THE SHADOW (1963)

Full Name:	Lamont Cranston
Series Name:	The Shadow
Nationality:	American
Organization:	-
Occupation	Freelance Agent

Creator:	Maxwell Grant
Time Span:	1963 - 1966

ABOUT THE SERIES

The Shadow is an independent agent.

The history of The Shadow character is a long and old one and really demonstrates the beauty, financially, of good cross marketing.

In 1930, the publishing house of Street and Smith had a detective magazine cleverly titled Street and Smith's Detective Story. As the sales for it were starting to slip, the company knew it had to come up with a way to rebuild interest and it found that way on the radio. The new program, first aired on CBS in July of that year, accomplished two things when it gave listeners enjoyable suspense stories while constantly reminding the audience that these stories came out of the pages of the Detective Story magazine.

To really give the broadcasts an added dimension for people to remember it by, they created the mysterious narrator they called The Shadow. Though not an actual participant in the tales themselves, the Shadow had such a malevolent and eerie persona to him that the scheme nearly backfired. The viewers did rush to the newsstands to get their hands on the magazine but they were expecting the Shadow!

With considerable consternation, the publishers realized that there were two problems. First, the potential customers were walking away empty-handed. Second, and worse, the creators did not have any form of copyright existing to protect their own creation. They didn't have much time to solve both dilemmas.

The salvation came in the form of a writer named Walter Gibson, who was is in New York trying to work up interest in a sequel to a history of Houdini he had done. This sometime journalist and sometime assistant to Houdini and other magicians was told about the new series and grew intrigued enough to head home and very quickly put together the first in the Shadow series. Though it was altered somewhat in the editing stage, it went out largely as Gibson had drafted it.

At last the Shadow Magazine was born. The publishers had a legal hold on the name and concept and the readers had a magazine to go along with the increasingly popular radio program.

One huge difference, however, was that the Shadow in the magazine was an integral part of each adventure while the radio programs had the Shadow as just the narrator. Apparently this would not be too much of a problem as it stayed that way for several years. It wasn't until 1937 when the program, which had switched to NBC in its second full year, now moved to the Mutual broadcasting network. With the move came the change of putting the Shadow into the storylines as he had already been in the magazine for six years.

And so the series would last for another full decade. Every week the Shadow would fight evil and injustice over the airways and every two weeks he would do so in the pages of the magazine. Of course, on occasion he would show up on the big screen in a movie or a serial. And, in 1940, he became popular in newspapers as a syndicated comic strip.

In 1945, the series took a dramatic turn when the primary writer, Gibson, had a falling out with a new editor at the magazine. Soon that man who had written well over 200 of the Shadow stories over the past 14 years, would be replaced by another writer named Bruce Elliott. (Another author, Theodore Tinsley, had also written a score or so of episodes throughout the years, all under the house pseudonym of Maxwell Grant.)

Elliott's emphasis for the Shadow was on murder mysteries and not crime fighting and he made less and less use of the mysterious figure of the Shadow and more of its alter-egos (he had several identities to choose from), most notably Lamont Cranston. Moreover, the character didn't hunt down and blast the perpetrator away - he worked closely with the Police Commissioner to lawfully apprehend the miscreant for trial.

Whether a product of age or of the change, the popularity of the Shadow magazine quickly waned and it moved from a monthly publication to a quarterly. Finally, in 1949, the last issue was released and the Shadow disappeared from the printed page. The radio program would continue on until the end of 1954.

In the early 60's, Belmont Towers decided it would resurrect the series with a 'Return of' novel followed by reprints of the original stories. Gibson was brought in to pen the story which he gladly did and the Return Of The Shadow was released in paperback in 1963. Then, however, things changed dramatically.

Whether it was a change of heart or, as I personally feel it to be, a bowing to financial pressure, BT decided the reprints would be out and new, original stories would be done instead. However, rather than keep the character had he had so popularly been for over 300 adventures, drastic changes would be made.

The first changes were mainly to do with the powers of the character. Where the original character had, especially on the radio, the ability to 'cloud men's minds', the revamped Shadow had mental powers far beyond normal humans. Remember that this was golden age of comics and the prowess was a result of training from an Oriental mentalist, usable only when combined with the special cloak, slouch hat, and girasol ring that the Master passed on to the Shadow (where would an Oriental master get a slouch hat?).

Later, even greater changes would occur as the type of enemy was altered. It is important to remember that James Bond was just hitting it really big and the Man From U.N.C.L.E. was hitting the airways. Spies were in! Moreover, as Bond had SPECTRE and Solo had THRUSH, It apparently seemed a natural to BT to make the resurgent Shadow an agent fighting an evil organization. Thus was C.I.P.H.E.R. born and Lamont Cranston was there to challenge it.

