Crime SuspenStories #9
In "Understudy to a Corpse!", a chilling tale from Crime SuspenStories #9 (1952), a wife’s growing jealousy over her husband’s devoted nurse spirals into a dangerous plan—only to backfire in a way she never expected. Written by Bill Gaines and Al Feldstein, with moody art by Jack Kamen and bold inks by the same, the story unfolds with tense domestic dread and a deadly twist. The cover by Johnny Craig captures the story’s unsettling mood, making this a standout in EC’s iconic crime anthology.
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When Luther arrives home late from surgery, his wife Nora rushes away in the car, even though her husband tries to tell her something. She recounts how she met Luther, and the quick wedding (only for his money, not love). Later, she discovers Luther had to have his meds every day at 4pm and counted on Miss Doyle reminding him of that. But Nora is jealous of Miss Doyle, who went with Luther everywhere. So Nora decides to poison Luther's meds. Unfortunately, Nora gets into an accident because of bad brakes on the car and only her husband can operate....after he takes his meds, that is!
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).