Crime Does Not Pay (1942-1955 Lev Gleason) comic books 1950-1959

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Tony DiPreta, Fred Guardineer, 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 Ben "The Leech" Dore, who must choose between informing on a mob boss or frying for the murder himself, in a story with possible art by future "Flash Gordon" artist Dan Barry. During Prohibition, a cop goes after the Jerry Morton Gang, who murdered guards during an armored-car heist. A story that dares the reader to figure out who killed a wealthy woman during an opera performance. Death House Blues; Mad-Dog Roundup; Our Police Hall of Fame; Captured by a Mail Order Sleuth!; Who Dunnit? 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD+ 2.5 $16.25 View scan Cover detached. Water damage.

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by George Tuska, Fred Guardineer, Claude Moore, Joseph Gaguardi 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 Johnny, who sees a golden opportunity when a hood drops a gun into his lap. Crime reporter Dave Stratton follows a lead from an art show into a two-fisted, gun-blazing adventure. A story that dares the reader to figure out who murdered a woman for a fortune in jewels. Foolish Johnny Wagner; I Was a Crime Reporter!; This'll Kill Ya; Thug-Uglies; On the Level; Our Police Hall of Fame; Invitation to Murderer!; Who Dunnit? 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart VG- 3.5 $22.00 View scan Water damage.

Painted cover by Bob Fujitani. Stories and art by Bob Fujitani, George Tuska, 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. The introduction of tough private eye Chip Gardner, soon to be a regular feature in Crime Does Not Pay, includes a great cover by Bob Fujitani and a story possibly written by Walter Gibson, creator of The Shadow. Mr. Crime narrates the tale of extortionist couple Mr. and Mrs. Slade, who blackmail hapless people with their dark secrets. An ordinary citizen catches Joe Visco, who escapes prison by turning an inner tube into an improvised bomb. The Rock-a-Bye Baby Murder; Mr. and Mrs. Shakedown; This'll Kill Ya; The Case of Joe Visco and Box 777!; On the Level; Our Police Hall of Fame; How They Were Trapped!; Who Dunnit? 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD 2.0 $17.00 View scan 2" interior spine split through all wraps. Cover and interior oxidation.

Painted cover by Bob Fujitani. Stories and art by Bob Fujitani, Fred Guardineer, Claude Moore, Tony DiPreta, Jerry Fasano, Al Borth 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. Tough private eye Chip Gardner seeks the gambling bosses who roughed up his reporter pal, featuring a great cover by Bob Fujitani and a story possibly written by Walter Gibson, creator of The Shadow. Mr. Crime narrates the tale of feuding couple Mr. and Mrs. Gordon, who each hire the same hit man to kill the other. Chip Gardner: The Alhambra Club Murders in The Case of the Losing Winners; Over My Dead Body!; Better Schools Make Better Communities; On the Level; Our Police Hall of Fame; Unexpected Guest; Who Dunnit?: The Mandarin Murder Case! 52 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD+ 2.5 $23.00 View scan Foxing. Soiling.

Add to cart VG- 3.5 $60.00 View scan Water damage. Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor. Other items consigned by Bud Plant

Painted cover by Bob Fujitani. Stories and art by Bob Fujitani, Fred Guardineer, Claude Moore, Tony DiPreta, Carl Wessler 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. Tough private eye Chip Gardner tries to prove an accident in a steelworks was murder and winds up in a barrel, featuring a great cover by Bob Fujitani and a story possibly written by Walter Gibson, creator of The Shadow. A man leaping from a building flashes back on the events that led him there. A story that dares the reader to solve a murder at a costume party in the Mephisto Club during Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Also featuring a vintage ad for the book "How to Get Along with Girls." Chip Gardner: The Payroll Bonus Murders; Fall Guy; On the Level; Our Police Hall of Fame; Rabbit's Foot; Who Dunnit?: The Death of the Grand Demon! 52 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart VG 4.0 $34.00 View scans 1" spine split from bottom of comic.

