"Only Skin-Deep" in Shock Suspenstories #3 (1981) delivers a chilling, unsettling tale from writer Carl Wessler and artist Jack Kamen, whose stark, expressive artwork brings the story’s grim atmosphere to life. A farmer, driven by desire, disguises himself as the scarecrow to seduce a young woman he keeps on the farm, unaware of the violent truth that awaits when his wife discovers the deception. The cover by Jack Kamen captures the story’s eerie tension, making this a standout entry in the series’ legacy.
Contains 24 stories
Only Skin-Deep
8 pp · Crime
Blood-Brothers
7 pp · Crime
Dr. Falk (coroner)Ella (Sid's wife)Henry Williams (death)Sarah Williams (Henry's wife, death)Mr. Harley (Henry's employer)Jed MartinGeorge (a farmer, flashback)Sid (villain)
Upon Reflection
6 pp · Crime
Squeeze Play
7 pp · Horror-Suspense
Cora (Harry's girl, death)SueBeaNanEllaJanetJimmyArnieMelvinHarry [aka Johnny] (villain, death)
The Whipping
7 pp · Crime
Amy (Ed's daughter, death)Ed's wifeLouis MartinezVigilante Society [EdWilliePhilGeorgeother un-named townspeople] (villains)
You, Murderer
6 pp · Crime
As Ye Sow...
7 pp · Crime
Laird Kimball (husband, death)Nora (wife)
The Confidant
7 pp · Crime
JimmyJimmy's priest (death)a mob (villains)
For Cryin' Out Loud!
6 pp · Crime
Well Trained
7 pp · Crime
Sergeant Tom Gibson (Police detective)Mary Gibson (Tom's wife, death)Bill (Policeman)Mike Ferris (villain, murderer, death)
...My Brother's Keeper
6 pp · Adventure, Crime
Frank Doran (siamese twin brother of Mark, death)Mr. Doran (Mark and Frank's father, death, in flashback)Mrs. Doran (Mark and Frank's mother, death, in flashback)Gloria Milgram (in flashback)Alice [Benson] Doran (Frank's wife, death, in flashback)Mark Doran (villain, siamese twin of Frank, death)
A Kind of Justice
8 pp
Shirley HansenHelen Hansen (mother)John Hansen (father)Sheriff Paul JudsonEddie NicholsDeputy Russ Ford
4-Sided Triangle
8 pp · Horror-Suspense
In Character
7 pp · Horror-Suspense
The Assassin
6 pp · Crime
unnamed actor (death)unnamed assassin (villain)
The Operation
7 pp · Crime
Cadillac Fever
6 pp · Crime
Clyde Wilkes (death)Mrs. Wilkes (death)Mr. EvansJeb WylerSheriff HoytRuthie (villain, Wilke's daughter)
In the Bag
6 pp · Horror-Suspense
