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Ghosts, #81 British

Published: October 1979

Cover

Ghosts #81

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Issue Contents:
The Unburied Phantom!
1 page horror-suspense

"From beneath the streets it came..."

Storyline

The skeletal remains of Lou Bolton rise up from a cement trough to take revenge on his killer, Charlie Ford.

Characters
  • Lou Bolton (as a skeleton)
  • Charlie Ford
  • other construction workers and onlookers
Credits
Story Notes

Colors credit provided by Anthony Tollin.

Ghosts and the Supernatural
Story 1 1 page horror-suspense

"Supernatural occurrences are usually associated with only shadowy, phantom-haunted regions, such as gloomy lagoons, or dank cellars."

Storyline

A discussion of ghosts and phantoms of Washington, DC.

Characters
  • various ghosts
  • office cleaner
  • tourists
  • congressman
Credits
Story Notes

Introductory page.

The Specter Struck Twice
Story 2 8 pages horror-suspense

"Thwarted in his terrifying moment of vengeance, how long would it take until... The Specter Struck Twice"

Storyline

In 1908, Dr. Koerner murders Dr Glick so that he can take sole credit for Glick's research and experiments. When Glick's ghost rises from its corpse to exact revenge on Koerner, the vengeful spirit is returned to its body by the powers of a passing gypsy. Koerner's troubles begin when he scornfully declines to adequately compensate the gypsy for the saving his life.

Characters
  • Dr. Koerner
  • Dr Glick
  • gypsy
  • police inspector
  • police officer
  • chancellor of Angsburg Medical College
  • various medical students
  • horrified spectators
Credits
Story Notes

The title is worked into the story's first line. George Kashdan's script credit is given as "researched by".

Wonder Woman Saves the Astronauts
Story 3 1 page superhero
Storyline

Two returning shuttle astronauts are unable to locate Earth until Wonder Woman lays a trail of Hostess Fruit Pies for them to follow.

Characters
  • Wonder Woman
  • two astronauts
Credits
Story Notes

Hostess ad featuring comic book characters. Between pages 7 and 8 of previous story.

Take a Terrifying Trip Through the... Time Warp

Featuring DC Comics; Time Warp

Story 4 1 page science fiction

"#1 is here!"

Credits
Story Notes

DC Comics house ad for the first issue of Time Warp, a science fiction anthology title. The cover of Time Warp (DC, 1979 Series) #1 is reproduced. Between pages 7 and 8 of previous story.

Unburied Phantom
Story 5 3 pages horror-suspense

"He could find a grave for his victim's corpse -- but what could he do about the -- Unburied Phantom"

Storyline

In 1974, construction worker Charlie Ford murders his foreman, Lou Bolton, and dumps his body in a cement mixer, after Bolton learns of Ford stealing money from the company safe.

Characters
  • Lou Bolton
  • Charlie Ford
  • other construction workers
  • construction company bosses
Credits
Story Notes

The title is worked into the story's first line. George Kashdan's script credit is given as "as told to".

Here it Comes -- the First Comic to Reach the Magic Number -- 500!

Featuring DC Comics; Action Comics

Story 6 1 page superhero

"And what an Action issue it is!"

Storyline

Supergirl and Lois Lane introduce Superman to his "life story" as published in Action Comics (DC 1938 Series) #500 (October 1979).

Characters
  • Superman [Clark Kent]
  • Lois Lane
  • Supergirl [Kara Zor-El]
Credits
Story Notes

DC Comics house ad for Action Comics #500. Reproduces the cover illustration for the issue. "The Biggest Blockbuster to Hit Comics Since Action #1 goes on sale July 19th!" Middle left page of centerfold. Between pages 1 and 2 of previous story.

Make Mystery Your Thing...

Featuring DC Comics; Ghosts; House of Mystery; Secrets of the Haunted House

Story 7 1 page horror-suspense

"It is your destiny... DC mystery comics are in your future..."

Characters
  • Destiny
  • Cain
  • Abel
Story Notes

DC Comics house ad for Ghosts, House of Mystery, and Secrets of the Haunted House. Reproduces cover illustrations for each title. Between pages 1 and 2 of previous story.

The Little Books that Pack a Big Punch!

Featuring DC Comics; DC Digest Comics

Story 8 1 page

"DC Digest Comics"

Characters
  • Batman [Bruce Wayne]
  • Jonah Hex
Credits
Story Notes

DC Comics house ad for digests featuring Batman and Jonah Hex. Reproduces the cover illustration for The Best of DC (DC, 1979 series) #2 (November-December 1979) and Jonah Hex and Other Western Tales (DC, 1979 series) #2 (November-December 1979).

An Echo from the Tomb!
Story 9 5 pages horror-suspense

"A treacherous killer might have eluded justice but for a vengeful voice that rang out as "An Echo from the Tomb!""

Storyline

In 1955 Oklahoma, ranch hands Vince Rand and Jake Dahl kidnap ranch owner Tom Collier in order to force him and his brother, Ken Collier, to sell the Collier Brothers Circle-Bar-X Ranch to them. During a scuffle, Vince Rand shoots and kills Tom Collier and wounds fellow kidnapper Jake Dahl in the process. Jake dies but not before making a tape recording for Ken Collier, detailing the events surrounding the murder. Jake's ghost appears to watch his killer hanged.

Characters
  • Vince Rand
  • Jake Dahl
  • Ken Collier
  • Tom Collier
Credits
Story Notes

Though the story takes place in the explicitly identified year of 1955, Jake's deathbed account of the murder is taped by Ken Collier on a late-1970s style cassette recorder boom-box with dual large round speakers in either end. Perhaps anything is possible when ghosts are involved. The title is worked into the story's first line. Carl Wessler's script credit is given as "researched by".

Voice of the Telephone Phantom
Story 10 1 page horror-suspense

"For many years, Dr. Paul Geist has traveled the world over, seeking evidence of a life beyond the world we know, of a world beyond our sight."

Storyline

Janet Drake's deceased husband, Brad, warns her of impending danger via a non-working phone.

Characters
  • Dr. Paul Geist (host)
  • Janet Drake
  • Brad Drake
Volume 79 Issue 28 - Week of July 2, 1979
Story 11 1 page

"Action Comics Hits #500!"

Storyline

Preview of Action Comics (DC 1938 Series) #500.

Characters
  • Superman [Clark Kent]
  • Lois Lane
  • Supergirl [Kara Zor-El]
  • Jimmy Olsen
  • Perry White
Credits
Story Notes

The Daily Planet page shares space with "Ask the Answer Man", "Direct Currents", and a satirical Hembeck comic strip featuring Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen and Perry White (the latter indexed separately).

What Not to Call Perry White (1)
Story 12 0 pages

"Jeepers! Mr. White has a new job??"

Storyline

Perry White teaches Jimmy Olsen the proper way to address him in his new job.

Characters
  • Lois Lane
  • Jimmy Olsen
  • Perry White
Credits