First Love Illustrated (1949-1963 Harvey) comic books 1949-1951

Cover art by Tom Gill. "Broken Prom Date" text story. "Party Girl," art by Tom Gill; Kitty and Donna are state government workers in Capitol City; Donna is engaged to Fred, but Kitty is ambitious and has many boyfriends; Donna breaks up with Fred and Kitty takes her on the "party circuit," dating influential visitors. "Out of the Past," art by Tom Gill; Carnival worker Betty falls in love with high-diver Red; When Red is injured in an accident, he calls out for "Ruth" and Betty discovers a letter from Ruth in his wallet; Ruths mother says Betty is Reds sister: he was sent to an orphanage after their mother died, while Betty stayed with their father. "Dateless," pencils by Tom Gill; Sue is the head librarian in Sun Valley; Tired of being called an old maid, she flirts with visiting ski expert Dick, even though she doesnt know how to ski. "After Hours," art by Vic Herman; Waitress Winnie agrees to date the persistent wolf Horatio if he meets her at closing time; When Horatio shows up, Winnie assigns him various clean-up duties at the restaurant; When he falls asleep, exhausted, Winnie departs. "Cupid's Corner"; love poems. "Unmasking of Love" text story. "She Didn't Ask for Love," art by Bob Powell; Cupid steps in to help plain college coed Peggy change her dull looks and capture the heart of football player Gary, to the consternation of Peggys lovely but mean roommate Cynthia. "A Girl Leaves Home," art by Tom Gill; After high school graduation, Linda departs for nursing school, leaving her boyfriend Danny at the mercy of vamp Raven; Danny writes and says he and Raven are getting engaged, so Linda leaves school to confront them; On the way, shes caught by Dr. Roy, who takes her to the scene of a train wreck. "Love Laughs," art by Vic Herman et al.; Cartoons and text jokes. "Dream Date," art by Bob Powell; Tommy makes a date with telephone operator Angel Voice, sight unseen; His father insists Tommy escort Dawn, the daughter of a visiting business acquaintance; Tommy recalls Dawn as a fat kid, so he convinces his pal Buddy to substitute for him with her. 52 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Al Avison. Stories and art by Arthur Murray, Bob Powell, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Tom Gill and Vic Herman. Harvey's entry in the romance-comic genre includes love poetry, advice to readers, and occasional pre-Code notoriety. Cherub "Dan Cupid" narrates the story of how love bloomed at the office for attorney Ronnie and his assistant Laura. Gail meets a handsome cowboy and ill-advisedly tries to follow him back to his ranch, in the delightfully titled "I Tried to Lasso My Love." A tutorial for dancing the rumba, from legendary Hollywood dancer and dance instructor Arthur Murray. Plus "true" reader tales of love, love poetry from classic authors, and vintage advice on "How Not to Be a Wallflower." I Was my Sister's Shadow; Unwanted; I Tried To Lasso my Love; Winnie the Waitress; My First Kiss; My First Date; How Not to Be a Wallflower; Rumba - Cuba's National Dance; Love Laughs; I Was a Phony; Career Girl; Cupid's Corner; Sacrifice for Love; Love Makes the World Go 'Round. 52 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Al Avison. Stories and art by Al Eadeh, Bob Powell, Edgar Allan Poe, Tom Gill and Lee Elias. Harvey's entry in the romance-comic genre includes love poetry, advice to readers, and occasional pre-Code notoriety. Nurse Jane finds herself in the unlikely position of having to choose between patient Jerry and surgeon Tom, right when Tom is about to operate on Jerry. Zaftig Roz despairs of being asked to dances or parties because of her plus-size looks, in a story unusual for a 1940s romance comic. Superstitious gal Jinx allows a fortune-teller's advice to ruin her romance with handsome Red. Plus "true" reader tales of love, love poetry from classic authors, and vintage love advice. Could I Let Jealousy Wreck an Innocent Man's Life?; Gossip Nearly Ruined My Love; Was I Too Fat to Be Loved?; First Kiss; Cupid's Corner; Superstition Made Me Afraid to Love. 46 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover art by Al Avison. "Tearful Bride," art by Tom Gill; Jane and Johnny are engaged, but he doesnt