Mark Seifert
@markseifert.bleedingcool.com
Vintage paper addict, co-founder of Avatar Press, managing editor of Bleeding Cool. Interest in American periodical publishing history including dime novels, pulps, newspapers, magazines, golden age & silver age comics. I mostly post about old paper here.
The Weekly Novelist Nov 8, 1879, Vol 7 #19
Won by Fraud; The Marriage of Mystery by St. George Henry Rathborne.
Featuring a clandestine midnight marriage ceremony, two rivals for the affections of the lady, a wealthy father determined to prevent the marriage, and treachery.
#romance #romancelandia
Won by Fraud; The Marriage of Mystery by St. George Henry Rathborne.
Featuring a clandestine midnight marriage ceremony, two rivals for the affections of the lady, a wealthy father determined to prevent the marriage, and treachery.
#romance #romancelandia
February 15, 2026 at 12:21 AM
The Weekly Novelist Nov 8, 1879, Vol 7 #19
Won by Fraud; The Marriage of Mystery by St. George Henry Rathborne.
Featuring a clandestine midnight marriage ceremony, two rivals for the affections of the lady, a wealthy father determined to prevent the marriage, and treachery.
#romance #romancelandia
Won by Fraud; The Marriage of Mystery by St. George Henry Rathborne.
Featuring a clandestine midnight marriage ceremony, two rivals for the affections of the lady, a wealthy father determined to prevent the marriage, and treachery.
#romance #romancelandia
A Ghostly Voice: The May 31, 1890 issue of The Argosy reports an anecdote about Thomas Edison rigging one of his phonographs in a clock to prank a house guest into believing the house was haunted.
"Twelve o'clock; prepare to die!" #phantomsfriday
"Twelve o'clock; prepare to die!" #phantomsfriday
February 6, 2026 at 1:46 PM
A Ghostly Voice: The May 31, 1890 issue of The Argosy reports an anecdote about Thomas Edison rigging one of his phonographs in a clock to prank a house guest into believing the house was haunted.
"Twelve o'clock; prepare to die!" #phantomsfriday
"Twelve o'clock; prepare to die!" #phantomsfriday
Moses S. Cole's "novel form of aerial vessel" on the cover of Scientific American from Jan 1, 1887.
Some believe this design was informative on newspaper illustrations during the UFO craze of 1896/97 in places like Aurora, TX, and Northern CA, among other locations.
Some believe this design was informative on newspaper illustrations during the UFO craze of 1896/97 in places like Aurora, TX, and Northern CA, among other locations.
February 2, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Moses S. Cole's "novel form of aerial vessel" on the cover of Scientific American from Jan 1, 1887.
Some believe this design was informative on newspaper illustrations during the UFO craze of 1896/97 in places like Aurora, TX, and Northern CA, among other locations.
Some believe this design was informative on newspaper illustrations during the UFO craze of 1896/97 in places like Aurora, TX, and Northern CA, among other locations.
Ghost Stories magazine, April 1929
published by Macfadden
The cover story Coins of Doom involves the search for a dead man's hidden stash of gold coins. It soon emerges that the former owner's spirit has cursed the coins themselves. #phantomsfriday
published by Macfadden
The cover story Coins of Doom involves the search for a dead man's hidden stash of gold coins. It soon emerges that the former owner's spirit has cursed the coins themselves. #phantomsfriday
January 30, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Ghost Stories magazine, April 1929
published by Macfadden
The cover story Coins of Doom involves the search for a dead man's hidden stash of gold coins. It soon emerges that the former owner's spirit has cursed the coins themselves. #phantomsfriday
published by Macfadden
The cover story Coins of Doom involves the search for a dead man's hidden stash of gold coins. It soon emerges that the former owner's spirit has cursed the coins themselves. #phantomsfriday
The Daily Graphic, Aug 16, 1879
Jefferson Davis creeps up to the U.S. Senate's doorstep, a legion of specters in his wake. Cartoon by Charles Weldon.
