Chain of Death

Okay, one of the great covers from the magnificent run of the greatest of all pulp publications.  Don't even mind the yellow and purple color choice.  This is how I see The Shadow (albeit not caught in the spotlight) and this cover would've got me very excited to read this adventure.  And I have read this adventure but if you haven't check out this review from the awesome site "The Shadow in Review".

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Almost embarrassingly easy clew

Ready, set... go!   Three, two, one... you got it, Agent T.

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Cyro

I love the red box with the bit about "From The Shadow's Private Annals".  Makes the reader feel like they're about to read the adventure right from the pen of the Master.  The cover?  Wonderful, except for the bright yellow behind our hero.  However, the color palette was designed to catch the casual buyers eye, so it works.  I have read this one but if you haven't, then check out this review to pique your interest.

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Post Memorial Day clew

Here's hoping everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend and that included in all the family fun and day off from work was some time to remember all the American's who gave their lives for us and this country.

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"Valhalla"

An exciting new chapter, if this cover is to be believed.  Can't say as I approve of the magenta lining of his cloak.

King of the Black Market

This decently rendered yet completely un-Shadowlike cover apparently hides a fun WWII story.  "Trail of Death" was the titled it was submitted under but neither title can save how dull this cover art is.  Nothing else to say.  I wouldn't be inclined to pick this issue up based on the cover and that tells me that the art director failed.  But times, they were a-changin'.

More clew to this uninspiring cover puzzle

Many of the covers for The Shadow Magazine were classics, not only for the magazine but for pulps as a whole.  This, I'm afraid, ain't one of them.  No guesses by tomorrow and I'll end out week with the reveal.

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Aloha to issue 28 of The Shadow Strikes.  Only three more issues of this series left.

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Puzzle clew time

Sorry.

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Kings of Crime

  I would have jumped all over this cover back in the day.  The Shadow is letting us see into the "Private Annals", albeit there probably wouldn't be any illustrations inside but this is really a cool early cover.  The hand is very well rendered with the great ring glistening from his left hand.  I did read this back when it was reprinted back in the 70's.  If you haven't read it, check out this review for the tale originally submitted as "The Crime Syndicate".

  Here is the cover as it was published when I first read it.  Also, here is a second version, both by Jim Steranko.  I like his covers but, for me anyhow, the original is still the best.

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Mid May clew

I love this cover.  Can you guess why?

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Double Death

Bleh.  Minimalism is one thing but the horrible representation of The Shadow makes me feel as if I've suffered a double death with this cover.  I haven't read the story so I can't say whether I would have had one of my lives restored or suffered a triple death.  Check out the review here.  It's a Tinsley tale so I'm sure it redeems itself.

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Clewsday

Shine a light on this clew and you will see through to the answer.

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Crime County

My first pulp!  I've looked through it (carefully) many times but have not read this one.  Not the greatest cover but it means a lot to me.  Here's what the reviewer has to say.  I do, however, look forward to reading this after so many years sitting on my bookshelf.

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Mother's Day clew

Or is it?

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The Wealth Seeker

I read this way back when (well... not back when it came out in '34 but when it was reprinted in the 70's) and remember that it was a lot of fun.  I do prefer this cover to the action packed version that Steranko did in my "good old days".  The simple view of The Shadow spying on the reader is more intimate than a scene (or supposed scene) from the story.

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He's got his eye on you

He sees you.  Do you know from where?

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Xitli, God of Fire

Ah, the South American natives.  I have to say that I always preferred the Czarist aspect to our hero's past rather than the Latin American version.  Clever manner in which Gibson linked the two, but I still like the Russian bit better.  But back in the day I'm sure the allure of the Amazon and all of the adventures from then were akin to the 60's fascination with James Bond and the allure of Europe.  This tale seems to be a good one so I'll look forward to it.

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Clew for Monday

Happy Cinco de Mayo.

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The Shadow by Alex Toth

Toth was a master of simplicity, shadow (heh) placement, and storytelling.  I would love to have seen a comic mini series of our hero by Alex.  Or, better yet, a cool animated series (he is the designer of Super Friends and worked on Jonny Quest).

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The White Column

Yikes!  That blowtorch looks like it's gonna cause permanent damage.  Oh, wait, maybe the bullet coming towards The Shadow's head will ease the pain.  At least he takes one of the hooded cowards with him.  Okay, we all know that our hero will come out of this seemingly impossible situation and live to fight another day.  However, since this is a Tinsley novel I'm sure he does not get out of this unscathed.  I haven't read this one so I can't speak to the damage inflicted but Mr. Olsen seems to like this tale a lot.  I look forward to this one, that's for sure.

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