Issue 5 (August 1971)
67 Pages
First published back in August of 1971, ‘Nightmare: Issue 5’ from US comic publisher Skywald Publications, was a bi-monthly comic magazine, with each issue containing a collection of horror comic stories along with a horror related article and readers’ write-in mail.
The magazine was published every two months and ran for a total of twenty-three issues (from December 1970 until the last issue which was dated February 1975). Although, many of the comic stories printed within the magazines were reprints from previous publications.
It should also be noted that issues of Skywald Publications’ ‘Nightmare’ (US) could be confused with Top Sellers Publications’ monthly ‘Nightmare’ comic (a UK reprinting) which shared the same cover art and title logo. However, the Top Sellers ‘Nightmare’ comic ran for only three issues (all of which were undated), alongside UK reprints of some of the related ‘Psycho’ comics (again with the UK versions only running for three issues).
The UK Top Sellers’ ‘Nightmare’ magazine reprinted many of the comic stories contained within the Skywald magazines, although the Top Sellers magazines did not reprint the articles.
This issue contains the following comic stories:
Slime World – 10 Pages
Sid L’Seurmonst and his new bride, Susie L’Seurmonst, had decided to take a tour of the Paris Sewers whilst on their honeymoon. After all, it was said that the sewers held countless fascinating secrets which was sure to pique their interest. A labyrinth of mystery and intrigue. However, whilst on the tour Susie decides to take a detour away from the other sightseers, to follow a different guide who’d beckoned the couple away from pack. Although this wasn’t an exclusive secondary tour they’d stumbled upon. Before they knew what was going on, they were trapped and surrounded by a horde of ghastly mutant beings. A race of mutants residing in the depths of the sewers, living off the flesh from those who unknowingly ventured down into the domain of their Slime World…
Oh, what an opening story! A wonderful cross between Gary Sherman’s ‘Death Line’ (1972), Christopher Smith’s ‘Creep’ (2004), Jeff Long’s ‘The Descent’ (1999) and ‘The Toxic Avenger’. In fact, if you’ve seen the ‘Futurama’ episodes where the Planet Express crew encounter the society of sewer mutants, then think that, only with the mutants being vicious cannibals! The mutants are also an ancient society, whereby the fumes within the sewers have not only mutated them but also kept them alive for hundreds of years. And now we have this newlywed couple from the US who’ve been captured by these sewer dwellers. It’s frigging great comic book horror jazz. So, much fun, and with a delightfully dark ending. Furthermore, the artwork throughout is some of the best I’ve seen. Absolutely brilliant!
The comic was written by Chuck McNaughton with the artwork by Ralph Peese.
Whence Stalked The Werewolf – 6 Pages
The startling new techniques in the field of psychotherapy that Dr Allan Bund had discovered had made him a particularly controversial figure. However, Bund’s colleague, Dr Tracy, was deeply concerned with what might happen with the psychotherapist’s new patient. Hypnosis on the patient appeared to have unlocked a connection with a time in the past. A vivid memory recalled from over a century ago, in London, reliving a time when the man was a werewolf. The problem was, this appeared to be more than just a fantasy...
We’ve all come across many horror and/or sci-fi stories which deal with hypnosis and unlocking memories from the past – sometimes like here – including the distant past. However, the combination of this with the whole 19th century werewolf plot makes for a particularly interesting spin on the theme. However, to be honest, here there’s perhaps a tad too much ‘psychologist drama’ and too little ‘werewolf shenanigans’ to give the comic much oomph. In fact, it’s all quite tame, with the majority of the tale taken up with the two psychotherapists squabbling amongst themselves. It does have quite a fun twist ending though.
The comic was written by Len Brown with the artwork by Carlos Garzon.
The Doom Star – 10 Pages
The arrival of the Doom Star comet within the night sky created a mass of panic. It was the Dark Ages and so astronomy was only in its infancy. People didn’t understand what was happening. Why a new star could be diminishing the light of all its neighbouring stars. Across France, Berthold had been making his way on horse, moving from village to village, observing the effects of the Doom Star upon the frantic communities. Watching the ripple effect of panic, with blame for this terrifying turn in events being thrown upon innocents. Those deemed responsible, burnt at the stake. Berthold came across one young woman, clearly of noble blood, about to be sacrificed by the ignorant peasants. The valiant knight had to stop this madness. He had to bring an end to the barbaric sacrifices. But first, he must rescue this fine maiden…
This is a funny one. It starts out like a cheesy, knight in shining armour style comic story with a damsel in distress from the persecution of a load of paranoid peasants. A sort of ‘Witchfinder General’ (1968) vibe going on with the whole thing. Then things get funky. Suddenly we have a trio of weird gargoyle like mutants rock up, promising to end Berthold’s days. One’s a sort of birdman, another a reptilian thing, and the third is akin to a man-sized octopus. Yeah, this has suddenly taken a turn towards sci-fi pulp wackiness! But it all has a point. A sort of moral lesson behind it which the writer goes to great lengths to hammer in. It’s all a bit cringe. Nevertheless, a relatively entertaining comic story.
