Voice of Death

Love this cover.  I would have jumped at this if I saw it on the newsstand back in the day even if I weren't (perish the thought) a fan of The Shadow.  Gladney painted some memorable covers and this is one of them. Overall, Rozen had the really iconic images but Graves was solid and, at times, inventive.  I haven't read this story but that doesn't mean I'm not looking forward to it.  Here's a preview.

"...and Illusion" page 16

More clew for you, Agent T

This and yesterday's title should be enough.

Indice de la Morte

Bonne chance, les agents de l'Ombre.

"...and Illusion" pages 14 & 15

Five Keys to Crime

I understand why this cover elicited an "ick" from Agent T, but I don't have much of a problem with it.  Probably because the well rendered skull and keys is the reason I like this cover and from an art standpoint it is solid.  However, it has NOTHING to do with The Shadow and that means I can't rank this very high among the 325 covers that graced this great magazine.  I haven't read this one so I can only refer anyone who hasn't perused the tale to this review.  It's by Gibson so I'm sure the story rises above it's cover art.

"...and Illusion" page 13

Bloody Clew

Gotta get through them, guys.

"...and Illusion" page 12

Dead Man's Chest

One of the last pulps from the original run.  A return to the real Shadow.  Walter Gibson returns in an attempt to clear the bad taste of the Elliott novels from the publics mouths.  Even the cover signals to the reader that it's time to return to the character's roots.  This review tells us that it is a great tale, to boot.  Unfortunately the damage was done and there would only be three more issues of this, the greatest of the pulp characters.  An era was coming to a close.

"... and Illusion" page 11

"...and Illusion" page 10

Ahhh, the ring. A midweek clew...

The game is afoot.

"...and Illusion" page 9

Fox Hound

I like this cover despite that fact that it really has very little going on.  I think it's just because I like the richness of the painting technique and that it is actually taking place at night, where The Shadow spends most of his time.  I know nothing of the story so I'll link you to The Shadow in Review for the lowdown on Theodore Tinsley's Fox Hound.

"...and Illusion" page 8

Back to the clews, friends

Easy one, ain't it Agent T?

"...and Illusion" page 7

Town of Hate

Hmmm.  Not sure how I feel about this one.  A bit better than other digests, still not a classic rendition of our hero.  Give me a Rozen any day.  The Dark Eagle was channeling his inner Lone Ranger, it appears.  The review ain't too bad, though.

"...and Illusion" page 6

more clew

Last chance.

"...and Illusion" page 5

Off topic

I know this is primarily a blog regarding my favorite character (although I don't really think of him as a "fictional" character) but I have also been a Star Trek fan since I was very young.  Why do I bring this up?  Arlene Martel has passed and that, quite frankly, saddens me.  She played Spock's childhood bride T'Pring and was introduced in the classic episode "Amok Time".  She may have been my first crush if I'm being honest.  May her memory live long and prosper.

"...and Illusion" page 4

Back to the clews

Hi yo Shadow!

"...and Illusion" page 3

Jibaro Death

How will The Shadow survive?!  Well, that's the fun of these stories, ain't it?  I'm with Agent T when it comes to our hero in peril.  We shouldn't see The Dark Eagle strung up and at the mercy of the savages.  I can't take the natives to be evil bad guys since I doubt they have anything to do with the kind of crime The Shadow is bent on eliminating, but I could be wrong as I haven't made it to this novel... yet.  I'll look at this review to see if this is a tale to look forward to.

"...and Illusion" page 2

"...and Illusion" page 1

Last clew o' the week

Hopefully this clew won't be the death of y'all.

"...and Illusion"

The beginning of the end.

The Living Joss

Oh, yeah.  Love this cover.  The ring and the really nice rendering of the elements plus the nice design elements and, voila, a great cover.  Classic, in my estimation.  I have read this one since it has been reprinted by Anthony Tollin.  I can recommend this highly and hope you like it as well.  Here is a link to a review of this tale.  I think it lives up to it's cover art.

"Disillusion" page 25

Clewsday

Easy one.  But better than the last...

"Disillusion" page 24

Master of Flame

I sure hope those gloves are fire retardant since they sure aren't the thin gloves we are told The Shadow uses to crack safes and accomplish many other touch sensitive jobs.  This cover is just so-so.  I like the composition but our hero looks like he's wearing 60 pounds of fabric and not the spectral denizen of the dark that we expect.  I haven't gotten to this one yet so I can do no more than link to this review to give some insight into this tale.

"Disillusion" page 23

Clew to get you through the weekend

Is that a gun on my pocket or are you just glad... nah, The Shadow would never sink to such low brow humor.

"Disillusion" page 22