Best Shadow Novels
J Bowman
the best of the Shadow novels? I have only read a few and have enjoyed
them but would like to hear what readers think are the cream of the
crop.
Roxor2
Somebody asks this question every few months, and at the risk of sounding like
a broken record I'll weigh in again....
Most Shadow fans point to "Zemba" as the best novel, but I think that's a
reflexive choice. (Possibly because we've all heard so many times that it was
Gibson's favorite.) I still believe that "Lingo" is, if not the very best,
certainly the quintessential Shadow novel. It's a perfect distillation of all
the elements that made Shadow stories great.
Of the very early stories, I really like "The Silent Seven." "The Romanoff
Jewels" and "The Grove of Doom" habitually place high on readers' lists, as do
"Gray Fist," "The Voodoo Master," and "Crime Insured." They're all good 'uns.
My favorites also include quite a few that have gotten very little notice from
latter-day Shadow fans: "Bells of Doom," "The Third Skull," "The Crime Oracle,"
"The Green Box," "The Broken Napoleons," "The Masked Lady," "The Hooded
Circle," "Murder Genius," and "Xitli, God of Fire."
I'm not wild about most of the late '30s and early '40s novels because they
rely too much on formulaic plotting and protracted gunbattles. The digests
downplay The Shadow's extended campaigns against master villains, and
concentrate instead on whodunits. But these rarely satisfy because the killers'
identities are too transparent.
Actually, if we're going to be fair and accurate about this, the only folks who
should be picking the best stories are those who've read all 325 issues. I
still haven't passed the 200 mark. But, hell, making lists is always fun....
Ed Hulse
Multicynic
saying....
"But, hell, making lists is always fun...."
Jack Juka Replies.... " I think Zemba and Crime Insured are probably the two
best followed by Grove of Doom. I also liked The Golden Quest as well as The
Pooltex Tangle. If any of these issues have edge browning, I take them off my
list.
I prefer Tinsley to Gibson mostly for the distress he places on the
Shadow throughout the novel. "
I am NOWHERE near the 200 mark as Ed Hulse is though. He has read
Tarzan so thoroughly, that he once chaired a Pulpcon panel of experts which
finally revealed to the literary world that Tarzan wore a jockstrap under his
loincloth to prevent ropeburn to his testicles. Ed pointed out that this was
revealed in the second Tarzan ( a pulp Joe Rainone missed out on in the Pulpcon
auction) that Tarzan used " a groin covering of sinew" under his shorts to,
"protect his nuts." I never read that one so I can't comment.
Jack
Spider9137
first Pulpcon purchase (way back in 1984).
The Shadow spends a good portion of the novel trapped in a subterranian cell,
until the Golden Masks leader decides to interrogate him. While the seconds
are whittling away, several of his trusted agents are trying to piece together
what's going on and to whom.
Hawkeye, Moe Shrevnitz and Jericho Druke play prominent roles in this story, a
nice change of pace from Harry Vincent. Also had one of the more interesting
cover images.
HHopk15447
pretty much alone in liking The Black Master.
Howard
THE PHANTOM MARSHAL by Lance Howard (Howard Hopkins)
July 31 in hardcover from www.amazon.co.uk, www.waterstones.com
Home: http://members.aol.com/Hhopk15447/page1.htm
Alan D Glick
was different from all the other (I've read the first 20) opening chapters.
Kind of startling (especially in view of current events today).
One of my favorites so far is The Eyes of The Shadow. Great fight scene
in the gangster bar that leaves The Shadow severely wounded. Interesting
plot that touches on the Russian Revolution.
Alan Glick
"HHopk15447" <hhopk...@aol.comnojunk> wrote in message
news:20011023224952...@mb-mq.aol.com...
Tim Donovan
> I also like The Black Master. The opening with all the bombings in NY
> was different from all the other (I've read the first 20) opening chapters.
> Kind of startling (especially in view of current events today).
> One of my favorites so far is The Eyes of The Shadow. Great fight scene
> in the gangster bar that leaves The Shadow severely wounded. Interesting
> plot that touches on the Russian Revolution.
> Alan Glick
>
> "HHopk15447" <hhopk...@aol.comnojunk> wrote in message
> news:20011023224952...@mb-mq.aol.com...
> > I liked Teeth of the Dragon and Gray Fist, The Romanoff Jewels. I probably
> am
> > pretty much alone in liking The Black Master.
