SJOXjTtm

FEATURING

THE CRYPT-KEEPER

THE OLD WITCH

THE VAULT-KEEPER
PROOF ...OF 8 BRANDS
TESIED.W IS BEST
IMITATION W&&

““Berthe# of M.rchJ,.1878^ Sumption:

>r dead Is Intended. and ai

ity is purely coincide

 HEH.HEH, SLIDE INTO THE SLOPPY SLIMY CRYPT OF TERROR, FIEND-FANS. THIS IS YOUR CRAVEN CARETAKER
OF
COLD CORPSES, THE CRYPT-KEEPER, ALL READY TO START THE BRAWL ROLLING WITH A WHALE OF A TALE OF TER-
‘

ROR... A BIT OF BILGE I DUG UP FROM AMONG A BILE OF OLD MANURESCRIPTS THAT WERE
I
CLUTTERING UP A CLAMMY
CORNER OF MY CADAVER- CAVERN. YOU'LL RETCH AT THE WRETCHED GAG PLAYEO BY CAPTAIN MATT
AC A CC.11,,1 IUUM ,M ... «... ~ . .
STARKE
DOCKS RIGHT NOW TO BEGIN THIS ODOROUS OPUS X CALL.

pFOREVER
AMBERGRIS
YEAH ' STARKE'S THE NAME. CAP'N MATT
STARKE, SKIPPER OF THE FREIGHTER SULTANA.
I’M ASHORE NOW... HAPPY T’ BE TAKIN’ MY EASE
ON THIS PLUSH SOFA...SNU6 IN THIS NEAT LITTLE
HARBOR-APARTMENT, ..BLOWIN' BILLOWS OF COOL
BLUE SMOKE FROM THIS HAVANA FIFTY-CENTER...
AN' CREAMIN' OF HOW I'LL SOON BE MASTER OF THE
TRIMMEST LITTLE GAL IN THIS OR ANY PORT. I'M
HAPPY 'CAUSE X LOVE EILEEN ENOUGH TO HAVE
MURDERED A MAN V GET HER? AND NOW... .

SHE'S MINE... T-r- n^rfTK

 '
HEY EILEEN.' WAIT'LL YOU SEE HER / \ I CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY
YEAH/ THAT'S RIGHT/ I ,

MURDERED and there

. BLAST IT*HURRY SHE'S BEAUTIFUL* GOT THAT WHALE THREW UP
ISNOTHIN' ANYONE CAN UP* STOP TOR - THE PRETTIEST FACE in RIGHT THERE AND THEN. ..JUST
DO ABOUT IT. NOW. I'VE TURIN' ME. FINISH THE WORLD.' AN* HER WHEN I WAS WATCHIN HIM. I
GOT THE WORLD I'M RICH... ORESSIN' an c'MON FIGURE... WELL... JUST NEVER SAW A WHALE DISGORGE
AN' I'M WAITIN' FOR OUT OR I'LL COME WAIT AN SEE
‘ 1 OUGHT BEFORE, NOR HAVE I HEARD
J OF ANYONE ELSE THAT'S
.

EILEEN COME OUT

T' IN THERE AN' T' BE HAPPY. ..BUT SOMETHIN'
OF HER ROOM SO'S I'LL \ GET TOO... READY KEEPS NAGGIN' AT ME.. . SEEN IT HAPPEN.
have EVERYTHING/ )
l OR NOT * / KEEPS BOTHERIN' ME? J
—r S'CUSE ME . . . /

NOW THERE'S a QUEER COMBINA- AN' SOME KIND OF CRAZY INSTINCT 'But WHERE to BEGIN? on that
IS NAGGIN AT ME RIGHT NOW. WARM SPRING MORNIN', I RECKON,
TION OF THINGS FOR A MAN IN LOVE
r BE THINKIN' OF... A GORGEOUS MAYBE YOU CAN HELP ME. LE'ME WAS THE START OF IT. WE'D DROP-
WOMAN AND ...UGH . .
. WHALE SPEW* TELL YOU 'BOUT EILEEN and ME.. PED ANCHOR HERE IN SAN DIEGO AND
BUT I CAN'T HELP IT. I GOT THE AND MY SHIP... AND THE WHALE... ME AND M' FIRST MATE, BEN HARPER,
SAME COLD REELIN' \N MY an' THE MAN I MURDERED-,. WERE HURRYIN' DOWN THE GANG-
INNARDS AS GET WHEN MY SHIP
I
PLANK.. ' IpgFgSB** *'
.

IS NEARIN' A REEF IN A THICK I WANT YOU TO T ANOTHER TIME,

.

FOG. I CAN'T SEE THE REEF BUT buukW/THUS I MATEY/ I GOT

INSTINCT TELLS ME IT'S THERE... THIS TIME, CAP'N. SOME GOOD
I WANT YOU T' |
ADDRESSES )f
MEET E/LEENf IN DIEGO. . . Jm

‘For seven months...from the time ben harpers With ben harper bein' the kind of a chap he was...
SIGNED ON MY SHIP... ALL I'D HEARD FROM HIM WAS NOT AT ALL ON THE RUGGED SIDE ...AND NOT MUCH ON LOOKS
EILEEN... HOW BEAUTIFUL THIS BRIDE OF HIS WA£... EITHER... I NEVER FIGURED HIM TO HAVE LANDEO ANYTHING
Aun unuf T UAH Tn UFFT MFR ‘
LIKE THE BEAUTY THAT GREETED HIM WHEN WE REACHED
"

WELL, HAVE DINNER WITH Y WELL, ALL RIGHT, THEIR APARTMSNT...'fp»^^|

US THEN, MATT. AT LEAST /BEN. BUT JUST '

OH, HONEY.. I THOUGHT IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU

ikar THAT... DINNER. THEN I'Ll THIS TRIP WOULD NEVER HOME, BEN, DARLING...
BE ON MY WAY* £NDf
'But i could see from the way
THAT SHE TURNED HER HEAD SO'S HE
COULON'T KISS HER ON THE LIPS
THAT E'LEEN WASN'T AS GLAO TO SEE
SEN AS SHE MADE OUT. FACT IS,
AS HE WAS LOVIN' HER, SHE KEPT
LOOKIN' PAST HIM TO ME...'
^MONTHS,
ALL THESE LONG
BABY. . . YOU'VE
BEEN WHAT I VE THOUGHT
1
ABOUT EVERY MINUTE.
j
AWAKE OR ASLEEP.
'Ben moved off towards the kitchen.
SEE IF YOU CAN'T DO SOMETHIN'
ABOUT GETTIN’ MATT TO STAY WITH
US WHILE I GO MIX-UP SOME
Hjpsi DPINKS. . .
'Seven months at sea without so much as
GLIMPSIN' A WOMAN MAKES A MAN ACT WITHOUT
THINKIN', I GUESS. I HAD A FRENZIED IMPULSE
TO THROW MY ARMS AROUND EILEEN.. PULL HER
TIGHT AGAIN' ME. ..CRUSH MY HUNGRY LIPS AGAII
HER S. A ND SUDDENLY, I WAS DOIN'
'She kept lookin' at me. ..talkin'
WITH HER EYES. . FIRST CURIOSITY-
. ALREADY KNEW HER BET TER'N HE DID.
THEN AN INVITATION. YEILDING
. . X FOLLOWED THEM INTO THE LIVIN'
1
IT WAS AN ELECTRIC THING THAT ROOM, WATCHIN EILEEN, TAKIN' IN
PASSED BETWEEN US. .. SOMETHING PARTS MOVIN' SENSUOUSLY. THERE
WE BOTH UNDERSTOOD IN THOSE WERE PICTURES BURNIN' IN M‘ BRAIN-.
FIRST QUICK MOMENTS WITHOUT TATOOED WITH A WH ITE HOT NEEDLE-.'
HAVING S POKEN A WORD...'
'
MATT'S AGREED TO HAVE OINNER
WITH US, HON.. BUT HE WON'T
.
STAYON WITH US. HE'S GOT OTHER
^
.
— PLANS...
.
'Eileen did somethin’, all right, she moved towards
ME, SLOWLY, HER HIP9 SWAYIN' EVER SO EASY. SHE KEPT
SURE,
LOOKIN' at me with those soft, invitin' eyes, and thei
BEN. ,
SHE SPOKE WITH TH AT SOFT, MELLOW, HONET- FILLED.
'
EXCI TI NG VOICE |
’‘'3®
'She pulled back at first, then changed her mind,
AND MOVED IN TIGHT. SHE MELTED. .. BLENDED. .. LI KE WE
WERE ONE. THAT’S HOW QUICK WE HIT IT OFF TOGETHER,
. EILEEN AND ME.' I WAS PANTIN' HEAVY AND WIPIN' HER
LIPSTICK WHEN SHE TEASED.. .*
IT.'. fBBB WHY'D YOU DO THAT, MATT?
‘She knew why x did it, the tantalizin’ oevil...so *
I GAVE EILEEN A BASHFUL PECK ON THE CHEEK AND
I GAVE HER A FLIP ANSWER JUST AS BEN. ..POOR, STUPID, BEN GRINNED, PLEASED AS PUNCH THAT I WAS PLEASED
LOVESICK BEN—CAME IN WITH THE DRINKS...' WITH HIS WIFE. PLEASED'? X WAS CRAZY ABOUT HER...
..IHAVEN'T HAD A HAH' I TOLD YOU TORTURED ‘CAUSE BEN WAS ALWAYS CLOSE BY IN THE
DAYS THAT FOLLOWED. BUT THEN, ONE DAY, I GOT A
CHANCE TO KISS THE 'OU'D LIKE EILEEN, I THINK
BRIDE BEFORE THIS f J CAP NT GO ON. X'VE
,

CHANCE TO TALK TO EILEEN...* jp " 1

e
A
,

^ __
)
BE MY GUEST.. / TALKED ' WHY'D YOU HARRY r THAT’S PUTTING IT BLUNTLY,
MATT INTO IIM? YOU DON’T ISN'T IT? WELL, I’LL GIVE YOU
STAYING, LOVE HIM.' A BLUNT ANSWER' SECURITY.'
BEN... ,

BEN MAKES GOOD MONEY HE V

AND NOW NOW THAT \fI DO LOVE YOU, MATT.' I'VE
... 'AND .1 WANT YOU,
NEVER SPENT MUCH BEFORE WE > YOU’VE MET ME? I NEVER MET A MAN I LOVED EILEEN. I'M GOIN’
GOT MARRIED.' HE MEANT SECURITY CAN SEE THE WAY
I
/ SO MUCHf BUT X WANT T*HAVE YOU SOME-
TO ME, MATT... A NICE HOME... J YOU LOOK AT ME / THE THINGS BEN'S MONEY A
. DAY, TOO! I DON'T
CL OTHES. FOOD~. EVEN THIS JF YOU'RE IN LOVE
\ GETS FOR ME. I KNOW HOW, BUT I
. .

