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Red Seal Comics (1945) comic books

  • Issue #14
    Red Seal Comics (1945) 14
    • Paper: Cream to off white
    • Label #4368679005
    • Paper: Off white
    • Label #4366163009

    Cover by Paul Gattuso. Stories and art by Bob McCay, Paul Gattuso, Joe Beck and George Tuska. Numbering apparently continues from Carnival Comics (1945) #0, by Chesler's unusual numbering scheme. Humor and adventure comics from Chesler / Dynamic. Diminutive, Shadow-like superhero Black Dwarf and his band of assistants take on a counterfeiting ring. (The Black Dwarf was listed in Jon Morris's 2015 book The League of Regrettable Superheroes.) The most unusual story in this issue is a rare Little Nemo in Slumberland strip by Bob McCay, son of original Nemo artist Winsor McCay, in which a Flash Gordon-like teenage Nemo defends Slumberland from attack by the Forest Kingdom. Sheriff Nye suspects the Gay Desperado is in cahoots with actual outlaw Midas Moran. Also featuring a vintage ad for the Glow in the Dark Necktie ("Girls Can't Resist!"). Classic bondage/ mad scientist cover by Paul Gattuso. Black Dwarf; Gay Desperado; Prehistoric Pete; Nemo In Adventureland; Lessons in Larceny; Lucky Coyne: Murderer! 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

  • Issue #17
    Red Seal Comics (1945) 17
    • 2" spine split to cover with severe splitting through all wraps. Cover detached at one staple. Cover and interior oxidation. Water damage. Interior tearing.
    • Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor.
      Other items consigned by humble cow

    Cover by Paul Gattuso. Stories and art by Ralph Mayo, Paul Gattuso, Joe Beck, Otto Eppers, Gus Ricca, and George Tuska. Humor and adventure comics from Chesler / Dynamic. Social worker Kitty Kelly investigates a rash of food poisonings of children and finds racketeers dealing in spoiled meat. Magical superhero Lady Satan struggles to free three kids who have been turned into werewolves by a wolf-man. (Lady Satan was listed in Jon Morris's 2015 book The League of Regrettable Superheroes.) Sky Chief battles jewel smuggler Prince Singh from his "sky submarine." Plus a humorous article about the cost of football equipment in the 1940s. Black Dwarf; Gay Desperado; Prehistoric Pete; Kitty Kelly; Giggles; Murder, C.O.D.; Lady Satan; Sky Chief; Two Minutes to Doom; Lucky Coyne; Sports. 52 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

  • Issue #18
    Red Seal Comics (1945) 18
    • Paper: Off white to white
    • Slab: See item notes
    • Gapping on top edge exceeds standard tolerance.
    • Label #4303057025
    • Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout.
      Other items consigned by Poka
    • 1" spine split from bottom. Cover detached. Cover oxidation. Water damage.
    • Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor.
      Other items consigned by humble cow
    • Cover detached at one staple. Water damage. Cover and interior oxidation. Staple rust, rust migration.
    • Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor.
      Other items consigned by humble cow

    Cover by Paul Gattuso. Stories and art by Ralph Mayo, Paul Gattuso, Joe Beck, Otto Eppers, and George Tuska. Humor and adventure comics from Chesler / Dynamic. The Gay Desperado discovers that cattle rustling is just part of a larger land-grab scheme Mike Stiles is using on Norton's ranch. Magical superhero Lady Satan contacts the ghost of Nancy's murdered father to learn the truth about his death and missing fortune. In an unusual crime drama, police investigating a woman's murder discover a honeymooning couple is actually two holdup men, one of whom is dressed in drag. Black Dwarf; Gay Desperado: Haunted Land; Prehistoric Pete; Calling All Cars: The Whispering Bride; Lady Satan; Sky Chief; Stand-In For a Corpse; Lucky Coyne. 52 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

  • Issue #20
    Red Seal Comics (1945) 20
    • Paper: Off white to white
    • Label #3877912003
    • Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout.

    Cover by Paul Gattuso. Stories and art by Ralph Mayo, Paul Gattuso, Joe Beck, Otto Eppers, Gus Schrotter, Joey Cavallo, Anthony Cataldo and George Tuska. Superior takes over publishing of the humor and adventure anthology from Chesler / Dynamic. This issue features unpublished stories left over from the Chesler era. Diminutive, Shadow-like superhero Black Dwarf investigates after two of his agents find a shooting victim on the street. This story features the slang wordplay the strip was noted for, with lines like "He's cold cuts already, and his leather is empty!" The Gay Desperado follows stories of the "flaming hoss" and finds sinister doings afoot. Lady Satan's magical powers appear to be no match for the walking dead. The Black Dwarf and Lady Satan were listed in Jon Morris's 2015 book The League of Regrettable Superheroes. Black Dwarf; Gay Desperado; Prehistoric Pete: Pete's Toll Bridge; Calling All Cars; Lady Satan; Sky Chief; Escapade Behind an Eight Ball; Lucky Coyne. 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

  • Issue #21
    Red Seal Comics (1945) 21
    • Residue.
    • Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor.

    Stories and art by Fred Schwab, Paul Gattuso, Joe Beck, Otto Eppers, Chu Hing, Tony Cataldo, and George Tuska. Superior takes over publishing of the humor and adventure anthology from Chesler / Dynamic. This issue features new material from Canadian artists. Diminutive, Shadow-like superhero Black Dwarf discovers a refugee charity is just a front for a blackmail ring. The Gay Desperado is accused of the murder of Nevada Bill, but someone set him up. Magical superhero Lady Satan investigates after a girl is attacked by moving trees. (The Black Dwarf and Lady Satan were listed in Jon Morris's 2015 book The League of Regrettable Superheroes.) Plus origins of the names of major-league baseball teams. Also featuring a vintage ad for an "Authentic Dick Tracy Tommy Gun." Black Dwarf; Sports; Gay Desperado; Foul Frame-Up; Tenderfoot Joe; Lady Satan; Laughing at Life!; Calling All Cars; Foxy Grandpa; Prehistoric Pete; Killer McGee; Cop Killer; Lucky Coyne; King Kole. 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

  • Issue #22
    Red Seal Comics (1945) 22
    • Restored (see item notes)
    • RESTORATION: Minor color touch, cover cleaned.

    Cover by Gus Ricca. Stories and art by Fred Kelly, Joe Beck, Otto Eppers, and E. G. Letkeman. Superior takes over publishing of the humor and adventure anthology from Chesler / Dynamic. This issue features new material from Canadian artists. Diminutive, Shadow-like superhero Black Dwarf and his squad usually kill criminals, but in this case they must avenge the strange murders of thieves and burglars. Crooks get Dr. Justice to patch up a gunshot wound and then plan to get rid of him, but they didn't realize he's a trained crime-fighter. Jungle hero Zor and his pet saber-toothed tiger Nu face the Monkeymen of Kul. Riggin' Bill and his shipmates sink a Nazi sub and rescue the survivors, in a story featuring cameos by Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Stalin. Black Dwarf: More Truth Than Fantasy!; Doctor Justice; The Beach-Comber; Rescue for Revenge; Gay Desperado; Zor the Mighty: The Monkeymen of Kul; Mock Murder; Rocketman: Sly as a Fox; Facts!; Rex Tyler: Lawman of the Rockies; Riggin Bill: The Last Shot Got Her. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.