True Life Secrets (1951 Capitol Publications Inc.) comic books

Photo cover of John Carroll and Ruth Hussey. Untitled story, art by Fred Bell; Trudy and Judy argue with each other until their principal remarks how alike they are; then they decide they're both wonderful. Untitled story; Mary is fired from her newspaper job after writing a hostile article about obnoxious romantic movie star Robert Tyler. However, her editor changes his mind when Robert complains, and tells Mary to take a months vacation with pay until things cool off. Untitled story; Aspiring actress Ann lives in the Hotel Hopeful with other young women; Anns brother Jeff visits her and they rescue waitress Helen from her abusive boss; Helen moves into the Hotel Hopeful and falls in love with Jeff. The Promotion text story. Untitled story; Advice columnist Catherine Carter gets a letter from Barbara, whose locksmith boyfriend Victor is being forced to participate in robberies by a gang; Barbara says shell kill the crooks to save Victor, but when he arrives Catherine discovers Victor is himself a vicious criminal and is willingly helping the gang. "Life of the Party"; Kay and her cousin Edith are college students who work in their spare time; Kay is a carhop and dates bank employee Pete; Strait-laced librarian Edith doesnt approve of such frivolity and constantly nags Kay; she later tells Kays father that Kay is living indecently, causing him to order her to leave school at the end of the year. Untitled story, art by Fred Bell; Dot helps Helen overcome her poor posture and attract boys. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.10.

Photo cover. "Love Notes"; Five cartoons with trivia about love. "Too Successful For Love"; Kit runs her own ad agency; She belittles the competent work of account executive George just to assert her dominance; She agrees to have dinner with George, and is given a make-over by her secretary Ceil; George kisses Kit and although she likes it, she fires him. "I Knew All the Answers"; Waitress Anne clubs her lecherous boss with a frying pan, then accepts a ride with trucker Vic; They hear a radio broadcast accusing her of assault and robbery: she knows it was the counterman who stole the money after she left. "Just One Rose" text story. "Cannery Dream Girl"; Ruth works in a fish cannery and hates it; Fellow worker Will says he also wants to get out, but is making plans for the future: he has saved almost enough money to buy a fishing boat. "I Loved an Artist"; Susan works as a secretary for Hal in his ad agency; She lives in Greenwich Village and falls in love with aspiring artist Raphael; Raphael exploits Susan: she works overtime and skimps on her own meals to give him money. Love Quiz on back cover. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.10.

Stories and art by Art Gates, Eleanore Claire and Fred Bell. Early romance comics that include noirish tales of melodrama, scandal and deceit. Rancher's daughter Donna loves cowboy Dan, but she's wooed by wealthy older man Jock. In a different story, featuring "good girl" art by an unknown artist, Jane falls for Dan while he's building a house for his future wife. Grace is a nurse with three men vying for her attention: salesman Freddie, doctor Don, and pilot Rod. Plus romantic trivia from around the world. Three Loves Had I; I Loved Unwisely; I Left Love Behind; Career Wife; Built for Love. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Eleanore Claire. Early romance comics that include noirish tales of melodrama, scandal and deceit. In a story set in the world of 1950s roller derby, skater Marilyn falls for wealthy Bill, but first she must win over Bill's mother with her roughhousing ways. Susan and Peter meet after surviving an elevator accident and fall in love, but then she sees him kissing a carnival showgirl. Fran falls for Ted after modeling for him, but then they have to deal with her jealous ex, Joe. Plus quotations about love from Elizabeth Barrett Browning, George Bernard Shaw, and Moliere. Trudy; Can Love Come Early; Cupid Rode a Horse; She Called Me Fast; We Didn't Want the Same Kind of Love; Fall Into Love; I Yearned for New Love; Love Lines. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Eleanore Claire. Early romance comics that include noirish tales of melodrama, scandal and deceit. When Tod's fiancee spots him in a restaurant with another woman, she lets jealousy get the better of her. Dancer Vicky dumps her performing partner "Tony Orlando" and heads for Hollywood after agent Bill approaches them - but it turns out Bill was interested in Tony, not Vicky. Plus a revealing look at what 1950s men "liked and disliked" about women. Love Around the World; Tears in Her Heart; My Savage Soul; How Do You Judge the Man for You?; What Men Like About Girls and What They Dislike About Them; Queen of Broken Hearts!; Love or Consequences. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Al Tyler and Bob Forgione. Stories and art by Al Tyler and Bob Forgione. Early romance comics that include noirish tales of melodrama, scandal and deceit. Widowed Beatrice marries lawyer Michael, but she isn't sure if her troubled son Jimmy will accept her new husband. June marries fashion designer Burt, but her 1950s regard can't accept that all the women he sees are simply business associates. Frances supports struggling writer Jack until he sells his novel, but success gives them challenges they never had in poverty. Memory!; Love Came Later; I Tasted a Poison Called Jealousy; The Deadliest Poison in the World; I Married a Best Seller. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