Die-hard fans of the old Shadow grimaced deeply. Walter Gibson flat out refused to go along with the changes, leaving the writing to a far younger Dennis Lynds. And it didn't last very long, going only 8 adventures when the original went over 300. That is the downside of the series.

The upside is that it piqued the interest of a good friend of mine, .John, who then passed that interest on to me. This made me a big fan of the Shadow in specific and spy adventures in general.

If you are expecting the Shadow from the pulp novels, you'll be confused and certainly disappointed. If you are expecting the Shadow from the hundreds of 30 and 60 minute radio broadcasts, you'll be even more confused and disappointed. If you are looking for a cross between a spy and a superhero, with a really cool slouch hat thrown in, who knows?

[Sorry, I've got to do it!] The Shadow knows!

BOOKS

Number of Books:	8
First Appearance:	1963
Last Appearance:	1966

The Shadow graced the pages of his own magazine from 1931 to 1949, providing readers with 325 tales of suspense and action and blazing guns. None of these stories were spy novels. They all were of The Shadow and his crew fighting crime all over the country. The following is a list of the titles and when they were first published:

001. "The Living Shadow", published April 1, 1931

002. "Eyes of the Shadow", published July 1, 1931

003. "The Shadow Laughs", published October 1, 1931

004. "The Red Menace", published November 1, 1931

005. "Gangdom's Doom", published December 1, 1931

006. "The Death Tower", published January 1, 1932

007. "The Silent Seven", published February 1, 1932

008. "The Black Master", published March 1, 1932

009. "Mobsmen on the Spot", published April 1, 1932

010. "Hands in the Dark", published May 1, 1932

011. "Double Z", published June 1, 1932

012. "The Crime Cult", published July 1, 1932

013. "The Blackmail Ring", published August 1, 1932

014. "Hidden Death", published September 1, 1932

015. "Green Eyes", published October 1, 1932

016. "The Ghost Makers", published October 15, 1932

017. "The Five Chameleons", published November 1, 1932

018. "Dead Men Live", published November 15, 1932

019. "The Romanoff Jewels", published December 1, 1932

020. "Kings of Crime", published December 15, 1932

021. "Shadowed Millions", published January 1, 1933

022. "The Creeping Death", published January 15, 1933

023. "The Shadow's Shadow", published February 1, 1933

024. "Six Men of Evil", published February 15, 1933

025. "Fingers of Death", published March 1, 1933

026. "Murder Trail", published March 15, 1933

027. "The Silent Death", published April 1, 1933

028. "The Shadow's Justice", published April 15, 1933

029. "The Golden Grotto", published May 1, 1933

030. "The Death Giver", published May 15, 1933

031. "The Red Blot", published June 1, 1933

032. "The Ghost of the Manor", published June 15, 1933

033. "The Living Joss", published July 1, 1933

034. "The Silver Scourge", published July 15, 1933

035. "The Black Hush", published August 1, 1933

036. "Isle of Doubt", published August 15, 1933

037. "The Grove of Doom", published September 1, 1933

038. "Master of Death", published September 15, 1933

039. "The Road of Crime", published October 1, 1933

040. "The Death Triangle", published October 15, 1933

041. "The Killer", published November 1, 1933

042. "Mox", published November 15, 1933

043. "The Crime Clinic", published December 1, 1933

044. "Treasures of Death", published December 15, 1933

045. "The Embassy Murders", published January 1, 1934

046. "The Wealth Seeker", published January 15, 1934

047. "The Black Falcon", published February 1, 1934

048. "Gray Fist", published February 15, 1934

049. "Circle of Death", published March 1, 1934

050. "The Green Box", published March 15, 1934

051. "The Cobra", published April 1, 1934

052. "Crime Circus", published April 15, 1934

053. "Tower of Death", published May 1, 1934

054. "Death Clew", published May 15, 1934

055. "The Key", published June 1, 1934

056. "The Crime Crypt", published June 15, 1934

057. "Charg, Monster", published July 1, 1934

058. "Chain of Death", published July 15, 1934

059. "The Crime Master", published August 1, 1934

060. "Gypsy Vengeance", published August 15, 1934

061. "Spoils of The Shadow", published September 1, 1934

062. "The Garaucan Swindle", published September 15, 1934

063. "Murder Marsh", published October 1, 1934

064. "The Death Sleep", published October 15, 1934

