOVED THE MANUSCRIPT FROM THE SAFE.

LET'S

BOY

The next morning, at le bourget airport just OUTSIDE PARIS, MILES ANDISH AND ARTHUR MACK BOARDEO A TRANSATLANTIC CONSTELLATION? MILES CLU TCHED THE PRECIOUS MANUSCRIPT UNDER HIS ARM f r Hinunro ic rurv'wr X cunTlfO ' FOUNO HIS BODY YET?/ YOU FOOL

And as the giant airliner rose gently into the SKY ABOVE FRANCE. IN THE OFFICE OF THE GRAND 6U/6N0L THEATER IN LE SUE CHAPTAL -MONTMARTRE.

While on the plane.

MILES' Y SO THAT'S

fLOOK'J HOW THEY MAKE THE VAjj J BLOOD POM OUT OF THE ,

WA bounds'

YES? AND LOOK HERE THE STABBING SCENE.' A DETAILED DRAWING OF HOW <

THE NN/EE IS CONSTRUCTED f

)

THERE'S THE EYE-

GOUO/N6 ACT f WELL I'LL

BE/

HERE

ON THIS

PAGE? THE ACID ANO BED- HOT STOVE ILLUSION/

WE MUSTN'T TAKE 1 THE CHANCE OF

LISTEN ? WE'RE BOTH ACTORS' WE'VE MEMORIZED WHOLE

ONE ELSE MUST EVER THESE HORROR

LETTING THIS BOOK OUT OF OUR HANDS t

SCRIPTS BEFORE' WE'LL MEMORIZE TH/S MANUSCRIPT ANO THEN DESTROY IT?

KNOW HOW

PRODUCED.'

WE'RE SET, ARTHUR' WE'Ll KNOCK 'EM

DEAD ON

THIS A SECRET, MILES? NO

EFFECTS ARE

)

A BROADWAY' }

J BOOD IDEA' THEN WE WON'T LEAVE OURSELVES OPEN TO THE KINO OFTHING POOR J |

M'SIEU MATIER DID ?

when the transatlantic airliner LANDE0 AT IDLEWILD AIRPORT IN NEW YORK - CITY t..

And

BACK

so.

PARIS.

r IT SAYS-./CLOSEO BECAUSE OF DEATH OF OWNER'? AH? ZAT IS TOO BAD,

WHAT OOES IT CHARLES?

—

YOU 00 TO YOUR HOTEL ROOM AND START MEMORIZING THE MANUSCRIPT, ARTHUR? X'LL SEE ABOUT HIRING A THEATER?

A WEEK

LATER.

NEW YORK-

WELL, ARTHUR? I'VE 1 0000 ? FINISHED MEMORIZING/NOW LET'S THE MANUSCRIPT,

)

The manuscript of pierre MATIER WAS THROWN INTO THE FIRE. AND THE TWO MEN WATCHED THE LEAPING FLAMES

IT... / TOGETHER

WELL ...THAT DOES'

(

THE GRAND 61H6 NOLS SECRETS l ARE OCRS

IT, IT.

ARTHUR* NOW ARTHUR?

OPEN A

IN NEW YORK, ADVANCED PUBLICITY ON THE

MACN-ANDISH HORROR THEATER BROUGHT LINES OF PEOPLE TO THE

STOLEN.'

MON ~

DIEUf

WEEN'

JHB bur

OPENING OF THE

BOX OFFICE.. I've READ about the GRAND GU/6NOL IN PARIS.' y

gone/ MA TIER’S BODY HAS BEEN

—

sr destroy

roof

And then, the night of the premier performance rolled arouno? in a dressing ROOM, ARTHUR AND MILES NERVOUSLY APPLIED THEIR MAKE-UP...

THEY SAY THIS ^HEY'RE^" .

FAR ( SOLD OUT HOR- FIVE WEENS

WILL BE

RIBLE.'

IN ADVANCE.'

REMEMBER, ARTHUR? WHEN

X THROW THE YOUR FACE.

ACID

SCREAM'S

DON'T

WORRY? AND

WHEN X PLUNGE YOUR FACE ON THE REDHOT STOVE ...YOU LET OUT A BLOOD-CURD LER, TOO.'

T HE

AUOIENCE STARED IN HORROR AS THE TWO FIGURES SHRIEKED IN LOOKS SO REAL /

IT...IT

DON'T

J WAIT/

FEEL SO SOME) GOOD' J THING'S

A MEMBER OF THE CAST RUSHED TO THEM ? THEY LAY WRITHING ON THE STAGE

Arthur, his face horribly distorted BY THE BURNING ACID, SUDDENLY RELEASED HIS HOLD ON MILES. •WHOSE CHEEK LAY SIZZLING AGAINST THE RED-HOT STOVE' BUT AS THE CURTAIN

PAIN...

WRONG.*

CLOSEO... THEY CONTINUED

SCREAM'

...

-y

OWWW***'

GOOD LORD/ THEIR RACES/ THEY RE REALLY BURNED

Yaaaaaoh^X

THE PAIN... p k t-^~WHAT'S

HE EXCLAMATION CARRIED THROUGH THE ORAWN CU RTAIN TO THE HOR RIFIED AUDIENCE OUTSIDE

THEY'RE

DID YOU

DYING /

THAT?

HEAR WAS -

REAL'

MY LET'S 1 GOD/J GET OUT I OE HERE.A]

The

panicky auoience rushed for the exits... SHOUTING. ..PUSHING — SHOVING' BY MISTAKE, SOMEONE OPENED THE CURTAIN' ARTHUR AND MILES LAY PROS-

LOOK THEY’RE DEAD / -

)(

HURRY?

STOP PUSHING' WE'LL BE

TRAMPLED

Soon, the theater was emptied' ONLY A LONE FIGURE SAT IN THE DESERTED HOUSE... STARING UP AT THE TWO DEAD ME N ON THE STAGE

...AND AS WE CLOSE IN. WE SEE THAT THE FIGURE IS SMILING AS HE STARES UP AT THE STAGE WITH GLAZED EYES' IT IS THE CORPSE OF M'SIEU MATIER...

HEH.HEHf THAT WAS A HOT ONE, EH? I HOPE YOU LIKED THE PERFORMANCE? THE STORY CERTAINLY HAD A SIZZLING CLIMAX EH? ARTHUR AND MILES WERE ALL BURNED UP ABOUT IT? TOO BAD THEY DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO SAVE RACE / YOU CAN SAVE BACK ISSUES! OF MY MAD MAG, THAT IS? READ MY COLUMN, .

THE CRYPT

KEEPER ‘S

'•

CORNER FOR INFO ON HOW TO GET YOURS AND NOW, WHY NOT TURN TO THE VAULT KEEPER FOR ANOTHER

WARMING TALE?

in a cemetery For the beginning of our story, let's look in on a pathetic scene a funenal AS the group of black-clad mourners gathered arouno the sobbing widow watch ...the coffin “OF THE RECENTLY DECEASED IS LOWERED INTO THE YAWNING BLACK PITf SAD, ISN'T IT? FEEL SONNY FOR THE POOR WIDOW? DON'T.' NOTICE THE NEAT LINE OF GRAVES BESIDE TH E NEW ONE? COUNT THEM 1 YES, THERE ARE 5/K OTHERS' THIS POOR WOMAN IS BURYING HER SEVENTH HUSBAND.' IS THERE ANY WONDEN IVE CHRISTENED HER 'MAD AM BLUEBEANO’ AFTER ALL. SHE KILLED THEM ALL .

NOON TERESA' I DON'T SEE HOW SHE'S STOOD UP UNDER THESE EMOTIONAL SHOCKS/

SEVEN HUSBANDS IN SEVEN YEANS..

ALL ACCIDENTALLY KILLED.'

OH. YESf THAT'S WHAT EVERYONE BELIE YES .' THAT TERESA'S SEVEN HUSBANDS ALL DIEO ACCIDENTALLY' EVEN HER HUSBANDS BELIEVED IT... THAT IS. ALL EXCEPT FREDDY THE ONE THEY'RE BURYING NOW' HE KNOWS DIFFERENT f OR X SHOULD SAY 'KNEW DIFFERENT? AH, BUT 1*1 GETTING AHEAD OF MY STORY... POOR r 'POOR'P THAT'S A \ GIRL? 'laugh ' SHE'S LOADED.' HER SEVEN HUSBANDS' > ESTATES AMOUNT TO A TIDY SUM' WHY... J

WHY

I DIDN'T^

WAS A

JINK...

< HOW DID THEY

MARRY HER MYSELF.' BUT PROBABLY , END UP LIKE ALL THE OTHERS... I'D

DIE?

ro in

SOME

'WELL, LET'S SEE f EARL WAS HER FIRST* IT HAPPENED

THE

OTHERS

THINK TERESA

-Â» J

FREAK

ACCIDENT

'HOWARD, TERESA'S SECONO, FELL OFF A CLIFF WHILE THEY

WERE HONEYMOONING TRAILER...*

ABOUT THREE MONTHS AFTER THEY WERE MARRIEO? EARL HAD PROBABLY FALLEN ASLEEP WHILE FISHING? HIS BOAT DRIFTED INTO THE RAPIDS AND HE WAS KILLED GOING OVER THE FALLS..

'[JOUGLAS, NUMBER THREE, WAS KILLED ON A HUNTING GUN EXPLODED IN

TRIP? HIS HIS FACE...'

'NEAL, THE FOURTH, FELL FROM HIS OFFICE WINDOW..

FOURTEEN

STORIES.:.

'WARREN, TERESA'S FIFTH. WAS KILLED WHEN THEIR CAR WAS STRUCK BY A TRAIN f TERESA WAS THROWN CLEAR AND SUFFERED ONLY MILD BRUISES...'

"HEN PETER. HUSBAND NUMBER

SIX.

WAS

ELEC-

A BATH? A RADIO HE WAS LISTENING TO FE LL INTO THE TUB OF WATER..'

TROCUTED WHILE TAKING

X MEAN? SEE HOW THEY ALL BELIEVE THE DEATHS WERE ACCIDENTS ? ACCI- *

SEE WHAT DENTS.

EYE/

MY BLOODSHOT

THEY WERE EACH

COLD, CALCULATED

MURDER TAKE POOR EARLS DEATH, .

AND, OF COURSE YOU

KNOW HOW POOR FREDDY was KILLED ?

OH, SURE EARL FELL ASLEEP WHILE FISHING' BUT HE ANEW A80UT THE RAPIDS ANO THE FALLS OOWNSTRE AM, SO HE WAS VERY CAREFUL TO TIE UP THE BOAT TO AN OVERHAN6/NG BOUGH BEFORE TAKING HIS SNOOZE' ONLY...

YES' well' TERESA'S

â&#x20AC;¢WllSM

AND AS FOR HOWARO... WELL, HE WAS INSIOE THE TRAILER WHEN TERESA STOPPED IT AT THE CLIFF ED6Ef WHEN SHE SCREAMED. HOWARD CAME

OUT

OF THE TRAILER DOOR

FULL -SPEED...

FOR INSTANCE ...

AND DOUGLAS, HUSBAND NUMBER THREE. MET FATE BECAUSE AFTER CLEANHIS GUN. HE LEFT IT AROUND WHERE

MS UNTIMELY /N6

TERESA COULD GET AT IT' SHE POURED MOLTEN LEAD INTO THE BARREL. BLOCKING IT UP-.

Neal, number four, was LEAN/N6 out of WINDOW, LOOKING FOR THE NEW CADILLAC TERESA CLAIMED WAS PARKED BELOW, WHEN TERESA YANKED THE SCATTER RU6 OUT FROM BENEATH HIS FEET. HIS OFFICE

AS FOR WARREN, HUSBAND FIVE? HE'D MADE THE MISTAKE OF FALLING ASLEEP WHILE TERESA WAS 0RIVIN6 HOME FROM A PARTY? SHE'D JUST STOP PEO THEIR CAR ON THE GRAOE CROSSING, STEPPED OUT, AND WAITEO..

AND PETER. WHO LOVED MUSIC, ERRED WHEN HE TOOK HIS BATH WITH HIS BACK TO THE DOOR? HE NEVER SAW TERESA OPEN IT, REACH THE STICK IN, AND KNOCK THE RADIO OFF THE SHELF ABOVE THE TUB

^hua'k YES, THEY'D ALL BEEN MURDERED? BUT THEY NEVER KNEW IT? ONLY FREDDT... TERESA'S SEVENTH HUS-

KNEW?

ONE DAY, WHILE HE WAS UP. TERESA STRUNG A STRONG WIRE... TAUGHT... ABOUT TWO HIGH... ACROSS THE RUN

AND WHEN FREDOY CAME FOR A LANDING.

FEET

BAND.../^" FREDDY WAS A FLV/NG BUG. ..OWNED HIS OWN PLANE? HE'D HAO A RUNWAY LEVELED AT ONE

END OF TERESA'S VAST ESTATES? EVERY DAY HEt) TAKE OFF... FLY AROUND. AND LAND.

0UT FREDDY WASN'T

KILLED IN THE CRASH? WHEN HE CRAWLED FROM THE WRECKAGE. TERESA WAS FORCED TO FINISH THE JOB...

So YOU SEE WHY

I'VE CHRISTENED TERESA 'MADAM BLUEBEARD ‘f WHAT'S THAT YOU SAY? SHE MUST

NUTS? 0£C0UHS£ SHE 'S HUTSf IT STEMS BACK TO HER BE

CHILDHOOD. WHEN HER FATHE R WALKED OUT ON TERESA AND HER .

And

Teresa's mother had been EMBITTERED BY HER HUSBAND'S LEAVINB f SHE'D BROUGHT UP DAUGHTER TO HATE MEN I

MEN ARE BEASTS,

TERESA 1 THEY'RE NOTHING

her so, on the first ANNIVERSARY MOTHER'S DEATH EARL, TERESA'S FIRST HUSBAND,

IS FILLED IN.' THE NEAT LINE LIES SILENT UNDER THE DARKENING SKY ' EARL, UNDER THE FIRST' HOWARD, BENEATH THE SECOND' DOUGLAS UNDER THE THIRD MOUND' NEAL BELOW THE FOURTH' WARREN IN THE FIFTH' AND PETER, THE SIXTH' EACH PEACEFUL IN DEATH... EACH IGNORANT AND IN THE FRESH GRAVE... FREDDY... WHO KNOWS AND AS THE WINO COMES UP. RUSTLING THROUGH THE BARE TREES, SWEEPING ACROSS THE GRAVESTONES, WHISTLING PAST THE ROW OF SEVEN GRAVES, IT SEEMS TO SOUND LIKE A WHISPER... LIKE SOME-

AND SO THE SEVENTH BRAVE

TERESA CROSSES THE ROAD

On over the frozen mounds

AND ENTERS THE CEMETERY, THE SEVEN WREATHS IN HER

SHE MOVES — TO THE NEAT ROW OF SEVEN GRAVES...

ARMS... n-

—

She stoops and places a WREATH UPON EACH GRAVE

FOURTEEN A DOLLARS ' THE a

BeAST...

THEN TERESA TOSSES HER FACE TOWARO THE DARKENING SKY ANO 8EGINS TO LAUGH' BUT HER LAUGH IS CUT SHORT BY A RUMBLE BENEATH HER FEET? SHE STARES DOWN HORRIFIED' THE SEVEN GRAVES ARE EACH ...

CRACKING OPEN..

The rotted hand reaches up from beneath THE FROZEN EARTH... GRASPING TERESA'S ANKLE IN A DEATH-LIKE GRIP' SHE CANNOT RUN' SHE CANNOT MOVE' SHE CAN ONLY WATCH... AS THE CORPSES RISE FROM THEIR GRAVES ' WATCH... ANO SCREAM...

AND AS TERESA'S SCREAMS END IN A CHOKING COUGH... SILENCE ONCE AGAIN DESCENDS UPON THE GRAVE YARD? THE WIND WHISPERS ACROSS THE CEMETERY, CARESSING THE NEAT LITTLE ROW OF GRAVES' ONLY NOW. THERE ARE E/6HT GRAVES INSTEAD OF SEVEN' AND ON THE EIGHTH GRAVE — LIE SEVEN SOILED WREATHS...

SO HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, MOTHER' THAT'S A LOVELY GIFT THOSE MENBEASTS GAVE you' x hope HEH, HEH'

YO l/RE GRATEFUL OH, BY THE WAY, FIENDS' YOU'LL BE GRATEFUL WHEN YOU RECEIVE

AN ORDER OF BACK ISSUESI GET ALL OF MINE OR CRYPT OR HAUNT. OR JUST GET THEM ALU DONT FORGET THE OTHER EC T1TLESI TO FIND OUT MORE, READ THE CRYPT-KEEPER'S

CORNER

IN THIS ISSUE' THE OLD BUZZARD GIVES FULL PART/CULARSf bye, now'

REMEMBER? 'CREMATED CORPSES NEVER JUST BLAZE DIE'

THEY AWAY''

m writing to teFyou how great your comics are. Everyday j before go to sleep have to read one or two stories. love I

will

tread the boarde In

And quit reading comics

your comics. You can print

"Top

In class!

Billing,”

VAULT

28.

—CK

Even mined

address.

You are the coolest dead person alive, am starting my Superior 1 729 subscription to your comic. think The Old Witch Is a fratChicago, IL 60622 knocker The Vault-Keeper Is just a pain In the @$$. want to know lT"you~guys are going to have a fan club. I, sometimes. But liked his story In CRYPT #10. liked your have a favorite episode from "Crypt" series, called "The»»story "Drawn and Quartedl". Do you like girls? (Not The House of Horrors" (and another one called "What's Old Witch. She's not a girl.) Could you please send me CRYPT #1 2 or 3? Please, I'm begging you! Please! Best Cooking?"), and want to know what Issue are you going to: Friends For Life (Or death), put It In so can purchase It. Are there going to be any special editions like Halloween annuals and all that? £ac g a e Saginaw, Ml I

Orlando Qarcla

Phillpe Saralla

Paso.

You’re right, The Old Witch hates fraternities. You can get any of my back Issues, or any EC title. See the end of this column. CK

of Horror” (singular) ran In CRYPT 6; get our back Issue. But It ran originally In HAUNT 1 ; get our back Isauel The house ao nice they ran It twice! Inquire after our "Annuals,” they collect each title under one cover about five Issues a whack. CK

"House

—

love your < lies. love them so much I couTd die. I ams dressing up the Crypt-Keeper and I don't know what to! What should wear? I

—

couple days ago

Dave Hamm

Forng^TXJ

When shed my blue robe, I’m partial to a white sport coat and a pink carnation. CK I

—

sent you a letter last Issue butt didn't get it printed. I really liked Crypt 10, my favorite story was "Drawn and Quartered!". If you print my letter, could you please send me an autographed picture of yourself? Your #1 fan & I

tjj

'•

friend,

Ashley Robinson, 12

Lockhart,

— CK

Sorry, got no auto'd photos. See below.

"Drawn and Quartered!", in Issue #f(5, is the best story read yet! It BURIED all the others from Vaulty and The Witch. (6 feet underground, that is!) Your best fan. I've

Frank Relder

’

Can you send me

the recipe for ghoulash?

North Beach.

Bryan Kortle

Arrow,

E c comics?

Seems everyone „ comic and

your

story

Salesmen!

coll.ct you,

every Saturday

"Loved to I

the

Mini, card,

..led

read

also

Deathl!'

version of

...

People who Live

liked

"Drawn"! "EC” stands

on the cover

Television Terrorl

Oakland. CA.

's it going in the CriticaiCrypt? Not much here n school right now. and we're watching a stupid idiotic n't think really watching. think you

anyone's guys are the best thing that has ever come out of hell. Phantom; have a Idea for a story: It would rule If you did I

e Opera"

story.

William Walchle

FT Wayne,

IN]

for

—‘!5 CK

‘seals.’

Thanx ,for or pnmlng printing my letter etler ln In ^ CRYPT mrl #1U those las last, #10, but lno8e w0 |(nes WERENT mlne Yoo mu9 mlxed up my letter and someone else's. don't even watch "Tales From The Crypt-Keeper" (too juvenile). The guy who really wrote those lines is probably steaming 'cause you didn't give hi ,

Tucker Claypool

OK)

i love CRYPT comics, the stories are good and scary. One of the stories I liked was "Drawn and Quarteredl". The comics have neat pictures, too! Why are the comics called

lyhrjsFelber^^^^^^^^^Mendha^

e Ishmael. (One part ghoul, one part hash.)

Barry McCollum

Do you know every scary story there Is to know? you do! want to get the talking Crypt-Keeper doll.

There were 7 Issues of RCP CRYPT, and 5 each of RCP VAULT and HAUNT. Ail still available. Write for list and prices! Buy, nowl Heh, hehl — CK

think

love

scary things! Like youl Justin

Winkelman

Soulx

IaB

City,

just got

— CK

Like— or ae?

ter.

my copy ot CRYPT 9. and see you I

And you’ve d one

mistake! You really enjoy reading

your corhlc books, but you should

take The Crypt-Keeper tell more stories ther people have their own books. isa

because

all

that

And

Tony Martinez, age 17

have to go brush my

the coffin. So,

6041

S California AV

little

e diting. And

B has a

did Itfl

k-Onp

am your

furry fan that lives

but they are hard to

let-

you made a

Please print

years old

I'm

1 1

How

old are

Baton Rouge, LA

Ill

girl and want your comics.

a 14 year old

Recently got the [hardback] Complete CRYPT and In several issues it stated that there were photos ol the three GhouLunatlcs. was writing to see If those photos are still available, and If so, how much do they cost? Your fan,

your comics

Bobby Harris.

':'

60629

Chicago, IL

printed

think

point!

the gutter.

come

Any fan can

IMBI^A last name printed. Did you do

™

by you? watch you on tv also. like you better than the VaultKeeper and the Old Witch, Could you tell me were can get a lot of your comics because the stores are always out of comics? What Is your phone number? Your fan.

