Hope Springs Eternal

 Let's see if we can get 2026 right.  It's time to come together and concentrate on the things that need to be worked on and leave the distractions in the dust.  This year marks the 95th anniversary of The Shadow and it may be high time we looked at some of the lessons The Dark Eagle taught us.  Stand up the for little guy, the people who can't stand up for themselves.  Recognize injustice and make it right.  Surround yourself with good people and always be there for them when things go awry.  Let's make this year a Happy New Year and always ask ourselves... WWTSD?

Saturday's random pulp cover: Doc Savage "The King Maker": June, 1934

I have absolutely no idea of what the story holds but this cover is about as perfect of a Doc Savage representation as I can think of.  Beautifully rendered image and the attitude of Clark is just on point.  Love this cover.

Saturday's random pulp cover: Spicy Stories : December - January, 1933

 Some cheesecake for your summer Saturday.  Nicely done illustration even if it really illustrates nothing more than male fantasy.

Saturday's random pulp cover: Spicy Western Stories "Rider From Hell": March, 1937

 

All I can say about this cover is that the horse is really well painted.  Even ignoring the un-PC nature of the image, the composition is atrocious.

Saturday's random pulp cover: Spicy Detective "The Next Murder": October, 1939

 Who is murdering who?  Did she kill the man in the foreground?  Is she just an innocent dame who picked up the dead man's gun before trying to call for help?  Is the dead man the detective or a gangster?  I guess we'll just have to dig up a nearly 86 year old copy and read "The Next Murder"by Robert A. Garron to find all of the answers.  Great cover by H. J. Ward.

Saturday's random pulp cover: G-8 and His Battle Aces "Purple Aces": November, 1933

 

Slam Bang Action!  Death From Above!  Good vs Evil!  

  That was the name of the game with G-8 and his crew.  Berkley tried to bring these adventures to the masses in the 70s with some top tier art by Jim Steranko on three of the covers.  Alas, it didn't catch on.  I have to be honest, I've never read one the these stories so I can't tell you if they are any good, but the covers sure did promise some nail biting adventure. 

 

Saturday's random pulp cover: Spicy Mystery Stories: July, 1936

 King Kong, anyone?  Although I'm guessing this is just a giant demon taking his new bride home to meet mother.

Saturday's random pulp cover: Weird Tales: October, 1936

 Nice early cover (I'm afraid I don't know the artist).  Note that the title is "The Black Mask".  As near as I can tell, this is the title that ran until April of 1927.  Starting with the May 1927 issue, "The" was dropped and the book became, simply, "Black Mask".

Saturday's random pulp cover: Weird Tales: October, 1936

 C'mon.  It's J. Allen St. John, fer cryin' out loud.  How could I not run with this one.  As much as I love all the different great versions of Tarzan over the last 100+ years, it's J A St John that sticks in my head as the true Tarzan.  So here is something different.  If you want to know a little something 'bout him, click here.

Saturday's random pulp cover: Film Fun: January, 1931

 Baby it's warm out there!  A little something to look forward to for all the like-minded people who long for cooler temperatures.  Happy Summer.

Saturday's random pulp cover: Film Fun: June, 1938

 Enoch Bolles.  As good as George Petty?  Vargas?  Gil Elvgren?  I'd say yes.  Very recognizable style and impeccably executed.  It may be simple, but that really creates the charm.  I thought we needed a break from the violent tone of the last couple covers, so here you have a little bit of Film Fun.

Saturday's random pulp cover: Operator #5: "Blood Reign of the Dictator" May, 1935

 Man, these Operator #5 covers really put the peril on display.  And what's with putting these women in the path of some of the most horrific manners of death?  Someone had serious issues with their mother...

Always remember...

We will never forget the sacrifices that so many made so that the rest of us can enjoy our freedom.

Saturday's random pulp cover: Operator #5: May/June, 1939

Holy Moley!  What in the name of pulp is happening here?  The villains want to shoot this woman out of a cannon?  I'm not sure I could handle the story of this scene...

Saturday's random pulp cover: 15 Story Detective: October, 1950

A solid cover from the ever reliable Norman Saunders.  This is the published magazine cover and this...

...is the original artwork.  The brilliant colors depth he created with the male assailant being in a bit of shadows show just how much the printing process messed with the artist's intention.

Saturday's random pulp cover: Film Fun: March, 1933

 Just to lighten the mood, a wonderful cover from Film Fun by the fabulous Enoch Bolles, one of the great "good girl" artists.

Saturday's random pulp cover: Black Mask: August, 1920

The fifth issue of the first year of The Black Mask.  Quite a run this magazine had.  340 issues.  Follow this link to a brief history of The Black Mask: An Illustrated Magazine of Detective Mystery, Adventure, Romance, and Spiritualism

Saturday's random pulp cover: Black Mask: "Rain Check" December, 1941

 Yo, take dat!  Ya doity rat!  Shore, I'm wearin' lipstick.  Youse & whose ahmy is gonna tell me I cain't!

Happy Easter, agents of The Shadow

 

Keep your hands off of The Shadow's Easter basket!

Saturday's random pulp cover: Detective Story Magazine: "The Crimson Clown's Threat" May 2, 1931

 One month after The Shadow Magazine hit newsstands, this beauty shows up.  Looks like a mash-up of The Voodoo Master and The Harlequin.  Perhaps, even, a precursor of The Joker (he was, after all, The Red Hood first...)