LITTLE CAR... H WITH ME' W WILL! I SWEAR

‘The two weeks shot by and it ’And later, ben and i stood
WAS TIME TO SHOVE OFF AGAIN. I ON THE BRIDGE OF THE SULTANA,
SAW EILEEN ONCE MORE THE WAY X WATCHING SAN DIEGO VANISH INTO
01 D THAT FIRST OAY.. .WITH BEN’S THE MIST. THERE WAS
ARMS AROUND HER. .SHE LOOKIN’
. BETWEEN US -.ONLY OUR
OVER HIS SHOULDER. BUT THIS THOUGHTS... HIM REMEMBERIN
 (What is there about a man that
LETS HIM LOVE ONE WOMAN.. .LONG
FOR HER THE WHOLE TIME HE'S ASEA...
'AND THEN, NO SOONER'N HE HITS
,
PORT, SET ABOUT HUNTIN’ FOR
ANOTHER TO BE WITK BEN ANO ME
>
WERE NO DIFFERENT... FROM BOMBAY
TO OSAKA, JAfWN . CRISP
After a pleasant visit, x T MEN I VISITED A CERTAIN TOOTHY
REMEMBERED OTHER BUSINESS THAT GENT WHO COULD FURNISH A LOT OF
NEEDED TENDIN' TO... SO, SHOES IN INFORMATION ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS,
HAND, I PADDED OVER TO A PAPER MOST OF THEM UNWHOLESOME. HE
WALL ANO CAL LEO OUT... 7 MARKED A CRUDE BLACK CIRCLE
AROUND A TINY DOT ON A GREASY
OLD MAP FOR WHICH X GAVE HIM ONE
U.S. BUCK...'f p^—

‘ILEFT THE SHODDY LITTLE SHOP AND MADE MY WAY 'WE WERE UNDER WAY AGAIN BEFORE MIDNIGHT. BEN WAS
BACK THROUGH CROOKED JAMMED STREETS TOWARD LYIN' ON HIS BUNK, WEARY, BUT NOT TOO TIRED TO TALK
THE SHIP, MY HEAO SPINNING WITH THOUGHTS OF ABOUT HIS FAVORITE TOPIC ... EILEEN. I SAT AT MY DESK,
EILEEN AND BEN AND HOW HE WASN'T GOIN* TO SEE STUDYING THE GREASY OLD MAP.
HER AGAIN... NOT IF I GOT MY BUCK'S WORTH OF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT A GOOD r NOT STRAIGHT
INFORMATION OUT OF THAT HISSINl GRINNIN' OLD
GENT. . ^
.'[rmcs ' -
FEELING IT IS TO BE FINALLY
SOW HOME TO HER, MATT...
HOME, BEN.
GOT ONE SHORT
I'VE

STRAIGHT HOME TO MY WAITIN' STOP TO MAKE'

W-r DARLING...

WHAT'RE YOU TALKIN' Y THIS IS A PRIVATE

1

'We REACHED THE TINY SPECK OF FORSAKEN CORAL AND

ABOUT, MATT? OSAKA IDEAL, ben. A FRIEND LAVA THE THIRD NIGHT OUT. EXCEPT FOR A GLIMMER Of
'
WAS OUR LAST PORT Jo MINE IN BOMBAY , LIGHT HERE AND THERE IN THE BLACK NESS.THERE WAS NO SIGN
O F CA LL ... Yw'F ASKED ME TO DROP A < OF LIFE ON THE ISLAND. WHILE THE BARREL OF FUEL OIL WAS
BARREL OF FUEL OIL BEING LOADED INTO THE DINGHY, I ELECTED BEN TO TAKE IT
AT THIS LITTLE ISLAND. ASHORE. 'i
p :
I

I PROMISED I WOULD. .
IS THERE TIME FOR ME TO DO HEH.HEH. OKAY, MATEY. ^3|
SOME HUNTIN', SKIPPER?
)
J I'LL WAIT FOR YOU. . . M
'Ben*d REACTEO EXACTLY AS I’D EXPECTED HIM TO It WAS ALMOST OAWN WHEN MY FIRST MATE RETURNED
WATCHED HIM ROW ACROSS THE LAGOON TO A
REACT. I TO THE SHIP, EXHAUSTED BUT PLEASED WITH HIMSELF.
SMALL DOCK AND TIE-UP. A MINUTE LATER HE DIS- HE'D HUNTED DOWN AND GOTTEN' WHAT HE WANTED. HE'D
APPEARED INTO THE DARK, RAT- INFESTED TOWN OF THE GOTTEN MORE THAN HE WANTEO? IT TOOK TWO DAYS,
ORIENT'S ISLAND DUMPING GROUND FOR ITS THEN 8ROKE OUT...
CONDEMNED.. .CONDEMNED TO DEATH, THAT is, BY . .CAN'T PICK MYSELF gP
. YOU'LL have to doctor
BUBONIC PLAGUE/ THE BLACK DEATH.1 ROT- OUT OF M' BUNK, MATT. YOURSELF, BEN. WE'RE A
T!N6 DEATH. '
HOT... FEVER.. CHILLS, v THOUSAND MILES FROM THE
I'M SICK . .
.

.
NEAREST PORT. ..
.
^

'Ben came down fast, he started swellin'
AROUND HIS ARMPITS AND OTHER PLACES. SOON, A
FESTERING, GREENISH -YELLOW SCURF COVERED
HIM AND A STINKING, NAUSEATING SUBSTANCE OOZED
FROM HIS FLESH. I KEPT CLEAR OF HIS QUARTERS
FROM THEN ON AND ORDERED THE CREW TO DO THE
'At THE MENTION OF THE DREAD, HIGHLY CONTAGEOUS
CREW PALED AND SHUDDERED AS ONE MAN. IT
DISEASE, THE
WAS PART OFMY PLAN LETTIN' THEM KNOW. .. REMINDIN'
THEM. BUT ONE DAY, THEY FOUND SOMETHIN' ELSE TO
OCCUPY THEIR MINDS. I FOUND 'EM TOSSIN' GARBAGE
OVERBOARD. .* |

SAME. FtEDIN' THE WHALE, CAP'N STARKE.

X KNOW THZSTMPTONS. .THE SCALY. BUBONICT HE'S BEEN FOLLOWIN' US ALL
|-rft MORNIN'f SEE?
SKIN, POISONIN' OF THE BLOOD, AND J PLAGUE...
THAT COUGH. THAT'S WHEN iTs rf GASP. . .

DANGEROUS, the PLAGUE IS in THE BLACK

]
HIS LUNGSNOW. A MAN CAN CATCH ^ DEATH
IT EVEN TALKIN' T' HIM . . .

'The whale stayeo with us. some-

’I'DSEEN WHALES BEFORE BUT
NEVER SO CLOSE AS THAT GREAT times HE’D ROLL AND DIVE AND WE
BULL SPERM. HE KEPT UP WITH WOULDN’T SEE HIM FOR HOURS. THEN
THE SHIP. OPENIN' HIS YAWNIN'
. .
SOMEBODY’D YELL "THAR t BLOWS?*
CAVE OF A MOUT H TO LET THE AND HE'D BE BACK CHASIN' ANOTHER
GARBAGE IN ...
GARBAGE F<AST. .
' frsBBSWP*«D|
‘At night i'o go out on deck,
breathin' in the salty warm
PACIFIC AIR, AND I'D THINK ABOUT
ME ANO EILEEN. X WAS THINKIN'OF
HER THE NIGHT ONE OF THE MEN
A WALKIN' DEATH... HIS BOOY A MASS
OF BLACK ROT... SMALL SPONGY CHUf#<S
DROPPIN' AWAY WITH EACH STIFF
STAGGERIN' STEP HE TOOK. HIS
I HOLLERED FOR SPOTLIGHTS AS
HE STUMBLED ACROSS THE DECK. MEN
CAME RUNNIN' WITH GAFFS, THElR
FACES TWISTED IN OISGUST. BEN
KEPT SHUFFLIN' ...COMIN' TOWARDS
1

CAME A-RUNNIN' AND SCREAMIN’...' CLOTHES WERE A TATTERED STINKIN' me ...

MESS OF GREENISH DRIED OOZE AND GET HIM OVER THE SIDE. YA
... HIS FACE IS ALL BEN... out Y CONGEALED BLACK BLOOD. MY DIN- BILGE LICE/ DUMP HIM BEFORE
ROTTEN BLACK. 7 OF HIS
NER CAME UP SOUR IN MY THROAT...'
CAP'N... AND HIS ROOM! GOOD,
FLESH IS MOVIN' LORD! how
LIKE IT'S... CHOKE... COULD THE ^
/
CHOKE.
HE HAS US
^
ALL WASTIN' AWAY
WITH THE BLACK ROT ! ^
CRAWLIN' WITH 1 MAN WALK1?
. MAGGOTSf A

MORNIN', I FELT BETTER ABOUT THE WHOLE THING.

'They tried hookin' their GAFFS into ben, but ‘By
WE’D LEFT WHAT WAS LEFT OF BEN HUNDREDS OF MILES
THE TIPS CAME AWAY WITH HORRIBLE GOBS OF
BEHIND US ANO I'D COMMITTED A MURDER NOBODY'O BE
FOUL-SMELLING ROTTED FLESH. THEY tried
ABLE TO PIN ON ME. I HAD MY MINO ON LOVELY EILEEN
SHOVIN' WITH THE POLES. BEN GOT CUT IN TWO
BY THE RAIL, WITH NO MORE SOUND THAN IF HE'O^ WHEN TOM B ALLARD, MY SECOND MATE CALLEO ME TO
"" “*
THE RA.il...' )-—-- ^ I
BEEN A JELLYFISH, AS HE WENT OVERBOARD..'. I

OUR WHALE'S STILL THAT'S RIGHT BUT HE'S

WITH us, CAP'N r , ACTIN' QUEER. ..ISN'T HE?!

'An' THAT'S WHEN IT HAPPENEDf THE HUGE BULL SPERM 'Ambergris! floating gold the spew of a
SHUDDERED CONVULSIVELY. A TREMENDOUS YELLOW AND SPERM WHALE... NEEDED FOR THE BEST PERFUMES
GREY BILLOWING MASS OF WAX-LIKE STUFF SPEWED OUT THAT FOUL-SMELLING, FATTY MESS WAS WORTH A
OF HIS CAVERNOUS MOUtH ... BUBBLING... UNDULATING ON FOR TUNE!..! r I
J 1 ,
—
THE ROLLING SURFACE...' npr~ il C REVERSE ENGINES! PREPARE TO LOWER AWAY
LET'S GET OUT OF HERE, T NO! NO, BY HEAVENS ! ALL BOATS! A HUNDRED DOLLAR BONUS TO
'

CAP'N ! THAT STENCH IS

J THAT'S
\
WHALE SPEW... w EACH MAN WHO HELPS... Cji
CHOKIN' he! AMBERGRIS! JJ
'I EMPTIED A HUNDRED 8ARRELS
OF MY PUEL OIL CARGO TO HOLD MY
AMBERGRIS. A WEEK LATER WE
DOCKED IN SAN DIEGO, WHERE I
CAUGHT BLAZES FROM A PORT HEALTH
OFFICIAL.. .BUT NOT UNTIL AFTER I'D
DISPOSED OF THE AMBERGRIS.
COMING INTO \/ THE DEVIL
’The PERFUME MAKER NOT ONLY SO THAT'S ITT NOW, EILEEN IS IN
PAID ME SIXTY-TWO THOUSAND HER ROOM THERE, GETTIN' INTO
BUCKS FOR MY AMBERGRIS, BUT ALSO 'SOMETHING COMFORTABLE'.
SENT ME FLAGON OF THE
A SCENT AS SHE PUT IT, WHICH IS PROBABLY
MADE FROM IT, WHEN I FINALLY A SHEER BLACK NEGLIGEE, AND
GOT OUT OF QUARANTINE,! BROUGHT I'M THINKING ABOUT WHY SOME
ITTO EILEEN../ T l W STUPID WHALE THREW UP WHEN
IT DID...
.. I DON'T WANT To! HERE, BABY ? - .

PORT AFTER A \ WITH MV PAPERS HEAR HOW BEN HERE'S ENOUGH

PUGUE DEATH I'M a RICH MAN DIED, MATT? ALL / PERFUME TO
J BATHE
ON YOUR SHIP /AND l'M GOING TO 1 KNOW \S..TOU IN'
MAY COST YOU \ MARRY THE MOST ARE HERE... / and it's only
YOUR PAPERS, \ BEAUTIFUL THAT'S ALL THE BEGIN-
\
CAPTAIN STARKE? GIRL IN THE
j
THAT MATTERS'LL N/NG /
WORLDf

I OUGHT TO BE GLAD IT '

BEN!r THAT BLASTED WHALE MUST E/L EENf E/L EEN, OPEN UPf
HAPPENED f if it HADN'T, HAVE SWALLOWED THE BLACK QUICK f DON’T USE THAT
Z'D BE SIXTY-TWO THOUSAND
DOLLARS POORER, AND... y
ROTTED DISEASED REMAINS OF
BEN HARPERF THAT'S WHY HE /
,
, PERFUME, EILEENf ^
and ..-OH, LORDf THREW UPf ^

Eileen harper comes out of her room now, grinning ioiotically .

HEH.HEH? AND THAT'S THE LEAD-
THE BLACK SPONGY, ROTTING FLESH DROPPING FROM HER FACE...THE WHITE OFF YARN, YELP-HOUNDS DID YOU .

