"The Return of The Shadow"

 I've read this novel a few times over the decades.  Why?  Because, like the definition of insanity, I hope each time I get a different result.  I don't, of course.  This just isn't a real Shadow novel.  Now it ain't as bad as the Elliott stuff or the series that this kicked off.  It's just not what I've come to expect when it comes to a Gibson story.  The cover art is nice enough.  Very of it's time trying to be pulpy.  But none of it rings true.  At least to me.  Others may very much enjoy catching up with this, the last full length novel Gibson penned of this, the greatest pulp character of all time.

"The Swords of Shiwan Khan!: The Depths" page 12

 

"Who did he used to be?  And what made him this?  What happened?"

"The Whispering Eyes"

 And so we come to the finale of the great pulp magazine juggernaut, The Shadow.  The cover feels sad, to me at least.  Of course I hate the yellow background, that's a given.  But it just feels empty.  The mystery is gone from the rendering of our hero.  The strong colors that denoted weird and scary are gone.  A slight green cast to the left side of his face is there but so muted.  The collar is down and his face seems much wider, as if he's aged.  The cover mirrors the adventure contained within, middle of the road without the hoped for punch.  And the fact that Washing Mews, the white cat, is nearly as prominent as The Dark Eagle on this, his final issue, really feels like there wasn't much interest in giving the faithful fans a true grand sendoff. 

"The Swords of Shiwan Khan!: The Depths" page 11

 

"What is it, Khan?"

"The Black Circle"

 Classic symbolic cover from George Rozen with The Shadow towering over the cityscape and literally crushing crime in his bare hands!  The crumbling building to the right of the viewer is intriguing and something I don't recall being a part of the covers before.  It feels a bit like an Avenger touch.

  This is the penultimate issue of The Shadow.  Did Gibson know his return would be so short lived?  I don't know.  Was bringing back the original creative team of Gibson and Rozen and a return to the good ol' days (large format and longer stories) really meant to save the magazine or was it meant as a respectful way to say good-bye to the character that created a cottage industry and made Street & Smith such a publishing powerhouse.  A farewell to a character that just didn't fit in with the shiny new world of the oncoming 1950s.  If that is the case, then Thank You.  I would like to think that S & S gave their flagship one last glorious cruise before consigning it to the scrapyards.

"The Swords of Shiwan Khan!: The Depths" page 10

 

BULGASH!  BULGASH!  BULGASH!  BULGASH! 

"The Magigals Mystery"

 Lady magicians.  Aggressive geese.  A life size crystal skull (I'm looking at youse guys, Lucas and Spielberg). Walter Gibson makes a cameo.  Yep, all the stops pulled out as Gibson indulges in his passion for magic.  For me, the cover is odd and static.  After that great cover for "Dead Man's Chest" this one just falls flat.  The Shadow is rendered well but everything else feels soft and not very dangerous.  Through in the dreaded yellow background and it just doesn't... what am I saying?  After though wretched covers we were handed for the Elliott tales and some of the stuff that preceded it?  Thank you, George.  I'll take your lesser efforts over that stuff any day of the week!

"Dead Man's Chest"

Yes!  The final piece to the puzzle!  The team is back to full strength with the addition of George Rozen doing the covers.  Coupled with Walter's writing The Shadow is going out in style.  Let's appreciate this cover for what it represents.  Not only is it very well done but it proves the old adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".  The turmoil that went on behind the scenes of this magazine, this icon of publishing, will probably never be entirely understood.  Sure times were changing, people's tastes were moving in a different direction.  Shaking up the editorial staff?  Bad idea.  Letting Gibson go over money... terrible decision.  Seriously, Patterson was probably paid more to have his name plastered on that heinous book that Gibson made over the lifetime of his association with the character that, let's face it, he created.  There are only three more issues left, so let's drink in this wonderful attempt at regaining the former glory of the hero we love.

The Sunday Comics: The Shadow Conquers Crime in Centralba page 1

 El Jefe looks like he's seen a ghost.  By the way, take a gander at the stamp on the letter.  Nice touch.

Avenger Saturday (on a Sunday) presents: "Murder on Wheels"

 Such a creepy figure coming right off of the page at the viewer.  However, this is the first cover without the face of Richard "The Avenger" Benson staring down on the scene.  Kind of sad to see that aspect of the covers gone.

ON THE AIR: February 15, 1942

 

Death will have to speak twice to make up for the lost episode that preceded this one.  The February 8, 1942 episode "Design for Death" is currently among the many lost shows that litter the radio landscape.  So we will skip ahead and listen to "Death Speaks Twice" as we try to pull ourselves out of the food coma that grips... hmm, I think there is some pumpkin pie just sitting in the icebox with my name on it. 

