in house dollar bill thumbnail
 Total: 43,021 books
 New: 184 books




Image for Crime Comics And BooksIn 1942 Lev Gleason published issue #1 of Crime Does Not Pay. It was edited and written by Charles Biro, and Bob Wood provided the art work. This was a landmark moment as the pair had just created a whole new comic book genre. Crime Does Not Pay is considered as the first 'true crime' comic book published. There is debate about where the inspiration for this came from. One story is that Biro had the idea after meeting a career criminal in a bar. Another, that it was actually Gleason who came up with the idea. No matter where the idea for the title came from, the truth is that 'true crime' was already making its way onto radio and also film.

Sales of the title gradually rose and by the end of World War II 800,000 copies of each issue were being published. Growth filled the void left by the demise of many superhero comics and characters.

Seeing this new market, and the decline in appeal of their masked and caped characters, it was not long before other publishers launched their own titles. This fiercely competative environment saw each title attempting to out do the others, with a rapid growth in violence and gorey images.

This eventually led to a backlash from parents and moral crusaders. The publication of Dr. Fredric Wertham's Seduction of the Innocent meant that the books were taking much of the blame for the rise in juvenile delinquency. With the creation of the Comics Code Authority, the newer issues were so sanitized that most quickly folded and the heyday of True Crime Comics was over.

We have 260 titles and 5,945 issues in our 'Crime Category' for you to enjoy.

You are WELCOME to enjoy our site & read ALL our books online. But to download & join our forum please create a FREE account or login

Crime Comics And Books

Prev

(Page 5 of 6)

Next
Sensation
Cover For Sensation
 
Online: 1 Book
 
Publisher:Dime Novels & Pulp Magazines
Description:Sensation is a monthly pulp magazine published by Sensation Magazines Inc. a division of King Features Syndicate, Inc. based in New York, USA. It apparently only ran for two issues, dated November 1939 and January 1940. It featured stories and articles of a sensational ...
Sensational Police Cases
Cover For Sensational Police Cases
 
Online: 4 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 4
From: 1952
To: Aug 1954
Seq: - 4
Publisher:Avon Periodicals
Description:
Sexton Blake Comic Strips
Cover For Sexton Blake Comic Strips
 
Online: 17 Books
 
Publisher:Comic Book Compilations
Description:Compilations of Blake strips from Knockout Annuals.
Sexton Blake Library
Cover For Sexton Blake Library
 
Online: 236 Books
 
Publisher:Crime and Detective
Description:Published initially weekly and later as a semi-monthly by The Amalgamated Press based in London. First issue was published September 1915 - Last issue published October 1968 Sexton Blake is a fictional detective who appeared in many British comic strips and novels ...
Comic Book Plus In-House Image
Sherlock Holmes
Cover For Sherlock Holmes
 
Online: 2 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 2
From: Oct 1955
To: Mar 1956
Seq: 1 - 2
Publisher:Charlton
Description:
Shock Detective Cases
Cover For Shock Detective Cases
 
Online: 2 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 2
From: Sep 1952
To: Nov 1952
Seq: 20 - 21
Publisher:Star Publications
Description:
The Silent Three
Cover For The Silent Three
 
Online: 10 Books
 
Publisher:UK Comic Books
Description:The best known of the hooded, masked school teams. From School Friend.
La Sombra Justiciera
Cover For La Sombra Justiciera
 
Online: 48 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 47
From: 1954
To: 1957
Seq: v1 1 - v1 47
Publisher:Spanish Language Books
Description:The masked crimefighter La Sombra Justiciera was created by prolific scriptwriter J. B. Artes and drawn by Emilio Giralt Ferrando. Published by Editorial Ferma of Barcelona, the series ran from 1954 to 1957, a total of 47 issues. There was also an annual, dated ...
Special Agent
Cover For Special Agent
 
Online: 11 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 8
From: Dec 1947
To: Sep 1949
Seq: 1 - 8
Publisher:Parents' Magazine Press
Description:(1947 series) December 1947 - September 1949 Issues: #1-8
Spectacular Stories Magazine
Cover For Spectacular Stories Magazine
 
Online: 1 Book
 
Publishing History
Issues: 2
From: 1950
To: Sep 1950
Seq: 8 - 3
Publisher:Fox Feature Syndicate
Description:
The Spider
Cover For The Spider
 
Online: 5 Books
 
Publisher:Science Fiction
Description:The Spider was published by Popular Publications Inc. based in New York. It ran for 188 issues from October 1933 to December 1943. It was created as direct competition to Street and Smith Publications' vigilante hero, the Shadow. The Spider, Master of Men! ...
The Spirit
Cover For The Spirit
 
Online: 5 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 5
From: 1952
To: 1954
Seq: 1 - 5
Publisher:Fiction House
Description:THE SPIRIT (Fiction House) 1952 Series, No. 1, Spring 1952 - no. 5, 1954. Will Eisner's classic hero from the comic strips and earlier run in Quality.
The Spirit
Cover For The Spirit
 
