Collecting Guide to DC's House of Mystery, House of Secrets, & more!

Updated April 6, 2026! The definitive issue-by-issue collecting guide and trade reading order for DC’s horror and suspense anthology comics in omnibus, hardcover, and trade paperback collections. Find every issue and appearance! Part of Crushing Krisis’s Crushing Comics. Last updated April 2026 with titles scheduled for release through December 2026.

Welcome to the Houses & Horrors of DC, a most unusual collecting guide for a most unusual collection of DC titles.

DC’s approach to their Silver Age anthologies was almost entirely unlike Marvel’s. Marvel used their 1950s titles to concept superheroes and quickly allowed them to take over. By contrast, in the 1950s DC still had a number of their original Golden Age superheroes and titles intact, and was quicker to launch reimagined heroes like Flash and Green Lantern into their own books.

That meant that DC’s horror and sci-fi anthologies could go on telling suspenseful one-shot stories, although they were restricted in scope by the Comics Code crackdown on horrific tropes and their ensuing violence. These titles still spun off heroes, like Adam Strange and Swamp Thing, but were just as likely to feature short runs of a hero who quickly migrated elsewhere.

Some of those titles continued through the 1970s, which saw a revival of suspenseful books as the Comics Code was loosened and into the early 80s, when they became less and less viable in the face of monolithic fan interest in superheroes. The line of books disappeared for an entire decade from 1987 to 1996, when they were revived as a second wave of titles from DC’s Vertigo imprint to replace cancelled mega-sellers like Swamp Thing and Sandman.

In fact, DC’s Silver Age anthologies have a direct connection to both of those two founding Vertigo titles. Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman both had a great affection for DC’s 70s horror anthology hosts, like Cain, Abel, Eve, Lucien, the three Furies, and even Destiny. The hosts played a storyteller role similar to Cryptkeeper or Elvira (who would later take over hosting the House of Mystery from Abel).

Moore and Gaiman later recast this fleet of hosts as actual characters in DC (and, later, Vertigo) continuity – mythological figures who Gaiman would later co-opt as the personifications of story. All of them persist in The Sandman Universe through present day in its 2018 relaunch.

Much of this guide is necessarily imperfect. These anthology series collected multiple stories each, and many of the stronger stories were reprinted multiple times in other titles which themselves may have been reprinted.

Mystery in Space (1951) #1-110 (Apr/May 1951 – Sept 1966)
& #111-117 (Sept 1980 – Mar 1981)
House of Mystery (1951) #1-321 (Dec/Jan 1951 – Oct 1983)
House of Secrets (1956) #1-80 (Nov/Dec 1956 – Sept/Oct 1966)
& #81-154 (Aug/Sept 1969 to Oct/Nov 1978)
Tales of the Unexpected (1956) #1-104 (Feb/Mar 1956 – Jan 1968)
& The Unexpected (1968) #105-222 (Feb/Mar 1968 – May 1982)
The Witching Hour (1969) #1-85 (Mar 1969 – Oct 1978)
From Beyond the Unknown (1969) #1-25 (Oct/Nov 1969 – Nov/Dec 1973)
Ghosts (1971) #1-112 (Sep/Oct 1971 – May 1982)
The Sinister House of Secret Love (1971) #1-4 (Oct/Nov 1971 – Apr/May 1972)
& Secrets of Sinister House (1972) #5-18 (Jun/Jul 1972 – Jun/Jul 1974)
Plop! (1973) #1-24 (Oct 1973 – Dec 1976)
Secrets of Haunted House (1975) #1-46 (Apr/May 1975 – March 1982)
Weird Mystery Tales Annual (1975) #1-2 (1975 – 1976)
Elvira’s House of Mystery (1986) #1-11 & Special (Jan 1986 – Jan 1987)
House of Secrets (1996) #1-25 (Oct 1996 – Feb 1999)
Welcome Back to the House of Mystery (1998) #1 (July 1998)
House of Secrets: Facade (2001) #1-2 (March-April 2001)
DC Comics Presents: Mystery in Space (2004) #1
Mystery in Space (2006) #1-8 (Nov 2006 – July 2007)
House of Mystery (2008) #1-42 & Halloween Annual 1-2 (July 2008 – Dec 2011)
Mystery In Space (2012) #1 (July 2012)
The Witching Hour (2013) #1 (Dec 2013)
DC House of Horror (2017) #1 (Dec 2017)
House of Whispers (2018) #1-ongoing

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Mystery in Space (1951) #1-110 (Apr/May 1951 – Sept 1966)
& #111-117 (Sept 1980 – Mar 1981)

Mystery in Space (1951) was one of DC’s pair of prominent 1950s sci-fi anthology titles, along with Strange Adventures. Unlike Adventures, Mystery did not introduce any major lasting DC characters.

Perhaps that’s why it’s lesser known among comic fans. However, it did become the home of Adam Strange for over a third of its run, beginning with issue #53, after his debut in Showcase (1956) #17-19. It also briefly featured Hawkman.

