Vault of Horror #16

Vault of Horror #16

  

Hello and welcome back to the 5th comic in the Vault of Horror Series! Next week I will begin looking at the Tales from the Crypt/Crypt of Terror series.

Werewolf Concerto
The first story in this comic would later be adapted into one of my favorite Tales from the crypt episodes of the same name. The story goes like this, Hubert Antone is the manager of a hotel in Hungary whose customers are being murdered by what appears to be a savage animal. The arrival of a strange pianist adds to the mystery, and things start getting hairy.

Spoiler Alert!!! As it turns out Hubert is the Werewolf and when he attempts to attacks the visiting pianst, who is also a celebrity, Hubery discovers a terrifying truth. The pianist is a Vampire!!! And she is hugry.


Overall I like this story alot, there is enough horror and a good twist at the end to keep you entertained. The only thing I do not like is that the story paints a picture of vampires being superior to werewolves, with is bullshit.

From the Tales From the Crypt Episode

Fitting Punishment
This story is an adaptation of the H.P Lovercrafts short story "In the Vault", later this would be a Tales from the Crypt (HBO) episode. To sum up the story, Stanley is an orphan who goes to the home of his miserly Uncle Ezra and assists him in his undertaking business. Ezra is a fanatic penny pincher and decides to kill his nephew in order to fill an unwanted coffin. He's a bit too tall for it though.

Spoiler Alert!!! Stanley mistakenly orders the wrong type of coffin to be made and in a fit of rage Ezra hits Stanley in the back of the head paralying the poor boy. Now confined to crutches Ezra see's no purpose for his nephew and decides to finish the job by pushing him down the steps. A few weeks later Ezra gets a visitor, it is stanley and he is back from the grave!!!

Not a bad story, Ezra is a really messed up character who is entertaining to watch. I think it is another strong entry.

The Grave Wager
Paul, Clyde and Roger attend a carnival where they see Pirro, The Wax Man who has the ability to stay completely still. Paul and Clyde plot to pull a practical joke on Roger by betting him that he could not spend an entire night in a room with a corpse (Pirro in actuality). When Pirro decides to scare Roger, the real horror begins.

Spoiler Alert!!! Roger murders Pirro in his terror with Paul and Clyde terrified as they are now accomplices in the gruesome act.

This is probably the slowest story of this comic and I personally did not care for it, but it's an interesting tale.




Escape!
The last and final story is hosted by the returning Old Witch.Pete Luger is a hardened criminal who serves in the prison's rockyard, lugging bricks back and forth. None of the prisoners know what they are constructing but are all curious. Tired of the back breaking day to day work, he soon hits upon the idea to stow himself away in a coffin and be driven out of prison in the hearse. Once he seals himself up in the casket, the heat is on.

Spoiler Alert!!! The efforts of construction are revealed as the new furnace for recently deceased corpses in an attempt to save money. So, Pete is headed staright to the oven, poetic justice.

Honestly I was not expecting this ending so I was caught off guard with increased this stories value in my eyes.

Overall this is one of the stronger comics in the VOH series and I would highly recommend picking up a copy if you get a chance.

And now I present my favorite panels from each story.

Werewolf Concerto

About to get his kill

Fitting Punishment

That is messed up hitting your nephew with a hammer

The Grave Wager

Reminds me of the scene straight out of Frankenstein (1931)

Escape!

He has it all figured out

Thanks for reading and join me next week for Crypt of Terror #17.

Credits

Cover Artist: Johnny Craig
Story Artists: Johnny Craig (Werewolf Concerto),  Jack Kamen (The Grave Wager), Graham Ingels (Fitting Punishment), Al Feldstein (Escape!)