Burke's Law Annual [1965]

[1964] Annual. Original price 9/6.
96 pages. Full colour contents.
World Distributors (Manchester) Limited.

Based on the US television series starring Gene Barry.

Cover by UNKNOWN (uncredited).

Contents:

 2 UNTITLED endpaper; illustrated by UNKNOWN (uncredited).

 4 Indicia

 5 Burke's Law Annual title page; illustrated by UNKNOWN (uncredited).

 6 Contents illustrated by UNKNOWN (uncredited).

 7 The Voice that Wasn't text story by UNKNOWN (uncredited); illustrated by UNKNOWN (uncredited).

19 Who Killed the Curious Crew? w: Paul S. Newman (uncredited); a: Gene Colan (uncredited).

r: Burke's Law (Dell) #01 (Jan 1964 - Mar 1964).

51 The Wrong Millionaire text story by UNKNOWN (uncredited); illustrated by UNKNOWN (uncredited).

62 Who Killed Harry Dare? A Dead Helping Hand w: Paul S. Newman (uncredited); a: Gene Colan (uncredited).

r: Burke's Law (Dell) #01 (Jan 1964 - Mar 1964).

73 Who Killed Harry Dare? The Suspects w: Paul S. Newman (uncredited); a: Gene Colan (uncredited).

r: Burke's Law (Dell) #01 (Jan 1964 - Mar 1964).

84 Who Killed Harry Dare? The Final Clue w: Paul S. Newman (uncredited); a: Gene Colan (uncredited).

r: Burke's Law (Dell) #01 (Jan 1964 - Mar 1964).

94 UNTITLED endpaper; illustrated by UNKNOWN (uncredited).

An impressive cover accurately captures the feel of much of the publicity material for the series, though whether this is a positive is open to debate - that the series hasn't penetrated popular consciousness to the degree of other series of its ilk likely mitigates the effectiveness of so faithful a depiction. A more dramatic image would likely assist the title, yet misrepresent the source series. The sketchy endpaper, with Burke overseeing the the investigation of a corpse, is likewise effective at making the most of the series strengths.

Captain Amos Burke was wearing a three hundred dollar sports outfit as he sipped hot coffee in the plushy interior of his silver-hued Rolls Royce cruising down The Strip.
   For one of the various features of the celebrated police captain's private transport was a special compartment containing a coffee spigot. Another housed a bar, and also available were a telephone, a tape recorder, a television set and a hidden apparatus which piped soothing music into the splendid interior.

Inflation and technological advances have robbed the character of much of the lustre, though the sense of elegance remains.

Jason Jimpson, multi-millionaire owner of Jimpson Incorporated, a firm of merchant bankers and financiers, had been discovered murdered by his secretary. Found in his library, with an oriental dagger between his third and fourth ribs. Ordering the scene of the crime sealed, Burke arrives to lead the investigation at the man's home, already bustling with activity - immediately questioning Alison Crichton as to how she found Jimpson's corpse.

A suitably jet-setting tone resounds throughout the story, with enough surprises to keep things moving along. The ending, which reveals the conditions od the murdered millionaire's will, is appropriately sombre and mature. A refreshing and intelligent story, dated only by details of the "luxurious" gadgets which Burke employs in his vehicle.

The water slaps gently against the long, luxurious hull of the S.S. Pauper, tied up at its Los Angeles Marina! It is a calm, quiet night, a perfect night for an old sea dog turned watchman to light up his pipe and dream of days at sea long ago! But dreams can quickly turn into nightmares! And the swishing sea water can conceal the light, lethal tread of a shadowy figure, who stealthily advances from behind the unsuspecting watchman, his hands reaching forward...

Swiftly, silently, the reaching hands find their target! A stifled gasp is all that escapes the surprised, choking watchman...

The powerful hands tighten and hold for an awful moment! When they relax and open, the limp watchman slumps lifelessly onto the dock and a shadowy murderer moves off triumphantly...

Who Killed the Curious Crew opens magnificently, with an immensely impressive sequence depicting the murder of the watchman. It isn't quite the classic it should be, though maintains its tension throughout. The references to Burke's Laws are more noticeable in the strip than in prose, and it jars a little to have such obvious tidbits of logic peppered throughout. Yes, looking for suspects among the living is a solid point of investigation, but unless you are in a Scooby-Doo episode it really doesn't need pointing out.

The annual celebrates conspicuous wealth, relishing in the details of how much things cost, as if the possession of money was, somehow, a signifier as to the importance of a person. It creates a sometimes uneasy reading experience, and is likely to turn more than a few readers against the protagonist merely for his wealth. Had this aspect been addressed - a feature on money distribution perhaps, or an outline of the most ridiculous purchases ever made - there would be less cause for concern regarding the annual's ruthlessly capitalist sensibilities.

Above the Los Angeles Airport, a twin-engined private plane circles, radioing for landing clearance! The tower checks, designates the runway and Harry Dare, millionaire oil man, jockeys his plane into the prescribed landing pattern! The well-tuned engines purr obediently, the controller checks and approves the routine approach! Then suddenly, all routine is shattered! A stunning explosion booms above the airfield, a brilliant flash bursts into the night sky and a plane hurtles earthward - in countless disintegrating parts!

The annual's scope is impressive, with all manner of murders falling under Burke's purview.

A fascinating title based around a series seldom seen on television these days.