Plastic Man, on the trail of whoever stole parts of the cover.
Police Comics #8
Comic Magazines Incorporated (March, 1942)
Comic Book Plus has a cleaner cover scanned and posted right after the one to the left, but I didn’t know that when I uploaded it. The gag’s in place so we’re leaving it. Also, this is the first mention I’ve seen for “Quality Comics” in an inside cover ad. Otherwise, the indicia says “Comic Magazines Incorporated” so that’s what I’ve been going with even though CB+ calls it Quality Comics. So now you know, let’s move on.
The Firebrand by Reed Crandall
A last name for Slugger. Wait, when did Rod and Slugger join the Navy? When their boat is attacked by Nazis while Joan is taken prisoner by spies, Firebrand takes out the German forces, steals the U-Boat, and destroys the German sub base, then has to rescue Joan and a captured American air base. He’s not even wearing his costume after they capture the U-Boat. This could have been just another story of military heroes, and they already have a comic book for that. It’s not a bad story, just in the wrong book.
The Mouthpiece by Fred Guardineer
Are we sure the same people are working on this comic that worked on the last one? This one doesn’t feel like the same comic either. We meet Morbidd and Scul Van Deth…yes, their parents sucked that badly at names. Scul decides to kill his brother to keep the money they just stole but the Mouthpiece shows up to do his own take on The Telltale Heart because Scul accidentally sealed their cat with his brother’s body. I was half suspecting the Mouthpiece was going to end up with Phantom Stranger powers, but we just get Bill breaking the fourth wall to remind the readers crime doesn’t pay. It just didn’t feel like the same comic.
Eagle Evans: Flier Of Fortune by Clark Williams
Eagle and Snap are accidentally caught up in a plot to steal a plane and screw up the British RAF…from America. The story is a bit short, giving us a plot and a bit of action but no real meat to the story.
Steele Kerrigan by Al Bryant
And we have the same problem with this story, as Steele is framed by the crooks he tries to stop robbing a jewelry story, then has to rescue Anne and clear his name, which he does rather easily. This is the problem with trying to shove so many stories in, but this issue seems to be having more problems with it…
Manhunter by Ted Blaisdell & Alex Kotzky
…which can probably explained by shoving a new series in without taking any out. At least we have another police officer in Police Comics. Although like Dan “Blue Beetle” Garret he takes on a superhero identity. Dan’s girlfriend isn’t happy he was bottom of the class, which we know because his name was read last. Actual police academy students, is that how it actually works? The reason is that he was too busy studying where every crook in the country is than on his studies, or so he says. He does have a whole lot of files that allows him to clear a fellow cop of murder, but only after he becomes the masked hero Manhunter, joined by Thor The Thunder Dog. Also, Dan’s girlfriend treats him like dirt. You can do better, man. Hunter. It’s a good introduction to the new character. Curious how long he stays around, but we’ll see in later issues.
Plastic Man by Jack Cole
A scientist builds a giant 8 ball vehicle (think billiards, no shaking fortunes here) that can attract gold and silver and goes on a rampage. The villains are getting sillier, but seeing as that’s how I know Plastic Man thanks to the cartoon I grew up with, I’m not surprised. Not an exciting story or villain, but we get to see Plastic Man do some cool stuff.
Chic Carter by Vernon Henkel
A school of red herrings in this story as a crazed Chinese man wants his ancestor’s jewel back…but the family that hasn’t didn’t steal it. Then someone tries to steal it, a bunch of people die, while Chic, Monahan, and the maid who is also the Chinaman’s niece are all dragged into it. It’s all kind of a mess of a story, but at least you can follow it to the end.
711 by George E. Brenner
Dan learns a mobster is going to corrupt his nephews after the death of their father and #711 decides to embarrass him enough to keep the two young men on the straight and narrow path. Another short story, but unlike the ones we had earlier it works for the lower page count.
Phantom Lady by Arthur Peddy
Don has to go undercover but Phantom Lady and Senator Knight end up caught up in dealing with the bad guys he’s infiltrating. Not much to explain but it’s a story that fit the page count. So we’re still short but getting better at making use of it.
The Human Bomb by Paul Carrol
Nazi spies try to get a message meant for the President, but the Army courier is met by the Roy, who takes it in his place, Jean tagging along on this one. A spy submarine shoots down their plane, and has to deal with the Human Bomb. Two questions: how did Roy switch between his Navy uniform and Human Bomb outfit so easily in a falling airplane…and did he actually knock his fiance unconscious to keep his identity? And why does the Army pilot not even suspect? I don’t think the specifics of this story was thought out very well.
overall
A rather uneven issue. Some okay stories, no major standouts, and only some of the stories knew what to do with so little space. Adding in a new character, which has potential, without removing anyone probably didn’t help matters any.
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