I would love to receive letters from other EC” fans from around the world, so please print my address. write to me In Spanish. English, Italian, or French. I'll enjoy it a lot. since I like foreign languages.

By the way,

for listening. CK, ol’ buddy.

thlnk

Jason Parker

Hi! i'm'tony Martinez, a big fan But you can call me "Skele"-Tony. am a faithful reader of CRYPT, VAULT and HAUNT. can read them over and over, and never tire.

Thanks

(new) address.

—CK

Make—or let?

left

on purpose or accident?

the

Glastonbury.

Michavd

gore

children '

who

cope with the

why there

to knot

can't

Isn’t

because of the sight of blood, of course

you don't want to give the poor babies nightmares,

guess what I'm trying to say Is It's ok to put more violence In your comics. If those pansy parents and children can t '' readers and real fans stand It. let them cry about here to support you. Like the saying goes If you can't'take the heat stay out of the Incinerator. ,

address unknown

Adam Owens

have a few questions for you, could you get the V.K. mag? Could Mr. Cochran reprint the 1950s photos of the GhouLunatlcs? Will the Pre-Trend and New Dlrectioni comics, as well as PANIC and MAD, be reprinted In regular format? would like to have a pen-pal so please print my full address. Your pal. '

of your

Ashtabula,

Seminole Arnold

is it that In most of your tales you never show the faces of the half eaten bodies? would also like to know if! you could make the stories more scary. When say more scary mean make them similar to the TV series on HBO. love your comics and won't stop reading them.

Why

POB 1 201

John Brown

That’* what It would taka to offer photos like Adam Owens (and Ashley Robinson, see above) ask about— reprinting the 1950s photos. Maybe we will. Lotsa other EC comlo titles are soheduled for this series,

no maybe to

Leletla

Besides,

for your viscera. We go we eat the faces first.

for

your mind.

—CK

VWbeerT doing some research and found that the first Issue of CRYPT was named INTERNATIONAL COMICS I

issue #6 when It was renamed INTERNATIONAL CRIME PATROL. At #7 was shortened to CRIME

Moreno Vly.CAl

Reed

TV goes

— CK

it)

I'm collecting your comics. I'm also getting VAULT and HAUNT. couldn't chose just one. they're all great. Do you

until

being the Crypt-Keeper? Your scary fan.

CassleMootz

Peebles.

OH| PATROL

ronr ntinn these theeo first f r*at reprinting

cool! Please print

1 1

R 6

Fpstnrinn V Yours, YOlirS Issues? Festeringly

first

Pittsburgh.

Nathaniel Wilson

was

your It

just 1

story

wanted to tell you dudes that the stupid, boring story ' ! 1 7 by The Vault-Keeper. ''Voodoo Death!", dumb. But don’t worry, because think he made up for It In Issue 9 [with] "Judy, You're Not Yourself Today!”, that I

up to Issue *16. Then at *17 (which

was CRYPT OF Issue of CRYPT In this run of reprints) TERROR for 3 Issues. At the sacred Issue of 20 became TALES FROM THE CRYPT! My question Is will you ever be

—CK

Beets unemployment!

The first, say, 5 alghU of this lineage would remind you of period NPP (DC) comics, think. Not until the advent of Craig A Feldstein would you commence to see any EC-ness, not until the last two Issues would you see MEI You can see the CRIME PATROL issues

my address.

31 Budd

Joshua Keane, 12

Mount

NJ 08060

Holly,

—CK

Beat VK can hope for: To break event

love your mag!

have seen

all

shows

CRYPT 8.

of your re

the

WAR AGAINST CRIME/CRIME PATROL

-CK

The Complete EC Library

going to the tale

set of

love your stories I'm 13 years old, but I'm going crazy over CRYPT. loved your story "Death Must Come!". You ought to make more stories about eternal life. I

looked in my video store. cannot find the "Tales from the Crypt" movie. Maybe you could tell me where can get a ol It. And did you make more than 6 RCP 64-page I

copy

ECs? Patrick Burkett

Two

stories from your

The

first is

TV show

got

"Korman's Kalamlty." Is that what your

the program.

Terre

second was "Yellow,"

starring

me in a CRYPT mood looked at the office

office looks like?

Kirk

The

Douglas and Dan

Myra

DEAR' GOOD TO HEAR YOUR VOICE' IS JIM WITH YOU? HAL,

IT'S

nodded sadly and

HUNGUP'

HAL. ..HAL FORREST JIM'S P A RTN ER...WAS HOME

WITHOUT J/Mf MYRA

flung

HERSELF ON THE SOFA AND BEGAN TO SOB...

‘HAL FORREST MAO BEEN BEST MAN AT JIM AND MYRA'S WEDDING' THAT HAD BEEN OVER EIGHTEEN MONTHS AGO ? THE THREE OF THEM HAD DRIVEN UPSTATE TO A JUSTICE OF THE

PEACE— YOU? WHERE

The j. p.'s home had been a lovely little PLACE. THE KIND OF HOUSE MYRA'D READ ABOUT IN BOOKS? IT WAS WHITE SHINGLE, COVERED H CLIMBING ROSES AND IVY. iND

X NOW PRONOUCE

ARE

(

TEN MORE MILES, KIDS? THEN... OOPS ?

Hal had planted the best man's traditional KISS ON MYRA'S CHEEK, AND THEN ANNOUNCED... WELL, KIDS' HAVE A NICE TIME ON YOUR

TRAIN T TOUT BUT YOUR

HONE YMOONY I'VE

YOU MAN AND WIFE' d

CART

GOT A TRAIN TO CATCH'

UH-UH? YOU TAKE THI CAR f DRIVE UP SOMEPLACE AND ENJOY YOURSELVES ' S'LONG?

SO LONG,

\DREAM. THANKS LOADS. KID

LATER, AS

JIM

AND MYRA SPED ALONG ...f

hal? TO LEND US I GUY? WE FLEW TOGETHER THE CAR, WASN'T IT, J DURING THE WAR ' WE'RE GOING INTO

BUSINESS

outfit.

IT’LL

BUT JIM HAD INSISTED THAT IT WAS THE ONE BREAK THEY’D NEEDED.' AND SO. AFTER TWO MONTHS OF MARRIAGE, JIM AND MYRA WERE PARTED. t~ .

TEAR WENT

8Y...A

you'

And

then, for a MONTH, myra’d

heard NOTHING..NOTA MONO. from PANAMA' THEY STOPPED THERE

*\to RE-FUEL f

The MONTHS HAD dragged on with no word from

SOON

_ —4WBMB

TIt-S

EVERT DAT

JIM'

baby' just as soon as i can, i’ll send

rfOR

PLEASE, JIM? DON'T 60 I’M AFRAID IT’S SO £-r far away

ONLY BE FOR A

UTTLE WHILE,

YEAH.ONLY THERE S

CATCH / rr’s with t SOUTH AMERICAN

YEAR SINCE JIM HA

WHY DON’T YOU WRTTE? what's

, 1

V MRON09

MyRA’D BEEN AFRAID TO THINK THE WORST. THAT SOMETHING HAO HAPPENED TO JIM? THEN, ONE NIGHT ..THIRTEEN MONTHS AFTER JIM HAO LEFT FOR SOUTH AMERICA. wu’ r-rnuiunr iu«r'V ..

JIM.'

MYRA ' DARLING')

WE'RE TOGETHER AGAIN ' THAT'S

Myra had flung herself INTO JIM'S STRONG ARMS

ALL THAT .1

MATTERS.'

WAS AFRAID) SH-HflJ

OU WERE.

IT'S

BEEN

LONG...

SO LONG'

% HONEY'I

They'd clung to each other... not speaking^

COME' YOU MUST BE TIRED' WHY DIDN'T YOU WRITE. JIM? YOU PROMISED.'

I COULDN'T, MYRA' I WOULD HAVE IF I COUL D.' YO U KNOW THATf

And SO. THEY'D BEEN TOGETHER AGAIN... IN EACH OTHERS' ARMS' BUT MYRA'S JOY WAS SHORT-LIVED... FOR THE NEXT MORNING,. \6ONE ' JIM'S

GONEf

OH, DARLING' I

IT'S

TO HAVE YOU

GOOD TO BE HOME. MYRA'

IT'S

GOOD

HOMEf

-—f

She'd found the note... ] MYRA DEAREST, WRITING THIS IS THE HARDEST THING I'VE EVER DONE. I HAVE TO GO AWAY AND JUST CAN’T FACE YOU TO SAY GOOO-8YE. BELIEVE ME, DARLING, SOMEDAY WE'LL BE TOGETHER FOR KEEPS. ..AND I'LL NEVER HAVE TO LEAVE YOU AGAIN. TILL THEN. REMEMBER THAT I LOVE YOU. rM '

HAD LEFT NO FORWAROING

ADORESS... JUST THE NOTE? SOON

ANOTHER THREE MONTHS HAD SLIPPED AWAY? MYRA'D BEGUN TO FEEL ILL? SHE'O HAD HEADACHESDIZZY SPELLS. ..ATTACKS OF NAUSEA. '

THE DOCTOR WILL 1

^SEE YOU NOWJMA'AM?

^OW, MYRA LAY SOBBING ON THE COUCH, WAITING FOR HAL FORREST, JIM'S PARTNER? SUDDENLY THE CHIMES SOUNOED? MYRA ORIEO HER EYES AND OPENED THE DOOR... r HAL' WHY DID YOU COME

ALONE WHY BRING

DIDN'T YOU

COULDN'T, MYRA! JIM'S ... DEADf

JIM BACK

Myra

SIX MONTHS I WILL, DOCTOR? OR SO? YOU'D Br-r THANK YOU? -r BETTER BE ~ TAKING IT EASY? f 'lT ,~u |

Y^TR /=â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

THE SYMPTOMS YOU DESCRIBE ARE NOT UNCOMMON TO SOMEONE WHO IS GOING TO BECOME A MOTHER, , hg MYRA? OOCTOR? ARE YOU SURE? ^ WHEN?

stared at hal' she couldn't believe her

EARS ... NO? NO? IT CAN'T BE ? I. f M GOING TO HAVE A

BABY' WHEN JIM

SAW

THREE MONTHS AGO-

WITH YOU'

WHAT DO YOU MEAN, 'IMPOSSIBLE'?) OUR PLANE CRACKEO UP FOUR HUNDRED MILES SOUTH OF J/M WAS HERE. .MS. SPENT THE NIGHT... THREE MONTHS AGO.' PANAMA... IN THE JUNGLE.' JIM WAS KILLED INSTANTLY.' IT TOOK ME FtF TEEN MONTHS '

TO CRAWL OUT OF THAT GODFORSAKEN PLACE... BACK TO CIVILIZATION?

HEH.HEH? I SEE YOU'RE SURPRISED THAT'S THE SPIRIT f WHATS

THAT YOU ASK? HOW SHOULO X KNOW? ASK MTRA/FUHWt THING ABOUT MYRA AND JIM? WHEN THEY FIRST MET MYRA DIDN'T THINK SHE HAD A GHOST OF A CHANCE WITH HIM? Pig 'll WELL, NOW IT'S ,|\jlME FOR YOU TO * BE REVOLTED ,

Si THE OLD Lw/rcHfetss I

Ifc, RIGHT'

NOW THAT YOU'VE HAD YOUR CHILLIN6 APPETIZERS FROM MY FELLOW GHOULUNATICS, IT'S TIME FOR ME TO SERVE YOU THE MAIN COURSE / SO COME INTO THE HAUNT OF FEAR? MY CAULDRON BUBBLES ANO GURGLES/ IT S EVIL BREW IS JUST ABOUT READY/ YEP/ IT'S ME AGAIN/ THE OLO WITCH HEE, HEE/ HUNGRY? GOOD / THEN OPEN YOUR LITTLE LEERING MOUTHS AND XXL STUFF IN THE TASTY TERROR-TALE I CALL .

HORROR! HEAD...

IT OFF!

The year was ires/ the place was

france^^^

DURING THE BLOODY DAYS KNOWN AS 'THE REIGN OF TERROR , FOLLOWING THE FRENCH REVOLUTION/ IN PARIS? SILHOUETTED AGAINST THE GREY SKT STOOD THE NOTOR^ IOUS GUILLOTINE.' AS ITS GLEAMING BLADE WAS HOISTED, THE GATHEREO CROWD SHOUTED AND CATCALLED/ FROM SOMEWHERE CAME THE OMINOUS ROLL OF A SNARE DRUM/ THE BLADE FLASHED DOWNWARD.. AND .ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE OOOMEO ARISTOCRACY MET \ HIS END AS HIS HEAD DROPPED INTO THE WAITING BASKET J 1

FAR ACROSS PARIS... AWAY FROM THIS BLOODY SCENE TWO FIGURES MAOE THEIR WAV SLOWLY THROUGH A CROOKED STREET ! ONE MAN WAS TALL, WELL-BUILT, BUT C RIPPLED f THE OTHER WAS SHORT AND SOUAT! THE CRIPPLED ONE MOVED PAINFULLY... FIRST STEPPING, THEN DRAGGING HIS HELPLESS CLUB FOOT 'HURRY.' MASTER! ( 1 AM. ..GASP. COMING, WE ARE ALMOST LOUIS! I CAN'T WALK... THERE.' AS- FAST AS YOU!

CREAKED OPEN..

COME TO BUY... SOME A flowers! .i

FLOWERS?

WHAT K/ND

ANXIOUSLY f FINALLY,

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The obese man behind the 'DOOR PEERED OUT at THEM...

OF FLOWERS?

SOON THE STRANGE TWOSOME CAME TO A DARK f THEY TURNED IN, STOPPING BEFORE A BATTERED OOOR* THE SMALL ONE KNOCKEO ALLEY

(

^OU ARE MOST KIND*

The fat man closed the DOOR BEHIND THE TWO VISI TORS AND TURNED. TO THEM.

V IT

DOES NOT MATTER! IS THE

MARQUIS i nr ROCHE onr ucMON un ajt DE Tfr Ir SERVANT.

.THIS

>m his

LOUIS

The fat one counted the GOLD AND THEN SMILED... \Z AM yT LUGERE? ' ) HENRI YOU ARE THE. )LOC£R£, DUKE OE AT YOUR l, LUGERE? A SERVICE ? '

THAT

CORRECT? 7ah?

YOU WILL BE READY TO LEAVE AT MID- ’ NIGHT? A COACH ff C GO NOW, WILL BE AT THE JL MASTER, j IS BEFORE X ALLEYWAY?

M'SIEU*

X HAVE DEDICATED / LE DUKE? MYSELF TO HELPING ( THIS IS A

FELLOW MEMBERS\ NOBLE OF MY CLASS THIN 6 i ESCAPE THE )> YOU DO? IF ^ OJILLOTINE^A it WERE l tr “**V N0T F0R J my club Bfgpfc toot J 1

‘

Y AM MISSED! [GOOD LUCK

}

After

louis, ’

the m arqui s oe rochemonts

5ERVANT, LEFT...

—

T HERE IS NO NEED? HE WAS^ ONLY MY SERVANT? THE DOES NOT

GUILLOTINE

THIRST

..FOR HIS HEAD? ONLY ^rv MINE.

—

That night, a coach drew up to the alleyway? the CLUMP. .DRAG.. .CLUMP. DRAG FOOTSTEPS OF THE FUGITIVE MARQUIS APPROACHED BON VOYAGE, MARQUIS J GOOD-BYE, M'SIEU LE AND.. GOOD LUCK ? 'DUKE? THANK YOU? MAY . YOU CONTINUE TO HELP OTHER UNFORTUNATES ^ LIKE ME

AS THE COACH CLATTERED"OFF

INTO'THE DARKNESS, HENRI... THE FAT DUKE DE LUGERE

SMILEO TO HIMSELF... ^ ^ DO NOT WORRY. M’SIEU LE MARQUIS? X will CONTINUE f rr PAYS me WELL. AND MY HEAD REMAINS ON MY fj i_

-g,

SHOULDERS

—

@9 ^ ^ Jpgfe^l

WHAT ,

THE

MEANING 4 OF THIS ?

MEANS, M'SIEU LE MAR-

THAT YOU ARE UNDER ARREST IN THE NAME OF ^ FRENCH REPUBLIC f j

QUIS,

' 1

THE f

TOMORROW, THE GUILLOTINE AWAITS...

(

Soon, back at the house of henri, duke de lugere„ ^YES, LUGERE* WE STOPPED HIS COACH BEFORE THE WEST GATE AGAIN, YOUR COOPERATION PROJECTS YOU FROM THE i

'WELL, CAPTAIN.* THAT

And so the next day, before THE JEERING MOB, THE MAROUIS DE ROCHEMONT LIMPEO UP THE i STEPS OF THE GUILLOTINE. fO

'-'Of.

Lat er...

captain.*

there is^

mmgr a man outside/ he

HAS COME TO CLAIM THE MAROUIS DE A ROCHEMONT'S REMAINS. HE WAS HIS SERVANT.'

OUR ARRANGEMENT.' I TURN THEM OVER TO YOU. AND SAVE MY NECK, EH ?

T SAVE

YOUR NECK

NO AS THE GLEAMING BLADE HOISTED SKYWARD, THE

»S

RIGHT, LUGERE.' IF IT

NOT FOR THIS LITTLE SERVICE YOU PERFORM, WERE

{

YOUR HEAD

HAVE WWOULO LONG AGO'

ROLLED

GUILLOTINE/

{

The crowd roared as the blade! PLUMETTED DOWN WARD/ BUT IN ITS MIDST, ONE MAN DID NOT CHEER'

HIS FACE WAS GRIM.' IT

WAS

SHORT,

The next

day. louis

SH-H-H.' YOU FOOL.' DO NOT,

stopped

HENRI LUGE RE ON THE-STREET..^''aH, ,

LOUIS? I

CALL ME LE

'(yes, M'SIEU LE

DUKE'

SORRY.' I HEARD /DUKE.' MY MASTHE SAD NEWS' / TER. ..WAS 8EV r' HEADEO YESTER)

DAY

ri...X MUST BE GOING'

'WHY NOT? EVERYONE KNOWS ABOUT YOU? I

HAVE LEARNED THE TRUTH ... V

MYSELF.'

niEMARKET^ HAVE YOU EVER BOUGHT A CHICKEN HERE, M'SIEU LUGERE? HAVE YOU EVER SEEN -rf

HOW THEY/T/Z/ THEM? LOOK?

SOMETIMES A CHICKEN WITH ITS HEAD CHOPPEO OFF LIVES FOR MANY HOURS? KNOW OF A CASE WHERE ONE LIVED FOR ALMOST A MONTH.' IT ONLY DIED BECAUSE THE FARMER WHO OWNED IT ALLOWED THE WINDPIPE TO GROW

IF * j

CHICKEN CAN LIVE ON HEAD REMOVED.

WITH ITS

THEN LUGERE WHY NOT A HUMAN BEING? /

M'SIEU

(

YOU'RE

MAD' YOU'RE

'TRYING TO FRIGHTEN ME ? BAHfFOOLISH-

NESS'

Louis SCURRIED OFF, LAUGHING.. WHILE HENRI THE PERSPIRATION FROM HIS FACE' THAT NIGHT, AS HENRI LUGERE SAT

j <

HOUSE...

% W..WHAT WAS THAT?

9S7 THE

IOIOT'

IT ...it

SOUNDED LIKE ..FOOTSTEPS'

HE THINKS HE

CAN SCARE ME.

Suddenly henri heard an unmistakable sound: THEN SOMETHING DRAGGING... THEN A CLUMP-THEN THE DRAGGING NOISE.. J FIRST, A CLUMP...

HE'S...

LIKE A MAN... WITH A

CLUB-FOOT .'

^ CLUMPING, DRAGGING SOUNDS CAME FROM THE ALLEY OUTSIDE ' HENRI RUSHED TO X HE

rTHE DOOR... AND SLID THE BOLT

CLOSED

...

•

HE- HE'S AFTER ME< r.THE .MAROU/S...

'As HENRI WATCHED HORRIFIED^ Then the CLUMP... DRAG. THE DOORKNOB TUR NED SLOWLY' [CLUMP.. DRAG... FADED AWAY ’THEN IT RATTLED? SOMEONE 'OOWN THE ALLEY... OUTSIDE WAS TRYING TO GET wjjttjwHE .HES GO/NGJ A WAT.' HE...

OH. LORD... PROTECT

ME' THANK

60D.

BOLTED /T IN T/ME.'M

SUDOEI

HENRI CURSI

WHAT

Mf A

A FOOL X STUP/D

FOOL f OF COURSE .' .

..AT HE'S

ME'

)

WAS LOU/S OUT THERE'

HENRI FLUNG OPEN THE DOOR AND PEERED OUT! THEN HE GASPED' THE TRACKS IN THE DIRT WERE UNMISTAKABLE' ONE SET WAS THAT OF A SMALL man' THE OTHERS WERE STRANGE. IF THE PERSON MAKING THEM DRAG6ED

TRYING TO FR/6HTEN v AS WHO EVER HEARD OF A /

BEHEADED MAN L/V/N6 \

Mfi

A... A...

CLUB-FOOT

non o/eu

the. ,[»(

here '

T”?m 'lockedT^ ' ifcp

OUT

MHO...

YOU

[To THE CHEST..

LOUIS f IT'S ISH'T IT 9

YOU...

NOT IT CAM' _ BE ? , ,-1

W you... you're MAnd then, the whole

figure

r trying to... moved into the light AND IT F-FR/OHTEN ME?) HAD HO HEAD... '.

AREN'T you ?

LOUIS

SURE

SURPRISED?' FACT HE LOST HIS HEAD' THEY FOUND HIM THE NEXT MORNING M/THOUT IT' HIS BODY WAS

'heF, HEE

Louis was behind the horribl^thino-JSuioino it.. NO.' KEEP amay: just a little further. JUST A LITTLE ' YAAAAAa,

Ho?

