Wednesday, January 11, 2023
Season 2 FINALE - HANDS IN THE DARK
Tuesday, July 26, 2022
Season 2, Episode 9 - MOBSMEN ON THE SPOT
forgotten. We shall speak no more of years gone by.
You are now Clifford Marsland. I am"—the voice halted impressively—
"The Shadow!"
-'Mobsmen on the Spot'
(Walter B. Gibson, 1932)
Racketeers—ruthless, relentless—make a great metropolis
their blood-soaked battleground to suit evil purpose!
The Shadow wages war with racketeers and corrupt unions
in another tale torn from the headlines, in 1932's timely
crimeland epic: "Mobsmen On The Spot!" To do so, he recruits
a new agent, Cliff Marsland! An ex-con who reveals fascinating
insights into the past of the man behind The Shadow!
We're getting mighty close to the conclusion of this
season of The Shadowcast! As you know, 'The Pulp Avenger' is the
theme of season 2, and as such, we're covering the first 10 Shadow
stories in order. "Mobsmen On The Spot", as such, represents the
penultimate edition of season 2's trip down Pulp Junction.
Be sure to tune in next time for the climactic conclusion!
REPORT!
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
Season 2, Episode 8 - THE BLACK MASTER and SÉANCE OF DEATH
"The secret of The Shadow," came the monotonous voice.
"At last it is understood! The man of many faces—with no face of his own!"
-The Black Master (1932)
Agents of the Shadowcast, Report!
in 1932's underrated and seminal pulp adventure, 'THE BLACK MASTER'!
"Not since Sherlock Holmes locked wits with Professor Moriarty have there been
such formidable opponents on the battlefield of crime!", raves the back cover
of the Pyramid reprint of this classic story.
The Shadowcast enthusiastically agrees.
Then, The Shadow and Margot Lane investigate the curious case of a crooked spiritualist
and a demented psychiatrist, plundering patients, and ultimately murdering them
in the recently-recovered 1947 Radio episode 'Séance of Death!'
Sunday, December 12, 2021
Season 2, Episode 7 - THE SILENT SEVEN (With Author/Historian WILL MURRAY!)
"We are the Silent Seven," said the central figure, in a low-pitched voice.
Every word was audible; some peculiar acoustic condition of the room gave the tone an awe-inspiring sound.
"The Silent Seven," repeated the others, in a whisper.
"We command the Faithful Fifty," was the whispering echo.
"Our identities are unknown," declared the speaker, "Each of us was appointed by the founder of our order—he who first was Number One.
Should new members be needed, I shall appoint them. Their names will be known to me alone. That is my oath."
"You have declared the oath of Number One," was the response.
-'The Silent Seven' (1932)
The Shadowcast is joined by venerated pulp historian WILL MURRAY, author of the recent Shadow bookumentary 'Master of Mystery: The Rise of The Shadow'.
Then, we continue our reviews of classic pulps when The Shadow tackles a secret society of prominent criminal conspirators in THE SILENT SEVEN!
REPORT!
Buy 'Master of Mystery: The Rise of The Shadow'
Pick up more of Will Murray's Shadow/Spider/Doc Savage books here!
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Season 2, Episode 6 - 'THE DEATH TOWER' and 'WALTER B. GIBSON and THE SHADOW'
"Burke, I have paid you well because I wanted intelligent cooperation. You have done your part. This is only the second time that you have met me. I want your honest opinion. Do you trust me? Would you work for me, faithfully, without question? Keeping all our dealings confidential. Then I can tell you my real purpose in setting you up in business. Burke, I am a criminologist. I have my own way of dealing with crime. Those who work for me must always obey me implicitly -- even though they may not understand my motives. Even though they may face danger!"
-'The Death Tower' (1932)
as The Shadowcats continues our ongoing analysis of the early years of The Shadow Magazine in order!
Thursday, September 9, 2021
Season 2, Episode 5 - James Patterson's THE SHADOW Reboot!
"Lamont usually wore a tux," said Margo. "Ivory of Bakelite buttons. No zipper. Custom tailored."
"So what about all those pictures of The Shadow with a cape and scarf?" I ask.
"Ridiculous," says Lamont. "Way too much fabric. That's all some crazy artist's imagination."
-"The Shadow" (James Patterson/Brian Sitts, 2021)
James Patterson, slowly transmogrifying into a bloodhound
On today's Shadowcast, I finally review James Patterson's prose reboot of THE SHADOW!
Short synopsis: It, uh... doesn't go well.
But then, with covers like this:
Friday, April 30, 2021
90th Anniversary Special! - 'GANGDOM'S DOOM' and 'THE SHADOW STRIKES: GANGLAND DOOMED'