Skelton's Keys to the Classics - Vasilisa the Beautiful

Back in January 2025, I did a post about the amazing Skelton's Keys to the Classics that Mrs Dex got me for Christmas. She recently gifted me another to add to my collection from the Russian fairy tale Vasilisa the Beautiful. You may not think that sounds Halloween adjacent, but we'll get there.

 

 The keys come in boxes that resemble books from the outside.

 

 

But when you open them, there's a keyhole window showing off a metal key inspired by the story. Vasilisa's tale just happens to feature the infamous witch Baba Yaga as the villain!

 

 Baba Yaga has definitely entered the pop culture zeitgeist in recent years thanks to John Wick. She's even appeared in a couple Scooby-Doo episodes! But I remember first learning about her back in my early Dungeons & Dragons days in the 80s. I didn't know much at the time other than she was a witch that lived in a hut that walked around on giant chicken legs. Not an image you forget! 

 

The key is solid black except for yellow highlights in the hut's windows and the skull's eyes and nose. There's some really great line detail put into it, especially in the upper leg area. Even if I had the key to Baba Yaga's Hut, I don't think i"d be using it anytime soon!

 

 Baba Yaga and Vasilisa now join my other Keys to the Classics, filling out this collection box. 

 

 Click the witch to see the list of participating Countdown blogs!

 

Classic Creepy Comics - Haunted Thrills

 All the comics I'll be talking about are legally available for free on Comic Book+. You can read them online or, if you create a free account, you can download them. The site navigation may take some getting used to but I'll be providing links to the specific titles featured. 

  

Haunted Thrills was published by Ajax-Farrell from June 1952 until November 1954 and ran for 18 issues. Unlike a lot of previously covered titles, I couldn't find much about this series so enjoy some random picks from various issues.

  

The first issue has the story Ghost Gloves, which makes me wonder if there's been any stories since of a ghost boxer.

 

Apparently issues 5 and 6 (above/below) are the most sought after as they're the only ones that have record sales around $2000! And that probably explains why those particular issues are missing from the database.

I have to say, they are pretty striking covers!

 Issue 16 has a classic gaming with Death cover.

 

 And I just had to share this crazy panel from Web of the Widow.

 

If you want to give yourself some Haunted Thrills, head over to ComicBook+ to read them online...if you dare!

 

What's the cat looking at? The full list of Countdown to Halloween blogs!

Give a click to see for yourself. 

 

Now Hear This - Halloween 2026 Part II

Every Tuesday, we'll be comin' at ya with a Now Hear This Halloween post featuring some spooky sounds to get your coffin rockin'. They may not all be new releases but hopefully they'll be new to you.

Click on the album cover to go to its Bandcamp page where you can purchase it or listen for free. I am not affiliated with Bandcamp or any of the artists, just spreading the word on good music. 

  

 

Sean Keller is back with the fifth (final?) installment of his Killer Sounds of Halloween mixtape series. These are essential Halloween listening for me! The bands are fictional but they'll definitely sound familiar.

 

The Jazz Hop Cafe takes you on a retreat to a Cabin in the Woods with 27 of their closest friends. Don't let the chill lofi beats lull you to sleep. There's someone lurking out there waiting to strike.

 

 Submitted for your approval, Haunted House Party offers up 18 lofi tales perfect for any spooky gathering around a campfire.

  

Veil Witch conjures up Little Plastic Halloween, a compilation of their first three pumpkin synth EPs. This release includes a bonus track of a reel-to-reel tape rip of all three in a single, continuous track complete with audio hiss and warble to help set that classic Halloween mood.

 

 A "newly discovered" score to an unreleased Italian Halloween short film shot in 1979. This soundtrack was composed by the legendary Vincenzo Malsano, who experimented with analog synthesizers and degraded magnetic recording tape for truly unnerving soundscapes.

 

 Click the witch to see the list of participating Countdown blogs!