Good Riddance to a year to forget

  However you feel about the events of this past year plus, it was one for the books.  I, for one, am looking for better things to come in 2018.  Maybe only The Shadow knows, but only we, as a society, can make things better for ourselves.  Take care, agents, and a Happy New Year to you and yours.

The Ghost Makers

This is what I am reading at the moment.  Love the early stories and this one deals with mediums and fake mystics, something Gibson really knew a lot about.  I have read this once before, years ago when I picked up the Bantam reprint from the 60s (although I probably didn't find it until the late 70s or early 80s).  It feels really cool to be reading in a manner that replicates fairly well the original publication.

If you want a preview of this tale just click here and read a wonderful review by one of the keepers of the Blue Light, John Olsen.  So much pulpy goodness, agents.  Curl up in front of the fireplace and give yourself a treat with this one.

My Christmas reading

Normally I'd use the original cover but hey, it was the reprint I read.  Have to say it was an easy mystery to figure out but a fun read, nonetheless.  Hope everyone had a great Christmas and we'll get back to the other stuff as the year winds down.

Have a Very Merry Christmas, agents

Steranko

Really like this little sketch.  Kinda how I picture the dread avenger of the night sometimes.

The Creeping Death...updated

Got a bit of an inspiration from Steranko's "Green Eyes" cover.  Just kinda pushed this classic cover a bit.  Probably not an improvement but just a bit different.  Enjoy.

Merry Christmas to me

I got my annual Christmas card from pulp super fan John Olsen.  This year it's a glow in the dark postcard and I keep giggling like a kid as I expose the "blank" side to some light and then turn out lights to see the logo appear.  Thanks, John, I appreciate the unique Christmas gifts each year.  Very cool.

Keeping Watch

And the answer is...

...Shiwan Khan Returns.  A classic cover from Gladney.  I love the spotlight, the "huge smokewagon" and the nice rendering of The Shadow's left hand and the muted ring on it.  A great portrait and the fully realized setting.  Yep, a great cover!  This was the second in the classic four novel arc of Shiwan Khan by Walter B. Gibson.

The 47 Ronin

In the village of Ako, Japan, December 14 celebrates the famous story of the 47 Ronin.  This is one of my favorite tales and I try to read it about this time each year.  A great example of bushido and the code of the samurai.  I know it's not The Shadow but this just seems to be a good time to indulge in another of my interests.  Here is a short synopsis if you are interested.  And here is a more detailed synopsis.

New Clew

A classic for the middle of the week.

Give it a go, agents.

The Cobalt Club

 

 

  

 

  

As great as the scene in The Cobalt Club looks, this just turned out to be one of the disappointments for me in the '94 film.  Why?  Solely for the fact that the club is a men's club, a place where The Shadow, as Lamont Cranston, could gather information from his wealthy associates.  Margo would never have been let in and the screenwriters would have had to figure out how to introduce them in another manner.  I guess this might be in keeping with the radio programme, but I really compare everything to Walter's version.

Here's Kaluta's version.  Closer to what I imagine Gibson had in mind.

Feeling a bit nostalgic

Well, nostalgic for this wrongly maligned film from 1994.  Was it perfect?  Of course not.  Was it fun.  Yes.  Did they mess with the history of The Shadow?  Duh.  I had a lot of problems with this film but in the end I truly enjoyed it and have come to enjoy it more and more as the years pass.  Is that because no new movie has come into being to tell me there is something better?  Maybe, to a degree.  But that doesn't take away from the great look of this film, wonderful costuming and set pieces, and that awesome score.  I like the casting although it would have been nice if Alec had an aquiline nose as Lamont Cranston.  Alas, can't have it all.  Now, I'm gonna drop the disc and enjoy a rather decent little film.

The Grove of Doom/The Doom of Grove

Just five changes to this excellent cover.  The star has been changed to a crescent moon, title has been changed, The Shadow's eyes are now green and the highlight on the left side of The Dark Eagle's face has gotten a bit bluer.  Finally, the net has some more lines added.
Thanks for playing.

And the answer is...

The Condor.  Great cover just not one that would've gotten me excited as a kid walking up to the newsstand to purchase the latest adventure of The Shadow!  This review says that it is a terrific tale, and who am I to say John is wrong.