MHO'S THERE*

LOUIS * IS THA T

A PAIR OF LEGS MOVED INTO THE SQUARE OF LIGHT THAT STREAMED FROM THE LAMP ABOVE THE DOOR' ONE OF THE LEGS HAD A CLUB FOOT ' STEP... DRAO...STEP... drao.

Then it came again ' thoseAsounos ' CLUMP DPAO .... CLUMP... DPAO ? THEY MOVED TOWARD HENRI FROM THE DAHKNESS OF THE ALLEY... ^ .

Henri spun around' the door SLAMM ED SHUTBEHIN^jlM^^^

YES-SIREE

HENRI WAS

\ [WAS LYING BESIDE THE MARQUIS DE ROCHE 1 \mOHT'S / THEY MADE QUITE A PAIR.1 IN FACT IF l IT WEREN'T FOR THE MARQUIS' CLUB -FOOT, YOU I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TELL THEM APART / MHY? OH, COME, COME' USE YOUR HEAD.' WHAT / HAPPENED TO HENRI'S HOW SHOULO / KNOW’ 1 WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL OF THE HEADS THAT ROLLED DURING 'THE REIGN OF TERROR'? HMMM f \ \ SOUNOS LIKE STORY MATERIAL THERE f I'LL HAVE '

)

TO LOOK INTO

IT'

OH. BY THE WAY' ALL MY

1 BACK ISSUES ARE AVAILABLE' THE CRYPTKEEPER'S CORNER TELLS YOU HOW TO GET YOURS.y

THAT WINDS

IT UP,

KIDDIES' I

HUNGER

HOPE YOUR

IS SATISFIED.'

WE'LL ALL SEE YOU NEXT in

(

1 ,

THE VAULT OF HORROR!' 'BYE FOR

NOW?

FAMOUS 1950S EC COMICS!

JUNE

PCi

Lm Cr

prom THE

2°°

cZL

CPYPT

BACK

ISSUES!!

THE COMIC YOU HOLD IN YOUR HANDS IS PART OF THE CHRONOLOGICAL, FACSIMILE REPRINTING OF THE FAMOUS (AND INFAMOUS!) EC COMICS LINE OF THE EARLY 1 950s! WE STARTED WITH THE FIRST ISSUE OF EACH TITLE AND ARE ON OUR WAY TO THE BITTER END! GET ON THE BANDWAGON, AND FILL IN THE GAPS IN YOUR COLLECTION FROM THIS BACKLISTI!

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Tales Irom the Crypt (USPS 006808] Vot 1. No 12. June 1995. published quarterly In September. December. March arc June by Gemstone PjbDahlnc. 202 AC. Wert Plains. MO 65775-3532 Second -cl... portage paid at West Plains, MO. Entire contente ? 1995 by Wiliam M Games. Agent. Inc. Tales Irom the Crypt (26 t. 1951 by I.C. Publishing Co.. Inc re € 1979 by Wmam M. Gaines Agent. Inc. Al rights reserved Nothing herein contained may be reproduced without the written permission ot W*em M Samoa. New Vor». New York. Annual subscription rale S8 <J1 2 outside US payable In US funds! Printed In Canada Postmaster: send address changes to Talse Irom the Crypt, Rues Cochran, PO Bo. 46», West Plains, MO >6776-0469. .

Tfci^l?OR

IhEH. HEM' SO YOU'RE BACK FOR WORE. EH? CAN'T GET ENOUGH HOMO*. EH? DIME'S WORTH This Time ' rEP' irs Rdf... YOUR HOST THE CRYPT- KEEPER,

WELL. I'LL

CAN I TELL YOU THAT WILL MAKE TOUR

BLOOD

RUN

hmmm

COLO AND THE HAIR CN TOUR

WHt6H/LL£W

NECK

CRAWL .AH

I \

STORY MAS ITS BEGINNING ON A COOL OCTOBER EVENING IN I92B* IN THEIR ROOM IN THE DORMITORY OF LOGANWOOO MEOICAL COLLEGE. TWO YOUNG SIT OEJECTEOLY. THEIR FACES SULLENAN! »rHO. I THAT LAB [course. WE CAN ' CONAIT" OUR STUDIES' .

\HUH* HOW?ttm. jOONY look

'l-

3HOCKED, SID' BEEN DONE BEFORE' *E

YOU MEAN...

owe

stem, m

JUST DIO UP A

FRESH ONE in TOWN CEMETERYf

THE

—

SIO ANO MEL. AND HEARD THEIR PROBLEM, LET'S LOOK IN ON THE SECOND SCENE OF OUR GRISLY LITTLE YARN,' THIS IS TAI0N6 PLACE FAR ACROSS TOWN AT ALMOST THE SAME

DON Y BECOME DOCTORS, YOUR

ROB 4 BRAVE*) OH WE

it’s

SID' TAKE

choice.'

—

IHeKHEH' NOW THAT WE'VE MET

WITH

UP EVERYTH/NB. START ALL OVER- . TO B/VE

TWERTY THOU-

SAND DOLLARS OF INSURANCE MONEY.'

6EOR8E ' 1 KNOW r I SAW WHAT THIS DRUB CAN DO.' "KZ NEED THE MONEY, DONY '

WE?_

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO

IS A LOT OF

MONEY, ALEX'

AN AWFUL

)

THIS STUFF INTO YOUR IT

CUTS

DOWN

YOUR

SUCH A POINT THAT THE

THEH AFTER THEY BURY

SHOOT

BEST

DOCTOR COULDN'T TELL WHETHER YOU WERE REALLY DEAD OR NOT* AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT AIR f THERE'LL BE EN0U6H IN THE CASKET FOR THE TIME YOU'LL BE IN IT.'

TOU.

I'LL COME AND DIB YOU UPf SINCE I'M THE BENEFICIARY

ARM'

PULSE

AND HEARTBEAT... YOUR ENTIRE METABOLISM, to

OF YOUR UFE INSURANCE POLICY, THEY'LL HAVE TO < ME THE FORTY THOU-

PAY

insured FORf THEN WE SPLIT

SAND

you Ire

I DON'T KNOW! SOUNDS 6 000'

I...

BUT

AFRAID.'

SUPPOSE SUPPOSE THERE 'S A HITCH?

Alex receive s the bad news. WHAT? GEORGE... DEAD* 6000 LORD, WM AT A SHOCK 10 BETTER CONE BACK WITH YOU AND MAKE

Â«/

ARRANGEMENTS' J

7 BUT, IT'S

CUSTOMARY TO WAIT .

SEVERAL DAYS-

[ .

NO? GEORGE \ WOULDN'T HAVE 1

WANTED

WAL. PER FIVE DOLLARS. I

THAT

WAY' THE FUNERAL WILL BE HELD TOMORROW... in THE AFTERNOON*

That evening- in their DORMITORY ROOM. r^a LOOK, SID' WE'RE

COME.' LET'S

IN LUCK/ SOUl 60 SEE CLEM.' POOR 6UY ACROSS we'll dig up THE BODY TOWN DIED THIS TOMORROW MORNING.' THEY'RE j

bufirm him tomorrow AFTERNOON'

MMA

NIGHTf

The NEXT

SlO ANO MEL FINO CLEM, THE RATHER STUPIO COLLEGE HANDYMAN, AHO EXPLAIN THEIR PLAN.. WAL. I OUNNO, FELLERS.' DIGGIN'

UP A CORPSE'

THAT'S KINOA SCARY BUSINESS'

DAY. TOWARD LATE

AFTERNOON GEORGE..

MIGHT '

HE WAS., a

.GOOD MAN

LOWER THE COFFINf

M is lowered into the GRAVE-DIGGERS STEP FOR-

After george's casket YAWNING BLACK

PIT, THE

a distance. alex.6EOR6E's best friend and BENEFICIARY, SMILES AS THE SOFT CRAWLING EARTH IS SHOVELED INTO GEORGE'S GRAVE —

From

HEH.HEH? WONT YOU BE SURPRISED, GEORGE, WHEN THE DRUG WEARS OFF TONIGHT... AND Z DON'T ^-wYl UP.'

C'MON, ZEKE? LET'S GET IT .

OVER WITH'

IT'S

6ETTIN' PARK'

X. SHOW

WHEN ALEX RETURNS

TO HIS ROOMING HOUSE, A STRANGER IS WAITING FOR HIM...

MY NAME IS FOGERTY I I COSMOPOLITAN LIFE .'ARE YOU ALEX LAWRENCE? / ’

WHY, TO PRESENT YOU WITH YOUR CHECK, MISTER LAWRENCE -T HERE YOU AREf

NO? WE'VE EXAMINED THE CERTIFICATE OF DEATH.' EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE IN ORDER

YOU ARE THE BENEFICIARY NAMED IN THE FORTY-

THOUSAND DOLLAR POLICY OF THE RECENTLY DECEASED GEORGE ARKMAN...

Y (

DARKNESS BLANKETS THE TOWN AND THE LITTLE DRAB-LOOKING CEMETERY, ALEX LAWRENCE HASTILY

PACKS...

FORTY THOUSAND OOLLARS

FORTY THOUSAND' I‘Mj rich' rich'

-r

A-m

Meanwhile, oeep down unoer the moldy black EARTH IN THE CEMETERY, SOMETHING STIRS'GEORGE IS

COMING

George reaches up to the satin-lined UNDERGROUND PRISON...

TO... I...

HUH WHERE... WHERE AH I? I... OH? NOW I REMEMBER' OH, MY SCO.' I'M IMA COEEIM... BURIED ALIVE'

At THAT

MOMENT, ALEX STANOS ON A USED-CAR LOT SURVEYING A SHINY BLUE CONVERTIBLE...

CAN’T.. .BUDGE — IT? OH,

lid

of his

LORO < HOW

LOMB CAM I LAST !M HERE? WHERE'S ALEX* WHY DOESM'T

Later that night, as george lies buried six FEET BELOW THE CEMETERY’S 6RAVEST0HE BEDECKED SURFACE... ...

GIVI NG...

OH, GOO?

Slowly, the gate of tmeoeserteo cemetery swings open, its rusteo hinges screaming in [protest? three figure s enter ...

OUT? CAN'T...

GASP... LAST.. .MUCH.

BOD? WHERE S ALEX

Gingerly, sio and mel.thetwo meoical stuoents make their way across the grave- mounds to the ~ FRESH ONE-p—— I

a muffled thud, AS CLEM S SPADE CUTS INTO THE DANK SOIL-

[Down below, georse hears I

IT...

ITâ&#x201E;¢ MUST...

I'm ..

ITTLE BY LITTLE, CLEM'S SPADE GOUGES OUT AN EVER EEPENING HOLE AS THE MINUTES TICK BY,

JUST A LITTLE DEEPER. CLEM' JUST A LITTLE...

BE... ALEX'

HURRY... ALEX' MURRY../

suFFocArm r

COFFIN ECHOES ACROSS THE OESBTTED CEMETERY..

GOOD LUCK, SIR HOPE YOU UKE .

THE

BUS...

YEAH ' THANKS!

ILEM SLIPS THE SHARP EDGE OF THE

SHUOOEBS ...THEN THE LIO G IVES WAY. IT'S COMIN6 LOOSE'

CROW-BAR TION.SITS BOLT UPRIGHT WIDEN ..AS HE SCREAMS.

LIFT

IT OFF,

XCLEMf

THE COFFIN' CLEM'S EYES

^yAfiAAAA^AfiAHit*

Y LORD.' 0000

Alex swerves to

avoid hitting

THE FRIGHTENEO, RACING STUDENTS'

THE CAR HURTLES ACROSS THE

Later, in a dark corner of a local bar. sio and MEL COMPOSE THEMSELVES WITH SEVERAL

THEY NEEDED' AS FOR ALEX... PRETTY BLUE... FROM CAE PA/RTf THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET ALL WRAPPED UP IN SOMETHING.' NOW. I'LL TURN YOU OVER TO MY FELLOW GhOuLuNATIC. WELL... HE'S

THE VAULT-KEEPER .who's

waiting

H/a TERROR- TALE'SEE YOU LATER WITH INFORMATION ON

HOW TO OBTAIN BACK ISSUES ME' IT'S ALL COVERED IN MY

The GUESTS SCURRIED ABOUT DRAGGING CHAIRS TO FRO UNTIL THEY WER â&#x20AC;¢NOTIST AND HIS WIFENOW THAT YOU ARE SETTLED HERE WILL BE MY SUBJECT

X IN

WIL

BEGIN? MY WIFE* THIS DEMONSTRATION'

FIRST, I WILL PLACE HER INTO A HYPNOTIC THIS SPELL, SHE WILL

ONCE PLACED UNDER

EVERY WISH ONLY AFTER I 'SNAP OUT OF IT! WILL SHE

TRANCE? OBEY NY*

UTTER THE WORDS BE REVIVED

ANO NOW, FOR MY FINAL DEMOSTRATIO N f IS THERE ONE AMOI YOU WHO IS EITHER A r PHYSICIAN OR HAS A ) I WAS KNOWLEDGE Of A NURSE

—

WU.

.SO.

GOOD

WIFE

FEEL

IT/.

RAPID...

STROPS..

00 NOT BE ALARMED, Y0UN6 / I HAVE MERELY TO * UTTER THE WORDS 'SNAP } OUT OF IT’ANO MY WIFE >r ' WILL BE RELEASED FROM HER HYPNOTIC TRANCE AND HER HEART WILL BEAT ONCE MORE/

LAOV

ALL

RIGHT,

EVETTE!

STOP YOUP X...I IT'S

MEANT/

16 ASPS

HER PULSE! \

IT'S STOPPED.' .

SHE'S DEADS

WELL, SAY IT THEN, FOP SOD S SANE.' -r

COMMAND

EVETTE TO STOP HEP HEAPY FPOM BEATI MS/

]

KINDLY FEEL MY WIFE'S IF YOU WILL /

PULSE,

WILL YOU KINDLY COME

GOING TO

PERSPIRATION.'

The lovely young woman who had volunteered CAME UP TO THE HYPNOTIST ANO HIS ENTRANCED

UP.' I AM 60INS TO DO SOMETHING THAT SCIENCE CLAIMS B WHAT* IMPOSSIBLE / 1 AM

MEDICINE?

MV MOPD/

HURRY/

SNAP OUT OF IT. jr

EVETTE/

—

THANK THE LORD'.

f The color returned to EVETTE'S CHEEKS AND SHE MOVED ABOUT THE GUESTS CHATTING GAYLV ? MEANWHILE, LEOPOLD HAD ENGAGED

VOLUNTARY ASSISTANT CONVERSATION...

YOU WERE \ IMPRESSED,

IT'S

APPLETON? \IMPRESSED? VERY IT IS...4t/SS?)

—

r-p>

YES

MISS APPLETON' OH, I WAS

.THEN, MISS/

MIS

WONOERFUL /

YOU'RE

appleton!

SELMA APPLETON? r

YES

V WAS/

THE NEXT DAY, SELMA APPLETON MET LEOPOLD MONETTI FOR LUNCH? IN THE OIMNESS OF THE CANDLE-LIT CAFE... HIS EYES BORED INTO HERS AS HE CONFESSED-

HAD

AGAIN,

TO SEE

V0u"^KTTplEASE,

SELMA? LAST

LET THEM? I MUST TELL \ YOU? I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU? YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL/ EXCITLEOPOLD?. ING/ DESIRABLE/ FELL

SOMEONE WILL SEE

MOMENT I SAW YOU/

AND IF I WERE NOT MARRIED? .WOULD YOU

CONSIDER ...X

X...X DON’T KNOW/ LINE YOU? X... THINK SO YES ? X

X...I L

THINK I

WOULD/

IN LOVE WITH YOU THE

BUT, LEOPOLD

YOUR WIFE YOU... YOU'RE

MARRIED

And so, a secret love affair between SELMA AND LEOPOLD BEGAN? THEY SAW EACH OTHER OFTEN AFTER THAT? FINALLY. ONE NIGHT, AT SELI

<X WHAT

CAN'T GO ON LIKE THIS. LEO? THIS MEETIT

ING SECRETLY-. BE HI NO LOCKED DOORS... IN OARK STREETS..

CAN X DO ? EVETTE WOULD NEVER

J SELMA

GIVE ME A

DIVORCE/

Selma slipped down WAS A WILO GLEAM

beside Leopold! HER EYES-

COULO LOOK LIKE A NATURAL 1 DEATH YOU REMEMBER HOW WE J NETf YOU WERE DEMONSTRATING HOW YOU COULO COMHA HO EVETTE TO STOP HER HEART... IT

AND YOU'D BE y YES f VERY" FREE/ THE POLICE \ I LL DO * WOULD CALL IT AN IT , SELMA'

SUPPOSE YOU USED OTHER WORDS' SUPPOSE

UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT '-net y COULDN'T PROVE

INTENT'f YOU'D BE BROKEN-HEARTED

night, Leopold ano evette had an ENGAGEMENT TO DEMONSTRATE HYPNOTISM 'LEOPOLD HAD MADE UP MIS MIND.. ' ALL RIGHT, EVETTE f

The next

.YES' I FEEL HER PULSE'

ITS VERY STRONS'

STOP YOUR HEARTf

GOOD LOR C/ HER PULSE HAS STOPPED UP. MAN?

WAKE HER

WAKE UP, EVETTE YE 1 said WAKE UP,

EVETTE'

The

rigid

i'll*

'ii

woman

did

not

stir.'

rwf

DEAD' ^Wr

EVETTE' WAKE UPWAKE UP:

The police came/ the CORONER EXAMINED EVETTE

HEH, HEH? YES,

LEOPOLD WAS 'BROKEN -HEARTE0 t THE POLICE CALL IT AN UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT ? EVERYTHIN* WORKED OUT PERFECTL Yf the . FUNERAL WAS HELO A FEW DAYS LATER / EVETTE WAS LAID AWAY.. AND LEOPOLD DID

DIED

HEART

FAILURE'

FREE'

WAS

AFTER

HIS

WIFE WAS BURIED, LEOPOLD WENT AWAY... TO GET

OYER

If* WONDERFUL, LEOPOLD BUT. WHEN CAN WE BE .

IT.

—r MARRIED ?

HKM, HEH / YES. A YEAR 18 A LONG TIME/ TIME ENOUGH FOR A WOMAN LIKE SELMA TO BEGIN TO BROOD.' THEN, WHEN THE YEAR WAS UP, LEOPOLO INSISTED THAT THEY Y/SIT EVETTE * GRAVE... TO PAY THEIR RES 1

PECTS BUT,

LEO?

DON'T

WANT TO SEE HER 6RAVE?

fM AFRAID'

DON'T TALK SO LOUD?

SOMEONE MIGHT HEAR YOU/ COME ON/ IT’S RIGHT OVER THERE/ _

THAT'S

BUT. LEO A

SUCH

LONG TIME?

They stood before evette's grave ...with HEADS BOWED / SUDOENLY, SELMA BEGAN TO CRY.. -HYSTERICALLY...

YOU .YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TAKEN ME HERE? I FEEL .

ASHAMED.' WERE

WHY,

WHY? I

A YEAR

WE'VE GOT TO WAIT A WHILE/ IT WOULDN'T LOOK RIGHT? WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE NO ONE SUSPECTS' WE OUGHT TO WAIT AT LEAST A YEAR'

MURDERERS'

SHUT

UP.

YOU FOOL.'

Selma began to rave< her •CREAMIMB VOICE ECHOEO ACROSS THE HEAOSTONEl.

fjM

THANK lOoSlSHAP OUT Of iff 'THE PLACE •Krou'ffe HYSTERICAL/ ')

SOB

OESERTEOr^^-—

_r-~

rou WERE 1

R!6H T' SELMA/) 1

SHOULD# T <

WE K HAVE COME

JUST THAT I TH0U6HT WOULD LOOK 6000 f I . IT WOULO

IT'S IT

OION'T THINK

Leopold amo selma reached the cemetery gate' IT TOWERED ABOVE THEM.. .RISING TWELVE FEET INTO THE FALLING DARKNESS ..ENDING AT THE TOP IN RA20R5HARP SPIKES-

BREAK YOU UK LIKE THAT' rrfm*

The MAGGOT-COVERED SLIMY THING LUMBERED

TOWARD THEM'

BITS Of ROTTED FLESH FELL FROM ITS CHALKY BONES f CLOOS OF GRAVE YARD EARTH SLIPPED CLOTHES'

FROM ITS MOLDY I’ REACHED OUT A DECAYED HAND TOWARO THEM. ..PASSING IT BEFORE THEIR PALED FACES

MEM, HEH' THEY FOUHO SELMA ANO LEO THE HEXT MORHIMS' FUNNY THING ' THERE WASN'T A MARK ON EITHER OF THEM 'THE COROHER . SAID IT LOOKED LIKE HEART' FAILURE' THEIR EYES WERE BULGING OUT OF THEIR SOCKETS THOUGH' HE SAID IT WAS AS IF A

THEY'D BEEN

HYPHOTUEDf HEH,

HEH f WELL' WE KNOW DIFFEREHT. EH? A SETTER NAME FOR IT WOULO BE CORPSEHOTIEED'f OH. by THE WAY' YOUR EYES WILL BULGE FROM _ THEIR SOCKETS WHEN YOU SEE BACK ISSUES'

THE CRYPT- KEEFER'S

VwSk

CORMER. WHICH follows THE TE KT.TELLS YOU HOW TO GET

P\A \i

7£r\

yours f

CEO— Stephen

President and

Deer "CRYPTY (Crypt -Keeper) know your nickname is "CRYPTY '

VAULT

loved the story

"TrappedT

good because

I'm writing with

HAVE INK') stuff

loved the

and says.

"IT

Marty's voice Hke a

wanted to say that I 10. (I'm not writing

Orleans type.

Ramiro J Roman

Glendale.

