"Dark Avenger"

 Buy it.  Now!  The latest book on The Shadow by Will Murray only stoked the flames of fandom I have for this character.  The timelines he breaks down and the behind the scenes issues he brings to light are just fascinating reading.  I loved this book and I hope anyone reading this will find a way (I chose Amazon) to purchase a copy.  Or one for a friend who may be on the fence about getting pulled into the original Dark Web... the dark web woven by Walter B. Gibson!

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.

Finally calling it a day on Doc Savage

The infamous unpublished Cold War novel.  Can't say I enjoyed it but the post script by Will Murray sure shined a light on how this tale reflected the editorial influences that shaped these pulp characters.  The same can be said about any character that isn't controlled by a single creative mind.  Take Batman.  In the comics he is nigh unto unrecognizable as the hero I grew up idolizing.  Even Star Trek has "evolved" away, in some cases, from the world (or universe) I let consume me for 50 or so years.
So this marks the end of my journey with Doc Savage and his Fabulous Five.  I'm glad I took the trek if only to say I gave it the old college try.  The Shadow is easily the better fit for me.  So I now delve back into the massive backlog of pulp adventures that await me, to transport me to the back alleys of 1930's NYC, or perhaps the hop houses of Chinatown in either San Francisco or NYC.  Not the crazed, vengeance fueled killer that the recent comics have turned him into (again with the editorial influence) but the brilliant detective with the unerring aim and fierce loyalty to those that share his mission.  To once again find out what evil lurks in the hearts of men!

What I just finished

After finishing "The Killer" on the plane to Sin City I started the latest Will Murray Doc Savage/The Shadow crossover although I'm not a real fan of Shiwan Khan as he seems to be the default villain for The Shadow.  That being said I enjoyed the book pretty well.  I have to say I prefer "The Sinister Shadow" better as it seemed to deal with our hero much more.  I've always liked the idea of Doc Savage but just can't wrap myself up in his team.  They always struck me as being aimed more for juveniles than being fleshed out as serious adult characters.  Guess that's the aim of some of the pulps.  However, I appreciate all of the research and touchstones Will put into this one and it made for a quick read (even at 425 pages).  A quick shout out to Tim King for being a patron of the pulp arts and commissioning the cover art.