Number 545


An Octeel for the Octomom!


George Tuska, another longtime veteran of the comic book wars, did the art for this science fiction short from St. John's Amazing Ghost Stories #16, the last issue of that title. Dated February 1955, it was also one of the last pre-Code comics. Comics with early '55 dates and no Code seal were usually the last of their breed.

Since a science fiction story in a ghost story comic book is about as out of place as an octeel in your bathtub, I believe "The Tentacles of Death" was an inventory story. As unassuming as it seems to us now, it was probably used because they knew it wouldn't pass the new Comics Code without changes.