Lev Gleason Publications, founded by Leverett Gleason, was based in Manhattan, New York City, and was among the first to produce comic books aimed at an adult audience. He labeled some of his books "illustories" to suggest that they were a new, different form. In April 1949, Lev Gleason Publications — at this point located ar 114 East 32nd Street in Manhattan — began publishing a comics magazines for adults, Tops, carrying "stories illustrated in the style and technique of comic strips." The first-issue features included an excerpt from the Billy Rose book Wine, Women and Words.