Auctions: comic books published by Lev Gleason

Crime and Punishment (1948 Lev Gleason) 1 VG 4.0

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Dan Barry, Claude Moore, Dick Wood and Charles Biro. A companion series to Crime Does Not Pay from the same publisher, slightly less violent and with more emphasis on police work. Each story starts with a little gravestone, showing the date and method of the criminal's death. Narrated by a ghost cop, Officer Common Sense. Bespectacled killer Danny Iamascia is even more dangerous with his glasses off - to his fellow hoods and himself. The story of notorious German serial killer Peter Kurten, known as The Vampire of Dusseldorf. Bootlegger Charles "Vannie" Higgins, called "Brooklyn's Last Irish Boss" is notorious for his escapes from the law. The Crimson Story of Vannie Higgins; Danny Iamascia, Dutch Schultz's Triggerman; Gyp Artist; Small Fry Killer; Butcher of Dusseldorf; Fingerprints Can't Be Changed!; The Feud of Happy McNulty and Fancy Campbell. 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Crime Does Not Pay (1942-1955 Lev Gleason) 35 GD+ 2.5

Lateral spine tear.

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Rudy Palais, Dick Wood, Dick Briefer, Dick Hall, Robert Q. Sale, and Charles Biro. The title that launched the crime comics genre, Crime Does Not Pay was noted for its violent pre-Code content and lurid tales of underworld life. A convict helps build the gas chamber in San Quentin, little realizing that he'll see it again soon. A Hollywood murder mystery features comedy star Jimmy Durante, in a whimsical whodunit with art by Dick Briefer. Also featuring a vintage PSA for wartime paper salvaging, an early recycling program. Help Beat the Axis by Collecting Waste Paper; One Man Crime Wave; Pranzini of Paree; The Case of the Missing Toe; The Case of the Jersey Kid; The Man Who Built His Own Doom; Mystery Killing in the North Country; How Jimmy "Schnozzola" Durante Solved the Whodunnit. 52 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Crime Does Not Pay (1942-1955 Lev Gleason) 38 GD 2.0

Cover and centerfold detached.

Cover pencils by Charles Biro. The Case of the Armored Car starring Mr. Crime, script by Dick Wook, pencils by Robert Sale (as Bob Q. Siege) - man being electrocuted in an electric chair panel. The Meek Murderer, penciled by Al Fagaly. Murder by Night penciled by Rudy Palais. Crime in Concrete, 2 pages text story by by Dick Wood. Who Dunnit, script by Dick Wood, penciled by Dick Briefer - Charles Biro, Dick Wood, & Dick Briefer's comic book counterparts appear to introduce this story. Crime Cries Out, script by Dick Wood, penciled by Dick Alderman. Wild Beasts of Paris, penciled by Art Mann - last panel has a hanging of three men. Solution to Who Dunnit, Wood & Briefer, 52 pgs. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Crime Does Not Pay (1942-1955 Lev Gleason) 42 GD 2.0

Cover and centerfold detached.

Charles Biro electric chair cover! A truly striking cover!

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Jack Alderman, Rudy Palais, Dick Wood, Norman Maurer, and Charles Biro. The title that launched the crime comics genre, Crime Does Not Pay was noted for its violent pre-Code content and lurid tales of underworld life. Leonard Scamici makes a name for himself as a killer for hire, but a New York bank job proves his undoing. The brilliant and well-mannered "Western George" Leslie masterminded robberies down to the tiniest detail. A story that dares the reader to figure out who killed an embezzler during a costume party at Mardi Gras. Also featuring a famous and oft-reprinted cover by Charles Biro. Willie the Actor; Million Dollar Burglar; Murder Will Out; The Saga of Sir Charles; The True Story of Leonard Scamici, Killer For Hire; The Case of the Phony Count Chivano; Whodunnit: Can You Solve the Murder at the Mardi Gras? 52 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Crime Does Not Pay (1942-1955 Lev Gleason) 46 GD+ 2.5

Centerfold detached.

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Robert Sale, C. L. Hartman, Rudy Palais, Edd Ashe, Bert Bushell, Davy Johnson, and Charles Biro. The title that launched the crime comics genre, Crime Does Not Pay was noted for its violent pre-Code content and lurid tales of underworld life. "Two Gun" Crowley's 1931 shootout with police becomes national news and helps create the image of the Prohibition-era gangster. A crooked insurance salesman hires two killers to do away with a woman for the insurance money. A story that dares the reader to figure out who committed murder during the production of a pirate movie. Also featuring several lurid text stories of the True Detective type, plus a vintage ad for Pepsi starring Pepsi the Pepsi-Cola Cop. Cut-Rate Murder; A River, a Basket, a Stain of Red; Death Insurance; The True Story of Two-Gun Crowley; This'll Kill You!; Joe the Boss; Trio of Terror; Whodunnit. 68 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Crime Does Not Pay (1942-1955 Lev Gleason) 50 GD+ 2.5

Cover coming detached at single center staple. Cover oxidation. Cover to cover puncture.