A reaction to rising speculation that Davis would run for U.S. Senate from Mississippi, despite being legally barred from holding office
Jefferson Davis creeps up to the U.S. Senate's doorstep, a legion of specters in his wake. Cartoon by Charles Weldon.
A reaction to rising speculation that Davis would run for U.S. Senate from Mississippi, despite being legally barred from holding office
January 26, 2026 at 4:55 PM
The Daily Graphic, Aug 16, 1879
Jefferson Davis creeps up to the U.S. Senate's doorstep, a legion of specters in his wake. Cartoon by Charles Weldon.
A reaction to rising speculation that Davis would run for U.S. Senate from Mississippi, despite being legally barred from holding office
Jefferson Davis creeps up to the U.S. Senate's doorstep, a legion of specters in his wake. Cartoon by Charles Weldon.
A reaction to rising speculation that Davis would run for U.S. Senate from Mississippi, despite being legally barred from holding office
Yankee Notions Vol 4 #3, March 1855
“Triumph of the ‘Satanic Press.’”
New York Herald publisher James Gordon Bennett Sr as the Prince of Darkness.
Yankee Notions publisher and abolitionist Thomas Strong would likely have despised Bennett for his paper's pro-slavery stance during this era.
“Triumph of the ‘Satanic Press.’”
New York Herald publisher James Gordon Bennett Sr as the Prince of Darkness.
Yankee Notions publisher and abolitionist Thomas Strong would likely have despised Bennett for his paper's pro-slavery stance during this era.
January 25, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Yankee Notions Vol 4 #3, March 1855
“Triumph of the ‘Satanic Press.’”
New York Herald publisher James Gordon Bennett Sr as the Prince of Darkness.
Yankee Notions publisher and abolitionist Thomas Strong would likely have despised Bennett for his paper's pro-slavery stance during this era.
“Triumph of the ‘Satanic Press.’”
New York Herald publisher James Gordon Bennett Sr as the Prince of Darkness.
Yankee Notions publisher and abolitionist Thomas Strong would likely have despised Bennett for his paper's pro-slavery stance during this era.
In the 1920s-30s, Ohio printer & dime novel fan Frank T. Fries produced small-format unauthorized reprints of material from the 1890s-1900s. He also published #fanfiction, such as the Frank Reade / Nick Carter crossover at lower right here - popular characters from 2 different publishers.
January 24, 2026 at 12:28 PM
In the 1920s-30s, Ohio printer & dime novel fan Frank T. Fries produced small-format unauthorized reprints of material from the 1890s-1900s. He also published #fanfiction, such as the Frank Reade / Nick Carter crossover at lower right here - popular characters from 2 different publishers.
Illustrated Police News #692, Jan 31, 1880
"A genuine girl's ghost at New Carlisle, Ind"
Several people saw the specter of a woman with a star on her chest on a country road in the evenings. Once, she approached a buggy and got in. The man ran away when his arm passed through her. #phantomsfriday
"A genuine girl's ghost at New Carlisle, Ind"
Several people saw the specter of a woman with a star on her chest on a country road in the evenings. Once, she approached a buggy and got in. The man ran away when his arm passed through her. #phantomsfriday
January 23, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Illustrated Police News #692, Jan 31, 1880
"A genuine girl's ghost at New Carlisle, Ind"
Several people saw the specter of a woman with a star on her chest on a country road in the evenings. Once, she approached a buggy and got in. The man ran away when his arm passed through her. #phantomsfriday
"A genuine girl's ghost at New Carlisle, Ind"
Several people saw the specter of a woman with a star on her chest on a country road in the evenings. Once, she approached a buggy and got in. The man ran away when his arm passed through her. #phantomsfriday
"The ghastly light still radiated from the spectre's breast, and I saw it fix its melancholy eyes on mine with an expression of mingled rage and triumph"
"The Dual Life" is the story of an Englishman who seeks forbidden knowledge, and finds it.