#1-2: Pulp Fiction Library: Mystery in Space (1999 paperback)
Collects stories from Action Comics (1938) #186, My Greatest Adventure (1955) #7, 12, & 15, Mystery in Space (1951) #1-2, 6, 19, 30, 35, 63, 69, 101, 103, 113-115, & 117, Real Fact Comics (1946) #1, 3, 6, 11, & 15, Strange Adventures (1950) #7, 9, 18, 31, 119, & 126, and Time Warp (1979) #5

#1: Mysteries in Space: The Best of DC Science Fiction Comics (1980 paperback, ISBN )
Collects stories from Action Comics (1938) #205, The Brave and the Bold (1955) #47, Detective Comics (1937) #225, Mystery in Space (1951) #1, 8, 11, 19, 22, 42, 49, 61, 74-75, Real Fact Comics (1946) #6, Showcase (1956) #15 & 17, Strange Adventures (1950) #22, 36, 112, 117, 125, & 134, Tales of the Unexpected (1956) #84

#3-5: Not collected

#6: In Pulp Fiction Library, above

#7: Not collected

#8: In Best of DC Science Fiction, above

#9-10: Not collected

#11: In Best of DC Science Fiction, above

#12-18: Not collected

#19: In Pulp Fiction Library and Best of DC Science Fiction, above

#20-21: Not collected

#22: In Best of DC Science Fiction, above

#23-29: Not collected

#30: In Pulp Fiction Library, above

#31-34: Not collected

#35: In Pulp Fiction Library, above

#36-41: Not collected

#42: In Best of DC Science Fiction, above

#43-48: Not collected

#49: In Best of DC Science Fiction, above

#50-52: Not collected

#53-100: Adam Strange: The Silver Age Omnibus (2017 oversize hardcover)
Collects Hawkman (1964) #18, Mystery in Space (1951) #53-100 & 102, Showcase (1956) #17-19, and Strange Adventures (1950) #157, 217-218, 220-222, 224, 226, 235, 241-243

#53-84: Showcase Presents: Adam Strange (2007 b&w paperback)
Collects Mystery in Space (1951) #53-84 and Showcase (1956) #17-19

#53-65: Adam Strange Archives, Vol. 1 (2004 hardcover, ISBN 978-1401201487)
Collects Mystery in Space (1951) #53-65 and Showcase (1956) #17-19

#61: In Best of DC Science Fiction, above

#63: In Pulp Fiction Library, above

#66-80: Adam Strange Archives, Vol. 2 (2004 hardcover, ISBN 978-1401207809)

#69: In Pulp Fiction Library, above

#74-75: In Best of DC Science Fiction, above

#75: Collected with Justice League Silver Age collections and in Justice League of America Super Spectacular (1999) #1; see Justice League

#81-91: Adam Strange Archives, Vol. 3 (2004 hardcover, ISBN 978-1401216610)
Collects Hawkman (1964) #18, Mystery in Space (1951) #81-91, and Strange Adventures (1950) #157

#87-90: Hawkman Archives (2000 hardcover, ISBN 978-1563896118)
Collects The Brave and the Bold (1955) #34-36 & 42-44 and Mystery in Space (1951) #87-90

#87-90: Showcase Presents: Hawkman, Vol. 1 (2007 b&w paperback)
Collects The Atom (1962) #7, The Brave and the Bold (1955) #34-36, 42-44, & 51, Hawkman (1964) #1-11, and Mystery in Space (1951) #87-90

#90: The Greatest Team-Up Stories Ever Told (1990) (hardcover / paperback)
Collects Adventure Comics (1938) #253 & 267, The Brave and the Bold (1955) #53-54 & 178, DC Comics Presents (1978) #85, The Flash (1959) #123, Green Lantern (1960) #76, Justice League of America (1960) #21-22, Mystery in Space (1951) #90, Superman (1939) #88 & 257, and World’s Finest Comics (1941) #82

#101: In Pulp Fiction Library, above

#102: In Adam Strange: The Silver Age Omnibus, above

#103: In Pulp Fiction Library, above

#103-110: Not collected except for #103; these issues feature “Ultra, the Multi-Alien”

#111: Steve Ditko Omnibus (2011 hardcover)
Collects stories from Cancelled Comic Cavalcade (1978) #2, Ghosts (1971) #77 & 111, House of Mystery (1951) #236, 247, 258, & 276, House of Secrets (1956) #139 & 148, Mystery in Space (1951) #111 & 114-116, Plop! (1973) #16, Secrets of Haunted House (1975) #9, 12, 41, & 45, Shade, the Changing Man (1977) #1-8, Stalker (1975) #1-4, Strange Adventures (1950) #188-189, Time Warp (1979) #1-4, The Unexpected (1968) #189 & 221, and Weird War Tales (1971) #46, 49, 95, 99, & 104-106

#112: Not collected

#113-115: In Pulp Fiction Library, above

#114-116: In Ditko Omnibus, above

#117: In Pulp Fiction Library, above

House of Mystery (1951) #1-321 (Dec/Jan 1951 – Oct 1983)

This horror anthology is perhaps best known for introducing DC’s “I, Vampire” stories relatively late in its run, starting in #290.

