Magazines #41: True Crime Rags (Part 5)

Is there any reading material more degenerate and reprehensible than true crime/detective magazines?  At least porno magas are just about sex - these are about sex and violence against women.  I suppose we're supposed to think that it's all okay because, after all, this is just true crime reporting.  Who doesn't enjoy a good police drama?  Well, one look at these old rags proves the lie to that theory - this is some dark and demented shit. The cover story titles, the photographs of women in peril... it's all very seedy.

Yet, here's round four.

I can't help it.  One of the great joys of looking back at the 1970s (and flanking decades) is admiring its unabashed politically incorrect sleaziness.  I honestly can't tell you if Detective Magazines have gotten any tamer in recent years (or if they even still exist)... but back in the day, these rags rolled in the gutter every bit as proudly as the grittiest grindhouse film, and they deserve a look if only for their enthusiastic race to the bottom of the barrel. So buckle up, it's going to be an uncomfortable ride....

This from 1965; so let it not be said this is strictly a 70s thing; although, it was definitely the detective magazine's Golden Age (or Dark Ages, depending on your perspective).

I don't think the fact that the Golden Age of the detective magazine also coincided with the Golden Age of serial killers.  There was something in the air in those days.

She may want to consider taking the gun out of his hand.  Just a suggestion.

True Detective was one of the greatest shows I've ever seen.  I'm interested to see if the second season can maintain its greatness.

Santa was a cop-killer?  Say it ain't so!

Who knew Punky Brewster's dad was such a monster?

Detective magazines could be somewhat creative when they wanted to be.  However, most of the time it was like this.....

Next time you're in a public place like an airport or at work in your cubicle, I want you to pull one of these old detective magazines out and start reading.  Let me know the reaction you get..... yet, these used to be sold in the grocery store checkout line in the 1970s.

True Detective, Master Detective, Startling Detective and Official Detective Stories were probably the most popular, but I wonder which brand wins the award for being the most sleazy.  My money is on Headquarters Detective...

I could have easily made a detective magazine theme for Miniskirt Monday, but I don't want to soil the soil its good name.

Now go take a long hot shower to wash away all the filth.  It was a nasty ride... but I have a feeling there will be a part 5.


  1. The past is the past

    These are just to close to reality

  2. I was gonna say something about Barney Fife's bound copies of True Blue Detective, but I already did 4 years ago in #5. Thank you, Google.

  3. this is totally the kind of stuff Ted Bundy would read to "relax"

    1. This actually was Ed Gein's favorite reading material. No joke.

  4. True Detective magazine still exists, they have a Facebook page with their latest covers! Anyway, I'd love to be at the photo-shoot for some of these covers, sure hope they had a good laugh and a cigarette afterwards...

    1. PS. Gilligan--as always, thank you! :)

  5. AnonymousMay 07, 2015

    I've always been fascinated by books, magazines and comics of this genre.

    Some old memories and yes, I always hoped the victims survived and the badguys brought to justice.


  6. AnonymousJune 02, 2015

    WOW, I remember when Tenneesee Sheriff Buford Pusser and his wife were attacked in that Ambush in the late 60's, and later in August 1974 when he was Murdered on his way home in that Corvette,,, would like to see photos of whats in that 1 magazine,,,,

  7. AnonymousJune 02, 2015

    Buford Pusser : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu1a-AuB0uM

  8. My grandmother always had these around the house in the '70's. A little creepy looking back. Oh, and thanks, now I'm going to have nightmares about "The Scissor Man" and what he did to Susan.

  9. AnonymousJuly 05, 2015

    Re: True Detective season 2 being as good as season 1: Nope.