[festerb4]

Dell comics did not submit their books to the Comics Code Authority. Sometimes that meant they went beynd what the code would have allowed. This book deals with heroin trafficking and domestic violence - more forgiving of the latter than would be politically correct today.

Link to the book: Defenders 01

[crashryan]

fester: Yes, this story bothered me even back when it came out (I read all the Dell TV titles as a middle-schooler). The "Defenders" TV show was noted for a more mature approach than typical early-60s lawyer shows, dealing with significant issues in an adult manner. The comic's author tried hard to deliver the same experience. A couple of problems stand out, though. First, as you say, the kid's hitting his fiancee is treated as just one of those things, an embarrassment the girl is ready to overlook. Second, no one seems overly concerned that this guy ran dope--all is forgiven now that he's promised not to do it any more. Finally, can you imagine, even in 1962, an attorney hitting a prospective witness "for effect" and keeping his license? Still I'd give the author points for trying.

[darkmark]

A lot of alternate-company goodies have been buried under the attention for DC and Marvel of the time.  This was indeed an interesting story, with a very decent level of writing.  No superheroes, but plenty of good story.