There are many lot of superb titles published by Atlas during the 1950s, many of which are not likely to be seen in a nice, shiny trade paperback. One of those series is
Caught, a fun crime-themed book that ran for a mere 5 issues from August, 1956 to April, 1957. Some people focus only on pre-Code crime, and that's a shame as there were still plenty of fun, albeit less violent, stories to be told. These pages are filled with inventive 4 or 5 page morality plays featuring all kinds of low-lifes and shady characters. In my opinion, many of these have a noirish feel that was absent from a lot of the 'rob a bank/hideout/shootout with police' stories that populate so many crime comics.
A collection of these stories would evidence the fact that, during this period, Atlas had as good a bullpen as any company at any point in four color history. Each and every issue of
Caught featured a terrific cover by John Severin. On the inside, you will find stories drawn by the likes of Berni Krigstein, Don Heck, Reed Crandall and Joe Maneely. Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think a single story from this series has ever been reprinted. This would, of course, be a fairly slim volume coming in somewhere around 125 pages, but that would be 125 pages of pure bliss. Come on, Marvel - I'll be willing to bet that there are tens, if not dozens, of people out there who'd buy this.
There are many lot of superb titles published by Atlas during the 1950s, many of which are not likely to be seen in a nice, shiny trade paperback. One of those series is Caught, a fun crime-themed book that ran for a mere 5 issues from August, 1956 to April, 1957. Some people focus only on pre-Code crime, and that's a shame as there were still plenty of fun, albeit less violent, stories to be told. These pages are filled with inventive 4 or 5 page morality plays featuring all kinds of low-lifes and shady characters. In my opinion, many of these have a noirish feel that was absent from a lot of the 'rob a bank/hideout/shootout with police' stories that populate so many crime comics.
A collection of these stories would evidence the fact that, during this period, Atlas had as good a bullpen as any company at any point in four color history. Each and every issue of Caught featured a terrific cover by John Severin. On the inside, you will find stories drawn by the likes of Berni Krigstein, Don Heck, Reed Crandall and Joe Maneely. Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think a single story from this series has ever been reprinted. This would, of course, be a fairly slim volume coming in somewhere around 125 pages, but that would be 125 pages of pure bliss. Come on, Marvel - I'll be willing to bet that there are tens, if not dozens, of people out there who'd buy this.
5 comments:
I'd buy it! Yeah, me and probably a handful of others... I'm with you though, I love the old crime stories from Atlas, even after the code kicked in.
I agree. I have a few issues and they are worth seeking out. I feel the crime stories are some of the best Atlas work of the period.
Nick C.
And when Mr. Caputo speaks, Marvel should listen!
Are you listening Marvel??
What? They don't follow my blog?
So far, I have bought all the Atlas Era Masterworks that Marvel has published. And will continue to do so if they keep them coming.
Maybe they could match the CAUGHT short 5 issues series with another short series of the same theme, like they did for the BLACK KNIGHT/YELLOW CLAW volume (my favorite so far).
That doctor in "The Man Who Followed" looks like he could have been the pre-accident, pre-mystical Dr. Strange. That cover is pretty awesome -- an example of Joe Maneely art?
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