CRIME SUSPENSTORIES #13 * CGC 6.0 * Lizzie Borden Took an Ax

Author:
Title: CRIME SUSPENSTORIES No. 13
Place Published:
Publisher:EC [Indicia: L. L. Publishing Co. Inc.]
Date Published: October-November, 1952
Description: CGC certified: Fine (6.0). White pages. Grader notes: Light creasing to cover; light spine stress lines to cover; medium tear top of back cover.

CGC Census: 89 graded copies (80 Universal, 9 Restored).

GPAnalysis: A 6.0 sold for $504 in 12/23.

Credits: Cover: Johnny Craig. Scripts: Al Feldstein. Art: Jack Kamen, Jack Davis, Sid Check, Al Williamson. Forty Whacks: Johnny Craig's cover evokes the legend of Lizzie Borden, whose alleged hatchet-killing of her dad and stepmom spawned an eerie playground rhyme that raises goosebumps even today. In addition to Feldstein and Kamen's Lizzie Borden-based story, there's an Al Williamson yarn with a few stomach-churning mutilation panels ("Boy, she certainly is CUT UP! Looks like he tried to HACK 'ER FACE OFF with his KNIFE!"). Grand Comics Database says the story is pure Williamson, both pencils and inks, but Max Allan Collins claims that Frank Frazetta (and/or Angelo Torres) lent a helping hand.

"'Forty Whacks!' is top-drawer Feldstein – nicely researched, imaginative and original; Kamen does nicely, too, sitting in for Ingels with a very good 'Old Witch' splash – though his stilted climax panel takes the edge off an otherwise outstanding collaboration. The Craig cover that ties into this is effective, too – perhaps the most effective of the non-Craig-derived covers." – Max Allan Collins, Crime SuspenStories Vol. 3. Russ Cochran: 1983.______________________________________________________________

A limited edition of ten hardcover catalogues is available, in addition to a few dozen softcovers. Fun reference, great keepsake, fully illustrated, chockablock with obscure facts, gags, bon mots. Softcovers are $40, deluxe hardcovers with dust jackets and limitation plates are $200. These books always go fast so don't delay. To order, contact ivan@pbagalleries.com.

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