Prior to that, it transformed from a suspense anthology into a superhero title with issue #143, briefly playing home to Martian Manhunter and a Dial H For Hero story (the latter of which returns with #156).

However, it continued to feature horror shorts in #144-155, which are not collected alongside the superhero stories that have been reprinted from those issues. It returns to pure horror stories with issue #174 in 1968. Bernie Wrightson joined the title with issue #179.

in omnibus oversize hardcover…

#174-200: House of Mystery, The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1
(2019 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1401285661 / 2025 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1799502968)

#201-226: House of Mystery, The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 2
(2020 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1401299477 / 2026 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1799509264)

#227-254: House of Mystery, The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 3
(2022 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1779511324)

by single issue…

#1: Millennium Edition:… (2000) – House of Mystery #1

#2-9: Not collected

#10: Showcase Presents: Ghosts, Vol. 1 (2011 paperback)
Collects Ghosts (1971) #1-18, House of Mystery (1951) #10, 13, 16-17, 21, 29, 48, & 123, and Sensation (Mystery) Comics (1942) #107 & 112-113

#11-12: Not collected

#13: In Ghosts, above

#14-15: Not collected

#16-17: In Ghosts, above

#18-20: Not collected

#21: In Ghosts, above

#22-28: Not collected

#29: In Ghosts, above

#30-47: Not collected

#48: In Ghosts, above

#49-60: Not collected

#61: The Jack Kirby Omnibus, Vol. 1: Starring Green Arrow (2011 hardcover)
Collects stories from Adventure Comics (1938) #250-256, All-Star Western (1951) #99, House of Mystery (1951) #61, 63, 65-66, 70, 72, 76, 78-79, 84-85, House of Secrets (1956) #3-4, 8, 11-12, My Greatest Adventure (1955) #15-18, 20-21, 23-24, & 28, Real Fact Comics (1946) #1-2 & 9, Tales of the Unexpected (1956) #12-13, 15-18, 21-24, and World’s Finest Comics (1941) #96-99

#62: Not collected

#63: In Kirby Omnibus, above

#64: Not collected

#65-66: In Kirby Omnibus, above

#67-69: Not collected

#70: In Kirby Omnibus, above

#71: Not collected

#72: In Kirby Omnibus, above

#73-75: Not collected

#76: In Kirby Omnibus, above

#76: DC Comics Presents: Jack Kirby Omnibus Sampler (2011) #1
Collects Adventure Comics (1938) #251, House of Mystery (1951) #76, House of Secrets (1956) #3, 8, & 12, My Greatest Adventure (1955) #15-18 & 20-21, and Tales of the Unexpected (1956) #13, 16, & 24

#77: Not collected

#78-79: In Kirby Omnibus, above

#80-83: Not collected

#84-85: In Kirby Omnibus, above

#86-120: Not collected

#121: Welcome Back to the House of Mystery (1998) #1
Collects stories from House of Mystery (1951) #121, 180, 186, 199, 201, 206, & 212, House of Secrets (1956) #83, and Plop! (1973) #1 & 5

#122: Not collected

#123: In Ghosts, above

#124-142: Not collected

#143-173: Showcase Presents: Martian Manhunter, Vol. 2 (2007 B&W paperback)
Collects Martial Manhunter stories from Detective Comics (1937) #305-326 and House of Mystery (1951) #143-173

#156-173: Showcase Presents: Dial H for Hero (2010 B&W paperback)
Collects Dial H for Hero stories from House of Mystery (1951) #156-173

#160: Plastic Man 80-Page Giant (2004) #1
Collects House of Mystery (1951) #160, Plastic Man (1943) #3, Plastic Man (1966) #1, Plastic Man (1976) #11, and Police Comics (1941) #1 & 13

Bronze Age omnis begin here, as seen above.

#174-194: Showcase Presents: The House Of Mystery, Vol. 1 (2006 B&W paperback)

#180: In Welcome Back, above

#186: In Welcome Back, above

#191: A DC Universe Christmas (2000) – TPB
Collects stories from Adventure Comics (1938) #82, The Batman Adventures (1992) Holiday Special, Captain Marvel Adventures (1941) #69, Christmas With the Super-Heroes (1988) #2, DC Special Series (1977) #21, DC Universe Holiday Bash (1997) #1-3, House of Mystery (1951) #191, Sensation (Mystery) Comics (1942) #14, Superman’s Christmas Adventure (1940) #1, and Teen Titans (1966) #13

#195-211: Showcase Presents: The House Of Mystery, Vol. 2 (2006 B&W paperback)
House of Mystery (1951) #195-211

#199, 201, 206, & 212: In Welcome Back, above

#212-226: Showcase Presents: The House Of Mystery, Vol. 3 (2006 B&W paperback)
House of Mystery (1951) #212-226

#227-235: Not collected

#236: Steve Ditko Omnibus (2011 hardcover)
Collects stories from Cancelled Comic Cavalcade (1978) #2, Ghosts (1971) #77 & 111, House of Mystery (1951) #236, 247, 258, & 276, House of Secrets (1956) #139 & 148, Mystery in Space (1951) #111 & 114-116, Plop! (1973) #16, Secrets of Haunted House (1975) #9, 12, 41, & 45, Shade, the Changing Man (1977) #1-8, Stalker (1975) #1-4, Strange Adventures (1950) #188-189, Time Warp (1979) #1-4, The Unexpected (1968) #189 & 221, and Weird War Tales (1971) #46, 49, 95, 99, & 104-106

#237-246: Not collected

#247: In Ditko Omnibus, above

#248-257: Not collected

Bronze Age omnis end here with #254, as seen above.

