Crime Does Not Pay (1942-1955 Lev Gleason) comic books 1948

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by George Tuska, 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. Ineligible for the WWII draft because he's an ex-con, Vic decides to wage a one-man war on his own behalf. The story of Alvin "Creepy" Karpis, the gangster once given the title of "Public Enemy #1" by the FBI. The Whyo Gang terrorizes New York in the 1880s with their murder-for-hire ring and raids on gambling houses. Vic Everhart, the Kill-Crazy Scoundrel; Alvin Karpis, Public Enemy No. 1; Cut Rate Murder; This'll Kill You; Highway to Murder; Financier of Death; Whodunnit. 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD+ 2.5 $24.00 Centerfold detached.

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by George Tuska, Fred Guardineer, Ed 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 story of Verne Miller and the Kansas City Massacre. A look at legendary Old West outlaw Jesse James, and the legends that grew after his death, making him a folk hero. A French tavern owner with a violent temper is accused of killing her workers, but when the killings continue after she's jailed, scientific investigation reveals the real culprit. Verne Miller; Jesse James: Good Guy or Bad Guy?; The Murderess Smoked Cigars; The Crooks Who Couldn't Get Together!; Was She a Monster?; Whodunnit. 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart FR 1.0 $23.00

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Dan Barry, George Tuska, Fred Guardineer, Bob Moore, Fred Kida, Bob Fujitani, Bert Bushell 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. Escaped convict Clay Fogelman tortures the hapless couple whose home he's using as a hideout. Johnny Socks Lazia rises to be the supreme gang boss in Kansas City of the late 1920s, in a story with early art by future "Flash Gordon" artist Dan Barry. A story that dares the reader to figure out which of four boarders in a boardinghouse killed the owner's beautiful daughter. Also featuring purported letters from mothers of children, approving the content of Crime Does Not Pay comics. Clay Fogelman, Meanest Man of Crime; The Rise and Fall of Johnny "Socks" Lazia, King of the Alky Rackets; On the Level; Killers' Payoff; The Electric Chair and the Murderess; This'll Kill You; Whodunnit: Who Murdered Beautiful Mary Lawson? 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart FR 1.0 $20.00

Add to cart GD 2.0 $32.30 View scan 1 1/2" spine split from bottom. Cover detached. Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor.

Cover by George Tuska (credited as Charles Biro). Stories and art by George Tuska, Fred Guardineer, Bob Fujitani, 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. British highwayman John Nevison earns the nickname Swift Nick after supposedly making a 200-mile trek to establish an alibi. Wild West gunfighter and outlaw Billy the Kid dies at age 21, but not before becoming a legend. A story that dares the reader to figure out who killed a millionaire. Frank Scarcini: The Betrayer of Pals -- Master of the Double-Cross!; William Nevinson, The Terror of the Roads!; William Bonney, Alias Billy the Kid; Murder Pays the Hangman; Leo Hall: The Man Without Conscience; Mercy; Honor; Human Decency; Whodunnit: Who Killed Millionaire Ellis Blackton? 52 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by George Tuska, Fred Guardineer, Claude Moore, Mike Roy, John Belfi, Tony DiPreta 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 life and crimes of real-life bank robber Wilbur Underhill, known as "The Tri-State Terror." In 1924, Felix Sloper is dubbed the "Lone Wolf" for his daring bank robberies in California. The story of killer Paul Chretien was singled out by Wertheim in the anti-comics classic Seduction of the Innocent, because of its glee in portraying the main character's violent ways. Also featuring an article listing 12 rules for the Lev Gleason code, an early attempt to deflect criticism that preceded the Comics Code. Possibly discussed in the text of Seduction of the Innocent, p. 306. A Message; Felix Sloper; On the Level; Wilbur Underhill; Paul Chretien, Father of Murderers; A Lesson in Murder; Benny Mickson; Human Decency; Whodunnit? 52 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by George Tuska, Fred Guardineer, Claude Moore, Bob Fujitani, 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. Walter Legenza is the king of the rackets until he encounters the widow who blames him for her husband's murder. Deserters and bandits of the Old West, Quantrill's Raiders gave many outlaws their start, including Frank and Jesse James. Robert James' wives have a habit of dying after he takes out insurance policies on them. Also featuring an article listing 12 rules for the Lev Gleason code, an early attempt to deflect criticism that preceded the Comics Code. Possibly discussed in the text of the anti-comics classic Seduction of the Innocent, p. 306. Walter Legenza: The Gangster; On the Level; This'll Kill Ya!; Robert James; Will Quantrill: General of an Army of Murderers!; Death Stalks in the Night; Who Dunnit? 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD+ 2.5 $50.00