"Jade Dragon"

 Done are the digests!  Gone is Bruce Elliott!  Cranston takes a backseat to the true star of the story.  The Shadow is back, baby!  When this issue hit the stands the answer to why the return was stated by none other than W. J. De Grouchy himself.  "Nostalgia! That's the key theme of the age.... The office mail, of which there is much, clearly tells us that you want the old SHADOW back again. So here he is in all his glory, with all his agents, in his oldest most beloved setting - Chinatown in San Francisco." Like Star Trek 20 years into the future, the fans spoke and their beloved hero was saved.  However, like Star Trek, it would prove to be short lived.  But we can be thrilled to know that The Shadow went down swinging and ended with a bang!  This, then, is the first of the final five issues penned by Gibson.

  "Crime began with the Jade Dragon, which Prince Tsai Hsun brought to America long ago. When an importer's assistant purchased the jewel in San Francisco's Chinatown, death occurred to the shop owner shortly afterward by an assassin's hand. And now the assistant's life was in danger too.

  The Shadow becomes involved with the case and, with the help of G-Man Vic Marquette, the two uncover a jade smuggling racket." - The Shadow Wiki 

This story was also republished in 1981 along with "House of Ghosts" by Doubleday Crime Club.

"The Swords of Shiwan Khan!: The Depths" page 9

 

"Shiwan!  The blood you spill I shall tap from your veins!"

Happy Thanksgiving

 A little advice from a guy who can't seem to move forward... Traditions should be honored and appreciated.  Just look at the 15 tales by Bruce Elliott!  Progress and modernization ain't always the best solution.

"Reign of Terror"

 I'm just going to direct you to the review by John Olsen over at that wonderful resource, The Shadow in Review.  This is, thankfully, the final "effort" by Bruce Elliott.  And since it's Thanksgiving I want to give a bit of an out for Mr. Elliott and his interpretation of our hero.  The editorial staff was in upheaval and trying to modernize a character that didn't need to be changed.  I encourage you to pull out your copy of "The Night Master" by Robert Sampson and read up on what was going on behind the scenes.  I'm sure the author was directed to embrace the radio version which was mostly Lamont Cranston themed and write more "sophisticated" tales.  The problem?  It didn't work.  And now, with this issue, it's over.  Walter is back, if only for five more pulp stories. 

"The Swords of Shiwan Khan!: The Depths" page 8

 

"My God, Roy!  He's insane!"

"The Swords of Shiwan Khan!: The Depths" page 7

 

"Don't lose your head, Shiwan."

"Murder on Main Street"

 "There's no sign of The Shadow in this story. No sly reference. No passing comment. Nothing. It's as if The Shadow didn't exist, except for the name on the masthead of the magazine. What could the editors at Street & Smith could have been thinking? Had they no clue what their readers expected? And these were supposed to be seasoned businessmen and women.

If you're looking for a Shadow story... this ain't it. If you're looking for just a good mystery... this ain't it, either. Even if you try to look at this as strictly a murder mystery having nothing to do with The Shadow, it still fails. On any level, it's a story that will waste your time when you have better ways to spend it." - The Shadow in Review

14 down... tomorrow will truly be a Thanksgiving as we will be showcasing the final Bruce Elliott abomination.

"The Television Murders"

A television mystery that comes true... thousands of people actually see a man being shot (but with the wrong bullet!) as a sinister plot is woven into a television drama... a plot that wasn't in the script. Then there was a second murder - also daring. In the subway - at rush hour - in full view of the crowds. Here was a killer who liked publicity... and here was a case for none other than... Lamont Cranston! - The Shadow Wiki

"The Swords of Shiwan Khan!: The Depths" page 6

 

<"Bring me our captive!">

"Ten Glass Eyes"

 The only mystery is where is The Shadow in this one?  Perhaps he was too embarrassed to make an appearance.

"The Swords of Shiwan Khan!: The Depths" page 5

 

TOOOOOONG

The Sunday Comics: The Shadow Conquers Crime in Centralba

 And so a new adventure from Shadow Comics begins.

"Jabberwocky Thrust"

 Looks like clip art and suspect Photoshop.  Since Adobe didn't exist back then I guess this is just an art student's attempt at a cover... oh... really?  This is the one they published.  Hmmm, must be an Elliott "adventure".  <sigh>

Avenger Saturday presents: "The Flame-Breathers"

 C'mon!  If this cover didn't drive you straight to your nearest newsstand then what would?  Such a cool image.  I love how the masthead matches the color of the devil figure.  Such a great cover.

"Svengali Kill"

John says "Reading "Svengali Kill" is similar to hitting your toe with a hammer. It just feels so good when you stop."  Take him at his word.