BONE GLEAMING THROUGH HERE AND THERE. CAPTAIN STARKE SCREAMS NOT/OE THAT EILEEN REALLY DION'T
HORROR AT THE SIGHT AND STENCH OF HER...fl LIKE THE PERFUME MATT GAVE HER?
WHY NOT, MATT?
DIDN'T YOU SEE THE WAY HER FACE
IT'S SUCH A
LOVELY-SMELLING PERFUME. YAAAAHHb DROPPED WELL, I GOT A DATE WITH
EDITORS TO PLAY A GAME OF
_ DARLING...
HEARTS. WE USE
REAL ONES. I LL
BE BACK LATER
WITH ANOTHER
TERROR TOME. NOW
I'LL TURN YOU
OVER TO THE
VAULT-KEEPER.
BY THE WAY. THE
WHALE IN THIS
YARN WAS SORRY
HEBROUGHT
THE WHOLE
THING UPF
BYE NOW?
 YOU UP FOR THE CHILLf NOW YOUR

You're name is barney hoag. you've always craveo

SOLITUDE AND NOW YOU'VE FOUND IT ON THIS BLEAK LONELY,
WINDSWEPT, SUN-TORTURED FLORIDA KEY. . THIS GRIM
.

ACRE OF UNPEOPLED PARADISE. YOU GUIDE YOUR OLD CAR

INTO A SANDY, BRISTLING PALMETTO PATCH, AND YOU UNLOAD
 You PASS A LINE OF SILENT PALMS LEFT LEANING
LANDWARD BY SOME LONG AGO VIOLENT WIND THAT
HAD ONCE ROARED BY. AND, UNLOADING YOUR EQUIP-
MENT ONTO THE BURNING SAND, YOU STUDY THE
CURIOUSLY- SHAPED GROTESQUE MANGROVE TREES,
THEIR EXPOSED SNAKELIKE ROOTS INTERTWINING, GROW-
BEYOND.THE TURQUOISE ATLANTIC RESTS TRANQUILLY
BETWEEN TIDES. SOON, HOOK BAITED, FEET BARED, YOU
TREAD FAR OUT OVER THE SAND AND CORAL BOTTOM
BEFORE REACHING KNEE- HIGH WATER. YOU BEGIN TO SURF-
CAST AND ALL IS PEACE AND QUIET EXCEPT FOR THE
SOUND OF A FISH NEARBY, LEAPING FROM THE SEA. .

YOU TURN AT THE SOUND AND SEE NO FISH, BUT AN
ALMOST-NAKEO, BEARDED, BERRY-BROWN OLD MAN WITH
GREY HAIR OWN TO HIS SHOULDERS EMERGE FROM THE
YOU STAND, STARING, AS HE MOVES SOUNDLESSLY
ACROSS THE SAND TO THE BROKEN HULK OF AN ANCCNT
VESSEL THAT HAO BEEN TOSSED, HALF-HI DOEN.AMONG
THE PALMS. AS YOU WONDER WHY YOU HADN'T NOTICED
THIS GRIZZLED WRECK BEFORE, THE OLO MAN VANISHES
INTO IT THROUGH A CRUDE DOORWAY CUT INTO ITS

Then, BARNEY HOAG, YOU SWEAR
UNDER YOUR BREATH'. .. BECAUSE
YOU ARE NO LONGER ALONE. YOUR
SOLITUDE IS GONE. YOU BEGIN TO
REEL IN.. .TO LEAVE IN DISGUST...
WHEN YOU FEEL THE SUDDEN, STRONG
The FISH BREAKS WATER, STRUG-
GLING TO SPITOUT THE HOOK AND
YOU SEE THAT IT IS A BARRACUDA.
FINALLY, YOU BRING THE VICIOUS
SCOUNDREL OF THE SEA TO LAND.
YOU STARE DOWN AT YOUR GASPING
CATCH, SHIVER AT THE SIGHT OF ITS
BARED RIPSAW TEETH. ..
DEVIL' WELL, rou'RE
THROUGH SCARING AWAY
f
GOOD- EATING FISH'
You PACK AND LEAVE YOUR SHAT-
TERED PARADISE, GRATIFIED AT
LEAST, THAT THE OLD MAN HADN'T
SEE.N YOU AND SUBJECTED YOU TO
ENDLESS, BORING TALK. SUDDENLY,
ALONG BLACK SHAOOW FALLS ACfCSS
YOUR PATH. A THIN, PIPING VOICE
BRINGS YOU UP SHORT.,
S/T' GIT OFF FROM THIS
PROPITTY, MISTUH/ YOU
don’t BELONG here / «
 Your fright of this frizzled old man with the ancient
WEAPON GIVES WAY TO ANGER AT HAVING BEEN CHEATED OF
PAIR OF DUCK PANTS THAT REEK OF DEAD FI9H.HE YOUR LONGED-FOR SOLITUDE
POINTS A RUSTY, APED MUSKET AT y OURCHEST^ I NAS GOING, YOU DIRTY OLO COOT.
BUT NOW I GOT A MIND TO STAY*
Y^rRY STAYIN,
f MISTUH, AN' I'LL 7
^
YOU HEERED ME, MISTUH ! X be cur tin' run
COME FUST TO THIS PROPITTY,
SO IT'S Dt/NEf NOW S/T, 'FORE
UPFER SHARK
nn
^
BAITf^g^
^come/^
I BLAST YUH CLEAN T' KINGDOM ^
ssgfll

There's a cold glint in his ice-
slue EYES, AND HIS SUN- BRONZED
CROSS-HATCHED SKIN DRAWS TAUT
ACROSS HIS JAWS. YOU RELENT IN THE
FACE OF THE WEAPON IN THE OLO
Boiling with resentment; you
STOW YOUR GEAR INTO YOUR CAR.
THEN YOU GAZE BACK TOWARDS
THE BEACH, UNWILLING TO BOW
THE OLD ONE'S ILL WILL
'I'LL SHOW THAT OLO CRANK. I'LL
BURN 'IM OUT. I'LL SET FIRE TO
THAT FILTHY WRECK REVIVES IN AND
'
i'll BURN H/U OUTFOR BOOD
. .

MAN'S TIGHTENED GRIP AND YO HE BL UFFED ME AWAY, ]

MOVE OFF ANGRILY THROUGH T BUT i'm NOT LEAVING
PINES

Slowly, silently, stealthily you make your way YOU PICK UP THE GLITTERING OBJECT. YOU STUDY IT,

BACK TO THE BARNACLE AND SALT- ENCRUSTED WOODEN TURNING IT OVER IN YOUR HAND
^
CARCASS OF HALF A ONCE-PROUD VESSEL. YOU'RE FILLED it IS/ IT'S a BOLD CO/N/Jg
WITH VINDICTIVENESS AND CURIOSITY YOU STOP OUTSIDE
THE ROTTED DOOR. A*UETAL LIC GLEAM CATCHES YOUR
EYE ' WHAT... WH AT'S
THAT? ON THE
SAND f LOOKS
J
LIKE A. ..A. . .
Your first reaction is to bet away with your Isn't that ridiculous, barney? think again, that's
PRIZE. YOU HURRY, STUMBLING, TO YOUR C/*R...THE
ANCIENT GOLD DOUBLOON CLUTCHED TIGHTLY IN YOUR
SWEATY »LM. YOU DRIVE HASTILY OFF THE LONELY KEY.

YOU EASE UPON THE GAS. YOU STOP RUNNING. YOU YOU SIT AT A FLY-FLECKED COUNTER ...STARING AT THE
THINK SOME MORE AS YOU CRUISE SLOWLY NORTHWARD. MENU... HARDLY SEEING IT..
SOON, YOU REACH ANOTHER KEY, ROLL UP TO AN AND WHO'D BELIEVE HIM if he
EATERY THERE, AND WALK TOWARDS IT... BABBLES TO THE LAW ABOUT HIS ,
WHAT IF THE LUNATIC S GOLD THAT
BEING MISSING? FOR
IS FORTUNE,
SITTING ON A
OVERSEAS EATS I
MATTER, WHO'D MISS THEjgffli
INGOLD? what GOOD <| KEY UME PIE-BEERt Bfc OLD MAH?
WOULD IT 00 HIM? HE'S
TOO OLD TO ENJOY IT

SO, BARNEY HOAG, GREED AND You ARRIVE BACK AT " THE OLDMANS Quiet whisperings in the pines
DETERMINATION ETCH THEMSELVES KEY" ALONG WITH THE NIGHT.. .PARK ACCOMPANY YOUR SLOW APPROACH
INTO YOUR FACE AS YOU AS YOU DID THAT MORNING AMONG TO THE BEACH. THE ELEGIAC CHIRPS
MAKE YOUR DECISION... THE PALMETTOS... AND, TAKING A OF CICADAS SURROUND YOU. WITHIN,
JACKHflNDLE, YOU QUIT YOUR CAR... YOU FEEL THE RAPID THUMPING OF
I'M GOING BACK THERE. WHAT’LL
| YOUR HEART. A RISING GIBBOUS
TONIGHT AND IF HE'S » IT BE,
MOON LIGHTS YOUR WAY TO THE SAD
GOT MORE GOLD, I'M
GOING TO GET
f MISTER?
HULK AMONG THE PALMS ON THE
BEACH.
NOW YOU ARE THERE, BARNEY, YOUR
HEAVY BREATHING BLENDING WITH
THE BREEZE BLOWN PALM FRONDS
THAT SOUND SO MUCH LIKE A SUMMER
SHOWER, AND WITH THE GENTLE LAP-
PING OF THE SURF UPON THE NEARBY
SHORE. A SOFT ORANGE LIGHT GLIM-
MERS THROUGH A CRACK IN THE DOOR.
YOU SEE HIM IN THE FLICKERING The element of surprise, barney^
CANDLE GLOW, HIS MAD EYES GLEAM- SLAM OPEN THE DOOR? THAT’S ITf
ING AS HE LETS A TRICKLE OF GOLD SCARED ALMOST OUT OF HIS WITS, THE
COINS FALL THROUGH HIS GNARLED OLD MAN DROPS HIS TREASURE INTO
FINGERS INTO A WOODEN BOX ON THE
ROUGH TABLE AT WHICH HE SITS.
THE FAINT CHING OF CLINKING METAL

YOU STEP TOWARD HIM. THE OLD MAN DROPS HIS RAG- The OLD MAN CHORTLES, PULLS BACK HIS FOREFINGER,
WRAPPED TREASURE OF DOUBLOONS TO THE FLOOR. THEN, SQUEEZING THE MUSKET'S TRIGGER. BUT NOTHING HAP-
BENDING AS THOUGH TO RETRIEVE THEM, HE COMES UP PENS. NO BLAST. NO SHOT. NOTHING. THE BOLT, FROZEN

YOU LEAP AT HIM, BRINGING THE IRON JACKHANDLE DOWN ON HIS YOU PICK UP THE BUNDLE AND EMPTY THE
YOU SCRABLE ABOUT THE BRINE - But you've got it all, barney, WELL, I'LL BE...? IT'S A TREASURE
FOULED WRECK ...ANGRY... ANGRILY AND KNOWING THAT, YOU SAG TO THE MAP 1HIOLD MAN MADE. IT rr...

SEARCHING. FLOOR, SICK AND TIRED WITH DIS- MUST be WHERE the OTHER half
APPOINTMENT. BUT THE OLD MAN'S OF THIS SHIP IS, THAT'S WHAT IT
THERE MUST BE MORE? «
PIECE OF DIRTY CLOTH CATCHES MUST BE? YEAH/ SURE' A PIRATE
THERE'S GOT TO BE MORE? YOUR EYE. . SHIP BROKEN IN TWO BY A
...

