Issue: #1
Published: July 1954, Price: 0.10 USD, Pages: 36, Editing: Harold Betancourt (art director); Benton J. Resnick (general manager)
Color: Color Dimensions: Standard Golden Age US Paper Stock: Glossy Cover; Newsprint Interior Binding: Saddle-stitched Publishing Format: One-shot
Notes: Jerry Bails' Who's Who gives the following credits for this series (which only lasted one issue): Bernard Baily, Ben Brown, David Gantz, and John Rosenberger.
According to Michelle Nolan in "Love on the Racks: A History of American Romance Comics" (McFarland, 2008, p. 130), Toby planned a second issue of "Sorority Secrets" but used the material in issue 20 of "Great Lover Romances" instead. Nolan thinks the sorority concept limited story possibilities as well as audience numbers because few women attended college in 1954. She describes "Sorority Secrets" as bizarre.
Issue available as a scan at goldenagecomics.co.uk.
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| Cover (1 page) |
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| Synopsis: |
A petting couple is observed by a young woman. |
| Genre: |
Romance |
| Advertisement (1 page) |
Physique Development Offer |
| Synopsis: |
Full-page, inside front cover physique development offer from Last Chance-All. |
| Credits: |
Script: ? (ad copy) | Letters: Typeset |
| Advertisement (1 page) |
Baby Turtle Offer |
| Synopsis: |
Full-page live baby turtle offer from Honor House Products Corp.. |
| Credits: |
Script: ? (ad copy) | Letters: Typeset |
| Comic Story (4 pages) |
The Secret! |
| Synopsis: |
Rich and spoiled college girl Marcia Bascomb has been grounded by her young, substitute sorority housemother Scotty until her schoolwork improves. When Marcia discovers Scotty and her fiance petting in the housemother's room, she vengefully threatens to expose Scotty's apparent moral lapse to the college authorities. With Scotty at her mercy, Marcia defiantly breaks curfew and, with a laugh, dares Scotty to report her. Marcia's sorority sisters relate to Scotty and orchestrate a blackmail stunt of their own to teach Marcia a lesson. Marcia sees the error of her ways and apologizes to Scotty. |
| Genre: |
Romance |
| Characters: |
Marcia Bascomb Scotty Jeff (Scotty's Fiance) Chubby (Marcia's Roommate) |
| Comic Story (7 pages) |
To Win Your Love |
| Synopsis: |
Suzanne and Warren are outstanding Westover College swimmers. Their romance is frustrated by Suzanne's competence, spirit, and pride however, and Warren's notions about traditional gender roles. One day, Suzanne is allowed to enter the traditionally all-male one mile Australian crawl at the Springville swim meet but realizes winning the event will cost her Warren's love. She slacks off in the final moments, allowing Warren to cross the finish line, and decides she prefers Warren's tender lips to winning swim meets. Warren, of course, is thrilled. |
| Credits: |
Pencils: Bob Forgione | Inks: Jack Abel |
| Genre: |
Romance |
| Characters: |
Suzanne Lawrence Warren Miller |
| Comic Story (6 pages) |
The Wrong One |
| Synopsis: |
Lois Mason attends her mother's alma mater and reluctantly joins her mother's beloved sorority. Much has changed since Mrs. Mason's participation and the sorority has become a snobbish, controlling clique. When Lois dates Hank, Mrs. Bartlett threatens to write to Mrs. Mason. To spare her mother worry and concern, Lois agrees to drop Hank and to comply with the house's snobbish style. She continues to secretly see Hank however and finally decides to drop her affiliation with the sorority. Her mother has discovered the sorority's snooty attitudes and supports her daughter's decision. |
| Genre: |
Romance |
| Characters: |
Lois Mason Mrs. Mason Mrs. Bartlett (housemother) Hank Anderson (medical Student) |
| Advertisement (1 page) |
High School Education Offer |
| Synopsis: |
Full-page offer for an at-home high school education from American School. |
| Credits: |
Script: ? (ad copy) | Letters: Typeset |
| Advertisement (1 page) |
Merchandise Offer |
| Synopsis: |
Half-page ad positioned on the upper portion of the page offering the sale of rings, watches, and other merchandise from Ideal Co.. |
| Credits: |
Script: ? (ad copy) | Letters: Typeset |
| Advertisement (1 page) |
Classifieds |
| Synopsis: |
Half-page classified ads positioned on the lower portion of the page. |
| Credits: |
Script: ? (ad copy) | Letters: Typeset |
| Comic Story (5 pages) |
The Faint Heart |
| Synopsis: |
Bess accepts a bet from Greta to wrangle a kiss from bashful, handsome Paul. To that end, Bess maneuvers her way into his company and the two begin casually seeing one another. They fall in love. At a school dance, Paul kisses her and Greta sails-in to congratulate Bess on winning the bet. Bess is mortified but Paul reassures her of his love. |
| Credits: |
Pencils: Ben Brown (signed) [as Brown] | Inks: David Gantz (signed) [as Gantz] |
| Genre: |
Romance |
| Characters: |
Bess Greta Paul |
| Comic Story (6 pages) |
Kid Sister |
| Synopsis: |
Marsha Cooper meets and dates Ralph Munson, a stranger in town looking for a job. Marsha's glamorous sister Eve captures Ralph's interest and the two begin dating. Eve then neglects her steady boyfriend Donald and treats him with shabby indifference. Eventually, Donald transfers his romantic interest to Marsha (who is receptive), and Eve is left fuming (and without Donald's affection) when she discovers Ralph is a wanted thief. |
| Genre: |
Romance |
| Characters: |
Marsha Cooper Eve Cooper Ralph Munson Donald |
| Advertisement (1 page) |
Vibra Planet Space Phones Offer |
| Synopsis: |
Full-page Space Phones offer from Consumers Mart. |
| Credits: |
Script: ? (ad copy) | Letters: Typeset |
| Advertisement (1 page) |
Music Lessons Offer |
| Synopsis: |
Full-page inside back cover offer for music lessons from U.S. School of Music. |
| Credits: |
Script: ? (ad copy) | Letters: Typeset |
| Advertisement (1 page) |
Stamp Collection Offer |
| Synopsis: |
Full-page back cover American history stamp collection offer from Littleton Stamp Co.. |
| Credits: |
Script: ? (ad copy) | Letters: Typeset |
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