The Rejected Robot!

While suffering inside an antique mall whose AC was on the blink yesterday, I also unwillingly heard what could quite possibly be the worst song of all time playing on their overhead speaker system. The song in question, --which would've been funny if it had been Weird Al, --was actually some lyin', honky tonkin', cuntry boy who seemed to be under the impression that some girl thinks his tractor is "sexy." Yes, you read that right. A sexy tractor. It was unbearable, and I almost ran from the antique mall screaming. So with that, here's a story about a robot on the loose, and in one panel we discover that he's destroyed a tractor-- hurrah! Annnnd *deep breath*, that's all I've got to say about that, as we delve into another Friday Frights Atlas classic, this time from the October 1954 issue of Mystery Tales #22, with art by Jack Abel. "Sexy tractor." wtf?!

Hedy's Hosts of Ghosts / Sandra the Star

A headless ghost in a haunted house, --and a Dracula cameo too! Wait a sec, has Friday Frights landed one day early, you ponder? Nope, just some nifty 50's comic book fun, when Timely / Atlas took a stab at doing the Torchy thing and occasionally came up aces. Hedy is a leggy blonde actress / model who's lookin' to score big in Tinseltown, even if it means taking on roles in a scary setting! Meanwhile, her fellow acting nemesis / redhead, Sandra, is always looking for a competitive gig with a bigger and better bite-- and this time she's definitely found it! The first story is from the August 1948 issue of Hedy De Vine Comics #28, while the hilarious back-up feature can be found in the May 1952 issue of Hedy of Hollywood #48, and yep, it's penned by 'ol Stan the Man himself. And never fear, a Friday Fright post is also on the way tomorrow too!

The Perfect Couple

Here's a funny little gag gift I received from Craig and Clizia before they departed US soil for a new life in Germany. Yes ladies and gentlemen, the perfect couple themselves have officially left the building. Auf wiedersehen, Yoe family-- until we meet again! 

Finders Keepers

You know Halloween is getting closer when the antique malls start looking a bit more black and orange. Some recent finds: a Ben Cooper vampire witch costume from 1972 (no box though), The Hunchback of Notre Dame on Super 8, as well as a very funny Mr. Magoo Super 8 for "Sloppy Jalopy." Tis the reason for my upcoming season! 97 days and counting...

Collector's Item!

Everyone following this blog (as well as THOIA) knows that Mr. Karswell is a collector of some highly unusual, very creepy things! But ooh boy, he's got nothing on the collection in this shiver inducing story from the December 1953 issue of Marvel Tales #119! Oh yeah, and happy Friday Frights, everyone-- need I even mention the attractive art by John Forte?!

Keyhole Cutie

Acquired this interesting little block of painted / carved wood this week, it's a kitschy piece of groovy 60's - 70's cuteness, and judging from the holes on the side edges, (likely meant for a piece of looped string), it was to be hanged or hung or hunged over a doorknob to give the illusion of peeping through a keyhole at a lovely young lady within the next room. And something tells me she knows you're looking! It also appears to have maybe been mounted on something originally as well... found nothing online for reference.

A Little Ass, or --Stop! You Will Get Me in Trouble

The novelty gag hits just keep a'comin', and you best tuck in that tongue, because the first one fools you with the 'ol one / two punch when you lift the box lid and see that you're not exactly getting the piece you were imagining, eh, amigo? Followed by a vintage ceramic mug I found for 50 cents that plays on the very popular one panel, adult mag gag comics of animalistic obsessions and danglin' bikini strings. Oh, who am I kidding, I like to pull the damn strings myself! (with nods to those old enough to remember the cute art of the puppy pulling down the bikini bottoms in the vintage Coppertone ads.)

"Cutting Edge of Rock"

 Friday Frights takes center stage this week to deliver a powerhouse shock rocker hit from the October 1989 indie issue of (lol) Tipper Gore's Comics and Stories #1. Illustrated by Ken Landgraf-- who actually used to follow THOIA years ago, though I'm not sure if he ever made it over here to AEET-- this is a rather slicing bit of commentary on the "gimmick" bands from back in the day. So get up, leave your seat, and move your feet to the beat of The Electric Dead, as they show you how their lurid light show can seriously become horrifically heavy. Turn it up, maaan...

Do-It-Yourself Go To Hell Kit

An awesome novelty gag gift box o'fun from 1964 (made by Golden's Magic Wand), and like the best of them, this Do-It-Yourself Go To Hell Kit implies one thing on the box lid, only to deliver something completely different, and ironically hilarious, once you open it. We're all heading that direction anyway, so why wait for a boring slow ending when you can go out explosively! CLICK HERE for some appropriate music while you pull the pin-- and thank you again, Slayla! XXX

Love That Pipe

Here's a cute little booklet from 1966 about loving your pipe. Funny, (though uncredited) illustrations accompany everything you ever needed to know about the subject, from picking and breaking-in your pipe, to cleaning, treating, and even caring for one that has become "sick." So enjoy a healthy pipe today, even if everyone around you is pinching their noses and making grimacing faces to your rather unhealthy little habit / hobby. (Please not that comments mentioning the "Prince Albert in a can joke" will not be approved.)

"Slow Glass" / Smash Gordon

Friday Frights takes yet another wild 'n weird turn this time around, and heads into the furthest reaches of space --and the imagination! And it's not so much "frightening" this week as it's more about finding something interesting as well as different, though still maintaining the good 'ol twist endings and top notch artwork. And it doesn't get much better than mean Gene Colan and fantastic Frank Brunner stories, along with some of the coolest painted cover art ever from killer Kelly Freas (those aliens are definitely worthy of a Friday Frights post), PLUS joltin' Joe Romita, and bad ass Boada! So, does anyone remember this great, but short lived, black and white adult magazine series from Marvel / Curtis? If not, here's your rockin' reminder. First story is from the September 1975 issue of Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction #5, followed by our second hilariously sexy feature from the January 1975 debut issue, aka #1!