Item Specifics

Series Name

House of Mystery (1951)

Issue Number

180

Publisher

DC Comics

Genre

Horror & Sci-Fi

Grade

5.0 VG/FN

Item Description

THE HOUSE OF MYSTERY began as a horror anthology comic, debuting in late 1950, featuring tales of the supernatural as well as supernatural-themed mystery stories. With the growing backlash against horror comics in the mid-1950s, as well as the advent of the Comics Code Authority and its restrictions on horror-themed storylines (banning stories dealing with such supernatural fare as vampires and werewolves), the series was quietly revamped into dealing with science fiction-type monsters and other mystery/suspense-type tales that were permitted by the Comics Code.

But with issue #174, the series returned to its original theme of horror stories. Issue #175 in 1968 would introduce a new figure to the series, CAIN, caretaker of the HOUSE OF MYSTERY, who would introduce the title's' stories.

Here in issue #180, inside a cover by NEAL ADAMS, you get the story "Comes a Warrior", both written and illustrated by GIL KANE (with a terrific inking job by the great WALLY WOOD), wherein a warrior seeks a great quest and believes he has found it in a dragon that is said to be menacing a village. He succeeds in slaying the dragon, but the animating spirit of the dragon reveals to him that the dragon was a guardian of the demon-temple, preventing the demons from escaping, and now because of the warrior's actions, they are free.

GIL KANE also illustrates ( and WALLY WOOD also inks) "His Name is . . KANE" , a very META tale by Mike Friedrich, in which GIL KANE goes to the HOUSE OF MYSTERY to write his own stories, but the editor pursues him, insults his penciling, and KANE kills him. But the editor and writer have their revenge by pulling Kane into a piece of his own artwork, which Cain comments "is exactly like what he's been drawing for 40 years" and hangs the framed picture on the wall of Room 13.

A third story, "Scared to Life!", by MARV WOLFMAN and featuring the art of BERNIE WRIGHTSON, is a gothic tale of frightful dreams come to life!

You also get a reprint story from earlier in HOUSE of MYSTERY's 1950s run, an illustrated story page, and 3 pages of cartoons by world-famous cartoonist SERGIO ARAGONÉS - all packed into this great 36-page issue!!

This is a nice copy of HOUSE OF MYSTERY #180 (the last 12¢ issue!) - it has a strong binding, good color, and no tears, pieces missing or ragged page edges. There is a long mild diagonal crease on the front cover, and a small nick in the edge.

We conservatively grade this copy a 5.0 VG/FN . . and The Overstreet Price guide gives it a value of $24. We can do better than that -- it can be yours for $18 (by FAR the best value for this issue here on HipComic!), with our always-L•O•W shipping cost as a bonus!

Seller Information

Seller

bennettoons (942)

Registered Since

05/07/2005

Feedback

99.6%

Store

Benny's Comics Corner

• Sales

Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

United States

Shipping Instructions

We can only ship to US addresses . . but our shipping and handling costs are low, LOW, L•O•W !! All comics are sent by First Class or Priority mail and include tracking! Just check your 'BUYING' invoice, and follow your purchase on its way to you! All comics sent securely with tracking numbers -- just check your 'MEMBERS AREA' under 'BUYING' to follow their journey on their way to you!!

Returns Accepted

Yes

Returns Policy

We will happily send you a refund if you are not completely satisfied with your purchase -- just let us know the reason why, send it back to us in the same condition it was sold, and we'll refund your purchase price.

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