Unique Shadow sculpt

Brian Hamilton, son of fan artist extraordinaire Frank Hamilton, created this really nice sculpture for his father. I think it looks like Lon Chaney, Jr. Ironic that the man with no face is represented, in my mind, by the man of a thousand faces.

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Crime Under Cover

Cute use of the title and the corner lifted up to reveal what's "under cover". Other than that there's not much I can say about this pretty uninspired cover although I like the muted burgundy lining of the cloak rather than the scarlet that usually leaps out at the viewer. This makes more sense as to the need to stay hidden in the shadows. Here is the review of this particular story if you wish to read an overview.

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The Star of Delhi

This cover always reminds me of the fight scene in "Raiders of the Lost Ark" with the big German mechanic. Neither here nor there. Again we have a solid color as a backdrop with an opening to indicate a ceiling. Seems a bit lazy but again, maybe the art director called for it. As always, click here if you want to read a review of The Star of Delhi.

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Alibi Trail

This is the first of two "Alibi Trail" stories. The next one appeared four years later and had nothing to do with this tale other than the title. Very colorful cover but not very iconic. I guess that's why icons aren't all that common. I believe the Shadow has his fair share, though. If you are curious as to the plot of this story, click here.

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Wrightson's turn with The Shadow

The ad that preceded DC's original run of The Shadow.

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Crooks Go Straight

What's this? The Shadow is bound by a rather ordinary looking bad guy! Please tell me it's not true. Alas, I'm sure it all worked out in the end. I love the lighting on the crooks face. And of course the ring. As is our policy here in the room lit by the single blue light, you can click here to read a review of this tale.

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Kaluta's fourth issue in the classic 12 issue run from DC Comics in the early '70s.

The Shadow Unmasks

Oh, yeah. This must have jumped off of the newsstands in '37. Ever since I saw the title back as a kid I have wanted to read this one. I still haven't read it, probably since I know so much about the history and even the later stories of The Shadow. But having him show his face on the cover was special, something many never would have expected. If you want to read a review just click here and away you'll go. It was submitted as "The Shadow Unmasked", not that much of a difference but the editors must have thought it needed to be done.

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The Key

Okay, here's the deal. I can forgive the yellow used here. Why? Because the cover uses the six sided star that is supposed to be engraved in the setting under the famous fire opal. This is iconic, in my opinion and it certainly, for that reason only, ranks very highly on my favorite covers. As to the story, it was originally submitted as "Death Millions" in October of '33, and was not published until June of '34. Again, Mr. Gibson really was prolific. As always, if you want to acquaint yourself with this story, click here for a review.

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The Isle of Doubt

Okay, I'm intrigued by the change in the position of the ring. That alone would have caused me to pour through this issue, drinking in every clew so that I may get further into the mind of my hero. Also, the map indicating an "isle" in the Mississippi River. Heh, I'm such a sucker for this kind of imagery. As always, if you care to read a review of this early tale of The Shadow (8/15/33), the click here.

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The Fifth Face

What a cool cover. I love, love, love the beautiful rendering of the faces and the concept of them being masks. With the Shadow's silhouette behind these masks, perhaps he is the Fifth Face. As always, if you want to read a review of this tale, then click here.

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Terror Island

What is it with yellow? It seems that the art directors must have been told that a mostly yellow cover will attract the most buyers. Gadzooks, what a colorful past we had. I wonder what the newsstands looked like in those days. Anyhow, if you want to read a review of "Terror Island" simply click here. This story was originally submitted under the title "Death Island" over two years prior to publication. Mr. Gibson wrote so quickly that he created a huge backlog. I wonder... perhaps there are some unpublished stories... hidden... in the shadows...

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The Creeper

Another one of the "hands" covers. Not to mention the story is "The Creeper", a title used twice in the radio series. With the clews on the cover this issue would have been in my hot little hands in an instant, filling me with the promise of needing my great powers of deductive reasoning. Great use of the camera, a wonderful indication of the "advanced" technology of the day. As always, check here for a review.

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The Triple Trail

Another cover that I really covet. Granted, one without the tear in it but still, I love covers with the hands and ring and have some clew included in it. This particular illustration looks like it could have been rendered by the one and only J. C. Lyendecker. Alas, that is a dream that would never be fated to become reality. Still, Mr. Rozen did a great job with it. To read a review of this tale from April 15, 1935 you can click here.

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The Silent Death

Awesome cover! Tom Lovell illustrations interspersed with another artist's portrait spots. If you haven't read this one yet and want to read a review, click here. As a bonus I've included the reprint cover by James Steranko.