Oul, y’all Get soma used to bet

my old eyes aren’t what they —CK

ink,

this story This was the first EC story I've ever seen without at least one exclamation point After reading It. Political Pull! Not as good as can understand why but excellent just the same "Drawn And Quartered I

A PEN THAT DOESN'T when Marty waa all In the sticky Imagined FLY PAPER!"

line

IT'S LIKE

New

As lor "Abra Cadaver." It's about a doctor whose career Is ruined when his brother's cruel practical joke gives him a heart attack. He gets back at his brother by kiting him and giving him a voodoo drug to keep his brain alive He then pretends to cut his brother's brain out as a practical joke The )oke gives the brother a heart attack, and kWs him So, can ya 10 It for me? Keep printing my address RR 4 BOX 4 Myron James Rockville. IN 47872 1

Do you

and the Vault-Keeper ever fight? Smfearty. Peachtree City,

Chad J Barr Sure,

—OW

we tight—we fight The Old Witch!

It s me. DARK DEMON Who waa the Crypt-Keeper before you? Do you have to pay taxes and how old are you? address unknown Dark Demon

About, the give film'

new CRYPT movie. "Demon [it]

Knight;" see this

two (severed) thumbs up!

I am the original Keeper! None authentic without thie am signature: ?< I I im eiempt from death, and -CK exempt from taaeel Eat your heart out!! I

who loves your stories as did my "Judy. You're Not YourseK Today story ever written

I'm an average-sized fan

dad when he was a

kid.

was the weirdest

That

definitely ruled

Who

also wrote it? Do you have any background on It? one about the leisure class kids endkig up with leprosy Who's the probe who wrote that one? It was cool, and ruled too Another one that ruled was the one with the poor sister and her brother who turns Into glop. That one was so grim It made Kafka look flke Dick Clark Other than early SPIDERMAN comics EC Hke the early thing had have one to to PLASTICMAN is also cod. But H say. It would be. "Judy You're Not Yourself Today rules! As does the Crypt-Keeper He s boss and george' I

liked the

David Lowery

1016GrosaePT

Irving.

TX 75061

Lakeville.

Nat Hirsh

And, I'm gone, betides! Lot’* s ee we’re into the second year ot EC's New Trend, Feldeteln Is ddng covers only, the art Is by Wood with no particular reason to believe Harrison wee Involved; we can iiiumt Feld stein wrote the script eltho the psychic CK angle le less meohanlstlc than lots of Feldeteln.

—

How you been hanging'’ ha

You can

Probably at the end of a rope. ha.

my address 407 1 Cleveland RO OH 44681

Adam Grleabaum

Wooster.

got nooae for you; when at the end of Yea, ha-ha. CK your rope, keep your trap (door) shut! I

just got Issue

—

» 10 and you guys sure didn't disappoint .

me: Drawn And Quartered!

Oh, and

Excellent!

your

painting at the beginning. Isn't that the werewolf from "By The Fright Of The Silvery Moon m the upper ngtithand comer? "The Borrowed Body" Good plot, but not as well 1 '

carried-out

Mound

"Indian Burial would have expected hate to say it. could not get Into

As much as

Now

the question Is, what Is the plot of the HBO (Our "Dead Rlghtl" ran In CRYPT -CK will be our #21 .)

“Deed Right?" #37

—

MORE MBO STUFF Are the covers you use now the same covers that were used on the original comics? Which SHOCK Issue w« (or saw that one on HBO has! reprint) ed) "Carrion Death!"? and loved It and would like to read It. Folsom CA Tyler Compton I

Yup, original covers. You’ll And "Carrion Death!” In SHOCK •. which le available from us ae a back Issue (art

by the greet Reed Crandall).

—CK

always tape your TV show My dad loves It and so do watcnefl the Santa Claus one on Saturday night. loved it' want that one to come on every Saturday ntghti

»01

Wise

Tiffany

Stafford.

And on tape, it cant '

who

terrorizes a winter cabin,

There was an ecxsode starring Lou Diamond Presley called

Priscilla

Philadelphia.

City, NJ 00402 and THE FAN CLUB. 5947 Colgate ST.

-CK If

you do give

me some

tell

Reisterstown.

had the chickenPOGS once. Didn’t like it; ell that scratching (darn those chickens)! No. you got me. But show up in the darnedest pieces. Keep lookin'! I

Phnpe »xj

Oil's Well that

E.C.

PA 19120.

Do you have Crypt POGS?

me where they are. Greg Miller, age 9

In?

Ends Well. where can find It? Why aren't there "Crypt "s on videos? have to watch the crappy re-runs that are toned down! Finally, '

Margate

Atlantic AV.

INTERNATIONAL

-CK

There was a Crypt episode with Larry (L A. Law) Drake about an escaped mental patient dressed as Santa Claus which magazine

—CK

why

show going off?

the cable

saw a preview

for

magazine

CRYPT

18. but also In

84-pg

RCP CRYPT

mlnel

—CK

have

CRYPT comics and watch your show on HBO and HBO better because they don't

was in New York last night around 1 1:00 and saw the comic store and I walked out with the first 5 issues What kind of music do you Uke? Keith Bphick Upper Montclair. NJ

FOX. but like the ones on leave the good parts out. I

Jack Conner, age

assume you paid

Music

ears

for those comics before walking! the ringing of a cash register

saw the "Tales from the Orypt. Demon Knight' movie last week It was horrible, terrifying, gruesome, disgusting, and l

nightmare-inducing I loved it! Please print to hear from other TFTC Ians

St Charles.

Oarrell S. Heslelt.

age 22

MO (Re

the

CRYPT 8 locoQ: What about

wanna make somethin' Ctaf "Crypt"

am very excited about the HBO "Tales from the Crypt" finale that airs on February 15. "You. Murderer " It brilliant a idea to have Humphrey Bogart "resurrected" for It. favorite episodes of your show are "Well Cooked the Grave Please print my

season

was

Hams" and "The Thing from address

E Grand CYNLN Coran. NY 1 727

1 1

minds on computech resurrections;' at least the producers of TV’s “Crypt" know the significance of the Images they’d be tampering with. Better them than soft drink guysl —CK I

of two

my address

would Uke

Peoria.

Ched Kushkms (CK).

—CK

when you buy EC comical

#2 available

The other questions are for cooler heeds than

•tow!).

Waz up?

just Uke that

James C Puckett Houston. TX I’ve been assuming the bogus Santa is from “...And All Through the House...", VAULT »3S (will ba our VAULT 24) and “Oil's Wed" will be in CRYPT #34 (our

of It?

9 1 6 W McClure 61804-3380

the wrinkles? Hey.

Rot long n prosper,

Hov*

Marion. IL

saying is If I had snuf wrinkles, whole ’nother Old Witch!

All I’m

Why

don't you wear your hood

Mark

Piekielnaik

could maka a

-CK

everyone else? Utica,

Got not hood, got not hat, got no cauldron, got no Got no sock, got no shoe; ao daprassad, my rob# ia blue! (Ain’t you sorry you asked?) CK ball

—

Only getting one EC comic each month wasn't enough So decided to subscribe to your others' Are you going to make new stones beside reprints? Do you need help with them. am your man Print address I would like a Crypt pen I

have collected

CRYPT Volume

and

you don't

realty

Uke The Vault-Keeper and The Old Witch why do you let those morons be m your comic book? Please print my address would like to have a pen pal.

pal

Zac Gale

2324 Willwd ST Saginaw. Ml 48602

10501 Sam Miguetave South Gate. CA 90260

Alexander Orozco

—CK

look so good by comparison! love your stones

comics would Derek Drake

Me and my a pen

btg brother collect your

pal

681 E Garden

Vineland.

CRYPT 10 was awesome' "Drawn and

Quartered!" was In the mag' "The Borrowed Body!" made no do they switch bodies'’ "Indian Bunai the classic plot man does something mean and dies for N "Political Pul'" was exdtmg but a little predictable Please print my address the best story

sense

me— how

Mound" was

Brandon Hendrix

Broken Bow.

POB 117 OK 74728

read your comics and watch your shows enjoy the blood gore and murder enjoy drawing comics of my own. have very few friends but the friends have love CRYPT Could be m your fan dub? I

Dustin (Crypt. Jr

)

Price

No plans for new material. Be sure your pen hae ink Roman, above)! —CK (aae R.

Coushatta. LA

Three of the most vocal fan-groups are: HORROR FROM THE CRYPT OF FEAR. 30 Ivy OR, Midvala, UT >4047; THE EC REGISTER, Abner Doon Productions,

NEXT ISSUE r VESf NOW WATCH.' SEE HOW THE VERNULA SINKS

OH .DEAN: ITS

FANGS INTO THE FLY » IT > PARAL rzes its VICTIM

have sel quietly in my dark smelly corner since the Gladstone reprint era was content with the EC comics now It's a sad thing, but can't stand It any longer! Coming out of the dark. have come to display just how am at the appalling letters your other Ians write What a dirty game they play, for everyone should know that am your one and only #1 Ian. bow at your feet and an at your service Now that I've let the world know this, can crawl back to my dark comer and die Don't anybody dare challenge me! Thank you I

until

angry

Adams (Happy Birthday!) John Brown Dwayne L. Heath S.

Car! Piatrantonio

Mroczko

Kristian

Brandon O'Oonnell Paul O'Leary

name unknown

Whitetleld.

ANOTHER MEOIUM HEARD FROM have a "Tales from the Crypt'' audio tape called "Have a Scary Little Christmas! I

What issue wil your cards

find

Auntie. It's Coal Inside!" appear in? can't any store I like the story "Indian Burial I

Mound" [CRYPT

10).

And please

Patrick Burkett

address.

622 S 22nd ST 47803

Terra Haute. IN

WOW!

Is In CRYPT »30—will be CRYPT 14 quite soon. (How do you get to be Antl-soclal? Certainly don’t be Uncle ‘Legial.’ Well, I thot It was funny.) Get our cards from us, >1.50 per pack ppd. CK

•Auntie”

—

LOOK AT

THEIR FAVE STORIES I

Champaign

THIS!

In the 70s, East Coast Comix reprinted 1 2 EC comics in facsimile form. Certain issues have been harder to get for years now. We have found an EXTREMELY LIMITED

don t usually read comic books, but coutdnt resist checking [yours] out My favorite slory was "Drawn and Quartered! Please print my address so that pen pal[s] can write to me I'm a slightly morbid 16 year old girl and a (unior In high school You're pretty cool for a dead guy. CK' Jocelyn Spltzer 1 908 Rugby RD

quantity of their 3rd thru 10th issues. In addition, Issues 11 and 12 are listed here at the same price currently on our mall order

61821

form. "Weli-Cooked Hams'" Jack Devls has some real talent Very good and would recommend It Madam Bluebeard' One ol the best stories have ever read. "Return Creepy in a way "Horror! Head It Off!" One of the worst stories ever read "Lower Berth! Interesting story with a surprise ending. "This Trick'll Kill You'". Kind ol boring In the beginning, but then it got better "The Switch Another good one by the CryptKeeper.

particularly recommend TWO-FISTED TALES Is one

1 '

comic books of

individual

#9, that issue of

of the greatest time!

all

Peter Keppler. age

Nesconset,

1 1

When ordering COAST ISSUE # #3).

US).

#3 (SHOCK #1 2) #4 (HAUNT #5 (WEIRD FANTASY #13) #6 (CRIME #7 (VAULT #26) #1 0 (HAUNT #9 (TWO-FISTED #34) The above are $15. each. #11 (WEIRD SCIENCE ‘•#12") (#1) #12 (SHOCK #2) The above are $10. each.

favorite stories are "Lower Berth! [CRYPT "33"] "Scared to Death'". "Strop! You're Killing Me!" [CRYPT "37"] and "Taint the Meat. ..it's the Humanity!" [CRYPT "32"] Tell The Vault-Keeper that like "Pearly to Dead" ".

[CRYPT "40

"Poetic Justice!"

Tell

The Old Witch

[HAUNT

Mike Lowenstem. age 9'*

that

the tale

12]

Newton.

please identify as EAST example, EAST COAST Add $5. per order S&H ($10. outside (for

One of my favorite stones Is "Death s Tumi". CRYPT »6. You have my permission to print my address so cai have

#1 2) #25) #23)

pen

pals.

Orlando Garcia

1 729 Superior Chicago. IL 60622

m CRYPT 2 and "Bats Please don't chop this letter

"Madness

at Mandervillie"

Belfry i" in

CRYPT 8

Alena

Ralston

Detroit.

my Ml

My favorite comic stories are "Sinkhole'" and "Dying to Lose Weight!" [VAULT 7], "Daddy Lost His Head!!" [VAULT 8] "Scared to Death!" [CRYPT 8] and "The Irony of Death!" [HAUNT 8] My favorite ones on TV are "The Tattoo" [" On a Dead Men's Chest!" HAUNT 12?] and "What's Cooking. Doc" ("What's Cooking ’". HAUNT

sack issues: cmrpT other* up thru

TALES FROM Utica.

*i. .

II SO I

WCST ALAINS MO

12?]

Matt Smith

Him

Add IB par order (110 out»ld.

COVER ' '

Bargain

"Ants

15775

THIS COMIC REPRINTS THE CRYPT “#2B" (#12. FEB/MAR

52)

Al Feldsteln

Death!

Jack Davis Joe Orlando Jack Kamen

Her Trance!"

A-Comy Story'

"The Ventriloquists s Dummy!

Graham

Ingete

YOU'LL SHUDDER OVER THIS ONE EVEN THOUGH YOU MIGHT CALL IT

FIREO CARLO PIETRO THAT THE CRATE ARRIVED' ARNOLD SURVEYED IT ON THE REAR TERRACE OF HIS PALATIAL ESTATE. . WHAT IN THE WORLD COULD FROM HAITI. A CAA rr BE, jeeves? is there

I WANT SOMETHINQ FOR ONE who LOVES YOUTH TOO MUCH... TO TEACH

WHAT 00 YOU WANT WITH VOODOO, OLD MAN? WHY DO YOU COME TO ME? I

pietro left the offices of everette and SON AND NEVER RETURNED' ARNOLD HIRED A YOUNG MAN TO TAKE HIS PLACE, ANO CARLO «*S SOON FORGOTTEN/ BUT SEVERAL WEEKS LATER. ..IN HAITI... WHERE THE AGING PIETRO HAD GONE

Carlo

RETURN AODRESS’ Jgj

PIETRO SENT

IT.'

X HIM A LESSOMf

THE CRATE STOOD ABOUT SEVEN

eeves, the butler, pried the f (SIDES OF THE CRATE LOOSE AND V {THEY FELL AWAY. REVEALING. i

NATIVE LANO THIS TREE IS WORSHIPPED BY THE UNEDUCATED/ THEY BELIEVE THAT IT CAN WARD OFF OLD AGE/ KNOWING HOW MUCH DESPISE THAT INEVITABLE STATE, IS// HANGING > YOU J I SENO THIS VARIETY OF OAK TO 0H 0NE 0F YOU' PERHAPS IT WILL HELP' (its BRANCHES'/ carlo pietroJH

/whyTit's a small treT 'Tth’ere's] A NOTE < SIR/ HOW OUAINTf LOOK I

HOW B MAP LEO :

(1 i

0-D CCOGER'

HOW

PLAHT

BLAZES SHOULD IT. I GUESS'

/ KNOT

IT'S

/HTEPEST/HB TYPE OF TREE r

ANY CASE? YES/ PLANT

y ]

IT/

THAT'S A

$000 SPOT

FOR

IT/

lord' z

6000 SHOT. IVMITTI' Z FEEL

MR. EVERETTE! YOU’RE LOOK-

WELL THIS MORNINB,

INS WELL

6 KEEN*

THIS SINCE .

not so olo, arnolo, \ HELEN RENEMTOO DEAR* BER? THINK YOU DANCE 0 IVINEL Yf 1Y0UN6.. F££L Y0UN6* THIS BRINBS BACK MEMORIES why,

HAVEN'T

PLAYED LIKE

RIBHT ON THE

GOOD MORNING,

I WAS

THIRTY*

JEEVES'

THIS MORNINGf

ooESkT ir»^H

£«]

XT WAS THAT VERY SAME MORNING THAT f X USED TO HAVE WRINKLES ON MV FOREHEAD AND UNDER MY EYES'

THAT'S TUNNY

N0W

THEY'RE

60NE

/sAj-S-l

ARNOLO SAW THE TREE' HE’D OECIOED TO WALK TO THE STATION ANO HAD NOTICED IT AS HE PASSEO THE BARDEN WALLWHY, EVEN THE TREE PIETRO SENT ME LOOKS NICER* OOESN’T SEEM AS CROOKED ANO 6NARLE0 anymore' ano the LEAVES

Arnold smiled and walkeo on past' ..

H MM ING I

nniMu* iun I'urrsnn

M f FACE DOESN’T LOOK BAD THINK Z CAN SQUEEZE BY WITHOUT A

SHAVE TODAY

LOOK 6 KEENER*

life 1TFI y

THIS MORN-

STRANGE' THE TREE SEEMS STRAIBHTENING UP? IT LOOKS.

DIFFERENT

\Y0UN6ER'

ALMOST...

/ The next morning Arnold

yToodo low C MY BEAU Of IY& STOPPED

6BO W/MB'

Except for the curious fact that his beard HAD STOPPED GROWING AND HIS WRINKLES HAD VANISHED. ARNOLD MAO NOT NOTICEO THE HORRIBLE CHANGE THAT WAS TAKING PLACE. IT WASN'T UNTIL HIS TAILOR EXPLOOEO, THAT HE REALIZEO SOME"

I'LL FIND

EMPLOYMENT ELSE-

WHERE. SIRf TOUR ACTIONS LATELY ER FORCE ME TO RESIGN' YOU... YOU'VE YJ BEEN BEHAVING LIKE AN jfl .

SACRE DIEUf YOUR SUI_L; FITS LIKE A BAS.lM

teM

nju*-

IMPOSSIBLE

ADOLESCENT'

MEASUREMENTS HAVE Sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;tJ r

CHAM8ED'

Arnold locked

himself

after jeeves left' he

One oav.as Arnold scampered about the gar HOOP ROLLED OVER TO THE WALL' IT STOPPEO BEFORE A YOUNG, OUCERLY SHAPED TREE A SAILING DEN, HIS

WEARf CHILD

S CLOTHES

THAWS/ r

GEE? THEY STILL

WONDER

WOMB/

SOMETHING.. .BUT

REMEMBER WHAT/

The next morning, arnolo tumbled out of bed PIETRO HAD SENT 'NOW, IT STOOO FIRM ANO STRAIGHTREACHING TOWARD THE SUNLIGHT.' ARNOLO STUOIEO IT FOR A MOMENT, SCRATCHED HIS MOP OF UNKEMPT ... THEN SKIPPED AWAY...

ONTO THE floor' he tried to get up* something WAS WRONG' HIS SHORT STUBBY LEGS WOULDN'T RESPOND.' HE CRAWLED ALL THAT DAY...

HAIR

* OH, WELL' ANOTHER TIME' NOW IVE GOT TO GO PLAY WITH MY SOLDIERS'

That HAO BECOME CRAWLED AFTER AN INTERESTING LITTLE INSECT' HE STOPPED BEFORE A YOUNG GREEN SHOOT, SPROUTING FROM THE SOFT RICH EARTH...

night the deserted house of Arnold everETTE WAS FILLEO WITH THE SOUALLING HOWLS OF A HUNGRY BABY-CRYING FOR ITS BOTTLE...

A NO SOON.EVEN DIED

THOSE CRIES AWAY' AS THE MORNING SUN

STREAMED OVER THE GARDEN WALL A GOLDEN RAY SHOT DOWNWARD TOWARO THE SPOT WHERE ARNOLO

EVERETTE ...SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE... HAD PLANTEO CARLO GNARLED CROOKED

PIETROS ANO TREE' THERE, ON A BARE SPOT OF u 8 LACK EARTH, LAY A SINGLE OBJECT AN AC OHM '

HEH.MEH' WELL, KIDDIES.' I HOPE you SEED DA POINT of this WEIRO LITTLE TALE' WHICH IS NORSE GROWING OLD OR GROW-

YOONS • ARNOLD

ING

CAN'T HELP

YOU' HE'S JUST A OLEAN -Of SUNLIGHT ...NOW' DON'T F0R6ET TO READ MY COLUMN, THE CRYPTKEEPER’S CORNER. FOR BACK ISSUES INFO'

W„ K

NOW I'LL

TURN YOU OVER TO THAT HAG,

fy** A| the OLD iJW WITCH

BYE'

DONT F0RCrr out of the MOUTHS OF BABES HEM,

ME ...THE OLD WITCH ... MISTRESS OF THE HAUNT OF FEAR/ THIS TIME. FOR THE TOLO TO ME BT LARRY DOODLAS, A THEATRICAL

HEE.HEE' YEP.

IT'S

OFFERING FROM

MY CAULDRON, I'VE OREOGEO UP A TALE OWH WORDS. AND HE CALLS IT...

MAN'

IT'S IN HIS

It had been years since i o seen Charles JEROME AS I STUOIEO HIS PALE. ORAWN FACE I MAS SHOCKED TO SEE HOW MUCH HE'D CHANGED' IN ITS PLACE HIS WARM SMILE HAD DISAPPEARED. WAS A TIGHT GRIMACE.' HIS EYES THAT ONCE SPARKLED HAPPILY WERE SAO AND BLOODSHOT, ' ENCIRCLED BY TIRED LINES v â&#x20AC;¢ LARRY/ LARRY C HAR _Es7 YoVoLD JON-OF ACOME DOUGLAS/ ailN HOW ARE YOU ? I'VE in' come in' .'

oouist* ten years before, he'd been a STAR f HIS ACT HAD SEEK FANTASTIC* HIS OU M MY HAD BEEN SO LIFE-LIRE* NO ONE HAD EVER SEEN HIS LIPS MOVE *MEt> BEEN ACCLAIMED ST AUOIEWCES WHEREVER HE'D PERFORMED r YES* YOUR ASENT TOLO 4,

HON DID YOU FIND ME, 4

LARRY?

