House of Mystery #174 is an issue of the series House of Mystery (Volume 1) with a cover date of May, 1968. It was published on March 14, 1968.
Synopsis for "The Wondrous Witch's Cauldron"
This story is reprinted from House of Secrets #58.
An enchanted witches cauldron lies at the bottom of a river as it proclaims that it can bring wealth and fame to its possessor. The cauldron was originally created in England by a witch named Drusilla. She orders the cauldron from a blacksmith, but she never gets the chance to pick it up. The witch is apprehended and is drowned by locals in an effort to see if she was really a witch. The cauldron is then sold and used as part of a kitchen service. It is owned by an inventor who is presumed to be James Watt. Watt sits by his fireplace as he struggles to come up with a way to power his machinery. The cauldron beckons Watt to listen as it show him that steam has the ability to provide energy. Watt follows the idea and becomes world famous for his invention of the steam engine. Centuries later the cauldron finds itself in the Italian Valley during World War II. A group of American soldiers are fending off a group of Germans. The Americans are holed up in a church at the top of a hill as the Germans try to sneak up on them. A shower of rocks falls on top of the cauldron as it lies on the ground and makes a metallic bells sound. The sound is enough to warn the American soldiers who come out and defeat the Germans. The cauldron is then shipped to America where it serves as a collection kettle for charity. A thief attempts to hide his cash by dumping it in the cauldron with the intention of returning for it later, but he is then arrested by the police and the charity gets to keep the cash after six months of no one stepping forward to claim it. The cauldron is then dumped in a river where it lies to this day proclaiming that it can bring fame, fortune and long life.
Appearing in "The Wondrous Witch's Cauldron"
- Appearances not yet listed
Synopsis for "The Man Who Hated Good Luck!"
This story is reprinted from House of Secrets #17.
Appearing in "The Man Who Hated Good Luck!"
- Appearances not yet listed
Synopsis for "Museum of Worthless Inventions"
This story is reprinted from House of Secrets #13.
Appearing in "Museum of Worthless Inventions"
- Appearances not yet listed
Synopsis for Mark Merlin: "The Court of Creatures"
This story is reprinted from House of Secrets #43.
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Appearing in Mark Merlin: "The Court of Creatures"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Governor Tarsus (Single appearance)
- His costumed thugs
Other Characters:
- Prince Tarsus (Flashback only) (Single appearance)
- Rollo, a wizard (Flashback only) (Single appearance)
Locations:
- Principality of Cottswald
- 961 A.D.
Notes
- Starting this issue, House of Mystery changes genres from superhero to horror.
See Also