Crime Does Not Pay Archives #1
A 2012 Dark Horse Archives release, *Crime Does Not Pay Archives #1* presents "The Real Story Behind Lepke, Mad Dog of the Underworld," a gripping tale from the original Crime Does Not Pay series. Written and illustrated by Alan Mandel, the story follows Bill Reed, a man paralyzed in childhood who, after years of quiet determination, builds wings and regains his mobility—only to become a vigilante dedicated to justice. The cover, by Charles Biro, captures the gritty, noir-inspired aesthetic of the era, setting the tone for a tale of resilience and retribution.
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Although struck down with infantile paraylsis, wealthy Bill Reed, after being put down by a college rival for his sweetheart's hand, develops a set of wings, and, over a period of two years, perfects them and is able to walk again. He dedicates his life to serving mankind: foiling hijackers, rounding up public enemies, and so on until a foe emerges called the Wrench, who had suffered injuries from grabbing an incendiary bomb in the 1st World War, and who threatens the S.S. Atlantic.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).