First Love Illustrated (1949-1963 Harvey) comic books

First Love Illustrated (1949-1963 Harvey) 34 FN/VF 7.0

Cover oxidation.

Cover by Warren Kremer. Stories and art by Bill Draut, John Prentice, John Giunta, Manny Stallman, Tom Hickey and Leonard Starr. Harvey's entry in the romance-comic genre includes love poetry, advice to readers, and occasional pre-Code notoriety. As the comic takes a lurid pre-Code turn, hillbilly gal Carol finds her chances for romance ruined by her controlling Pa and big brother Bill. Self-proclaimed "bad girl" Joan takes up with Harry after a scandalous past that includes reform school and a nightclub job. Ellen pretends she doesn't care that war veteran Alan is now a double amputee, but she secretly feels everything has changed. Man-Starved; Dinner Date Data!; All Defenses Down; Bad Girl; I Paid With Kisses; Nancy Powers Solves Your Problem; Mirror, Mirror On The Wall; My Heart Cried Out. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

First Love Illustrated (1949-1963 Harvey) 37 CGC 6.5

Paper: Slightly britle

File Copy.

Label #4745073006

"Gangster's Girl!", art by Bill Draut; Gangster Joe sends his girlfriend Ann to renew her friendship with honest politician Phil; They fall in love; When Phil loses an election to Joes crooked candidate, he says at least he has Ann. "Dangerous Deception" text story. "It's a Date!" one-page story, art by Tom Hickey. "No Love for Me," art by Leonard Starr; 17-year-old Myrna marries the older Randolph at her fathers urging, but then falls in love with Devon; She refuses to consider divorce and Devon becomes engaged to Vivian; When Randolph is killed in an accident, Devon comes back, but Myrna wont let him break his promise to marry Vivian. "Doomed to Heartbreak," art by Bob Powell; Glorys widowed father Steve marries Margaret and she and her grown son Jack move to Steves ranch; Glory and Jack fall in love, but Margaret opposes their match; Glory finally learns the truth: Jack has a hereditary disease and only a few years to live. "Champion's Girl" text story. Advice to readers from Nancy Powers. "Bedeviled," art by John Prentice; Ross is forced to work as a carnival dancer to pay off her boyfriend Lukes gambling debt to carnival owner Jonah; Ross is caught up in the carny atmosphere and breaks up with Luke, but when Jonah makes a move on her, she rejects him; An angry Jonah physically abuses Ross but Luke returns and defeats him in a fight. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

First Love Illustrated (1949-1963 Harvey) 51 CGC 8.0

Paper: Light tan to off white

File Copy.

Label #4745073004

Stories and art by the Bob Powell Studio and Lee Elias. Harvey's entry in the romance-comic genre includes advice to readers and tales of love and heartbreak. Businesswoman Carolyn secretly loves employee Mark, but can't approach him because her father owns the business. Impetuous Pat struggles to change mundane Mack, which makes neither of them happy. Anne doesn't suspect that best friend Cynthia has designs on her boyfriend. I Was the Boss' Daughter; My Fickle Heart; Love Had Me Trapped!; My Tell-Tale Diary; My Souvenir of Love. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

First Love Illustrated (1949-1963 Harvey) 57 CGC 9.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4742164017

Cover by Al Avison. Stories and art by Jack Sparling and Bob Powell. Harvey's entry in the romance-comic genre includes advice to readers and tales of love and heartbreak. American-born Japanese woman Ann falls for handsome soldier John after WWII, in a torrid love triangle somewhat topical and controversial for its time. A couple is divided over the proper speed to develop their romance. A woman feels romance is dead, but then she meets a man who changes her mind. I Was a Japanese War Bride; No Love For Me!; Forever Is A Long Time; Strange Love; Model For Heartbreak; I Didnt Believe in Love. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

First Love Illustrated (1949-1963 Harvey) 58 CGC 7.0

Paper: Light tan to off white

File Copy.

