Crime SuspenStories #7
In "Hatchet-Killer!", a desperate thief named Frank Shantly sees a chance to strike big after reading about a wealthy gambler heading to Washington D.C. to testify—only to find himself entangled in a deadly game when a mysterious man calling himself Adellis challenges him to break into a safe for a $1,000 wager and his freedom. Written by Bill Gaines and Al Feldstein, with sharp, suspenseful art by Jack Davis, this gripping tale from Crime SuspenStories #7 (1951) delivers a twisty, high-stakes narrative that turns a simple heist into a web of deception—perfect for fans of classic EC suspense. The cover, by Johnny Craig, captures the story’s chilling atmosphere with a stark, memorable image.
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Faced with funds running out from his last safecracking job, Frank Shantly pored over a newspaper and eyed a story about a wealthy gambler having to go to Washington D.C. to testify before the Senate Committee. Immediately, he thinks that this is a neat set-up for another big payoff, but is confronted by a man claiming to be Adellis the minute he steps into the house. Convinced no one can break into his safe, "Adellis" bets Shantly $1,000 and his freedom that the crook can't get into the safe. Shantly wins the bet, but doesn't realize he has unwittingly helped the Feds round up a real crook!
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).