"Shadows & Light" part two

I was once a great fan of Bill Sienkiewicz 's art. I still like it but I know it wasn't right for The Shadow. However, for the way our hero and his (new) world were written by Andrew Helfer, Bill was a pretty good choice.

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Good covers...

but not good stories. I thought that I'd take a break from the classic pulp covers while my clew guesser, Agent T, has fun at PulpFest.
I love the art by Bill Sienkiewicz but hated the fact that they updated our hero (thank you very much, Chaykin). By the end it was just a horrible disaster that was righted by "The Shadow Strikes", which ended too soon.

"Ghosts"

Part 3 starts now.

Cyro

Originally titled "Spanish Gold" this tale was published December 15, 1934. I like this cover because, initially, it looks as though the crook is fleeing a doggedly pursuant Shadow only to reveal, upon closer examination, that he appears to be baiting our hero and is waiting with a knife to attempt to end The Shadow's life. According to this review the story is true pulp and there isn't much better than that.
And to all who are attending the PulpFest 2011, my jealous best wishes to you all.

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New clew

Lip service?

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Silver Skull

I really like this cover but after reading the synopsis I feel that they missed the boat. The Silver Skull is an aerial ace! For cryin' out loud, Kent Allard... The Dark Eagle! I would loved to have seen an air battle with The Shadow decked out as an ace pilot engaged in a dogfight with this issues villain! Alas, this is still a classic cover, widely recognized and pretty well done.

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Clew for the weekend

Puttin' on the Ritz, donchaknow.

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Eyes of The Shadow

"The Hand of The Shadow" was the submission title of this, the second tale The Shadow allowed his raconteur, Maxwell Grant, to bring to the American public. The cover was another grabbed from the pile of old cover art that must have littered the floors of publishing houses back in the day. If Street & Smith had known that the magazine would take off like a Buck Rogers' rocketship, I think they may have taken the time to create original artwork for the covers right from the start. But I still kind of like this one, it's very surreal.

Last chance to "see" what you can "see"

"Eye" can't believe this one stumped you.

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Okay, more of a clew

"Here's loo"... maybe too much information.

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Take a look at this one

Today's clew.

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The Red Blot

Very pulp! How much more can one want. Sure, the red turns out not to be blood but for the purposes of getting that adventure seeking kid to plunk down ten cents it sure works. Love the silhouette on the door. Could almost image that it was the mysterious office door with the name B. Jonas painted on it. Heh, I liked this one probably because it's one of the early ones. The Shadow is much more the judge, jury and executioner when it comes to dealing with those choosing a life of crime. It may not be a complex mystery, it is just a good pulp story. Enjoy.

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Your clew for today

Perhaps you have the key to this clew.

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The Golden Grotto

Oh, yeah! The Shadow's hand of justice crushing (squishing?) crimedom in that most retched den of evil, 1930's East Coast America. Heh, this is the kind of cover I love. Symbolism abounds and I would be hard pressed not to snatch this up and start reading on the bus back to my parents home as a wide eyed kid in '33. Alas, I wasn't born for another 30 years so I can only dream of what these stories meant to a generation trying to pull itself out of a depression and forge a future for itself and the coming generations. But I digress. I haven't read this story as yet but after reading this synopsis I am anxious to get to it.

The price is very lofty

Clew time.

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The Seven Drops of Blood

Ah, the ring. Uh, just the ring? The cast shadow could be anyone. Hmmm, a cover that is wanting I should say. Is the story wanting as well? If you haven't read it, then only The Shadow Knows...

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The answer on Ruby Tuesday

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Death Token

Typical pulp cover. Almost looks like they reused another painting and popped The Shadow's head into it. Hey, it wasn't just Gibson who had to crank out the work so they all can't be great. Here's a link to a synopsis of the story originally titled "The Head of Apollo".

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Sharp clew

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The Voodoo Master

Awesome cover. I love the red light bathing the hero. The huge smokewagons firing away. The famous fire opal prominently displayed and the grim visage staring down whatever evil confronts him. Very cool piece to start the Dr. Rodil Mocquino trilogy.

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This one has a familiar ring to it

Hope everyone had a great Independence Day.

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"The Lord of Death"

And now we return to our programme.

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End of part one. Stay tuned...