DOTTED LINE... MARKED

'
HURRICANE' half SUNK/
YARDS"... TO A E
HALF WASHED ASHORE...
ALINE MARKED "LOW TIDE".. THIS HALF
AND AN ARROW MARKED
HAP.
BY GOD? IT'S A A

Slowly, barney, slow

now. out. you're
think it to
THAT'S WHAT HE WAS DOIN' WHEN HE WAS
just think it out CAREFULLY. blow out the
-

COMIN' OUT OF THE WATER. HE WAS BRING-

something ,

ING BACK THESE COINS FROM THE SUNK OLD MAN'S LANTERN. THAT’S IT? NOW GO OUTSIDE. LOOK OUT
HALF OF THE WRECK? IT'S OUT THERE /

OUT UNDER THE ROLLING

So YOU ORIVE ALL NIGHT, BARNEY, AND YOU'RE IN GO...
ALIVE
KEY WEST WHEN DAWN LIGHTS THE SKY. BY LATE
AFTERNOON, YOU'RE BACK AT THE “OLD MAN'S KEY"
WITH A DIVING SUIT, ENOUGH HOSE TO GO OUT
IIO YARDS, A GASOLINE-DRIVEN COMPRESSOR, THE
YOU GO OUT PAST THE MAP'S 110 And then you see it,
YARDS AND THE SEA AROUND YOU IS A SHADOW AHEAD OF YOU. THE
FULL OF WONDERS, BARNEY... BUT NO MARKER-
BROKEN PIRATE HULL-NO SUBMERGED
THAT'S IT* THAT'S IT* THERE
rising like These, SIX FATHOMS DOWH, BEFORE
THff ALGAE AND MOSS-ENCRUSTED
MARKER, YOU BEGIN TO DIG. YOU
DIG DOWN AND YOU DI60UT.. AN,
.

HALF- HULK DO YOU SEE. AIN'T NO BOAT. HE'S HAD THE

I MUST'VE BEEN CRAZY TO TAKE
THAT OLD COOT'S MAP SERIOUSLY.'!.
'
TREASURE. HE WASN'T BRINGIN' IT
OUT HE WAS BRINGIN' IT /N ... >
OBLONG, EMPTY HOLE WITH NO COINS,
NO CHEST, NOTHING, YOU CLIMB OUT,
BITTER WITH FRUSTRATION
.

r MAYBE THE MARKER SHOWS

HESS. BUSYIN ITT
. .
‘

WHICH SIDE TO DIG ON. I'LL OU!

SCRAPE OFF THE SLIME m

WlTH YOUR SPADE, YOU SCRAPE OFF THE GREEN ALGAE Your airline fouls around the marker, stopping
AND MOSS AND SLIME. AND YOU TURN COLD, STAGGERING YOU FROM RUNNING. TERRORIZED, YOU YANK AT THE RUB-
BER TUBE. THE MARKER TILTS FORWARD, SLOWLY...FALL-

no (NO* GOOD LORD

..PINNINGYOU DOWN INTO THE HOLE YOU'VE DUG... PINNING YOU DOWN. INTO "HEH.HEHf LIKE THEY SAY, KIDDIES' \
YOUR GRAVE. FOR YOU KNOW THAT BEFORE LONG, THE GAS IN THE COM- BARNEY DUG HIS HOLE... NOW HE'S
PRESSOR OUT ON THE SHORE WILL RUN OUT AiND THE AIR WILL BE GONE AND '
DYING IN IT. HE THIRSTED AFTER \
YOU'LL SUFFOCATE. THE OLD MAN... THE CRAZY OLD MAN' HE WAS RIGHT* BOLD AND SETTLED FOR A BELLY-
HE DID KNOW' HE NAS PREPARED' THE LETTERS CUT INTO THE MARKER FUL OF SALT WATER. WELL, THAT'S I

LAUGH AT YOU MY TREASURE-TERROR- TALE FOR

)
THIS ISSUE OF CJf.'S MORBID
1
'

'

HAG. NOW I’LL TURN

YOU BAC/r TO HIM
c(jn FOR A TALE ABOUT
/ A blonde flirt
U

p /rV\
\ \WHO
V / CURIOUS
S0ME DESSERT,
|
FINALLY MADE

j/ teVjkl f GOOD f
I

Wl 1

\ I'LL SEE YOU NEXT

1/ [
IN HY MAG THE •
/
!‘A IKtl X VAULT OF (
HORROR.'
Is'lllJl
m
1
J
' [
Wt lU v BVE - Nowf
y
 a GUNMAN
With the cardboard carton propped against he?" he snickered. Then, nudging her toward
the wall,Ed Grant pressed the door buzzer: the kitchen with his gun, he added, "Let’s find
”
chimes rang inside the apartment and foot- that dough, sister!
steps scurried toward him. The safety latch
scraped open, the door swung wide and Ed While the woman nervously pulled a purse
Grant stepped into the apartment, pushing from a kitchen drawer, the kid grabbed a tiny
the carton in front of him. "What . . . what's telephone buried in a toy box and yelped into
this?” the woman asked in surprise, pointing the receiver: "Sheriff! Amble over here pron-
to the carton. to! Varmint’s robbin' my mom!"
"Delivery.” Ed Grant answer, kicking the Ed Grant tilted his head far back, opened
door shut with his heel. He slipped the latch hismouth and roared with delight till tears
into place and dumped the carton on the
came to his eyes. For several minutes he shook
.”
floor. "B-But I didn’t order any the wo- . .

with uncontrolled mirth. Subsiding slowly, he

man protested. Then she saw the gun Ed
wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. "The
Grant held. "You ... a .
li’l nut,” he chortled. "A real character, ain’t

he? Right outa television!”

"A guy working his way through college,”
Ed. Grant said flatly. "Don’t make me flunk
The kid’s face clouded and he ran from the
you on this test, lady ... I want all the-cash
and jewelry you got here!
” room. A moment later, as Ed Grant peered

into the purse he had grabbed, the boy re-

Grant heard a high-pitched voice coming turned. He held a small water pistol. Ed turn-

along the corridor from one of the bedrooms, ed, started to guffaw again. "Jerko, here,” he

and he turned warily. A tow-headed five-year- exploded. "A reg’lar half-pint hero, ain't he?"
old careened into the room, deeply involved
in banking an imaginary aircraft he was pilot-
The boy’s face tightened ... he squeezed

ing. He stopped in his tracks, his mouth gap- the trigger and a stream of smoky fluid spray-
ing. "Hey!” he whinnied. "Who’s this, mom?” ed into Ed Grant's face. He dropped his gun
and a shriek of horror poured from Ed Grant's
"L-Look, mister,” the woman pleaded. "We seared lips. He staggered backwards, his eye-
don’t have much money, see? My husband’s sockets raw cavities where the eyeballs had
only a lab assistant at the chemical plant on just been burnt out of his head. One trembling
River Street. He just got outa school himself, hand went to his face . .
.
passed over the ruin-
and .

ed flesh, which, was curling away with a

bubbling sound, revealing stark yellowish

"Can it!" Ed Grant snapped. "C’mon . .

the CASH! Where’s it at?” bones beneath. Ed Grant screeched in agony,

his face already a ghastly oozing wound. He
The kid, who had sauntered over to the sagged to the floor.
foyer table, suddenly pulled a cap pistol from
a toy holster slung over the chair and whirled The boy felt his mother's arm tugging him
toward Ed Grant. His finger squeezed the sharply, as she yanked the water pistol from
trigger and his high-pitched voice exploded in him. "Just wait till I tell your daddy what
a series of raucous gunshot sounds. Ed Grant you just did!” she snapped. "He told you a
started at the sound, then began to laugh deep hundred times never to fill your gun with his
in his throat. "The kid’s a li’l whacky, ain't sulfuric acid!"
NOW IF you JOIN... YOU GET THE BULLETIM...FREE!

yes FANS. YOU, TOO, cm BC LUCKY UKB McLr/N, HtNt.' YOU, TVV,
.

COMPUTE YOUR COLLECTION OP E.C.S' YOU, TOO, CAN JOIN THE

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FOR AN INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP. WHICH INCLUDES
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HIT AND FREE SUBSCRIPTION. FILL OUT THE COUPON NEW YORK, 12, N.V.
AND SEND IT IN, TOGETHER WITH SOf* IF FIVE So here's my SOL! So I could’ve joined
OR MORE OF YOU WANT TO JOIN AS AH AUTHOR- for Half the price a couple of months back*
IZED CHAPTER, ENCLOSE EACH MEMBER’S So now 1 get a bulletin subscription. So who
NAME AND ADDRESS ALONG WITH SO{ FOR EACH says I want it. So I'm a sucker. So put we
NAME AND INDICATE THE NAME OF THE ELECTED down and send we the stuff what the kid's
CHAPTER PRESIDENT. WE WILL NOTIFY EACH wearing and the bulletin I don't want but I'w
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• CNO 2S( MEMBERSHIP Will SE ACCEPTED AFTER JUNE I, 195-0

THE CRYPT-K EEPER ’S CORNER
Heb, beb! Here comes our morbid mailman with II

the latest sack of sordid stamped squares containing The trap has been sprung,
crude correspondence from .you creeps. So I’ll just My neck has been wrun^
stick my honey paw into the .. YEEEEEO . W! WW My tongue is just danglin',
Hmmmmph! Very funny! Somebody sent a large scor- I know that I'm done.
pion in a small envelope. A stinging trick! Where My face is all red,
was l? Oh, yes so I’ll just stick a pair of tweezers
. . .
I know that I'm dead,
into the old mail sack and print a few poems and stuff I'm swinging, swinging in the rain.
for your perusal.
Imre Horvath of The Bronx, N. Y. pens this Putrid
Clara Estelle Crossland of McKeesport, Pa. who
Parody to the tune of "I'm Looking Over A Four-Leaf claims to he a poet in the strictly artistic sense of the
Clover’’:
word, submits this lovely little sentiment to pluck your
heart strings:
I'm running you over
With a sharp lawn mower My boyfriend is a charming thing
That I never used before. Move him cause he is so sweet.
The first blade's for chopping. One side of his ugly face is gone.
The second will hack, The other hangs with rotted meat.
The third will disjoin
Your head from your neck. Raymond Neuman of Chicago, III. writes these
No need explaining. poetic wishes
The one remaining Oh, for the life of a vampire,
You won't hear anymore. That's what I really crave.
I'm running you over To prowl the face of earth at night.
With a sharp lawn mower And sleep each day in a grave.
That I never used before.
John Neidkowski of Maspetb, N. Y. decries his fate
with this gem:
From the creative claw of John M. Guite who lives
in a box in Waterville, Me. comes this Sceam Song Blood and Guts
Satire of the tune "Heart of my Hearts": All over the street.
And me without
Part of my heart, A spoon to eat.

I love that arterie.

Part of my heart, Paul Block and Douglas Tuchman ( they had to

Bring back a vein to me. collaborate on this epic, yet) of Elmhurst, N. Y. knock
I#7hen we were kids a famous nursery rhyme with:
On the corner of the street.
We were rough and ready guys,
But, oh, how we could handle knives.
Part of my heart
Meant friends were gorier then.
Too bad we had to part.
Iknow a tear would glisten
Ifonce more I could listen
To that gang that ate part of my heirt.

This next Ludicrous Lyric is the brainwork of

Conrad ). Polk, of Chicago, III. who pokes fun at the

tune "Singing in the Rain" with these warped words:

I'm swinging in the rain.

Just swinging in the rain.
What a ghastly old feeling.
My neck's stretched again.
My eyes bulge with pain,
As I gurgle this refrain.
I'm swinging, swingin in the rain.
HERE S A TERROR-TALE OF A
CHICK WHO FINALLY WORMED

Now, FREDDIE WAS GONE PEARL HAD DOST ANOTHER

HAD ALWAYS LIKED LIVING IN THE BEST OF ST YLE...
.

BILL-PAYING HUSBAND, AND THE VOLF 'MLS AT THE

FINE CLOTHES, JEWELRY, A PARK AVENUE APARTMENT,
PENTHOUSE DOOR. PEARL WAS DESPERATE. A DOZEN
A CHAUFFEURED CADILLAC. AND PEARL HAD ALWAYS
DESPERATE PLANS WERE FORMULATED IN HER PRETTY
NA0EO TO FIND RICH HUSBANDS WHO WOULD BE WILUNG BFn HFAn AND DISCARDED BEFORE SHE REMEMBERED
KEEP HER IN THE STYLE TO WHICH SHE'D BECOME ACCUS-
MED LIKE FREDDY NOVELL, FOR INSTANCE. FREDDY
.

WELL WAS PEARL'S Z/tf/^rRICH-HUSBANO-BANKROLL.

