National Comics #70 is an issue of the series National Comics (Volume 1) with a cover date of February, 1949.
Synopsis for The Barker: "The Barker Tires of the Big Top"
The Barker sits in a park, feeling worn out by his routine. At the same moment, an exact doppelganger who happens to be a stock broker tired of his job, sits on the same bench. Excited by the thought of a new shot at life, the two exchange outfits and identities.
Barker soon learns there's another reason Brokely was eager to change places with: he owes a lot of money to a pair of gangsters, who beat up Barker for not paying it off. His life of quelling fights in a circus mean he's handier in a fight than they expected, and beats them unconscious before heading back to the circus to have a few words with his lookalike. Who, meanwhile, is selling stocks to the punters instead of talking up the circus's attractions. Although the other carnies are suspicious at first, because Brokely had been an amoral cheat at their last poker party, once they see two of their friend at the same time, they realize his story's the truth. They switch back and then toss Brokely at the police. Calahan admits he isn't cut out for a soft life after all.
Appearing in The Barker: "The Barker Tires of the Big Top"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- J.B. Brokely
- Cropper and Dove
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Sally O'Neil Policewoman: "The Rich Rag Doll Murders"
Appearing in Sally O'Neil Policewoman: "The Rich Rag Doll Murders"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Lassie and Laddie: "Uncle Balty's Birthday"
Appearing in Lassie and Laddie: "Uncle Balty's Birthday"
Featured Characters:
- Lassie
- Laddie
Supporting Characters:
- Roberta
- Roger
Synopsis for Quicksilver: "The Man from the Moon"
Appearing in Quicksilver: "The Man from the Moon"
Featured Characters
Supporting Characters:
- Police Commissioner
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Mrs. Brent
Locations:
- Skyscraper Apartments
Items:
Vehicles:
- Flying Mansion
Synopsis for Steve Wood: "Queen and Pawn"
Davey Britton, "king of the waterfront mobsters", was murdered on his own yacht. The only clue is his signature lighter with the fingerprints of another hood named Jerdo Mapes on it, but this isn't enough to convict. Frustrated with no progress, Inspector Flanagan brings in Steve Wood to try to get a fresh perspective on the mystery.
Steve's approached by Alyce Carters, Britton's adored adopted daughter, which Steve finds suspicious that she'd come to him before the police. Jerdo attempts a drive-by shooting but fails and drives into a telephone pole, and Steve's even more suspicious when Alyce was able to automatically identify Jerdo's car. Ballistics confirm that the gun Jerdo fired at them is the same one that killed Davey Britton, even though he insists he never saw it before. Flanagan's about to lock him up, but Steve persuades the inspector to turn Jerdo loose for 24 hours to see what he does, to which Flanagan very reluctantly agrees. In private, Jerdo confesses to Steve he and Alyce were going to get married, but her father forbade it, and a month ago she tossed him over for a new guy.
Once Jerdo leaves Steve phones his media contact and has her put out a front page story that Jerdo and Alyce are getting married. As he planned, this flushes out Alyce's new boy, Marphy, who spills to Jerdo that he and Alyce came up with their plan to kill her father and make Jerdo take the fall. Steve stops him in the nick of time, and calls the cops to take Marphy and Alyce in.
Appearing in Steve Wood: "Queen and Pawn"
Featured Characters:
- Steve Wood, Waterfront Detective
Supporting Characters:
- Sally, secretary
- Inspector Flanagan
Antagonists:
- Marphy Hale
Other Characters:
- Jerdo Mapes
- Alyce Carters
Notes
- Last issue for Anthrop by Bart Tumey.
- Last issue for Granny Gumshoe by Gill Fox.
See Also
Links and References