Online: 2 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 2
From: 1963
To: 1964
Seq: 11 - 12
Publisher:I. W. Publishing / Super Comics
Description:
The Spirit
Cover For The Spirit
 
Online: 22 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 22
From: 1944
To: Aug 1950
Seq: - 22
Publisher:Quality
Description:
Splash Page
Cover For Splash Page
 
Online: 4 Books
 
Publisher:Comic Book Compilations
Description:Splash Page is a character from Sexton Blake stories. Comet and Knockout Annuals contained his solo stories.
Spook
Cover For Spook
 
Online: 8 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 9
From: Jan 1953
To: Oct 1954
Seq: 22 - 30
Publisher:Star Publications
Description:
Spy and Counterspy
Cover For Spy and Counterspy
 
Online: 2 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 2
From: Aug 1949
To: Oct 1949
Seq: 1 - 2
Publisher:American Comics Group / ACG
Description:
Spy-Hunters
Cover For Spy-Hunters
 
Online: 22 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 22
From: Dec 1949
To: Jun 1953
Seq: 1 - 22
Publisher:American Comics Group / ACG
Description:
Comic Book Plus In-House Image
Stars and Stripes
Cover For Stars and Stripes
 
Online: 5 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 5
From: May 1941
To: Dec 1941
Seq: 2 - 6
Publisher:Centaur Publishing
Description:
Startling Detective
Cover For Startling Detective
 
Online: 2 Books
 
Publisher:Crime and Detective
Description:Also known as Startling Detective adventures, a crime story pulp series, published by Fawcett. DO NOT UPLOAD ANY OF THESE AFTER VOL 43 (1952)
Startling Terror Tales
Cover For Startling Terror Tales
 
Online: 10 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 8
From: Apr 1953
To: Nov 1954
Seq: 4 - 11
Publisher:Star Publications
Description:(1952 + 1953 Series) May 1952 - 1954 v1- Issues published: 10-14 v2- Issues published: 4-11
Steve Drake
Cover For Steve Drake
 
Online: 4 Books
 
Publisher:Dutch Language Books
Description:
Steve Roper
Cover For Steve Roper
 
Online: 5 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 5
From: Apr 1948
To: Dec 1948
Seq: 1 - 5
Publisher:Eastern Color
Description:
Strange Suspense Stories
Cover For Strange Suspense Stories
 
Online: 63 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 51
From: Oct 1955
To: Oct 1965
Seq: 27 - 77
Publisher:Charlton
Description:
Super Detective Library
Cover For Super Detective Library
 
Online: 161 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 154
From: 1953
To: 1959
Seq: 1 - 154
Publisher:UK Comic Books
Description:
Super Spy
Cover For Super Spy
 
Online: 2 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 2
From: Oct 1941
To: Nov 1940
Seq: 1 - 2
Publisher:Centaur Publishing
Description:
Superhombre
Cover For Superhombre
 
Online: 68 Books
 
Publisher:Spanish Language Books
Description:Spanish superhero. Not to be confused with Superman, this is a completely different character.
Suspense Detective
Cover For Suspense Detective
 
Online: 5 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 5
From: Jun 1952
To: Mar 1953
Seq: 1 - 5
Publisher:Fawcett
Description:
Swift Compilations
Cover For Swift Compilations
 
Online: 5 Books
 
Publisher:Comic Book Compilations
Description:Compilations from the British weekly, Swift.
T-Man
Cover For T-Man
 
Online: 40 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 38
From: Sep 1951
To: Dec 1956
Seq: 1 - 38
Publisher:Quality
Description:
T.V. Picture Stories
Cover For T.V. Picture Stories
 
Online: 13 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 57
Seq: 1 - 57
Publisher:Pearson
Description:Pocket Library published by C. Arthur Pearson Ltd. which featured different titles adapted from tv shows. Titles incl. Murder Bag; Emergency Ward 10; Sheriff of Cochise; Highway Patrol; Sword of Freedom; William Tell; Buccaneers; Charlie Chan; OSS; Hawkeye ...
Target Comics
Cover For Target Comics
 
Online: 1 Book
 
Publishing History
Issues: 7
From: 1952
Seq: 1 - 7
Publisher:L. Miller & Son
Description:British reprint. 1952 by L. Miller & Sons Ltd. London. Colour Cover, b&w interiors. The British guide suggests this series ran from #1 to #6, but as is obvious, this is #7. As is common, theses comics are often badly printed and trimmed and this example ...
Ten Detective Aces
Cover For Ten Detective Aces
 