Add to cart VG- 3.5 $39.00 View scan Staples added (not manufacturing). Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor. Other items consigned by Bud Plant

Painted cover by Bob Fujitani. Stories and art by Bob Fujitani, Fred Guardineer, Tony DiPreta, Al McWilliams 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. Tough private eye Chip Gardner is hunted through the Florida swamps by a larceny and kidnapping gang, featuring a great cover by Bob Fujitani and a story possibly written by Walter Gibson, creator of The Shadow. An ex-con's search for the hidden loot from a robbery leads to a shootout in a carnival funhouse. A story that dares the reader to figure out who murdered an eccentric millionaire with a bomb hidden in a toy boat. Also featuring a vintage ad for the book "How to Get Along with Girls." Chip Gardner: The Ostrich Murder Case; Loot!; Laff It Off; Our Police Hall of Fame; Go Home and Wait for Death!; Who Dunnit?: Murder by Parcel Post! 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart VG 4.0 $34.00 View scans

Add to cart VG 4.0 $34.00 View scans

Painted cover by Bob Fujitani. Stories and art by Bob Fujitani, Fred Guardineer, Dick Rockwell, Carl Wessler, Jerry Fasano, Al Borth 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. Tough private eye Chip Gardner investigates corruption in a chain of beauty shops, featuring a great cover by Bob Fujitani and a story possibly written by Walter Gibson, creator of The Shadow. A killer acquires a family fortune by marrying and murdering each of three sisters, but he falls for the last one for real. A puppeteer is unable to stop his puppet's murderous rampage, in a truly strange story. Also featuring a vintage ad for the book "Learn to Dance the Jitterbug." Chip Gardner: Source of Evil: The Case of the Vanishing Beauty Shops; Death Is Mr. Chelsey; The Classroom Secret; Wrong Alibi; Melick's Puppet?; Who Dunnit?: Holiday Homicide! 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart PR 0.5 $37.00 INCOMPLETE. Multiple pages missing, interrupts art and story. Water damage.

Painted cover by Bob Fujitani. Stories and art by Bob Fujitani, Fred Guardineer, Claude Moore, Al McWilliams, Carl Wessler, 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. Tough private eye Chip Gardner is trapped by crooks who want his data on their gang, featuring a great painted cover by Bob Fujitani and a story possibly written by Walter Gibson, creator of The Shadow. A man faking paralysis for an insurance scam encounters the serial killer who's been stalking the city in a red devil mask. A washed-up vaudevillian female impersonator decides to use his disguise skills for crime, and meets an ironic fate. Also featuring a vintage ad for "Lev Gleason Comics picture trading cards." Chip Gardner: Setup for Murder (The Case of the Ring That Cracked Itself); Shock Treatment; Fall Guy; Double Life; On the Level; This'll Kill Ya!; Who Dunnit?: I Didn't Kill Him! 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD+ 2.5 $17.00 View scans

Painted cover by Bob Fujitani. Stories and art by Bob Fujitani, Fred Guardineer, George Tuska, Dick Rockwell, 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. Tough private eye Chip Gardner faces a shootout high up in a skyscraper construction site, featuring an action-packed painted cover by Bob Fujitani and a story possibly written by Walter Gibson, creator of The Shadow. A man plots to murder his successful twin brother, dispose of him in quicksand, and take over his life, in another off-the-wall story. A story that dares the reader to figure out who killed a gangster with the colorful name of "Dutch" Treat. Also featuring a vintage ad for the book "Learn to Rumba." Chip Gardner: The Case of the Death's Head Ruby; The Man Who Died Twice; The Case That Solved Itself; Reprieve Granted, Prisoner Is Dead; Who Dunnit?: The Green Goods Murder! 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart VG- 3.5 $43.00 View scan Water damage.

Add to cart GD/VG 3.0 $35.00 View scans 2" Spine split from bottom. Staples added (not manufacturing).

Painted cover by Bob Fujitani. Stories and art by Bob Fujitani, Fred Guardineer, Claude Moore, Dick Rockwell, 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. Tough private eye Chip Gardner investigates a beautiful femme fatale and stolen incriminating documents, featuring another action-packed painted cover by Bob Fujitani and a story possibly written by Walter Gibson, creator of The Shadow. Ernie and his brother Tom face an inevitable showdown after one becomes a gangster and the other a cop. Masked robbers become known as the Trenchcoat Trio, but one of them likes their new notoriety a little too much. Also featuring a vintage ad for " Lev Gleason Comics picture trading cards." Cain versus Abel; Chip Gardner: The Case of the Crooked Politician; Murder Bait; Murder Is a Stranger; How They Were Trapped!; On the Level; Who Dunnit?: Say it With Bullets! 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart VG- 3.5 $23.00 View scan Water damage.

Add to cart GD/VG 3.0 $22.00 View scan Staples added (not manufacturing).