"Shoulds and Should Not Hints on Beauty," script by Madame DeWinter; Humorous beauty tips. "My Fatal Weakness," art by Frank Frollo; Newlyweds Tom and his wife are hired as a butler and "practical nurse" for wealthy invalid Roge; Roger and Mrs. Shane begin an affair; to get Tom out of the way, they frame him for robbery; However, Roger hires a new nurse and Mrs. Shane discovers shes going to be accused of a crime just as her husband was. "Flames Fed My Foolish Heart," art by John Belfi; College student Dottie is tired of having no dates; She calls various boys for dates: Jim mooches money from her; Bill gets drunk and grabby; Frank tries to kiss her but their rowboat overturns and hes exposed as a coward and a hypochondriac; On their way home, they see a car wreck. "Pick-Up Girl" text story. "The Curse of Being Misjudged," pencils by Bob Forgione, inks by Al Tyler; During World War II, lonely high school student Madge is raped by a soldier on leave; She gets a "loose" reputation among the male students; On a picnic with 3 boys and another girl, she is raped again; New student Douglas learns about this and beats up the boys. "My Undecided Soul," art by John Belfi; Rita leaves the city and goes to a small town in search of "decent husband material"; She turns down Steve and Tony, then meets Paul but discovers hes engaged to Wilma; Wilma says shell give up Paul if Rita will agree not to see Steve any more. "Love -- in the Old Days!"; 3 anecdotes about love in earlier times. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover art by Frank Frollo. "My Emotional Error!", art by Art Cappello; Amy fears shell be an "old maid," so she dates Howard, a client of the brokerage firm where she works; They fall in love and become engaged; Howard claims his mother needs an operation and convinces Amy to credit $5000 to his account, promising to replace it promptly. "Who Was the Other Woman?"; Rose works for Broadway producer John as a script reader; She recommends a play by Herbert and he is attracted to her personally, but Rose loves John and he loves her; Herbert says John is a womanizer and having an affair with actress Eve. "Bad Blood" text story. "My Potent Kisses," art by Art Cappello; Pearl dates fellow workers Frank and Sam, but gets a reputation as a "hot dish" because she lets them kiss her; When she overhears Frank, Sam and Robert discussing her, she becomes upset and distracted, and is hit by a car. "I Tempted Trouble!", pencils by Albert Tyler, inks by Dick Giordano; Loretta and Bill get married; He gets a promotion that means he has to travel, leaving Loretta alone in their new home; When Bill is called away to work, Loretta sees a play with Bills friend Pete, who kisses her afterward. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Frank Frollo and Al Fago. Stories and art by Al Tyler, Frank Frollo and Art Cappello. Early romance comics that include noirish tales of melodrama, scandal and deceit. Norma leaves her coal-mining husband for a glamorous job in a city nightclub, but inadvertently gets involved with a drug deal. Jealous of her sister Myrt's talent and fame, Ann starts to impersonate Myrt, and quickly gets in over her head. Nurse Cynthia loves doctor Gene, but in a fit of jealousy she commits medical malfeasance, and only realizes her folly in the aftermath of a train wreck. Older and Wiser!; My Secret Betrayed Me; My Moment of Madness; I Was a Pawn of Passion; Key to My Heart; Strictly for the Brides. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Art Cappello. Stories and art by Frank Frollo and Art Cappello. Early romance comics that include noirish tales of melodrama, scandal and deceit. Nora's family forbids her to date bad-boy Nick, so she marries him in secret - then learns her family was right about him. Anna's friend and neighbor starts to spy on her when she realizes she has a secret lover. A female judge declares a divorcing couple unfit parents. She sends their son to an orphanage despite the kid's pleas, and soon regrets it. Wedding Marches; For Money Not for Love; The Darkness Held My Secret; I Hated My Sister; The Supreme Cost of Love; My Secret Exploded; His Great Love. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart PR 0.5 $22.00 View scan INCOMPLETE. Missing pages (affects art and story). 1" lateral spine tear. Cover detached.

