Saturday's random pulp cover: Argosy : "Don Peon"_August 22, 1936

 Nicely painted decorative cover for the magazine that started it all.  I couldn't tell you what Zorro-land is, but I would have given it a read.

ON THE AIR: May 8, 1945

 

 

 

 

Ep_30_Murder One Million BC

 

The Shadow #1 "The Doom Puzzle" page 20

 

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

Pulpfest featuring The Shadow Con is here!

 

featuring

 Stop by our table and say "The Sun is Shining" and we'll know who's an agent.  If you haven't been to a Pulpfest before this is the year to give it a go.  We neighbor up with super pulp aficionado and prolific author, Will Murray.  Drop in and say hi.

The Shadow #1 "The Doom Puzzle" page 19

 

"One who loathes small, greedy creatures who prey on decent men--"

The Shadow #1 "The Doom Puzzle" page 18

 

"The Shadow never fails!"

The Shadow #1 "The Doom Puzzle" page 17

 

"Any idea why bedlam broke loose, Cap'n?"

The Shadow #1 "The Doom Puzzle" page 16

 

KA-WHUMP

 

The Sunday Comics: The Shadow "The Incredible Alliance Between Shiwan Khan and Atilla the Hunter"

 

Let's start issue #6.

 

Saturday's random pulp cover: G-8 & His BATTLE ACES : "The Squadron of Death Flies High"_December, 1942

 I'd love to love this cover, but I just can't.  Exciting?  Undoubtedly.  Enticing?  For sure.  So why don't I like it?  The figure at the bottom of the cover is just that, riding the bottom edge of the cover.  The parachute lays up against the left edge of the cover.  It stops the action and it no longer feels like they are falling out of the sky.  This is painted well enough, but the design is severely lacking.  This feels like an art director told the artist to include all of these elements and despite several thumbnail sketches that were far superior the guy behind the desk kept pushing for a large figure in front, a significantly sized airplane and a hero diving to his possible death.  That's how I see this one coming together.  I could be wrong but I'd like to give the artist the benefit of the doubt.

ON THE AIR: May 1, 1945

 

 

 

 

Ep_29_The Man Who Played Dead

The Shadow #1 "The Doom Puzzle" page 15

 

"Recall the puzzle, Margo!  A submarine...a sea-captain...the George Washington Bridge--"

The Shadow #1 "The Doom Puzzle" page 14

 

"Our work is finished, Shadow?"

The Shadow #1 "The Doom Puzzle" page 13

 

"FOOLS!  Weak...pathetic...FOOLS!"

 

The Shadow #1 "The Doom Puzzle" page 12

 

"Whatever it is, it's gotta mean trouble!"

The Shadow #1 "The Doom Puzzle" page 11

 

"The final pieces of the puzzle are in place, Shrevvy!"

 

The Sunday Comics: The Shadow "The Menace of Radiation Rogue!" pages 24 - 25

 And this brings to a conclusion the fifth issue of Archie's ill-advised treatment of The Shadow.

The Shadow Con is almost here

 

If you are attending PulpFest July30 - August 2, make sure to stop in a say hi to Tim, Sam or myself at our table.  We are launching the first annual con within a con dedicated to The Shadow.  This year marks 95 years since the pulp debut of that greatest of all characters.  Be sure to pick up an "Agents of The Shadow Con" membership card and bring it with you each year through 2031 when we will be celebrating 100 years of The Shadow.  Anyone who comes to 5 or 6 of the cons will be eligible for a drawing of an original painting by me.  And, please, if there are ideas you have for future events, let us know and we'll try to make each successive con better than the previous.

Saturday's random pulp cover: G-8 & His BATTLE ACES : "Death to the Hawks of War!"_January, 1941

 Let's continue with the Hawks and Death titles.  This cover may actually have too much going on.  The giant grappling hook dominates this composition and, unfortunately, the bi-plane on the right is a victim of a tangency... a cardinal sin in art.  If Mr. Blakeslee had just moved the plane down even a quarter inch then the top wing wouldn't look so static and the plane would look even more like it is in the background.  Still, that bad guy is pretty awesome to look at.  So, all is forgiven.

ON THE AIR: April 24, 1945

 
 

Ep_28_The Ghost Ship