Number 2231: The Clock: “...a piece of rubber hose...”

The Clock is one of the earliest comic book heroes, appearing as early as 1936. His adventures, all signed by George Brenner, went on through several comic book titles, until the Clock stopped in 1944.

The Clock had been in comics published by Centaur, then Quality Comics, where he first appeared in Feature Funnies (title later changed to Feature Comics). He helped kick off Crack Comics, where today’s story appeared. The thing I first noticed were the gaudy colors of the stone work in the splash panel. The publisher, Everett “Busy” Arnold wanted more colors in his comic books, because kids liked colors. (Arnold was color blind.)

As I read the story I noticed that the bad guy, Moe Klone (love that name) was on bail for murdering a cop. That made me wonder where in America a guy could be arrested for killing a police officer and be released on bail. Well, nowhere, that is where. Unless the judge is taking a payoff, that is.

The other thing I noticed is Clock’s advice to the Police Captain: “...And a piece of rubber hose applied to the right spots, Captain, should make Klone tell you how he planned to leave the country.” So the Clock is encouraging police brutality! And did I tell you the Clock was once District Attorney? Now retired, and living as a society fop secretly meting out justice and also encouraging the third degree, Brian O’Brien is the man under the mask.

I have a couple of other Clock stories I showed in 2011. You can go to them with the link below.

This story is from Crack Comics #14 (1941).

For two more vintage Clock stories, click on the thumbnail.

Posted in: Pappy Comics