Boris Karloff’s Gold Key Mysteries – Volume 01 Issue 02
My Rating
“Where House – Part 02 The Keeper Of Dreams”
Boris Karloff, the man and the actor, lived a most interesting life. One thing did haunt him though, the visions of the house. Throughout his career as a Hollywood mainstay, Boris made a fortune entertaining those who loved the macabre and romanticized death. It was only at the end of his life that he understood the true nature of his reality.
It was the house. It was always that house. Others would see it when asked in an attempt to clarify his sanity. Yet, how could the exact same Victorian be in different locations throughout the world? It was maddening.
Why is Hollywood’s most famous horror film star being chased by a house? Will it consume his stern wit and psychology? Who are the pale women dressed in white?
“Trenchfoot”
There are an infinite number of horrors awaiting us in the fiery pits of hell. In the trenches of 1916 France however, men would find new and inventive ways to bring those nightmares to life. With the coming new dawn, the battle hardened Tommies of 1st Battalion would face the most feared weapon of their age – chemical warfare.
“The Town With A Million Eyes”
Something was controlling them, this much she knew. Exactly when the presence intruded on the sleepy little town, Jenna was less certain. She did know that the force was only able to control a handful of people at one time. All the others within a certain radius of Jenna stood like motionless dolls. Their once living eyes now glowed in a dull indigo light.
Whatever this force was, it never seemed violent. In fact, just the opposite. Jenna knew she was being isolated from the outside world, but why. The only contact she had received from the outside world was in the form of a package. A package that contained a book of spells. Wait, what …?
What has taken over the citizens of Jenna’s small suburban community? Are these people even human anymore? Why don’t they want Jenna to leave the confines of the city limits?
Reviewer Notes
I admit I was a bit critical when reviewing issue #1 of Gold Key Comics release of “Boris Karloff Gold Key Mysteries”. It was my understanding that a group of artists had acquired the Gold Key company name and the rights to a limited number of properties. Boris Karloff was one of those in play again. To my knowledge Gold Key was going to just re-release the vintage line at a slow pace. So when the first issue hit the stands I was eager to see these time capsules in their original format.
The cover art was impressive, I had no grievance with that. The contents within, however, is where I felt a bit of buyer’s remorse. Inside the comic was no reprint, rather I found a low budget attempt at reproducing a comic book series that once was held to a much higher standard of artistry and production. I gave my rating and moved one.
Now after reading issue #2, I can report that the art quality has improved with the main storyline – that of Boris Karloff as the host of the book. The other two stories were very nicely done with interesting stories to match. However, there was one flub at the end of “Trenchfoot” that made things a bit confusing.
At the bottom of the page it states “Continues on page 26”, however page 26 is where the Boris Karloff story Continues. Was there more to the “Trenchfoot” story? I think there was either a mishap in editing or with the printer. I think the “Where House” stole a section of the book.
Overall, issue #2 is an improvement over the first. The new Gold Key owners have some work to do in order to fill the shoes of the once mighty Western Publishing Company. I’m giving this book three out of five stars.
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