Label #4745072004

"Beyond Passion," art by Jack Sparling; Kathie lives in the Everglades with her father and brother; She and visiting photographer Ted fall in love, but when magazine writer Eve arrives, she and Ted renew their acquaintance; Kathie is jealous but Ted says he loves her, not Eve. "A Love to Lose," pencils by John Sink; Bored socialite Betty flirts with "poor-but-honest" Dave as a change from her usual boyfriends, then falls in love with him; He wants to become a veterinarian but she gets him to change his plans; Betty then falls in love with Stan and has to think of a way to dump Dave without being blamed; She pretends to be a "cheap, vulgar hussy" so Dave will break up with her. "No Greater Love..." text story. "Decision in Love," art by Bob Powell; Ellen is engaged to small town doctor Ralph, but becomes infatuated with miner Andy; She and Ralph break up, but Ellen finds herself repelled by Andys rough friends; Andy dumps her; Ralph offers to take her back, but when there is an accident at the mine and Andy is in danger, Ellen discovers Andy is the man she really loves. "I Fell in Love With a Hollywood Star" text story. "Lake Voyage," art by Joe Certa; Heading home on spring break, college student Joyce falls for George, a handsome officer on a lake steamer; However, Joyce learns George isnt serious, and flirts with each attractive passenger in the same way. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

First Love Illustrated (1949-1963 Harvey) 61 CGC 6.5

Paper: Slightly britle

File Copy.

Label #4745072003

"Heartbreak Highway," art by Bob Powell; Diner waitress Kitty falls in love with trucker Jay, but begs him to quit his job because her sister and brother-in-law had been killed in a car accident; When Jay accidentally hits Kittys orphaned nephew Donny with his truck, Kitty breaks up with him, even though Donny will recover. "What Men Like About Girls" article. Strange Romantic Customs; 7 "romantic" customs from around the world, each one with a cartoonish illustration and a text explanation. "The Wrong Kind of Heart," art by Warren Kremer; Nina is the receptionist at the fancy Miami Beach Hotel Claremont; She falls in love with playboy Hugh and is shocked when Muriel, his fiance, arrives; Hugh says Nina is the one he loves, but Muriel warns Nina not to be so sure; Eventually, Nina realizes the economic and social gulf is too great between her and Hugh, and she breaks up with him. "Foolish Dream," pencils by Joe Certa; Marsha thinks boxer Don will be her ticket to prosperity; She convinces him to leave his manager and sign with crooked Steve; Marsha falls in love with Steve and Don finds out; Don rejects Marsha and wins the championship; Marsha is left alone. "The Man I Love" text story. Strange Romantic Customs; 6 "strange romantic customs" from around the world are depicted (one panel of cartoonish art and a text explanation for each). "Promise of Love," art by Jack Sparling; Ginny loves dancer Eric and encourages his ambitions, but when he becomes successful he avoids her and she discovers hes having an affair with his new partner; Singer Jim professes his love to Ginny but she says shes not ready for another romance. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

First Love Illustrated (1949-1963 Harvey) 72 CGC 6.0

Paper: Cream to off white

Label #4742164016

Stories and art by Bill Draut, John Prentice, and Bob Powell. Harvey's entry in the romance-comic genre includes advice to readers and tales of love and heartbreak. Nora is torn between brutish steel-plant foreman Rusk, her father's choice, and handsome newcomer Cam, in a story filled with 1950s ideas of labor, immigration and Cold War politics. Korean War widow Renee meets airman Dan, but isn't sure she's ready to love again. Ex-convict Frances gets a factory job and a new love in co-worker Johnny, but must convince Johnny they don't need crime to survive. A Man For Nora; In Love With My Boss; Second Date-Bait!; The Barrier; Trial By Fire; Love's Decision; Nancy Powers Solves Your Problems; Love Not Wanted! 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

First Love Illustrated (1949-1963 Harvey) 76 CGC 3.0

Paper: Brittle

Label #4745072005

Stories and art by Lee Elias and Bob Powell. Harvey's entry in the romance-comic genre includes advice to readers and tales of love and heartbreak. Country housewife Ginny regrets not marrying her first love, wealthy Ed. Connie breaks up with nerdy Horace in search of a "real man," until she learns just how much of a real man Horace is. Ray and Mona want to marry, but her father's new assignment in Germany may cancel all of that. Love's Harvest; Romantic Illusion; Special Guy; Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow; Last Goodbye; My Love Was Doomed! 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.