Cover by Art Cappello and Al Fago. Stories and art by Frank Frollo and Art Cappello. Early romance comics that include noirish tales of melodrama, scandal and deceit. After a plane crash, Gail assumes the identity of her wealthy twin sister Wendy. But when a witness blackmails her, she contemplates murder. Ruth falls for wealthy Chris, but fortune-hunter Diana learns about Ruth's criminal past. Ellen is worried that her family's scandal will prevent her from finding love, and worse, that her father's insanity might be hereditary. Plus a comics adaptation of a Romantic poem by Lord Byron, "On With the Dance." Understudy to a Tragedy; They Called Me a Sinner... But!; My Diary Exposed My Secret; It Happened That Way; Out of the Darkness. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Art Cappello. Stories and art by Art Cappello and others. Early romance comics that include noirish tales of melodrama, scandal and deceit. Vivian works as a paid escort and falls for Jerry, but her boss Mike wants Vivian for himself. A woman, her husband, and a thief fall under the spell of a string of pearls. Judy decides to steal her friend Gilda's boyfriend, Jimmy. Snowbound; I Learned the Hard Way; How Not to Hold Your Man; Yes, I Was an Escort Girl; Green With Envy; The Desert Held My Secret!; Blinded By Glamour. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover art by Art Cappello. "Love or Revenge," art by Art Cappello; Trudy joins the Army Nurse Corps after her best friends husband is killed in Korea; Trudy blames officer Bob for the death; When a wounded Bob arrives at a hospital in Japan, Trudy contemplates letting him die but cant do it; Army Intelligence asks Trudy to get to know Bob, whos suspected of giving information to the enemy. "Brink of Eternity," art by Art Cappello; Paula marries boxer Gene. Her ex-boyfriend Duke tells Paula to have Gene throw his next fight or Duke will tell him about Paulas past; Paula refuses and decides to commit suicide by driving her car off a cliff; Duke tries to stop her but he is killed instead. "I Wonder?"; Grace shares a train berth with her friend Ronny, then accidentally crawls into bed with someone else. "I Learned About My Brother-In-Law" text story. "Chance of a Lifetime," art by Art Cappello; After wealthy Gregory knocks down a would-be mugger, Irene falsely claims the crook was her brother and died as a resul;. She blackmails Gregory into marrying her. "Surprise and Regret"; Debbie writes to blind soldier Paul to improve his morale. "Lost Love"; Cathy takes in an amnesiac wanderer and names him Jim; They fall in love and are married; Sometime later, Jim leaves to try and discover his identity; 8 years pass, and Cathy and her daughter see "noted architect" Jeff on the street. "That Awful Night," art by Art Cappello; Lillian, traveling to meet her husband Bill, misses a bus and accepts a ride from a stranger; The man tries to rape her; she knocks him out and escapes. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD 2.0 $349.00 or Best Offer View scan Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor.

Cover by Art Cappello. Stories and art by Art Cappello and others. Early romance comics that include noirish tales of melodrama, scandal and deceit. Lillian knocks out a would-be rapist, then wonders if she's an accidental murderer after reading press reports of his death. During Korea, Army nurse Trudy gets a chance for revenge against the commander who caused a friend's death, but falls in love with him instead. Amnesia separates a man from his daughter. Was I Branded?; I Wanted Happiness; I Deceived My Love; Summer Holliday; I Was Alone; X-Ray of Love. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Art Cappello. Stories and art by Art Cappello and others. Early romance comics that include noirish tales of melodrama, scandal and deceit. In the first of a series of What Would You Do? stories, Marge considers whether to break up with her convict boyfriend John, and readers are invited to supply the answer. Alice learns that her roommate Jackie has stolen money from her to buy a new gown for a dance. Edith falls in love with her coach, in a roller-derby story. But when she learns he's involved with another player, she decides to take action in the rink. Sure to Win; Troubled Memories; Sleep Well, My Beloved; What Would You Do?; I Played with Fire; Stealing What I Wanted; Sweet Revenge! 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart VG/FN 5.0 $600.00 View scans Water spotting.

