House of Mystery #185: "The Beautiful Beast" (Al Williamson art)

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House of Mystery started out as a horror anthology, featuring tales of the supernatural as well as supernatural-themed mystery stories. However, with the growing backlash against horror comics in the mid-1950s, as well as the advent of the Comics Code Authority and its restrictions on horror-themed storylines (banning stories dealing with such supernatural fare as werewolves, vampires, and such), the series quietly was revamped into dealing with science-fiction type monsters and other mystery-suspense type tales that were permitted by the comic code.

With issue #174, EC Comics veteran Joe Orlando was hired by DC to take over as editor of House of Mystery. As the Comics Code Authority was now being challenged by both DC and Marvel over content restrictions, the series returned to its overt horror themes. The first issue under Orlando would be a reprint issue of old horror/suspense stories, as the new direction would truly begin with #175 (July/August 1968). The issue would introduce a new figure to the series, Cain, the "able care taker" of the House of Mystery who would introduce nearly all stories that would run in the series before its cancellation.


Credits

Cover: Neal Adams
Script: Joe Gill
Pencils: Al Williamson
Inks: Al Williamson

Reprinted:

• in Showcase Presents: The House of Mystery (DC, 2006 series) #1.

Teen Titans #22: "Halfway to Holocaust!" (Neal Adams art)

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The New Teen Titans were introduced in DC Presents #26 and were given their own title in 1980. The new group included Robin, Kid Flash, an alien girl named Starfire, and a black youth named Cyborg. This title, with Wolfman scripts and Perez art, proved more popular than the earlier ones. It was in this book in 1984 that Dick Grayson shed his Robin identity to become Nightwing.

The magazine continued until early in 1984. Late in 1988, it changed its name to simply The New Teen Titans. In later incarnations it has been called Team Titans, the Titans, and Teen Titans.

Credits:

Cover: Nick Cardy
Script: Neal Adams
Pencils: Neal Adams
Inks: Nick Cardy

Reprinted:

• in Best of DC, The (DC, 1979 series) #18 (November 1981)
• In Showcase Presents (DC, 2006 series) #2

Teen Titans #21: "Citadel of Fear" (Neal Adams art)

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When the trio of sidekicks first teamed up in The Brave and the Bold #54 (June-July 1964) (Pictured inset), they didn't have a group name. They got together to help some small-town teenagers who'd run afoul of a supervillain named Mr. Twister while trying to get the stodgy town adults to build them a clubhouse.

The heroic trio returned in Brave and Bold a year later as the Teen Titans, with Wonder Girl added. After an appearance in Showcase, the group was promoted to a book of its own. Haney continued as scripter, but the excellent Nick Cardy took over as artist, providing striking interior art and a series of first-rate covers.

The membership fluctuated, with Green Arrow's Speedy joining in some issues and new characters such as Beast Boy (later known as Changeling) being added. The book halted with the forty-third issue in 1973, then returned for another ten issues from 1976 to 1978.

Credits:

Cover: Nick Cardy
Script: Neal Adams
Pencils: Neal Adams
Inks: Neal Adams

Reprinted:

• In Best of DC, The (DC, 1979 series) #18 (November 1981)
• in Showcase Presents: Teen Titans (DC, 2006 series) #2