Saturday, December 30, 2023

Saturday's random pulp cover: Black Mask "Red Death"


 Typical cover art for pulps during the early to mid 30's.  Doesn't take away from how cool it is.  Simple design with a straight forward theme.  Girl in danger.  Hero there to save her.  But will he?  Heh, of course he will.

Friday, December 29, 2023

ON THE AIR: June 1, 1947


 I know this is viewed as a classic but I just never got into the story.  Maybe I'm just not cultured enough to enjoy the tale of a mentally challenged person whose only friend was a giant spider and subsequently believed they had inherited the abilities of that spider once Lamont gunned it down.  Maybe you will be more into "Spider Boy" than I.  If so, sit back and let this tale spin it's radio magic over you.

The Shadow: Year One #3 pages 2 & 3

 
"It's okay... you can say it-- "The Dandy Don".  I suffer no offense."

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

The Shadow: Year One #3


 Not sure why this cover, while really well done, just doesn't do it for me.  Perhaps it's the fact that The Shadow's head is so very much larger than Margo's.  For whatever reason, this is the least favorite of  Alex Ross' covers for this series.



Monday, December 25, 2023

Merry Christmas


 To all the agents here and around the world, Merry Christmas and best wishes for you and yours.

ON THE AIR: December 24, 1939


 A special Christmas edition of "On The Air".  Take another listen to the classic episode "The Stockings Were Hung" and let the spirit of the season transport you 84 years into the past with Lamont, Margot and The Shadow.  Merry Christmas, agents.

The Shadow: Year One #2 page 21

 
"I asked whether a crusade to purge the world of crime was the only way."

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Saturday's random pulp cover: All Detective Magazine "The Sign of the Serpent"


 What a great 1935 cover by Norman Saunders.  Brilliant design although the girl is a bit cartoony.  But that main figure with the knives as fangs really is all you need for this illustration. 

Friday, December 22, 2023

ON THE AIR: May 25, 1947


 Fake mediums, blackmail and murder.  Just another day in the lives of Lamont, Margot and... The Shadow.  Tune in and drift away on the airwaves with "Seance of Death" and slide into the holiday weekend.  And check in Monday for another radio adventure to celebrate Christmas with The Shadow.

The Shadow: Year One #2 page 20

 
"He would only allude to a horribly misguided life, for which he had much to atone."

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Saturday, December 16, 2023

Saturday's random pulp cover: G-8 and His Battle Aces "Wings of the Dragon Lord"


 Yikes.  This cover makes no bones about how the country viewed "the Yellow Peril".  I've never read a G-8 pulp so I don't know if the story depicts them in such a vicious light.

Friday, December 15, 2023

ON THE AIR: May 18, 1947


 This episode would probably be met with polarity in today's environment.  People desperate to get to America and going about it illegally is very "of the moment".  Showing the side of the issue where people are being taken advantage of is a good way to involve The Shadow.  On top of everything... a Frenchman is trying to get in illegally?  Was that a problem in '47.  Well, sit back and listen to Brett affect a French accent in "Death Rides High".

The Shadow: Year One #2 page 15

 
"After all... tenth time's the charm, right""

Sunday, December 10, 2023

Saturday, December 9, 2023

Saturday's random pulp cover: Doc Savage "The Roar Devil"


 This may not be an action packed cover but it sure is a nicely painted one.  And showing the brainy side of Clark "Doc" Savage, Jr. is a great change of pace.  This almost looks like a recruitment poster for Johns Hopkins.

Friday, December 8, 2023

ON THE AIR: May 11, 1947

"The Shadow's Revenge".  Margot needs a hat.  An escaped convict bent on revenge.  A Hansom Cab?  Yep, throw a dream into the mix and you have another adventure that requires the man in black to win the day.

The Shadow: Year One #2 page 10

 
"Something to put the fear of God into them!"

Thursday, December 7, 2023

The Shadow: Year One #2 page 9

 
"Hard times lead to despair and the allure of crime becomes all too sweet for those stricken by poverty."

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Saturday, December 2, 2023

Saturday's random pulp cover: The Spider "The Citadel of Hell"

This would have been a pretty cool cover for The Shadow Magazine or The Avenger.  This art most definitely should have caught the eye of any peruser of the magazine stands that once proliferated the streets of the major cities of America.

Friday, December 1, 2023

ON THE AIR: February 23, 1947


 We're missing two episodes in between last week's posting and this week's.  "Murder Marriage" and "Death Takes the Long Count" are lost to time, it seems.  However, "Murder Marriage" is a rewrite of the March 17, 1940 adventure "Murderer's Vanity".  If you want to listen to that one again, it should give you the general feel of the missing episode.  Names were changed and the accused man was changed to a daughter. 

  As to this week's episode, if it feels familiar it's because it reuses the same plot device as the recent "The Werewolf of Hamilton Mansion".  Still, enjoy another psychological thriller as Lamont and Margot encounter "The Witch of the Crescent Moon"!

  I feel like I need to warn you, this show only has the first half recorded.  If you want to listen to the aforementioned "The Werewolf of Hamilton Mansion" to kind of get the feel of where this may have ended up, click the link and check it out.

The Shadow: Year One #2 page 5

 
"And I entered a world of shadows."