House of Secrets #129 is an issue of the series House of Secrets (Volume 1) with a cover date of March, 1975.
Synopsis for "Almost Human"
An entomologist named Martha Kenyon explores the jungles of the Amazon in hopes of discovering the secret of Royal Jelly. Kenyon states that they might be able to wipe out sickness and old age with its use. As they explore, they encounter a number of strange creatures that resemble a combination of human and bee. Kenyon goes through great lengths to protect these creatures from harm. She even goes as far as murdering one of the expedition members as he is about to shoot one of the bee persons. At this point Kenyon admits that the real reason she seeks the jelly is to make herself look young again. The bee people attack the expedition and carry Martha off as their captive. Her wounded husband escapes and wakes up in a nearby hospital as he tells the authorities of Martha's abduction. They mount a search party and return to the jungle in search of the missing scientist. They soon discover the hideout of the bee people within a labyrinth of caves. Then, they find Martha in one of the bee cells. She had been transformed into a hideous bee queen figure as an act of kindness by the bee people for her efforts to protect them.
Appearing in "Almost Human"
Narrator:
- Abel (Host)
Featured Characters:
- Martha Kenyon (Single appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- Lloyd Kenyon (Single appearance)
- Grayson (Single appearance)
Antagonists:
- Bee People (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- A police captain (Single appearance)
Locations:
Items:
- Royal Jelly
Synopsis for "The Lottery"
A stranger from out of town gets on the wrong train to go to a business meeting and is told that he must wait until the following day for another train. He sees workman setting up a fifty-thousand-dollar lottery booth in the center of town and asks the ticket seller if he can buy a ticket. At first the ticket seller doesn't want to sell him one and tells him that it's a local thing, but he is very persuasive, and the ticket seller gives in. The man thinks with the rotten luck he's had today he could use some good luck. When a little girl draws his number, he's ecstatic that he won, though he doesn't quite understand why they ask for his family's address and not just give him the check. He's knocked over the head and wakes up bound in the cemetery. The town has made a bargain with a vampire to provide one victim per year in exchange for being left unmolested. The way the sacrifice is chosen is by holding a lottery where the winner's family receives fifty thousand dollars for their loved one's sacrifice.
Appearing in "The Lottery"
Narrator:
- Abel (Host)
Featured Characters:
- Bill Martin (Single appearance; dies)
Supporting Characters:
- Marion Martin, Bill's wife (Single appearance)
- Mayor Reilly (Single appearance)
Antagonists:
- A vampire
Other Characters:
- Richard Martin, Bill's son (Single appearance)
- Bill's daughter (Unnamed) (Single appearance)
- Conductor (Unnamed) (Single appearance)
- Hotel clerk (Unnamed) (Single appearance)
- Nellie Blaine (Single appearance)
Animals:
- Muffins, a dog (Single appearance)
Locations:
- Connecticut
- Plumber's junction
Items:
- Lottery ticket
Vehicles:
- Train
Notes
- This issue's gag feature, "Abel's Fables", was done by Sergio Aragonés.
See Also