RE* HE SAID YOU'D REFUSED ALL OFFERS* ME SAID

RETIRED

YOU'D

Charles noodeo* z looreo AT HIS HAND ..HIS LEFT HAND-. THE HANO HE'D USED TO MANOUMMY...

RETIRED? YES* YOU CAN CALL IT THAT*

CHARLltD ALWAYS KEPT

mTs 1

'OUMMY-MAND' ENCASED

RETIRED, why DO YOU STILL

“

HEAVY WOOLEN MITTEN* I REMEMBERED HOW Z*D RIDDED

rTTTo^vE^I

KEEP YOUR HAND 6L OVED f

Charles stared at me for A MOMENT* THEN HIS 6LANCE , SHOT ACROSS THE ROOM TO A [TELL ME. CHARLES.JtATTERED SUITCASE IN THE DO YOU STILL HAVE JCORNBR.

—

rSr*L

SO \ zHOWTHOUBMT IS HE. THE

) DON'T < TOUCH t ( *

STOPPED

MY TRACKS* CHARLES'S VOICE ’

Course not, Charles' IF YOU'D RATHER Z WOULOrfT' NOW let's bet down to < BUSINESS' zVe come to OFFER YOU A JOB / -M*

that

SUITCASE/

tU THE ENTERNO/ Z TAINMENT OIRECTOR FOR A DIG S WON'T DO ZL RESORT HOTEL IN THE MOUN- / IT* I’M / TAINS* THIS CAN MEAN A LOT l THR0U6H TO YOU* IT CAN PUT YOU BACK \ PERFORMING' ON TOR. If THEY LIKE YOU* ] THROUGH WHAT DO YOU SAY? Z HAVE *^i A SPOT FOR YOU NEKT y\ WEEKEND*

LOOR, CHARLES*

As I DROVE BACK UPSTATE, I KEPT THINKING OF CHARLES JEROME' HE'O FALLEN A LONG WAY' I REMEMBERED BACK TO THOSE YEARS WHEN HE’D THRILLED AUDI ENCES ... HAD THEM ROLLING IN T vnn MFAN MONTY HE! JftE —AISLES... y vnn WAS GREAT, LARRY t f WERr MEAT TOW6HT

CHARLES'

Charles'o always referred to mortv as THOUGH IT WERE A REAL PERSON' CERTAINLY THE DUMMY BEHAVED THAT WAY' IT WAS THE INCREDIBLE WAY CHARLES USED TO MANIPULATE IT' AND- ALTHOUGH I USED TO THINK IT WAS JUST A PUBLICITY STUNT. CHARLES'D GUARDED ^ THE MAN IPUL ATIN6 HAND WELL... [why do you” ALWAYS WEAR /MV HAND IS MV

[that heavy

WOOLEN

L MITTEN, CHARLES?

GIRL HAD BEEN ATTACKED. IT SEEM ED, BY A HOARD OF PATS. NOTHING ELSE COULD HAVE l|/ RIPPED HER UP (JL LIKE THAT EXCEPT SMALL SHARP-TOOTHED ANIMALS, SUCH AS... ]

SHOW AFTER MYSTERIOUS DEATHJ OANCER ON SAME BILL l OF ,

I’D BOOKED THE ACTS 1’0 NEEOED AND THEN LOOKED UP CHARLES' NOW I WAS ORIVING BACK TO THE HOTEL... THE SPOT STILL OPEN FOR THE NEXT WEEKEND...

—

’maybe HE'LL CHANGE HIS MIND 'I'LL GIVE HIM A LITTLE TIME TO THINK IT OVER '

rf'

SLIDE .'THE

^^^^

TRADE .PAJ>iRS / THIS? CHARLES JEROME LEAVES I .

IT '

unexplained DEATH THAT CHARLES HAD BE 6UN HIS DOWNWARD

BACK

I'VE got

It’d been after that

Io BEEN CHARLES'S AGENT IN THOSE YEARS T WHEN AN OFFER OUT IN I'D GOTTEN HOLLYWOOO, I’D SOLD HIS ACCOUNT f THAT WAS THE LAST I'D SEEN OF HIM, ALTHOUGH 1*0 FOLLOWED HIS CAREER IN THE

J fortune/ TO PROTECT

PATS."

THE MID-WEEK SHOWS THAT I COMPLETELY FORGOT ABOUT CHARLES JEROME' THEN ON FRIOAV MORNING, 1 LOOKED UP FROM MY DESK TO SEEI HOPE THE SPOT ^CHARLES ‘ YOU DIO COME?’ -IS STILL OPEN.

L LARRY

BE STARINS RI6HT THROUGH

ME_

)

A BELL-HOP KNOCKED AND ENTEREO

Charles's mitteneo nano HUNG AT NIS SIDE / IN MS OTN HAND HE CLUTCHED THE SUITHIS CASE CONTAINING MORTY

There WAS A STRANGE LOOK IN CHARLESS EYES AS HE STOOD BEFORE MY DESK ! HE SEEMED TO

TAKE

MR.

JEROME

Y YES. SIR

DUMMY.

'"what made you

CHANGE YOUR MIND.

CHARLES?

WHY._I J JUST <

T DECIDED J TO COME out of

<TPrf \

^ A

I Wfcr retirement ALL ’

’ill#'l^V THAT S

I WATCHED OUT OF MY OFFICE WINDOW IN THE RECREATION HALL AS CHARLES MOVEO DOWN THE WALKXLUTCHING HIS SUITCASE. FOLLOWING THE BELL-HOF* MIS FEET SEEMED TO DRAG. ..AND HE STA68ERE0 A LITTLE.. ^~K. fe l^Tow'proba b ly TOOK A few

SHOTS OF LIOUOR TO BOLSTER HIMSELF BE all RIGHT just as soon asJ THE CURTAIN OPENS/

flH AW. HE'LL

’

MISTER CHARLES JEROME. A and

Charles came out on the stage

with morty

SEATED IN THE CROOK OF HIS RIGHT ARM/ THERE WAS SOME SCATTERED APPLAUSE FROM THOSE WHO REMEM8ERC0 THE GREAT MAN IN HIS PRISC/MORTY BEGAN TO EVE THE AUOIENCE. LOOKING FROM FACE TO FACE —

ISIFT

b CUTE*

HE LOOKS SO

REAL’

\J-IKE *

UVE

SOYf

FOR His FIRST PERFORMANCE ANYWHERE. AFTER, TEN YEARS OF RET/RESENT - / THE WORLO FAMOUS VENTR1L03WST

[and NOW

MORTY

UODENLY MORTY STOPPED/ HIS GLANCE HAD FALL* »ON A RATHER ATTRACTIVE YOUNG WOMAN SEATED EAR ME? HE WINKED SLYLY -AND QUIPPED .. 'I LL SEE 7ou rOUISHT

_ ,

HONEY AFTER THE Y

SHOW'

-Ji

‘

It WAS THE PERFECT THING TO SAY ! THE AUDIENCE HOWLED 4 YOU KNOW THE CROWD THAT FREOUENTS A RESORT LIKE THAT. WOMEN ON VACATIONS LOOKING FOR RICH HUSBANDS MEN HUNTING FOR WEALTHY WIVES' IT ALWAYS ENDS UP LIKE A RAT-RACE-.WITH EVERYONE LYING TO

EVERYONE ELSE' ANYWAY ...THEY CHARLES AND HIS DUMM Y HAW. Csa'MR. JEROME? YOU KNOW a BETTEft WAY S HAW.‘

After the show, i went backstage to CONGRATULATE CHARLES ON HIS WONDERFUL PERFORMANCE HE'D OUTDONE HIMSELF' HE'D MANIPULATED MORTY GETT ER THAN EVER !

? WHY, HE LEFT*foH ? HE MUST THE HALL AS SOON AS HE <HAVE GONE ON BACK TO THE CAME OFF-STA6E !

7mr7 JEROME

THEY'RE A >

SCREAM

Suddenly, the blood froie

THE

AT HALL, THE GUESTS WERE POURING OUT OF THE EXITS... THEIR LAUGHTER DRIFTING ACROSS

THE COTTAOE

BACK

THE NIGHT AIR TOWARD ME' I COULD HEAR CHARLES'S NAME REFERREO TO IN THE BABBLE OF C ON VERSATION

my veins' voices explooeo / FROM BEHIND ONE OF THE DOOR S...LOUD VOICES HEATED WITH ANGER' CHARLES USING HIS NORMAL VOICE- WAS ARGU-

BEHIND ME AND SILENCE CLOSED IN AS X STOOD IN THE SEMI-DARKNESS' I GAZED OOWN THE CORRIDOR AT THE SIX_ DOORS. SCW, WHICH ONE^^H y is CHAP LESS ?

^gj^r^rHEY^! IKE d\JBB MIM jyffl

H/MSELE USING MORTVSVOJCE-jfWNOf I HEARD f 7 TES YOU X HEAR Of XM< WILL/ I'LL ING

WITH

NOT 60/N6 TO> MAKE YOU' YOU'RE TOO LET TOUf jdL WEAK TO , .

STOP ME

I STOOD OUTSIDE THE DOOR FOI LISTENING TO THE RAVING-.^. GOOD LORO' HE'S OUT OF HE'S FIGHTING WITH HIS OVER THE GIRL IN THE AUDIENCE

mind!

DUMMY OF

knocked' THE YELLING STOPPEO abruptly! X HEARD A SHORT WHIMPER ANO THEN CHARLES OPENED THE DOOR' HIS EYES WERE REO AS THOUGH HE'D BEEN CRY ING

I HIS

THAT

mm^abm^^^thTthank 6RATULATE AUDIENCE you!

LOVED >

YOU,

LARRY I I' M TIRED ' X MUST

you,

Charles! the i

GO TO BED NOW SO I WON'T INVITE YOU IN '

^J ^ J

Charles closed the ooor. and

x stood there] FEELING FOOLISH? I SHRUGGED AND RETURNED TO THE 'REC' HALL.' THERE WAS SOME WORK I I HAO TO 00 BEFORE I COULO GO TO BEOf LATER I AS I SAT AT MY DESK -

/ WHAT WAS THAT

It was the same woman that \ CHARLES'O HAO MORTY QUIP TO? | I THOUGHT OF THE OANCER THAT ( HAO OIEO THE SAME WAY TEN YEARS J BEFORE ? I RUSHED TO THE COTTAGE! ANO FLUNG OPEN CHARLES'S OOOR-f

The suitcase containing charless^ DUMMY SAT ON THE FLOOR IN THE } I STARED OOWN AT TTC HEADLESS CORNER' I MOVEO TOWARD IT* I HAD L VENTRILOOUIST'S DUMMY? I TO SEE'

THREW BACK THE

LID...

WHAT THE-? THE DUNNY It^HAS NO HEADf

^CHARLES 7 HE. -

A SHOUT FROM THE HOTEL KITCHEN DREW MV ATTENTION? I RUSHED ACROSS THE GRASS ANO ONTO THE PORCH ? THE CHEF STOOD WIPE - YED -W A VI NG H IS « HE TAKE NY CLEAVER HE STEAL NY C LEAVER

COULDN'T UNDERSTAND IT? THEN I SAW OTHER THINGS IN THE 4 SUITCASE 1

—

£0^.— WHAT VHAPPENED?

HE'S DONE.'

THAT VENTRILOQUISTf

—

~ » % y , l LOOKED AROUND? A MITTEN LAY ON THE FLOOR AT MY FEET? I PICKED IT UP? IT WAS COVERED WITH BUJOO' SUDDENLY I HEARD CHARLES'S VOICE COMING FROM_| » BEHIND SOME BUSHES...V*~~~* ]

—

CHARLES?

)

MO USE f

irs

I'M RID OF YOUfRIO

FREEIMS MYSELF...FOR.

I'M

^ eooo f

or roof

* [Charles pitched forward ano fell f ms LEFT HAND MAD MEN SEVERED AT THE WRIST* NOW t KNEW WHY ME‘D ALWAYS WORN THE MITTEN* INSTEAD OF A LEFT HANO. A HIDEOUS HEAP MAD BROWN FROM /tJ

WHEN

WAS A CHILD, THEY

T\H

I HAD A DEFORMED J THE HARD .' BUT AS I CREW UP (_ Mi MORRISL E HEAD S MC DEVELOPED* SOON IT OPENED C ITS WICKED EYES AND SEDAN TO

SAIO

;

THAT I

IT, '

LARRY* TEN YEARS ASO HE THAT DANCER f HE

TALK USED

TOOK OYER MY SOOY ANO

HERf

TO WREST

lOW

T /

TO RETIRE FROM SHOW / BUSINESS* I KEPT THE HEAD DRUS 6ED BUT YOU. YOU CAME- ANO OFFERED ME WORK* TONIGHT, IT

X >

TOOK OYER ASAIM* l COULDN’T STOP IT *

BECAME a YEHTR/LOOUIST. AS A DUMMY f

BE6AN CONTROL OF MY WHILE I SLEPT 'l HAD THEN IT

I IT

I TIED A CRUDE TOURNIQUET ON / HEE.HEE* WELL, THAT’S THE YARN LARRY PALMED OFF ON ME* SO l CHARLES'S WRIST ANO RUSHED ) OFF* WHEN I SOT BACK, CHARLES J JUST HANDED <T DOWN TO YOU* I HOPE YOU UKED IT* NEXT TIME YOU WAS OEAO f HE'D BEEN TORN I TO SHREDS T HE SEVERED ’HEAoO SEE A VENTRILOQUIST, LOOK CAREFULLY TO SEE MOW ME MOLOS MIS LAV NEARBY... TM j MEAD WASN'T

(M Y\

V. QUITE DEAD r WITH ITS LAST

™READ IT

OF LIFE,*-

ATTACKED

CHARLES* THEY'VE

nnr

DESTROYED EACH other'

. 1

J \ J

DUMMY*IFMESREACHINO/A*TOO f ALL V / FAR...^OMAIF/ WELL.WE’LL SEE YOU NEXT IN THE YAUL TOE '

HORROR ' DON'T

F0R6ET TO RE AO

THE CRYPT KEEPERS CORNER

HEE-HEE! I’M GOING TO DO LIKE THESE TWO GOOFY GHOULUNATICS, AND GET MY OWN SUBSCRIPTIONS TO ALL THE EC COMICS!

SUBSCRIBE! AND GET ANY OR ALL OF THE FABULOUS EC COMICS DELIVERED DIRECT TO YOUR CRYPT. VAULT. HAUNT OR HOUSE IN A STOUT. ILLUSTRATED MANILA ENVELOPE!

GEMSTONE PUBLISHING PO BOX 469

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PLAINS.

65775

417-256-2224 or call 1-800-EC

CRYPT

PRICES SUBJECT TO C Mil WOE WITHOUT NOTICE

m -

YET MORE EC COMICS!! FOR APPROXIMATELY A YEAR. GLADSTONE PUBLISHED A LINE OF EC REPRINT COMICS CONSISTING OF THE FIRST 32 FROM THE TITLES SHOWN BELOW EACH ISSUE CONTAINED 64 PAGES IN FULL COMIC BOOK COLOR. THE ABOUT KEY' TITLE AND THE LAST 32 FROM A SECOND TITLE. IN ADDITION. THERE ARE OCCASIONAL ARTICLES THE MACABRE IN LITERATURE, A THEN-CURRENT LETTER COLUMN AND OTHER READER-WRITTEN FEATURES. RUSS COCHRAN NOW HAS THE ENTIRE BACKSTOCK OF GLADSTONE S EC REPRINT LINE! EVERY ISSUE IS IN STOCK AND AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPMENT COMPLETE YOUR EC COLLECTION BY PURCHASING THESE COMICS!

CPYPT

BSIENSEI

CONTENTS OF GLADSTONE EC COMICS GLAD CRYPT CRYPT 33 <1

(19521

42 CRYPT 35(19631

CRIME

CRIME 17 110531

QLAO VAULT VAULT 34 HAUNT 1 41

(19631 (1950)

GLAD WEIRD SCIENC 41:

W 80 22 (1953) W FAN 1 (1960)

Ifl

42:

W SCI 18(1963) W FAN 17(1960)

CRYPT 39 CRIME

119511

42 VAULT 27 (19521 HAUNT 18(19631

116531 (19501

48 HAUNT 22 VAULT 13 43

W SCI W FAN

(1963) (1950)

9(1951) 14 |1950)

#4:

CRYPT 18119501 C R ME

44:

W S-F 27 (1956)

W FAN 11

46:

11962)

CRYPT 48

(1964)

46 CRYPT 42 (1964)

CR94E 27

CRIME 5(1961)

r' c 3.

VAULT 23 (1962) HAUNT 13 (1962)

46:

VAULT 19(1951) FAN 8(1951)

GLAD HAUNT 41 HAUNT 17

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W S-F 28 (1966)

119551

46 VAULT 32 11953) FAN 6(1951)

HAUNT

5(1950)

W SP 29 (1955)

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September. December, March and June by Gemstone Publish tig. 202 “9- Enure contents & 1995 by William M. Gaines. Agent. Inc Tales from the K. All rights reserved. Nothing herein contained mey be reproduced without in

Plaint,

65775-0469.

TEFftORl HFH.HFH' ANOTHER

FEW MONTHS

ANOTHER $2.00.

AND ANOTHER TALES

PROM THE

CRYPT, EH KIDOIES?

YOUR HOST this So TO SEE ™*ME /M' C0UE INTO THE CRYPT OP TERROR? ^TOCRYPTSTART OFF irrpea *Pnn*INt:Y I'VE CHOSEN a REAL MEATY TALE OP TERROR FROM MY COLLECTION .S

WILL MAKE YOUR BLOOD FREEZE IN THIS SHIVERY YAHK_^ CALLITHt^HIVERY I CAL

| |

YOUR

MiMUlll.

NECK CRAWL? HA /R ON THE BACK OF YOUR NECKCRAWL? VEINS ANO THE HAIR

Artie's step-father slammed the closet DOOR ANDTURNEOTHE KEY 7 FROM WITHIN CAME THE MUFFLED WAILS OF THE BOY'S PITIFUL CRYIN6-

YOU'LL STAY IN THERE,)*-*- PLEASE, DADDY? DOH T DECIDE MANi UNTIL

«0

LET YOU OUT?

LOCK ME IN AGAIN?

GOOD?

I'll be

please'

m PROM

IS £

Behind artie's angry stepfather STOOD A FRAIL-LOOKSAD- FACED WOMAN' SHE SHOOK HER HEAD... HER EYES FILLING WITH TEARS... YOU... you SHOULDNT. mind' SAM' YOU SHOULDN'T ) YOUR LOCK HIM IN THERE <. OWN EVERY TIME HE'S BAD BUSIIT FR/6HTENS HIM ' NESS?

Samuel bricker turned and STAMPED OUT OF THE TINY APARTMENT, THROUGH A CUR-

ING,

KNOW WHAT

TAINED DOORWAY. INTO THE BUTCH ER SHOP IN THE FRONTHE'S COT TO 'NBUT LOCKING LEARN TO OBEY') HIM IN A THE BRAT IS yOARK CLOSET I

SPOILED.' HE NEEDS TO BE D/c/PL/NED .'m

I'M J>0/N6.'

Then artie's crying stoppeo^ silence ClOSEO in around lily? the ONLY SOUND WAS THE HUM OF THE ELECTRIC MEAT-GRINDING MACHINE IN THE SHOP, AS SAM PREPARED AN ORDER OF CHOPPED-MEATf SUDDENLY, ARTIE GIGGLED.

HE_HE*S

LAU6HIN6' THE

LITTLE SCOUNDREL.' HE'S NOT AFRA/D AT ALL'

TOOHH

HARSH...

Sam never heard his wife's OBJECTION? HE SWUNG OPEN THE HUGE MEAT-REFRIGERATOR DOOR AND STEPPED INSIDE? IN THE APARTMENT BEHIND THE STORE, LILY BRICKER STAREO AT THE LOCKEO CLOSET OOOR, LISTENING TO HER SON'S OUIET WHIMPERING- pj |

POOR AND

After A WHILE. ARTIE'S STEP-FATHER CAME FROM THE SHOP AND UNLOCKED THE DOOR? AS THE LIGHT STREAMED INTO THE CLOSET. CHASING THE OARKNESS BEHIND THE HANGING COATS AND BUNKED UP? HE SAT IN THE CORNER ON THE FLOOR.. .SMILING

SOB-

SOB...

Lily shrugged and returned to her housework' FROM TIME TO TIME SHE WOULD STOP ANO LISTEN.' FROM THE CLOSET, SHE COULD

HEAR ARTIE’S MUFFLED WHISPERS AND AN OCCASIONAL C HUCKLE-.jp

LISTEN

’

TO HIMSELF!

PILED BOXES. ARTIE

ARTIE?

HE'S

SCARED OF THE DARK'.

)

TALKIN6 PL A TIN in

HIM' HE'S HE'S

BRICKER TURNEO ANO STARTED TOWARD THE FRONT ' AT THE CURTAINED DOORWAY... HE LOOKED BACK? ARTIE WAS STANDING OUTSIDE THE CLOSET, WAVING HIS CHUBBY LITTLE HAND AND WHISPERING INTO THE CLUTTERED

ENCLOSUREBYE ? X HOPE I SEE YOU A6AIN

ARTIE'

Artie moved toward his stepfather. HIS CURLY LITTLE EIOHTYEAR OLD HEAD SOWED f SAM RICKER OL A R ED 00 WN AT HIM-

WELL. CUT

OUT 1 HERE',

TAKE THB ORDER OVER TO MRS RAFFERTY ANO

DON'T STOP TO TALK TO THE OTHEP BPATS

WHO IN BLA2E3 WERE N-NO ONE. J YOU TALKIMS TO, yOAOO'ff I JUST THEN? WUZ JUS’ PLATIN' f

ON TNE

HIS WAV BACK FROM DELIVERING MRS. RAFFERTY'S MEAT OROER, ARTIE WAS STOPPED BY A FEW OF THE

NCMHBORHOOO

^^ ^—=7

KIDS.