make enough money for them to get married; Johnny finally convinces Jane to get a job to help them make ends meet. "I Fell in Love with a Mama's Boy!", pencils by Al Eadeh; Laura breaks up with Terry because he wants to be a race driver; her father died in a crash and she opposes the sport; She gets a sales job in a department store and finds herself attracted to her supervisor, Dave. "Should I Give Up My Career for Marriage?", pencils by Bob Powell; Rita is promoted to department head at her job; She and Paul fall in love, but he says "No wife of mine is going to work. You're going to have to give up something...either that job or me!" "Weekend Date," art by Vic Herman; Jealous Mabel and Myrtle steal Winnie's luggage when she goes on a weekend trip; She has to improvise her wardrobe--making a bikini out of two handkerchiefs and ball gown out of curtains--and is still the most popular woman at the resort. "Soap-Opera Love" text story by Wanda Carter. "I Suffered for Love," art by Bob Powell; Julies brother Jeff is overly protective, disapproving of her boyfriends; When her father falls ill and dies, Julie learns she is adopted. "Amateur Show," art by Vic Herman; Tired of eating free sandwiches at the Snack Shop where she works, Winnie enters an amateur talent contest hoping to win money for a decent meal; She takes second place with her dish-juggling act. "My One-Sided Romance," art by Tom Gill; Beth has a crush on roller skater Dick, so she trains herself to skate and is paired with him in a contest. Advice column from Nancy Powers. "Am I Too Young to Marry?", pencils by Bob Powell; Betty is 16 years old and wants to marry Bill, but her parents insist she's too young; A "famous authority" says "I believe Betty should wait until she graduates school before she decides." 52 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Lee Elias. Stories and art by Bob Powell, Tom Gill and Lee Elias. Harvey's entry in the romance-comic genre includes love poetry, advice to readers, and occasional pre-Code notoriety. Two women take opposing views of romance, with one wanting financial stability and the other holding out for real love. A country doctor risks losing the love of his life because of another woman's money. A woman keeps her identity as a coal miner's daughter a secret from her boyfriend, until a disaster forces her to choose. You Can't Put a Price Tag on Love; I Was a Coal Mine Cinderella; I Fell in Love with a Hollywood Star; First Kiss; Cupid's Corner; I Made a Mistake!; My Rival in Romance. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Al Avison. Stories and art by Tom Gill and others. Harvey's entry in the romance-comic genre includes love poetry, advice to readers, and occasional pre-Code notoriety. Nurse Judith struggles to choose between two handsome doctors: reliable Alfred or free-wheeling Raymond. A girl from the wrong side of the tracks finds escape through a romance with her wealthy boss. A woman struggles to express her secret love to a classmate. My Hospital Romance; I Was a Snob!; Factory Girl; First Kiss; My Hesitating Heart!; My Secret Love. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Al Avison. Stories and art by Tom Gill, William Shakespeare, Bob Powell, Vic Herman and Jack Kamen. Harvey's entry in the romance-comic genre includes love poetry, advice to readers, and occasional pre-Code notoriety. Ellen's jealousy drives men away, but she doesn't really get it until she meets a man who is as possessive as she was. Ann gets an opportunity to live out her lifetime dream of being an actress...but there's a catch. A musical love triangle unfolds between Roger, Marjory and Mark. Plus "true" reader tales of love, love poetry from classic authors, and vintage love advice. I Was a Child Bride; I Loved Him Too Much!; First Love Winners; Strange Romantic Customs; Glamour Crazy; I Was Faithful to a Memory; Song in My Heart; The Theme That Broke My Heart!; Cupid's Corner; I Trailed My Love. