The first issue under Orlando would be a reprint issue of old horror/suspense stories, as the new direction would truly begin with #175 (July–August 1968).
As the Comics Code Authority was now being challenged by both DC and Marvel over content restrictions, the series returned to its overt horror themes. With issue #174, EC Comics veteran Joe Orlando was hired by DC to take over as editor of The House of Mystery. The Martian Manhunter was again relegated to back-up status during this time.Ĭain and Gregory move out in the final issue of The House of Mystery, #321 (October 1983), art by Michael Kaluta. This was followed with the introduction of " Dial H for Hero" in issue #156 (January 1966), which took over as headliner until issue #173 (March–April 1968). From The House of Mystery #143 (June 1964) to 155 (December 1966), " J'onn J'onzz, the Manhunter from Mars" headlined the book, as his back-up feature from Detective Comics was moved to The House of Mystery. In the mid-1960s, the series was revamped to include superhero stories. With the growing backlash against American horror comics in the mid-1950s, as well as the advent of the Comics Code Authority and its restrictions on horror-themed storylines (banning stories dealing with such supernatural fare as vampires and werewolves), the series was quietly revamped into dealing with science fiction-type monsters and other mystery/suspense-type tales that were permitted by the Comics Code. Issue #1 was cover dated December-January 1951. The House of Mystery started out as a horror anthology, featuring tales of the supernatural as well as supernatural-themed mystery stories.