065. "The Chinese Disks", published November 1, 1934

066. "Doom on the Hill", published November 15, 1934

067. "The Unseen Killer", published December 1, 1934

068. "Cyro", published December 15, 1934

069. "The Four Signets", published January 1, 1935

070. "The Blue Sphinx", published January 15, 1935

071. "The Plot Master", published February 1, 1935

072. "The Dark Death", published February 15, 1935

073. "Crooks Go Straight", published March 1, 1935

074. "Bells of Doom", published March 15, 1935

075. "Lingo", published April 1, 1935

076. "The Triple Trail", published April 15, 1935

077. "The Golden Quest", published May 1, 1935

078. "The Third Skull", published May 15, 1935

079. "Murder Every Hour", published June 1, 1935

080. "The Condor", published June 15, 1935

081. "The Fate Joss", published July 1, 1935

082. "Atoms of Death", published July 15, 1935

083. "The Man From Scotland Yard", published August 1, 1935

084. "The Creeper", published August 15, 1935

085. "Mardi Gras Mystery", published September 1, 1935

086. "The London Crimes", published September 15, 1935

087. "The Ribbon Clues", published October 1, 1935

088. "The House That Vanished", published October 15, 1935

089. "The Chinese Tapestry", published November 1, 1935

090. "The Python", published November 15, 1935

091. "Zemba", published December 1, 1935

092. "The Case of Congressman Coyd", December 15, 1935

093. "The Ghost Murders", published January 1, 1936

094. "Castle of Doom", published January 15, 1936

095. "Death Rides the Skyway", published February 1, 1936

096. "The North Woods Mystery", published February 15, 1936

097. "The Voodoo Master", published March 1, 1936

098. "The Third Shadow", published March 15, 1936

099. "The Salamanders", published April 1, 1936

100. "The Man From Shanghai", published April 15, 1936

101. "The Gray Ghost", published May 1, 1936

102. "City of Doom", published May 15, 1936

103. "The Crime Oracle", published June 1, 1936

104. "Murder Town", published June 15, 1936

105. "The Yellow Door", published July 1, 1936

106. "The Broken Napoleons", published July 15, 1936

107. "The Sledge-hammer Crimes", published August 1, 1936

108. "Terror Island", published August 15, 1936

109. "The Golden Masks", published September 1, 1936

110. "Jibaro Death", published September 15, 1936

111. "City of Crime", published October 1, 1936

112. "Death By Proxy", published October 15, 1936

113. "Partners of Peril" by Theodore Tinsley, published November 1, 1936

114. "The Strange Disappearance of Joe Cardona", published November 15, 1936

115. "Seven Drops of Blood", published December 1, 1936

116. "Intimidation, Inc.", published December 15, 1936

117. "Vengeance Is Mine", published January 1, 1937

118. "Fox Hound" by Theodore Tinsley, published January 15, 1937

119. "Loot of Death", published February 1, 1937

120. "Quetzal", published February 15, 1937

121. "Death Token", published March 1, 1937

122. "Murder House", published March 15, 1937

123. "Washington Crime", published April 1, 1937

124. "The Masked Headsman", published April 15, 1937

125. "The Cup of Confucius" by Theodore Tinsley, published May 1, 1937

126. "Treasure Trail", published May 15, 1937

127. "Brothers of Doom", published June 1, 1937

128. "The Shadow's Rival", published June 15, 1937

129. "Crime, Insured", published July 1, 1937

130. "House of Silence", published July 15, 1937

131. "The Shadow Unmasks", published August 1, 1937

132. "The Yellow Band", published August 15, 1937

133. "Buried Evidence", published September 1, 1937

134. "The Radium Murders", published September 15, 1937

135. "The Pooltex Tangle" by Theodore Tinsley, published October 1, 1937

136. "The Keeper's Gold", published October 15, 1937

137. "Death Turrets", published November 1, 1937

138. "Teeth of the Dragon", published November 15, 1937

139. "The Sealed Box", published December 1, 1937

140. "Racket Town", published December 15, 1937

141. "The Crystal Buddha", published January 1, 1938

142. "Hills of Death", published January 15, 1938

143. "The Fifth Napoleon" by Theodore Tinsley, published February 1, 1938

144. "The Murder Master", published February 15, 1938

145. "The Golden Pagoda", published March 1, 1938

146. "Face of Doom", published March 15, 1938

147. "The Crimson Phoenix" by Theodore Tinsley, published April 1, 1938

148. "Serpents of Siva", published April 15, 1938

149. "Cards of Death", published May 1, 1938

150. "The Hand", published May 15, 1938