The comic was written by Chuck McNaughton with the artwork by Sean Todd.
Creature Of The Deep! – 12 Pages
Over the years the world’s oceans had been subjected to increasing volumes of pollution. And then the Black Plague hit, sending humanity into a spiralling abyss. Desperate to save the sea life within the now stagnant waters of the world, the government grants Professor Howard Daniels – the most famous marine biologist in the world – with a million dollars to fix the problem. Together with renowned Marine Biologist and Commander Ned Stormfield, the pair set sail to dump barrels of Radioactive Protoplasm into the ocean, in a desperate hope of regenerating life into the stagnant water. And regenerate life they did! Vast armadas of gigantic, mutated sea-creatures, the likes of which have never existed before. Dear God, what destructive power has humanity now unwittingly unleashed upon itself?...
Oh boy, is this a beauty! A sort of cross between ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Seas’ (1871) and the ‘Godzilla’ franchise! It’s utterly over-the-top B-Movie style Creature Feature madness, with vast schools of mutated sea-creatures waging war against humanity. All because of our own stupidity with polluting the oceans and then creating these beasts in our attempts to rectify the ecological disaster. There’s even some cheesy-ass social commentary thrown in, with Professor Daniels only allowed to spread a ‘good news’ story across the news broadcasts during this near-apocalyptic madness. Oh, yes, it’s got it all in there. Quite simply a brilliant Monster Movie style comic story.
The comic was written by Chuck McNaughton with the artwork by Jack Katz.
Nazi Death Rattle – 9 Pages
The news of another murdered Nazi officer sent shock waves through the German Army Boot Camp. Oberst Hans Snookler had no choice now but to call in the S.S. for assistance. He knew informing the higher powers would likely fall badly on his shoulders. That it might suggest incompetence. Especially with rumours amongst the soldiers of a vampire on the loose now rife. But the Oberst never expected himself to be in the firing line. Never thought his Austrian heritage might put him under scrutiny for the murders. Stripped of his rank and placed into Nazi custody. All the while, the true murderer remains at large…
Who doesn’t love a good WWII horror story? Here we have the ruthless S.S. taking command of a German Army Boot Camp because of a string of murders. The rumours of a vampire come to our attention early on, and with us knowing this is a horror comic, we already expect the rumours to not necessarily be groundless. What follows though is a surprisingly graphic depiction of Nazi brutality, with torture and arrogant dominance served up as the main dish of the day. It’s a cracking story, with the harshness of Nazi history used to full effect. It also has an excellent ending too!
The comic was written by Al Hewetson with the artwork by Serg Moren.
Within The Torture Chamber! – 8 Pages
The girl was unable to deny the accusations presented to her, or even scream in pain, whilst the judge’s sadistic sentence was undertaken. She was unable to make a sound because her tongue had been cut out a number of days ago. The age of inquisition was a harsh and brutal one. The sentences cast down by the judges, and then enacted by the executioners, were the thing of nightmares. Endless hours of unrelenting torture. Unspeakable pain stretched out for excruciating lengths of time. A judgement for being in league with Satan was worse than any death sentence. Judge Hernadez Fuerte knew this. However, the evidence against Elena Calcin was enough to satisfy him of her crimes. That is, until the judge overhears the muttered confession of a nobleman named Don Alexandrew Guisante, from within the gloomy depths of the inquisitory chamber. Guilt ridden words which change everything…
We’re back into the turf of the ‘Witchfinder General’ (1968) again. Here the story utilises the sadistic degrees of torture undertaken by the Spanish Inquisition during the sixteenth century. It’s the usual agonising nastiness unleashed upon a prisoner based on unfounded evidence and vague rumour. For this young woman, the claims of witchery are grounded in desire and envy. The end result is a story depicting an absurd trial, hellish torture, devious treachery and eventual bittersweet comeuppance. That said, there’s not actually that much action within the story. Nevertheless, high-stakes drama is certainly there. The ending is solid, although somewhat predictable. Nevertheless, a solid story of torture, deceit and retribution.
The comic was written by Kevin Pagan with the artwork by Doug Wildey.
This issue also contains the following article:
Great Men Of Horror Films: Boris Karloff – 4 Pages
Allan Asherman takes us into the world of the horror film. In this issue he delivers a write-up about the legendary actor Boris Karloff, detailing his upbringing, early years in acting, and about how Karloff secured the role of the monster within Universal’s new ‘Frankenstein’ movie.
