Pre-Code Horror

Comic Book covers produced prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority 

Charlton Sep 1954

The Thing #16

The Thing #16
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Low
$35
Mid
$115
High
$350
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Pre-code horror Injury-to-Eye panel
Published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority
Sterling Jul 1954

Tormented #1

Tormented #1
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Low
$650
Mid
$1.8K
High
$6.5K
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Classic pre-code horror story 'Caterpillar House'
Only two issues of Tormented were released before the Comics Code Authority placed major restrictions on the horror format
EC Jul 1954

Vault of Horror #37

Vault of Horror #37
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Low
$120
Mid
$400
High
$1.2K
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1st appearance of Drusilla, female host of the anthology title
Hanging cover, published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority
EC Oct 1953

Crime Suspenstories #19

Crime Suspenstories #19
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Low
$160
Mid
$525
High
$1.6K
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Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a man pours the poison used to kill his wife down the drain and avoids being charged for murder
Star May 1952

Startling Terror Tales #10

Startling Terror Tales #10
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Low
$180
Mid
$600
High
$1.8K
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Damsel in distress cover, published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority
Adaptation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson (1886), opening story
EC Aug 1952

Shock Suspenstories #4

Shock Suspenstories #4
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Low
$80
Mid
$250
High
$875
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Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a man is severely beaten by the police while the real killer, a high-ranking cop, gets away with murder
Comic Media May 1953

Horrific #5

Horrific #5
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Low
$150
Mid
$500
High
$1.5K
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Cover art by Don Heck
Published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority
Comic Media Mar 1953

Horrific #4

Horrific #4
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Low
$420
Mid
$1.1K
High
$4.2K
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Cover art by Don Heck
Published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority
Comic Media Sep 1952

Horrific #1

Horrific #1
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Low
$625
Mid
$1.8K
High
$6.2K
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Horror cover, published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority
Harvey May 1954

Tomb of Terror #15

Tomb of Terror #15
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Low
$1.6K
Mid
$5.7K
High
$19K
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Cover art depicting graphic horror
One of nine comics banned by Congress
One of many examples during this era of an eye injury that adds value to a cover similar to: 'headlights' 'bondage' 'Nazis' and other recurring taboos
Continental Apr 1944

Suspense Comics #3

Suspense Comics #3
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Low
$26K
Mid
$72K
High
$200K
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Published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority
Considered the most valuable non-superhero comic book
Comic Media Jan 1953

Horrific #3

Horrific #3
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Low
$830
Mid
$2.2K
High
$8.3K
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Horror cover, published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority
EC Jun 1954

Tales From the Crypt #42

Tales From the Crypt #42
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Low
$110
Mid
$330
High
$1.1K
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Sources incorrectly state this book was pictured in Seduction of the Innocent but it was used in the Senate investigation hearings on juvenile delinquency

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