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Dan Barry, 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. Mr. Crime narrates the tale of killer-for-hire Happy Malone, in a story with early art by future "Flash Gordon" artist Dan Barry. George Kelly, aka Machine Gun Kelly, kidnaps oil tycoon Charles Urschel for a $200,000 ransom. A story that dares the reader to figure out who murdered the Bodin farm family. They Called Him "Happy" Malone Because He Never Smiled!; On the Level; This'll Kill Ya!; Albert Judson; Machine-Gun Kelly; The Ghastly Clues; What's So Funny?; A True Crime Story Who Dunnit? 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD/VG 3.0 $30.00 View scans

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by 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. Sicilian siblings the Genna Brothers rule Chicago's Little Italy, until they come up against Capone's Chicago Outfit. The history of the Brady Gang that terrorized Maine, and their bloody finish. An insane killer becomes known as the Nebraska Fiend and kills more than a dozen people in the 1870s. The Savage Genna Brothers: Bootleggers; On the Level; The Ferocious Brady Gang; Don't Die Laughing; Dick Richards, A Two-Legged Rat If There Ever Was One!; Crazy Dan Zarella and His Stupid Stooge, Vincent Furo; Who Dunnit? 52 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Dan Barry, George Tuska, Fred Guardineer, Claude Moore, Tony DiPreta 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 Mike Alex, who found a loophole in the law, in a story with early art by future "Flash Gordon" artist Dan Barry. The bank-robbing O'Malley Gang stages a desperate prison break. After one of his inventions accidentally kills his wife, eccentric Edward Small gets an insurance payout and a deadly idea. Mike Alex; Once There Were Three Killers From Brooklyn Called Shapiro - Now There Are None!; On the Level; The End of the Deadly OMalley Gang; Edward Small, The Crackpot Inventor!; Rough, Tough Lona Flanders and Her Three Stupid Stooges; Crime Quiz; Who-Dunnit? 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart VG+ 4.5 $30.00 View scans Chew to back cover. Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor.

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by George Tuska, Fred Guardineer, Claude Moore, Tony DiPreta, John Belfi 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 Hymie Nabosco, the holdup man whose penchant for pretty scents makes him easy for witnesses to identify. Fast-shooting showgirl Belle Shirley becomes a gambler and gunslinger in the Old West. A story that dares the reader to figure out the killer before a Mountie does in 1899 Canada. Little Hymie Nabosco; Belle Shirley, The Angel-Faced She-Devil; On the Level; This'll Kill Ya!; Marvin and Selma Burgess; Edward Corwin; Who Dunnit? Arctic Assassin. 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart VG+ 4.5 $115.00 View scans Only one staple (manufacturing).

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Dan Barry, Fred Guardineer, Claude Moore, Tony DiPreta, Norman Maurer 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 John Ross, a phony magician who kills to conceal his cons, in a story with early art by future "Flash Gordon" artist Dan Barry. Tiger Harkness masterminds a daring prison escape by taking the entire parole board hostage, but none of them get far. A story that dares the reader to figure out the killer of gambler Eddie Dyke in 1934 New York. John Ross the Magician; "Tiger" Harkness; On the Level; This'll Kill Ya!; Our Police Hall of Fame; The Gruesome Foursome; Who Dunnit? Murder of Eddie Dyke. 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Dan Barry, Fred Guardineer, Claude Moore, Tony DiPreta, Norman Maurer 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 Brock Larsen, whose artificial steel larynx makes him a sort of low-grade bionic supervillain, in a story with early art by future "Flash Gordon" artist Dan Barry. A detective seeks the killer of two women whose bodies were found an ocean away from where they were murdered. Bumbling Edward Daley fails several times to kill his wife for the insurance, but manages to take himself out without trying. Brock Larsen, the Human Robot of Crime; Who Killed Rene and Olga Duval?; Science vs. the Criminal; This'll Kill Ya!; Our Police Hall of Fame; Laugh These Off; Edward Daley; Who Dunnit? The Haunted Skyscraper Murder Case. 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.