Pearl let Howard stare, she Pearl inwardly cursed the high She closed the door, leaned
SPEED CONVEYANCE THAT HAD BACK DISTRACTEDLY AGAINST IT, AND
RUSHED UPWARD THROUGH THE FROWNED.
STEEL THROAT OF THE BUILDING I WONDER IF I OVERPLAYED Mr
AND INTERRUPTED HER PROGRESS. HAND WALKING OUT LIKE THIS?
OH, I... I'M ) ELLIS/ HOWARD SHE TURNED AND GLIDED BACK TO X WOULDN'T WANT HIM TO THINK I'M
TERRIBLY X HER APARTMENT AS THE ELEVATOR CHEAP FEMALE ROLF ON THE
ELLIS/ X. • • *
SORRY, MR...
)
...WELL, HERE'S POORS CLOSED. . .

PROWL, he looks so PROPER

4
MR. ...WHY, WE'RE THE ELEVATOR.' GOOD MORNING, NOT AT ALL, AND PRUDISH, X WOULDN'T
NEIGHBORS, and I MR. ELLIS... AND MISS DRAKE. STAND A CHANCE IF HE THOUGHT
IDON*T,EVEN THANK YOU TO* THAT/ \
KNOW YOUR NAME/ i THE TIME/ -jp-
i'm pearl drake f
MISS pearldrake,

Then pearl grinned. SHE WALKED SLOWLY ACROSS She STOPPED AT THE DESK, HER MIND RACING... SCHEMI
THE LIVING ROOM, HER VOLUPTUOUS FIGURE SWAYING PLANNING HER NEXT MOVE. SHE FINGERED THE D'SPOS-
SENSUOUSLY... SESS NOTICE SHE'D RECEIVED IN THE MORNING MAM.. .
BUT HE /J .A MAN' HE'S GOT ALL OF THE THEY'VE GIVEN ME A WEEK TO FORK OVER THREE

—INSTINCTS OF a man. I'll BET HE CAN'T

_
GET ME OFF HIS MIND/ j •
HUNDRED DOLLARS RENT, OR OUT ON THE
STREET I GO. AND X haven't 60T IT. I
haven't got HALF THAT much.'

Pearl pondereo her problem another moment The elevator operator eyed her up and down and
AND THEN, WITH HER LOVELY FACE ASSUMING A GRINNED LASCIVIOUSLY WHEN SHE ASKED HIM THE INF0F
DETERMINED AIR, SHE HURRIED INTO THE BEDROOM MATION SHE NEEDED. IT WAS OBVIOUS HE'D HEARD OF
TO DRESS ... HER PLIGHT. .
MR. HOWARD ELLI.S IS MY ONLY OUT/ l‘VE I'D LIKE TO FIND OUT WHAT M WHY DON'T YOU FIND
GOT TO GET HIM ...tfMT WAYOR THE OTHER./ ELLIS DOES FOR A LIVING? OUT WHAT J*CAN DO,
WHAT FIRM HE WORKS FOR? INSTEAD, HONEY?
Pearl knew when to act haughty Pearl cr§ssed the lobby to the
AND INDIGNANT. UNDER OTHER CIR- AS HE RUBBED HIS BEET-RED CHEEK PHONE BOOTHS AND SCANNED THE
CUMSTANCES, THE ELEVATOR OPERA- WHERE SHE'D SLAPPEO IT. THEN, CITY DIRECTORY. ..
TOR MIGHT HAVE AROUSED HER SHE COLDLY REPEATED . . ELLEN.. .ELLER. ..ELLIS. AH,
INTERESTS, BUT NOW.
I ASKED YOU IF ) HE... HE'S A HERE IT IS? HOWARD ELLIS AND
why, you FRESH. YOU KNEW MR. ELLIS'S ) STOCK ASSOCIATES, INC., STOCK BROKERS,
rr BUSINESSf \ y BROKER. INVESTMENT COUNSELORS, 231
% •"Vr'^aKTTf . I... THINK HE —T WALL STREET...
jwrf !b MAS H,s OWN
FIRMf >

Outside the luxurious apartment, pearl con- At noon, pearl was at the entrance to 231 wall
templated HAILING A CAB, THEN CONSIDERED HER STREET, HER CAMPAIGN FOR THE CONQUEST OF THE UN-
WANING FINANCES, AND WALKED UPTHE SIDE STREET SUSPECTING MR. ELLIS CRYSTAL-CLEAR IN HER MIND.
TO THE SUBWAY. SHE RODE UNCOMFORTABLY IN THE I’LL CON HIM INTO TAKING ME TO
CROWDED ROARING CHASM, HER DAINTY NOSE TWITCH- LUNCH AND HE'LL SEE I'M NO
ING SCORNFULLY AT THE SUFFOCATING SCENT OF THE
CHEAP DA NET he'll SEE I ,
HUMANITY SURROUNDING HER. SHE TRIED TO LOSE sot HIGH-CLASS TASTES <
HERSELF IN HER PLAN OF STRATEGY. HE' LI OH-OH? HERE HE yJi
I I'LL WAIT FOR HIM OUTSIDE THE : COMES. . .AND HERE 160.. .

BUILDING at LUNCH HOUR. OF COURSE

IT WILL BE AN ACCIDENTAL MEETING.

I BEG YOUR PARDON, \ I'M SORRY WAS ALL

IT MR. ELLIS ?
—
THIS IS A COINCIDENCE, RUNNINg\0H,
MA'AM? I D IDN'T
rr SEE . W
MY FAULT? I.
MR- ELLIS
. . WHY, IT'S INTO YOU LIKE THIS. OH, BUT YOU DON'T REC
NlZE MEIN MY CLOTHES, DO YOU? I MEAN J-'MISS
THESE CLOTHES, remember? this gS" DRAKE... -
*

MORNING? PEARL ORAKE? THE AND THE

PENTHOUSE APARTMENT ACROSS
-7 THE HALL ? —
-5
JHSH STOPPED
WATCH?
ft ,
Before Howard could object, pearl steereo him By the time they'd plowed uptown through the
to ataxi, took his hand, and led him into it

YOU DO REMEMBER? WELL,I OWE the PLAZA'?

YOU SOMETHING FOR BEING SO KIND BUT THAT'S VICHY SO/SSE, Howard, (
HAVE YOU SOT THAT,
THIS MORNING, MR. ELLIS. I'M ,
HAY UPTOWN, and THE I'LL HAVE A HAH SAND-
ROAST PHEAS-
W/CH ON WHOLE WHEAT
,

TAKING YOU TO LUNCH. THE BA MISS DRAKE... ANT UNDEP CLASS '

? PLAZA, DRIVER? ,
-

r
SOUNDS DELICIOUS L TOAST AND A 6LASS OF
mm ^
m

And that night, after their SO AFTER A QUICK *GOOONIQHT

Through the meal, pearl care-
fully ENCOURAGED HOWARD. B DATE,THEY RETURNED TO THE PEARL FOUND HERSELF ALONE IN
DESSERT, HE WAS STRUGGLING TO PENTHOUSE FLOOR OF THE LUSH HER APARTMENT, FRUSTRATED ANO
PARK AVENUE APARTMENT HOUSE. AN NOYED.
PEARL OPENEO HER DOOR AND I_. X MUST BE LOSING
SPOKE TEMPTINGLY IN A SOFT —7 MY TOUCH.' fT\C"
HONEYED TONE ... ^
PEARL... GULP.. .MAY X WON'T YOUf THANK VOV.NO, PEARL.
TAKE YOU TO DINNER AND COME IN FOR > I HAVE A BOARD
A SHOW. ..TONIGHT?
^ * NIGHTCAP, {MEETING IN the
HOWIE, DEAR?] MORNING AND I AJ
to
lllliyallMt BED. .

But HOWARD ELLIS PHONED PEARL THE NEXT DAY Pearl knew where to find atmosphere congenial to
FROM HIS OFFICE ANO HERCONFIDENCE IN HER EVENT- ROMANCE. THE RIDE THROUGH THE PARK IN THE HANSOM
UAL SUCCESS WAS RESTORED. CAB WAS JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR HAD ORDERED. SOON,
HOWARD WAS HOLDING HER HAND AND WHISPERING SOFTLY
WELL, PEARL? WHAT t IT'S SUCH A LOVELY
IT IS A LOVELY NIGHT, PEARL. BUT ^ WHY, H OWARD..^
SHALL IT BE TONIGHT fNlGHT, HOWIE, I'D RATHER
NOT BE INDOORS LET'S
TAKE A HANSOH THROUGH
NOT NEARLY AS LOVELY AS YOUARE? BBK
W THE PARK.'
Pearl was an old hand at this
GAME OF TRAPPING A MAN. SHE KNEW
HOW TO PRESS HER ADVANTAGE-
HOW TO MOVE HER SOFT FULL- LI PS
CLOSE TO HIS... INVITING
...
And she knew how to act shy and
COY AND SURPRISED WHEN HE'D
FINALLY FALLEN INTO HER LITTLE
TRAP-
I-1M SORRY, DIDN'T
PEARL !1 SHOULDN'T) MIND, HOWIEf
Soon they were back outside
HER APARTMENT. PEARL LEANED
AGAINST HER DOOR, FINGERING
HOWARD'S COAT LAPEL AND GENTLY,
GENTLY DRAWING HIM AGAINST HER
QUIVERING BODY... WHISPERING...

HA
HAVE DONE THAT... j I... I'M VERY
FOND of you'

She KfSSEO HIM WITH MOIST RAVISHING HUNGRY It WAS warm the NEXT TH^RE
EVENING. wasno moon and
the
LIPS.SHE KISSED HIM AS SHE KNEW HE'O NEVER SW HUNG DARK OVERHEAD. PEARL COULD SENSE THE OEEP TEN-
BEEN KISSED BEFORE. AND THEN SHE LEFT HIM SION IN HOWARD AS THEY WALKED HOME. SHE WAITED PATIENTU
STANDING THERE... LIMP -TREMBLING ...GASPING FINALLY, HE STOPPED BENEATH A LAMP POST AND HE SAW A NEW
FOR BREATH. SHE LOCKED THE DOOR BETWEEN EAGER DETERMINED LOOK IN HIS EYES...
THEM AND STOOD IN THE DARKNESS OF HER PEARL' NEED OH, HOWARD f IF YOU
APARTMENT. GRINNING WITH SATISFACTION - YOU' I-MH/WYOU' ] ONLY KNEW HOW MUCH
ONCE MORE LIKE THAT AND HE'LL BE BEGG/NG..
AND IT'D BETTER BE SOON I've ONLY
te i need you? mm
GOT A FEW DAYS LEFT BEFORE I GET WnmJ
sagr KICKED OUT |Br3nnnl l

This was beyono pfeARL's wiloest dreams, had she

HEARO RIGHT? WAS THIS A PROPOSAL? NOW IT WAS PEARL
ARACTER WAS PLAYING FOR
YEAR. FOREVER. SHE HAD TO
 They went up...he, holding her He opened the bedroom door and
HAND IN A TIGHT FEVERISH GRIP, HIS SHOVED PEARL IN. SHE HEARD THE
BREATHING QUICKENED WITH EXCITE- LOCK CLICK BEHIND HIM... HEARD HIS
MENT...ANO SHE, FOLLOWING EAGERLY, LOW THROATED GIGGLE. SHE PEERED
WILL YOU COME UP INTO THE GLOOM...
ANXIOUS TO CONVINCE HIM OF HIS
TO HI APARTMENT, WISE CHOICE, ANXIOUS TO THANK
Pearl?
ESTHER? I ESTHER.'?
BROUGHT ANOTHER who's SHE?
r ONE...

