House of Mystery #175 is an issue of the series House of Mystery (Volume 1) with a cover date of August, 1968. It was published on May 9, 1968.
Synopsis for "The Gift of Doom"
This story is reprinted from House of Mystery #137.
A stranger gives a cursed diamond to a man that will eventually result in his death. He first tries to rid himself of it by placing it aboard a rocket to space, but it blows up and falls back to him. Then he tries to fly a plane out over the middle of the ocean and drops it, but when he carves into a fish dinner at a restaurant, he discovers the diamond. He is then robbed at gunpoint and the thief becomes the victim of the diamond's curse as he is killed mysteriously.
Appearing in "The Gift of Doom"
Narrator:
- Cain (First appearance) (Host)
Featured Characters:
- Roger Steele (Single appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- An old stranger (Unnamed) (Single appearance)
- Sam Stevens (Single appearance)
Antagonists:
- Bobo Tillison (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Tom, a policeman (Single appearance)
Locations:
- House of Mystery (First full appearance)
- An undisclosed city
Items:
- Cursed Diamond
- Missile (Destroyed)
Vehicles:
- Plane
Synopsis for "The House of Gargoyles"
Two gargoyle statues suddenly appear on top of a guest house in a small town. Their appearances coincide with the arrival of a strange looking French man who works as a sculptor. The townspeople are aghast at the unsightly creatures and wonder about their origin. A little boy named Jimmy takes it upon himself to confront the French artist about the gargoyles and their story is revealed. The French artist reveals that he was extremely jealous of another artist named Francois. His own career is dwindling and his fiancée suddenly leaves him to be with Francois. The old French sculptor pays Francois a visit and sees him working on plans for a magnificent Gargoyle statue. He kills Francois and steals the plans for himself. With his dying breath, Francois warns that the gargoyle is cursed and will cause his death if the sculpture is brought to fruition. The old artist moves forward with creating the sculpture and even wins a major prize for his stolen work. Upon completion of the statue, it immediately comes to life and begins to terrorize the artist. It follows him everywhere he goes, and the gargoyle carries the artist away to his doom in the end.
Appearing in "The House of Gargoyles"
Narrator:
- Cain (Host)
Featured Characters:
- A French Sculptor (Unnamed) (Flashback and main story) (Single appearance; dies)
Supporting Characters:
- Jimmy (Single appearance)
- Francois (Dies in flashback)
Antagonists:
- Gargoyles
Other Characters:
- Samuel (Single appearance)
- Gregory the Gargoyle (First appearance)
Locations:
Notes
- A text story, "All Alone", also appears in this issue. Illustrated by Joe Orlando.
- Page 13 of this issue contains the single paged feature, "Page 13". Written by Joe Orlando and drawn by Sergio Aragonés. Reprinted in Showcase Presents: House of Mystery Vol. 1.
- "Cain's Game Room", three cartoon panels drawn by Sergio Aragonés.
See Also