National Comics #49 (1945)

When a man dressed in Bombo the Human Cannonball’s uniform is shot from the cannon and found dead, the circus troupe is thrown into chaos—especially when it’s revealed the corpse isn’t Bombo at all. With the real Bombo missing and a wanted criminal on the loose, the show’s crew must unravel a mystery involving stolen bonds, a double-cross, and a corpse wearing someone else’s life.

Jo lies in a coffin, claiming to be dead to avoid paying a debt, but his ruse backfires when neighbors send gifts, making him feel better—though not quite as dead as he’d hoped. The humor unfolds as his deception spins further out of control, all while he tries to keep up appearances.

In this lighthearted 1945 tale from National Comics #49, Roger and Roberta take their dogs, Lassie and Laddie, on a trip to the city, where Roger dreams of winning a spot in national office at a bustling business convention. With their pets in tow and plenty of comic chaos on the horizon, the day unfolds in classic children's humor style.

In a tense showdown at a rundown building, rookie cop Sally O’Neil finds herself trapped with the notorious fugitive Nick the Knife, who’s been accused of five murders. As the two circle each other, a dangerous game of wits and survival unfolds, with Sally using her quick thinking and a clever trap to stay one step ahead—though the outcome remains uncertain.

In the shadow of Milton Park’s amusement rides, police reporter Mallory Drake—by night the mysterious Whistler—unravels a string of deadly accidents, suspecting sabotage behind the scenes. As he investigates, he uncovers a twisted scheme where a seemingly mad killer is using fear and chaos to drive the park into ruin, but the real mastermind may be the park’s own owner, Tom Milton.