And now, something absolutely terrifying.
Was just doing a little sightseeing over at the Grand Comics Database and just happened to see Startling Terror #11 (July 1952), with this cover by L.B. Cole:
The Ghost Spider of Death? Great googly-moogly.
The text is a bit hard to read in that scan, but I found a picture of a slabbed-and-graded copy that had a better view of that blurb, and have transcribed it here:
“Have you ever wondered why wickedness and evil remain in the world? How is it that some things can be explained, while others cannot? Are you sure you can walk without turning to see if you’re being followed? If you can sleep without fearing the unknown…then read this story for it may be the answer. Story? There are many who claim to have seen…and been bitten by…THE GHOST SPIDER OF DEATH!!”
So the Ghost Spider of Death’s bite isn’t immediately fatal, I guess. Also, the Ghost Spider is the reason why some things can’t be explained. Like tides, or magnets. THE GHOST SPIDER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR BOTH.
The logical conclusion to be drawn here is that “Ghost Spider of Death” is the answer to everything. Feel free to use when necessary.
Blimey, that Ghost Spider of Death does look terrifying. Shudder! And he/it has a nice collection of zombie heads too.
Also, that link about magnets – emeffing brilliant! Cheers.
That bastard’s responsible for the appeal of Sarah Pailin!
Hang him!
At first glance of that cover I thought the title was “STERLING TERROR”.
I would buy at least one copy of Sterling Terror. On the other hand, I would buy TWO copies of Sluggo Terror.
In my mind Criswell is the voice of that cover text.
“Are you sure you can walk without turning to see if you’re being followed? If you can sleep without fearing the unknown …”
Here I thought I needed medication and it was just that silly old Ghost Spider of Death all along. The scamp.
As this illustrates, in the 1950s, the United States was definitely losing the tentacle-porn race.
By pure chance, I dropped by my favorite monster blog, Monster Brains, and they too are celebrating the non-EC horror comic book covers today:
http://monsterbrains.blogspot.com/2011/02/bernard-bailey-beware-terror-tales-1952.html
Maybe not as awesome as the Ghost Spider of Death, but well worth a look. And the blog itself is great too.
Do you have to go to college to become a Ghost Spider of Death or can I apply right now?
@Wayne Allen Sallee: Me too, but I think I’d prefer something like Sluggo’s Tales of Terror where he’s the horror host ala Crypt Keeper.
It was a miracle!