GEE. FELLERS. X CAN'T; AW, GOTTA CLEAN THE /C’MON, CHOPPING BLOCK f J ARTIE? JUS F0R

‘

AZTY Vs y /

^ j'-

-5^

Afl

ARM AROUND THI

PONGV SOFT BAG OF MEAT. AND IKIPPEO OUT THE DOOR ? HIS ITEP-FATHER SHOUTED AFTER HIM.

It was getting dark when artie returned to the BUTCHER SHOP' AS HE SHEEPISHLY ENTERED THE OOOR. HIS STEP-FATHER EXPLOOED.

WHERE WERE TOO* YOU'VE BEEN GONE FOP OVEP AN HOUR' YOU STOPPED TO " PLAT, DIDN'T

TOO

DIDN'T

alil'-; WHILE? J

I TOLD YOU NOT TO STOP ON TNE r YES.OAOOV? WAY' DIDN'T If HEBE.' BET TO GONNA PUT WORK' SCBUB THAT CHOPPING A ME IN THE BL OCX orvutso VC SPOTL ESS, ncAff HEAP me ME r9 CLOSET AGAIN, AFTER YOU 'RE THROUGH, I’LL ^DADDV? V

DEAL WITH YOU'

VRTIE CURLED HIS

MAT.'

HI. ARTIE ? WE OOT A GAME OF HIOE-AN- GOSEEK COOKED UPf^

^ M

THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT I’M 60ING TO 00? YOU'LL LEAMN

TO BE OBEDIENT YET, YOUNO

MAN'

YES. DADDY? THE KIDS ASKED..

YOU KNOW WHAT A BUTCHER'S CHOPPING BLOCK IS. DON'T YOU

IT'S THAT LITTLE TABLE ABOUT j THREE FEET SOUARE ANO A FOOT OR SO THICK THAT THEY CHOP THE MEAT ON? AFTER A BUSY / DAY, IT'S PRETTY MESSY? THE \ WAY THEY CLEAN IT IS TO SCRAPE J THE BLOOD STAINS AND IMBEDDED MEAT WITH A WIRE BRUSH UNTIL / ALL TRACES ARE GONE? IT'S \ A T0U6H JOB FOR A MAN, LET ALONE AN EIGHT-YEAR OLO? J \

After HOUR OR MORE, ARTIE FINALLY FINISHEO THE BACK-BREAKING TASK OF SCRUBBING THE BLOCK, ANO ENTERED THE APARTMENT BREATHLESS I'M FINISHED,

THAT*^^.

DADDY? ARE YOU /RIGHT? ANO GOING TO PUT 1 WITHOUT ME IN THE ^AsuPPER, TOO?

)

Artie opened the closet and stepped IN? HE SANK DOWN UNTIL HE SAT CROSSLEGGED ON THE CLUTTEREO FLOOR ? HE SMILED UP AT HIS STEP-FATHER...

MR 8 RICKER SLAMMED THE DOOR NO SOUND IN THE TINY APARTMER BUTCHER SHOP? HE TURNEO THE SOUND? ARTIE* MOTHER GASPED DIDN'T CRY.' ML... HE SEEMED TO WANT TO BE

NEXT TIME YOU’LL LISTEN TO ME / WHEN X TELL YOU ng'ta* SOMETHING? r~f

I'M READY.

DADDY?

SAM? PLEASE

HE'S A

BOY

kms

GROWING

r HE...HE

HE NEEDS

MEALS?

LOCKED IN'

THEY LISTENED FOR A MOMENT? ARTIE WAS WHISPERING TO HIMSELF BEHIND THE LOCKED DOOR? THEN HE 6I66LED... [ SEE WHAT YOU’VE DON E SAM BRICKER ? SEE WHAT row HE DONE P LISTEN TO HIM? HE TALKS TO

HIMSELF? HE LAUGHS THERE' SEE WHAT YOU'VE DONE WITH

PUNISHMENTS?

YOUR...

BAH? HE'S fPUTTIN6 ON AN ACT HE’S TRYING TO HE'S

K/D US

SCARED A

STIFF'

I'M GOIN' OVER TO EtfS TO PLAY CARDS? YOU CAN LET 'lM OUT AFTl A WHILE? BUT REMEMBER WHAT

"^7

SAID?

NO SUPPER

THE KID'S

^CRAZT'

Lily listened for the tinkle of the bell AS SAM WENT OUT THROUOM THE BUTCHER

shop' then she turned TO the closet' ARTIE WAS STILL CHATTERING AWAY IN LOW TONES' LILY TRIED TO MAKE OUT WHAT HE WAS SAYING... p= INSIOE.

Artie gasped' then he hushed his imaginary

PLAYMATE' HIS MOTHER UNLOCKED THE CLOSET DOOR AND SWUNG IT OPEN ' ARTIE SAT CROSSLEGBED OM THE FLOOR 6RINNI NG UP AT HER S HYLY. Y...YE5, ""W YOU... YOU MUST BE HUNGRY, DEAR' COME OUT ? I'LL 6IVE YOU SOMEMOTHER'

GEE- NO* NOT THAT.' uh. SEE' HE ISN’T... THAT BAD

HUH

OH,

OK AY

THATD BE

I 6UESS'

Lily placed the glass of MILK AND JAM-COVERED BREAD BEFORE HER SMALL SON ? SHE

Artie peereo out of the CLOSET... ABOUT THE TINY APARTMENT.. IS

Ht.^TNVy

DADDY..

HE’S

BUT YOU'RE

SAT DOWN OPPOSITE HIM... STUDYING HIS FACE AS HE GULPED HIS FOOD... ARTIE ' WHO DO YOU TALK TO IN VTHE CLOSET? ^

60NE'\

NOT

ABOUND?) TELL him I FED glVOU. - UNDERSTAND? ^

REAL? \iUH...UH' NOPE: ME WANTS TO NOW, ARTIE? I

'WHATS r HOUR' HE WANTED TO DO

< PUNISH DADDY YOUR for PUN/SH/N6

ISN'T HE

JUST

IMA6INA- JJ ME' HOZIR LINES T/ON? Ai

]

SOMETHING

TERRIBLE TO DADDY.' I WOULDN'T

HIM'

LET ,

YES' WHO SOMEONE YOU

IS IT?

MADE UH?

UH.-UH

NOPE'

Mrs HEAL' HE LIVES THERE.. IN

BUT

J '

THE CLOSET

SAID

IT'S

OKAY IF HE PUSHES DADDY SO'S HE ,

FALLS DOWN

AN'

HURTS HIMSELF A LITTLE.' THATS OKAY. ISN'T

IT.

V MOMMY? r—

\ I

Lily stared at her son...her

SAM BECKER STROOE ACROSS

EYES FILLING WITH TEARS i POOR ARTIE ! SAM HAD HURT HIM BY LOCKING HIM IN THE

THE SAWDUST-COVERED BUTCHER SHOP FLOOR? AS HE CAME THROUSH THE CURT AIRED DOO R WAV... ULTf I THOUGHT X

CLOSET. ..HURT HIM BADLY* SUDDENLY, THE TINKLE OF THE STORE BELL STARTLED HER ?

[

roLDTOU

SHE JUMPED UPit s

SuDOENLY. FORWARO, FACE .

SAM ' 2

6our.. 6EE*

H* .JXS

your'

FATHER*

CATCHES

me EEED/HS

—

YOU...

-S

ARTIE'S STEP-FATHER GOT TO HIS KNEES.

f ARE YOU ^ ALL P/6HT. SAM? ARE YOU

HUNT?

SOMEBODY PUSHED 1 Z. PELT IT? I * PELT A PA IP OP

HANDS SHOVE ME*

Artie grinned' sam caught

WHAT ARE TOO

his

step-so^s

ARTIE

LAUGHING AT? WHAT'S SO 4 FUNNY YOl/RE 6LAO I FELL— AREN'T you ? ) t

SAM* STOP 4 IT f 1

HUH ? WHAT’D THE

NOTH/NS. SAM?

IN6 AT _ NOTH ALL*

K 10 SAY, LILP

Artie's step-father grabbed his son by his SHIRT COLLAR AND SHOVED HIM INTO THE

6ET/N THERE. YOU LITTLE BRAT* I'LL TEACH YOU TO

LAU6H...

rfj

SAM* NO* DON'T PUT HIM

THERE'

PLEASE*

Sam strooe YOU SHUT UP' I'LL

THIS

HANOLE

MY WAY !

PLEASE. SAM' YOU OOH'T

KNOW WHAT

W f I DO/HS'M YOU'RE

into the shop and FLUNG OPEN THE MEAT -REFRIG ERATO R POORYOU L£AV£ HIM IH THERE. LILY'I'M GOING TO SUCE UP A SIO£

OF B££F

FOR

TOMORROW...

JWA

Lily listeneo tor the whir of THE SLICING MACHINE.' FINALLY IT STARTED' SHE EOGED TOWAROTME CLOSET. . . LISTENING. .

UH-UH'NOPEf

AMTtE

NOT THAT/ THAT’S TOO ML. IOASP'; TERBIBLE/ HUH? HiS FtMSER ? OKAY !

Lily darted across the apartment, through THE SHOP. AND INTO THE REFRIGERATOR 'SAM ST000 HOWLING BEFORE THE WHIRRING SLICING MACHINE A HANOKERCHIEF CLUTCHED AROUNO ONE HANDGET ME A OOCTOP. LILY'j ...

AaGh f

QUICKLY f 1-1 CUT OFF TH£ TIP OF MYjZ F/HO£H/

-p,

It was difficult for sam bricker to do his WORK IN THE DAYS THAT FOLLOWED' LOPPING OFF THE LAST JOINT OF A FINGER CAN BE QUITE PAINFUL' OF COURSE. HE WAS C RA NKIER THAN_EVER I. ..I SUBBED YOU HEAMD MEf THAT AS HARD AS I BLOCK'S MOT GLEAM/ COULD DAOOYty I SAID SCPUB

UTAH/

It WAS ABOUT A WEEK LATER THAT IT HAPPENED' SAM HAD SENT LILY OFF TO A MOVIE THAT NK5HT ' HE’D LOST HIS TEMPER WITH ARTIE — PLEASE. DADDY' I'M GOING TO B£AT YOU ^ WITHIN AN !HCH OF YOUR HIT ME' LIFE, YOUNG MAN 1 THEM HOUR WON’T I'm going to LOCK YOU LIKE IT' ^ IN THAT CLOSET TILL YOUR MOTHER COMES HOME/

When

lily came home latetm NIGHT. AS SHE OPENEO THE SHOP

DOOR. SHE HEARO ARTIE CRYING HY STERI CALLY N THE CLOSETI

ARTIE?NY BABY.'MY BABY?

She ran to the closet ano

DADDY HIT ME?

OPENED IT? ARTIE LOOKED UP AT HER WITH TEAR-FILLED RED EYES. I TRIED TO STOP WHAT HOEIR... SOB-SOB? / HAPPENED. HE WOULON'T ^^^DARLING?

MADE HOUR ANGRY'

^00 WHAT?

HOZIR SAID HE'D DO IT THIS TIMEf 1

me?

COULDN'T STOP

TELL

HlMf

UODENLY LILY HEARO THE HUMMING. ..THE HUMMING

IT'S

THE MEAT-GRINDER.

MOMMY' HOZIR SAID...SOB-.SAIO

HE WAS GOING TO DO the TERRIBLE THING? ANO THEN 1 HEARO A OAODY SCREAMING? JJ

ARTIE f WHAT'S THAT NOISE?

HOUR

DADDY

PUT

^ <\

IN THE MEAT GRINDER f ITS

HEH.HEH? YEP, KIDDIES' THATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S THE STORY' HOZIR MAOE MINCE -MEAT OUT OF ARTIE'S STEP-DADDY? WELL' HE WASN'T MUCH 6000, ANYWAY' HE ONLY MARRIED ULY TO GET THE DOUGH TO OPEN THE BUTCHER SHOP? THE OOUGH THAT ARTIE'S REAL DADDY LETT THEM* OF COURSE. SAM NEVER INTENDED TO ENO UP SO... SO INVOLVED IN HIS WORK? BY THE WAY? NEXT TIME YOU EAT A HAMBURGER, DON'T LOOK ' _ TOO HARO 'YOU MIGHT FIND A

| I

GOLD TOOTH

IN \T...SAM'S?MD NOW, I'LL TURN YOU OVER TO THE VAULT-

KEEPER ?*XX. YOU

LATER?

)

Cunt ashton made

his

wav nervously

DOWN THE DARK WINDING STREET OF THE LITTLE GREEK SEAPORT TOWN f FROM TIME TO TIME, HE WOULD STOP IN THE SHADOWS OF A OOORWAY.. LISTENING FOR THE SOUND OF FOOTSTEPS BEHIND HIM / HE WAS BEING FOLLOWED. ..HE KNEW TH AT f THEY'D TRAILED HIM TO THE WATERFRONT AREA... THE Y WERE HOT ON HIS HEELS' HE WIPED HIS PERSPIR-

FOOTSTEPS CLACKED COBBLESTONES ASHTON ' THEY WERE CLOSER. (

NOW f HE

LATER.

Clint held his breath as the voices and FOOTSTEPS DREW NEAR HE COULD HEAR THEM HESITATE OVERHEAD ON THE WHARF, TALKING TO EACH OTHER IN LOW TONES' A FLASH OF LIGHT STREAMED IN THROUGH A TINY HOLE IN THE TARPAULIN. AND CLINT KNEW THEY WERE COVERING THE PIER AND ITS BOATS WITH A f

IF HE*0

Cunt swung

himself over THE EDGE OF THE WHARF AND OROPPED INTO THE SKIFF AS NOISELESSLY AS HE COULD ' HE UNFURLED THE CANVAS AND, CURLING HIMSELF UP IN THE BOTTOM OF THE BOAT. COVERED HIMSELF WITH IT... f

Then the voices and the footsteps died AWAY. AND CLINT SREATHEO A SIGH OF RELIEF' SOON ONLY THE LAPPING OF THE WATER AND THE CREAKING OF THE PILINGS COULD BE HEARD' CLINT THREW BACK THE CANVAS AND LOOKED UP AT THE STARRY SKYNICK'S MY ONLY HOPE' HEj MIL ONLY ONE X CAN TURN TO f x wonder. ' I WONDER IF HE STILL HATES ME J mr OVER WHAT HAPPENED TO

...

ESSIE ?

Clint lookeo at his watch WAS three-thirty' soon it would BE GETTING LIGHT ANO THE FISHERMEN WOULD BE COMING OOWN TO THEIR BOATS' HE'D LOOK FOR NICK THEN' CLINT LIT A CIGARETTE ANO BEGAN PUFFING IT' HE LAY BACK, HIS HEAD ON THE SKIFF'S STERN-SEAT, AND SMILED

Pshe 1

WAS ALL NIBHT..^ ESSIE f NEAL 60R6E0US

BABE' YEAH...X LIKED THAT DOLL'

IN THAT SEACOAST TOWN ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO ' HE'D HIRED A TOURCAR IN ATHENS AND CONE DOWN THE COAST LOOK-

ClINT'D MET ESSIE RIGHT THERE ING

RELAXATION HE'D MADE HIS ROUNDS OF THE WATERFRONT JOINTS AND THEN HE'D SEEN HER' THE CHEAP TWO-BIT BANO HAD ALMOST OROWNED OUT HER VOICE... BUT THE SPOTLIGHT'D REVEALED ALL THAT CLINT'D BEEN INTERESTED IN...

ING FOR A LITTLE

|!.^GiQS%iKsss T

IImI

\mm

WAITER' WILL

T^^YEs7|

NOTE T 0 ^P'SIR 4 that young LADI.^^ soon as she's' JilV. who's singing ? '

GIVE

jBn

That's the way Clinton ashton ALWAYS BEEN f WITH THE HE'D GOTTEN FROM WEALTHY FATHER, CUNT*0 TO TRAVELING AROUND THE .. MAKING 'C0N0UEST3* WAS TO BE JUST ANOTHER ALREAOY LENGTHY

They'd gone for a drive, he and essie< they'd

CUNT'D TAKEN HER HAND...

H MARRY HER r

HER? ^MARRY BE FOOL. .DON'T

J ^

FOOL

TO MARRY HER,

NOW

[WAS f

JUST...A..

6A ME

L--

with F

YOU?

NICK ' X NEVER INTENDED TO MARRY HER*

DIFFERENCE ?

then you CHEAP, nick' [never loved I BESIDES, L‘D r HER, EH? this) BE A

STILL. EH. MR ASHTON ? THIS NOT MAKE

^ WILL

WHAT ? BUT SHE TOLD WHEN SHE GAVE ME BACK THE RING? SHE TALKED

'S-

[me... 7 I

SAID VOU'O

^#b:ut

it'

j—

THAT'S RISHT. NICK

JUST A * f

»RE

SAME / now 1 L GOOD al ,

THE GAME'S

1 MR. ASHTON!

OVER-CALLED BECAUSE OF I RAIN AND I'm t HI T T IN' THE ROAD' aflp

’

That's what'o happeneo' clint'o hopped a TRAIN NORTH... OUT of ESSIE'S AND NICK'S LIVES t NOW, CLINT WONDERED WHAT NICK WOULO SAY WHEN THEY'D MEET 1 OVERHEAD. THE SKY WAS LIGHTENING' PAWN WAS COMING UP-a r$ GETTING LIGHT? X BETTER lSTART LOOKING FOR NICK ?

Cunt combeo the waterfront searching THE SLEEPY FACES FOR NICK' FINALLY HE SPOTTED HIM. WORKING OVER THE ENBINE OF HIS SMALL BUT STURD Y-LOOKINO CRAFT

Y...YES

HOW

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;how

much? s U\T WILL BE 1 ONE a [ENOUGH, MR. IL

i've got

DID

THOUSAND %

YOU

KNOW?

LIRA WITH BUT I CAN

ME.

RAISE MORE

ASHTON ? GET I IbELOW, BEFORE '(SOMEONE SEES r

YOufjM

i *

Soon the little fishing vessel's engine began to SPUTTER, THEN HUM REASSURINGLY t BELOW OECK, CLINT FELT THE CRAFT BEGIN TO MOVE AWAY FROM ITS WHARF AND OUT INTO THE ROLLING SEA. Sis

safe

TO COME

UP,

N ICK 1

Clint looked back at the receding oreek

'where are YOU TAK/NS ME, NICK

6000 OF YOU TO THIS FOR ME NICK.. -X. AFTER WHAT HAPPENED

ilT'S

DO ?

WHAT'S DONE.

CANNOT BE

UNDONE. MR ASHTON

They sailed in silence across the tossing BLUE WATER' SOON A SMALL ISLAND ROSE LIKE A SPECK ON THE HORIZON, GROWING STEAOILY

Clint slipped over the

The gap between them

Clint was nearing the

SIDE OF NICK'S BOAT'NICK

WAS RIGHT' THE WATER WAS WAIST-HIGH' CLINT

Clint spun around' nick hao starteo the engine.' THE SMALL BOAT WAS TURNING AND HEADING FOR

Clint stood there on the white sand.watching THE BOAT DISAPPEAR OVER THE HORIZON' THEN HE TURNED' TWO PASTY-FACED MEN STOOD BEFORE HIM' ONE OF THEM EXTENDEO A LUMPY HAND' NICK TOOK IT AND SHOOK

THEY HANDS WARMLY., WELCOME, U1 FRIENO' rHELLO'MY COME, 4 TO THE 1 NAME'S. .CUNT.. I EVERYBODY ISLAND OE SINSA/ UH WHAT DID K WE HAVE A \ u rou saytJ NEW {ADDITION

WELCOME

y f •

TO OUR

SOCIETY

They came from behino the trees ano brush that bordered the WHITE BEACH' THEY CAME WITH THEIR FESTERING SORES, THEIR ASHWMlTE SKIN, THEIR BLOATEO FEATURES' THEY GATHEREO AROUND CLINT TOUCHING HIM, EXAMINING HIM CURIOUSLY'HORRIBLY DISTORTED REMAINS OF HUMANITY.. GRINNING ..GURGLING 'SOME BLIND SOME WITH FINGERS GONE-LEGS WITHERED AWAY... ARMS ROTTED OFF' THEY ...

HELGOUE TO S/EGJ

&LCOMIER

wmirfB

vmn

rwi nju:

out

*ir,KIO-. LEPROSY, THAT IS' SURE' DIDN'T

YOU SHAKE

HANDS

WITH

SIRSA /ROOD LORD.'} ,'EM? DIDN'T THEY TOUCH YOU ? 4 THIS IS THE COME. COME, CLINT' NO USE 60IN6 LEPER TO PIECES RIGHT AWAY' YOV WILL-

^ %

T COLONY' M.

DUE TIME, ANYWAY.' ANO NOW, lkiddies, i' ll turn you back to IN

F W

rri«

[By

111

3 yVB

iL—Cf

THE CRYPT-

KEEPER'

BYE' SEE rou

"£xr

IN MY OWN MAG,

the vault

flfSyl^^OEHORRCR^J

Publisher— Russ Cochran

CEO— Stephen A. Geppi

President and

Dear Crypt Keeper

am writing because In your last issue there » a letter was not amused from someone using my name disposed ot the impostor Anyone else who attempts it will suffer the same late There is only one Demon of the Dark, and it s me' I

Well-Cooked Hams' the story in CRYPT »1 1 guess what goes around comes around

really like

Orlando Garcia

729 W

Superior

60622

Chicago. IL

Dark

—CK

Especially on a rotisserlel

Under your In CRYPT #10 you made a mistake column you said was from Texas! Caught you'

Who

IAHF"

address unknown

Demon Is

Please

the Dark

Demon?

he some kind of

joke?'

