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Issue: Top Notch Comics #1 Public Domain
Publication Date: December 1939
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Disclose Detail
Issues: #1 of 27 Issues
Title:
Variant: unnamed
Rating:
Publisher: FlagArchie Publications, Inc.
Brand: none
Indicia Publisher: M. L. J. Magazines Inc.
On Sale Date: 10/25/1939
Volume: 1
Pages: 68
ISBN: none
UPC/EAN: none
Price: $0.10 USD
Indicia Frequency:
Content Items: 23 (15 stories, 1 cover)
Editor(s):  
Disclose Notes: On sale date from the publication date found in the Catalog of Copyright Entries, Part 2, Periodicals, New Series, Volume 34, 1939, Number 4. Second class periodical. Copyright number 431784. Produced by Chesler Publications for the fledgling M.L.J Magazines, Inc. Louis H. Silberkleit is recorded as editor on the first published Statement of Ownership for October 1st, 1939. Abner J. Sundell was working as editor for Louis Silberkleit's pulp publications and could have acted as editor on the early M.L.J comic books.
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Disclose Format
Publication Type: Comic Book
Color: color
Dimensions: standard Golden Age US
Paper Stock: glossy cover, newsprint interior
Binding: saddle-stitched
Publishing Format: was ongoing series
Format Notes:  
Disclose Reprinted In3
reprinted 3 times as Content Items in other Issues.
Disclose Reprinted From0
There is currently no data for this Issue being reprinted from anywhere.
Disclose Images2
Cover, Front
Original Artwork
Digital Edition
Adult Image
Title Page
Indicia on this Page
 
 
Cover, Front
Original Artwork
Digital Edition
Adult Image
Title Page
Indicia on this Page
 
 
Assets0
 
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Disclose Content Items (23 total)
Disclose Issue Images
[untitled]

Illustration  on  Cover, Front
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Same artist as the Wizard story inside.
Disclose
Meet Rang-A-Tang the Wonder Dog

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Inside front cover. Ad for Blue Ribbon Comics.
Disclose
The Pearl Harbor Peril

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Character(s): Steven Whitney (1776); Capt. Ambrose Whitney (1812); Maj. Thomas Whitney (1865); James Whitney (1870); Thomas Whitney, Jr.(1898); John Whitney (1918); Grover Whitney (Blane's brother); Jatsonians (villains, introduction); Jeeves; Jane; Woodrow Wilson; Zeke; Jake
First Line: Blane Whitney, great-great-grandson of Gen. Steven Whitney, who was Washington's chief aide in the Revolutionary War, is entertaining a group of cafe society friends at his Park Avenue home.
Synopsis: The Wizard uses his super powers to stop a Jatsonian attack on Pearl Harbor.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 11
Disclose
[untitled]

Cartoon  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
First Line: I get cold feet!
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Five one-panel gags.
Disclose
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: science fiction
Character(s): Scott Rand (introduction); Dr. Joel Meade; Thor (a Viking); Princess Elda
First Line: The time car is working perfectly! We can go anywhere... the past or the future!
Synopsis: Scott, a traveler through time with Dr. Meade in the "time car" (which is more of a rocket ship), the rwo they pick up Thor the viking and the lovely Elda in the past.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 6
Disclose Notes: Otto Binder said the Scott Rand stories were done for the Harry "A" Chesler shop.
Disclose
Joe Louis

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: non-fiction
Character(s): Joe Louis; Lou Nova; "Two ton" Tony Galento
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose
Murder by Sock

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: espionage
Character(s): Mr. Swift (his father); Aubrey J. Snite (Dies); Jack Snite (villain, introduction)
First Line: You did a grand job, Swift. I arranged with your chief for a two week holiday for you.
Synopsis: Rex solves the murder of Aubrey J. Snite.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 6
Disclose Notes: The faces and the thin shading inklines, and hands, chins and noses look very much like Biro on Steel Sterling in Zip Comics #1.
Disclose
To-nite! Saved from the Flames!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: anthropomorphic
Feature(s): Jungle Town Show Boat
Character(s): Billy Hippo
Synopsis: Crooks try to steal some papers by starting a fire and melting a safe.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 2
Disclose Notes: Only appearance of the "Jungle Town Show Boat" feature.
Disclose
Vendetta with Von Schiller

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: aviation, war
Character(s): Ben "Wings" Johnson (introduction and origin); Mrs. Johnson (Wings's mother, introduction in flashback); Capt. Von Schiller (villain, introduction); Nazis
First Line: Ben Johnson, an American transport pilot, enlists in the Royal Air Force when England declares war on Germany.
Synopsis: Ben wants revenge on Von Schiller who killed his friend.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 5
Disclose Notes: Originally credited to Ed Smalle, but artwork is identical to Novick's signed first story in this feature, issue #2.
Disclose
Murder Rap

