80-Page Thursdays: House of Mystery #255!

I wasn't sure I had enough Thursdays left in October for another one, but also wasn't sure I had another one; but in the same pile, sure enough! From 1977, House of Mystery #255. Cover by Bernie Wrightson.

Another framing sequence in this one, as the House is crashed by first a gaggle of "Hollywood" monsters, then reporter Harvey H. Harvey. Despite being ready for bed, Cain is forced to entertain them, opening with "Small Wonder." In 1915, just before Christmas, young Danny is sent to the state orphanage, which is of course run by the cheapest bastard available at the time. Still, Danny was able to change things, magically creating a tree, coal, and toys for the other kids. (Coal doesn't sound great, but it was cold! And he brings all three? Suck on that, Santa!) The orphanage director, Denning, then kills the accountant to keep the secret; and tries winning Danny over as a friend. Which works, and Denning is able to convince the gullible kid into making money for him. Still, after he tries to keep another witness quiet the cops are on him, and Denning runs to Danny to hide him, which he does, by swiping from "It's a Good Life" turning Denning into a jack-in-the-box. That hides him from the cops, but like we said, it was cold: another child had burned some wooden soldiers and a jack-in-the-box to stay warm, since he has assumed Danny could make more, right? Um...(Framing sequence written by Paul Kupperberg, pencils by Ric Estrada, inks by Wayne Howard; "Small Wonder" Written by Jack Oleck, pencils by Ernie Chan, inks by Vince Colletta.)

"The Evil Half" is another deal-with-the-devil number, although it's visually interesting, as the devil appears as Flo, a flapper girl, to tempt suicidal bookkeeper Homer with power and money and dames. Honestly, any one of them probably would've done for him. (Written by Jack Oleck, art by Rubeny.)

Then, "Sometimes Leopards Can..." with story and art by Gray Morrow: animal tamer Erik Braden is on top of his game and the world, but was constantly pushing to stay that way, struggling to find new animals for his act. In Africa, he's stricken by the dancer Fera, and tries to buy out her contract...or her, if it came to that. Fera's manager reveals, she was actually a were-leopard, kept in check by the silver choker she wore; and he gives Erik the key; which is of course like giving him rope. Erik was mean to the animals, then jealous when they responded better to Fera; so he decides to unlock her choker: taming a were-leopard would be a great act, unless of course you got bit and turned into one yourself.

Next, a visit to Abel at the House of Secrets: unsure if he's speaking to the readers, an "imaginary friend," or no one; Abel opts to get a public relations guy for the HoS, and calls DC's own Mike Gold! Who doesn't have time for Abel's numbskullery, but maybe still helps. ("Is Anyone Listening?" Written by Jack C. Harris, pencils by Ric Estrada, inks by Wayne Howard.)

"When You Wish Upon a Star" is the cover story: the GCD notes, it was an older piece by Wrightson, and the story written later to tie into it. A somewhat incompetent witch has some skills and a helpful cat familiar, but can't conjure herself up a guy: her last attempt brings an unappealing creature from space, but he might have been incompetent himself! (Based on the Wrightson cover, written by Cary Burkett, art by Frank Redondo.)

"Bed of Roses" finds a young girl, Lila, rich after her parents' deaths, pursued by a small town reporter; who's using her for her money. After the reporter seems to get what he wants and disappears with a nightclub girl, Lila is seemingly left with only flowers to remind her, but on her deathbed confesses there was something more...(Written by Robert Kanigher, art by Alex Nino.) "The Killing" follows hack magician and gambler Mason the Magnificent, who accidentally kills his boss after he gets fired for missing too many shows, then flees into the jungle. Eventually collapsing, Mason is taken in by an unknown tribe, with a strange god, and ample gold jewelry; but while they know poker, they won't let him in the game, since his money was literally no good there. Mason uses his tricks, to finally convince the tribe he should be allowed to join, and the tribe leader lets him; although if you've ever read any of these you know Mason is just digging his own grave. (Written by Jack Oleck, art by Bill Draut.) 

 After the one-pager "The Victim," Cain still hasn't gotten anyone to leave, and opts to vacate for the graveyard, to see if he could get a good night's sleep there.