Tales of Terror #1
"Queen for a Day" in Tales of Terror #1 (1985) delivers a chilling blend of body horror and suburban dread, as a family’s beach vacation turns into a nightmare when giant insect-like beings abduct the father. Written by Steve Bissette and illustrated by Michael Gustovich, with colors by Steve Oliff and Sam Parsons, the story unfolds with creeping unease as the returned father acts increasingly unnatural—until the daughter begins her terrifying transformation and the mother realizes she’s next. The cover by Eric Vincent captures the story’s eerie, insectoid menace, making this a standout entry in Eclipse’s horror anthology.
Sell my copy
Have this issue — or a whole collection? Get a fair offer from us, skip the marketplace fees and the hassle.
We Buy Collections ▸Full credits
Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers
▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers
While vacationing at the beach, a family is attacked by giant insect‑like creatures that abduct the father. He later returns behaving strangely, and the mother begins to suspect something is terribly wrong. As the creatures’ influence spreads, their daughter undergoes a horrific transformation meant to replace the slain insect queen, and the mother is targeted as the host for a new hive. The story ends with the father dead and the mother overwhelmed by the creatures.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).