Public Enemies (1948-49 DS) comic books

Cover by Art Gates. Stories and art by George Roussos, Al McLean and Art Gates. Tales of true crime inspired this violent pre-Code crime comic from DS Publishing. A gang war leaves many casualties in its wake, in a story based on the rivalry between real-life gangsters Dutch Schultz and Vince "Mad Dog" Coll. A Secret Service agent tracks down a counterfeiter and solves a series of murders in the bargain. The life and crimes of real-life bank robber Wilbur Underhill, known as "The Tri-State Terror." Plus an article warning readers about scam-artist tricks. Man With a Gun!; Watch Out for These Swindles; Gang War; Little Alex; Criminal Oddities; Dressed to Kill; Hi-Lights; Siege; Sidelights; You Dont Kill a Cop! 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart CGC 3.0 $240.00 View scans Paper: Off white to white Label #2081883011

Cover by Art Gates. Stories and art by Al Wenzel, Al McLean and Art Gates. Tales of true crime inspired this violent pre-Code crime comic from DS Publishing. The real-life story of Norman "Red" Ryan, who led a double life as a reformed ex-con and radio host, while still running an armed-robbery gang. A woman offers to marry any man who will give her $1,000 for an operation to save her mother's life. In 1924, Felix Sloper is dubbed the "Lone Wolf" for his daring bank robberies in California. Plus an article warning readers about scam-artist tricks. Graduation for Murder; The Saga of Red Ryan; Love for Sale; Hi Lights; Massacre at Canon City Prison; Confessions and a Shave; The Man Who Wanted to Hang; The Luck of Felix Sloper. 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Stories and art by Maurice Whitman, Al Wenzel, Al McLean and Art Gates. Tales of true crime inspired this violent pre-Code crime comic from DS Publishing. Lester and his girlfriend Nancy go on a spree of robbery and murder in the 1930s, in a story based on the real-life killer known as The Crime Tourist. Killer Tony Stinger uses his rep to become a feared figure in the Philly underworld. A doctor is forced to remove a bullet from a wounded gangster, and becomes a hostage while the man recovers. Plus an article warning readers about scam-artist tricks. One Man Crime Wave: The True Story of Lester Brockle; Criminal Oddities!; Who Pays the Fiddler?; Side-Lites; The Stinger Strikes; She Made Me A Thief!; A Little White Lie; The Tale Of the Wounded Gunman; Case of the Tattooing Terror! 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Stories and art by Maurice Whitman, Al Wenzel, Al McLean and Art Gates. Tales of true crime inspired this violent pre-Code crime comic from DS Publishing. "Diamond Sally" masterminds a criminal gang, but when her gunmen try to cross her, they learn how deadly she can be, in a story with some bad-girl art by Art Gates. Johnny is able to make a daring getaway from the cops by jumping an open drawbridge, but even he can't escape the wrath of a woman scorned. Car thief Peter Higgins gets a chance to join the mob, but his fiancee doesn't approve of his career choice. Plus odd crimes, and an article warning readers about scam-artist tricks. Hot Ice Sally; Criminal Oddities!; Johnny Takes A Dive; Hi-Lights; Murder Without Motive; Gunmen Can't Quit; Solve IT!; Double Trouble; Get Terino; Hi Lites. 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Stories and art by Al Wenzel, Al McLean and Art Gates. Tales of true crime inspired this violent pre-Code crime comic from DS Publishing. An officer of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (Mounties) chases an outlaw into the wild Canadian wilderness. Freddy the Cat has the perfect setup to pull his crimes, until his well-meaning fiancee reports his partner to the cops. Escaped convict Roy Webb is being hunted by every cop in town, so of course what he wants to do is pull another job. Terror in the North; Hi-Lights; Freddy the Cat; The Web; Digging for Death; Fancy Flannagan and the Vanishing Gems; Criminal Oddities!; Frame-Up; The Mad Matador of Mexico. 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Stories and art by Al Wenzel, Maurice Whitman and Art Gates. Tales of true crime inspired this violent pre-Code crime comic from DS Publishing. A Florida millionaire gets a visit from one of his larcenous ex-cronies, who threatens to reveal where his fortune came from. An escaped convict switches places with a look-alike millionaire and takes over his life. Down-on-his-luck gambler John makes a strange deal for a small fortune, but only if he agrees to kill himself in a year's time. Tainted Money; Parole to Death; Two Face and the Million Dollar Masquerade; Big Time; Side Lights; Courage; Date With Destiny; Mistakes Can Be Fatal. 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Bob Jenney. Stories and art by Bob Jenney, Al McWilliams, Edw. M. Waldman and Art Gates. Tales of true crime inspired this violent pre-Code crime comic from DS Publishing. Midget-car racing turns deadly when gangsters get involved, and grease monkey Speed Slater winds up racing for his life. An old friend in the lumber business calls in private eye Brad Kent on a case involving a beautiful woman. Bad-girl Mollie convinces new love Jack to help her rob her old boyfriend and his criminal cronies, but he's not a hard case like they are. Hi-Octane Havoc!; The Three Suspects; The Lumberjack And The Lady; Death Sails At Midnight; The Case of the Hot Cars; High Lights; Bad Luck Bandit; Suspicion. 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD/VG 3.0 $36.00 View scans Centerfold detached at one staple.

Stories and art by Art Gates and others. Tales of true crime inspired this violent pre-Code crime comic from DS Publishing. Struggling artist Hutch and his agent Prissy get mixed up with gangsters and masterpieces painted by an anonymous genius. An American movie star falls for an Indian maharajah, but is targeted for death by a jealous ex. Tom investigates after his girlfriend's sister is apparently frightened to death, and learns both sisters were heirs to a fortune. Plus a vintage ad for "Play-Safe Flame Proof Playsuits: Indian Chief, Cowboy King or Home Run." Bullets for Bellini; Penitentiary Pete; The Hobo in Full Dress; Custom-Made Clue; Indian Dagger; Time and the Crime; Thelma Blaine. 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart VG+ 4.5 $106.00 View scans Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor.

Stories and art by Nate Brooks and Bob Jenney. Tales of true crime inspired this violent pre-Code crime comic from DS Publishing. A beautiful bad-girl is targeted for death after informing on her gangster ex-husband. A circus trapeze star is marked for death when she stands to inherit the entire circus, but the show's new PR man is determined to keep her alive. A detective watching a play is called into action after one of the stars is murdered on stage. Assignment Blackmail; Murder on the Circus Bill; The Miser; The Dummy's Revenge; Murder or Mercy?; Riddle Behind the Footlights; Paths of Penalty. Final issue of the series. 52 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.