Ripley

Handy collection of tales from Gold Key's long-running Ripley's title, a few of them authored by the prolific Leo Dorfman (who also created DC's "true" horror title Ghosts). The art varies in quality, with Gold Key regulars like Frank Bolle representing the lower end of the spectrum and DC ace Luis Dominguez at the top. (Dominguez penciled and inked "The Dancing Strangler," about a British soldier lured into the ruins of an Indian palace by a bewitching beauty who is not what she seems. It's the spookiest story of the bunch.) Several stories were illustrated by Jack Sparling, who also split his time between Gold Key and DC and whose work had a jagged, off-kilter quality perfectly suited to the subject matter. ("The Fiendish Spectre," about a ghost that can inflict physical harm, is a particularly good example of Sparling's style.)

Remember, delicate reader: these horrifying tales of the supernatural were based on actual events! Okay, probably not. They aren't especially horrifying, either, but still a lot of fun to read during the Halloween season.… (mer)