Chimney Corner #552, Dec 25, 1875
#phantomsfriday
"The Dual Life" is the story of an Englishman who seeks forbidden knowledge, and finds it.
Chimney Corner #552, Dec 25, 1875
#phantomsfriday
January 16, 2026 at 4:37 PM
"The ghastly light still radiated from the spectre's breast, and I saw it fix its melancholy eyes on mine with an expression of mingled rage and triumph"
"The Dual Life" is the story of an Englishman who seeks forbidden knowledge, and finds it.
Chimney Corner #552, Dec 25, 1875
#phantomsfriday
"The Dual Life" is the story of an Englishman who seeks forbidden knowledge, and finds it.
Chimney Corner #552, Dec 25, 1875
#phantomsfriday
Reposted by Mark Seifert
You know you want to listen to Ian Springer and Jeff Kaplan (screenwriters of FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS) talk about 1993’s FANTASTIC FOUR #375.
They co-wrote the movie and I made them talk about the comic. It’s fantastic!
sites.libsyn.com/601360/site/...
They co-wrote the movie and I made them talk about the comic. It’s fantastic!
sites.libsyn.com/601360/site/...
Does This Come In Chromium?: Fantastic Four #375 with Fantastic Four: First Steps screenwriters Ian Springer and Jeff Kaplan
On this episode Matt and special guest co-hosts Ian Springer and Jeff Kaplan try to figure out why this is not your parents' comics magazine by discussing 1993's FANTASTIC FOUR #375...but really they ...
sites.libsyn.com
January 14, 2026 at 12:41 AM
You know you want to listen to Ian Springer and Jeff Kaplan (screenwriters of FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS) talk about 1993’s FANTASTIC FOUR #375.
They co-wrote the movie and I made them talk about the comic. It’s fantastic!
sites.libsyn.com/601360/site/...
They co-wrote the movie and I made them talk about the comic. It’s fantastic!
sites.libsyn.com/601360/site/...
One of the most infamous single comic books in the hobby due to its theft from Nicolas Cage's home in 2000, I've been covering this copy's saga since its recovery by LAPD in 2011. The seller here was not revealed, but we know it had been in Ayman Hariri's collection. bleedingcool.com/comics/first...
First Superman in Action Comics #1 CGC 9.0 Goes For Record $15 Million
The census-topping Action Comics #1 CGC 9.0, once owned by Nicolas Cage, has just sold for an all-time record $15 Million, Metropolis/ComicConnect has announced.
bleedingcool.com
January 10, 2026 at 1:30 PM
One of the most infamous single comic books in the hobby due to its theft from Nicolas Cage's home in 2000, I've been covering this copy's saga since its recovery by LAPD in 2011. The seller here was not revealed, but we know it had been in Ayman Hariri's collection. bleedingcool.com/comics/first...
Boys of New York #386, Jan 6, 1883.
A spooky cover that I like. Gaston Garne is one of Francis W. Doughty's pseudonyms.
In this chapter of this story, Kit Carson and his associate Burke Miller have found the skeletal remains of Burke's family, and vow to take revenge on their killers.
A spooky cover that I like. Gaston Garne is one of Francis W. Doughty's pseudonyms.
In this chapter of this story, Kit Carson and his associate Burke Miller have found the skeletal remains of Burke's family, and vow to take revenge on their killers.
January 3, 2026 at 9:36 AM
Boys of New York #386, Jan 6, 1883.
A spooky cover that I like. Gaston Garne is one of Francis W. Doughty's pseudonyms.
In this chapter of this story, Kit Carson and his associate Burke Miller have found the skeletal remains of Burke's family, and vow to take revenge on their killers.
A spooky cover that I like. Gaston Garne is one of Francis W. Doughty's pseudonyms.
