Jonatwork wrote:
While reading the Poe it occurs to me that the prevailing tone of critical thought on him is right-on, for once: somewhat wordy, sure, but when he delivers the goods, he delivers. A great surprise, since I've almost been dreading having my youthful reading memories of him shattered.

I think my first Poe story was a version of "Cask of Amontillado" in Creepy...
Same here my parent had me subscribed to young readers classic series.  I remember seeing the illustration for Cask of Amontillado and skipping right to it.