Cover by Art Cappello. Stories and art by Art Cappello and others. Early romance comics that include noirish tales of melodrama, scandal and deceit. Lynn doesn't want fiance Chris to know she's an ex-convict, but then a man from her past turns up for blackmail. Cop Dave discovers that his new girlfriend Nancy is a cat burglar when he catches her in the act, in a story that invites the reader to supply the ending. Jim and Nora must decide if they want to continue their relationship after they learn that he has four months to live. The Shadow of My Past; She Led Two Lives; I Got What I Deserved; Love Always Wins; Four Months to Live; My Secret Decision. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Art Cappello. Stories and art by Art Cappello and others. Early romance comics that include noirish tales of melodrama, scandal and deceit. Kitty falls for Rex, but before they get married, she wants to know where he gets his money and nice car. A homeless woman assumes the identity of Helen, who jumped from a bridge. She gives Helen's family the happy reunion they could never have, but what happens if she's found out? In the last of a series of What Would You Do? stories, Ray knows that Susan is dying, but when they're shipwrecked with only one preserver, he must make a choice. Doubt in My Heart; My Stolen Love; Life or Death; Only Way Out; Gang Girl. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Art Cappello. Stories and art by Art Cappello and others. Early romance comics that include noirish tales of melodrama, scandal and deceit. Linda is dating Jeff and seeing Cobb on the sly, but when Cobb gets her alone on a storm-tossed island, she wishes she'd just stayed with Jeff. Jane pretends to be wealthy for her job at the department store, but when she meets Clay, she tries to maintain the pretense. Cute Mindy sets out to steal Bob away from her sister, but she didn't reckon on her own insanely jealous boyfriend. Thrill Crazy; You Can't Buy Love; Budget Blues; Marriage at First Sight; Wild for Love; Peace of Mind. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD 2.0 $100.00 View scans Chew.

Add to cart GD- 1.8 $73.00 View scans 1" spine split from bottom of comic. Cover oxidation. Small lateral spine tears.

Cover by Art Cappello and Al Fago. Stories and art by Art Cappello and others. Early romance comics that include noirish tales of melodrama, scandal and deceit. Four high-school friends share their dreams for life and love, and agree to meet ten years later to compare lives. The next four stories in this issue follow each of the four women. Vickie gets a job as a welder, then must choose between fellow factory worker Vic or wealthy socialite Morgan. May has a troubled relationship with her husband, but she decides to wait until the reunion before making any drastic decisions. Their Secret Decision; Price Tag on Love!; Office Romance; I Cheated My Heart; My Greatest Sin! 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

"Girl on the River"; Rhoda grows up with her father on a river barge, and longs for a life of luxury as epitomized by Brians fancy yacht; Rhoda and fisherman Mark fall in love; When Brian invites her to a party on his yacht, Mark advises Rhoda not to go because Brians "dubious business contacts" attend the wild parties. "Treachery"; Jewel thief Laura takes a job as Mrs. Gaumonts social secretary, intending to steal a fabulous diamond; She and Mr. Gaumonts secretary Matt fall in love; Laura steals a ring from Mrs. Gaumont and plants it on Matt. "Lesson Plan for Love" text story. "My Secret Happiness"; Kitty loses her job as a director of a small-town theatres play when rival Vivian brings in famous performer Scott; Scott co-stars with Kitty and she falls in love with him; The play is a success, but Scott is later reported dead in a plane crash. Untitled story; Honey is engaged to Russell, a probationary police officer; When Russell leaves his beat to price a wedding ring, a nearby store is robbed and he may lose his job; Honey knows it was her brother Ned who was the holdup man; Readers are asked "What Would YOU Do?" and to send their answer to the editor. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Leon Winik and Ray Osrin. Stories and art by Leon Winik, Warren Broderick, S. Finocchiaro and Ray Osrin. Early romance comics that include noirish tales of melodrama, scandal and deceit. May finds fun and companionship at her corner bar, but when she meets the man who actually loves her, he's shocked at her "party girl" reputation. Dancers Belinda and Jackie are a team onstage and off, but when Belinda meets smarmy Len, there's trouble ahead for their romance and their careers. Joan wants Larry for herself as soon as she meets him, even though he's already involved with her co-worker Betty. Their Secret Decision; Price Tag on Love!; Office Romance; I Cheated My Heart; My Greatest Sin! 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD 2.0 $475.00 or Best Offer View scans Miscut/miswrap. Interior top edge uncut (affects readability). Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor.

