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)

Art by Tom Lovell

The Shadowcast is joined by venerated pulp historian WILL MURRAY, author of the recent Shadow bookumentary 'Master of Mystery: The Rise of The Shadow'.

Art by Joe DeVito

Then, we continue our reviews of classic pulps when The Shadow tackles a secret society of prominent criminal conspirators in THE SILENT SEVEN!

Art by Jerome Rozen

REPORT!

Buy 'Master of Mystery: The Rise of The Shadow' Pick up more of Will Murray's Shadow/Spider/Doc Savage books here!

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)

Artwork by Tom Lovell

The deadly duology of 'The Silent Seven' saga begins with the pulp classic "THE DEATH TOWER" 
as The Shadowcats continues our ongoing analysis of the early years of The Shadow Magazine in order!

Then, we review a rarity in literary circles: A full biography of The Shadow's mysterious creator: Author, journalist and famed magician Walter Gibson in 'WALTER B. GIBSON and THE SHADOW' by Thomas Shimeld! The book contains diary entries and previously undocumented stories of the life of this oft-overlooked pop culture icon, so you'll definitely want to give this week's Shadowcast a listen. 

REPORT!

Purchase Walter B. Gibson and The Shadow here

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: 

...what were we really expecting.

Purchase James Patterson's 'The Shadow' (if you must) here

90th Anniversary Special! - 'GANGDOM'S DOOM' and 'THE SHADOW STRIKES: GANGLAND DOOMED'

 

"Nick Savoli," said the sinister voice, "you have led a life of crime. While you were one of

many, you were ordinary. Now you believe yourself supreme. You are wrong. 

You are dangerous—that is all. 

You are mistaken when you believe that you are supreme."

"Is this a warning?" asked Savoli, with a grim smile. "Or is it a threat?"

"It is a judgment," said The Shadow sternly. 

-Gangdom's Doom, 1931

Artwork by Tom Lovell

The Shadow turns 90 years old! 

The Shadowcast commemorates the event with dueling automatics ablaze! Twin crime tales set in

Chicago's Gangland!

First, it's the formative 1931 masterpiece, where The Shadow outwits an obvious stand-in for Al Capone and the Chicago Mob, 'GANGDOM'S DOOM'!

Artwork by Jerome Rozen

Then, The Shadow returns 4 years later, in comic book form, to deal with the fallout of Al Capone's fall in DC Comics' 'THE SHADOW STRIKES: GANGLAND DOOMED!'

Artwork by Eduardo Barreto

REPORT!

Buy Gangdom's Doom here

Buy The Shadow Strikes here

Season 2, Episode 3 - THE RED MENACE and MIDNIGHT IN MOSCOW!

"The Seventh Star," said Zuvor, looking intently at Cranston, 
"...is an order of the old regime. It belongs to the years before the revolution. 
But you are so young—"

"My age," replied Cranton, with a slight smile, "is deceiving. 
Like you, I have memories of Russia—as it was."

-"The Red Menace" (1932)

Art by Jerome Rozen

The Shadow battles The Bolsheviks in two-fisted adventures from The Shadowcast!
First, The Shadow and his faithful agents battle their Communist counterparts
in the Pulp classic that rounded out Walter Gibson's inaugural quadrilogy: 
"THE RED MENACE!"

Art by Tom Lovell

Then, Lamont and Margo must foil the schemes of a communist sleeper cell bent on 
triggering a nuclear war between The United States and the U.S.S.R. in Howard Chaykin's 2014 Dynamite graphic novel, "MIDNIGHT IN MOSCOW!"

Art by Howard Chaykin

Until our next adventure, fellow agents!
REPORT!

Buy "The Red Menace" Here!

Buy "The Shadow: Midnight in Moscow" Here!