Journey Into Mystery – Volume 02 Issue 01

“Dig Me No Grave!”

Dan Kirowan fled the decrepit mansion of his friend John Grimlan as the old man lay dying from some unknown illness. The sight of the moribund man did not unnerve Dan as much as the words escaping from his demented lips. It was a strange chant, calling forth a deity worshiped ten-thousand years ago during the last age of Acheron. But, he had no knowledge of this thing.

Christianity had destroyed all references to the elder gods, and set forth to punish anyone who kept their secrets alive for another generation to learn. Only those like John Grimlan, who thrived in the occult, knew of such creatures. For Dan Kirowan, he would soon face the evil his friend had unleashed from time immemorial.

“House!”

Jim Statin had walked three miles in the pouring rain that evening looking for shelter. His sales trip had not been very lucrative this year, and now his car broke down, leaving him stranded on the side of the road. Well, there goes this year’s sales bonus.

He reached the old mansion overlooking the highway around 10 pm that night. The house itself was abandoned, but with the relentless downpour, Jim had little choice but to explore further inside. Over the next few hours, the salesman from Kentucky would regret ever stepping foot in that bizarre place.

“You Show Me Your Dream – I’ll Show You Mine!!”

The same nightmare visited Mark Russell each night since the murder. A tall skeletal figure stood over him, speaking the same words over and over. An unknown beauty looked on from the background.

“You have committed the ultimate crime, Mark Russell! You have taken a man’s life and for that you shall pay!” The skeleton cackled in harsh tones. “It is she who has been chosen! It is she who has become the Angel of Retribution –!”

Across the city, Laura Warmer sat up in bed. Cold sweat dampened her entire body. Why is she seeing the same dream each night? Was she going crazy? Who was the man the skeleton kept pointing at? If she could only get a decent night’s sleep, maybe then she would shake this dark obsession. That would not come to be.

Reviewer Notes

Marvel Comics launched Volume 02 of its popular horror series Journey Into Mystery in 1972. This time, editor Roy Thomas had brought in the next generation of artists to update the look and feel of the books. With such greats as Jim Starlin, Mike Ploog, and Tom Palmer, the product was well produced for the limited run the series received.

Nineteen issues was not a bad run for the time. Unfortunately, by the early 1970s the traditional horror anthology layout had become unpopular, being replaced with long form stories with recurring characters. I admit, I’m not a fan of anthology books myself, but there was a market for it, so I can understand.

Issue one had some nice ideas, and the Robert E Howard short story adaptation was well done for what it was. I’m giving this introductory issue of Journey Into Mystery a solid four out of five stars. The art alone is worth the purchase. Go get it if you can.

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