"Town of Hate"

Dynamic cover.  Good story.  Do you think Frank Miller may have seen this cover at some point?

Wotta copybat!

"Partners of Peril"

 "I've had his help on dozens of cases. I've never been able to find out his identity. He remains anonymous, by his own wishes. But whoever he is, I say he's the cleverest and most daring detective in America!" 

- Joe Cardona

This is the one that Detective Comics #27 ripped off to start The Bat-Man on his way to being the cultural icon we know today.  And the other notable point to this seminal adventure is that it is the first novel of 27 penned by Theodore Tinsley!  Add to this an absolutely classic cover and you've got a top tier pulp tale from the archives of The Shadow.

The Shadowed Circle issue 2: A review part 1

 First off, it's a full ten pages larger than the first issue at 62.  The issue #1 lists 49 printed pages, one ad for the Bronze Gazette, a blank and a publication/upc code on the final page.  So, really issue #2 comes in at 13 extra pages.

The first major article is an interesting overview of "1941: Hitler's Astrologer", the graphic novel by Denny O'Neil with artwork by M. W. Kaluta and inks by Russ Heath.  This seems to be the first in a series examining stories in which The Shadow is placed in actual historical events.  I recently reread this for the umpteenth time and so it was great to read Malcolm Deeley's take on the story and how accurate the weaving of fact and fiction was achieved.  A nice read and a good way to start the second issue.

We then move to "Shadow Play" by Will Murray.  This is a fun and fascinating look at how he and Anthony Tollin paired up novels for the epic (and nearly complete) run of The Shadow reprints.  A lingering look at the dive into finding the link between The Shadow and the first appearance of The Bat-Man is great fun.  Mr. Murray brings the reader into the room as he and Tollin make plans, tear up plans and have a few disagreements.  We all know that it turned out okay in the end.

"The Shadow's New York" brings together vintage photographs by Berenice Abbott and words by Steve Donoso, giving us a look at what the city looked like during The Shadow's reign as dark avenger of the mean streets.  You can see one of the photos on the cover at the top. 

I'll post more about this issue in a later post.  If you haven't gotten yours please subscribe.  Keeping the legacy of The Shadow alive is every agents responsibility.

The Shadow #16 by JSA

 Not my favorite.  He looks...ordinary.  And the fedora, nope.  I like the composition, just not the portrait aspect.  It reminds me of this classic splash page from Detective Comics #457.

I've decided to begin rereading the Dynamite series...

 

I'm already regretting it.  But it has brought up a disturbing thought in my already disturbed noggin.  At what point did our heroes become not so heroic?  I'm not just laying this at the feet of Dynamite but my other great hero has been Batman.  The various books I pick up have strayed so far from the character that, in many respects, helped mold my personal view of how things should be.  The stories are so convoluted these days as to not have a lesson in mind.  Yes, I think if you are putting out a book with the word "hero" included said character should be heroic.  And a major aspect of being heroic is being a role model.  I won't bother getting into the sports heroes as I don't believe they are in it for anything more than money and glory.  And why not, it's a job.  Fictional heroes should be someone who can stand at the end of a story with his/her hands on hips and recount why you should eat your vegetables and go to school.  To couch the tales of today as being "adult" seems to me a cheat.

Anyhow, enough bloviating.  I'll be back with updates on the ups and downs of the Dynamite series.

What a collaboration!

 This would have been a great one shot comic story!  Kaluta!  Wrightson!  Dream team, for sure!

Tim Sale does The Shadow

 Legendary Batman artist Tim Sale gives us his version of the original Dark Knight!

The first time Batman meets The Shadow?

Seems someone was very influenced by The Shadow for this splash page.  Can't say what happens but I loved this little "homage".

ON THE AIR July 24, 1938

With The Shadow's connection to the Bat-Man, which would premiere the next year in DC Comics, it would have been fun for this radio broadcast to have been, at least somewhat, aligned.  Alas, no one could have known... or could they?  As we all are aware, The Shadow knows.

We've had some great ones but...

if you could pick your creative team on a comic book series featuring The Shadow, who would it be?  For me there are many writers who would do a great job but I'd love to see what Robert Kanigher would have done with The Dark Eagle.  Paired up with Jim Aparo on the art duties and I would probably have been in comic geek heaven.

What would have been your preferences?  As intriguing as a movie or even an Amazon series could be I think the comics medium is incredibly well suited to the further adventures of The Shadow.

Riding out Covid19 under a blue light

Green tea and a blue light.  This is the way to self isolate, although it ain't much different than every other day.

Not quite The Shadow but...

... we all know the connection.  I did this knockoff/swipe/homage as a commission for a returning Vet.  I didn't feel that my own take on The Dark Knight would be good enough so I went for one of my all time favorite images (with a little tweaking) and this is the result.  Jim Aparo is my favorite Batman artist so it was a no-brainer for me.  Hope y'all like it.

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.

Steranko comp sketch

I love seeing the initial layouts.  Often I like them better than the finish.  Speaking of...

I like the addition of the Phurba but wish the Bat-A-Rang was a bit more defined like in the sketch.

The Shadow and Batman by Toth

This was cropped from a postcard back in 2003.  So very cool and just another tease of what could have been if Toth had ever done a treatment of The Shadow.

A couple of projects I'd love to see

If you follow this blog you know that I really liked "Beware The Batman", the (unfortunately) short lived animated series on Cartoon Network.  I've always thought that The Shadow would really fit well into this style, especially a period accurate version.

                                           The Shadow                      Lamont          Shiwan

The other project would be for Alex Ross to finish this maddening teaser page and do a story, even a short 8 pager!  I love his take on The Shadow and would pick this up in a New York minute!

Consider this my Christmas wish list to Santa.  (I believe, I believe, I believe...)

The Shadow / Batman #5

I'm just posting this cover and withholding my judgment of this series (dreadful, so far btw) until the final issue comes out next month.  Not a fan, so far.  The finale had better take a better turn than the first five issues, that's for sure.

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...)

A little Steampunk

A nifty little drawing, in my opinion.  Hate the red hat and huge scarf but as an illustration it's pretty nicely done.

The Shadow / Batman #1 from Dynamite

I don't know where this is going but I'll give it a chance.  The Shadow didn't have much to do and I've never been a fan of the whole "mind reading" ability of our hero but that is something I can do nothing about.  With the inclusion of Damian "Robin" Wayne it seems there may be a new wrinkle that could work or go terribly awry.  Sigh, I fear awry may be the direction we are led.  I hope I'm wrong, truly.