ON THE AIR: February 1, 1942

 A notorious one-handed jewel thief is murdered, then returns from the grave to continue his crime wave.  Don't believe it?  Well then, sit back and listen to this 1942 radio play and prepare to believe that the dead can steal again.  "The Return of Anatole Chevanic" will make a believer of you.

"Model Murder"

 A decent cover, just not a Shadow cover.  Elliott.  #9.  Six to go.  'nuff said.

"The Swords of Shiwan Khan!: The Depths" page 4

 

"Summon the Horde!"

"Room 1313"

 The only thing interesting about this, the 8th so called Shadow tale penned by Bruce Elliott, is that "Room 1313" is # 313in the issue run of this once proud (at this point in its run) publication. 

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"Whose justice?"

"My justice."

"Murder in White"

 The silhouette of The Shadow may appear on the cover but he makes no appearance in this Elliott story.  7 down, 8 to go...

"The Swords of Shiwan Khan!: The Depths" page 2

 

"-- let 'em dream."

"Death Stalks the U.N."

 Remember the days of "Blood & Thunder"?  This looks more like 'blood & blunder'...  

John Olsen says "To quote one line spoken in this story by Lamont Cranston, "My hero days are over." Sadly, it was true."

"The Swords of Shiwan Khan!: The Depths" page 1

 

"<Look at him, with his cloak like a bat!  Eyes with no warmth... a laugh with no mirth... a face with no feelings...>"

"The Swords of Shiwan Khan!: The Depths"

 And so the Khan saga continues...

"Death on Ice"

 Sigh... now The Shadow is skiing?  Maybe you are interested enough to find out for yourselves.  Me, I'm not looking forward to any of these Elliott tales.  The curse of OCD, I'll be compelled to read them.  This cover would never entice me to pick up this issue, that's for sure.

The Sunday Comics: The Shadow Solves the Mystery of the Missing Uranium page 13

 

"Muito! Muito! Muy simpatico... which in the States means... "Pretty hot stuff, kiddo"!!"

And so ends "The Shadow Solves the Mystery of the Missing Uranium".  We'll return next week with another thrilling adventure with Lamont and Margo.

"No Safety in Numbers"

 Four down... eleven to go.  Sorry, nothing else to say about this Bruce Elliott novel.

Avenger Saturday presents: "The River of Ice"

 Not an action packed cover but one that, aside from being really well painted, has some great feeling of terror.  Why is this beautiful woman about to be lobotomized?  Why are there three thug looking guys just watching this play out?  Why is that guy smoking during a medical procedure?  Their blood must flow like a river of ice...

"Seven Deadly Arts"

 "A mysterious cult murmuring eerie incantations... death occurring in the wake of an ancient curse. It was more than black magic and superstition, it was the clever plot of mortal men, and only The Shadow sensed the danger." - The Shadow Wiki

At least the cover is a step up from the previous issue.  Hmmm, that's all I got to say 'bout this one.

ON THE AIR: January 25, 1942

 The theatre.  The Shadow.  Lamont and Margo. Very dramatic.  Over dramatic.  The actors are all over the top.  By the end... well, I won't spoil it for you.  Sit back and listen to "Dead Man's Revenge".

"Happy Death Day"

 'A maniac runs amok and a whole family is doomed to die, while The Shadow faces an inflamed foe in a fierce struggle against dreadful powers of evil.' - The Shadow Wiki

  Oh, hell no!  This art would have gotten a fail in junior high art class.  So bad on so many levels.  And yet The Shadow in Review tells us that it is going to get worse from here. 

"The Swords of Shiwan Khan!: The Interior" page 25

 

"Sit before me, Harry Vincent.  I have much to say."

"The Blackest Mail"

 'Mysterious handwriting on a wall, a lady with a toy boat and a man with a kite -- all clues to a dramatic, cunning plot which finds The Shadow in Hollywood fighting the macabre machinations of a ruthless killer.' - The Shadow Wiki 

I'm not sure I can even comment on these "adventures".  Bad art.  The Shadow begins his gradual disappearance from his own magazine with this one.  He's in it but not as the same character we have come to know.  This and the next 14 issues are Lamont Cranston mysteries. According to John Olsen this ain't a bad mystery novel if you aren't looking for a Shadow tale.

"The Swords of Shiwan Khan!: The Interior" page 24

 

"...wait as long as I had to... until he called me."

"Harry Vincent."

"Malmordo"

 Bad cover, good story.  At least there's a shadow in the background.  This is the last of Gibson for awhile.  The next 15 tales are the dreaded Bruce Elliott "adventures". 

"The Swords of Shiwan Khan!: The Interior" page 23

 

" 'ja think I'm a cowboy?"