#258: In Ditko Omnibus, above

#259-275: Not collected

#276: In Ditko Omnibus, above

#277-289: Not collected

#290-291: I… Vampire! (2011 paperback)
Collects stories from The Brave and the Bold (1955) #195 and House of Mystery (1951) #290-291, 293, 295, 297, 299, 302, 304, & 305-319

#292: Not collected

#293: In I Vampire, above

#294: Not collected

#295: In I Vampire, above

#296: Not collected

#297: In I Vampire, above

#298: Not collected

#299: In I Vampire, above

#300-301: Not collected

#302: In I Vampire, above

#304: Not collected

#305-319: In I Vampire, above

#318: Showcase Presents: The Great Disaster featuring The Atomic Knights (2014 paperback)
Collects stories from 1st Issue Special (1975) #1, Amazing World of DC Comics (1974) #12, DC Comics Presents (1978) #57, Hercules Unbound (1975) #1-12, House of Mystery (1951) #318, House of Secrets (1956) #86, 95 & 97, Kamandi, The Last Boy On Earth (1972) #43-46, Strange Adventures (1950) #117, 120, 123, 126, 129, 132, 135, 138, 141, 144, 147, 150, 153, 156, & 160, Superman (1939) #295, The Unexpected (1968) #215 & 221, and Weird War Tales (1971) #22-23, 30, 32, 40, 42-44, 46-49, 53, 64, & 68-69

#320-321: Not collected

[various issues]: Bernie Wrightson Artifact Edition (2017 hardcover)
Collects original art pages from DC Special Series (1977) #2 & 14, House of Mystery (1951) #181, 186, 188, 191, 195, 204, 206, 211, 213, 217, 219, 221, & 255, House of Secrets (1956) #92, 100, 103, & 106, Kong the Untamed (1975) #1-2, Plop! (1973) #5, Secrets of Haunted House (1975) #5, The Spectre (1967) #9, Superman (1939) #400, Swamp Thing (1972) #1-10, The Unexpected (1968) #121 & 128, and The Witching Hour (1969) #3 & 5

House of Secrets (1956) #1-80 (Nov/Dec 1956 – Sept/Oct 1966)
& The House of Secrets #81-154 (Aug/Sept 1969 to Oct/Nov 1978)

The initial decade-long run of House of Secrets [CBDB] produced only one memorable character – Eclipso, whose first appearances is issue #61. He would later go on to anchor his own villainous event in the 1990s. With the relaunch of the title in issue #81, the biblical Abel (later seen in Sandman) became the host (and sometimes star) of the anthology stories. Swamp Thing debuted the next year in issue #92, though he wouldn’t continue in this series.

The House of Secrets would later be codified as a physical structure with a dual-existence in both the DC Universe and Morpheus’ Dreaming. It would later play headquarters to the Secret Six.

in omnibus oversize hardcover…

#81-11: House of Secrets, The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1
(2018 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1401276843 / 2026 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1799509080)

#112-154: House of Secrets, The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 2
(2019 oversize hardcover, 978-1401294656)
Also includes a previously unpublished story “Night of the Rat” by Gerry Conway and Nestor Redondo

by single issue…

#1-2: Not collected

#3: DC Comics Presents: Jack Kirby Omnibus Sampler (2011) #1
Collects Adventure Comics (1938) #251, House of Mystery (1951) #76, House of Secrets (1956) #3, 8, & 12, My Greatest Adventure (1955) #15-18 & 20-21, and Tales of the Unexpected (1956) #13, 16, & 24

#3-4: The Jack Kirby Omnibus, Vol. 1: Starring Green Arrow (2011 hardcover)
Collects stories from Adventure Comics (1938) #250-256, All-Star Western (1951) #99, House of Mystery (1951) #61, 63, 65-66, 70, 72, 76, 78-79, 84-85, House of Secrets (1956) #3-4, 8, 11-12, My Greatest Adventure (1955) #15-18, 20-21, 23-24, & 28, Real Fact Comics (1946) #1-2 & 9, Tales of the Unexpected (1956) #12-13, 15-18, 21-24, and World’s Finest Comics (1941) #96-99

