"The Cup of Confucius"

"The Shadow sought the age-old "Cup of Confucius." Out of the darkness of ancient China would come this cup, a collectors' item of rarest value. But before it would find its final resting place among other masterpieces, blood would drip from the priceless jade of the "Cup of Confucius," and surrounding it would be murder and intrigue that only The Shadow could solve!" - The Shadow Wiki

An exciting cover illustration.  Is our hero on a plane's pontoon or is a pier collapsing on him?  Will The Shadow perish in the cold uncaring waters without solving the mystery surrounding The Cup of Confucius?  Gotta read it to find out and see if Tinsley spins a good pulp tale.

This was also adapted for The Thriller Library in Great Britain as "Crook Bait!".  It doesn't sound like it was a straight adaptation judging by this synopsis from The Shadow Wiki.  "Lamont Cranston, The Shadow, baited the trap with loot, and the crooks swarmed like flies on jam. With them came Bruce Dixon, robbing his own father, double crossing his best friends. At least, it seemed like that." 

ON THE AIR: January 5, 1941

This is a classic tale to start 1941.  The Shadow Wiki describes this "The Leopard Strikes" this way:

"A policeman is found dead near the zoo and appears to have been killed by a black leopard. Soon after, a similar death occurs to a derelict in the park. The Shadow visits the zookeepers and discovers one of them is the leader of a leopard cult, and it is he who is committing the murders."

Apparently this story was popular enough to be adapted for Shadow Comics in July of the same year. 

"The Masked Headsman"

 "You like America, Jacinta? You love Ramos? It is asking very little, Jacinta. Our duty is the same. We shall both be vigilant, because of Ramos." - Harry Vincent

This adventure was submitted under the title of  "Spanish Feud".  The Shadow Wiki summarizes it like this: "Millions in jewels and golden plate were the stake - the treasure of Old Spain! And The Shadow's blazing guns had to decide the issue! "

This story was also simplified and printed in "Super-Magician Comics #13".  

"Two Million Eyes" page 25

 

"...at the hands of... Shiwah Khan!"

"Washington Crime"

 "Like a vigilant eagle soaring in the sun, The Shadow casts his pall of darkness over the nation's capital - to swoop down on birds of prey and with talon-like hands snatch from them the papers of state they so eagerly seek!"

A very dramatic summary from The Shadow Wiki that seems to describe this cover as well.  This is a great illustration that features a full figure representation of The Shadow.  We don't often get those.  The breaking glass just adds to the action of this scene.  I also love the soft black that Rozen employed which really gives the feel of dimension to our hero.  This is a painting I'd love to have on my wall.

"Two Million Eyes" page 24

 

"But under the dust, cold."

"Murder House"

Like a shell-torn battleground, the peace and quiet of a countryside give way to criminal warfare when The Shadow stalks through byways seeking the ruler of the Murder House.  -The Shadow Wiki

"There stands the murderer! There stands the murderer of Cyrus Brockbright. His confession can come from his own lips. He knows that further concealment is useless!" - The Shadow

I've always liked this cover.  Perhaps it just feels like The Shadow is caught in a bulls-eye or maybe it's just that it is so symmetrical.  For whatever reason, I like this cover art by George Rozen.