Dr. Junius B. Jethro tells the story of when he treated musical comedy star Ruth Morton. One night after a performance, she’s attacked in her dressing room by what she thinks is just a strange man. Ruth’s husband Bill contacts Dr. Jethro after the man attempts to attack her again at home. Junius tells Bill he suspects a vampire, from Ruth’s description. The vampire attempts to attack Ruth a third time. He flees, is shot by Bill while in bat form, falls from the second story window in human form, and is taken to the hospital. The vampire senses Ruth is in the same hospital, and is compelled to seek her out. Dr. Jethro responds to Ruth’s call for help and sees the vampire. With two police officers, he follows the vampire to an unused storage room. The officers shoot at the vampire to no avail, as Dr. Jethro informs them that bullets are ineffective if a vampire has their guard up. Dr. Jethro retrieves a juniper sprig from his pocket to use against the vampire. This causes the vampire to flee. The vampire steals a sleek car and drives to a cemetery. Dr. Jethro and two police officers follow. The vampire, in the form of a bat, flies into a tomb. His pursuers find a stone sarcophagus inside the tomb. The inscription on the stone coffin reveals the vampire’s name as Marvin Sanders. Sanders’ death is dated 1854. Dr. Junius B. Jethro stakes Sanders through the heart. The flesh dissolves, leaving only bones.
Creators/Key Contributors Frank Belknap Long, Leonard Starr
First Appearance Adventures into the Unknown #3 (Feb. 1949)
First Publisher American Comics Group / ACG [CB+] [DCM] [GCD]
Appearance List Adventures into the Unknown #3
Sample Read Adventures Into the Unknown [DCM] [CB+]
Description Dr. Junius B. Jethro tells the story of when he treated musical comedy star Ruth Morton. One night after a performance, she’s attacked in her dressing room by what she thinks is just a strange man. Ruth’s husband Bill contacts Dr. Jethro after the man attempts to attack her again at home. Junius tells Bill he suspects a vampire, from Ruth’s description. The vampire attempts to attack Ruth a third time. He flees, is shot by Bill while in bat form, falls from the second story window in human form, and is taken to the hospital. The vampire senses Ruth is in the same hospital, and is compelled to seek her out. Dr. Jethro responds to Ruth’s call for help and sees the vampire. With two police officers, he follows the vampire to an unused storage room. The officers shoot at the vampire to no avail, as Dr. Jethro informs them that bullets are ineffective if a vampire has their guard up. Dr. Jethro retrieves a juniper sprig from his pocket to use against the vampire. This causes the vampire to flee. The vampire steals a sleek car and drives to a cemetery. Dr. Jethro and two police officers follow. The vampire, in the form of a bat, flies into a tomb. His pursuers find a stone sarcophagus inside the tomb. The inscription on the stone coffin reveals the vampire’s name as Marvin Sanders. Sanders’ death is dated 1854. Dr. Junius B. Jethro stakes Sanders through the heart. The flesh dissolves, leaving only bones.