#5-7: Not collected

#8: In Kirby Sampler and Kirby Omnibus, above

#9-10: Not collected

#11: In Kirby Omnibus, above

#12: In Kirby Sampler and Kirby Omnibus, above

#13-60: Not collected

#61: DC Universe: Secret Origins (hardcover / paperback)
Collects 80 Page Giant (1964) #8, Action Comics (1938) #248, Adventure Comics (1938) #260, All-Star Western (1970) #3, Batman (1940) #129, The Brave and the Bold (1955) #34, Detective Comics (1937) #225, Even More Secret Origins (2003) One-Shot, The Flash (1959) #110 & 128, Green Lantern (1960) #1 & 10, House of Secrets (1956) #61, Justice League of America (1960) #9, More Fun Comics (1935) #52-53 & 67, Secret Origins (1961) One-shot, Showcase (1956) #4, 6, 17, & 34, Strange Adventures (1950) #180 & 187, Superman (1939) #146,Weird Secret Origins (2004) One Shot, Wonder Woman (1942) #105, and World’s Finest Comics (1941) #94, 141, 181, & 226

#61: Even More Secret Origins (2003) – One-Shot
Collects Blackhawk (1957) #164, The Brave and the Bold (1955) #34, The Flash (1959) #110, Green Lantern (1960) #10, House of Secrets (1956) #61, and World’s Finest Comics (1941) #141

#61-80: Showcase Presents: Eclipso, Vol. 1 (2009 B&W paperback)

Here the title goes on a several-year hiatus to be restarted in 1969.

#81-111: House of Secrets: The Bronze Age Omnibus, Vol. 1 (2018 oversize hardcover)

#81-98: Showcase Presents: The House of Secrets, Vol. 1 (2008 B&W paperback)

#83: Welcome Back to the House of Mystery (1998) #1
Collects stories from House of Mystery (1951) #121, 180, 186, 199, 201, 206, & 212, House of Secrets (1956) #83, and Plop! (1973) #1 & 5

#86: Showcase Presents: The Great Disaster featuring The Atomic Knights (2014 paperback)
Collects stories from 1st Issue Special (1975) #1, Amazing World of DC Comics (1974) #12, DC Comics Presents (1978) #57, Hercules Unbound (1975) #1-12, House of Mystery (1951) #318, House of Secrets (1956) #86, 95 & 97, Kamandi, The Last Boy On Earth (1972) #43-46, Strange Adventures (1950) #117, 120, 123, 126, 129, 132, 135, 138, 141, 144, 147, 150, 153, 156, & 160, Superman (1939) #295, The Unexpected (1968) #215 & 221, and Weird War Tales (1971) #22-23, 30, 32, 40, 42-44, 46-49, 53, 64, & 68-69

#92: First appearance of Swamp Thing. See Guide to Swamp Thing for collection information.

#95 & 97: In Great Disaster, above

#99-119: Showcase Presents: The House of Secrets, Vol. 2 (2008 B&W paperback)

#120-138: Not collected

#139: Steve Ditko Omnibus (2011 hardcover)
Collects stories from Cancelled Comic Cavalcade (1978) #2, Ghosts (1971) #77 & 111, House of Mystery (1951) #236, 247, 258, & 276, House of Secrets (1956) #139 & 148, Mystery in Space (1951) #111 & 114-116, Plop! (1973) #16, Secrets of Haunted House (1975) #9, 12, 41, & 45, Shade, the Changing Man (1977) #1-8, Stalker (1975) #1-4, Strange Adventures (1950) #188-189, Time Warp (1979) #1-4, The Unexpected (1968) #189 & 221, and Weird War Tales (1971) #46, 49, 95, 99, & 104-106

#140-147: Not collected

#148: In Ditko Omnibus, above

#149: Not collected

#150: Showcase Presents: Phantom Stranger, Vol. 2 (2006 B&W paperback)
Collects The Brave and the Bold (1955) #89 & 98, DC Super Stars (1976) #18, House of Secrets (1956) #150, Justice League of America (1960) #103, The Phantom Stranger (1969) #22-41

#151-154: Not collected

Bernie Wrightson Artifact Edition (2017 hardcover)
Collects original art pages from DC Special Series (1977) #2 & 14, House of Mystery (1951) #181, 186, 188, 191, 195, 204, 206, 211, 213, 217, 219, 221, & 255, House of Secrets (1956) #92, 100, 103, & 106, Kong the Untamed (1975) #1-2, Plop! (1973) #5, Secrets of Haunted House (1975) #5, The Spectre (1967) #9, Superman (1939) #400, Swamp Thing (1972) #1-10, The Unexpected (1968) #121 & 128, and The Witching Hour (1969) #3 & 5

Tales of the Unexpected (1956) #1-104 (Feb/Mar 1956 – Jan 1968)
& The Unexpected (1968) #105-222 (Feb/Mar 1968 – May 1982)
& DC Special Series (1977) #4 – “Unexpected Special”

Tales of the Unexpected [CBDB] was launched by DC after the advent of Comics Code restrictions on content, and right on the verge of their launch of the Silver Age. Perhaps because it ran alongside that reinvention of heroes, no sustaining superhero characters run in this title aside from the obscure Great Disaster. It remained a horror and sci-fi anthology through a name change to The Unexpected in 1968 [CBDB] to its end in 1982.

