I've heard of Alfred Andriola for many years, but I think this was the 1st time I had a chance to read his stuff. KERRY DRAKE reminded me very much of many of the "B"-movie mystery series I love to watch. Kerry reminds me a bit of "Paul Drake" from the PERRY MASON tv series. I like his assistant Sandy, too. The villain in the story was a real MONSTER, especially with what he did near the end of the story. You can tell newspaper comics were aimed at adults back then-- and this was definitely before the censors started cleaning them up.
Interesting to see a humorous caveman strip named "Rocky". BOYS' LIFE magazine later had their own named "Rocky Stoneaxe".
You don't see many series dedicated to fireman, do you? Rather surprising for them to have a villain called "The Joker" (no relation to the one from BATMAN, of course).
Link to the book:
A-1 Comics 001 - Kerry Drake