House of Mystery #183 - Neal Adams cover, Bernie Wrightson, Wally Wood art

House of Mystery v1 #183, 1969 - During the seafaring age, two brothers on the same ship revel in killing whales for profit. Jerry Grandenetti's harsh, expressionistic style is laid bare in his first tale, but his second is more palatable, thanks to Wally Wood's inks. Bernie Wrightson's story (later reprinted in House of Mystery #229) covers the mysterious disappearance of an Australian mogul within a network of underground caves. At three pages, the work is is all too brief but competently drawn (see interior page above). Lastly, Neal Adams' whaling-themed cover achieves a ghostly effect by layering a monochromatic drawing. This is number 9 of 26 House of Mystery issues with Adams art and/or covers, number 2 of 7 House of Mystery issues with Wood art and/or covers and number 4 of 27 House of Mystery issues with Wrightson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Adams, Wrightson, Wood, or House of Mystery issues. See also this blog's Adams checklist, Top 10 Adams comics, Wrightson checklist, Top 10 Wrightson comics or Wood checklist.
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Adams cover pencils and inks = ***
"The Dead Can Kill" Wrightson story pencils and inks 3 pages = ***
"Secrets of the Whale's Vengeance" Wood story inks (Jerry Grandenetti pencils) 12 pages = ***
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House of Mystery #186 - Neal Adams art & cover, Bernie Wrightson art

House of Mystery v1 #186, 1970 - This unassuming bronze age issue boasts superlative art by both Neal Adams and Bernie Wrightson. The cover, featuring children around a statue of Pan, is thematically consistent with others in the same series. Adams' story of a lonely little girl and her mythical companion is a masterpiece. When her idyllic surroundings turn nightmarish, the artwork captures the tone and details perfectly. Similarly, Wrightson's tale of an immortal Egyptian cat is a breathtaking piece of work. A double page spread not only displays the story title, but an unforgettable sequence that transforms feline into human female. Not surprisingly, both tales have been reprinted several times over the decades. The interior page shown above is by Wrightson. This is number 12 of 26 House of Mystery issues with Adams art and/or covers, number 5 of 27 House of Mystery issues with Wrightson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Adams, Wrightson or House of Mystery issues. See also this blog's Adams checklist or Top 10 Adams comics, Wrightson checklist or Top 10 Wrightson comics.
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Adams cover pencils and inks = ***
"Nightmare" Adams story pencils and inks 12 pages = *****
"Secret of the Egyptian Cat" Wrightson story pencils and inks 10 pages = *****
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House of Mystery #176 - Neal Adams cover

House of Mystery v1 #176, 1968 - A pale hand cups the flame of a candle while a group of children press curiously against the window. On the table, a beetle mysteriously begins to emerge from its scarab. Despite a lot of compositional elements, Neal Adams creates a balanced and nuanced composition. Note how the flame moves from the smoke to the curtain and back down to the table in a circular path. Other artists in this issue include Sid Greene and Jack Sparling. This is number 2 of 26 House of Mystery issues with Adams art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Adams or House of Mystery issues. See also this blog's Adams checklist or Top 10 Adams comics.
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Adams cover pencils and inks = ***
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House of Mystery #185 - Neal Adams cover, Al Williamson art

House of Mystery v1 #185, 1970 - Making his way through a forgotten swamp, an escaped convict encounters deadly primeval reptiles and an evil priestess. This Al Williamson tale may have originally been intended for one of Warren's horror magazines. Regardless, the art is stunning in its detail and sophistication. Open and free-floating panels add depth to bold layouts, in turn enhancing Williamson's sharp, precision drawings. Some comic book guides credit story inks to Mike Kaluta, but I see no evidence of it. The same issue features a Wally Wood-esque story (drawn by imitator Wayne Howard) and a fine Neal Adams cover. This is number 11 of 26 House of Mystery issues with Adams art and/or covers, number 4 of 7 House of Mystery issues with Wood art and/or covers and number 1 of 1 House of Mystery issues with Williamson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Williamson, Adams or House of Mystery issues. See also this blog's Adams checklist or Top 10 Adams comics or Williamson checklist.
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Adams cover pencils and inks = ***
"The Beautiful Beast" Williamson story pencils and inks 11 pages = *****
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House of Mystery #181 - Neal Adams cover, Bernie Wrightson art

House of Mystery v1 #181, 1969 - In Bernie Wrightson's longest tale to date, a gentleman falls in love with ancient Egyptian princess, entombed in a sarcophagus for thousands of years. The artwork is dark, foreboding and magnificently rendered. Though he struggles with the last scene, most pages are adorned with beautiful brushwork and cross hatching. The title page splash (page 2) is awash in texture and agedness. Equally stunning is the fatal lightning strike (page 5) of an ancient barbarian suitor. Neal Adams carries the Egyptian theme to the cover, where children disturb the tomb of an unseen creature. This is number 7 of 26 House of Mystery issues with Adams art and/or covers and number 3 of 27 House of Mystery issues with Wrightson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Adams, Wrightson or House of Mystery issues. See also this blog's Adams checklist or Top 10 Adams comics, Wrightson checklist or Top 10 Wrightson comics.
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Adams cover pencils and inks = ***
"Siren of Satan" Wrightson story pencils and inks 10 pages = ****
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