Auctions: comic books December 1955

Crime Illustrated (1955) 1 CGC 6.0

Paper: Off white

Label #4681183002

Cover by Joe Orlando. Stories by Al Feldstein, Jack Oleck, John Larner, and Richard Smith. Art by Jack Kamen, Joe Orlando, Reed Crandall, and Johnny Craig. Part of EC's Picto-Fiction line, published in response to the Comics Code, featuring tales of law and outlaws in text stories copiously illustrated by EC's lineup of artists. A private eye investigating a woman's disappearance finds a vital clue in a mystery novel, but fails to notice the title, "Fall Guy For Murder," adapted from a story that originally appeared in Crime Suspenstories (1950-55 E.C. Comics) #18. In a noirish story, a chance encounter on the street gets Ben involved with the dangerous lives of Myra and her sister. Another historic moment occurs in Mother's Day (adapted from a story that originally appeared in Crime Suspenstories (1950-55 E.C. Comics) #21), when writer Al Feldstein uses the soon-to-be-famous moniker "Alfred E. Neuman." Vivid cover by Joe Orlando definitely would not have passed muster with the new Comics Code. Fall Guy For Murder; The Sisters; Fools Gold; Farewell To Arms; Mothers Day 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 60 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.25.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 41 VG- 3.5

1" Spine split from bottom.

"The Riddle of the Skull," "The Fishman" (art by Bill Everett), "The Strange Stick" (art by Robert Q. Sale), "They Won't Believe," "Man in the Dark" (art by Joe Orlando), and a two-page text story, "The Search!" Joe Maneely cover. 36 pgs. Cover price $0.10.