The Witching Hour #44 – Key Highlights
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Publisher: DC Comics
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Publication Date: July 1974
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Frequency: Monthly
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Editor: Murray Boltinoff
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Cover Artist: Nick Cardy (signed; pencils and inks)
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Genre: Horror
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Pages: 36
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Format: Full Color
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Original Cover Price: $0.20
🔥 Key Significance
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Features a signed Nick Cardy cover titled “Color the Dead Black.”
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Includes three horror stories featuring artwork by Ruben Yandoc, Mike Sekowsky, and Don Perlin.
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The issue continues the anthology's framing tradition with Cynthia, Mildred, and Mordred.
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Features a one-page introductory story illustrated by E. R. Cruz.
📖 Story Highlights
- “Color the Dead Black” – 7 pages
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Script: George Kashdan
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Pencils and Inks: Ruben Yandoc (as Rubeny)
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Host: Mordred
- “Better Off Dead!” – 8 pages
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Pencils: Mike Sekowsky (tentative attribution)
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Host: Mildred
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Script and inking credits not specified.
- “Kill the Demon Tiger!” – 4 pages
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Script: Mike Fleisher
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Pencils and Inks: Don Perlin
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Host: Mordred
📌 Additional Details
- “Hi, Sisters!” – 1-page introductory feature
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Pencils and Inks: E. R. Cruz
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Characters: Mildred, Cynthia, and Mordred
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Genre: Humor
- “Witch-Ful Thinking” – 1-page letters page
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Typeset letters.
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Includes a letter submitted by Nancy Fenner.
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Illustration creator and colorist not identified.
- The three main stories account for 19 pages. Including the introductory feature and letters page, 21 pages of the 36-page issue are documented.
Collector’s Note: The Witching Hour #44 features a signed Nick Cardy cover, interior artwork by Ruben Yandoc and Don Perlin, and a tentatively attributed Mike Sekowsky story—making it an interesting entry in DC's 1970s horror anthology series.