In this chapter of this story, Kit Carson and his associate Burke Miller have found the skeletal remains of Burke's family, and vow to take revenge on their killers.
Beadle’s Half‑Dime Library, #19, circa Oct 1877
The Phantom Spy;
or, The Pilot of the Prairie
"Far out upon the prairie and plainly visible in the moonlight, was what appeared to be a specter horse and rider... she seemed to urge her steed on by a mere exertion of her will." #PhantomsFriday
The Phantom Spy;
or, The Pilot of the Prairie
"Far out upon the prairie and plainly visible in the moonlight, was what appeared to be a specter horse and rider... she seemed to urge her steed on by a mere exertion of her will." #PhantomsFriday
January 2, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Beadle’s Half‑Dime Library, #19, circa Oct 1877
The Phantom Spy;
or, The Pilot of the Prairie
"Far out upon the prairie and plainly visible in the moonlight, was what appeared to be a specter horse and rider... she seemed to urge her steed on by a mere exertion of her will." #PhantomsFriday
The Phantom Spy;
or, The Pilot of the Prairie
"Far out upon the prairie and plainly visible in the moonlight, was what appeared to be a specter horse and rider... she seemed to urge her steed on by a mere exertion of her will." #PhantomsFriday
Reposted by Mark Seifert
Harper's Weekly, January 6, 1912
A new year's cover by Power O'Malley, who was born Michael Augustine Power and took the name O'Malley after his stepfather. O'Malley contributed covers to Life, Harper's, and Puck during this period.
A new year's cover by Power O'Malley, who was born Michael Augustine Power and took the name O'Malley after his stepfather. O'Malley contributed covers to Life, Harper's, and Puck during this period.
January 1, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Harper's Weekly, January 6, 1912
A new year's cover by Power O'Malley, who was born Michael Augustine Power and took the name O'Malley after his stepfather. O'Malley contributed covers to Life, Harper's, and Puck during this period.
A new year's cover by Power O'Malley, who was born Michael Augustine Power and took the name O'Malley after his stepfather. O'Malley contributed covers to Life, Harper's, and Puck during this period.
Boys of New York #866, March 19, 1892.
published by Frank Tousey
Frank Reade Jr. and his New Electric Air-Ship, the Eclipse
by Luis Senarens
A cover I like.
published by Frank Tousey
Frank Reade Jr. and his New Electric Air-Ship, the Eclipse
by Luis Senarens
A cover I like.
December 31, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Boys of New York #866, March 19, 1892.
published by Frank Tousey
Frank Reade Jr. and his New Electric Air-Ship, the Eclipse
by Luis Senarens
A cover I like.
published by Frank Tousey
Frank Reade Jr. and his New Electric Air-Ship, the Eclipse
by Luis Senarens
A cover I like.
Fox’s Illustrated Weekly Doings #67, July 19, 1884.
“Woman’s Dangerous Exhilarant”
"How the use of Calisaya Bark as a tonic is demoralizing the female portion of the community and making drunkards of fashionable women -- the use and abuse of a pernicious drug that enriches the drug stores."
“Woman’s Dangerous Exhilarant”
"How the use of Calisaya Bark as a tonic is demoralizing the female portion of the community and making drunkards of fashionable women -- the use and abuse of a pernicious drug that enriches the drug stores."
December 27, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Fox’s Illustrated Weekly Doings #67, July 19, 1884.
“Woman’s Dangerous Exhilarant”
"How the use of Calisaya Bark as a tonic is demoralizing the female portion of the community and making drunkards of fashionable women -- the use and abuse of a pernicious drug that enriches the drug stores."
“Woman’s Dangerous Exhilarant”
"How the use of Calisaya Bark as a tonic is demoralizing the female portion of the community and making drunkards of fashionable women -- the use and abuse of a pernicious drug that enriches the drug stores."
