CATALOG RECORD

The Purple Claw #1

Toby · Series began 1953 · January 1953

first appearance of The Purple Claw

See live listings ♡ Sign in to add to Want List

WHY COLLECTORS WANT IT

The Purple Claw (Dr. Jonathan Weir, Toby / AC) — introduction · origin

Dates

Cover date: January 1953
On sale: September 5, 1952
Pages: 36

Editions and covers

Original edition
Source ↗

Creators

pencils: Ben Brown, David Gantz, Ed Smalleinks: David Gantz, Ed Smalle

Stories

The Power of the Purple Claw · 10 pages
The first two pages relate how in 1943 Dr. Weir told an African witch doctor how to combat malaria and in gratitude was given the Purple Claw. The main story tells how Dr. Gool uses a radioactive fluid to raise the dead, who obey him. He tells Dr. Weir of his evil plan to conquer the world. The undead, and Dr. Gool, are easily defeated by the Purple Claw.
The Devil Is a Dame! · 6 pages
Brima Stone is a she-devil who uses an enchanted gun supplied by Satan as well as her demonic minions to commit crimes that overcome the city. Luckily Doctor Jonathan Weir (aka The Purple Claw) arrives to stop her.
Untitled · 8 pages
Taking a holiday trip to Zocalo, Jonathan involves himself in the murders of people; the act tolled by the clock at midnight, supposedly by the ghost of Don Carlo.
Doorway to Darkness · 2 pages
Problems of Space Travel · 2 pages

Characters

Dr. Jonathan WeirThe Purple Claw

Reprinted in

Purple Claw (1958), Tales of Horror (1952), Tales Too Terrible to Tell (1989), Men of Mystery Comics (1999), The Chilling Archives of Horror Comics! (2010), Vampiress (2025)