Often Imitated: Crime Suspenstories #22

“This seems to be a man with a bloody axe holding a woman’s head up, which has been severed from her body. Do you think that’s in good taste?” Fans of Crime Suspenstories #22 know this story nicely – they usually know that it’s in good, snarky style for a superbly scrumptious cowl.

Once known as the “most notorious cover illustration” of all time, Johnny Craig’s paintings for E.C. Comics Crime Suspenstories #22 was the centerpiece of the Senate Committee to Investigate Juvenile Delinquency.

The cowl of the e-book turned the point of interest of Senator Estes Kefauver’s questioning of E.C. Comic’s writer William Gaines. When requested if he thought the duvet was in good style, Gaines replied:

“Yes, sir, I do…for the cover of a horror comic. A cover in bad taste, for example, might be defined as holding the head a little higher so that blood could be seen dripping from it, and moving the body over a little further so that the neck of the body could be seen to be bloody.”

Have you learn the synopsis for this story? EC Comics Wiki reads, “A man dismembers his wife and buries the pieces in his back yard. He and his lover, who has had plastic surgery in order to stand in for his wife, get tickets to a quiz show called ‘Treasure Hunt’. They are chosen as contestants and the host tells him that they’re digging up his backyard in order to hide the prize money.”

It’s secure to say that this pleased little story drew loads of consideration, even with out the eye-catching cowl. But what a canopy it’s!

This iconic cowl has impressed a slew of homages by loads of artists.

Greg Land’s 2007 Wolverine variant is by far probably the most typically bought on this quick listing. The CGC 9.8, with 260 copies registered within the census, routinely sells for nicely over $200 and warrants a wholesome FMV of $240. In reality, a Sig Series 9.4 bought for a whopping $400 a yr in the past.

Stray Dogs is definitely no stranger to the homage cowl, and the JJ’s Comics & Art Edition doesn’t disappoint. With only a few listed on the CGC census (17; 1 Universal, 16 Sig Series), it’s seen a excessive sale of $215 (SS 9.8, 1/28/22) and a most up-to-date sale of simply $75 (SS 9.8, $75, 7/17/22).

This variant was launched completely at JJ’s Comics & Art, with ta sure variety of copies bought by means of the shop and the remaining supplied as a conference unique at Siouxpercon that yr.

Only 300 copies of Mike Rooth’s Exciting Comics #1 (Golden Age Homage Edition) had been printed and distributed, making this one a uncommon discover at public sale. This one additionally heralded the return of Exciting Comics in shops for the primary time in 70+ years.

Only 11 copies have made it to the CGC census, with 10/11 reaching 9.8 standing and one falling to 9.6. This one isn’t a moneymaker by any stretch, nevertheless it’s a enjoyable addition to a set of homage covers.

Locke & Key #3

Even although Locke & Key #3 isn’t a well-liked purchase, with solely 3 gross sales going down at public sale since its launch in 2009, Gabriel Rodriguez’s artwork is just too rad to not point out right here. Yet to clear $100, when you’re finishing a set of homages to Crime Suspenstories 22, it’s positively a tricky discover.

There can also be a sketched Retailer Incentive variant of this comedian, which has a complete 20 copies listed on the census. The SS 9.6 bought for as a lot as $150 in 2020.