House of Mystery #236 (October 1975, DC Comics) — VF 8.0
“Death Played a Sideshow” — Ditko & Wrightson in the Same Issue
A beautifully preserved Bronze Age horror anthology, House of Mystery #236 captures DC’s mid-’70s resurgence in gothic, psychological, and supernatural storytelling. Featuring Bernie Wrightson on the moody cover and Steve Ditko interior art, this issue bridges the eerie elegance of the Silver Age with the darker, more introspective tone that would come to define House of Mystery’s later years under editor Joe Orlando.
Cover: Bernie Wrightson — Cain, the series’ sardonic host, presides over a haunting sideshow tableau in classic Wrightson chiaroscuro.
“Death Played a Sideshow” (8 pages)
Writer: David V. Reed (as Coram Nobis)
Art: Steve Ditko & Mike Royer
A mysterious carnival rolls into town, where a sideshow act promises an encounter with death itself. Ditko’s angular precision and Royer’s polished inks merge into an atmospheric masterwork of paranoia and punishment.
“Cain’s Game Room” (1 page)
Cartoon strip by Lore Shoberg — Darkly comedic filler showcasing Cain’s twisted sense of play.
“Deep Sleep” (9 pages)
Writer: Jack Oleck
Art: Paul Kirchner & Neal Adams
A haunting dreamscape horror story with stunning Adams figure work and an existential bent — one of the standout short horror tales from DC’s Bronze Age.
VF (8.0) — Bright colors and deep gloss with excellent spine integrity. One or two small ticks visible under direct light. Staples tight and secure. Interior pages off-white. Clean back cover with only minimal handling wear. Superb structural soundness and sharp overall presentation.
House of Mystery #236 (October 1975, DC Comics) — VF 8.0
“Death Played a Sideshow” — Ditko & Wrightson in the Same Issue
A beautifully preserved Bronze Age horror anthology, House of Mystery #236 captures DC’s mid-’70s resurgence in gothic, psychological, and supernatural storytelling. Featuring Bernie Wrightson on the moody cover and Steve Ditko interior art, this issue bridges the eerie elegance of the Silver Age with the darker, more introspective tone that would come to define House of Mystery’s later years under editor Joe Orlando.
Cover: Bernie Wrightson — Cain, the series’ sardonic host, presides over a haunting sideshow tableau in classic Wrightson chiaroscuro.
“Death Played a Sideshow” (8 pages)
Writer: David V. Reed (as Coram Nobis)
Art: Steve Ditko & Mike Royer
A mysterious carnival rolls into town, where a sideshow act promises an encounter with death itself. Ditko’s angular precision and Royer’s polished inks merge into an atmospheric masterwork of paranoia and punishment.
“Cain’s Game Room” (1 page)
Cartoon strip by Lore Shoberg — Darkly comedic filler showcasing Cain’s twisted sense of play.
“Deep Sleep” (9 pages)
Writer: Jack Oleck
Art: Paul Kirchner & Neal Adams
A haunting dreamscape horror story with stunning Adams figure work and an existential bent — one of the standout short horror tales from DC’s Bronze Age.
VF (8.0) — Bright colors and deep gloss with excellent spine integrity. One or two small ticks visible under direct light. Staples tight and secure. Interior pages off-white. Clean back cover with only minimal handling wear. Superb structural soundness and sharp overall presentation.
