Mystery Tales #5 (1952)

By Tony DiPreta
$140.95
Free Shipping, In-Stock, Condition: New

Print Sizes (see Frame Sizes for overall dims)
Frame Styles
Mat
Overall Frame Sizes

Below are each print size's approximate overall framed dimensions:

1: 11 5/16"H print = 17 x 20” overall

2: 22 5/8"H print = 25 x 31” overall

3: 27 1/8"H print = 28 x 35” overall

4: 33 7/8"H print = 33 x 42” overall

See the Frame Sizes section at the bottom of this page for a visual guide.

Frame Styles & Materials

Frames
Choose from three styles:

  • Ashford - Aluminum, powder coated with a slim ⅜” wide flat face
  • Durham - Modern wood, poplar with stained finish. 1” wide x 1 ¼” deep
  • Granby - Ornate wood, antique-gilded finish. 1 ⅜” wide flat face

Print
Premium smooth matte-finish art paper

Matting
Acid-free ⅛” white conservation board

Protection
Clear acrylic, 1.5mm thick, protects your art from 66% of UV light. It offers the clarity of the finest picture frame glazing at half the weight of glass and many times the impact resistance

Production & Shipping Time

Shipping is free!

Your custom handcrafted order is shipped in 8-10 business days, with fast free shipping taking another 1-7 days based on distance from our facility in Derby, Connecticut.

Return Policy

Because our products are custom-made just for you, all sales are final.

However, if your order arrives damaged or doesn’t meet quality standards, we’re happy to offer a replacement. For more details, check out our Return and Refund Policy.

Need to cancel? We’ll do our best to accommodate if production hasn’t started. Just contact us as soon as possible on our Contact page.

About the Art

This November 1952 issue of Mystery Tales exemplifies the chilling allure of pre-Code horror comics published by Atlas Comics, later Marvel. The cover depicts a macabre cemetery scene where a skeletal figure emerges from its grave, juxtaposed with a couple obliviously strolling amidst tombstones. The dialogue bubble captures the era’s penchant for ironic humor, contrasting romantic optimism with lurking terror.

This issue reflects post-war America’s fascination with death and supernatural dread, shaped by atomic-age anxieties. Edited by Stan Lee, the series showcased emerging talents like Bill Everett and George Roussos, cementing its cultural significance as a precursor to Marvel's horror and suspense legacy.

Tony DiPreta

Tony DiPreta (1921–2010), a Golden Age master from Stamford, CT, trained at Stamford Guild Art School. Transitioning from humor (Stupid Manny) to gritty crime and horror, he crafted Airboy (Hillman), Lev Gleason’s crime tales, and Atlas/Marvel stories. He later shaped syndicated strips Joe Palooka (1959–1984) and Rex Morgan, M.D. with dynamic, visceral art.

Comic Genres

From Superheroes to Jungle Warriors: A Universe of Genres Awaits

Frame Sizes

Below are each print size's approximate overall framed dimensions:

1: 11 5/16"H print = 17 x 20” overall

2: 22 5/8"H print = 25 x 31” overall

3: 27 1/8"H print = 28 x 35” overall

4: 33 7/8"H print = 33 x 42” overall

Frame Styles

A frame style for every interior, each in a variety of finishes:

  • Ashford -Aluminum, powder coated with a slim ⅜” wide flat face
  • Durham - Modern wood, poplar with stained finish. 1” wide x 1 ¼” deep
  • Granby - Ornate wood, antique-gilded finish. 1 ⅜” wide flat face

Comic Art, Elevated

Say goodbye to flimsy posters and awkward framing. Vaulted Press offers stunning, ready-to-hang comic art.

Vaulted Press:

  • Faithful reproductions
  • Custom printed, matted and framed to order
  • Many frame styles and color options from which to choose
  • Growing catalog featuring both renowned and obscure artists’ works.
  • Making comic art and artists accessible to broader audiences with museum quality information and attribution

Other Providers:

  • Poor reproductions, untrue color, AI artifacts
  • Awkward framing, without mat or style options
  • Limited selection, without history or attribution