> >
> >
> > Howard
> >
on the Hill." The 2 'Doom' Shadows I call them. In 'Grove' there are TWO
gat climaxs, unheard of in any other Shadow novels. Plu, the suspense is
almost pulpable or rather, palpable! Just great! 'Doom' features the Shadow
first and only great illusion. Plus, a wonderful action packed story!..Tim
Donovan.
Catts4
leaves me cold.
Read GROVE OF DOOM as a kid, and was amazed on re-read that it held up very
well. LINGO had that great cover going for it; the fewer SHADOWs you've read,
the more impressed you'll be.
The amazing thing about Gibson was his ability to grind it out every two weeks,
and maintain some kind of uniform product.
Dave
Chris Camfield
<a.g...@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
[snip]
> One of my favorites so far is The Eyes of The Shadow. Great fight scene
>in the gangster bar that leaves The Shadow severely wounded. Interesting
>plot that touches on the Russian Revolution.
This is the latest one I've read, and I agree that it was good. The
ramifications of the injury were interesting too - the novels don't
normally touch on the Shadow's role of Lamont Cranston so much.
Chris
Chris
of Shadow gunplay.
From the 40's I remember reading one, the Prince of Evil
was the bad guy and liked it so much I had to read the second one with
Prince of Evil, sorry dont recall the exact titles but they were good reads.
Bruce White
There were 4 "Prince of Evil" stories, all written by Ted Tinsley.
"The Prince of Evil" April 15, 1940
"Murder Genius" July 1, 1940
"The Man Who Died Twice" September 15, 1940
"The Devil's Paymaster" November 15, 1940
Bruce
All opinions expressed etc., etc. ...
Roxor2
>of Shadow gunplay.
>From the 40's I remember reading one, the Prince of Evil
>was the bad guy and liked it so much I had to read the second one with
>Prince of Evil, sorry dont recall the exact titles but they were good reads.
There were 4 "Prince of Evil" stories, all written by Ted Tinsley.
"The Prince of Evil" April 15, 1940
"Murder Genius" July 1, 1940
"The Man Who Died Twice" September 15, 1940
"The Devil's Paymaster" November 15, 1940
>>
My two cents, not that anybody asked....
The first two "Prince of Evil" novels are two of my favorite Tinsleys; "Murder
Genius" has a particularly audacious plot gambit that Gibson would never have
attempted. "Devil's Paymaster" has its moments but is a weak finale to the
sub-set. "Man Who Died Twice" is, IMO, a total misfire despite the good title.
"Prince of Evil" has what I consider to be one of the better Gladney covers,
too.
Ed Hulse
Multicynic
After two Manhattans, Ed Hulse beams...
>"Prince of Evil" has what I consider to be one of the better Gladney covers,
>too."
I guess beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. I think that is one
of his WORST covers. I like The Thunder King best, with Crime County and Scent
of Death next as far as Gladney goes.
That really is kind of funny though because I remember Bob Sampson saying
that "Q" was a great cover. That is another that also bothered me.
Anyone else want to name their favorite covers??? How about Rozen?? I
would pick Book of Death, Fate Joss, Creeping Death as my favorite three.
Jack
Roxor2
would pick Book of Death, Fate Joss, Creeping Death as my favorite three. >>
I don't know any SHADOW who DOESN'T consider "Book of Death" one of the best
covers. Some of my own, off the top of my head, include "Dead Men Live," "The
Shadow's Justice," "Road of Crime," "Chain of Death," "Murder Trail," "Lingo,"
"The Third Skull," "The Crime Oracle," "Partners of Peril," "Pooltex Tangle,"
"Racket Town," "The Fifth Napoleon," 'The Golden Vulture"...that enough for
you, Jack?
If not, I'm sure there are others I can't think of at the moment. I'll gladly
send them to you. ;)
Alan D Glick
"Dead Men Live"
"The Shadow's Justice"
"Grove of Doom"
"Chain of Death" (my favorite)
"The Voodoo Master" (my 2nd favorite)
"Partners of Peril"
"The Shadow Unmasks"
Alan Glick
"Roxor2" <rox...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20011031201104...@mb-cs.aol.com...
Roxor2
one!
Bruce White
OK, I'll ask an ignorant question. Is there a list somewhere telling who
the artist was for each pulp issue of The Shadow? (I'll probably be told
it's in the "Duende History of The Shadow Magazine", but I don't have that
on hand as I type this.)