Text Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: crime
Character(s): Lucky Coyne; Harry Green; Arnold Cardona; Lou Cardona; Mat Ganz; Giza Vidu; Dotty Wright; Captain Sullivan
Synopsis: Lucky works to capture Cardona.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 4
Disclose Notes: Mat Ganz is also spelled Mat Gans in the story.
Disclose
[untitled]

Cartoon  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: non-fiction
Character(s): Charles "Zimmy" Zimmerman
First Line: 44% of all traffic accidents are caused by cars both going in the same direction-
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Five factoids.
Disclose
The Bat and the Bull

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: crime
Character(s): Lucky Coyne; Bat Yardley (inmate); Jean Markham [Louella] (introduction); The Bull and his gang (villains, introduction for all)
First Line: The Bull and his gang of jewel thieves have broken into Bat Yardley's hotel room--
Synopsis: Lucky Coyne posing as Bat Yardley, jewel thief in prison.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 5
Disclose Notes: "Lucky Coyne" is a feature that mostly appears in in Harry Chesler comics, where it is drawn by Frank Frollo. This is its only appearance in an Archie Comic.
Disclose
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous, western
Character(s): Lonesome Luke
First Line: O boy! Wait'll they git an eyeful of this masterpiece of mine!!
Synopsis: Lonesome Luke sends a poem to an editor.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Art in Fred Schwab style.
"Lonesome Luke" usually appears in Harry Chesler comics where he was drawn by Fred Schwab. This is the only "Lonesome Luke" story in an Archie comic.
Disclose
The Fortune Teller's Revenge

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: occult, superhero
Character(s): The Mystic [later Kardak] (a magician, introduction); Kardak's fiancee; Chuck (villain); Chuck's gang (villains, introduction for all); Mazie
First Line: In the back room of a phony Gypsy fortune teller's tea room...
Synopsis: A fortune teller is upset that a mystic is ruining her act.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 5
Disclose
[untitled]

Activity  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Feature(s): Puzzlettes
Character(s): Billy the Goat; Jocko
First Line: Try to spell five three-letter words that are names of parts of the human body by using all of the 15 letters shown above to spell out the words.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose
Kornell Goes to West Point

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Character(s): Keith Kornell [The West Pointer] (introduction and origin); Senator Crockett (introduction); Uncle Joe; John Kornell (Keith's father, cameo in flashback); Ned Norton
First Line: This sure is a big thrill -- being invited to Senator Crockett's home!
Synopsis: Keith Kornell, a physical and mental marvel, a 19-year-old Kentucky mountaineer who is a collateral descendant of President Andrew Jackson and the son of a World War hero, is orphaned at the age of 5, when both of his parents succumbed to the ravages of pneumonia epidemic. Reared by a poor relative, Keith's life is one of dire poverty until a newspaper runs a story on him and he meets an old Army buddy of his father's who is now a U.S. Senator. Keith gets himself admitted to West Point where he further distinguishes himself and soon fights spies.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 5
Disclose Notes: Originally credited to Ed Wexler, but compared with his signed story in #3, this is not him. Faces, layout and inking are all different. Looks more like the Wizard story, credited to Edd Ashe in this issue, but uncertain.
Disclose
The Ice Cream Cone

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: fantasy
Character(s): Impy
Synopsis: Impy learns magic.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: features Impy from the LITTLE NEMO strip. Bob McCay was the son of Winsor McCay. Another feature that usually appears in Chesler comics.
Disclose
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: non-fiction
Feature(s): Speaking of Sports
Character(s): Max Schmeling; Joe Louis; Henry Armstrong
First Line: After lunch I guess I'll go in for a swim!
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Only appearance of the "Speaking of Sports" feature.
Disclose
Case 1: Master Forgers

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: crime
Character(s): Roy; Connor; Torren; Arthur Wick; Joseph Sukup
Synopsis: Roy and Connor solve a check forging ring.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagPunch Comics #10 published September 1944
as Case 1: Master Forgers [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagAuthentic Police Cases #5 published October 1948
as Case 1: Master Forgers [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagAuthentic Police Cases #7 published April 1950
as Master Forgers [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 6
Disclose Notes: True-crime story; Story packaged by the Harry Chesler shop.
Disclose
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: anthropomorphic
Character(s): Pokey
First Line: The clock went off in Pokey's room, he jumped right out of bed.
Synopsis: Pokey forgets what day it is.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: "Pokey Forgets to Remember" is a feature that usually appears in Harry Chesler comics. This is its only appearance in an Archie comic.
Disclose
Spouting Wings

Text Article  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): various
Inker(s): various
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Feature(s): Yours Truly
Character(s): Impy; Thor; Lucky Coyne; The Mystic
Synopsis: Editorial about what a great comic, Top Notch Comics, is.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Art may be spot art taken from panels in the stories in this issue.
Disclose
[untitled]

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?; typeset
Subject Matter
Character(s): Bob
First Line: You can make your own records if you sing or play an instrument
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Home Recordo from Home Recording Co.
Disclose
[untitled]

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
First Line: 30 shot automatic repeater!!
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Back cover.

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