The Occult Files of Dr. Spektor #9
Published and © by Gold Key (Western), August 1974
Title: “She Who Serves the Dark Gods”
Synopsis: Dr. Spektor comes under the spell of a Dark Gods’ agent, then finds himself battling a who’s who of monsters.
Writer: Don Glut
Artist: Jesse Santos
Review: Don Glut’s monster-of-the-month Spektor stories tend not to dive deep. But they’re also fun, and are imbued with a more adult sexual tension than many contemporary titles. Add in the always-solid art of Jesse Santos and Dr. Spektor might be the most consistent offering in Gold Key’s Bronze Age lineup.
•••
Title: “The Pit”
Synopsis: Simbar the were-lion frees his leonine brethren but ultimately takes mercy on the trapper who caged them.
Writer: Don Glut
Artist: Jesse Santos
Review: Another slight story – one with seemingly little to do with Spektor’s world – featuring solid art from Jesse Santos.
Grade (for the entire issue): B
Cool factor: This issue is heavy on the monster madness – and it’s usually cool when Jesse Santos is drawing monsters.
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a Whitman edition of this issue.
Character quotable: “How much can one man endure before his mind is cleaved by the swords of madness?” – Dr. Spektor (dramatic much?)
Editor’s note: This review was written Oct. 6, 2026.
