A reader named Chris S. suggested that I devote October to the scariest comic books of all-time, as suggested by you readers out there! Sounds like a plan to me! So all October-long, I'll be featuring 31 comic book tales of terror, based on YOUR suggestions! So e-mail me at bcronin@comicbookresources.com your scary suggestions! Here is an archive of all the comics featured so far!

Today we look at a terrifying game of revenge (stress the word "game") in the classic EC Comics story, "Foul Play," by Al Feldstein and Jack Davis in Haunt of Fear #19. This was a comic that was a major part of the case against comic books that led to the Comics Code.

Enjoy!

The story opens with the Crypt-Keeper telling us about a mysterious midnight baseball game. We go back in time, then, to a heated pennant race between two teams in the Bush League. A player oddly attempts to steal second base and in the process, cuts the second baseman with his spikes as he is thrown out easily. His manager questions the tactic (as he had not called for a steal) but the player tells him that he has a plan. The second baseman is also the opposing team's best player, and he is out of sorts after the play...

Recalling seeing those end panels (the same ones that Fredric Wertham spotlighted in his book, Seduction of the Innocent) as a pre-teen, comic book writer Will Pfeifer stated, "I was upset for weeks. No kidding. Now that's a comic!"

You said it, Will!