Cover art by Nick Cardy, DC Comics (1969). Photo courtesy of Almost Anything Opelika.
In 1969, DC invited readers to spend some time with The Witching Hour. Issue #2 shows how quickly the new horror anthology found its rhythm: a haunting Nick Cardy cover, a collection of unsettling tales, and the pleasure of wondering what the next page might reveal.
Cardy’s cover is reason enough to pick up the comic. It captures the theatrical appeal of a good mystery magazine, offering a glimpse of danger while leaving the worst possibilities to the reader’s imagination. Inside, a group of artists brings a range of styles to the stories, including Alex Toth, José Delbo, Jack Sparling, and Jerry Grandenetti.
One tale follows Bernard, who murders a colleague during a trip into the countryside. He escapes the scene, but he cannot escape the sound of his victim’s final scream. It is a fitting premise for The Witching Hour: the most frightening consequence may be the one a guilty mind carries home.
As just the second issue of the series, this comic has a particular charm for collectors. It comes from the beginning of a title that would become a familiar part of DC’s mystery line. Its 1969 publication date also places it near the transition from the Silver Age into the Bronze Age, making it an appealing bridge between comic eras.
A higher-grade raw copy lets you enjoy the original comic as readers first did, from Cardy’s cover through the last eerie page. Exact condition depends on the individual book, of course, but a well-kept early issue makes an eye-catching addition to a horror collection.
Turn out the lights, open The Witching Hour #2, and let DC’s storytellers do the rest.
Where to buy it
The higher-grade raw copy of The Witching Hour #2 pictured here is available from Almost Anything, 221 South 9th Street in downtown Opelika, which has specialized in comics and collectibles since 1992. It is listed at $199.99 as of Sept. 26. Buy it online from Almost Anything or call the store at 334-741-0808.
Almost Anything is an advertiser with the Opelika Daily News.