And then pearl saw the coffin in the gloom ...the [Howard pushed pearl toward the froth ing.craving,
[hideous CREATURE...
OLO COFFIN WITH THE LID SQUEAKING OPEN. ..THE PALID
WHITE FIGURE RISING FROM IT...BITS OF EARTH DROP- I TOLD YOU X WANTED I
NO.' NO'
PING FROM ITS FLOWING BLACK CAPE... THE RAZOR- SHARP YOU FOR NY WIFE' OH, LORD!
SNAKErLIKE FANGS. -THE OOZING SPITTLE
r MY SOD ''H HAT
. IS IT, THIS IS MY WIFE,
HOWIE? WHAT IS IT? ,
PEARL? SHE'S A
j
7 VAMPIRE' -m

ANO HOWARD SAT DOWN AND WATCHED WITH SATISFACTION AS HIS SO POOR PEARL FINALLY FOUND HER LAST
LIVING-DEAD WIFE SPRANG UPON THIS LATEST DESERVING VICTIM HUSBAND-SUCKER ONLY in THIS CASE, |

HE'D BROUGHT. HE LISTENED EAGERLY TO HER GLUTTONOUS SLURP- IT WAS THE HUSBAND'S WIFE WHO WAS THE

ING NOISES. HE NODDED APPROVINGLY AS THE PINK GLOW CAME SUCKER.. BLOOD- SUCKER, THAT IS? HEH, j

BACK INTO HER SUNKEN CHEEKS, AND PEARL'S WRITHINgJlODY HEH ? WELL .THE OLD WITCH AWAITS WITH \

GREW PALER AND PALER AND } ANOTHER OF HERCREEPY CAULDRON-

CONCOCTIONS SO I'll STEP A SIDE while
SHE SLINGS SLIME AT YOU. BY THE WAY, I
HEAR SOME PEOPLE FINALLY JOINED THE
E.C. FAN -ADDICT
CLUB. THAT'S GOOD
NEWS' I WAS BEGIN-
NING TO BE AFRAID
THE MEMBERSHIP WAS
GOING TO BE LIMITED
TO...ER... THINGS.
SHALL WE SAY GEE' I

NOW, PEOPLE TOO'

WELL, WHAT'D'YA
KNOW.' 'By if ,
 HEE.HEE? COME IN, CREEPS YOU'RE IN THE NIGHT PLACE FOR RETCH INS... THE HAUNT OF FEAN. MD.NOM
,

OIFU.'.A THAT'S FRENCH. PIENDS?)...HAVE I GOT A REVOLTING TALE FOR YOU. WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S COOKING
IN MY CRUODT CAST-IRON CAULDRON? WELL, YOUR OLD WITCH HAS A GORY SLAB OF GRISLY GAB ABOUT
a TERROR TIME and a FAST OPERATOR who brouqht a MESSY MATTER TO A HEAD and CUT IT OFF TNEHEf
SO WIPE THE DROOL FROM YOUR CHINS, BEND YOUR FLOPPY EARS THIS WAY, AND LISTEN TO THIS DELIGHTFUL
TALE OF BUTCHERY CALLED... <

I That ioth of march, 1795, was grim and grey with rain
THREATENING IN THE OMINOUS BLACK CLOUDS THAT BIL-
LOWED OVERHEAD. A RAW WINO HOWLED FURIOUSLY ABOUT
THE CRIMSON-STAINED GUILLOTINE, BUT IT COULD NOT CLEAR
THE BEFOULED AIR OF ITS ABATOIR AROMA. UNDERFOOT, COBBLE-
STONES WERE SLIPPERY WITH CONGEALING GORE, WHILE FRESH
WARM BLOOD BUBBLED IN A CONSTANT FLOW DOWN THE GUT-
TERS AS THE GREAT BLADE HISSED DOWN AGAIN AND AGAIN,
HEAPING THE BASKET WITH WIDE-EYED NOBLE HEADS. THERE,
CALMLY, STOOO THE MAN OF THE HOUR, THE EXECUTIONER,
ANDRE VACHE, AMID THE JEERING, HOOTING, RED-BONNETED
CITIZENRY, READING AN URGENT MESSAGE JUST H ANDED TO

* PLEASURE,
AND IF A THOUSAND GOLD LOUIS J AS ANDRE HURRIED AWAY FROM THE AWFUL SCENE...
INTEREST YtfEl, THEN VISIT ME AT 49 ANORE...
RUE DUBOIS." HMMM? PIERRE, I MUST A HIS BLOOD-SOAKED SHOES LEAVING RED IMPRINTS ON
LEAVE? CARRY ON FOR ME, EH? THE PAVING STONES ...HE EAGERLY RE-READ THE NOTE
HE'D RECEIVED...

THOUSAND GOLD LOUIS?

SACRE BLEU^jO^A
SoON.THE EXECUTIONER WAS BEING YOU MENTIONED MAKE YOUR- 'ACTUALLY, THIS HOUSE IS NOT
j
USHERED INTO A SPACIOUS ROOM OF something about Sself COM- MINE. IT BELONGS TO MY BROTHER
49 RUE DUBOIS BY A VENAL-LOOKING ONE THOUSAND J PORTABLE, CLAUDE.^ being the ELDER,**'*
MAN WITH AN UNCTUOUS MANNER GOLD LOUIS, / M'SIEU. HERE... FATHER LEFT HIM EYERYTH/NS. ..

ABOUT HIM. . „i t
- - CITIZEN
)
SOME OF THE A FORTUNE, M'SIEU. SHOULD ANY-
XD 4
yJFROM MY CELLAR,
courbeau. that finest wine THINGHAPPEN TO CLAUDE,
AH, M'SIEU VACHEf I AM JEAN I WHY I AM
COURBEAU. it is A GREAT A IS
RERE.f MI0NOW...X
GET /TALL, you UNDERSTAND?
HONOR INDEED TO HAVE 90 tf
IMPORTANT and DISTINGUISHED fjtam. ,-w ssj will EXPLAIN
A VISITOR AS YOU IN MY HOME. .
j

WHY I SENT FOR

.

TOU... ./<
|

YOU WANT ME TO RIO NOT MUNokR, MON AMI. Vah.that is a DIFFERENT STORY /'you are a W/SE 1
]
YOU OF YOUR BROTHER, MERELY AN ACCUSATION... M'SIEU COURBEAU. IF YOUR BROTHER* I MAN, M'SIEU VACHE.
CITIZEN COURBEAU? I
to the RIGHT PARTIES.. is ONE OF THEM. A ROYALIST.. JDO NOT THINK I AM
. .
.

SAPRISTI...YOU INSINUATE
I WOULD MURDER A MAN.
EVEN FOR THAT MUCH
NANO THE HEAD OF

/SYMPATHIZER would
< THEN I WILL BE GLAD TO EXPOSE NOT FOND OF MY
ANOTHER ROYALIST HIM. IT WOULD BE MY DUTY ' BROTHER. BUT THERE
KRE TWO THINGS X
^J
*
:

— • GOLD? <Cl ROLL INTO YOUR BASKET. LOVE MORE...FRANCE:

and MONEY
2

HERE IS HALF THE PAYMENT. T YOU SHALL HAVE

500 GOLD LOUIS, you will ]
UNDENIABLE
RECEIVE THE REST WHFN X HAV
J EVIDENCE.
' CITIZEN COURBEAU.
PROOF That my brother has
BEEN EXECUTED SO MANY
.'
1 J WILL SEE TO
HEADS FALL THESE DAYS... A ITf AND NOW, BON a
of CLAUDE
SOW. . .
COURBEAU..
The next day, citizen marat and six other judges
Of THE COMMUNE LOOKED OOWH COLOO’ AND IMPATIENTLY
AT THE ACCUSED. _JKF
riAM NOT AN ENEMY OF THE REVOLUTION. WHEN AN
mr
“ The chamber, thronged with angry ragged
zens, SHOOK WITH THE HOARSE CLAMORING FOR STILL
ANOTHER HEAP...
Hfc EVEN SPEAKS LIKE
THE NOBILITY? OzsSS,
DEATH
citi-

DEATH*
INNOCENT MAN can be DRAGGED FROM his HOME
ON THE EL/MIEST OF PRETEXTS. accused of J

TREASON without a SHRED OF EVIDENCE, jft

AND sent to the GUILLOTINE BY such a lie... fJH
s-THEN THIS is NOT A TRIAL, BUT WANTON
BUTCHERY.'/,

Citizen marat held up his hand He LOOKED AT HIS FELLOW JUDGES. Citizen marat raised his hand
AND A HUSH FELL OVER THE CHAM- THE WORD AND DROPPED A SQUARE OF BLACK
BER. THEN, SCOWLING DARKLY AT
WHAT SAY ( WE HAVEEMINENT
YOU CITIZENS?> OF THE
CREPE... AND WITH THIS SYMBOLIC
GESTURE, THE CROWD ROARED ITS
THE ACCUSED, HE WHISPERED. .
this is your DEFENSE,
.
s-y-f
f
—M
Ml EXECUTIONER,
ANDRE VACHE,
A
A APPROVAL... IS —m
M'SIEU COURBEAU.. THAT WE
.
JB CITIZEN MARAT f 1

ARE BUTCHERS BECAUSE WE *

WlWmIm that is 6000 a
DESTROY OUR ENEMIES ? ENOUGH FOR US' /

T HE REO-BONNETED CROWD WAITED IN TENSE SILENCE AS THE

HEAVY KNIFE WAS HOISTED HIGH BETWEEN THE SLOTTED PARAL- ,

LEL BEAMS. THEN. WITH A WHINING CRESCENDO TO ACCOMPANY j

 Andre caught claude*s head in
A SACK AS HOT BLOOp SPURTED
FROM THE SEVERED VEINS ANO ARTER-
IES OF THE DECAPITATED BODY, SPRAY

Jean courbeau turned sickly green, he Andre went light-heartedly through the evening streets,
WHIMPERED SOFTLY. THE GOLD JINGLING IN HIS POCKETS, THE SACK SWINGING MERRILY
TAKE TOUR M ONE Yf HERE gasp/ AT HIS SIDE. A COACH RUMBLEO BY, AND HE PLAYFULLY TOSSED
THE RED- SOAKED BAG THROUGH ITS WINDOW..
SET.. GET IT OUT OF HERE! CHOKE...
.

GET RID OF IT/

f
^ I^|

The coach stopped,

DO YOU TAKE OUR

a tall
GOT OUT AND CARRIED THE GORY
BUNDLE BACK TO ANDRE.
T TAKE CARE,
^—1
man The man handed andre the
SACK.
’andi^citizen vache
AM
,

,
^
\a.
MASTER OF FRANCE ) THOU-
. . aN
REVOLT SO LIGHTLY /CITIZEN/ YOU
THAT IT AMUSES SPEAK TO
L . ..ROBESPIERRE/ ysA NO
//VACHE,
.
PARDONS,
YOU TO THROW MAS -
YOUR
ABOUT THE HEAD TER OF THE
)
EXCELLENCY/
OF AN ENEMY? JGUILLOTINE/
Andre did not see the sack land I WAS IN THE When andre returned to his room-
IN THE bottom of a skiff that SQUARE when house, he WAS greeteo by his
CAME FROM UNDER THE BRIDGE ARCH. HE SOT THIS
THE HEAO ROLLED OUT AND THE TOOAY, HENRI? HE
HELD IT UP FOR

Andre hurried out into the street
THE BLOOD-SOAKED BAG. HE STOPPEO OVER A
SEWER-GRATE.
MEN, CLAUDE C0UR8EAU' SO THEY PLAY
' EH,
GAMES WITH US' WELL, PERHAPS THE RATS
DOWN THERE WILL FIND YOU TEMPTING.
with The head dropped to andre's feet as it tore through the
SACK’S BLOOD- ROTTED BOTTOM. THE CLOTH DISAPPEARED
INTO THE DANK-REEKING DARKNESS. ANDRE HESITATED, STUPIDLY,
AS AN OXCART, HEAPED WITH HEADLESS CORPSES, ROUNDED THE
CORNER.
VACHE! IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU' TAKE THEM AWAY,
. .
'

LOOKfREGO0HIZ SOME OF
r YOUR CUSTOMERS?
^m BODIN' 00 BURY
THEM!
.

Andre stood over the grinning head, hiding BoDIN SHRUGGED AND THE OX-CART RUMBLED OFF. ANDRE
IT FROM THE CART-DRIVER’S VIEW. . TURNED TO THE HEAD, ANGRY AND FRUSTRATED. HE REACHED
I'M IN NO HURRY, VACHE. LETy LET ME s FOR IT SAVAGELY. . .

