"The Ghost Makers"

 

This seems to have been a quite popular story.  Being an early tale, it's bound to be great.  Granted it was ten years before it was republished as both a Big Little Book

and in The Shadow Annual 1942 Edition

and then in 1970 by Bantam Books.

This story seems to have taken hold of the public's imagination.  Even John Olsen couldn't contain his love of this adventure.

"Hidden Death"

And the classic covers keep coming!  I believe the original hung in Walter Gibson's office.  

This is a pic showing it in his and Litzka's home.  He is always watching.

Oh, and then there is this.  I always think of The Spider and not The Shadow when I see this.  Nicely rendered, just not iconic.  And I don't think the ring is present.  Meh.

"The Death Tower"

 "Burke,  I have paid you well because I wanted intelligent cooperation. You have done your part. This is only the second time that you have met me. I want your honest opinion. Do you trust me? Would you work for me, faithfully, without question? Keeping all our dealings confidential. Then I can tell you my real purpose in setting you up in business. Burke, I am a criminologist. I have my own way of dealing with crime. Those who work for me must always obey me implicitly -- even though they may not understand my motives. Even though they may face danger!" 

What a pitch, eh?  Times must have been tough to just say 'yes' to blindly obeying someone you have no idea about.  No way to investigate whether you are being played.  The Shadow must truly be The Master of Men!

This is the first cover from George Rozen.  The sinister hooded man on the cover was painted from a publicity still of James LaCurto.  LaCurto is credit as being the first voice of The Shadow, when he was only a narrator for "Detective Story Hour."

Let's finish the first three novels up with "The Shadow Laughs"

"Some people call me The Shadow. That is but one identity. I have other personalities that I assume, as easily as I don my black cloak and hat. One of my personalities is that of Lamont Cranston. In the past, I have used it while you were away. At present, I choose to use it now. It would be embarrassing for both of us to be here. So you must go."

I know that there are better stories than the first three but with these original adventures The Shadow was cemented as the master of men, the unseen figure that manipulates the events from the darkness until he can triumph and then blend back into the shadows. Gibson established the proxy hero format that ran throughout the series (although The Shadow did take a much larger role as the years wore on), the false identities and the use of agents.  This trilogy really gave us the baseline with which to follow our hero through so many great tales.

"Eyes of The Shadow"

 

Again I say, time for an updated cover design.  I actually like the Bantam cover from the 60s.  I would love to see a large book collecting the first three novels.  New covers and new interior illustrations.  Would be pretty fun. 

The Living Shadow... where it all began

The 30s pulp

 

The 30s hardcover

 

The 70s British

 

 

The 60s

 

 

The 70s

Which one trips your trigger?

The Ghost Makers times two

 

I like them both.  Oddly, I think I prefer the paperback illustration more than the original pulp by Rozen.  That doesn't happen often.  Anyone agree?

RIP Sandford "Sandy" Kossin

According to Gregory Manchess at Muddy Colors, Sandy Kossin has passed away.  I will forever remember the first image of The Shadow that I saw as his cover for "The Living Shadow", my first paperback adventure of The Dark Eagle.  I still have it, albeit a lot more beaten up from years of being transferred and read.  His version of The Shadow waned for me as I became more familiar with the traditional imagery of Rozen, Gladney, Steranko and Kaluta.  However, as time marches on and my mind has opened up I have come to appreciate his work and contribution to The Shadow's legacy.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Kossin.  Thank you for introducing me to The Shadow and the world of pulp.

Doc Savage

I've always loved the idea of Doc Savage, I was just never crazy about the actual way he was written.  The movie had great potential with Ron Ely and George Pal.  Even the director of Logan's Run (which should have been better, as well). 

 The James Bama covers really made me want to read them but I just became enamored with The Shadow, in all his incarnations.  I liked that The Shadow had agents but wasn't surrounded by them.  Doc's five just seemed too cardboard cutout for me. 

Still, the concept lingers on to this day.  The Shadow is yesterday's Batman and Doc is yesterday's Superman.  And yes, I prefer Batman to Supes any day (or night) of the week.

No guesses? The quote belongs to...

  The Ghost Makers.  The 16th published adventure of The Shadow, this was a really fun tale that I have, in fact, read a couple of times.  If you haven't and you want a preview then check out this review.

Hidden Death

I hate the logo.  I love the composition.  I hate seeing The Shadow's full face.  I love the technique.  And where the hell is the ring!!!   Ultimately this feels more like a cover for The Spider than the true Master!

What say you?  Yea or nay on this cover art.

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy...

Thank you, Anthony, this is a wonderful holiday gift to all of us fans of The Shadow.  Yes, The Death Tower and The Silent Seven in one wonderful issue!!! 

I read these for the first time back in the 70s when I found the paperbacks and just loved them.  Very early tales (#s 6 & 7, respectively), my favorite adventures.

I believe that having The Silent Seven publish at this point in time is perfect as it can be read to cleanse the palette after reading the Dynamite Comics "The Shadow/Batman" team-up that is currently being foisted on us. 

(at least the Kevin Nowlan cover is nice...)

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.

Hidden Death

Peek a boo with The Shadow!  Classic early cover that was a favorite of W. B. Gibson.  That's good 'nuff fer me.  I read this one years ago when it was a Bantam reprint.  No, not when it came out but a couple years later when I found it in a used bookstore.  I look forward to reading the unabridged version when Tony reprints it.  It was a great tale, as I remember.  If you need a preview, check this review out.  And just for fun here is the reprint cover, to boot.

The Shadow Laughs

Early issue featuring a Jerome Rozen cover that also introduces the real Lamont Cranston.  Only the third issue in the series it was still searching for its footing but still lays out a lot of what would become the bedrock of The Shadow's lore.  Definately read this one and as soon as possible so that you can understand where a lot of what we take for granted began.  Yes, I am a big fan of the early years.

Here is the cover from the 60's reprint.

The Ghost Makers

Great cover.  Maybe not the best rendering but it sure is a fun illustration.  I read this tale long ago when I found a copy from Bantam.  As usual I maintain the early tales are the best, but that's because I like seeing the progression of not only the character but the settings as well.  If you haven't read this one, do so.  If you want a preview, check out this review.
Bonus cover is by Sandy Kossin for the Bantam release.  Love this one, too.

Gangdom's Doom

Oh, yeah!  The early days.  The Shadow Begins.  The Shadow Year One.  However you want to view it, this is a key part to the beginning of the epic story of The Shadow.  Even the cover hits most of the notes of what our hero looks like.  Although the cloak is a bit short and the ring is missing (although I never could understand the ring on the outside of the glove) this is how I see The Night Master as he confronts crime.  This is indeed a wonderful story and one to really pay attention to.  Yes, by all means seek this one out.  As a bonus, here is the cover of the paperback that I read.  I love this cover a lot.  Just wish the face was a bit more traditional.

Art print by Sandy Kossin

This is the order form for the new Sandy Kossin print (from his awesome cover to the Bantam printing of The Death Tower) that Agent T had a hand in getting up and running.  What a great opportunity for Shadow fans.  Thanks, Bill.

Sandy Kossin

A couple of prep sketches from Sandy Kossin, the artist whose worked graced a couple of reprints during the Bantam run in the sixties. His cover for "The Living Shadow" is the first time I ever saw a representation of The Shadow.