Recently I've been reading a bunch of old Shadow pulps (courtesy of Rich's collection) and I've become a huge fan of the Shadow! I love the slogan,"The weed of crime bears bitter fruit!" I have come to the conclusion that "Batman" is a rip-off of the Shadow. These books were written in the early 1930's (most of these pictured here are reprints from the '6o's) But Batman didn't come into being until the late 1930's. I don't know enough about the subject really, but the Shadow is a really impressive character!
One thing I found amusing was that these two books have their covers switched. The story "The Crime Cult" should have the illustration from "Hands In The Dark" and vice versa.
Anyway, the Shadow books have been keeping me company on the subway to and from work everyday. I'm going to have to seek out more once I've finished reading these ones.
One thing I found amusing was that these two books have their covers switched. The story "The Crime Cult" should have the illustration from "Hands In The Dark" and vice versa.
Anyway, the Shadow books have been keeping me company on the subway to and from work everyday. I'm going to have to seek out more once I've finished reading these ones.
5 comments:
The cover paintings for most of these, were done by artist: Jim Steranko.. Most famous (perhaps) for his work on MARVEL's "Nick Fury" character.
Steranko was probably Dave Stevens' biggest artistic role model. And they were good friends, 'til the day Dave passed away. Steranko also knew SHADOW writer Walter Gibson quite well, too!
I think that the cover paintings were probably completed in bunches. And while I'm sure Steranko knew which book each painting was supposed to illustrate.. Publishers, rarely show the same degree of concern & care. And probably just printed the first available painting, ready for publication.
Aha! That answers the mixed up covers situation.....
But I really wish more people would dust off the Shadow stories and make a really great film about him......not like that one with Alec Baldwin! That was their first mistake, casting HIM.
do you ever listen to any of the old radio programmes on the internet?
I heard a few from a CD that was lent to me a little while back, but I just couldn't stop thinking of "Firesign Theatre" and their "Nick Danger, 3rd Eye" skit.
I find the books to be more serious and enveloping.
when I was a teenager there was STILL a radio programme called CBS Mystery Theatre (hosted by E G Marshall)...I also spent a lot of time searching AM radio late at night for broadcasts from the S. USA...I love old radio drama/mysteries..and NOW it's all on the internet!!
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