Turgot, the Puppet Master, began his story in France during the 16th century. Turgot performed puppet plays for the Queen. This seemingly innocent entertainment had a darker side, as Turgot’s puppets were autonomous, obeying his orders to kill. Turgot’s four puppets were called the Strangler, the Courtier, the Hangman, and the Witch. His assistant was a beautiful young woman named Jeanne. Her brother Pierre warned her away from Turgot, but she went to the puppeteer in secret to assist him. Turgot told Jeanne that she must marry him. Half his age, she spurned his offer. Angry, Turgot told the Strangler to kill her. When she screamed Pierre’s name, her brother rushed in to assist. Using a stick from the fireplace, Pierre fended off the puppets. When Turgot charged Pierre with a sword, Pierre threw the flaming stick. Turgot fell on his own sword and died. Pierre threw the puppets into the fire. Turgot returned as a ghost. He reanimated his puppets from the embers, and continued to have them kill anyone who threatened his home through the centuries. In 1948, newlyweds Ralph and Gloria purchased the house and had it dismantled, shipping it to their home in the U.S. to be rebuilt. On the trip, the ghost of Turgot found Gloria the spitting image of his lost love, Jeanne. He had his puppets slay the boat’s captain. Gloria saw the murder. The couple went ahead with reconstructing the house. One day, Gloria visited the house and saw Ralph’s body stabbed through the back. Turgot grabbed her. The real Ralph entered with a flame pistol, having studied up on the type of ghost he faced. He destroyed Turgot and his puppets with fire.
Creators/Key Contributors Edvard Moritz, Frank Belknap Long
First Appearance Adventures into the Unknown #2 (Winter 1948)
First Publisher American Comics Group / ACG [CB+] [DCM] [GCD]
Appearance List Adventures into the Unknown #2
Sample Read Adventures Into the Unknown [DCM] [CB+]
Description Turgot, the Puppet Master, began his story in France during the 16th century. Turgot performed puppet plays for the Queen. This seemingly innocent entertainment had a darker side, as Turgot’s puppets were autonomous, obeying his orders to kill. Turgot’s four puppets were called the Strangler, the Courtier, the Hangman, and the Witch. His assistant was a beautiful young woman named Jeanne. Her brother Pierre warned her away from Turgot, but she went to the puppeteer in secret to assist him. Turgot told Jeanne that she must marry him. Half his age, she spurned his offer. Angry, Turgot told the Strangler to kill her. When she screamed Pierre’s name, her brother rushed in to assist. Using a stick from the fireplace, Pierre fended off the puppets. When Turgot charged Pierre with a sword, Pierre threw the flaming stick. Turgot fell on his own sword and died. Pierre threw the puppets into the fire. Turgot returned as a ghost. He reanimated his puppets from the embers, and continued to have them kill anyone who threatened his home through the centuries. In 1948, newlyweds Ralph and Gloria purchased the house and had it dismantled, shipping it to their home in the U.S. to be rebuilt. On the trip, the ghost of Turgot found Gloria the spitting image of his lost love, Jeanne. He had his puppets slay the boat’s captain. Gloria saw the murder. The couple went ahead with reconstructing the house. One day, Gloria visited the house and saw Ralph’s body stabbed through the back. Turgot grabbed her. The real Ralph entered with a flame pistol, having studied up on the type of ghost he faced. He destroyed Turgot and his puppets with fire.
