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

  • Issue #84
    Crime Does Not Pay (1942-1955 Lev Gleason) 84
    Auction opens May 6

    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.

  • Issue #86
    Crime Does Not Pay (1942-1955 Lev Gleason) 86
    • 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.

  • Issue #87
    Crime Does Not Pay (1942-1955 Lev Gleason) 87
    • 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.

  • Issue #90
    Crime Does Not Pay (1942-1955 Lev Gleason) 90
    • 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.

  • Issue #92
    Crime Does Not Pay (1942-1955 Lev Gleason) 92
    • Foxing. Soiling.

    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.

  • Issue #93
    Crime Does Not Pay (1942-1955 Lev Gleason) 93
    • 1" spine split from bottom of comic.

    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.

  • Issue #94
    Crime Does Not Pay (1942-1955 Lev Gleason) 94

    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.