*Horror 1940-1959: L B Cole was one of the most famous of Golden/Atomic Age cover artists. He drew in a variety of genres, and was artistic director at Star, illustrating 95% of the company’s covers; his lurid, feverish style, almost hallucinogenic, graced horror, science-fiction, jungle and romance alike. The title Startling Terror Tales has a confusing history: starting at #10 in 1952, issues were published up to #14 in 1953, after which it started again at #4 and lasted until #11 in 1954. Thus there are two different #10 and #11 issues. Up for grabs this week is the second #10 from 1954. Inside, Jay Disbrow illustrates the cover story ‘The Horrible Entity’, plus reprints of Fox crime tales with a horror edge. But, as with virtually all Star’s output, it’s the wonderful L B Cole cover for which this issue is prized, with a scientist being set upon by a, well, horrible entity. A nice copy, with great cover colour and gloss, a solid spine, firm staples and off-white to cream pages. There are a few small cover creases at edges only, with very short colour breaks on a few. The top corners show a small area of historic staining, but lie flat; this is not visible on the front cover. 
PICTURED: STARTLING TERROR TALES #10 (1954) VG+ £475 SOLD