Comic Noir

Continuing our look at comic book stories edited by the great Stan Lee!

Comic Noir

The same elements of darkness, corruption and betrayal that characterize the classic Film Noir movies can also be found in comic books of the same era. These recurring motifs appear in the crime and detective comics...but they can also be found in the other genres as well.

He Branded My Soul with Fear! From Cowboy Romances #3, 1951. One of the most striking examples would have to be this one, a western version of "Suspicion." Artist Pete Morisi is a recognized name in '50's hardboiled crime comics, but this subtler, paranoid western romance story is something of a departure for him. The western romance line was quite a departure in itself, with six simultaneously published titles and quite a lot of action, for romance comics!

Black-Out! Drawn by Cal Massey and scripted by an unknown writer, from Girl Comics #7, 1952. Speaking of paranoia, "Black-Out" is a shining example..from an outstanding adventure title.

For a depiction of sheer, oppressive dread, nothing can beat the first five pages of writer Stan Lee and artist Fred Kida's "Alone in the Dark!" originally published in Suspense #16, 1953. It should be noted that the horror and science fiction comics of the era made every effort to surprise the reader with sudden reversals at the end of the stories, sometimes to the detriment of characters and situations established in the story. But after more than 45 years...it IS a surprise ending.

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