*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 later in 1953 and lasted until #11 in 1954. Thus the issue at hand here is #5 from the second run. Inside is a selection of Fox reprints from 1948, all crime-based with strong horror overtones. But, as with virtually all Star’s output, it’s the wonderful L B Cole cover for which this issue is prized, this one with a sinister leering demon surrounded by flames and skulls, tormenting several humans with its many limbs. This is quite a reasonable copy with strong colours and an unmarked cover image. There is very slight spine roll just to the bottom half and minor handling wear, with a faint reading crease at the spine, which just breaks colour. The most significant defect is a small chip out towards the top of the spine (see scan). This chip is present on the end of a small loose corner of the top back cover which is still hanging on to the comic. The staples are firmly attached and the page quality is a flexible off-white to cream. High resolution images are available on request. 
PICTURED: STARTLING TERROR TALES #5 GD+ £500 SOLD