Crime SuspenStories 22: Classic Johnny Craig Cover and Chilling Murder Plot

Well, let me tell ya, folks, there’s one story that’ll make your skin crawl. It’s about a comic book that came out way back in the fifties, called Crime SuspenStories #22. Now, I ain’t no expert on fancy comic book terms, but I do know when somethin’ is a real doozy. This one, by EC Comics, ain’t for the faint of heart, I tell ya that much.

The cover alone, oh lord, it’s enough to stop your heart. They got an axe, and I ain’t talkin’ about no little hatchet. This here axe is big, and the way it’s sittin’ there in front of a decapitated head? Well, it grabs your attention like a rattlesnake ready to strike. And folks say that Johnny Craig, the artist behind that cover, really made a masterpiece. It’s a classic, they say, and some folks even call it the most notorious cover in comic book history.

Now, the story inside is somethin’ else too. It’s a tale of love gone wrong, or maybe I should say, twisted. You got two folks, Norman and Sally, who got a real dark plan in mind. They wanna get rid of Norman’s wife, Bertha, and take off to New York together. But they ain’t just gonna pack their bags and leave. No sir, they come up with a plan so sick it could make your stomach turn.

Sally, bless her heart, she even goes and gets plastic surgery so she can look just like Bertha. Yep, you heard me right. She studies Bertha’s voice too, like she’s some kind of actress rehearsing for a part. She wants to fool everyone, make ‘em think she’s the real Bertha. And ol’ Norman? He’s gotta do the dirty work. He’s gotta take an axe to poor Bertha, and that’s exactly what he does. He chops her head off. It’s enough to make you want to turn the page real quick, just to get away from the horror of it all.

But it don’t end there, no sir. The whole thing unravels faster than you can say “bad idea.” Like in so many of these crime stories, there’s always a twist. You can bet your boots, that Sally and Norman ain’t gonna get away with their little scheme. When you’re dealin’ with murder, karma has a funny way of showin’ up, and let me tell you, it don’t show up for them in a nice way.

Now, I’m sure there are some folks out there who’ll tell ya this is just a comic, but don’t be fooled. These stories come from a place that’s real, and if you’ve ever seen the mess folks can get themselves into, you’ll know that sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction. There are real criminals out there who think they can get away with murder, but just like in these comics, it always catches up to ‘em sooner or later.

Back in the day, these Crime SuspenStories were somethin’ people couldn’t stop talkin’ about. They hit newsstands every couple months, and boy, people would snap ‘em up like they were goin’ outta style. They weren’t like the other comics, not at all. These were darker, meaner, with crime and punishment at the heart of every tale. And Crime SuspenStories #22? Well, it was one of the most famous of the bunch.

The whole comic book series had a real dark reputation, and this issue? Well, it just added to the legend. People still talk about it today, and that axe cover? It’s still one of the most iconic images in comic book history. And folks who like to collect these old comics, they know that Crime SuspenStories #22 is one of the holy grails. They’ll pay a pretty penny just to get their hands on a copy.

But let’s not forget, folks, that these comics weren’t just about murder and mayhem. They were also a way for people to explore the darker side of human nature. They let you see what happens when folks make bad choices, when they think they can cheat death or outsmart the law. And in the case of Norman and Sally, it’s a lesson in how things can fall apart real quick when you try to outsmart fate.

So, if you ever get your hands on a copy of Crime SuspenStories #22, give it a read. But be warned, it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s a wild ride, with murder, deception, and a whole lotta bad choices. But like I always say, sometimes, these stories can teach ya a thing or two about life… and death.

In the end, Crime SuspenStories #22 ain’t just a comic book. It’s a look into the dark side of humanity. And even though it’s been decades since it first hit the stands, it’s still one of the most talked about issues in comic book history. So if you like a good crime story, or even just want to see what all the fuss is about, give it a look. But be careful, it might just haunt ya.

Tags: [Crime SuspenStories, Crime Comics, Johnny Craig, EC Comics, Murder Stories, 1950s Comics, Comic Book History, Crime Suspense, Norman and Sally, Plastic Surgery, Dark Comics, Classic Comic Books]