Super Detective Library
Amalgamated Press, 1953 Series
Published in English (United Kingdom) United Kingdom
Publication Dates: March 1953 - 1959 ?
Number of Issues Published:
154 (#01 - #154)
Color:
Colour cover; Black and white interior
Dimensions: Digest
Paper Stock: Glossy cover; newsprint interior
Binding: Squarebound
Publishing Format: Was ongoing
Publication Type: magazine
Pages 68 Indicia Frequency The first Thursday in each month
Tracking:
numbering continues in Super Detective Picture Library (IPC, 1959 series)
Notes:
Exact change remains to be documented.
Investigate where the title and publisher changed from Super Detective Library
(Amalgamated, 1953 series) to
Super Detective Picture Library (Fleetway, 1959 series). Check #153-155.
Authors:
Script: ?, Victor Canning
Pencils: ?, Reg Bunn, Ron Embleton
Inks: ?, Reg Bunn, Ron Embleton
Letters: ?
Super Detective Picture Library
IPC, 1959 Series
Published in English (United Kingdom) United Kingdom
Publication Dates:
1959 - [January 2] 1961
Number of Issues Published:
34 (#155 - #188)
Color:
Colour cover; Black and white interior
Dimensions: Digest
Paper Stock: Glossy cover; newsprint interior
Binding: Squarebound
Publishing Format: Was ongoing
Publication Type: magazine
Pages 68 Indicia Frequency ?
Tracking:
numbering continues from Super Detective Library (Amalgamated Press, 1953 series)
Note:
Exact change remains to be documented.
Notes:
Investigate where the title and publisher changed from Super Detective Library (Amalgamated) to Super Detective Picture Library (Fleetway). Check #153-155.
Authors:
Script: ?, Victor Canning
Pencils: ?, Ron Turner
Inks: ?, Ron Turner
Letters: ?
Super Detective Library was a picture library published by Amalgamated Press,
then Fleetway, from 1953 to 1960.
It originally focused on characters from existing detective stories across literature
(The Saint, Bulldog Drummond, Fu Manchu), radio (Dick Barton)
and film (Harry Lime
of The Third Man fame).
From relatively early on the comic also dabbled in science fiction. Issue 14 introduced a new character, Rod Collins - Special Agent in Space; shortly after this came stories such as Kidnapped by Martians (issue 23) and Revolt on Venus (issue 35).
Issue 37, with its story "Crime Rides the Spaceways", introduced a longer-lasting spacefaring detective named Rick Random. Although the science fiction stories accounted for a surprisingly large chunk of the comic's output during this time, there was still time for more traditional detectives: Sherlock Holmes made his debut in issue 65. Around the same time the comic also introduced Inspector Chafik of the Baghdad Police and the female detective Lesley Shane; these two emerged, alongside Rick Random, as the comic's main characters.
Later, the comic begun to rely heavily on reprints of the American strip Rip Kirby, the original characters - aside from Rick Random - being sidelined in the process.
Reprints of the British newspaper strip Buck Ryan also began appearing towards the end
of the comic's life, along with John Steel, a character who also appeared in
Thriller Picture Library.
Super Detective Library was a digest sized, 68 page comic with painted covers and black and white interiors that ran from 1953 to 1960 and appeared twice a month.
It featured a rotating roster of detective and science fiction stories from English, Canadian and American artists and writers, and an artistic and writing style that you don’t see anymore.
Most issues were original stories and art, however they would from time to time fill the S.D.L. with reprints of newspaper strips such as America’s Rip Kirby.
# 98, 122 & 172 Courtesy of Jens Terje