CRIME PATROL (1948-50) #15
CGC G+: 2.5
(Stock Image)
Upcoming Auction Dates TBD
$1
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PUBLISHER: EC
COMMENTS: A 15% BUYER'S PREMIUM WILL BE ADDED TO THIS ITEM AT CONCLUSION OF THE AUCTION
c/ow pages
1st appearance of Crypt Keeper and Crypt of Terror; Johnny Craig story, cover/art; EC Comics
Read Description ▼
c/ow pages
1st appearance of Crypt Keeper and Crypt of Terror; Johnny Craig story, cover/art; EC Comics
DESCRIPTION
A 15% BUYER'S PREMIUM WILL BE ADDED TO THIS ITEM AT CONCLUSION OF THE AUCTION
c/ow pages
1st appearance of Crypt Keeper and Crypt of Terror; Johnny Craig story, cover/art; EC Comics
Crime Patrol #15 would be a classic collectible just for Johnny Craig's inspired cover where life (and death) imitates art. More importantly, however, that cover prominently promotes "an illustrated Terror-Tale from The Crypt of Terror!" That would be "Return from the Grave," marking both EC's first horror story and the first appearance of the Crypt Keeper!
"Return from the Grave" originally ran as an experiment by EC Comics publisher Bill Gaines and editor Al Feldstein. The results, however, would change the comics industry. More horror was added to Crime Patrol #16, and the next issue simply changed the book's title to The Crypt of Terror. After two more issues, the book became Tales From the Crypt with issue #20. (EC could keep their existing second-class postal permits by continuing new titles with the previous numbering.)
The Crypt Keeper might seem unexpectedly alive in his debut here, introducing a tale of corrupt executives haunted by the man they drove to suicide. It would be nearly four decades before Our Host really came back from his own demise via the Comics Code Authority, becoming a cable-TV star with HBO's adaptations of Tales from the Crypt. By then, Crime Patrol #15 was one of the most neglected keys in comics. Today, however, this beloved book remains a top collectible in any grade.
(Collectors will note that Crime Patrol #15 proudly "Conforms to the Comics Code" attempted by the Association of Comics Magazine Publishers in 1948. The futility of that code is best demonstrated by how it appears on early EC Comics. The ACMP gave up on their review board in 1950, but Gaines kept displaying the stamp of approval on his titles.)
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The main reason Crime Patrol #15 is considered a highly collectible comic is the first appearance of the Crypt Keeper, the macabre narrator of some of EC’s most disturbing tales. Although this copy is in well-worn condition, the cover still presents bright colors that bring Johnny Craig’s memorable and chilling illustration to life. There are only 87 copies of this book on the census, making this a very hard-to-find collectible. Even at lower grades, this comic demands respectable prices. For those horror and EC fans out there, this is a wonderful opportunity to snap up a copy of an important classic, especially if you have been on the hunt for this book, but find yourself outbid at higher grades.
If you are a new customer planning to make a first-time purchase over $25,000, please contact us 24 hours in advance of the item closing at 212.895.3999 or support@comicconnect.com so that we may approve your account for bidding. (This policy was instituted to protect consignors and bidders against bids from fraudulent accounts, and to ensure the integrity of the bidding process.) Once approved, please log out of your account and then log in for the approval to take effect.
_______________________________________________
Looking to make a purchase? Learn more about how to buy Crime Patrol #15 from ComicConnect!
_______________________________________________
c/ow pages
1st appearance of Crypt Keeper and Crypt of Terror; Johnny Craig story, cover/art; EC Comics
Crime Patrol #15 would be a classic collectible just for Johnny Craig's inspired cover where life (and death) imitates art. More importantly, however, that cover prominently promotes "an illustrated Terror-Tale from The Crypt of Terror!" That would be "Return from the Grave," marking both EC's first horror story and the first appearance of the Crypt Keeper!
"Return from the Grave" originally ran as an experiment by EC Comics publisher Bill Gaines and editor Al Feldstein. The results, however, would change the comics industry. More horror was added to Crime Patrol #16, and the next issue simply changed the book's title to The Crypt of Terror. After two more issues, the book became Tales From the Crypt with issue #20. (EC could keep their existing second-class postal permits by continuing new titles with the previous numbering.)
The Crypt Keeper might seem unexpectedly alive in his debut here, introducing a tale of corrupt executives haunted by the man they drove to suicide. It would be nearly four decades before Our Host really came back from his own demise via the Comics Code Authority, becoming a cable-TV star with HBO's adaptations of Tales from the Crypt. By then, Crime Patrol #15 was one of the most neglected keys in comics. Today, however, this beloved book remains a top collectible in any grade.
(Collectors will note that Crime Patrol #15 proudly "Conforms to the Comics Code" attempted by the Association of Comics Magazine Publishers in 1948. The futility of that code is best demonstrated by how it appears on early EC Comics. The ACMP gave up on their review board in 1950, but Gaines kept displaying the stamp of approval on his titles.)
________________________________________________
The main reason Crime Patrol #15 is considered a highly collectible comic is the first appearance of the Crypt Keeper, the macabre narrator of some of EC’s most disturbing tales. Although this copy is in well-worn condition, the cover still presents bright colors that bring Johnny Craig’s memorable and chilling illustration to life. There are only 87 copies of this book on the census, making this a very hard-to-find collectible. Even at lower grades, this comic demands respectable prices. For those horror and EC fans out there, this is a wonderful opportunity to snap up a copy of an important classic, especially if you have been on the hunt for this book, but find yourself outbid at higher grades.
If you are a new customer planning to make a first-time purchase over $25,000, please contact us 24 hours in advance of the item closing at 212.895.3999 or support@comicconnect.com so that we may approve your account for bidding. (This policy was instituted to protect consignors and bidders against bids from fraudulent accounts, and to ensure the integrity of the bidding process.) Once approved, please log out of your account and then log in for the approval to take effect.
_______________________________________________
Looking to make a purchase? Learn more about how to buy Crime Patrol #15 from ComicConnect!
_______________________________________________