Author:
Title: TALES FROM THE CRYPT No. 44
Place Published:
Publisher:EC [Indicia: I. C. Publishing Co. Inc.]
Date Published: October-November, 1954
Description: CGC certified: Fine/VF (7.0). White pages. Grader notes: Light creasing to cover; light spine stress lines to cover; very light soiling on cover.

CGC Census: 142 graded copies (136 Universal, 1 Qualified, 5 Restored).

GPAnalysis: A 7.0 sold for $1000 in 5/19; a 7.5 sold for $1900 in 3/23.

Credits: Cover: Jack Davis. Scripts: Carl Wessler and Al Feldstein. Art: Jack Davis, Reed Crandall, Jack Kamen, Graham Ingels.An Early Manifestation of Vice: 1950s kids were far less desensitized to media violence than the jaded brats of today, and a freaky enough horror mag could really scramble their wits. "I remember feeling, as a kid, that the ECs were sicko and probably bad for kids like me. When the Wertham thing happened, I remember thinking, based on how deeply comic books were affecting me, that Dr. Wertham was probably right." (Tom Veitch, Blab #1, 1986, p. 28).

ZAP cartoonist Kim Deitch: "I never bought a single horror comic book off the stands. They were strictly forbidden by my parents so they all came my way second and third hand. They really were an early manifestation of vice to me. I read them... knowing full well the horrible pay-offs would come back to haunt me at night. I'm not kidding." – Ibid, p. 16.______________________________________________________________

A limited edition of ten hardcover catalogues is available, in addition to a few dozen softcovers. Fun reference, great keepsake, fully illustrated, chockablock with obscure facts, gags, bon mots. Softcovers are $40, deluxe hardcovers with dust jackets and limitation plates are $200. These books always go fast so don't delay. To order, contact ivan@pbagalleries.com.

Consignments welcome for PBA's Summer 2024 Comic Book sale. Top prices for Pre-Code Horror, Golden Age, Silver Age, original art and ephemera. Find out why PBA is the new fan-fave of funnybook fiends. "This is some of the best commentary I've yet seen on the quality of the content of comic books... Priceless." – R. Crumb. Send inquiries to ivan@pbagalleries.com.

Coming Soon: The DC Universe Collection Part 3: The Golden Age (August 2024) and Weird Tales and Amazing Stories: The PBA Pulp Sale (September 2024). Contact ivan@pbagalleries.com to get on the notifications list.