Thanks!
Roxor2
the artist was for each pulp issue of The Shadow? (I'll probably be told
it's in the "Duende History of The Shadow Magazine", but I don't have that
on hand as I type this.) >>
I don't remember seeing a specific list, but Jerome Rozen did a handful of the
early ones, then his brother George took over (beginning with "Mobsmen on the
Spot," I think) and painted all of them through early '39. Then Gladney took
over (with either "Battle of Greed" or "Death's Harlequin") and did them all
through late '41. Then Rozen came back, beginning (I think) with "Temple of
Crime" (11/15/41). He went through '42, but by '43 Modest Stein (who painted
the 1919 THRILL BOOK cover cribbed for SHADOW#1) was doing covers. Stein did
many of the digests, too, but I know SHADOW COMICS artists Charles Coll and Bob
Powell each did one. And, of course, George Rozen returned yet again to do the
last four pulp-sized issues. There were a couple of others during the digest
years, I think.
Now, the above is all pretty much off the top of my head, but that should give
you an idea.
Ed Hulse
Ilia
drawings, but i am not sure.
a list of all the artists is supplied if my memories serve right in the The
Nightmaster by Bob Sampson, he gives the page count, etc and mentions start
and stop for cover artists, and i believe he does the interior artist too.
ilia
"Roxor2" <rox...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20011101202335...@mb-cc.aol.com...
Multicynic
>one!
on Ebay now, but the schmuck has some kind of "This person is NOT allowed to
participate in my auctions" horsecrap going on with me. Funny thing is, I never
dealt with the person. I have a feeling Ed Hulse told them I'm "fussy" and they
do not want to bother with me. Go figure. By the way, God BLESS Ed Hulse AND
Joe Rainone. They are GOOD MEN.
Jack
Roxor2
Uh, thanks, Jack. I haven't seen the auction to which you're referring, but I
can assure you I've said nothing about what a fussbudget pain-in-the-ass you
are. (Just kidding.)
Ed
Chris Camfield
Is that legal according to eBay's rules? I'd be kind of surprised.
Chris
RobtMcKay
>How about The Silent Death?? That was nice. I was gonna bid on the one
>on Ebay now, but the schmuck has some kind of "This person is NOT allowed to
>participate in my auctions" horsecrap going on with me. Funny thing is, I
never
>dealt with the person. I have a feeling Ed Hulse told them I'm "fussy" and
they
>do not want to bother with me. Go figure. By the way, God BLESS Ed Hulse AND
>Joe Rainone. They are GOOD MEN.
and then Chris wrote:
>Is that legal according to eBay's rules? I'd be kind of surprised<
Anyone auctioning items on eBay can set up their account to "block" bids from
any bidder they might choose. However, just why someone would do this to the
esteemed Mr. Juka is beyond me. It is well known that Jack will out-pay anyone
for select items - he is a man who ALWAYS gets what he wants!
Rob McKay
Multicynic
>Anyone auctioning items on eBay can set up their account to "block" bids from
>any bidder they might choose. However, just why someone would do this to the
>esteemed Mr. Juka is beyond me. It is well known that Jack will out-pay
>anyone
>for select items - he is a man who ALWAYS gets what he wants!
>
>Rob McKay
Unfortunately, I am probably also known for being "FUSSY." I can't
explain it as I never bought anything from the person before. Maybe I ask too
many questions, huh????
It never ceases to amaze me that some of these guys that sell stuff
are such schmucks. The minute you ask them more than one question, they get
defensive. Also, HOW about these guys who advertise their goods and have this
exclaimer (threat) about how they will give negative feedback if there is a
problem. People like that shouldn't even bother selling. Just my two cents
worth. Those guys may need what my good friend Joe calls, a "bitchslappin."
But that's another story.
Jack
Catts4
Rules? In a knife fight?
Dave
Multicynic
>>Is that legal according to eBay's rules
>
>Rules? In a knife fight?
>
>Dave
>
I always try to think of these type of people as fusspots. If you want
to be in business, you have to deal with people. That's what business is.
DEALING with people. Making them feel good about what they just bought.
Assuring them. Being professional and pleasant. Now that I think of it, those
are pretty much the same guidelines in life. Baloney such as blocking somebody
without a legimate reason (such as lack of payment in prior dealings) is bush
league and a copout. I wouldn't trust BUYING from somebody like that.
Jack