My Love Secret #26
In "I Played at Love," high school student Karen, inspired by her sister Irene’s career, starts working at Mr. Grand’s dress shop and rises to become his assistant—and later, store manager after his retirement. Her dedication to her job strains her marriage to Kent, who fears she’ll never make time for him, leading to a crisis when he demands a divorce. Written by Wally Wood and Harry Harrison, with inks by Wally Wood, this heartfelt 1949 tale captures the quiet tension between ambition and love, all wrapped in a cover by Wally Wood.
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
Inspired by her older sister Irene, "an executive in a large firm," Karen goes to work in Mr. Grand's dress shop while still in high school. She is eventually promoted to Mr. Grand's assistant. Karen falls in love with and marries Kent, but refuses to quit her job. Mr. Grand retires and makes her store manager; Kent fears this will mean she has no time for him. He's right, and asks Karen for a divorce. She decides to "quit my job and spend my time being your wife!"
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).