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Dan Barry, Fred Guardineer, George Tuska, Dick Briefer, Rudy Palais, Bob Moore, Jack Alderman, Walter Johnson and Charles Biro. The title that launched the crime comics genre, Crime Does Not Pay was noted for its violent pre-Code content and lurid tales of underworld life. The Fleagle brothers like to rob banks together, but superstitions may turn them against each other. Bespectacled killer Danny Iamascia is even more dangerous with his glasses off - to his fellow hoods and himself, in a story with early art by future "Flash Gordon" artist Dan Barry. A masked robber terrorizes the Massachusetts town of Belmont, so citizens organize a neighborhood patrol. The Kill-Crazy Fleagle Brothers; Danny Iamascia, Dutch Schultz's Triggerman; On the Level; Arkansas Killer; The Chicken-hearted Killer; Jail Didn't Save Them; The Belmont Bandit; Whodunnit: The Invisible Killer. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Crime Does Not Pay (1942-1955 Lev Gleason) 55 GD/VG 3.0

Cover and centerfold loose at single center staple.

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Dan Barry, Fred Guardineer, Bob Moore, and Charles Biro. The title that launched the crime comics genre, Crime Does Not Pay was noted for its violent pre-Code content and lurid tales of underworld life. The true story of mobster Louis Lepke Buchalter, the gangster who created the Murder, Inc. killer-for-hire operation during the 1930s. Gerald Chapman, known as The Gentleman Bandit, became the first Public Enemy Number One. Bootlegger Annie French raises her son Don to be a killer. Leo Lepke Buchalter; Gerald Chapman, "Cop Killer"; Crime Quiz; Money's Worth of Murder; Shoe-Box Annie; On The Level; Whodunnit. 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Crime Does Not Pay (1942-1955 Lev Gleason) 82 GD+ 2.5

Centerfold detached. Water spotting.

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Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Tony DiPreta, Fred Guardineer, Claude Moore, and Charles Biro. The title that launched the crime comics genre, Crime Does Not Pay was noted for its violent pre-Code content and lurid tales of underworld life. Mr. Crime narrates the tale of Natural Gilbey, a hard-luck hobo who recruits an army of criminals, in a story with possible art by future "Flash Gordon" artist Dan Barry. Burglars discover where wealthy families keep their valuables by listening to the servants on their night off. A sheriff enlists the Feds and the Coast Guard to catch a gang of killers operating from a houseboat off the Gulf Coast. Death in the Hobo Jungle; On the Level; How They Were Trapped!; Laugh These Off; The Case of the Thursday Burglars!; Our Police Hall of Fame; This'll Kill Ya; Savage Houseboat Mob!; Who Dunnit? 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Daredevil Comics (1941 Lev Gleason) 23 VG 4.0

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Charles Biro, Norman Maurer, Dick Wood, Bob Wood, Dick Hall, Jack Warren and Dick Briefer. This early superhero title was one of the comics that made publisher Lev Gleason a major player during the Golden Age. Daredevil and The Little Wise Guys face the deadly millionaire called Pshyco on the ski slopes. Teen inventor Dickie Dean creates a Thought Transmitter, in a story with art possibly by Archie creator Bob Montana. The Pirate Prince's pal Droopy meets his dad, in a naval reunion in the tradition of Popeye and Poopdeck Pappy, with art by Dick Briefer. Also featuring a vintage ad for wartime "Victory Glasses": a set of tumblers featuring members of each branch of the US armed services smooching a cute civilian. Daredevil; Sniffer: The Strange Case of the Coded Pickles; Dickie Dean; Helpful Hank; The Pirate Prince; Crimebuster: Monkey Maneuvers; The Claw. 60 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Daredevil Comics (1941 Lev Gleason) 52 VG 4.0

Cover oxidation.

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Charles Biro, Norman Maurer, and Sidney M. Elias. This early superhero title was one of the comics that made publisher Lev Gleason a major player during the Golden Age. A mysterious old man gives unlucky Scarecrow all the luck he needs, and he puts it to work in the junior football league. The Little Wise Guys start their own detective agency and help the FBI chase down a counterfeiter. Daredevil and the Little Wise Guys; Crackpot Constructors Inc.; Daredevil; Crimebuster: Death in the Barn; The Great Wall of China; This'll Kill Ya! 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.