151. "Voodoo Trail", published June 1, 1938

152. "The Rackets King", published June 15, 1938

153. "Murder For Sale", published July 1, 1938

154. "The Golden Vulture" cowritten by Lester Dent, published July 15, 1938

155. "Death Jewels", published August 1, 1938

156. "The Green Hoods", published August 15, 1938

157. "The Golden Dog Murders" by Theodore Tinsley, published September 1, 1938

158. "Crime Over Boston", published September 15, 1938

159. "The Dead Who Lived", published October 1, 1938

160. "Vanished Treasure", published October 15, 1938

161. "The Voice", published November 1, 1938

162. "Chicago Crime", published November 15, 1938

163. "Shadow Over Alcatraz", published December 1, 1938

164. "Double Death" by Theodore Tinsley, published December 15, 1938

165. "Silver Skull", published January 1, 1939

166. "Crime Rides the Sea", published January 15, 1939

167. "Realm of Doom", published February 1, 1939

168. "The Lone Tiger", published February 15, 1939

169. "River of Death" by Theodore Tinsley, published March 1, 1939

170. "The Vindicator", published March 15, 1939

171. "Death Ship", published April 1, 1939

172. "Battle of Greed", published April 15, 1939

173. "Death's Harlequin" by Theodore Tinsley, published May 1, 1939

174. "The Three Brothers", published May 15, 1939

175. "Smugglers of Death", published June 1, 1939

176. "City of Shadows", published June 15, 1939

177. "Noose of Death" by Theodore Tinsley, published July 1, 1939

178. "Death From Nowhere", published July 15, 1939

179. "Isle of Gold", published August 1, 1939

180. "Wizard of Crime", published August 15, 1939

181. "The Crime Ray", published September 1, 1939

182. "The Golden Master", published September 15, 1939

183. "Castle of Crime", published October 1, 1939

184. "The Masked Lady", published October 15, 1939

185. "Ships of Doom", published November 1, 1939

186. "City of Ghosts", published November 15, 1939

187. "Shiwan Khan Returns", published December 1, 1939

188. "House of Shadows", published December 15, 1939

189. "Death's Premium", published January 1, 1940

190. "The Hooded Circle", published January 15, 1940

191. "The Getaway Ring", published February 1, 1940

192. "Voice of Death", published February 15, 1940

193. "The Invincible Shiwan Khan", published March 1, 1940

194. "The Veiled Prophet", published March 15, 1940

195. "The Spy Ring", published April 1, 1940

196. "Prince of Evil" by Theodore Tinsley, published April 15, 1940

197. "Death in the Stars", published May 1, 1940

198. "Masters of Death", published May 15, 1940

199. "Scent of Death", published June 1, 1940

200. ""Q"", published June 15, 1940

201. "Murder Genius" by Theodore Tinsley, originally published July 1, 1940

202. "Gems of Doom", originally published July 15, 1940

203. "Crime at Seven Oaks", originally published August 1, 1940

204. "The Fifth Face", originally published August 15, 1940

205. "Crime County", originally published September 1, 1940

206. "The Man Who Died Twice" by Theodore Tinsley, originally published September 15, 1940

207. "The Wasp", originally published October 1, 1940

208. "City of Fear" by Theodore Tinsley, originally published October 15, 1940

209. "Crime Over Miami", originally published November 1, 1940

210. "The Devil's Paymaster" by Theodore Tinsley, originally published November 15, 1940

211. "Xitli, God of Fire", originally published December 1, 1940

212. "The Shadow, The Hawk and the Skull", originally published December 15, 1940

213. "Forgotten Gold", originally published January 1, 1941

214. "The Green Terror" by Theodore Tinsley, originally published January 15, 1941

215. "The Wasp Returns", originally published February 1, 1941

216. "The Chinese Primrose", originally published February 15, 1941

217. "Mansion of Crime", originally published March 1, 1941

218. "The White Column" by Theodore Tinsley, originally published March 15, 1941

219. "The Time Master", originally published April 1, 1941

220. "The House on the Ledge", originally published April 15, 1941

221. "The League of Death", originally published May 1, 1941

222. "Master of Flame" by Theodore Tinsley, originally published May 15, 1941

223. "Crime Under Cover", originally published June 1, 1941

224. "The Thunder King", originally published June 15, 1941

225. "The Star of Delhi", originally published July 1, 1941

226. "The Blur", originally published July 15, 1941

227. "The Crimson Death" by Theodore Tinsley, originally published August 1, 1941