TORMENT ME, MIL L YOU, CLAUDE COURBEAUf

US STOP FOR A DRINK! OUR <a ALONE, bodin'
HEADLESS FRIENDS can Jr go BURY r WELL, WE'LL SEE ABOUT THAT^^ -gj
s wait/ mmr iw* foul-
smelling
S DEAD .
The EXECUTIONER CAME UPON A MAR-
KET OPEN LATE AND LIT OlMLY BY BURDEN, ANDRE CELEBRATED HIS TOGETHER AND WENT INTO THE KIT-
OIL LAMPS. HE PASSED THE STALLS NEW-FOUNO FORTUNE AT AN INN CHEN .I,
—
i

OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND WITH A GLASS OF BRANOX THEN YOU SEEM IN A I HAVE COME 1
SMILED AT THE JOKE HE MADE. . . HE RETURNED HOME AND, MEETING JOVIAL MOOD
j
'into SOME WEALTH
HIS LANDLADY, GOOD- NATO REDLY ANO CHOKE-
r NOW, M'SIEU NOBODY, IN AMONG THE TONIGHT, CITI- I ... 1-
CABBAGES with you. BEHAVE. / RELIEVED HER OF HER SHOPPING ZEN VACHE? A
)

AND PERHAPS YOU WILL END UP--/ BASKET. . . i_v

IN SOMEONE’S SOUP. . . MADAME
BOHSO/fi. YOU ARE A J
BARETTE?
PERMIT
mePj^ML
M
6ENTLEMAN,
- M’SIEU VACHE.'

Claude courbeau’s head grinned up at andre from T HE LANDLADY MOANED ANO TURNED AWAY, SICK. ANDRE,
AMONG THE VEGETABLES MADAM BARETTE EMPTIED OUT SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. FLUNG OPEN THE SHUTTERS

A MOMENT LATER. MONSIEUR ETIENNE. ANOTHER BOARDER ANDRE FUMED, THE BLOOD DRAINING FROM HIS FACE.
FROM THE TABLE. ..THEN TURNED
MONSIEUR ETIENNE...
 Andre stumbled to his room and T HEN, WEAK AND EXHAUSTED. HIS An hour passed, paris was asleep,
INTESTINES ROILING AND QUIVERING the night was still, except for an
WITH A RAGE THAT VERGED ON MAD-
LIKE JELLY, THE EXECUTIONER SANK OX-CART THAT RUMBLEO BY BELOW.
NESS. HE KNEELED ON THE FLOOR AND
ON HIS BED IN A COM A -LIKE STUPOR ANDRE STIRRED AT ITS NOISE AND
HACKED AT THE LIFELESS FLESH AND
SAT UP. HE LISTENED TO THE FRONT
BONE UNTIL HE'D REDUCED IT INTO AN
UNRECOGNIZABLE HEAP OF MINCE - /f DOOR OPEN ...THE HEAVY DRAGGING

^—
ucat FOOTSTEPS ON THE STAIRS... THE
v-
KNOB OF HIS OWN DOOR TURN... AND
rmw.Lcrs see you come*' a
I sack 'NOW! NOW
GOURBEAU f.

T HE HEADLESS CORPSE STUMBLED TOWARD ANDRE, ITS

HAND GESTICULATING TOWARD ITS NECK, POINTING...
YOUR HEAD': '/ YOU'VE COME FOR YOUR HEAD?'
.

OH, LORD...CHOV.Z'...T- I
CAN'T GIVE IT TO KO 'no' KEEP AWAY-y-^zY-y.
YOU' THERE. ..W THE FLOOR ...THERE IS
iwHArS L EFT CF IT...

HEE.HEE' WELL, THAT'S ONE WAY TO GET

Madame barette heard the ear-splitting scream that echoed
THROUGH HER ROOMING HOUSE AND RUSHEO TO ANORE'S ROOM WITH A
AHEAD IN THE WORLD, EH.KIDOIES?
AND NOW, IT'S TIME TO CLOSE C.K.'S
CANOLE. BUT AS SHE REACHED THE DOOR, IT OPENED. THE BODY OF MUCK-MAO FOR THIS ISSUE.' HOPE
CLAUDE COURBEAU STUMBLED OUT, AND ON ITS SHOULDERS, CRIMSON DRIP- YOU WEREN'T GORED STIFF.' WE’LL
PINGFROM ITS TORN ANO RUPTURED BLOOD VESSELS SAT THE SAVAGELY ALL SEE YOU NEXT IN THE VAULT OF
—
,

TORN-OFF HEAD OF ANDRE VACHE... f-rw- r'" , —

Kjj||'j
HORROR... WHEN WE'LL BE HEADING
CHOKE. ^ - - -1 BACK Y0UR WAY WITH
'ifWltTTrr M0RE TOP HORROR i
YARNS' till THEN,
THINK ABOUT
i
KMMMBBHjEr JOINING THE
E.O.FAN-
ADDICT CLUB?
|k f DON'T BE A
SUCKER AND
yrJL ffu lvNl 99 DO IT f JUST
wW /( THINK ABOUT (Tf
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E *

TALES
FROM THE

CPYPT
 A

^
HEH, HEH! WELL,
MEET AGAIN, BOILS AND
IT’S BEEN TOO LONG,I
WE ^
GHOULS'.
MISSED YOU- ^
^ SHE’S A REAL
BUT MY AIM IS GETTING MUCH BETTER! YOU LOOKER, ISN’T
DISMEMBER MY TWO FIENDS AND ME, DON’T SHE?!DROP DEAD
YOU? WE’RE GHOULUNATICS, TELLERS OF GORGEOUS!
TWISTED TALES OF TERROR AND SHOCK
SUSPENS TORIESl I’M THE CRYPT-KEEPER ,

HE’S THE VAULT-KEEPER, AND SHE'S

THE OLD WITCH'.

THEY’RE HERE HELPING ME DE-GORE- ATE MY

CRYPT WITH PORTRAIT PAIN-TINGS OF MY
FAVORITE DEAD-HEADS! WHICH REMINDS OF
MY FIRST CHILLING STORY, ABOUT MY
L. FAVORITE ARTIST, A MAD GENIUS
KNOWN AS JACK KROLL...
^

1
f UKgg (
1 VJ"V l&cvSKyjf A i^H
wmS04
Kv Vw A
NOTHING MUCH HAPPENS IN THE TOWN OP CRANWELL, NEW JERSEY. THAT'S WHY, WHEN ELDERLY GLADYS PRICE
DIED,PEOPLE NOTICED, ESPECIALLY MIKE AND LINDA ANDERSON, THE MARRIED COUPLE WHO LIVED NEXT DOOR.

I WONDER
~IT'S HARD TO” WHO'S OOINO
BELIEVE SHE'S TO MOVE INTO
OONE. SHE WAS vHER HOUSE. .
OLD EVEN WHEN
. I WAS A KID.^

WVVn

DURINO THE NEXT SIX MONTHS, ALL THE CUSTOMERS AT THE LOCAL DINER
WHERE MIKE WORKED AS A COOK, AND LINDA, AS A WAITRESS, HAD IDEAS. ..

" I HEARDN
SOME
WEALTHY
COMPUTER
OUY WAS
LOOKING
THE PLACE
k OVER. A

MILLIE AT^B
* THE REAL 1
'ESTATE office’
SAID A
DOCTOR HAD ,

L EXPRESSED i
k INTEREST.^
 r C'MON, LET'S ^
W
r
YEAH, THAT'S^!
MY IDEA OF ^
FOLLOW HIM FUN-TAILINO SOME
AND SEE WHERE WEIRDO IN THE J
HE OOES. v S.MIDDLE OF THE J
NIOHT/

7^ THIS COULD
BE A WILD OOOSE
CHASE, BUT I DON'T
. CARE. I WANT ,
ANSWERS.

^ I'D LIKE
ANSWERS
^
TOO.
LIKE WHAT MADE ME
SAY, "l DO" FIFTEEN
yEARS AGO?

WHERE'S HE ^
rOOINO? WE'VE BEEN
DRIVINO FOR 10
MINUTES ALREADy.
AND I'M LOSINO MY NOTHING IN THIS
DIRECTION, THAT
^ BEAUT/ SLEEP, a
^
IS EXCEPT... a
 F\..THE
r
TOWN^1
CEMETERY/ 50 W
'
MAYBE HE'S ^
VISITING THE LAST'
THAT'S WHERE COUPLE THAT FOL-
.HE'S BEEN GOING/, LOWER HIM AROUNRi
L. BUT WH/? ^ Ik AT NIGHT. A

r
THERE HE IS/^
THIS IS REALLY
CREEP// EVEN r KEEP YOUR ^
.SCARIER THAN OUR.
Ik HONEYMOON/ A VOICE ROWN; WE
RON'T WANT HIM
TO HEAR US.

r ~
ANR WE
RON'T WANT
TO WAKE UP
v ANYONE. >

HE'S PAINTING
A PICTURE/

mu,
GUESS STAMP
i
~
COLLECTING ISN'T
.FOR EVERYONE. .
r THESE MUST BE
SOME OF HIS PAINTINGS/
UOOK AT ALL THOSE CORPSES'
YOU PON'T THINK HE

rVACTUALLYpo you?THEM
v
up,
PICS .

rMARTY IF HE HAP,
AT THE
^1
POLICE STATION
WOULP'VE SAIP
SOMETHING AT OUR
WEEKLy POKER ,
v

V C-AME. X
 /
KROLL'S PAINTINGS OF x
N
ORAVEYARDS AND CORPSES
ARE PART OF AN IMPORTANT
NEW ART MOVEMENT CALLED, .

’OUTSIDER ART.'" YOU MEAN

A WEEK K ROLL'S OETTINO~
WENT 8/ A
INTO HIS CAR. IN
ANP THEN PEW MINUTES THAT
CREEP WILL BE
THE PAV
CAME...
t
ON HIS WAV' TO >
NEW VORK-^SS
r IT TAKES AT
LEAST AN HOUR ANP A
^
HALF TO OET TO THf CITY,
PLUS WITH THE TRAFFIC AT
THIS HOUR, YOU CAN APP

V
AT LEAST ANOTHER
HALF HOUR. ^ A
TWO HOURS LATER.

'WE'RE IN HIS \
BACKYARP/
WE'RE HALFWAY
THERE. A T NOW REMEMBER,
YOU'RE STANPING
^
WATCH OUTSIPE. CALL
ME ON YOUR CELL IF
THERE ARE ANY SIGNS.
L- OF TROUBLE. ^

fYOUR
HEY, KEEP
SHIRT
>
ON,
TOM CRUISE--THIS
ISN'T MISSION
\ IMPOSSIBLE/ V

MIKE PRIES OPEN A WINPOW ANP LOWERS II

HIMSELFC INTO
IJIAACCI llirn HIS MCI/^IJQOD'C BASEMENT.
IJIC NEIGHBOR'S £2 AAChlT ’

rTHISLOOK AT ALL ^
JUNK, LOOKS
IT
LIKE A RUMMAGE
SALE AT STEPHEN
L
.

KING'S HOUSE.
 T

/ you THINK 1|
I XT'STOO RISK// WE MR TOO SMALL. WAIT J
\ HAVE MORE THAN
ENOUOH/ PON'
\ HERE, I'LL BE BACK
IN TEN MINUTES.
£
.OET OREEPy'^.

BACK AT KROLL'S HOUSE.

WHEN THE^^M ~
r WENT
HOUSE
OFF
ALARM
IN MY CAR
I HAP TO COME BACK
ANP INVESTIOATE--WELL,
WELL, IF IT ISN'T
tv MY NEXT-POOR A
NEIGHBOR/

PON'T MOVE
OR I'LL
shoot you/
F
r
KROLL?/
BUT
^1
yOU'RE
SUPFOSEP
TO BE AT THE
OALLERy IN i

NEW A
l

L yORK/ ^

LOOK,
UH, X CAN
EXPLAIN...
 YOU CAN THERE'S NO
EXPLAIN ALL NEED TO CALL
YOU LIKE TO THE COPS...
THE POLICE.
 i

m
ka
% eTHm
,
AFTER OETTINO BACK TO HIS HOUSE, M IKE TOLD LINDA WHAT
HAPPENED. THEN HE SHOWERED, CHANGED CLOTHES, AND
TOGETHER, THEY OOT INTO THEIR CAR AND DROVE TO THEIR
STORAGE UNIT OUTSIDE OF THE NEXT TOWN...

