Police Comics No. 21

Description:

Quality Comics published issue No. 21 of Police Comics in August 1943. Jack Cole illustrated the cover that depicts a knife protruding towards Plastic Man from a hole in the door while Plastic Man attempts to turn the knob. Behind Plastic Man is the Spirit saying “Look out, Plastic Man!” while Plastic Man replies “Quiet Spirit! You want ‘em to know we’re here?” This issue contained stories that featured Plastic Man in the "The Menace of Serpina," Manhunter in "The Blue Room of Blandings Castle," and Phantom Lady in "Phantom Lady Vs. the Spider Widow." Other stories featured The Spirit, Burp the Twerp, Destiny, Dick Mace, Super Snooper, and The Human Bomb.

Police Comics was an anthology comic that featured the exploits of Plastic Man, Phantom Lady, The Spirit, Mouthpiece, Human Bomb, Firebrand, 711, and Manhunter in 127 issues published between August 1941 and October 1953. In issue 103, the book shifted from superhero tales to realistic detective stories of “suspense, mystery, and adventure” that featured Private Eye Ken Shannon and Treasury Department agent Pete Trask.

Date Made: 1943

Maker: Quality Comics

Location: Currently not on view

Subject: ComicsRelated Event: World War II

Subject:

See more items in: Culture and the Arts: Entertainment, Popular Entertainment, Comic Books

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Gift of Olivia V. Crisson and Phillip M.S. Crisson in honor of Peter Bozzer

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 2013.0086.105Catalog Number: 2013.0086.105Accession Number: 2013.0086

Object Name: comic book

Physical Description: paper (overall material)Measurements: overall: 7 1/2 in x 10 1/4 in; 19.05 cm x 26.035 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ad-e8d2-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1449416

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.