National Comics #58 (1947)

In "Talking Animals!" from National Comics #58 (1947), a bear, a seal, and a fox—each equipped with hidden transmitters by their trainer—find themselves caught in a scheme far more dangerous than their act suggests. As the animals struggle to understand their sudden, unnatural ability to speak, the true purpose behind their training begins to unravel.

Sally O’Neil, a young policewoman on assignment at a movie set, finds herself in the middle of a series of escalating threats and violent incidents tied to the production of a film based on the mysterious figure Wiley Gorn. When the set is attacked by a rogue tank and key crew members are murdered, she uncovers a hidden script and a dangerous secret linking the fictional character to a real-life political figure whose past is too explosive to be exposed.

In the fog-drenched alleys of Wharf Street, detective Steve Wood investigates the sudden disappearance of reporter Peg Allen, who vanished after receiving a cryptic note directing her to Pier 7. With a mysterious phone tip and a trail of clues left behind—like a glove and a purse—Steve must unravel a web of deception involving rival gangs, a suspicious inspector, and a secret he’s kept from his own secretary, Sally. As the night unfolds, old grudges and hidden motives come to light, but the true danger may lie not in the shadows, but in who’s pulling the strings from behind the scenes.

Lassie and her friends take up detective work after Mr. O'Brien, the policeman, asks them to keep an eye out for suspicious characters. While investigating rumors about Mrs. Futzbody planning something awful and Mr. Jitterly threatening to burn down his house, Lassie stumbles upon a series of wild misunderstandings that lead to chaos—and a surprising twist involving a missing husband and a misplaced carpet.