One of my most prized acquisitions of recent years has been the glass plate negatives of the early 1920s Luis Senarens photos previously only available in grainy newsprint versions.
Senarens (1863-1939) is without doubt one of the most important science fiction authors in American history.
Senarens (1863-1939) is without doubt one of the most important science fiction authors in American history.
December 26, 2025 at 3:19 PM
One of my most prized acquisitions of recent years has been the glass plate negatives of the early 1920s Luis Senarens photos previously only available in grainy newsprint versions.
Senarens (1863-1939) is without doubt one of the most important science fiction authors in American history.
Senarens (1863-1939) is without doubt one of the most important science fiction authors in American history.
Beadle's Half Dime Library #1, circa Jan/Feb 1877.
Deadwood Dick by Edward L. Wheeler
First appearance Calamity Jane in fiction, first app. Deadwood Dick, beginning of important 1168-issue series.
Calamity Jane arrived in Deadwood with Buffalo Bill in July 1876, this hit newsstands 7 months later.
Deadwood Dick by Edward L. Wheeler
First appearance Calamity Jane in fiction, first app. Deadwood Dick, beginning of important 1168-issue series.
Calamity Jane arrived in Deadwood with Buffalo Bill in July 1876, this hit newsstands 7 months later.
December 26, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Beadle's Half Dime Library #1, circa Jan/Feb 1877.
Deadwood Dick by Edward L. Wheeler
First appearance Calamity Jane in fiction, first app. Deadwood Dick, beginning of important 1168-issue series.
Calamity Jane arrived in Deadwood with Buffalo Bill in July 1876, this hit newsstands 7 months later.
Deadwood Dick by Edward L. Wheeler
First appearance Calamity Jane in fiction, first app. Deadwood Dick, beginning of important 1168-issue series.
Calamity Jane arrived in Deadwood with Buffalo Bill in July 1876, this hit newsstands 7 months later.
Frank Manley’s Weekly #16, Dec 22, 1905
Frank Tousey, Publisher
“The Best Athletic Christmas Story Ever Penned!”
Frank Tousey, Publisher
“The Best Athletic Christmas Story Ever Penned!”
December 25, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Frank Manley’s Weekly #16, Dec 22, 1905
Frank Tousey, Publisher
“The Best Athletic Christmas Story Ever Penned!”
Frank Tousey, Publisher
“The Best Athletic Christmas Story Ever Penned!”
Reposted by Mark Seifert
In 2017, I wrote about a particular aspect of the Die Hard Christmas legend, and asked Die Hard screenwriter Steven E. de Souza about it: the similarity between the name of Silent Night composer Franz Gruber and Die Hard's Hans Gruber.
The Silent Night Dies Hard: Hans Gruber and Franz Gruber
Die Hard fans have long pondered the similarity between the name of Silent Night composer Franz Gruber and the name of Die Hard antagonist Hans Gruber.
bleedingcool.com
December 23, 2024 at 10:22 PM
In 2017, I wrote about a particular aspect of the Die Hard Christmas legend, and asked Die Hard screenwriter Steven E. de Souza about it: the similarity between the name of Silent Night composer Franz Gruber and Die Hard's Hans Gruber.
Yankee Notions, Vol 5 #12, Dec 1856.
Published by Thomas W. Strong.
An attempt at bagging a Christmas turkey goes awry.
Yankee Notions is a very underrated early comic paper of the era. Publisher Thomas W. Strong had apprenticed under Robert H. Elton of Elton's Comic All-My-Nack fame.
Published by Thomas W. Strong.
An attempt at bagging a Christmas turkey goes awry.
Yankee Notions is a very underrated early comic paper of the era. Publisher Thomas W. Strong had apprenticed under Robert H. Elton of Elton's Comic All-My-Nack fame.
December 25, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Yankee Notions, Vol 5 #12, Dec 1856.
Published by Thomas W. Strong.
An attempt at bagging a Christmas turkey goes awry.
