National Comics #43 is an issue of the series National Comics (Volume 1) with a cover date of August, 1944.
Synopsis for Barker: "The Spider Man"
Colonel Lane's welcomed to a new town by an armed mob, who make it clear a crooked carnival robbed their town blind a few years ago, and they'll level his fairgrounds if he's caught running one dirty con. Meanwhile, Lane's "rival and worst enemy", Cappy Kane, hears about a four-armed man and rushes to hire him before Lane has the chance. This man, Clarence Twiddle, refuses to work in a freakshow, and is understandably offended when Kane suggests he use his extra arms to work as a pickpocket. Until Kane leaves, realizes his valuables have all been pilfered, and hurries back to kick Twiddle in the pants for hiding the fact he's already a pickpocket. He offers the chance to keep what he took and go robbing at Lane's circus to stir up the angry townsfolk, or go to jail, and Twiddle chooses the former. The armed locals are indeed stirred up after a crowd of punters start crying they've been robbed, but are dissuaded from making good on their threats when Tiny twists the leader's gun into a pretzel and the others promise similar retaliation. They spot Twiddle and start chasing him around the big top. Eager to see his rival's downfall, a disguised Cappy Kane comes by, only for Twiddle to run into him and ask for salvation. The locals find all the stolen loot planted on Kane, but the Barker and his friends know Twiddle was behind all the thievery. They make him an offer: he can either face the music, or join their show, and very reluctantly chooses the latter.
Appearing in Barker: "The Spider Man"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Colonel Lane
- Lena
- Liz Flannery
- Major Midge
- Spuda the Spider-Man (First appearance)
- Tiny Tim
- Madame Shali, snake charmer (First appearance)
Antagonists:
- Cappy Kane
- Press Hardt
Other Characters:
Locations:
- Mammoth Circus
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for G-2: "Guns and Glamour"
Appearing in G-2: "Guns and Glamour"
Featured Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Joline Joy, singer
- General Delaney
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Sally O'Neil Policewoman: "Death by the Clock"
Appearing in Sally O'Neil Policewoman: "Death by the Clock"
Featured Characters
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Matty Jules Dolan (First appearance)
- Dusty Dolan (First appearance)
Other Characters:
- Jasper Jules (Dies)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Uncle Sam: "The Allotment Check Thieves"
Appearing in Uncle Sam: "The Allotment Check Thieves"
Featured Characters
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Heffy
- his gang
Other Characters:
- Joe Adams
- Mrs. Adams
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Quicksilver: "Dagger Marlin Hangs Twice"
Appearing in Quicksilver: "Dagger Marlin Hangs Twice"
Featured Characters
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Dagger Marlin (Dies)
Other Characters:
- Mike
- Jeepers
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Chic Carter: "The Case of the Drowned Corpse"
Appearing in Chic Carter: "The Case of the Drowned Corpse"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Shane (First appearance)
- Mr. Kates (Dies)
- Bevans (Dies)
Other Characters:
- Gay
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Destroyer 171: "Mutiny Aboard the U.S.S. Pawnee"
Appearing in Destroyer 171: "Mutiny Aboard the U.S.S. Pawnee"
Featured Characters
- Lt. Commander Harvey Blake
Supporting Characters:
- USS Pawnee crew
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
- Destroyer 171, USS Pawnee
Items:
Vehicles:
Notes
- Also featured in this issue of National Comics were:
- Salty Waters by Bernard Dibble
- Windy Breeze by Ralph Johns
- "The Rocket Train" (text article)
- PSA: Saving Scrap Paper
Trivia
- Jack Cole signed his "Windy Breeze" strip as "Ralph Johns".
See Also
Links and References