Painted cover by Bob Fujitani. Stories and art by Bob Fujitani, Fred Guardineer, Al McWilliams, Dick Rockwell, Claude Moore, 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. Tough private eye Chip Gardner takes a temporary job as a prison warden and uncovers murder, featuring another action-packed painted cover by Bob Fujitani and a story possibly written by Walter Gibson, creator of The Shadow. Mr. Crime narrates the tale of Wesley, a struggling writer who helps plan a robbery but gets in too deep. A story that dares the reader to figure out who killed an eccentric millionaire who was paying off a blackmailer and a con man. Also featuring a vintage ad for "Lev Gleason Comics picture trading cards." Chip Gardner: You'll Never Live to Tell; Book of Sins; Stop Thief!; Dr. Raymond Addams, Man on the Run; How They Were Trapped!; Who Dunnit?: Appointment with Death. 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD 2.0 $15.25 View scan Water damage. Cover oxidation.

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Gene Colan, Fred Guardineer, Carl Wessler, Frank Bolle, Dick Rockwell, 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 blind man is stalked by a killer, featuring early art by comics legend (and future Daredevil artist) Gene Colan. A race-car driver tries to outrun gangsters after he refuses to fix a race. A story that dares the reader to figure out who killed the salvage diver who found Blackbeard's pirate treasure. Also featuring a vintage ad for "Lev Gleason Comics picture trading cards." Dead Men Don't Double-Cross; Terror in the Dark; The Curious Case of the Curio; Murder in Greenwich Village; Who Dunnit?: Riddle of Blackbeard's Treasure. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD/VG 3.0 $69.00 View scan Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor.

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Gene Colan, Fred Guardineer, Fred Kida, Carl Wessler, 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 a blond gangster's moll who brings destruction to the bad men around her, featuring classic bad-girl art and cover. Carlton has recurring nightmares of an old house and a door that spells his doom. A country mouse visits his brother in New York and learns he's become a gangster with numerous enemies. Also featuring a vintage ad for "Lev Gleason Comics picture trading cards." The Big Cut; The Door That Spelled Doom?; Death Knell; The Careless Crook; The Gas Station Murder. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart VG 4.0 $73.00 View scans Water damage.

Add to cart FR/GD 1.5 $36.00

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Bob Fujitani, Fred Guardineer, Al McWilliams, Dick Rockwell, 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. During Prohibition, a con man decides to use his mob to hijack a bootlegger's shipment of booze. Small-time hoods try to convince a just-released safecracker to come out of retirement for one last job. Detective Geoffrey learns that a custom clothing tag holds the clue to a book dealer's suicide. Also featuring a vintage ad for "Lev Gleason Comics picture trading cards." The Double-Cross That Boomeranged; Jim Franton, Bootlegger versus Bud Rollins, Con-Man; The Junkies; One Thrill Too Many; On the Level; The Case of the Custom-Made Clothes. 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Carl Wessler 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 story of Frank Nash, called "the most successful bank robber in U.S. history," until the Kansas City Massacre. A convict has a change of heart during a breakout and saves a prison guard. The Hair-Raising Career of Massacre Mad Frank Nash; The End of the Line; Strange Criminals; Crime Oddities; The Case of the X-Rayed Killer. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD 2.0 $11.00

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by George Tuska, Mike Sekowsky, Bill Walton, 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. Hobos discover the murderous truth about one of their own when he talks in his sleep. A killer takes to the wilderness to hide out from the cops in the delightfully titled "Creeping Terror of Pussyfoot Mountain ". Kathy, moll of drug kingpin Arnie, sets out to turn handsome Danny against his boss, in a classic femme fatale tale. Hobo's Coffin; The Bloody Break from Cell Block 4; Pity the Kleptomaniac; The Creeping Terror of Pussyfoot Mountain; The Case of the Ambitious Hood's Moll. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD 2.0 $11.00

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by George Tuska, Robert Martinott 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. Spoiled, drunken Larry Collingsworth doesn't respond well when his family finally decides to rein him in. A violent man attacks the teacher who dared to discipline his son. The mob wants boxer Billy to throw a fight, but he has other ideas. Also featuring a vintage ad for "Space Specs" - mini-binoculars that wear like eyeglasses. Was He a Psycho?; The Man Who Arrested Himself; Assisted by Miracles; He Defied the Mob; Run for Your Death. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart VG- 3.5 $19.00 View scan

Add to cart Good $12.00

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Joe Kubert, Howard O'Donnell, Al Wenzel, Pete Morisi 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. 'Truck' Browne carries out a series of modern-day train robberies. Tubercular criminal Duke Murry uses his grim diagnosis to get paroled and back into the game of crime. Dr. Aldiers has a reason for tending to his ailing, wealthy father-in-law, in a story featuring early art by comics legend Joe Kubert. The Vengeful Big 'Truck' Browne; 3 Alarm Homicide; Duke Murry's Bust Out Bust; Curiosities in Law and Crime; Fast Cure for Dr. Aldiers; Nickel Fare to Doom; Who Dunnit? 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.