Back to the clews

I foresee that this clew will be revealing to you.

Happy Memorial Day

Why "Happy"? Because we are free to enjoy it, that's why. Thanks to all the men and women who have chosen to serve our country so that the freedom we have is preserved for all Americans.

Very odd cover, in my mind. I hate the use of the text box slapped on at the bottom of the cover. A couple of tangencies bother me. The point of the stake, the red cloak in the doorway, the tip of The Shadow's hat crossing the top of the man's fist. Then there is the terrible placement of the candlestick holder and the fact that the rays of light pass behind the doorway that is in the background. Just weird...
As to the story itself you can get an idea of what it's all about here. All I can say is the cover doesn't make me want to rush out and read this one.

Take a stab at this clew

Hopefully, Agent T, you can log on and post your answer.

Jade Dragon

The return of Walter B. Gibson to the duties of penning the tales of The Shadow. Alas, too little too late. Elliott and the new editorial PTB had irrevocably set the course of the magazine in a death spiral. The cover? Well, since I am a comic guy, I like the cover. Do I think it's a Shadow cover? No, I don't. I also am not a fan of the hint that The Shadow has been shot by this benign shopkeeper. When I see the ring, I want it to be indicative of our hero, not a way to identify his corpse.
This review says that The Shadow of old had returned in this tale but I think, like when they renew a TV show but put it on in a place where no one can find it, matters not how good it is the people have moved on. I believe that the readers had moved on after trying to understand the Elliott direction and deciding the ride was over. Pity.

Clew #100

As near as I can figure without going back through all of my posts, this is the 100th clew posted for Agent T (and anyone else).

The Golden Doom

I have to say I like the technique used on this cover. The green guy on the table with the typical chemistry set in the foreground is cool. The nurse is very well done and the menacing thug is apparent through the use of the overhead lights leading the eye to his "shadowy" spot on the cover. My only complaint is THIS AIN'T NO SHADOW COVER!!!!!! Where the heck is our hero? What about this image says that this is The Shadow Magazine aside from the masthead?!
According to this review the story is as bad as the cover when it comes to the standards set by our favorite mystery man. This was Theodore Tinsley's last tale and apparently he was not up to the task. Thankfully we have so many great stories and covers fall back on.

Ponder this one for a bit

I see a shadow on the wall but do I see The Shadow?

The Devil Monsters

You're slipping, Agent T. Sorry to "bedevil" you, but I can't give this one to you. I hope you murder the next one though.
Can't say that there is anything I like about this cover. Sure, I agree that the circular motif is eyecatching but what there is to catch the eye is awful. And apparently the eminent pulp connoisseur, Will Murray, claims this is the worst Shadow story ever penned by Walter B. Gibson. However, this review states otherwise. I guess is depends on how much sci fi/fantasy you want our hero to delve into. Since I haven't read it all I can say is that this cover doesn't fill me with confidence.

I'm so sorry I have to resort to this

Why!?!?

Garden of Death

Cheesy cover from 1941. Contrived composition and horrible use of blood dripping from the bat's maw. All in all a very unsatisfactory illustration. The Shadow should never be shown in such direct light, just a bit too Saturday morning serial for my tastes. If you should want to know more about the story just put your mouse here.

Step up to the plate...

and take your best guess.

I see Blogger has reposted

but without the comment from Agent T. This would never happen if Burbank were in charge of the internet.

The Vindicator

Blogger had a problem and we lost a post. Anyhow, The Vindicator is the cover that was hinted at in the clew Wednesday as well as the lost second clew. I like this one from a concept standpoint and even the rendering of The Shadow. The missing ring is a problem for me. Judging from the review I see no reason the ring isn't present. Annoying.

Okay, a bit more of a clew

A bit of an ambiguous clew, I'll admit

But you should be up to it. I must say, this cover would really make me happy if not for a glaring mistake.

Master of Death

I like this cover well enough. I agree with Agent T, any cover with the shadow of The Shadow cast upon it makes it a much stronger piece. My only gripe is the transparent suit of the skeletal figure. It may be accurate but it looks goofy. Just my take on it.
If you care to check out the review at "The Shadow in Review", click here. Mr. Olsen quotes an interesting bit from the story that immediately makes me want to read this tale:

"Now here's a point of interest. In this story, The Shadow saves a millionaire from a death trap - poisonous gas. He casually comments, "Poison gas... I know a lot about it - through my war experience." He says this while in the guise of Lamont Cranston. But, to the best of our knowledge, Cranston had no war experience. Could this have been a slip of the tongue? Was The Shadow referring to his own war experiences as the Black Eagle? Perhaps something he experienced when acting as secret agent behind enemy lines back during The Big War? What a tantalizing tidbit upon which to ponder..."

Book o' Clews

But what book could it be? Hopefully it isn't only The Shadow who knows...

The Golden Pagoda

Sorry, Agent T. As far as I know there is no tale titled "The Golden Padoda". Better luck next time. (Heh, couldn't resist)
Love, love, love this cover. The "huge" smokewagon thrusting out of the cover gripped by the iconic left hand prominently displaying the fire opal. The clew that has the oriental knife piercing it against the backdrop of the golden pagoda. Wow, fantastic! I especially love the fact that there is no white shirt cuff protruding out of the cloak sleeve. That always made me think that The Shadow could easily be seen when flashes of a white shirt catch a stray ray of light. Didn't strike me as very stealthy.
As to the story, check out the review here. This marks the second appearance of Myra Reldon, an entirely underused agent in my opinion. I know that Margo took over that role but that is a tirade for another time.

Must need more of a clew

If you piece this together you'll be golden.

Ring a ding ding

Heh, get to combine my love of The Rat Pack with The Shadow's ultimate symbol for today's picture clew.

The Circle of Death

Very stylistic, just not very interesting. Not sure what it was about the circles that were used fairly often (although given the title of this story it's kind of a no brainer) but I tend to like the covers that are less graphic and more classically illustrative. They can't all be classics, can they.
If you want to read a review of the story originally titled "The Crime Circle" then, by all means, go here.

The First Clew of May

May the power of the girasol guide you to the correct answer.