Yankee Notions is a very underrated early comic paper of the era. Publisher Thomas W. Strong had apprenticed under Robert H. Elton of Elton's Comic All-My-Nack fame.
Published by Thomas W. Strong.
An attempt at bagging a Christmas turkey goes awry.
Yankee Notions is a very underrated early comic paper of the era. Publisher Thomas W. Strong had apprenticed under Robert H. Elton of Elton's Comic All-My-Nack fame.
Still probably my favorite Christmas item in my collection. The size of the Brother Jonathan Mammoths (20 3/4" x 28 1/2") is a show-stopper in person, and as some may know, publisher Benjamin Day had published what is considered the first comic book in America with Brother Jonathan Extra #9.
Brother Jonathan 1853 Christmas and New Years "Mammoth Double Sheet Pictorial", probably my favorite Christmas item in my collection. Christmas scenes depicted in a comic style format (Four Color #126 Golden Age comic added in there for size comparison).
December 19, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Still probably my favorite Christmas item in my collection. The size of the Brother Jonathan Mammoths (20 3/4" x 28 1/2") is a show-stopper in person, and as some may know, publisher Benjamin Day had published what is considered the first comic book in America with Brother Jonathan Extra #9.
"I know him! Marley's ghost!"
A Christmas Carol in the very rare Lakeside Library v2 #28, 1876. Almost certainly a bootleg. Donnelley, Loyd & Co. was a predecessor company of printing giant R.R. Donnelley, now the largest commercial printer in North America. #phantomsfriday
A Christmas Carol in the very rare Lakeside Library v2 #28, 1876. Almost certainly a bootleg. Donnelley, Loyd & Co. was a predecessor company of printing giant R.R. Donnelley, now the largest commercial printer in North America. #phantomsfriday
December 19, 2025 at 8:44 AM
"I know him! Marley's ghost!"
A Christmas Carol in the very rare Lakeside Library v2 #28, 1876. Almost certainly a bootleg. Donnelley, Loyd & Co. was a predecessor company of printing giant R.R. Donnelley, now the largest commercial printer in North America. #phantomsfriday
A Christmas Carol in the very rare Lakeside Library v2 #28, 1876. Almost certainly a bootleg. Donnelley, Loyd & Co. was a predecessor company of printing giant R.R. Donnelley, now the largest commercial printer in North America. #phantomsfriday
Reposted by Mark Seifert
Why choose to bring back the clone of Spider-Man in the 1990’s?
The answer is more complicated than you might expect.
Listen to part one of the “Clone Caucus” on RANDOM ACTS OF COMICS now!
The answer is more complicated than you might expect.
Listen to part one of the “Clone Caucus” on RANDOM ACTS OF COMICS now!
December 16, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Why choose to bring back the clone of Spider-Man in the 1990’s?
The answer is more complicated than you might expect.
Listen to part one of the “Clone Caucus” on RANDOM ACTS OF COMICS now!
The answer is more complicated than you might expect.
Listen to part one of the “Clone Caucus” on RANDOM ACTS OF COMICS now!
Another Authentic Ghost Stories entry for #phantomsfriday, from Famous Crimes v3 #29 (1904) published by Harold Furniss.
An account of a haunting at Woodstock Palace in 1649, and an illustrated account of a poltergeist called "The Demon of Tedworth" in 1661.
An account of a haunting at Woodstock Palace in 1649, and an illustrated account of a poltergeist called "The Demon of Tedworth" in 1661.
December 12, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Another Authentic Ghost Stories entry for #phantomsfriday, from Famous Crimes v3 #29 (1904) published by Harold Furniss.
An account of a haunting at Woodstock Palace in 1649, and an illustrated account of a poltergeist called "The Demon of Tedworth" in 1661.
An account of a haunting at Woodstock Palace in 1649, and an illustrated account of a poltergeist called "The Demon of Tedworth" in 1661.