Happy New Year, agents

The Master is feeling generous this holiday season and told me (via disappearing ink message) to take the next couple of days off.  Apparently crime does take a holiday. 
May 2013 find everyone safe and happy.  See y'all on Wednesday. 

More of a clew

Some more clew.  Have a great weekend, agents.

"The Slaughterhouse" page 21

A question for any agent who knows

The last cover posted was "Ghost of the Manor".  However, the title page was "The Ghost of the Manor".  Does anyone know the correct title as Gibson intended it?  Perhaps the cover omitted "The" or the typesetter made an assumption re: the title.

A new clew

Or, as Tony Tollin would say, a nue clue.  Okay, enough about changing an author's words posthumously.  Give this one a try, agents.

"The Slaughterhouse" page 20

Ghost of the Manor

Ghost of the Manor happens to be the novel I am currently enjoying (albeit rather slowly).  Great cover that has many great elements.  Classic profile... check.  Girasol ring... check.  Blue light illuminating the secret sanctum... check.  A written account of The Shadow's thought process... check.  The piercing eyes engaging the viewer... check.  Ah, yes, The Shadow knows.  So far this has been a great tale and I have great faith that this one won't disappoint.  It's an early story so it's got to be great.  Check out the review here.

"The Slaughterhouse" page 19

Merry Christmas, agents

The blue light will be turned off for the next couple of days so that this agent can spend some time with his family and friends.  The Master has been kind enough to let me put my duties on hold for the time being.  He may know what evil lurks in the hearts of men but he's an old softie at Christmas time.  Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Your wish, Bill, is this blog's command

Give it a go.

"The Slaughterhouse" page 18

Happy Death Day

Not gonna say anything about this, it doesn't deserve any commentary.  Go here for a review if you're desperate.

"The Slaughterhouse" page 17

Okay, another clew

Agents, are you trying to drag this wretched cover out?  I shudder each time I look at it as I create the clew.  Please end my misery and guess this one!  please...

"The Slaughterhouse" page 16

I hate to do this to you good and faithful agents, but...

it has to be done.  Take a stab (and don't stop until you've made a pile of confetti of this particular cover).

"The Slaugherhouse" pages 14 & 15

In respect for the victims at Sandy Hook...

I'm taking a break from the comic today. 

A Quarter of Eight

A Shadow cover in name only.  The cast shadow looks more like Dick Tracy than our hero.  The story is only so-so, even by this reviews opinion.  The latter years sure took their toll on pulp's greatest champion.

"The Slaughterhouse" page 13

2, 4, 6...

A new clew from me to you.

"The Slaughterhouse" page 12

Crime Caravan

At least this cover has The Shadow front and center.  And according to this review it is an enjoyable read (for a mid 40's story).  This cover reminds me of the most recent Masks issue from Dynamite Comics and Alex Ross.  I think I like the old pulp cover better.

"The Slaughterhouse" page 11

A bit more of a clew

Agent T, this is for you.

"The Slaughterhouse" page 10

New Clew

Kookookachoo

"The Slaughterhouse" page 9

Alex Ross cover #6

Wow.  Love this one.  It ties in with the first cover and conjures up the infamous "horror face" that Gibson eventually abandoned but Sam Raimi used for Darkman.  Great cover.

"The Slaughterhouse" page 8

Fountain of Death

Again, a bad cover hiding, at least according to this review, a decent tale.  Of course, most stories by WBG are better than decent, so there is no surprise there.  I can't help but wonder if the series would have survived longer had they not used such mediocre (I'm being kind) illustrations on the covers.  Of course, Bruce Elliott had a more than significant hand in the hastening the Dark Eagle's return to the shadows.  Still, what a run he had.

"The Slaughterhouse" page 7

No guesses? Try this.

Last chance, agents.

"The Slaughterhouse" page 6

December's first clew

Trying to get through these.  I really am.

"The Slaughterhouse" page 5

"The Slaughterhouse" page 4

The meeting continues in the impromptu sanctum, blue light and all.

Town of Hate

Better than the regular dreck that most recently preceded this cover.  Not one that will be mentioned with the great covers of the golden era but at least one that features The Shadow doing something heroic.  This would have made me feel like things were at least being turned back in the right direction.  And yet... well, we all know it wasn't to be.  I haven't read the story but here is a review to give you some idea of what the tale was about (which it appears is pretty good for a mid 40's entry).

"The Slaughterhouse" page 3

Alex Ross cover #5

I love this cover.  This would have been great on a pulp magazine.  Of course, I'm not a fan of the scarf but as an element of design it works well. 

"The Slaughterhouse" page 2

More of a clew

You asked for it... you got it!

Midweek clew

Should be a walk in the park.

"The Slaughterhouse" page 1

Great splash page.  Pulls the reader into the final chapter very nicely.

"The Toll of Death"

I can't wait to get through these covers.  There is nothing to recommend them and as Bill points out, these seem to be the Toll of Death to The Shadow Magazine.  Here is the link to the review.  I'm just too saddened by these covers to even express my outrage.

"Gangland Doomed!"

The Shadow leaps into the final chapter of this Chicago based thriller.  Enjoy.

"Blood Gutters" page 25

And so ends chapter three.

Post Thanksgiving Clew

Hope you're not too stuffed to play the game.

Long weekend

No crimefighting due to overdose of turkey (and all that other stuff).  The blue light will burn brightly again on Monday.

Ten Glass Eyes

A low point, for sure.  What else can one say.  According to this review "Ten Glass Eyes" (formerly titled "Eyeful of Death") is the lowest point in the 325 issue run of The Shadow (here known as "Shadow Mystery").  It's by Bruce Elliott... enough said.  At least one thing can be said about this cover, it sends chills up my spine.

"Blood Gutters" page 24

"Blood Gutters" page 23

Only clew of the week

I'm sure this cover isn't what any of us would be thankful for at this time of year (or any time of year, so far as that goes), but it has to be done.  Give it a shot.

The fourth Alex Ross cover

I really like Ross' take on our hero.  Of course I've never been a fan of the red scarf but since that's how most people see him so I guess I have no say in the matter.