Auctions: comic books published by Lev Gleason

Crime and Punishment (1948 Lev Gleason) 63 GD/VG 3.0

Stories and art by Charles Biro and others. A companion series to Crime Does Not Pay from the same publisher, slightly less violent and with more emphasis on police work. Sicilian siblings the Genna Brothers rule Chicago's Little Italy, until they come up against Capone's Chicago Outfit. Trivia about strange crimes includes the Gorilla Man robberies, perpetrated by a man in a gorilla suit. A master of escaping from prison tells his story in the first person. The Genna Brothers; Crime Oddities; Harry The Artist Hamilton; It's a Fact!; The Five Lives of Lucky Lane. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Crime Does Not Pay (1942-1955 Lev Gleason) 84 GD+ 2.5

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.

Crime Does Not Pay (1942-1955 Lev Gleason) 125 VG- 3.5

Oxidation, 1/2" cumulative spine split.

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.