Vault of Horror #31
In "Easel Kill Ya!", a chilling tale from EC's Vault of Horror #31 (1953), a murder hidden for years resurfaces through the most unexpected of signs—a peach tree growing from a swallowed pit. Written by Al Feldstein and brought to life with sharp, haunting art by Jack Davis, the story unfolds as Lieutenant Dolan investigates a suspicious garden, where a single bite into a fruit reveals a horrifying truth. The cover by Johnny Craig captures the story’s eerie tension, making this a standout issue in the series’ legendary run.
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Lieutenant Dolan looked at the roots of a peach tree that held the corpse in its roots, and ordered the corpse and tree be taken in for autopsy. He turned to Michael Lane, the murderer, who now confessed to why he did the act. Her name was Sarah, young, wealthy and beautiful, and he got what he wanted from her until she realized that he didn't love her....just her money. There was a terrible fight, then talk of divorce. Finally one night, as she ate a peach, he killed her, buried her in the garden and destroyed all of her possessions, giving the impression she had left him. The problem was that she has swallowed the peach pit, and from that pit, a peach tree began to grow. Seven years passed by and finally the tree bore fruit.....Lt. Dolan came by the house, hoping to trap Lane into admitting the act he suspected him of. Then as they walked into the garden, Lane reached for a peach and bit into it....quickly spitting it out. The Lieutenant now knew where to look for Lane's wife's body, for that peach had blood inside it!
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).