CRIME SUSPENSTORIES #27 * 4.0 * Bum Amongst Books * In

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Author:
Title: CRIME SUSPENSTORIES No. 27
Place Published:
Publisher:EC [Indicia: L.L. Publishing Co., Inc.]
Date Published: February-March, 1955
Description:

VG (4.0). Probably closer to 4.5. Spine stress, some rubs and crease lines, shallow edge chips to back cover, distributor's mark in pencil ("C" to "C" in "CRIME"). White to off-white pages. Professionally cleaned and pressed by Comics In A Flash. Cover: Jack Kamen. Scripts: Carl Wessler, and, possibly, Jack Oleck. Art: Graham Ingels, Jack Kamen, Bernie Krigstein, George Evans. Last ish, with "In Memoriam" editorial (the Russ Cochran EC Library reprint contains the incorrect version of this editorial). GPAnalysis: A 4.0 sold for $164 in June 2021.

Kamen cover: Library lady spooked by bum lurking in the stacks. It's not the scariest or most compelling scenario — there's no gore, no violence, nothing sexy — just a loitering bum. It's a far cry from the scandalous covers that got Crime SuspenStories in such trouble with the Senate Subcommittee to Investigate Juvenile Delinquency the previous April. Fans disappointed with Kamen's mundane effort may have hoped that the following ish would feature another Evans or Craig masterwork on the cover. If so, they were in for a sad surprise — there would be no further issues of EC's horror, crime and shock comics. An editorial on the inside front cover spelled it out: "IN MEMORIAM.... As a result of the hysterical, injudicious, and unfounded charges leveled at crime and horror comics, many retailers and wholesalers throughout the country have been intimidated into refusing to handle this type of magazine.... We are forced to capitulate. We give up. WE'VE HAD IT!"

A deluxe limited edition of 12 hardcover catalogues is available, in addition to a small number of softcovers. 400 lots, fully illustrated. Fun reference, great keepsake. Softcover $40, deluxe hardcover with dust jacket and limitation plate $200. Eight of the 12 hardcovers are pre-ordered and the rest will go quickly, so reserve yours now. To order, contact ivan@pbagalleries.com.

Consignments welcome for PBA's Spring 2022 Comic Book sale. Top prices for Pre-Code Horror, Golden Age, Silver Age, original art and ephemera. Find out why PBA is the new fan-fave of comics auctioneers. "This is some of the best commentary I've yet seen on the quality of the content of comic books... Priceless." — R. Crumb. Send inquiries to ivan@pbagalleries.com.