Shop Keeper

The Shop Keeper was a supernatural character who appeared in Fawcett Comics' early 50s horror titles. Initally portrayed as the elderly proprietor of an old Salem bookstore, he was subsequently revealed as a 'master' of The Beyond, one of several malevolent entities capable of traversing the gulf between Earth and Hell. Like Haunted's undead Countess Siroon, the Keeper seems to be charged with guarding the portal between the two worlds. While he acts mainly to discourage those seeking "knowledge not meant for mortals," he can also command the dark forces of hell when direct intervention is required.

In Dance of the Doomed he sends his faceless minions to hunt down a thief unfortunate enough to steal the Book of the Dead; the story strongly suggests that he is either an aspect of The Grim Reaper or "Mephisto Satan, Lieutenant of Death". His kingdom is referred to at one point as The Beyond, although the tale's conclusion clearly defines the region as the abode of the "Evil Ones" - ie Hell.

In the PURGE storyline, the Keeper returns decades later under the name Book Master, sending The Nameless Ones to murder Excelsior and unleashing hell onto the Westside. Following a desperate battle that destroys most of Gallows Hill, he is eventually routed by the last ditch efforts of Moon Maiden, Scarlet Shade, Tachyon and Westside Warrior. Dragged back to Hell by a vengeful Inquisitor, the Keeper is finally sentenced to eternal torment by The Judges of the Dead.

Golden Age Appearances

 * Stories from Another World #5