Mr. District Attorney #53
Original Comic Book (Ephemera/Graphic Literature) • Published by National Comics (DC Comics); Cover art attributed to Howard Sherman
Style & Movement
Golden Age/Silver Age transition; Commercial Illustrative Realism
Medium & Technique
Letterpress or Offset Lithography on newsprint with coated paper cover; Four-color (CMYK) Ben-Day dot printing technique
Creation Period
October 1956
Dimensions & Format
Standard American Golden/Silver Age comic dimensions, approximately 7 x 10 inches; Vertical portrait orientation
Subject Description
Courtroom drama scene featuring 'Mystery Witness'. The composition depicts a woman with her face entirely wrapped in bandages entering a courtroom, creating a sense of pulp-fiction suspense and legal intrigue, typical of the crime drama genre of the era.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Poor (PR 0.5 to Fair 1.0 on the Overstreet Scale)
Estimated Market Value
$10 - $25 USD
Auction Estimate
$5 - $20 USD
Provenance History
Mass-produced periodical available at newsstands upon release. Note of red adhesive tape on spine indicates a history of home repair and long-term private ownership.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the mid-century peak of legal-themed comics inspired by the long-running radio program of the same name. It serves as a cultural artifact reflecting the transition into the Comics Code Authority era (visible via the logo in the top right).
Notable Features
Features the 'Comics Code Authority' seal, indicating it met industry censorship standards. The presence of heavy red tape on the spine is a definitive 'amateur repair' characteristic that significantly impacts collectibility but adds historical character.
Condition Issues
Severe spine damage secured with red tape, significant creasing, multiple color breaks, edge wear, blunted corners, likely significant tanning/browning of interior newsprint pages, and foxing.
Conservation Recommendations
Place in an acid-free archival Mylar bag with a backing board to prevent further acidity migration. Store in a cool, dry, dark environment. Professional restoration is not recommended as the cost would far exceed the market value.