#1-20: Showcase Presents: Tales of the Unexpected, Vol. 1 (2012 paperback)

#12-13: The Jack Kirby Omnibus, Vol. 1: Starring Green Arrow (2011 hardcover)
Collects stories from Adventure Comics (1938) #250-256, All-Star Western (1951) #99, House of Mystery (1951) #61, 63, 65-66, 70, 72, 76, 78-79, 84-85, House of Secrets (1956) #3-4, 8, 11-12, My Greatest Adventure (1955) #15-18, 20-21, 23-24, & 28, Real Fact Comics (1946) #1-2 & 9, Tales of the Unexpected (1956) #12-13, 15-18, 21-24, and World’s Finest Comics (1941) #96-99

#13: Manhunter Special (2017) #1
Collects Real Fact Comics (1946) #1-2 and Tales of the Unexpected (1956) #13. Also includes original story material

#13: DC Comics Presents: Jack Kirby Omnibus Sampler (2011) #1
Collects Adventure Comics (1938) #251, House of Mystery (1951) #76, House of Secrets (1956) #3, 8, & 12, My Greatest Adventure (1955) #15-18 & 20-21, and Tales of the Unexpected (1956) #13, 16, & 24

#14: Not collected

#15-18: In Kirby Omnibus, above

#19-20: Not collected

#21-24: In Kirby Omnibus, above; #24 also in Kirby Omnibus Sampler

#25-83: Not collected

#84: Mysteries in Space: The Best of DC Science Fiction Comics (1980 paperback, ISBN 978-0671247751)
Collects stories from Action Comics (1938) #205, The Brave and the Bold (1955) #47, Detective Comics (1937) #225, Mystery in Space (1951) #1, 8, 11, 19, 22, 42, 49, 61, 74-75, Real Fact Comics (1946) #6, Showcase (1956) #15 & 17, Strange Adventures (1950) #22, 36, 112, 117, 125, & 134, Tales of the Unexpected (1956) #84

#85-188 & DC Special Series (1977) #4: Not collected

#189: Steve Ditko Omnibus (2011 hardcover)
Collects stories from Cancelled Comic Cavalcade (1978) #2, Ghosts (1971) #77 & 111, House of Mystery (1951) #236, 247, 258, & 276, House of Secrets (1956) #139 & 148, Mystery in Space (1951) #111 & 114-116, Plop! (1973) #16, Secrets of Haunted House (1975) #9, 12, 41, & 45, Shade, the Changing Man (1977) #1-8, Stalker (1975) #1-4, Strange Adventures (1950) #188-189, Time Warp (1979) #1-4, The Unexpected (1968) #189 & 221, and Weird War Tales (1971) #46, 49, 95, 99, & 104-106

#190-214: Not collected

#215: Showcase Presents: The Great Disaster featuring The Atomic Knights (2014 paperback)
Collects stories from 1st Issue Special (1975) #1, Amazing World of DC Comics (1974) #12, DC Comics Presents (1978) #57, Hercules Unbound (1975) #1-12, House of Mystery (1951) #318, House of Secrets (1956) #86, 95 & 97, Kamandi, The Last Boy On Earth (1972) #43-46, Strange Adventures (1950) #117, 120, 123, 126, 129, 132, 135, 138, 141, 144, 147, 150, 153, 156, & 160, Superman (1939) #295, The Unexpected (1968) #215 & 221, and Weird War Tales (1971) #22-23, 30, 32, 40, 42-44, 46-49, 53, 64, & 68-69

#216-220: Not collected

#221: In both Ditko Omnibus and Great Disaster, above

#222: Not collected

The Witching Hour (1969) #1-85 (Mar 1969 – Oct 1978)

This horror anthology [CBDB] was hosted by a trio of witches, Mordred, Mildred, and Cynthia, who Neil Gaiman later used as his personifications of the three Fates AKA The Furies.

#1-19: Showcase Presents: The Witching Hour, Vol. 1 (2011 paperback)

#20-85: Not collected

From Beyond the Unknown (1969) #1-25 (Oct/Nov 1969 – Nov/Dec 1973)

Almost entirely a reprint series [CBDB]. Not collected

The Sinister House of Secret Love (1971) #1-4 (Oct/Nov 1971 – Apr/May 1972)
& Secrets of Sinister House (1972) #5-18 (Jun/Jul 1972 – Jun/Jul 1974)

The Sinister House of Secret Love [CBDB] started out as a “gothic romance” book before changing its title to Secrets of Sinister House [CBDB] and introducing another horror “host,” Eve, in issue #6.

#1-18: Showcase Presents: Secrets of Sinister House (2010 paperback)
Collects The Sinister House of Secret Love (1971) #1-4 and Secrets of Sinister House (1972) #5-18

Ghosts (1971) #1-112 (Sep/Oct 1971 – May 1982)
& DC Special Series (1977) #7 – “Ghosts Special” (Dec 1977)

With the relaxing of Comics Code rules in the early 70s, both Marvel and DC turned to more traditional suspense and horror comics they had been unable to produced for the prior decade. Ghosts [CBDB] was one such series, with a focus on the “Weird and Supernatural.” The Spectre briefly stars in a three-issue stinty, and issues #104-110 & 112 debut and feature Squire Shade.

