THE SCORPION #4 was published by Alstan Publications in November 1954 (date estimated). Story and art are by Monty Wedd. The Scorpion was a “master criminal and escapologist” and is described as a genius of crime (making him sound like Professor Moriarty). He is not opposed by a Holmesian figure, but rather Inspector Harrold of Scotland Yard, who seems sub-Lestrade in his ability. It seems crime did not pay as the series only ran for nine issues. There is more information about this book at the bottom of the page
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On the cancellation of 'The Scorpion': we're all familiar with the impact on comics in America caused by the Senate Comic Book Hearings of 1954, which had Frederick Wertham as a star witness. The Comics Code spelled the end for comics like those of EC. A similar thing happened in Australia - taking a lead from the US Senate Hearings, including the Queensland Literature Board banning 'The Scorpion', apparently because the villain (lead character) always beat the police and was never punished. The largest distributor of books and magazines in Australia at the time, Gordon & Gotch, refused to distribute 'The Scorpion' at all - including to the rest of Australia that hadn't banned it. Denied a market, Alstan cancelled the book and the company never printed anything else.
By The Australian Panther
Gordon and Gotch is stlll,'The largest distributor of books and magazines in Australia' Almost the only one, actually.
Monty Wedd, deserves to be much better known outside this country.
'Montague (Monty) Thomas Archibald Wedd'
https:www.cartoonists.org.au/stanleys/halloffame/wedd_monty
and
https:blogs.bl.uk/americas/2023/01/the-world-according-to-monty-wedd-philatelic-comics-cartoons-and -caricatures.html
and thank you Downunder Dan for this gem.
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