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Al Avison. Stories and art by Lee Elias, Tom Gill, Sir Walter Scott, Bob Powell, Vic Herman and Jack Kamen. Harvey's entry in the romance-comic genre includes love poetry, advice to readers, and occasional pre-Code notoriety. Liz loves firefighter Tim, but is anxious about the dangers of his job. Telephone operator Nan doesn't realize the voice on the other end is the man she loves, in a story with fun details of mid-20th century culture and technology. Rich girl Louise convinces dentist Sandy that she's poor and unloved, but she can't keep up the pretense for long. Plus "true" reader tales of love, love poetry from classic authors, and vintage love advice. Too Hot To Handle; Love in the Saddle; Love Starved; Special Firsts; All's Fair in Love...; Diet for Love; Your Problem; Confessions of a Telephone Operator; Cupid's Corner; Love Laughs; The Man of Many Loves; Love Makes the World Go 'Round. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Al Avison. Stories and art by Tom Gill, Al Avison and Lee Elias. Harvey's entry in the romance-comic genre includes love poetry, advice to readers, and occasional pre-Code notoriety. Vera feels stuck between two worlds because she's only 15, but looks 21. After Trina wins a small fortune, fiance Fred borrows money against his better judgment, giving the impression he's only after her money. Ginny suspects the worst when fiance Kip is seen with beauty Drucie. Plus "true" reader tales of love, love poetry from classic authors, and vintage love advice. I Passed for 21; Special Firsts; Love Made me Miserable; Dinner for Two; Love Makes the World Go 'Round; No Excuse for Love; Love Laughs; Your Problem; I Paid for Love; Engagement Ring; Spotlight on Love. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover art by Al Avison. "I Sinned Against Love!", art by Lee Elias; Jasmine is visiting wealthy friends in the Deep South and meets a young man she thinks is a poor trapper; They fall in love but she cant imagine living as a member of the poverty-stricken class; During a flood, Jasmine and her brother Tony are stranded in a house with a poor family and the trapper. "Strange Romantic Customs" half-page, art by Vic Herman. "My Family's Maid," art by Bob Powell; Jane lives with her widowed mother and 3 sisters, and keeps house for them all; Pressed into service as an escort for Jud, Jane falls in love with the handsome young man. "City Slicker" text story. "Ninon de Lenclos"; Ninon, born in 1620, has many lovers in her life, but she doesnt marry until shes 80 years old, to a man 50 years younger. "Don't Be Conspicuous" How To Hold Your Man story, art by Vic Herman. "I Loved the Wrong Man" text story. "I Begged for His Love" text story. "How Do You Rate on a Date?" questionnaire. "No Man Could Love Me!", art by Bob Powell; Victoria overcomes sexism and becomes a successful architect;. Businessman Harold has Victoria and Nat compete for the job of building a new home for him and his daughter. "Memories for Sale," art by Tom Gill; Grace plans to bid on antiques at an auction but her boyfriend Harvey disapproves; Grace is assisted by local dealer Lon in obtaining the pieces she really wants. Love poems by Lady Blessington, Longfellow, Shakespeare, Plato, E. B. Browning, and Rose Stokes. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Al Avison. Stories and art by Tom Gill, Bob Powell, Tom Hickey, Robert Browning and Lee Elias. Harvey's entry in the romance-comic genre includes love poetry, advice to readers, and occasional pre-Code notoriety. Handsome lawyer Kit defends old friend Julia for murder, but she's still in love with the late Rex. Harriet loves struggling composer Mickey, but isn't prepared for the hardships of poverty. Plus "true" reader tales of love, love poetry from classic authors, and vintage love advice. She Loved a Dead Man; The Misery of Love; I Married a Jockey; Sneak Thief; First Love Winners; Cupid's Corner; Love Laughs; Your Problem; Strange Romantic Customs; What I Learned from Love!; My Father's Keeper; Poor Man's Wife; Stolen Moments. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