#1-18: Showcase Presents: Ghosts, Vol. 1 (2011 paperback)
Collects Ghosts (1971) #1-18, House of Mystery (1951) #10, 13, 16-17, 21, 29, 48, & 123, and Sensation (Mystery) Comics (1942) #107 & 112-113

#19-76: Not collected

#77: Steve Ditko Omnibus (2011 hardcover)
Collects stories from Cancelled Comic Cavalcade (1978) #2, Ghosts (1971) #77 & 111, House of Mystery (1951) #236, 247, 258, & 276, House of Secrets (1956) #139 & 148, Mystery in Space (1951) #111 & 114-116, Plop! (1973) #16, Secrets of Haunted House (1975) #9, 12, 41, & 45, Shade, the Changing Man (1977) #1-8, Stalker (1975) #1-4, Strange Adventures (1950) #188-189, Time Warp (1979) #1-4, The Unexpected (1968) #189 & 221, and Weird War Tales (1971) #46, 49, 95, 99, & 104-106

#78-96 & DC Special Series (1977) #7: Not collected

#97-99: Showcase Presents: The Spectre, Vol. 1 (2012 paperback)
Adventure Comics (1938) #431-440, The Brave and the Bold (1955) #72, 75, 116, 180, & 199, DC Comics Presents (1978) #29, Ghosts (1971) #97-99, Showcase (1956) #60-61 & 64, and The Spectre (1967) #1-10

#100-110: Not collected

#111: In Ditko Omnibus, above

#112: Not collected

Plop! (1973) #1-24 (Oct 1973 – Dec 1976)

This onomatopoetic series [CBDB] was a horror title with a darkly comedic bent that made it a cousin to Mad Magazine. Co-hosts Cain, Abel, and Eve took turns sharing tales in an anthology format.

#1: Welcome Back to the House of Mystery (1998) #1
Collects stories from House of Mystery (1951) #121, 180, 186, 199, 201, 206, & 212, House of Secrets (1956) #83, and Plop! (1973) #1 & 5

#1: Millennium Edition:… (2000) Plop 1

#1: Berni Wrightson: A Look Back (1979)
Collects The Collected Purple Pictography (1991), Eerie (1965) #68, and Plop! (1973) #1

#2-4: Not collected

#5: In Welcome Back, above

#6-15: Not collected

#16: Steve Ditko Omnibus (2011 hardcover)
Collects stories from Cancelled Comic Cavalcade (1978) #2, Ghosts (1971) #77 & 111, House of Mystery (1951) #236, 247, 258, & 276, House of Secrets (1956) #139 & 148, Mystery in Space (1951) #111 & 114-116, Plop! (1973) #16, Secrets of Haunted House (1975) #9, 12, 41, & 45, Shade, the Changing Man (1977) #1-8, Stalker (1975) #1-4, Strange Adventures (1950) #188-189, Time Warp (1979) #1-4, The Unexpected (1968) #189 & 221, and Weird War Tales (1971) #46, 49, 95, 99, & 104-106

#17-24: Not collected

Secrets of Haunted House (1975) #1-14 & 15-46 (Apr/May 75 – Oct/Nov 78 & Aug 79 – Mar 82)
& DC Special Series (1977) #12 – “Secrets of Haunted House Special”

This horror anthology [CBDB] began with a full complement of future Sandman characters as hosts – Cain, Abel, Eve, and Destiny! However, Destiny moved into the role of solo narrator from #10-39, after which he was replaced with Abel. The title was briefly suspended during the “DC Implosion” in 1978 but resumed in 1979. Mister E was introduced in #31 and ran through #41; Neil Gaiman would later use him in Books of Magic.

#1-8: Not collected

#9: Steve Ditko Omnibus (2011 hardcover)
Collects stories from Cancelled Comic Cavalcade (1978) #2, Ghosts (1971) #77 & 111, House of Mystery (1951) #236, 247, 258, & 276, House of Secrets (1956) #139 & 148, Mystery in Space (1951) #111 & 114-116, Plop! (1973) #16, Secrets of Haunted House (1975) #9, 12, 41, & 45, Shade, the Changing Man (1977) #1-8, Stalker (1975) #1-4, Strange Adventures (1950) #188-189, Time Warp (1979) #1-4, The Unexpected (1968) #189 & 221, and Weird War Tales (1971) #46, 49, 95, 99, & 104-106

#10-11 & DC Special Series (1977) #12: Not collected

#12: In Ditko Omnibus, above

#13-40: Not collected

#41: In Ditko Omnibus, above

#42-44: Not collected

#45: In Ditko Omnibus, above

#46: Not collected

Weird Mystery Tales Annual (1975) #1-2 (1975-1976)

This is a reprints-only series – no original material. [CBDB]

Elvira’s House of Mystery (1986) #1-11 & Special (Jan 1986 – Jan 1987)

DC resurrected its long-running horror anthology [CBDB] after Crisis on Infinite Earths, replacing Cain as a host with the multimedia star Elvira (who was ostensibly searching for Cain).

