DC; December 1975-January 1976
Cover by Bernie Wrightson

Title: “Gunslinger”
Synopsis: A hitman who wishes he was a Wild West gunslinger finds himself in a gun duel with Death.

Writers: Bill Reilly and Guy Lillian
Penciler: John Albano
Inker: Vince Colleta

Review: DC used its Bronze Age mystery and horror titles as a training ground for new talent, and it’s not unusual to find a hidden gem within those pages. That’s not the case here. This lead feature is a by the numbers, EC style horror short with solid but unexceptional art. Professional caliber, but not much more.

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Title: “What Am I Bid?”
Synopsis: A beautiful but crooked art auctioneer finds herself in trouble at a private auction in the principality of Sakdar.

Writer: Arnold Drake
Artist: Tenny Henson

Review: Another competent tale without much inspiration. The flat, illustrative style of the art shows a hint of promise.

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Title: “The Stars, Like Pallbearers”
Synopsis: An astronaut wakes from suspended animation to find the crew drained of blood – and a vampire on board!

Writer: David Michelinie
Penciler: Ernie Chan (as Ernie Chua)
Inker: Bill Draut

Review: This final feature offers the most conceptual promise, but the art is a stylistic mismatch.

Grade (for the entire issue): C+

Cool factor: This otherwise average issue earns a plus thanks to that gorgeous Bernie Wrightson Halloween cover.

Notable: This issue includes a splash page by Steve Skeates and Nestor Redondo. Also includes a two-page ad for Pom Poms milk caramels featuring Tarzan drawn by Joe Kubert.
Collector’s note: According to MyComicShop.com, there is a Mark Jewelers variant of this issue.

Character quotable: “I like your kind of numbers, Mr. Nadaj! I’m your woman!” – Miss Peggy Marlowe, auctioneer and unwitting prognosticator

Copyright ©2025 Off the Wahl Productions, all rights reserved. Each week, T. Andrew Wahl offers up a Bronze Age Minute for Scoop. For more reviews like this one, check out Wahl’s website, offthewahl.com.