Online: 3 Books
 
Publisher:Crime and Detective
Description:Published initially monthly then subsequently bi-monthly by Magazine Publishers Inc. (A Division Of Ace Comics) based in Springfield, Massachusetts. Preceded by The Dragnet Magazine which ran for 16 issues (Oct 1928 - Mar 1930). It then was renamed Detective ...
Thrill Comics
Cover For Thrill Comics
 
Online: 4 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 35
From: 1940
To: 1950
Seq: 1 - 35
Publisher:Gerald G. Swan
Description:Weekly? title which ran from 1940 - 1950 with a run of 35 issues plus specials.
The Thriller
Cover For The Thriller
 
Online: 176 Books
 
Publishing History
From: Feb 1929
To: May 1940
Publisher:British Story Papers
Description:British weekly "pulp" featuring well written and illustrated, fast moving and atmospheric crime and mystery stories. Some well known authors and characters appeared in The Thriller incl. The Saint, Shadow, Blackshirt, Mr. Preed, J.G. Reeder. Writers ...
Thrilling Crime Cases
Cover For Thrilling Crime Cases
 
Online: 4 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 9
From: Jun 1950
To: Jul 1952
Seq: 41 - 49
Publisher:Star Publications
Description:
Tops
Cover For Tops
 
Online: 2 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 2
From: Jul 1949
To: Sep 1949
Seq: 1 - 2
Publisher:Lev Gleason / Comic House
Description:
Trapped
Cover For Trapped
 
Online: 4 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 4
From: Oct 1954
To: Apr 1955
Seq: 1 - 4
Publisher:Ace Magazines
Description:
Comic Book Plus In-House Image
True Crime Comics
Cover For True Crime Comics
 
Online: 2 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 6
From: Nov 1948
To: Dec 1949
Seq: 4 - v2 9
Publisher:Alval Publishers
Description:
True Detective Mysteries
Cover For True Detective Mysteries
 
Online: 7 Books
 
Publisher:Crime and Detective
Description:True Detective Mysteries began publication in 1924, similar in format to True Story, also published by McFadden. The "True" in both titles was false advertising; most of the stories were simply fiction and illustrated using posed models. True Detective ...
Undercover Girl
Cover For Undercover Girl
 
Online: 3 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 3
From: 1952
To: 1954
Seq: 5 - 7
Publisher:Magazine Enterprises
Description:
Underworld
Cover For Underworld
 
Online: 9 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 9
From: Feb 1948
To: Jun 1949
Seq: 1 - 9
Publisher:DS Publishing
Description:(1948 series) 1948 - June-July 1949 Issues: #1-9 Artists on this title include Ann Brewster, Al Camy (Cammarata), Graham Ingels, Shelly Moldoff & Louis Schroeder
Underworld Crime
Cover For Underworld Crime
 
Online: 7 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 7
From: Jun 1952
To: Sep 1953
Seq: 1 - 7
Publisher:Fawcett
Description:
The Union Jack Library
Cover For The Union Jack Library
 
Online: 61 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 999
From: Apr 1894
To: 1933
Seq: 1 - 999
Publisher:British Story Papers
Description:Weekly story paper "pulp". From 1903 this version carried Sexton Blake detective stories.
The Untouchables
Cover For The Untouchables
 
Online: 3 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 2
From: May 1962
To: Aug 1962
Seq: 1 - 2
Publisher:Dell Comics / Western Publishing
Description:Four colors were renewed, but the two in this series were not!
Vic Flint
Cover For Vic Flint
 
Online: 2 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 2
From: Feb 1956
To: May 1956
Seq: 1 - 2
Publisher:Argo Publications
Description:
Vic Flint
Cover For Vic Flint
 
Online: 2 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 2
From: Aug 1948
To: Oct 1948
Seq: 1 - 2
Publisher:St. John
Description:
Wanted
Cover For Wanted
 
Online: 50 Books
 
Publishing History
Issues: 45
From: Sep 1947
To: Apr 1953
Seq: 9 - 53
Publisher:Orbit-Wanted
Description:
War On Crime
Cover For War On Crime
 
Online: 10 Books
 
Publishing History
From: May 1936
To: Jan 1938
Publisher:Newspaper Comic Strips
Description:War on Crime was conceived, at least in part, by none other than FBI director Edgar J. Hoover, who intended it as a public relations exercise. It was designed to counteract the current portrayals of G-men as lone mavericks. Instead, the strip showed the FBI as a formidable ...
next page
Comic Book Plus In-House Image
Mission and Disclaimer: The mission of Comic Book Plus is to present completely free of charge, and to the widest possible audience, popular cultural works of the past. These records are offered as a contribution to education and lifelong learning. They are historical documents reflecting the attitudes, perspectives, and beliefs of different times. We at Comic Book Plus do not endorse the views expressed in these, which may contain content offensive to modern users.

We aim to house only content in the Public Domain. If you suspect that any of our material may be infringing copyright, then please use our contact page to let us know. So we can investigate further.