Friday, June 27, 2014

"Valhalla" pin up

John Beatty did this as a pinup but I think it looks like how I imagine The Shadow: The Animated Series to look like.  Fun drawing of our hero.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Murder Every Hour

I like this cover even if, picked apart, it doesn't have much excitement.  The elements are all here: the sinister face of our hero reflected in the glass, the wonderful girasol ring and the tie to the title... a clock striking the hour.  I confess, this is another I have yet to read but the review here may entice any of you to give it some time.

"Valhalla" page 23


Monday, June 23, 2014

Silver Skull

I agree with Agent T, a nice concept but the "gun" silhouette should be a "smokewagon" and not an obvious cigar.  But it is a well executed painting and should be considered a classic just for the uniqueness of the image.  The story is, alas, another one that I haven't read but this review makes me think about abandoning my ritual of reading the stories in as close of the order in which W B Gibson wrote them.  It sounds exciting and I think that perhaps a great opportunity was missed with the cover art.  Perhaps the editors thought that it would have been too close to a G-8 cover.  We'll never know.

"Valhalla" page 20


Friday, June 20, 2014

Clew to take you through the weekend

Happy Summer Solstice, agents.  Spring is over and now everything burns up with the summer heat.  If that's your thing, enjoy.  Personally I am looking forward to the fall and winter months.  Darkness reigns and the world gets more "shadowy".

"Valhalla" page 19


Thursday, June 19, 2014

Masters of Death

Sounds like one of those creepy compilation videos (1000 Ways to Die, Faces of Death, etc...)  Seeing as how it is the last of the Shiwan Khan stories I'm sure it's not in the realm of sleaze.  I know that I read the stories as close as possible to when Gibson wrote them but I may just sit down and read all of the Khan novels at once.  I've never been a great fan of how overused he is in the comics so I'd like to see what all of the fuss is about.  If you are like me and haven't read this one then click on the this review to get an idea of what you're in store for.
  My opinion of the cover?  It's alright.  Reminds me of the painted covers from Gold Key comics back in the 60's and 70's.  Not a classic by any means.

"Valhalla" page 18


Monday, June 16, 2014

The Embassy Murders

Fantastic cover.  The only man in Washington using his brains, methinks.  Well executed from a painting standpoint and one that would get the point across that we're not in Gotham anymore.  A solid cover and a solid story.  I read the Sanctum reprint and so should you, if you haven't yet.  If you need more impetus than my sterling recommendation check out the review of the story originally title "The Man With The Limp".

"Valhalla" page 15


Thursday, June 12, 2014

The Grove of Doom

This is an awesome cover from the early days of The Shadow Magazine.  As agent T points out, there is a raw power from the simple nature of the image.  This is classic and there is not a lot more to be said.  Just a wonderful cover that I'm sure furthered the fan base of The Shadow and helped to create the cultural icon that he has become.  Here is the ever present link to the review of this early tale.

  Here is a different take from the 60's.  Hmmmm.  Well, this is the copy I read so it has that going for it.

"Valhalla" page 13


Tuesday, June 10, 2014

The Death Giver

Wonderful cover.  This would have caught my eye and piqued my interest even if I weren't a fan of the magazine.  Not as action packed as the HBJove reprint with the Steranko cover but it is a great design with a story to tell and a sinister title and THE RING!  Check out the review here if you haven't by any chance read the tale.  And here is the reprint cover, just because.

"Valhalla" page 11


Thursday, June 5, 2014

Gray Fist

Great story with a "Hand & Ring" cover.  Can't go wrong with this one.  Although I would guess that the Steranko cover might appeal to other agents more than this.  If you haven't read this then this review should make it an easy decision to do so.

"Valhalla" page 8


Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Freak Show Murders

Just as Agent T, I read this when the Crime Club issued it as part of a double novel for Doubleday in 1978.  I read it earlier when it was published by DC Comics as illustrated by M Wm Kaluta in 1974.  Very enjoyable and if you haven't read it then check out this review.  Okay cover, but not a classic.  Digests just didn't have the style of the bigger pulps.

"Valhalla" page 6


Monday, June 2, 2014