House of Secrets #52 is an issue of the series House of Secrets (Volume 1) with a cover date of January, 1962.
Synopsis for "The Alien Trap That Backfired!"
Appearing in "The Alien Trap That Backfired!"
Featured Characters:
- Hank (Single appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- Dick March (Single appearance)
- Pete Mills (Single appearance)
Antagonists:
- Veeb, an alien criminal (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Alien lawmen (Single appearance)
Locations:
- High Point Mountain
- Twin Oaks Ridge
Items:
- Stun-ray guns
- Beacon (Destroyed)
Vehicles:
- Spaceship
Synopsis for "The Curse of the Kung Lo Diamond"
Three men experience life threatening misfortunes after purchasing pieces of a cursed diamond from a local Jewelry shop. A pilot by the name of Malcom is almost killed in his plane after purchasing a diamond pin from Logan Jewelers. Another man is almost crushed by a billboard sign after purchasing a small diamond ring for his wife from the same Jewelry store. Finally a man named Peal almost falls to his death down an elevator shaft after purchasing a stickpin from Logan's Jewelry. The events are investigated by a pair of detectives named Kirkland and James. Kirkland relates the story that a fabulous 25 carat diamond had been stolen weeks earlier from a jeweler named Harvey Weston. The detectives learn that the thief was named Red Martin. It was known as the Jung Lo diamond. It had been purchased centuries ago by a Chinese ruler named Kung Lo. His party was attacked by bandits and the gem was stolen from him. With his dying breath, Kung Lo cursed the diamond so that all who possess it would suffer terrible fates. The pair of detectives visit Logan and learn that he had purchased 5 diamonds from Red Martin. The detectives surmise that Martin had cut up the Kung Lo diamond into small pieces to make it easier to sell. The detectives conclude that they must stop Martin before he spreads anymore of the dangerous cursed stone to others. They quickly locate the criminal but shockingly find that Martin has died from an accidental gas poisoning. They search his apartment and find dozens of diamonds. When they weigh the diamonds they find that they add up to precisely 25 carats. The exact weight of the cursed Kung Lo stone. The detectives are puzzled because if the stone was cut up then some of the grains would have been lost in the process and it would have to weigh less than 25 carats. They quickly figure out that Martin had used other diamonds to throw the authorities off track while he kept the real Kung Lo stone for himself. The detectives quickly head to Logan's Jewelry store. They get him to confess that he was involved in the theft of the diamond. Logan admits that he was behind the thefts and had partnered with Martin to create those life threatening situation that his customers had experienced. Logan makes a desperate attempt to escape the detectives. He runs outside but is suddenly stopped by a downed powerline that was knocked down by the wind. He is immediately arrested.
Appearing in "The Curse of the Kung Lo Diamond"
Featured Characters:
- Bill Malcolm (Single appearance)
- Detective Kirkland (Single appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- Harvey Weston (Single appearance)
Antagonists:
- Red Martin (Mentioned only) (Dies)
- Mr. Logan (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Kung Lo's Emissary (Flashback only) (Single appearance)
- Peal (Single appearance)
Locations:
- An undisclosed city
- China
Items:
- The Kung Lo Diamond
Synopsis for Mark Merlin: "The Guardian Lion-Man"
Appearing in Mark Merlin: "The Guardian Lion-Man"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Count Tassini (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Prince Rufo (Single appearance)
- El Leone, the Lion-Man (Single appearance)
Locations:
- San Morro
Items:
- San Morro's Crown Jewels
- Saccovelli the sorcerer's bag
- Tiny bellows
- Lantern
- Small dagger
Notes
- "The Curse of the Kung Lo Diamond" is reprinted in The Unexpected #136.
- Other features appearing in this issue of House of Secrets include:
- "Peter Porkchops: The Secret of the Happy Pig!", a PSA written by Jack Schiff, drawn by Rube Grossman, and lettered by Ira Schnapp.
- "Moolah the Mystic" by Henry Boltinoff. Strip originally printed in House of Mystery #66.
- "Doctor Rocket" by Henry Boltinoff.
- "Mystery of the Disappearing Islands", a text story.
See Also
Links and References
Look at how sad this is making Batman. You did this.