Resonant of Poe

The House of Secrets #149 (DC, December/January 1977/1978, 35 cents)
"The Rain Dance" Editing/Plot: Paul Levitz, Story: J. Cheever Loophole, Art: Bill Draut, Color: Liz Berube.

This eight-page story, following a one-page bookend drawn by Michael Golden, was written by Michael Uslan using a pseudonym. Racist residents of a small town in the supposed midwest go into the mountains to invade an Indian village and persuade the medicine man to help their struggling crops.

The shaman reluctantly dances, bringing on a rain of blood, as well as a large vampire bat—captured well on the cover by Mike Kaluta. The "blood-sucking spirit of death" targets the old and young, as well, prompting the townies to try to destroy the bat with fire. Instead, they destroy their town.



"The Evil One" Story: Jack Oleck, Art: Ricardo Villamonte, Color: Liz Berube, Editing: Paul Levitz.

Another eight pager, this story tells the tale of Paul Craven. After his uncle kills his father and gets away with the crime, the young man is raised by the "old miser." Seeking the assistance of Old Peg, a local witch, Craven eventually summons Satan and acquires his assistance killing his uncle in such a way that "no one will ever find his corpse."

The ending is a little resonant of Poe. When authorities find a body, Craven thinks it's his uncle and confesses. But, the body isn't his uncle's—it's someone else entirely, and Craven is institutionalized.

Publisher Jenette Kahn's publishorial "It's a Mystery..." discusses the late-'70s resurgence of horror and suspense titles. Bob Layton is featured in a DC Profile. A one-page "The House of Secrets Speaks" lettercol features four letters of comment.

Availability: Chances are good that this issue's material is included in House of Secrets: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1.