10 Lambert ST

PeteAnnelli age 10

Bargain in Death' was an was 'Ants in her Trance Said it all "A-Comy pretty boring and the worst story in the book No offense, but you can do Story" wasn't that good better The Ventnloqulst's Dummy!" was a good story. really uked the end

my address

CRYPT #10 was a good issue

Washington. NJ

1 '

excellent story

07862

been collecting all the EC horror comic books and have exactly 40 issues I’ve also looked through other comic books, some lesser-known titles by OC and other stuff, but nothing else has quite the unique, original, creative, eye-catching, innovative writing or art styles as EC EC has got to be the most worthwhile, entertaining, get-all-your-money s-worth comic around I've

John Brown like

like on the show better lhan dead zombies better than living people I he oldest?

what you look

comic

come

the

How

the Old Witch looks

Agawam. MA

James Franco That's what

address unknown

Audrey Sheehan

— CK

need— leading questions!

Did Berm Wrightson draw some stories tor EC? 2) 1) Once or twice on your show, you referred to your pet Who's the creator ot The Crypt-Keeper? named Scab What exactly is Scab? And now might one L Barcelona. SPAIN Marc Gras Cots day become an accomplished GhouLunatic. like you? Your willing minion of the darkness. EC predates Wrightson by 15 years, but Bernl's work guess I'm 50% owes much to Ingels’ EC stuff. Owasso. OK James Farr, age 1 5 — CK Gaines, 50% Fsldsteln—and all-boy! Scab ia a crusty III' devil, hired during the extras’ I

—CK

strike.

Though

I'm not a Ian of comics.

love

WEIRD SCIENCE and FANTASY). difficult

addition

to find

some

It.

MORE HBO STUFF

the ECs lexcept France, It Is very

Thanks to David Lowery II tor shedding some light on this whole "Abra Cadaver" mystery And have to agree with Chad Kushkins. 'You. Murderer" was totally slammln'|J Also it anyone wants to buy some "Crypt" cards I've g| quite a few packs, so get in touch with me.

all

much

or they cost too

cannot [get back Issues]

have known Tales from the Crypt" by the TV show but today prefer the comics I'm a new fan tell me how can Does a catalogue exist? [get] your [comics] I

the Crypt-Keeper:

You are bad. very bad. and Astertx 8 Obeiix "

•JYou] are better than

love

Montreuil.

David Giles

FRANCE

back issues are available, check the and of the column. Order lots at once and minimi** shipping CK costs. Batter than "Asterlx"? Wow!

print my address, and If anyone out some cards, or just to hang out via mail.

Please continue to I

there wants to buy write to me

RR 4 BX

Myron James

All

—

What comic book

Demon

anything about a fan club'* Personality" in?

Now black

Knight In?

Do you know

What comic book

Split

paint

them

Oemon no him upl “Split Personality!"

—

bsttsr than lips sticky

—CK

—

Please print

[address]

Oomlnik Zakrzewski

6 1 -27 66 RD NY 11378

Maspeth.

looked at your for ghoul! I

picture—maybe you should

41 I

47872

always wanted you want you can put me in your comic send you my picture so you be a vampire or a zombie look like But don't show it to anyone else'

EC comic. They made is In VAULT *30 (will be

original

our #19). (Blood red lipstick with red blood or is It?)

We’ve seen only one HBO episode (“The Reluctant Vampire"), but assume "Men" was based on the CK story of the same name In CRYPT 1

know what

lipstick

Cowpens. SC

Teagan Prieto Knight Is in

Rockville. IN

want to tell you about my linger nails also have blood red honor ol you.

Was HBO s The Man Who Was Death" based on Shocking Way to Die!" in CRYPT #6?

It!

love your

concept

try out

—CK

enjoyed CRYPT #1 1 the artwork by Joe Orlando in Madam Bluebeard" was In my opinion, some of his best was a good story. Wasn I there a story caKen

really

•Return'

"Return''

A few all

one of your

things

noticed

sci-fi

in this

comics?

Dear Crypt-Keeper

left I

out

guess

was because you received many letters and had to make room. Also. noticed that you now are publishing at a I

Please

different place

address

POB

Brandon Hendrix Broken Bow.

A “Return” was In W CRIME 23. "Round

OK 74728

SCI 5 (and a "Return Blow" In S-F 6. and a complete Trip” In

turnaround

Whaddaya

hear,

"Revolution” In 2FIST

whaddaya say?

the Crypt #12 and Again'

all

can say

HBO s Abra Cadaver" That show has changed many of the stories to the point where they have absolutely no In some resemblance to the original story whatsoever think that HBO cases, such as "Three's a Crowd." actually Improved on the original story But in other stories it seems like someone s big ego just got in the way ol us getting to see a good story. But as far as know. "Abra" Is In terms of the only story where they changed the title plot, this story most closely resembles the story "Dead Right" from CRYPT (original EC) 37. which will be your I

You completely

issue

such as

of the greetings

this

— CK

II).

just put

down

"Wow"i

Tales from

I'm impressed'

number 21 Warren

Will there ever be any [HBO "Crypt "] episodes released on video? Due to my unfortunate financial crisis. was forced to cancel my cable TV tf you print my letter (you have my permission) will give you my first born child—or a check lor five bucks I

Ekxse Radke

"A-Corny Story' had to be my favorite don't know why. It wasn't as spooky as the others, maybe because you were I

Sunnyvale.

Standlllrd

Gilbert,

hate to pat* up moola, but

don’t know. Reader*?

-CK

the narrator Crypt'

making another EC title that adapts your SaturUgly day morning cartoon? Please? Pretty please? please? Please print my address (don't give It to Professor van Helsing. though. Ha!) And doubt thee never. "Blood is thicker than water and tastier, too!"

How about

604 1 S California AV Chicago. IL 60629

Tony Martinez

love your comics! My mom Isn't too crazy about you. though I'm a big horror fan. I watch DARK SHADOWS and

Orypt" I'm writing this letter in regards to your HBO You see. I'm missing card number 25 from my collection If you have any information on this I would really '

cards

like to know' Enough about your cards, and more about your comics! They're simply wonderful, just like the old Vault-Keeper's tales' Your covers are great, bright, and lull of detail Jack Davis Is the best (at least think) at drawing you Al Feldstein Is great at drawing corpse's faces and bodies' Kamen is still the best I think Your fan and reader. I

Grant Smith, age

stuff like that I

[Your|

TV shows

are okay, but nothing can match the

made back

972

movie was You tell Patrick Burkett that Mike Miller said it was dumb! would like to ask you If you could give me some tips for a book I'm writing It's about 5 strangers that try to light ofl zombies that are attacking New York City So lar. the book

original stories

The

that

dumb I

Isn't scary.

Could you give me some ideas on like yours?

how

make my room

Miller

Surel Oust your

room

weekly.

Stamford

1 1

Middletown.

use two buckets

—CK

dust.

sexier!)

One more

thing:

ALIEN and PUMPKIN HEAD, have nothing an so

on you. am free for a date anytime. I'm looking for older man zombie with lots of money AM a female don't get nervous. I

Tomorrow

New

Mardi Gras, so "Happy Mardi Gras!” from

Orleans'

Marrero.

— CK

(oh, that seafood!).

"Crypt" movie (1972) what is the title of the story that stars the great Peter Cushing as old Arthur Gnmsdyke. and In which issue does it appear in? You may print my address Fern House 22 Ptawsworth RD Sacriston Durham

0H7 6PB ENGLAND

IAHF Danny Epping

also heard from);

N Lewlsburg, OH my address ') Bensalem, PA 1B020 Topeka. KS

Jeffrey Jones, Jr. ("print

According to my notes (mads in the dark!), that’s "Poetic Justice!” from HAUNT 12. They changed the

4231 Bensalem BLVD

names

addrass") Mlnooka. IL 60447 210 E Heritage OR Nathan (Killer Kid) Lavender addrass unknown Anchorage, AK Jess Lovelace Houston. TX Derek McKearin Chris (POG) Peklay address unknown Pueblo, CO Darren Saldena Houeton, TX Jonathan Smith Alliance. OH Derek Steed Temperance, Ml Renee Witte Jamaica, NY Andrea Witting, age B

— CK

to protect the guilty!

must say was overjoyed with this issue of CRYPT It's the only issue— No! Make that the only comic I've ever read all the way through and been totally satisfied with every single story! Please print my address (Ever notice that the Crypt-Keeper's mummy' in "Lower Berth" looks |ust like the HBO Crypt-Keeper with black hair?i Freakingiy I

yours

Myron James

RR 4 BOX 1 Rockville. IN

47872

Watch for the “Berth" announcement In our CRYPT —CK 17 (or jump the gun and get QLAD CRYPT 1).

You are a female; that’s what makes me nervous! A in New Orleans would make being a zombie data

worth

In the original

Alan Raine

you are an extremely sexy zombie The only thing understand Is that you look different on TV (even

C. Deiaune, 21

look

Mike

think

don

Dave

Kelly

Andy Kimble

("print

am po'd at Taras Berezowsky. I complaining about CRYPT #10 your story

“Political Pull " 1

was

who wrote to you guys So what If the ending ot

that

some

stories are

love

there

CRYPT comics Is

anyone

unrealistic?

Half of your stories are. but they're still good A true CRYPT fan would bite Iheir lip and stand by their comic

Knowing bad

good and some

new

at the

Knight?"

get any

EC comics

EC comics have

everyone

entitled to their

own

can.

hear

Did anything to do with "Demon

address so people can write to my town! am ten years

to talk to In

Pete Anneiu

is true that

HBO CRYPT cards coming out.

series ot

Please print

need someone

stories are

opinion and

mine The next time somebody has something bad to say about your guys, they can write to me (please print my address) My friends agree with me and so does my family this Is

Rosalie Erti

7 Park

Increase Interest

NY 14548

Short sville,

o Lambert ST Washington, NJ 07882 Nah, wa don't work on the movie and TV atuff. They succeed or fail on their own. Of couraa, if they

Your movie. DEMON NIGHT, kicked butt liked the part where he • saw II the first day It came out. at tne movies Everyone kept on clapping at a cool part want to know why It wasn't scary. thought the movie was funny! also got HAUNT [*10] liked Bum Steer'' have a Crypt Keeper do# and put a bandana on it so it would look like

—CK

the comics...

your terror stones, especially tne

Corpse" (CRYPT

2].

was so

then he has bed nightmares.

cool.

In fact

"The Living strangles him. whole book.

liked the

MWM 'MUM

•

Er, to be olaar, tha guy who gets strangled had tha bad nightmares. To be fair, that waa one of our more disjointed presentations (you’ll nota didn't do a personal Introduction!). Wood's nightmares aavad lha story. If you aak me. They’re ao cooil CK I

address unknown it

gieuM wan ME

Did you catch the original

BANANA on it so It’ll —CK

thing do when gel a new issue Is look at the column or Crypt-Keeper s Comer " Tell whoever does the Crypt-Keeper (they are) very lunnyt' Sometimes I

PASSED VOUR EYES OEPT. EC error Intentionally

outl

Why not get troll doll and put a look Ilka The Old Witch! first

Tovela.

—

name unknown

The

Greg Lloyd

thla

comic?

one

left

of the stories, there Is a

misplaced 'name' which waa not removed word balloon was corrected and before tha

after a art

waa

added. Heh-hehl

letter

find myself laughing out loudl

the

way

issue #8. what

was the

poster? I'm making a comic.

I'd

Joey Dunn

size of a

send you

NEXT ISSUE

bed sheet?

copy]

Palm Desert. Ca

Ahem/ I do MY OWN lettercolumn, and darn right I’m amusing! In CRYPT 8, waa talking about tha tabloidaizad (about 10" by 13") EXTRA-LARGE CRYPT. We still havs copies of the only issue. SI plus the usual sAh. -CK 1

don't normally like to read, but really enjoy reading your along with those of your colleagues.

chilling tales ot terror,

The Vault-Keeper and The Old Witch. Even more, like to watch your TV show You look belter on TV than in your comic Do you think you'd ever have The Vault-Keeper anc The Old Witch as guests on your TV show? That would be cod! Your friend. I

Matt Jewett

Sure, they can be on my doublobeheader! Heh, hehl

NEXT ISSUE

Ravenna.

show—when

run a

—CK

WEIRD SCIENCE and SHOCK. Watch VAULT. WEIRO FANTASY and TWO-FISTED nact month Oont HAUNT. FRONTLINE COMSAT and CRIME Oat tham at your comic book chop or SUBSCRIBE (tee our ad In thla comic lor

Also nailable Oils month ara for

forvet local

datalla)!

SACK ISSUES: CRYPT

(aubfaot to availability). SI aach. AM and up. Si each

othara up thru laaua aj. St. SO aach. laaupa Don't lorpat tha antlra 11 -laaua run ot

WEIRO SCIENCCFANTASYflNCREDIBLC SCIENCE FICTION) Add SS par ordar (S10 outalda US) for SBH.

CRYPT

OEMSTONE POS Ml WEST PLAINS MO S577S

THIS COMIC REPRINTS TALES FROM THE CRYPT “#2S" (#13, APR/MAV COVER by Jack Davis "Grounds

lor

Horror!"

Rottln' Trick!"

"Board

to Death!"

“A Sucker

for

aSpider " 1

52)

Jack Davis Joe Orlando

JackKamen Graham Ingels

HEWS A GAL

THE CHILLING TALE OF

WHO FOUND SHE

WAS...

BOARD ,r *DE#TH.

The buzzing

..the incessant

droning ..hammered

INTO MYRNA'S EARS AS SHE CAME TO? SMC CELT HER HEART POUNDING IN HER CHEST MATCHING THE RISE ,

ANO FALLOT THE CONTINUOUS HUMMING? MYRNA OPENED HER EVES BUT SHE SAW NOTHING? ONLY A VOID OT BLACK FILLEO WITH THE EAR-SPLITTING ROAR? SHE PELT DIZZY ANO SICKWHAT.. WHERE... *

AH I

WHERE

YRNA TRIEO TO MOVE' ACROSS HER CHEST A BAND OF SOMETHING TAUT DUG IN? HER LEGS WERE FASTENED ALSO? MYRNA GASPED? SHE WAS TIED UP 'THE MUMMING SOUNO CONTINUED? MYRNA MOVED HER MANO? HER HAND WAS FREE? SHE REACMEO UP INTO THE DRONING DARKNESS ANO TOUCHED SOMETHING... SOMETHING FLAT AND HARD ABOVE HER' FEAR CLUTCHED AT MYRNA'S HEART NOW? SHE REACMEO OUT TO HER SIDE AND SCREAMED... I

/_./â&#x20AC;&#x2122;* /H A COFFINf I 'H BURIED ALIVE/ HE DID it ? HE DID !Tf

Then myrna began to sob' she ran her BRUISEO FINGERS AROUND HER WOODEN PRISON THE BUZZING IN HER HEAD KNIFED INTO HER BRAIN.

IM SUFFOCA T/N6 ' THA/S WHAT'S HAPPENING' THE BUZZIN6 ,T T " T

GOING TO DIET ~~

Myrna reached down and TOUCHED THE HEAVY ROPE THAT CUT INTO HER HEAVING CHEST...

r ME..

ME TIED ME DOWN' BUT HE F0R607 MY

HANDS'

She undio the knot and BREATHEO HARD AS SHE FLUNG THE ROPES BACK' BUT THE MUMMING SOUNO CONTINUED... X...XM SETTING DIZZY' X FEEL MYSELF FALLIN6

HELP' SOMEBODY... PLEASE HELP ME'

Myrna's coffin prison SEEMED TO SE TURNIN6... SPINNING ! HER LEGS WERE STILL TIED AND IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR HER TO REACH THE ROPES THAT SECURED THEM f SHE LAV BACK GASPING.,. I- 1 CAN'T BELIEVE IT HERB ACTUALLY DID IT' HE'D THREATENED TO DO IT SO OFTEN.' HE KNEW X WAS AFRAID OF BEING BURIED ag ALIVE.' EVER SINCE X Wtwa WAS A CHILD. ,

'It took them four hours to dig their^ WAV THROUGH TO ME ! I CRIED ALL THE WHILE.' FINALLY, THE BLACK DIRT FELL AWAY, AND A GRIMY FACE GRINNED AT ME T TAKE IT EASY. KIO ' SOB... SOB'

THE

ROOFf

it's

CAVING IN'

EEe

I'M GOING TO DIE ' j

SOB..

YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE k WE'VE

ALL R/6HT NOW:

SOT

YOU? YOU'RE

SAFE.'

f /

Ever. .ever since thehi've been deathly

WHAT ARE YOU SCARED MYRNA? IT'S JUST

OF,

DARK PLACE

WHERE WE

CAN...

NO, HERS NO/ C'NON, MYRNA' DON'T BE A PRUDE. IT'S THE TUNNEL r< I'M AFRAID

of love f

Yes' herb knew' and later. rHEN WE WERE MARRIED. HE SEP TO JOKE ABOUT IT...’

HERBf STOP

VERY MINUTE.

\fLL BUY YOU A

STOP

,NEW DRESS when I BURY

STOP TAUONB\ LIKE THAT.'J

IT.

HERB'

fYOUAUVE/

THIS

\r~vr-tT'

IF I DON'T GET A •6REAT BIG HUG AND A NICE JUICY KISS

IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED TO ME WHEN WAS A tr/D, HERBf I WAS CAUGHT IN A CAVE- IN f lEVER SINCE THEN.

LEAVE ME ALONE, MYRNA' IDO THE BEST

TO OIC A ’MOLE AND PUT YOU JN AND BURY YOU ALt,I‘M GOING

I CAN THERE'S JUST NO CHANCE FOR

ADVANCEMENT II

^ RIGHT

Iyrna gasped' the humming WAS LOUDER

HE DID

IT.'

NOW.'

NOW !

HERB FINALLY DID !Tf -

a llaicn

At tl/r /

.HERB TALK EO ME INTO MOVING TO THAT ROTTEN HOLE... MILES FROM NOWHERE. .. AND I FOOLISHLY 1 J WENT.' HE'D BEEN OFFERED A JOB WITH A CHANCE FOR ADVANCEMENT' WE HAD TO DRIVE THREE DAYS 4 OVER BAD ROADS TO REACH IT.. ' .

WELL.MVRNA'/a»

w IT

isn't

IS IT/ MUCH, but the $OOD

HORRIBLE -SOB.' HORR/BL /".'nothing BUT A DIRTY SHANTY

IT'S /

XTOWNf

THAT'S ALL-

•

WAS CRAZY TO HAVE LI STEM TO HIM' BUT I WAS TRAPPED I HAD TO STAY ' EVERY DAY HERB WOULO 60 OFF TO THE ORE-FITS AND LEAVE ME IN THAT FILTHY HOVEL I WAS

TO OALL HOME HATE IT HERE

HATE

IT.'

['And then

‘

metandy? andy

(worked with herb tone HERB BROUGHT HIM HOME

‘

;

THIS

KNOW WHY IT HAPPENED HOW IT HAPPENED'PERHAPS WAS BORED WITH HERB ... BORED WITH THE DRAB LIFE I WAS LIVIN6? ANYWAY) I FELL IN LOVE WITH ANDY CAftSONLOOK, MYRNA* HERB’S AT THE THIS IS T ORE-PITS. ANDY

’I DON’T

•

night.

DINNER...

MY WIFE

MYRNA' HONEY' .MEET ANDY CARSON ' y—

[ I

ANDY EVERY CHANCE I COULD GETfl’O MAKE SOME EXCUSE AND 00 FOR A WALK... AND MEET HIM WHERE WE WOULDN’T BE SEEN... WHAT ABOUT HERB. NOT A BIT f HE’S MYRNA? DOES HE TOO STUPID.. TOO

WRONO fj ALL WRONS'

HE’L L BE

OOHE

TILL MI0NI6HT

HE f %

KISS

'I SAW

SUSPECT *

‘But t WAS MISTAKEN' ICRB DID SUSPECT ONE NIBHT... I’D BETTER GO, MYRNA' HERB’LL BE OOM INS OFF HIS SHIFT SOON '

S' BLIND f

w—J

Herb must have come off his shift earlvi 1 THAT NIGHT, INTENDINO TO CATCH US.* AS ANDY TOOK ME IN HIS ARMS, THE FRONT OOOR

•Herb was mad_. STEAM/NO

MAD'

tried to.

SAY SOMETHING...' I

TAKE YOUR FILTHY

HANDS OFF HER.] CARSON ' - J

SHUT UP r BET CARSON.' SET

OUT,\ hold on]

OUTJk

OP MY HOUSE.' Jl

minute,} HERB! I...J

'Anoy never finished mis sentence' HERB HIT HIM WITH ALll HIS MIGHT AND ANDY'S MOUTH SPURTED BLOOD .uuu ' THEN ntn ncns HERB THROUGH THE DOOR. AND LOCKED IT...' .

(I'M NOT' GO IH6^r PLEASE. [to KILL you with herb JIT, M YRN A f NO? \ ‘THAT'S TOO SHORT- SORRY? I STILL PUT DOWN / } TO GOOD FOR YOU THAT POKER, I'M JUST GOING TO < LOVE HERB' DON'T] \put you our J rou ?

.’Herb came at me' i backed AWAY [ HE PICKED UP A POKER FROM THE COAL STOVE AS HE .PASSED, YOU'RE

CHEAP

AND GOTTEN? YOU SHOULO BE \DEAD. MYRNA<

W DEAD?

'He CAME AT MEANLY.

ME,

GLARING

FOR A WHILE.

Kf PLEASE?