A new "What's the Difference" puzzle

Truly classic cover.  So very well done.  Guess how I've messed with it...

Another set of clews

Hey, Jeff.  I'm glad you're enjoying the cover clews.  This should be one you can nail.  I really wish there were more covers to do this with but, alas, a measly 325 covers exist and one of those is a repeat.  I may start doing this with the Steranko covers and the Bantam reprint covers, just to expand the repertoire.  Good luck with this one.

Vengeance is Mine

Great classic cover.  The Shadow piecing together a mystery under the blue light with the fabulous girasol ring prominent on his left hand.  If we can't see the face of our hero then this hits all the fan boxes for me.  Hey, it even has a cool title.  If you want to get an idea of this tale check out this review.

The Shadow Comics #1

Love the type faces used here.  So simple but it captures the feel well.  I'd like to read the adventures of Iron Munro, Doc Savage, Bill Barnes & Frank Merriwell as they fill out the comic adventures of The Shadow.

Return to the Clews

Perhaps revenge will be yours if you figure out this clew. 

The Crimson Death

On this one The Shadow has his eyes "shadowed", the stock of his rifle is customized with a bit of advertising from a radio ad, the skeleton has acquired an eyeball to see that the Crimson Death has become the Jade Juice.  And it appears The Shadow has lost his ring to Mr. Bones.

Lee Weeks does The Shadow

See comments from the last issue... https://thepurplegirasol.blogspot.com/2017/10/the-shadow-volume-3-issue-3.html

What's the difference between these

Find the five (5) differences between these two images.  Have fun.  I hope everyone has recovered from the Thanksgiving Day feast.

Happy Thanksgiving

Hoping everyone is having a wonderful Thanksgiving day with family, friends, food & football.  The 4 F's make for an A-OK day. 

Very nice contemporary version of the classic pulp illustration style

Title says it all.  This is a wonderful rendition by Robert Hack.  Nice image to start my leave from the sanctum for the holiday break.  The blue light will be turned back on Monday.  Hope everyone has a great family holiday. 

Brothers of Doom

I have not read this one but the cover has always intrigued me.  Why is his hand dipped in molten ore?  I don't know, but it sure looks cool.  Well rendered and the colors are very nice.  I'd have been all over this one when it hit the stands in the Summer of '37.

Throwback Friday

A little page from a bygone age.  Simpler and friendlier.  Have a fun weekend, agents.

New clew

This is a hot clew for anyone willing to give it a try.

Jordi Bernet

Would love to have seen a series from this artist.  His rendition of The Shadow is really great, Toth & Kubert influences are obvious.  Just a beautiful handling of the ink and solid draftmanship.  This would have been a perfect choice for Dynamite to have tabbed.  Sigh...

A little Steranko

Steranko was really my first exposure to The Shadow from a single artist.  I found the Kaluta comics after the 12 issue run and I had been reading the Pyramid/HBJove & Bantam reprints.  His rendition was such an homage to Rozen that when I finally did find the original covers (tough task pre-internet) I was completely prepared for the look and feel of 1930's pulps.  Love seeing these concept drawings of his and it makes me long for seeing what Rozen's prep work was like.  I think Walter would have approved of this rendition of his greatest creation.

And the differences are...

Left side of cover:

 1)  Doom becomes Mood
 2)  Pressure gauge increases
 3)  An added nut
 4)  An added hole

Right side of cover:

 5)  Light changes from red to green
 6)  Some bars added to whatever it is
 7)  The Shadow's brim is a bit longer
 8)  The Shadow's Club pin makes an appearance

Happy Veteran's Day

We wouldn't have the freedom to indulge in the freedoms we take for granted without the men and women of the armed forces who fought and continue to fight to preserve our rights.  Thank a vet this Veteran's Day (and any time you get a chance).

The answer is...

...The Green Box. 
  Love this cover.  The limited color palette, the cool hues and the shadows striping The Shadow coupled with the simplicity of the composition and the great rendering by George Rozen makes this cover an instant classic.  The story itself is early, #50 from 1934.  It has been reprinted by Anthony Tollin and I recommend you find it and read it if you haven't done so already. 

What are the differences between these covers?

Give it a try and then maybe it won't be only The Shadow who knows.  (Well, technically I know and I'm not The Shadow... or am I? heh heh heh)