Smash Comics #43

In "The Murder Mask," radio dramatist Dave finds his fictional creation terrifyingly real when a killer dressed as the infamous "Mask" begins murdering members of his own station crew—just as the character does in his nightly broadcast. The story unfolds with chilling immediacy, as the line between performance and violence blurs, leaving Midnight to confront a threat that seems to step straight out of the script.

Daffy Dill stumbles onto the eccentric estate of Mr. Nitemayer, a collector with an unusual hobby: boarding mythological creatures like the centaur Tea Biscuit, the mermaid Vita Hayweed, and the vampire Count De Corpuscles. When the Count escapes and causes mischief around the property, Daffy finds himself caught up in the chaos and must help set things right before a newly arrived werewolf makes matters even worse.

When the Masked Marvel wins the world boxing championship, he discovers that crime boss Foxy Harris had orchestrated the entire match—and expects him to play along. What starts as a frame-up scheme spirals into murder confessions and double-crosses, forcing the champion to reveal that he's actually an undercover cop working to bring Harris to justice. This 1943 detective-mystery pits the ring's newest titleholder against a ruthless crime syndicate with nowhere left to run.

When Yankee Eagle is stranded on the island of Jawalla, he encounters a sailor who's missed his fleet and faces execution for desertion—a problem Larry Noble knows how to solve, even if it means bending a few rules. What starts as a rescue mission spirals into a fight against a Japanese scouting force threatening the island and the Allied supply route beyond, with only two men in the world skilled enough to pull off the dangerous stunt that might stop them. In the chaos and high stakes, Noble discovers that the "fake acrobat" who was supposed to steal his Hollywood job has become something far more valuable: an ally with matching talents.

In "null" from Smash Comics #43, petty thief Oscar Oople tricks hero Chuck Lane into taking a truth pill, leading Lane to confess under its influence that he’s actually the notorious Jester. But when he reveals this to Detective McGinty, the detective remains unconvinced—leaving the truth of the Jester’s identity hanging in the balance.