Something Spooky: Approach ‘The Witching Hour!’ #67

We’re continuing our look at spooky comics of yesterday with a deep dive into one of DC Comics’ classic horror anthologies from Benjamin!

The cover art is by penciler Ernie Chan (under the alias Ernie Chua) and inker Vince Colletta. It features suitable design work to help suggest the first story. Not to mention the inks are not overly heavy. While the use of black and blue hues for the barely lit setting is a nice choice by whomever the colorist is. Arguably, the amount of text just barely works since anymore would make the cover look way too busy.

The opening one page story featuring the three witches Mordred, Mildred, and Cynthia features the art of E. R. Cruz. Unfortunately, the rest of the creative team for this page is unknown. Though the writing is good for this horror adjacent gag strip the punchline may be too bawdy for some readers. However, that bawdiness is simply because of a certain implication one might take from the punchline. With the exception of Cynthia’s legs looking out of proportion, along with her right leg appearing about to break in the final panel the visuals are good. When it comes to placing the text the letterer does an okay enough job with the limitations on space.

“Those Whom Satan Hath Joined…” has art by artist Frank Redondo and another set of unknown collaborators. This tale features some heavy inking in certain places. Yet, the line work displays confidence, and the visuals are of a realistic style. The moral of the story is rather clear throughout the story, but it does see setting like a nail with how the narrator Mordred spells it out in the last panel. When it comes to the script there are various aspects that are either non-sensical or unclear. Case in point, the story title is practically a misnomer seeing as it is unclear whether it is actually Satan or just a random guy.

“Dead Duck” is a three page short story from writer George Kashdan and artist Buddy Gernale. Yet, again the rest of the creatives are uncredited. There is some great draftsmanship on display in some panels, but most of the panels feature minimalism that is debatably weaker. Still, the proportions of the various elements are fine in execution. Speaking of a different kind of execution, this is a suitably horrific tale for those who fear death under a body of water.

“Food For Fear” is the final tale in this issue. According to the website Grand Comics Database Kashdan under the creative credit Jack Philips is the writer of this story. The art is by artist Abe Ocampo. There is no clue as to who the rest of the creative team is. As for the narrative it is the most solid with its setting, but the plot is not completely congruous with this title’s premise. It is possibly a decent enough horror story in terms of the visuals to make up for any shortcomings.

The Witching Hour #67 is available from DC Comics (though it may take a little searching through stormy seas).