HE SNARLEO

THEN YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TO DO. MYRNA ? I'M GOING TO PUT YOU IN A PINE BOX AND

NO? NO. HERB?

INGOING

BURY YOU ALIVE? YES / you've ALWAY BEEN AFRAID OF THAT?

P-L-EASE... SOB.. .SOB..

WAY YOU'RE 60/N6 TO H/DNA' BURIED alive'

THAT'S THE D!C.

She poundeo her raw ano bleeding fists AGAINST HER PINE PRISON SCREAMING ...

TH 60/HG ANO HE DID r

BURIED

IT.

SOB, SOB< HE'S

ME ALIVE?

TO DIE?

GOING TO DIE.'

'UNA WAS CRACK/N6 NOW THE SITUATION... 0EATH...HER ABN ACTUALLY FACED.

THE

TIMOR

—

INS POINT...

I...X COULON'T

\ /

YEAH,

OOC

PULL

THR0U6H?

DON'T KNOW FOR IF

SURE

CLEVER

On the QUIETLY

-jjT

BUT HOOKIN'

THAT BOX ON THE OUTSIDE...

(

OVER IN KOREA YEAH? \ THAT PLANE COULD NEVER ) HOLD A STRETCHER INSIDE'

ANDY, EH,

DOC

EVACUATE THE WOUNDED

PRETTY r

HERB'

YOU MEAN SU66EST/NS WE FL Y HER DOWN LIKE THEY ,

THEY CAN SET HER TO

THE HOSPITAL AT BUTTE IN TIME. AN OPERATION g COULD SAVE HER < )

LUCKY FOR

* POKER

SHE’LL

HELP IT? X SAW YOU THE RED * Z HIT J MAIL- PLANE HER WITH THE 1 was in. ^

AAAAAaEEAaGh hT

X KNOW

THAT

DID

THE TRICK

airfield in butte, a small mail-plane stands FASTENEO TO ITS SIDE IS A LARSE PINE BOX, SOME-

WHAT RESEMBUNO a COFFIN? THEY'VE OPENEO THE BOX NOW, TO REMOVE MYRNA ANO RUSH HER TO THE HOSPITAL? BUT MVRNA DOESN’T SEE THE BLUE SKY ABOVE HER ' IN ICR MlNO, SHE STILL HEARS THE 0R0NIN6 SOUND STILL SEES THE BLACKNESS AROUNO HER? SHE BEATS HER RAW ANO BLOODY FISTS AT

HEH, HEH? YEP? MYRNA’S

CRAZY AS A LOON. NOW? THEY’VE PUT HER AWAY IN A PADDED CELL SO SHE WONT BREAK HER FISTS AS SHE POUNDS THE WALLS ' ANO YOU’LL POUND THE WALLS WHEN YOU SET MY BLASTED BACK ISSUES THEY'RE 0000 READING' READ MY COLUMN. THE CRYPT-KEEPER'S CORNER. FOR INFO ON HOW

V m

V. j

TO OBTAIN 'EM?

-» ‘NO NOW X SMELL OLD WITCH'S

W^'^rmTHE

y CAULDRON-

u A\f

wy mTURN

SO i’ll YOU OVER TO

HEE. HEE' I'M COOKIN' b<MH< SMELL THE FETID ODOR? IT'S THE EVIL BREW in my CAULDRON.' COME IN.' COME INTO THE HAUNT OF FEAR.' YES IT'S YOUR SHIVER CHEF. THE OLD WITCH, READY TO OISH OUT ANOTHER CREEFT CONCOCTION OF SLIMY SAMFL/NSS f HEE, HEE/ SO ORAW UP CLOSE TO THE FIREKNEEL DOWN SO YOUR KNEES WON'T KNOCK... FASTEN YOUR DROOL CUPS ..TUCK YOUR SHROUDS [under YOUR chins ... AND I'LL FEEO YOU THE MORBID MORSEL OF MELODRAMATIC MADNESS I CALL. \

MaxWELL STONEMAN, PRESIDENT OF THE COUNTY BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, PUSHED HIS CHAIR AWAY FROM THE ELABORATELY SET DINNER TABLE IN THE DINING ROOM OF HIS LUXURIOUS MANSION' HE GRINNED OOWN AT HIS DINNER GUEST. THE BANK'S CHIEF TELLER, RANOOLPH SPURO... m M-mâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;JV * t'* COME, SPURO.' BEFORE WE HAVE SPIDERS' OUR COFFEE, I'D LIKE TO SHOW OH. OEAR' YOU SOMETHING 'SOMETHING I THINK YOU'LL BE VERY INTER-

ESTED OF

IN/

MY COLLECTION

RARE SPIDERS'

Wealthy banker stoneman

GLASS CASES' EACH CASE CONTAINED A SOIL BOTTOM AND WAS ARTISTICALLY PLANTEO WITH

FOLIAGE

..(

SPURD.' I'VE SPEC/-

J SPIDERS,

MENS FROM ALL MR. OVEN THE MOPL D/JSTON E MAN

through THE FRONT GLASS OF ONE OF THE CASES' INSIDE. A HUGE, HAIRY, s' EIGHT- LEGGED CREATURE d CROUCHED ON A BROAD LEAF,..

Max stowe man pointed

led

MEEK L00KIN6 CHIEF TELLER THROUGH THE RICHLY FURNISHED LIVING ROOM INTO AGLASSwalleo preen- house rJP/DEPS HAVE BEEN Tl 7x OtSMY HOBBY FOR YEA PSA LINE HIS

LOVE THEM.SPURO' AN AMAZING CPEATUPS THE SPIOER

UGH.'

IT GIVES / ME THE

SHIVERS f

This is a tapantulaT. r is it. * I GOT THIS ONE FROM A ( PO/SONSEAMAN ON * BANANA Lous/' ,

BOAT WHEN IT matupes, it will MEASURES S/A...

E/BHT )V?! INCHES ACBOSS.'S t' MAYBE

CAN STINS YOU PRETTY BADLY,' rr M OEATHLY 4 BUT ITS BITE ISNT TOO TOXIC/ I AFRAID OF SPIOERS.MR. IT'S ABOUT AS BAD hi A HASP'S B/TEf THERE A PEN 'T MANY . STONE MAN 'CAN Y SP/DEPS WHOSE BITES ARE Jk WE THAT IS... CAN'T WE TALK POISONOUS THE BLACX WIDOW IS ABOUT THE ONLY /J BUSINESS NOW? SPIDER FOUND IN THE UNITED STATES THAT CAN PILL A MAN/ j^^W

Maxwell stoneman captured one of the *1 WANT YOU TO WATCH WHAT THE VEPMULA DOES TO ONE OF ITS VICTIMS, SPURD.' THIS IS A

BOTTLE OF

FLIES/

rr£

-Sf

IMPRISONED FLIES FROM THE JAR AND HELD IT IN < ^ CLOSED FISTf THEN HE OPENED THE SPIOER CASE A NO FLUNG THE UNFORTUNATE INSECT INTO « THE VERMULA’S WEB. <>POOR THING' IT'S THERE.' HEN, HEN' SEE HOW THE LITTLE FELLOW STICKS WSTPUBBL/NB TO

HIS

PLEASE, MR

^—

STONEMAN.'

don't. r

THERE'

PPEE ITSELFf

(

EFFORT TO TEAR ITSELF FROM, THE WE B WON'T GET LOOSE. SPUROf THE VERMULA'S WEB IS COVEREO SPIDER'S

r YES? NOW. WATCHf SEE HOW THE VERMULA SINKS ITS FARGS INTO THE FLY ? IT PARALYZES its victim

WITH A THICK ADHESIVE C0ATIN6 !

'THEN

IT BEGINS

THE FLY OVER AND OVER. SPINNING ITS

LIKE A

WEB AROUND

COCOOR?

a ¥*)Uff _ fCr T // Jf

A 1 M

exactly' the vermula KEEP THE FLY THAT

ALIVE f

IT IS READY TO AT THAT time it IRJECT THE FLY WITH

WAY UNTIL

EAT WILL A

DEAR:

f X AM. sir' AND X £HINK IT'S SADISTIC Ol AND CRUEL OF YOU, ,

1 ,

/TO

IT.

ERZYME

WILL

d^the FLY*. sr/LL

COM/RG',

TO SPIN A

C0VER/H6 AROUND THE FLY SEE? SEE HOW IT TURNS

INTO

THAT VICIOUS

THEN THE SPIDER MERELY SUCKS UP THE LIQUIFIED !RSIDES OF THE FLY. LEAVINS ONLY A DRY OUTER A ,Ai SHELL. WHICH IT

THROW THOSE

POOR EL/ES

WHICH ACTS AS

PRE-0I6EST/0M AGERT

SP/DERS RES'

^4.

DISCARDS

ru«H? how OIS6UST/R6 /. ;

DON'T BE SILLY. SPURO THAT'S MATURE/ YOU KNOW.. ) PERHAPS YOU'RE 006 EAT 006' in this 4 RIGHT, sir' . 1

GOT THAT VERMULA

CASE' IN ITS HATURAL HABITAT IN THE SOUTHERN

SWAMPS OF NORTH AMERICA, WOULD RORHALLY TRAP FLIES IN ITS WEB.'

REVOLTIRG

t IT'S SP/DER EAT FLY* /X...I NEVER THAT'S THE WAY IT SUR- J THOUGHT OF VIVESf ano we ALL Sit that way!j| STRUG6LE TO SURVIVE ' L H'MMM ! -<F

CASE

WE'VE ALL SOT TO BE LIKE

THAT SPIDER. IN A WAY'

Randolph spurd followed

ALL RISHT, SPURD? WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND? INVITED

YOU

TOUR-

SELF HERE T0NI6HT

oh flit's the books, sir' they don't fajf BALANCE in fact. ,r woulo BA' someone is ...er.. stealing from AJBvTHE SANK, SIR' X CAME HERE TONIS BA TO-ER...WARM YOU* YOU SEE... X ML-* KNOW WHO THAT SOMEONE IS ' SOMETHINO TERRIBLY WRONG /

I'VE

BANK..

T YES, MR. STONEMAN? WHEN I FIRST CANE TONIGHT, Z INTENDED TO LET YOU KNOW I KNEW ABOUT THE DISCREPANCY IN THE BOOKS SO THAT YOU COULO

OOP ) ’

X...

NOTICED SOMETHING

.WRONG AT THE

WHAT'S UP ?

L^f

employer

WELL, SIR? >

his

REPLACE THE MONEY

~ARE r

"X'-BUT, AFTER HEAR^ YOU INS YOUR TALK ACCUSTONIGHT... ABOUT 5 !N6 b, SPIDER EAT FLY...

HE. ID 06 EAT DOG £*Z SPURD! f DECIDED TO F0R6ET C THA T I NOTICED < ANYTHING WRONG .

FOR,

SAY...FIVE

THOUSAND DOLLARS / THAT

ISN'T

MUCH.

MR. STONEMAN, COMPARED TO FIFTY-

TWO THOUSANDf \

AND NOTHING MORE y«OULD BE SAID? ,

SO... ITS

BLACK-

MAIL. IS

ITT YOU

WANT A

PAYOFF.

EH?

T LET ' •

US CALL

STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE. SIR' YOU PAY ME. AND

YOU SURVIVE SAID. SIR- IT'S

like YOU

NATURE'

There was a moment of silence, and then MAXWELL STONEMAN BEGAN TO LAUGH HIS ROARS OF MIRTH ECHOEO THROUGH THE HUGE '

HOUSE.

HEH...HEH? ALL RI6MT,

SPURO? YOU WIN.' I'M PROUD OF YOU? I DIDN'T THINK YOU HAD IT IN YOU/ FIVE 6RAN0. EH? IT’S t

"^ano EVERY J THIN6 STAYS ^ EXACTLY AS A it

A DEAL /

WAS / x

KEEP

MY job'

THAT'S in the DEAL. TOO /

1 M A ]

OF COURSE, SPURD?

OF COURSE'NO HARD FEELINGS ' I'M

GOOD' THEN .

‘

I'LL

GOINS'

DON'T BE SILLY.' you'll .

IN THE MORNING* NO USE GOING NOW/ IT^S SO LATE/

v WON

« 1%

W__wf

BE? ALL A RIGHT 'ILL I STAY? J

One of the glass cases creaked open ano 1

GLOVED HAND SHOT

— —

IN...

—

•

CLUTCHING A SMALL CON-

The door to the beoroom where ranoolph spurd SLEPT SOUNDLY OPENEO SLOWLY AND NOISELESSLY? THE FIGURE MOVED THROUGH, APPROACH IN6 THE BED? MAXWELL STONEMAN LIFTED THE COVERS ANO EMPTIED THE CONTENTS OF THE CONTAINER.UNDER THEM. , 'THERE, LITTLE BLACK-WIDOW? I'VE AGGRAVT/TED YOU ANO TORMENTED YOU? NOW TAKE YOUR r ANGER OUT ON H/M/ j, Z+. ,

0- FOOL/

TJUNER_^ v -y,. E T I'M TRAPPED LIKE IKAT^y; SPURD ANO VOu'LL c~ tWTTMNOT GOING TO L£T YOU DO ZZ CONTINUE to BLACK NA/L NE THAT, SPURD? I PROMISED 7 WOULDN'T .P TILL YOU SUCK NE DRY like DO ANYTHING TO YOU. BUT I SAID THE VFFNULA WIl^ SUCK THAT* NOTHING ABOUT ONE OF MY SPIDERS/ FLY DRY' ONE OF MY BLACK- WIDOW SPIDERS/

TnlmW fw VW 8

^ A^

•

NIGHT. A SHADOWY FIGURE CROSSED THE STONELIVING ROOM TO THE GRE EN-HOUSE,. ^

DON'T WORRY. SPUR D ? / YES, MR. 1 I'M NOT GOING TO TRY. 'STONE man* ANYTHING* I'D BE A J you WOULD \

STAY THE NIGHT/ mz\A. DRIVE IN TOGETHER -4

TRAPPED LIKE

THAT FLY/ YOU'VE

^ fL v

As BANKER STONEMAN SLIPPED OUT INTO THE HALL AND CLOSED THE BED-ROOM DOOR, AN EAR- SPUT TING SCREAMJECHOED THROUGH THE MANSION..

EEEEAAAGHf

y The next

The police inspector hammered

the police came an answer

morning, ' TO MAXWELL S TO NEMAN'S 'FRANTIC' PHONECALL THEY QUESTIONED MAX ABOUT RANOOLPM SPURD'S UNFORTUNATE DEATH'MAX WAS 'HEARTBROKEN'..

MY HOUSE

SOCIALLY I 00 THAT OFTEN FOR MY EMPLOYEES? I LIKE TO MAKE THEM FEEL I AM THEIR FRIEND AS WELL AS THEIR^

NO' I SHOWED * THE OOC SAYS A BLACK-WIDOW KILLED HIM. MR. STONEMAN' HAVE ) MR. SPURO NY YOU ANY IDEA HOW THE SPIDER 'COLLECTION last NIGHT? PERHAPS GOT OUT OF ITS CASE? THE CASE DOOR

INVITED HIM TO

EHPLOYER.'

away, but could

'OKAY, i

)

MR STONEMAN*J

THAT'LL BE ALL? WRAP IT UR. BOYS' JUST AN

1 I

ACCIDENT f i f THAT’S ALLf 1

WAS LEFT OPEN'

But maxwell stoneman

didn't

LIKE THE WAY THE POLICE Mr STONEMAN OWNED HIS CMIN INSPECTOR EYED HIMfMAX OCCIOEDI PLANE' HE WAS AN EXPERT PILOT, IT MIGHT BE BETTER TO GET OUT OF} FLYING IT ALL OVER THE COUNTRY THE STATE FOR A FEW MONTHS TILL FOR BUSINESS ANO PLEASURE' THE INCIDENT WAS FORGOTTENTHE NEXT DAY. HIGH OVER GEORGIA. YOUR PLANE IS 'YES, GEORGE! ’OUGHT TO BE IN MIAMI IN TWO REAOY, MR. - 60ING TO MIAI HOURS' THAT'S THE OKEFENOKEE ' FOR A FEW STONEMAN? SWANP DOWN THERE NOW'I .I MONTHS? GOING SOUTH?

Max tumbled out of the

tiny plane's door as IT WENT INTO A SPIN' HIS CHUTE MUSHROOMED OPEN AND HE BEGAN TO FLOAT LAZILY TOWARO THE FQREy* BODING SWAMP BELOW

NOT A SIGN OF A ROAD OR A CABIN ' I'M RIGHT OVER THE WORST SECTION OF THE OKEFENOKEE THE PART THAT NO HAN IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE .

TO FIND HIS WAY OUT OF'

LOOSE ALTITUDE. GOOD LORD f THE ENGINE'S

CONKED OUT' I'H GOING DOWN f - fti

Max DROPPED INTO A THICKLY OVERGROWN SPOT' HIS CHUTE SNARLEO IN A MOSS-LADEN CYPRESS TREE ANO HE HUNG HELPLESSLY, DANGLING ABOVE THE STAGNANT FOUL - SMELLING WAT ER.. '*i^|^rVE-^Tl7T0...CUT MYSELF LOOSE' ANK OOOONESS I HAVE A KNIFE' 1 ,

(S'

Suddenly, the engine sputteredi ANO DIED' THE PLANE BEGAN ToJ

™

Banker stoneman hackeo AWAY AT THE 7 tHUTE CORDS UNTIL HE CUT HIMSELF FREE' HE PLUNGEO DOWNWARO TOWARD THE SWAMP SURFACE «

Max SORT

LOOKEO AROUND! HE SEEMED TOBE^riNrTTpONSOM? HE STRUGGLED TO FRE E^IMSELF

0FHU6E NET' :

THE..* I’VE FALL EM IMTO SOMETHING .' J

The MORE MAXWELL STONEMAN TRIED TO ESCAPE. THE MORE HOPELESSLY ENTANGLED HE BECAME' SUDDENLY A MOVEMENT CAUGHT MAX'S EYE.'A HUGE HAIRY SHAPE. LOOMED Ug BEFORE ( OH, NO* NO*A VERMULA SPIDER Y

...

N£T* IT’S ALL STICKY ' ITlT'Sm

SU OPENLY.

WHAT

9 m£i

L/*£

A HUGE SPIDER WEB 'A

The DISGUSTING THING SPRANG AT MAX, BURYING FANGS IN HIS CHEST' HE FELT A , KNIFING CHILL CREEP OVER HIS BODY' THEN THE , /GIGANTIC SPIDER BEGAN TO COVER HIM WITH ITSjh MILKY W HITE SPINNINGS ... [ITS DRIPPING

Tm PARALYZED* I GAM T MOVE f THE VERMULA 'its s WEAVING ITS COCOON AROUND ME* n^CS

SXi fk

When the wreckage of banker stonemans plane was spotted • Y AN AIRLINE PILOT DEEP IN THE HEART OF THE OKEFENOKEE SWAMP. HELICOPTERS BROUGHT A SEARCHING PARTY IN' THEY FINALLY FOUND HIM - OR WHAT WAS LEFT OF HIM r HE ...HE SEEMS TO BE J PROBABLY WHATS I HE'S NOTHING 7 ANTS* COVERED WITH SOME LEFT OF HIS CHUTE' BUT A DRIED,

)

UP SHELL /ALL C

OF HIS FLESH AND GUTS SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN SUCNED

OUT OF HIS BODY

AMTS. HUTHIN / HEE. HEE MAXEY YELLED UNCLE BEFORE THAT SPIDER GOT THROUGH WITH HIM.' WHAT? YOU DOUBT THAT A VERMULA SPIDER THAT SIZE '

j '

\EXISTS IN THE OKEFENOKEE? j J •would YOU UKE TO TAKE A TRIP DOWN THERE WITH ME SOMETIME ..AND SEE? HEE. HEE' I'LL LET YOU TALK TO AN GUIDE DOWN THERE'hE'LL l OLD J TELL YOU ABOUT \ time HE WAS out huntinc duck i i

^BHU.THE 'X'

Ifi

Jfr'

*\ and SPIED

ERf

['BYE. NOW? WELL “ * LL SE E TOU

THAT RAG*

A_yf * XjfJIk? the VAULT IN

fly W/jJKl OF HORROR '

SUBSCRIBE!

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CONTENTS OF GLADSTONE EC COMICS QIAO CRYPT »1 CRYPT 33 (19521 CRIME 17 (1853)

42 CRYPT 3511963) CRIME 18(19511

#3 CRYPT 39 |1953)

CH94E

44 CRYPT 18 (1950)

CRME

(19501

18 (1963)

•6:

CRYPT 46 CRIME

(1964)

48 CRYPT 42 [19541

CRIME 27

5(1951)

(1955)

O LAO VAULT *1

VAULT 34 HAUNT 1

(19531 (I960)

*2:

VAULT 27 (19521 HAUNT 18 (1953)

HAUNT 22(1953) VAULT 13 (1950)

44:

VAULT 23 (19521 HAUNT 13(1952)

•5 VAULT 19(1951] A FAN 8(19611

•4:

W S-F 27 (1955)

GLAD HAUNT #1 HAUNT 17(1952)

OLAO WEIRD SCIENCE 41:

W SCI 22 (19531

•2:

W SCI 18(1953) W FAN 17(19601

SCI

9(1961)

VAULT 32 (1953) FAN 6(1951)

*2 HAUNT

5 (19501

W FAN 11 (1962) W SF 28 (1956) ASF 29 (1955) W FAN 14(1960) WHEN ORDERING. PLEASE IDENTIFY AS GLAD TITLE ISSUE #: FOR EXAMPLE "GLAD CRYPT #1." GLAD CRYPT #1 IS $5; GLAD CRYPT #4, GLAD WEIRD #1 AND #4 ARE $4 EACH; ALL OTHER ISSUES ARE $3 EACH. INCLUDE $5 PER ORDER FOR S&H ($10 OUTSIDE US). W FAN

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