A FEW DAYS LATER, THE OWNER OF THE

NEW YORK ART OALLERY CALLED THE
CRANWELL POLICE TO REPORT THAT
THEY HAD BEEN UNABLE TO REACH
KROLL. THE POLICE CHECKED KROLL'S
HOUSE AND FOUND HIS BODY...
A /EAR WENT BY, AW
LIFE WENT ON IN THE
TOWN OF CRANWELL.
ANP PEOPLE FOROOT
/ABOUT THE ARTIST
WHO WAS MURPEREP.
BUT THERE WERE TWO
PEOPLE WHO PIP NOT
FOROET...
 BUT BEFORE MIKE AND LINDA COULD TAKE
ANY MORE OF THE PAINTINOS OUT, THEY"
HEARD THE SOUND OF SOMETHING SCRAPINO
AOAINST THE ASPHALT ON THE OROUND. AND
THEN THAT TERRIBLE SMELL SUDDENLY
COT MUCH, MUCH WORSE...
OH, MY LORDrVl
>CHOKE< CORPSES/ ^
JUST LIKE THE ONES IN
KROLL'S PA INTINOS/
ONLY THESE ARE REAL/
AND THAT ONE IS
^ DRESSED IN KROLL'Sj
CLOTHES/

f
AND THE ^
/OTHERS... 1
THAT
BLUE DRESS... THE
STRIPED SHIRT...
THEY'RE KROLL'S a

^
v
XL MODELS//

E.*E5

MK

THE NEXT DAY THE POLICE FOUND MIKE AND LINDA DEAD. THEY'D BOTH HAD HEART ATTACKS. THE
ODDS OF THAT HAPPENING, ACCORDING TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINER,
INCS WERE RECOVERED, AND SENT TO JACK KROLL'S ONLY LIVINO RELATIVEj AN OLD £UNT, WHOM,
FOR SOME REASON, THOUGHT THEY WERE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THINOS SHE D EVER SEEN.
 YOU GOT TO ADMIT, THOSE MORBID MAS-
TERPIECES ARE WORTH DIEING FOR! EXCUSE
ME FOR A SECOND AS GET ALL BIBLICAL
I

^ ON MY CRYPT-GUESTS... ^

THERE! A LITTLE WISDOM OF

SOLOMON NEVER HURT ANYONE!
>CHOKE< HOPE THEY’VE LEARNED
I

^ A VALUABLE LESSON...

~ ...JUST LIKE
THOMAS DONALLEY
WILL IN THIS TALE
w I CALL...
 AN ABOMINATION
BOPN OF NATURE,
RADIOACTIVE WASTE,
AND EVIL/ I

sufii

BEHOLP
CeOC-O'ZOIOt
TOMMy.'

”ape you still”

PLAyiNS WITH
THOSE HOPPI6LE
^ DOLLS? ^
you'ce
”
SONNA BE LATE
FOP WOP K.' .

THEy APEN'T
DOLLS, MOM.'

r THEy'PE FULLy-^
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CCUO! THAT I HATE THE

cpeepy guy WAy HE TALKS
IS WOPKIN G LIKE HE KNOWS
, TODAy.' ^ EVEPyTHINS.'

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wMi iyl j
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THINS OP PENULTIMATE
EXCELLENCE, WHEPE
HAVE yOU SEEN M
• WHOLE LIFE?

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 ~~7r peoeASLy bettep
~
IP WE DONT HANDLE IT.
SEPIOUS COLLECTOPS WILLING
TO DPOP A HUNDPED BUCKS ON
kA PIECE LIKE THIS APE PICKy
ABOUT CONDITION.

I CAN FIND A
DOZEN OF THESE S I'LL BE PPICINS
ONLINE FOP UP yO-SI-MON CAPDS
HALF THAT.' . IF yOU NEED ANy >
^ 2k
vv>> MOPE HELP,

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BUT LATEP THAT
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I CAN'T EVEN
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FIND A PICTUPE
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to woppy
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WAS CALLED?.' J
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ME A HUNDRED SUCKS DOLLARS?.'
UNTIL PAyDAy? .
WHAT DO yOU^
NEED A HUNDRED
DOLLARS POP? .

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IT'S FOP My \
COLLECTION/^^H
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WAS ^ ^WATCH yOUR^^
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you'D sive it ^POOD AS AIN.' ^
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SOMEHOW' r
 THE HOUPS SEEM TO FLy BY

a pe you ^ AS THOMAS EXAMINES HIS

ILL-SOTTEN SAIN UNTIL...
HOME FPOM
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 .J EVEN IF THE
DPASON'S HOAPD WILL SIVE
ME HALF OF WHAT I PAID FOP
THAT IMPOPT FISUPE, I STILL
WON'T HAVE ENOUSH TO PAY
"7 MACMILLANS BACK BY IT
v— tomoppow.' rminn

i
MAYBE
THEY'LL BUY
SOME OF
L MY OTH-
 HOW
COULD you?

^ TOMMy, ^
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yOUP STATEMENT.

WE'U. CALL
you IF WE HAVE
ANy QUESTIONS.

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THOSE STUPID COPS,
NEVEP SUSPECTED
^ youp loss. ^ A THINS.' M
ALSO, DON'T
LEAVE TOWN.

UH,
THANKS.

I MEAN, I
WON'T.

H£y, WHAT'S
THAT?.'
 HELLO?.' AAASH'

ALPISHT,
WHOEVEP
you APE.'
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TAKE THAT.' OW!

AND THAT/ OW!

THIS CAN'T ee
HAPPENING.'

I HAVE
TO GET OUT
. OF HEPE' ^

AAAA&Hf
NOOOOOOf you/

you spousht
THEM TO LIFE
SOMEHOW.'

HOW COULD
YOU TUPN My OWN FULLy-
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. LATED ACTION FICUPES
^^ASAINST ME? ^

STAy AW Ay.'

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<SOOC> LOQO! NO/‘

7 NOOOOOOf
 Noooooooor

Translation:
“SUPER EVIL DEMON ROBOT!
“COMES TO LIFE!
“FOR SERIOUS
WRECKS YOUR HOME!
COLLECTORS ONLY”
“NOW 250% MORE CURSED!"
 ...I MAKE SURE TO ACCURATELY DEGRADE! AFTER
ALL, IF THERE’S ANYTHING YOU LEARN IN A CRYPT,
IT’S HOW TO GET YOUR COLLECTIBLES SLABBED! AND I

CERTAINLY MADE SURE TO PACK EVERYTHING SECURELY!

FIND THAT PINE BOXES WORK BEST FOR ME—
L I

ALTHOUGH THE SHRED-EX GUY DOESN’T

SEEM TO APPRECIATE IT!
^ .

SO, LET’S NOT WAIT

^
A HALF CENTURY UNTIL WE
MEET AGAIN! BE BACK IN JUST
SIXTY DAYS FOR MORE TALES .
FROM THE CRYPT!
 Return of
TALES FRO
THE CRYPT
t's one of the biggest surprises in the world of comics And graphic novel publishing! Shortly
I before the 2007 New York Comic Con, Papercutz announced that we would be publishing
all-new TALES FROM THE CRYPT comics. After more than 50 years, EC Comics' legendary
flagship title returns with all-new shocking SuspenStories, narrated by the original Crypt-
Keeper, Old Witch, and Vault Keeper. Each issue will feature two 20-page tales of terror in the
EC tradition!
Reactions ranged from excitement -from fans thrilled to see the most famous horror comicbook
ever return after over fifty years, to shock-that was to be coming from a publisher primarily
it

known for its graphic novels such as Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys which contain material
suitable for all-ages, as the HBO TALES FROM THE CRYPT series certainly contained a fair

amount of adult content.

"People forget that the original TALES FROM THE CRYPT comicbook, published by the EC
Comics back in the 50s, was also intended for all-ages, and its primary readership was young
boys,” Papercutz Editor-in-Chief Jim Salicrup is quick to point out. But that may be exactly what
fans find so controversial. The original TALES FROM TE1E CRYPT comics, featuring stories
dreamed up by EC publisher William M. Gaines and his editor A1 Feldstein, and drawn by
Feldstein, as well as Graham Ingles, Jack Davis, Jack Kamen, Joe Orlando, Wally Wood, Harvey
Kurtzman, Bill Elder, Reed Crandall, Johnny Craig, A1 Williamson, George Evans, and colored
by Marie Severin, started a horror comics craze that soon drew the attention of psychiatrist Dr.
Frederick Wertham.
Wertham reacted to horror comics' popularity with children by writing a book called "Seduction
of the Innocent,” which maintained that comics led to juvenile delinquency and even worse
behavior. Parents were understandably alarmed, and soon the Senate Subcommittee to
Investigate Juvenile Delinquency was taking a hard look at comicbooks. EC Comics publisher
Bill Gaines spoke before the Subcommittee, but was unable to convince them that his comics

were entertaining stories told in good taste. Ultimately, comicbook publishers adversely affected
by the negative publicity created the Comics Magazine Association of America which would
review comics and award a seal of approval to assure parents that the comic's contents were safe,
wholesome entertainment.
Unfortunately, it was too late for many publishers, as the negative publicity had so hurt sales of

comics that many comicbook companies went out of business. EC Comics, tried to hang in
there, but despite canceling their horror comics, and creating new titles such as "Valor” and
"Psychoanalysis,” only MAD comics, in a new magazine format, survived.
The question is, was TALES FROM CRYPT really all that bad? “Of course not!” Salicrup insists.
“Ironically, many of the original stories would be approved by today's revised Comics Code, but
sure, there were some stories that still wouldn’t get by. The point here is that the stories that
Papercutz will be creating will be aimed at readers age 10 and up. Instead of excessive blood and
gore, we’ll be sticking to the TALES FROM THE CRYPT tradition of stories filled with inter-

esting characters, lots of dark humor, and of course, the trademarked EC "shock” endings!"
But ultimately it’s you who will decide if we succeeded or failed. Send your comments to us at
salicrup@papercutz.com or to THE CRYPT-KEEPER’S CORNER, PAPERCUTZ, 40 Exchange
Place, Ste. 1308, New York, NY 10005. We'll run the most interesting comments in our next
issue, which is coming your way in just 60 days.
When reached for comment, The Crypt-Keeper said, "It's good to be back, boils and ghouls-
and it’s about time! Ahahahah!”
 CATCHUP WITH AMERICA’S
FAVORITE TEEN DETECTIVES!
zWi
NANCY DREW graphic novel #9

NANCY “Ghost In The Machinery”

By STEFAN PETRUCHA
and SHO MURASE

NANCY DREW MEETS

A HAUNTED TANK?
GHOST IN THE
MACHINERY Has Nancy Drew solved the world’s energy cri-
sis? On a mission, sponsored by young, rich, and
handsome Ralph Credo, Nancy teams up with
eccentric scientist Roy Hinkley, to find an amaz-
ing engine able to get 200 miles per gallon!
112 full-color pages, paperback:
$7.95 ($9.95 Can.)
1-59707-058-0 978-1-59707-058-4
Hardcover: $12.95 ($15.95 Can.)
1-59707-061-0 978-1-59707-061-4

Nancy Drew ® Simon & Schuster

THE HARDY BOYS graphic novel #9

“To Die Or Not To Die?”
By SCOTT LOBDELL
and PAULO HENRIQUE

EXIT STAGE LEFT— AND DIE!

At a nationwide drama competition, Frank
and Joe Hardy must go undercover to dis-
cover which contestant has been knocking
—
off the competition by any means possible!
112 full-color pages, paperback:
$7.95 ($9.95 Can.)
1-59707-062-9 978-1-59707-062-1
Hardcover: $12.95 ($15.95 Can.)
1-59707-063-7 978-1-59707-063-8

Hardy Boys ® Simon & Schuster

ON SALE NOW AT BOOKSTORES EVERYWHERE!

WWW. PAPERCTJT Z -COM
M£EO MOOt HORROR?,

COMIC SHOPS 6VERVWHERE AND WwW.KYLEBAKER.COH -

ANS FOR IT BV
 No one aives a crap who the v
scanner Is except the scanner
so stop worry in g and just scan!

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