Cover by Dick Giordano and Ray Osrin. Stories and art by Leon Winik, Warren Broderick, S. Finocchiaro and Ray Osrin. Early romance comics that include noirish tales of melodrama, scandal and deceit. Widow Gina tries to lose her sorrow in wild living, but then she meets old high school chum Charlie and has second thoughts. Joyce likes partying with Speedy, who looks like Jimmy Olsen's sleazy older brother, while her father tries to cover for her with straight-arrow Mat. Stella wants to forget her ex, boxer Rocky, but it's hard to do when he's fighting for the championship on TV. Close Call!; My Selfish Heart; Night of Reckoning!; I Must Have Been Crazy; Love Wins a Decision!; Everybody's Sweetheart. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart VG/FN 5.0 $475.00 View scans

Add to cart CGC 6.0 $645.00 View scans Paper: Off white to white Label #4278554017 Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout.

Add to cart GD/VG 3.0 $365.00 View scans Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor.

Stories and art by Leon Winik and Ray Osrin. Early romance comics that include noirish tales of melodrama, scandal and deceit. Lola is contemptuous of her friends' make-do marriage plans, and sets out to find a wealthy husband. Nurse Ginny falls for Carl, the handsome doctor she works for, but hypochondriac Sandra wants Carl's attention for herself. Helen enjoys walking in the rain and brooding over her loneliness, but that's how she meets handsome Tod, who comes to her aid when she twists her ankle. Plus a romantic poem by Robert Louis Stevenson in comics form. Fast Track for Love; A Savage in Love; Romance; The Price I Paid; None But the Lonely. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD+ 2.5 $229.00 or Best Offer View scan Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor.

Stories and art by Marc Swayze and others. Early romance comics that include noirish tales of melodrama, scandal and deceit. Edie wants to show mechanic boyfriend Joe a thing or two, so she agrees to a date with wealthy bad boy Randy. But as their secret romance continues, she learns that Randy has a mean streak. Sally's the sort of gal who blames others for her mistakes, but she soon learns that doesn't work on the guy she's fallen for. Secret Love!; Copy Cat; My Tremulous Heart. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

"Trouble Maker"; Alicia desires Bob Hart for herself and causes trouble between Bob and his girlfriend Connie. "Ride to Romance" text story. "I Was Deceitful"; By coincidence, June has to negotiate a contract with the handsome man that rescued her father; They fall in love and June avoids negotiating, for fear of losing this man. Stealing What I Wanted," art by Art Cappello; Jackie steals money from her roommate Alice in order to buy a new gown for a dance. Untitled What Would You Do? story; Should Marge break up with John or wait until he gets out of prison?; This feature has an unresolved story and asks the readers to write in and offer a solution. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart VG+ 4.5 $600.00 View scan

Stories and art by Marc Swayze and others. Early romance comics that include noirish tales of melodrama, scandal and deceit. Betty starts dating Kurt while still seeing Tom, but sooner or later one of them is going to find out about the other. Craving excitement, Jean rushes into romance. Claire tries to manipulate boyfriend Steve into running for president of their college class, whether he wants it or not. First issue with the Comics Code seal on the cover. I Led Him On; The Key to His Heart; I Paid for My Folly; Love's Epitaph. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart VG+ 4.5 $500.00 View scan

Stories and art by Pete Morisi and others. Early romance comics that include noirish tales of melodrama, scandal and deceit. Tall Florence always feels out of place, so she becomes a rebel, but dating bad-boy Mark leads to both of them being arrested. Wanting to change her image, businesswoman Rhoada becomes a "painted doll," but that doesn't attract the kind of men she wants to know. Shy waitress Lila alienates Marty on their first date, so she resolves to be more engaging when they meet again. Invitation to Heartache; The Search for Honesty; I Was a Doll; I Dared to Love. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Early romance comics that include noirish tales of melodrama, scandal and deceit. Lora is torn between sweet, loyal Paul or dynamic go-getter Chris. Connie falls for her pal Helen's boyfriend Jack, and decides to steal him away for herself. Marianne is torn between truck driver Tim and Don, the doctor she works for. Mine Was a Divided Heart; I Stole a Man; The Promotion; He Tried to Possess My Love. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Jon D'Agostino. Early romance comics that include noirish tales of melodrama, scandal and deceit. Marsha has a way of picking up strays, and that includes the handsome but penniless and malnourished man in her boarding house. Pam falls for her pal Anne's boyfriend Carl and makes moves on him, but Carl sees through her charade, and so does Anne... and so does everyone else. Ronnie blames fiance Tim, the safety inspector, after her father is fired from the fuel plant where they all work. My Foolish Fascination; Romance Destroyed; Cross My Palm; I Loved Too Easily. Final issue of the series. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.