Number 2150: Nell from hell, and Dr Maggot’s ape

So called “Pre-Trend” EC Comics — those published before the popular EC New Trend, could be a mixed bag. They published some standard fare, crime and love comics, after EC founder Maxwell Charles Gaines died in 1947 and his son, William M. Gaines, took over as publisher and editor. Story quality could vary widely, even in the same issue of a particular title. Two stories from Crime Patrol #12 (1949) are good examples. “Nell Baker,” written and illustrated by Al Feldstein, is a straightforward crime story, typical of the genre. Was there a real Nell Baker? I don’t know. The story isn’t claimed to be true despite the cover blurb of “Real Stories from Police Records!” Nell was a stereotype of the female criminal in crime comics, tougher than most men, and more bloodthirsty.

There is an inside joke on page 7, where William Gaines, publisher, is introduced as William Seniag, police artist.

On the other hand, “The Hanged Man’s Revenge” mixes genres, a crime story with a horror story. Most horror comics had crime as the basis for the plot, but this story is a horror in another way. It is not well written. It is by an anonymous writer, and for a good reason. I’m showing it because I like Howard Larsen’s artwork, and I am a sucker for ape/gorilla stories, as longtime readers know. No matter how tepid the plot, I am showing it for purely selfish reasons. Besides the ape, I like the names of the bad guys, Dr. Maggot and Fench.

Here is a 2012 posting from Crime Patrol. Just click on the thumbnail.

Posted in: Pappy Comics