Saturday, June 20, 2026

Saturday's random pulp cover: The Spider : "When Satan Came to Town"_December, 1943


 This was the final issue of The Spider.  With paper at a premium during the war, the third most popular pulp action hero was benched.  Only The Shadow and Doc Savage were more popular and they even survived the war and its restrictions.  This issue sports a beautiful cover painted by Rafael De Soto, a true master of the pulp cover.

Saturday, June 13, 2026

Saturday's random pulp cover: The Spider : "The Song of Death"_February, 1939


 With so much action going on, why do the main figures feel so static?  An attractive enough cover but if one really takes a moment, it feels like it has been pieced together.  The lady in red is both hanging from his neck and being supported by his right forearm.  And, oh yeah, he's firing a gun from behind her as well.  This just doesn't work for me, and that's a shame.

Thursday, June 11, 2026

Saturday, June 6, 2026

Saturday's random pulp cover: Doc Savage Magazine : "Murder Mirage"_January, 1936


 Ah, much better than the previous cover.  This is the pulp that actually followed the month after the one I posted last week, and the difference it amazing.  I'm intrigued by Doc apparently pulling a shadow either off the wall or out of a mold.  I'm not sure but I'm interested, for sure.  A mystery to be solved and this cover promises that and more.

Tuesday, June 2, 2026