Crime Does Not Pay Archives #1
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeThis hardcover collection reprints the earliest issues of the notorious pre-Code crime comic Crime Does Not Pay, originally published by Lev Gleason Publications in the 1940s. Volume 1 gathers the first several issues, showcasing the gritty, unflinching tales of real-life gangsters and criminals that sparked public outcry and helped lead to the creation of the Comics Code Authority. Featuring the work of Charles Biro and Bob Wood, this archive preserves the raw, violent edge of a landmark series in comics history.
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.
Find on ebay
Where to buy
Sell my copy
Have this issue — or a whole collection? Get a fair offer from us, skip the marketplace fees and the hassle.
We Buy Collections ▸Full credits
Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers
▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers
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).
Reviews
Reader reviews
No reader reviews yet.