American Comics Update: The Bute Collection: Three Early Police Comics from 1943
*Miscellaneous 1940-1959: Also from the Bute Collection this week, some true vintage from Quality Comics from 1943 in the shape of Police Comics #19, #22 & #23. Police Comics was the title in which Plastic Man first appeared (from #1) and although I don’t see many police involved, this bumper-sized anthology title contained a whole wealth of detective, mystery and super-hero strips, as well as a fair sprinkling of humour. In these issues you get Plastic Man by Jack Cole and the Spirit by Will Eisner (both cover featured), the occult detective Destiny, Manhunter, the Human Bomb and the original Phantom Lady (in yellow and green costume). Alongside these are a number of comedy shorts.
PICTURED: POLICE COMICS ALL SOLD
#19 FA £35 Several spine splits, but spine held on by pieces of tape. Small tear at right edge sealed by tape on the inside cover. Otherwise decent enough copy with good page quality.
#22 GD/VG £80 Decent, clean copy. Minor discolouration at bottom right cover edge. Single central staple has small stress tears above and below, but cover is still attached. Nice pages.
#23 GD £50 Small spine split at top with short ‘invisible’ crease, some discolouration (foxing?) above logo. Thumbnail size chip out lower right edge of cover. Front cover off single staple, but back attached. Nice pages.