More things that I covet

The first two images are of Walter B. Gibson's custom ring, commissioned by Litzka Gibson, his wife. Electric Tiki recently introduced a Shadow sculpture with the ring recreated, as shown in the bottom photo.

I approached a jeweler I deal with and proposed a copy be made from the photos of the original but, as of now, nothing has come of it. There are many things that I want but this is very close to the top of my list. I would probably try to design one myself that had a distinctly Russian look to it, mimicking the idea that it came from the Czar of Russia. That and the flip top to reveal the seven pointed star within.

I personally like the Czarist angle with the Dark Eagle more than the Ying Ko storyline, giving the Shadow more of a connection to the Great War and the intrigue of the Romanoff (Romanov?) family. But either way, the ring is the thing and I covet it as much as anything dealing with the Shadow.

What I covet

I still kick myself when I think back to some of the things I could have done or bought over the many years. The Kaluta sculpt from Graphitti Designs is one of them. Beautiful.

Let's talk art

As nice as the covers were on the pulps, I always thought the interiors were the real stars. Edd Cartier and Tom Lovell were my favorites. Earl Mayan is, for me, an acquired taste.

These little gems brought the Shadow alive for me and, I'm sure, millions of others. Seeing the Master taking down the bad guys with those "huge" smoke wagons or rescuing the victim from certain doom always makes me smile with anticipation. Of course the Dark Eagle will prevail but how close will he cut it? Yes, the black & white illustrations brought our hero to life in a way the covers could only hope to.

What's new

I am now only two re-issues behind on my Shadow reprints. I received 12 issues from Mr. Anthony Tollin earlier this week (thank you very much, sir) and now have the first 33 in the series. I can't tell you how much this thrills me. It is something I had hoped would happen for many years and now that it is here it doesn't fail to live up to the expectations I've harbored for over 30 years.

Is this the only evidence?

I don't know about any of you but I love little things like the above signature. It made it a bit more real for my young mind when I saw stuff like this. Granted, I have come to think it would have been cooler and more sensible to have signed with a mark or used a wax seal impressed with a signet ring. Still, I understand the need to generate excitement and the pace that the magazines were being produced dictated what was being included in the pulps. What a time to have been a kid.

Yesterday's entry

The previous post was my attempt at a simple code. The title is the key, a three word title. The third word of each new sentence is the next word in the true message. Therefore, the answer is:

Listen to the Shadow every day on Antioch 1710 am

The message you must read through is a bit preachy and convoluted but that might be a good thing, it throws any reader off who might want to intercept this truly important message.

Heh, I know this is only for fun, but I did say that I wanted to try some codes on this little blog. Next time there is a strange message take a little closer look and see if you can "read between the lines".

A Quiet Meditation

If you listen very carefully, you can hear the sound of silence echoing in your ears. I want to make certain that you are not ignoring the meaning inherent in that soundless void. What with the current uncertainty of not only our society but that of the whole world, one must heed the omens. Citizens must shadow their governments actions if they are to insure that they stay strong as sovereign nations. People of every creed and color must band together to become the backbone that keeps their respective countries from collapsing. On the day that this happens we will realize our true destiny. By leaning on our brothers and sisters we, as a nation, will come to appreciate the interconnectedness of our social structure. To avoid Antioch, that is to say to avoid becoming a city (country) that once embodied greatness but now resides in decay, we must remain vigilant and ready to aid our neighbors. I say 1710 represents our cause. That I am resolute in my decision is irrefutable.

A moment, if you will

How would the Master fare in today's society? With all of the technology, would his simple ability to meld into the inky darkness of a blackened doorway or corner of a room be enough? Would he be able to pass as easily as someone else? More to the point, would readers be mesmerized by his abilities or are we so jaded that if it doesn't involve massive firepower and huge set pieces we can't be entertained.

I bring this up since Sony opted to let the Shadow property lapse and it looks as though it will end up at Fox. Will the studios look at the box office of the '94 film, coupled with the dismal showing of The Phantom, and then compare them to the tech'ed out Batman films and feel the need to update it. I sincerely hope not. Some things don't need to be updated. We need to see what a true avenger was able to do when the law wasn't quite so hamstrung by the ACLU and men could level the playing field based on the situation and not what some lawyer might twist out of it.

The Shadow should be a force of nature, a creature of justice. He shouldn't have to explain himself, just be trusted to do the right thing. That is something I don't believe very many "real" people are capable of. In the world Gibson created, the Shadow is unabashedly called "Master" by his agents. They are not only loyal to him, they trust him and he doesn't fail them.

A Musing, if you'll permit me

Would the Shadow be as interesting in this era, with all of the tracking devices, instant information and the lack of respect that "loyal" agents seem to show for their superiors? Cellular phones, gps, twitter... all of these make the detective less interesting when technology does the work of the hero. He then only shows up to deal out justice. I rather think that the Gene Hackman character from "Enemy of the State" would be the new "Shadow", living off the grid, finding ways to defeat technology. Perhaps his girasol emits a field of energy that would keep him from being photographed (digitally). I don't know, but I find the heroes of yore, living by their wits and experience, far more intriguing than the new crop of "adventurers" that employ all of the gadgets that are readily available to you and I. However, I do enjoy "Burn Notice" and the manner in which Michael Weston survives to fight another day. Would he be the new "Shadow"?

One of my favorite comic illustrators...

Kevin Nowlan and his version of "The Shadow". I ran across this piece on his blog site along with who it was commissioned for. Check out this collection. A lot of fun.

http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryRoom.asp?Order=Date&Page=1&GSub=25189