The Atlas Comics Library No. 6 Shiver As You Read! (the Fantagraphics Atlas Comics Library)

The 1950s boom in horror comics saw Atlas Comics’ entrée into the genre. Beginning in March 1952, Amazing Detective Cases began detailing cases where justice was served in supernatural fashion and beginning in May 1953, the adventures in Men’s Adventures were taken over by ghosts, murderous revenge, and psychological terror. The cream of Atlas’ artistic line-up — including recent EC stars and future Marvel staples – rose to the grisly challenge of the horror genre. Each issue is crammed with four condensed tales of creeping dread, ironic comeuppance, or startling twists, all from a different artist or team.

Among the short, sharp shocks included in this volume are the mini masterpieces “The Eerie Escape” by B. Krigstein, “The Torture Master!” by Russ Heath, The Drowning Witch” by Reed Crandall and “The 3rd Corpse” by Bill Everett. Stories by Gene Colan, John Romita, Joe Sinnott, Dick Ayers, Jim Mooney, Paul Reinman and George Tuska, all of whom remained through the shift to Marvel Comics, additionally fill out these issues, along with Atlas regulars Fred Kida, Mort Lawrence, Mike Sekowsky and Myron Fass. Notably included is the first appearance of “Gorilla Man” by Robert Q. Sale, a character brought back in Marvel’s contemporary Agents of Atlas series, and part of their ongoing continuity.

Collecting Amazing Detective Cases #11-14 and Men’s Adventures #21-26, Shiver As You Read! is a perfect companion to Adventures Into Terror, Venus, and the other titles of the Atlas Comics Library.