National Comics #56 is an issue of the series National Comics (Volume 1) with a cover date of October, 1946.
Synopsis for The Barker: "The Grifter"
Colonel Lane is enraged, and an old colleague shows up looking for him. Glad to give Lane another target for his fury, Carnie's glad to show him where the Colonel can be found. However, he's surprised when they emerge from Lane's trailer and a nervous Lane introduces the man as Edgar Getz, who's going to help them improve their performances. Getz, or he quickly becomes known around the tents, the Grifter, demeans the performers and what he sees as their stale acts.
Soon a knife-thrower shows up looking for work, and the Barker sees a way to play this to his advantage. Getz tries to hit on the knife-thrower's assistant, who threatens his life. In trying to escape the manic knife-thrower, Getz is blown out of a cannon, stumbles in on the fat lady while she's changing, and then begs the Barker to get him away from the violent carnies on his tail. The Barker acquiesces, by booting him into a garbage car on a southbound train.
Appearing in The Barker: "The Grifter"
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Antagonists:
- Edgar Getz, the Grifter
Other Characters:
- Manuel Perez, knife-thrower
- Juanita Perez
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Synopsis for Sally O'Neil Policewoman: "The Boy Who Knew All the Answers"
Appearing in Sally O'Neil Policewoman: "The Boy Who Knew All the Answers"
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Synopsis for Steve Wood: "The Dagger's Clue"
A guy comes into Steve Wood's office and promises him tons of money, but as they're leaving to scope out the job, a package comes in for the detective. His new client offers to buy it off him, but when Steve demurs on selling the box for a grand without even opening it, his new client makes the mistake of turning his offer into a threat. Steve socks him on the jaw and throws him out, then opens the package to see why he was so eager to get it: inside is an ornate dagger, sent by someone named Drew Morley. Who Inspector Flanagan's then calling to say was murdered, and who wrote Steve's name as he died.
Steve and Sally slip out the window to look into the murder without Flanagan getting in his way, only to find the guy he just threw out climbing the fire escape with a bomb in his hand. He lobs it into the office but Steve tackles their assailant, who confesses he killed Drew Morley and wanted the dagger because it contains a clue to where a fortune's hidden. Inside the handle hides a slip of paper that mentions a tree north of a graveyard, which causes the eager murderer to punch Steve in the face and run off. Fortunately, Steve gave a false lead and faked being taken out with one punch to get rid of the hood, and leads Sally to the bank where the safety deposit box the paper actually mentioned is. It's full of bonds and loot from high-profile crimes, as Steve recognizes and points out to the bank president.
Steve goes and collects the killer from the fake lead at the graveyard, then comes back to his destroyed office where Inspector Flanagan's bemoaning his passing (to the very-much-alive Steve Wood's amusement). The reward for finding the stolen loot gets used to rebuild Steve and Sally's office.
Appearing in Steve Wood: "The Dagger's Clue"
Featured Characters:
- Steve Wood, Waterfront Detective
Supporting Characters:
- Sally, secretary
- Inspector Flanagan
Antagonists:
- Morley Drew's former partner
Other Characters:
- Morley Drew (Dies)
- J. Howe, bank manager
Locations:
- New York City
- Steve Wood's private detective office (gets blown up)
- Hillcrest Cemetery
- Waterfront National Bank
Items:
- ornate oriental dagger
Synopsis for Quicksilver: "Introducing Wilda"
Appearing in Quicksilver: "Introducing Wilda"
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Synopsis for Lassie and Laddie: "The Problem of Sophia"
Appearing in Lassie and Laddie: "The Problem of Sophia"
Featured Characters:
- Lassie
- Laddie
Supporting Characters:
- Roberta
- Roger
Notes
- Last issue for Tinker Tom by Al Stahl.
See Also