Chamber of Darkness #1 (Marvel Comics, Oct. 1969)

This is a horror/fantasy anthology. It includes multiple short stories, each self‑contained, hosted under the Chamber of Darkness banner. Key stories in this issue:

1. “It’s Only Magic!”

   • Written by Stan Lee; art by John Buscema (pencils) w/John Verpoorten ink.

   • Plot summary: A boy, Tommy, steals a spellbook from an occult bookstore and summons a Djinn. The Djinn grants wishes but twists them: “anything you wish for, I’ll grant in a way to torment you.” The boy realizes the danger and wishes to reverse time, so he never steals the book. What ends up mattering is the choice to walk away.

2. “Mr. Craven Buys His Scream House!”

   • Writer: Denny O’Neil; art by Tom Sutton. 

   • Synopsis: A man named Creighton C. Craven returns to a family estate where his grandfather once practiced occult rites. The house has become malevolent, reacting to inhabitants with supernatural hostility (slamming doors, broken timbers, gusts). Craven tries to refurbish or dominate the house; then he hires a demolition crew to destroy it. But at the moment of destruction, he hesitates, realizing the house’s hatred is related to his desire to be like his ancestors.

3. “Always Leave ’Em Laughing!”

   • Writer: Gary Friedrich; art by Don Heck; inks by Frank Giacoia.

   • Synopsis: A modern man who despises being ridiculed or laughed at decides to use a time machine to go back to the middle ages. Once there, he tries to convince royalty that he is from the future; his efforts are interpreted as comedic, and he is made the court jester. The situation turns on the irony of his own quest: in trying to escape mockery, he becomes its source.

Coupon in the inside is cut out

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