Pre-Code Classics: Strange Mysteries comic books issue 1

Volume 1 - 1st printing. "May 1953 to January 1954!" Collects Mysteries (1953-1955) #1-5.

This one's a wacky entry and no denying, with Canadian publisher Superior Comics coming into the four-color horror ring all gloved up and swinging fit to punch the lights out of anybody who stands in their way. They kicked off with Journey Into Fear, Strange Mysteries (as opposed to pretty straightforward and perhaps even slightly boring mysteries), and the one-word extravaganza that was Mysteries, the latter calling itself variously Mysteries (its legal title) and, on the cover, Mysteries Weird and Strange.

The earlier tales were bizarre and quirky and it's pretty clear that inspiration was in short supply that day. Good stuff though, Clancy, with pens, pencils and plots coming from, among others, Jay Disbrow and the Igor Shop: clear a space on the shelf pronto.

Hardcover, 184 pages, full color.

Cover price $45.99.

Volume 1 - 1st printing. "May 1953 to January 1954!" Collects Mysteries (1953-1955) #1-5.

This one's a wacky entry and no denying, with Canadian publisher Superior Comics coming into the four-color horror ring all gloved up and swinging fit to punch the lights out of anybody who stands in their way. They kicked off with Journey Into Fear, Strange Mysteries (as opposed to pretty straightforward and perhaps even slightly boring mysteries), and the one-word extravaganza that was Mysteries, the latter calling itself variously Mysteries (its legal title) and, on the cover, Mysteries Weird and Strange.

The earlier tales were bizarre and quirky and it's pretty clear that inspiration was in short supply that day. Good stuff though, Clancy, with pens, pencils and plots coming from, among others, Jay Disbrow and the Igor Shop: clear a space on the shelf pronto.

Hardcover (with Slipcase), 184 pages, full color.

Cover price $55.99.

Volume 1 -1st printing. "September 1951-May 1952!" Collects Strange Mysteries (1951-1955 Superior) #1-5.

Canadian publisher Superior Comics arrival into the four-color horror ring all gloved up and swinging fit to punch the lights out of anybody who stands in their way with a collection of bizarre and quirky tales!

From #1, "The Living Corpse" where a wife has dreams about a man dead for 10 years. Her husband makes a deal with the devil to bring the corpse back to life. The corpse kidnaps his wife. The husband gets the wife back, but is shot by her. She then loses her soul to the devil. And from #5, "Blood of the Zombie" where a man asks to be embalmed because a zombie colony will think that he has white blood and thus believe him to be a god. The colony of zombies makes his wife kill him.

Hardcover, 184 pages, full color.

Cover price $52.99.

Volume 1 -1st printing. "September 1951-May 1952!" Collects Strange Mysteries (1951-1955 Superior) #1-5.

Canadian publisher Superior Comics arrival into the four-color horror ring all gloved up and swinging fit to punch the lights out of anybody who stands in their way with a collection of bizarre and quirky tales!

From #1, "The Living Corpse" where a wife has dreams about a man dead for 10 years. Her husband makes a deal with the devil to bring the corpse back to life. The corpse kidnaps his wife. The husband gets the wife back, but is shot by her. She then loses her soul to the devil. And from #5, "Blood of the Zombie" where a man asks to be embalmed because a zombie colony will think that he has white blood and thus believe him to be a god. The colony of zombies makes his wife kill him.

Hardcover (with slipcase), 184 pages, full color.

Cover price $63.99.