HR Giger's Art: Comparing the cover from The Pink Panther #5 to Necronom IV

 

 

leading from

HR Giger's art: On The Trail Of The Pink Panther
and
The Pink Panther comic book trail  

 

The Pink Panther #5
(April 1972)
drawn by Phil De Lara
Published by Gold Key

 

a) The hat on the head helps to inspire the idea of stretching the cranium. 

b) Perhaps it influenced what Giger did with the tail as well, although he positioned it in a completely different way.