American Comics Group had a horror title called Out of the Night that ran from February-March 1952 to October-November 1954 with 17 issues. These were pre-Code comics so they were pretty creepy. Written by Richard Hughes and drawn by masters like Al Williamson, Bob Forgione, Charles Sultan, Ken Bald and Frank Frazetta, these comics were as striking as anything EC ever did.
In two issues, Hughes set the action in the frozen North or parts not far from there. The first tale is “The Frozen Ghost” in issue #8 (April-May 1953). It was drawn by Al Camy. This tale is set in “the North Woods” which could be anywhere from Alberta to Alaska. Roy and Mary Wilson come to the shores of the haunted lake. Mary feels its ancient evil while Roy is skeptical.
Their native friend explains the history of the lake and how it is cursed by the Frost God who defeated the great chief Tehakumsa.
Later when the sheriff comes by they learn that a man has been murdered by the lake, frozen to death despite the summer temperatures. The next day proves a real scorcher so Mary goes for a swim. (I mean it’s only a haunted lake.)
The Frozen Ghost shows up and chases her into the house. An accidental fire frightens off the spirit. Roy packs for their departure because the train arrives in half an hour.
Mary can’t help herself and is lured back to the lake. The Frozen Ghost gets her this time. Roy returns to find her gone. His native friend tracks her to the shore. Roy is desperate to save her. His friend takes him to see a woman shaman who gives Roy a charm that must be used with the words “Ferro ka ambus”.
Armed thus, he dives to the bottom of the lake to find the entrance to the Frozen Ghost’s domain, a large ice cave. Inside he is attacked by frozen corpses, which he punches into pieces then a frozen bear. He kills this by using a giant icicle as a spear.
Roy is now ready to take on the Frozen Ghost, who is preparing Mary for freezing. Roy and the ghost wrestle but when Roy presents the charm and speaks the words the Frozen Ghost melts. The entire cave begins to melt so Roy and Mary swim to the surface of the lake, safe forever.
Richard Hughes returned to the north to try his hand at a cliche that dates back at least to Edgar Rice Burroughs’ “The Resurrection of Jimber-Jaw” (Argosy, February 20, 1937) , the frozen monster that is resurrected.
In issue #16 (August-September 1954) “Nightmare From the Past” features art by Bob Forgione. Doctor Callen, a famous biochemist has been searching the Arctic for evidence of a race of giants. His assistant Milo Garne is growing tired of the hunt when the next day they find a giant frozen in the ice.
They take the body back to civilization to fantastic headlines. An accident occurs while moving the body. It is dropped and the head is broken off its neck.
Dr. Callen saves the head by attaching it to a machine. The doctor and the giant talk. The giant begs to be put out of his misery. Callen agrees if the giant will give him information. The giant’s name is Toor, and he was the last of his race. He had gone to the north to escape the dwarf race (humans) and bury the treasures of his people when he was frozen in a storm.
Dr. Callen cuts their session short but Milo Garne returns to pump the giant for more info on the treasure. The head refuses to talk but Garne tortures him.
He says the treasure is in the locked vault, which Garne opens. Inside is the giant’s body, which can move without direct control. It picks up Garne and throws him out the window before doing the task that Dr. Callen did not, to end Toor’s life.
Richard Hughes isn’t creating anything new here with native legends and frozen cavemen. What surprises me isn’t that but how many comics, especially DC horror comics, would use these ideas again.
Continue on to Part 2….