#1-11: Not collected

House of Secrets (1996) #1-25 (Oct 1996 – Feb 1999)

In a peculiar arrangement, this is actually a creator-owned Vertigo series from Steven T. Seagle [CBDB], to whom DC licensed the “House of Secrets” trademark.

#1-5: Vol. 1: Foundation (ISBN 978-1563893629)

#1-25: House of Secrets Omnibus (2013 oversize hardcover)
Collects House of Secrets (1996) #1-25, House of Secrets: Facade (2001) #1-2, and material fro The Vertigo Gallery: Dreams and Nightmares (1995) #1 and Vertigo: Winter’s Edge (1998) #1

Welcome Back to the House of Mystery (1998) #1 (July 1998)

An anthology comic with a brief framing story [CBDB].

Welcome Back to the House of Mystery (1998) #1
Collects House of Mystery (1951) #121, 180, 186, 199, 201, 206, & 212, House of Secrets (1956) #83, and Plop! (1973) #1 & 5

House of Secrets: Facade (2001) #1-2 (March – April 2001)

A concluding pair of issues to the 1996 Vertigo House of Secrets [CBDB].

#1-2: House of Secrets Omnibus (2013 oversize hardcover)
Collects House of Secrets (1996) #1-25, House of Secrets: Facade (2001) #1-2, and material fro The Vertigo Gallery: Dreams and Nightmares (1995) #1 and Vertigo: Winter’s Edge (1998) #1

DC Comics Presents: Mystery in Space (2004) #1 (Sept 2004)

Part of several one-shots tributing Julius “Julie” Schwartz. [CBDB]

#1: Not collected

Mystery in Space (2006) #1-8 (Nov 2006 – July 2007)

A brief sci-fi superhero anthology [CBDB] anchored by stories featuring the obscure 1988 character “The Weird” (who hadn’t appeared a single time since then).

#1-5: Vol. 1

#6-8: Vol. 2
Also collects The Weird (1988) #1-4

House of Mystery (2008) #1-42 & Halloween Annual 1-2 (July 2008 – Dec 2011)

This comic written by Bill Willingham and Lilah Sturges ties in directly to the Sandman Universe, as it features Cain of The Dreaming trying to return to the House of Mystery, which he once called home [CBDB].

#1-5: Vol. 1: Room and Boredom (2009 paperback)
Material from #1-2 also collected in Bad Doings and Big Ideas: A Bill Willingham Deluxe Edition (2011) HC

#6-10: Vol. 2: Love Stories for Dead People
Material from #7 & 9 also collected in Bad Doings and Big Ideas: A Bill Willingham Deluxe Edition (2011) HC

#11-15: Vol. 3 : The Space Between
Material from #13 also collected in Bad Doings and Big Ideas: A Bill Willingham Deluxe Edition (2011) HC

#16-20 & Halloween Annual 1: Vol. 4: The Beauty of Decay
Material from 16 and Annual also collected in Bad Doings and Big Ideas: A Bill Willingham Deluxe Edition (2011) HC. Material from Annual also collected in House of Mystery (2008) TPB vol. 04, iZombie (2010) TPB vol. 01, and Madame Xanadu (2008) TPB vol. 03

#21-25: Vol. 5: Under New Management

#26-30: Vol. 6: Safe as Houses

#31-35 & Halloween Annual 2: Vol. 7: Conception
Material from the annual also collected in House of Mystery (2008) TPB vol. 07 and iZombie (2010) TPB vol. 02

#36-42: Vol. 8: Desolation
Material from #36 also collected in DC Comics: The Art of Darwyn Cooke (2018) TPB and Graphic Ink: The DC Comics Art of Darwyn Cooke (2015) HC

Mystery In Space (2012) #1 (July 2012)

An anthology one-shot [CBDB].

#1: Strange Adventures (2014)
Collects Mystery In Space (2012) #1 and Strange Adventures (2011) #1

The Witching Hour (2013) #1 (Dec 2013)

An anthology one-shot [CBDB].

#1: The Toby Litt “Dead Boy Detectives” story is collected with Dead Boy Detectives, Vol. 1: School Boy Terrors. See Guide to Sandman Universe for more on Dead Boy Detectives.

DC House of Horror (2017) #1 (Dec 2017)

A scarily-themed series of short stories about some of DC’s most-prominent heroes, including their full trinity plus Harley Quinn, Green Arrow, and more.

#1: Prestige one-shot; not recollected

House of Whispers (2018) #1-22 (Nov 2018 – Jul 2020)

Part of the 2018 Sandman Universe relaunch, along with The Dreaming, Lucifer, and Books of Magic.

#1-6: Vol. 1: The Powers Divided (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1401291358)
Also collects material from Sandman Universe (2017) #1

#7-12: Vol. 2: Ananse (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1401299170)

#13-22: Vol. 3: Watching the Watchers (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1779504319)
Issues #21-22 were never released in physical format before this paperback.

Back to Crushing Comics

Mystery in Space (1951) #1-110 (Apr/May 1951 – Sept 1966) & #111-117 (Sept 1980 – Mar 1981)