Here’s a problem with old newspaper strips. When new writers come on, they aren’t credited. Fred Dickenson might have taken over scripting from Ward Greene for this story, but I’m not sure. It definitely feels a little different. There are a lot more thought balloons.
It’s another story where Rip and company don’t matter much. In fact, he might make things worse the one time he does something. A gangster’s daughter is framed for murder, Rip tries to discover the truth (after the gangster takes the rap for her).
The story’s only as good as its villain, a psychopathic young woman who impulsively kills anyone in her way. She’s not a good villain.
There’s some great art and some not so great choices (Raymond draws two very different characters identically). The problem’s the story. Honey’s characterization is weak (another sign of Greene’s possible departure) and Rip’s frequently out of character.