"I Had To Run Away," pencils by Warren Kremer; After graduation, Joy goes to live with her father, the warden of an island prison; Joy falls in love with inmate Carl and agrees to help him escape; They make it to the mainland, where Carl admits he is just using her as a hostage. Advice column where Nancy Powers gives advice to readers. "Hasty Wedding!", pencils by John Giunta, inks by Manny Stallman; Betty is engaged to farmer Curt, but when his brother Ralph returns from college, she is attracted to him; Ralph and Betty fall in love and wed; Ralph drops out of school to run the farm, and Curt leaves. "Strange Romantic Customs" fact page, pencils by Warren Kremer. "I Asked For It!" text story. "What's Your T.Q.?"; Be smart on the phone and use your Telephone Quotient. "Hearts Divided"; Bonnie travels to Scotland to settle an inheritance, leaving her fiancé Vic behind; Her plane crashes and Vic thinks shes dead. "Beauty Can Be Skin Deep!"; Advice for skin care. Love poems by Robert Browning, Heinrich Heine, Burns, Tennyson, Woodberry, and Palmer. Love jokes. "The Story Behind The Cover" text story. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Stories and art by Bob Powell and others. Harvey's entry in the romance-comic genre includes love poetry, advice to readers, and occasional pre-Code notoriety. Lonely Geri joins a scandalous club that ruins her reputation and her chances with a young reporter, in the provocatively titled "I Joined a Teen-Age Sex Club!" A young runaway finds trouble on the road. Plus "true" reader tales of love, love poetry from classic authors, and vintage love advice. Torrid roll-in-the-hay cover features an Elvis Presley lookalike, although Elvis wouldn't start recording for a few more years. Confessions of a Runaway!; I Joined a Teen-Age Sex Club! ; Flaming Romance; Torment; What's In a Name?; I Was Robbed of Love; Just For Tonight!; Your Problem; Strange Romantic Customs; What I Learned from Love!; For Hunters Only! 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

"Reckless Redhead!", inks by Lee Elias; In Florida, Marlo is swept off her feet by Lance, the enforcer for gambling ship proprietor Winters; Infatuated with him, Marlo marries Lance after they flee a police raid, but later leaves when he is possessive and physically abusive to her. "Stolen Love" text story. "I Had a Year To Love!", art by Vic Donahue; Secretary Eileen falls in love with her boss Tim, but her sister Linda steals him away; However, when she learns Tim has an incurable illness and a year to live, Linda dumps him; Eileen asks Tim to marry her. "Little White Lie!" text story. "Strange Romantic Customs" fact page. "Wedding Day" text story. Column in which Nancy Powers gives advice to readers. "Loveless Lady," art by John Sink; Warrens mother marries Lord Leland; Warren is attracted to Pamela, Lelands niece, but she has been sheltered from the world and doesnt know how to react to him. "What's in a Name?" fact page; Female first names and their origins. "Shameful Escapade," art by Bob Powell; Teenaged sisters Lila and Francine sneak out and pick up Len and Ernie, two sailors on leave, but balk at having sex with them, and admit their ages (15 and 16); Calling them "cheap and common and dumb," the sailors tell them to leave, then repent and safely escort them home. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover art by Al Avison. "Side-Street Love," art by Bob Powell; Bored Sally is engaged to Frank but begins an affair with department store night watchman Buck, who gives her gifts he "bought" with his "employee discount" (Buck actually stole the merchandise); Sally spends time with Buck in the closed store at night, hoping hell propose marriage. "Afraid To Tell" text story. "Brute Force," art by Lee Elias; Janie has a crush on former schoolmate Clark, now a professional boxer; Clark repeatedly sends her away because he has no future and no security to offer her. "No Hope for Happiness!", art by Jack Sparling; Reporter Bart investigates the death of Janice, a mysterious blonde whose body was washed up on a beach; He becomes obsessed with her, to the detriment of his relationship with fellow newspaper employee Sylvia. "She's No Lady," art by Tom Hickey; At lunchtime each day, Meg helps her father Frank with his lunch wagon business outside a local factory, then returns to school; She breaks up with factory worker Biff in order to date wealthy classmate Hal; Hal asks Meg to hide her humble origins from his parents, but when a factory worker gets fresh and Biff defends her, Hals father—who owns the factory—sees her there. Column in which Nancy Powers gives advice to readers. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.