228. "The Shadow Meets The Mask", originally published August 15, 1941

229. "Gems of Jeopardy" by Theodore Tinsley, originally published September 1, 1941

230. "The Devil Master", originally published September 15, 1941

231. "Garden of Death", originally published October 1, 1941

232. "Dictator of Crime", originally published October 15, 1941

233. "The Blackmail King", originally published November 1, 1941

234. "Temple of Crime", originally published November 15, 1941

235. "Murder Mansion", originally published December 1, 1941

236. "Crime's Stronghold", originally published December 15, 1941

237. "Alibi Trail", originally published January 1, 1942

238. "The Book of Death", originally published January 15, 1942

239. "Death Diamonds", originally published February 1, 1942

240. "Blue Face" by Theodore Tinsley, originally published February 15, 1942

241. "Vengeance Bay", originally published March 1, 1942

242. "Formula for Crime", originally published March 15, 1942

243. "Room of Doom", originally published April 1, 1942

244. "The Jade Dragon", originally published April 15, 1942

245. "The Northdale Mystery", originally published May 1, 1942

246. "Death's Bright Finger" by Theodore Tinsley, originally published May 15, 1942

247. "Twins of Crime", originally published June 1, 1942

248. "The Devil's Feud", originally published June 15, 1942

249. "Five Ivory Boxes", originally published July 1, 1942

250. "Death About Town", originally published July 15, 1942

251. "Legacy of Death", originally published August 1, 1942

252. "Judge Lawless", originally published August 15, 1942

253. "The Vampire Murders", originally published September 1, 1942

254. "Syndicate of Sin" by Theodore Tinsley, originally published September 15, 1942

255. "The Devil's Partner" by Theodore Tinsley, originally published October 1, 1942

256. "Clue for Clue", originally published October 15, 1942

257. "Trail of Vengeance", originally published November 1, 1942

258. "The Murdering Ghost", originally published November 15, 1942

259. "The Hydra", originally published December 1, 1942

260. "The Money Master", originally published December 15, 1942

261. "The Museum Murders", originally published January 1, 1943

262. "Death's Masquerade", originally published January 15, 1943

263. "The Devil Monsters", originally published February 1, 1943

264. "Wizard of Crime", originally published February 15, 1943

265. "The Black Dragon", originally published March 1, 1943

266. "Young Men of Death" by Theodore Tinsley, originally published April 1, 1943

267. "The Robot Master", originally published May 1, 1943

268. "Murder Lake", originally published June 1, 1943

269. "The Golden Doom" by Theodore Tinsley, originally published July 1, 1943

270. "Messenger of Death", originally published August 1, 1943

271. "House of Ghosts", originally published September 1, 1943

272. "King of the Black Market", originally published October 1, 1943

273. "The Muggers", originally published November 1, 1943

274. "Murder by Moonlight", originally published December 1, 1943

275. "The Crystal Skull", originally published January 1, 1944

276. "Syndicate of Death", originally published February 1, 1944

277. "The Toll of Death", originally published March 1, 1944

278. "Crime Caravan", originally published April 1, 1944

279. "Freak Show Murders", originally published May 1, 1944

280. "Voodoo Death", originally published June 1, 1944

281. "Town of Hate", originally published July 1, 1944

282. "Death in the Crystal", originally published August 1, 1944

283. "The Chest of Chu Chan", originally published September 1, 1944

284. "The Shadow Meets The Mask", originally published October 1, 1944

285. "Fountain of Death", originally published November 1, 1944

286. "No Time for Murder", originally published December 1, 1944

287. "Guardian of Death", originally published January 1, 1945

288. "Merry Mrs. Macbeth", originally published February 1, 1945

289. "Five Keys To Crime", originally published March 1, 1945

290. "Death Has Grey Eyes", originally published April 1, 1945

291. "Tear-Drops of Buddha", originally published May 1, 1945

292. "Three Stamps of Death", originally published June 1, 1945

293. "The Mask of Mephisto", originally published July 1, 1945

294. "Murder By Magic", originally published August 1, 1945

295. "The Taiwan Joss", originally published September 1, 1945

296. "A Quarter of Eight", originally published October 1, 1945

297. "The White Skulls", originally published November 1, 1945

298. "The Stars Promise Death", originally published December 1, 1945

299. "The Banshee Murders", originally published January 1, 1946

300. "Crime Out Of Mind", originally published February 1, 1946

301. "Mother Goose Murders", published March 1, 1946

302. "Crime Over Casco", published April 1, 1946

303. "The Curse of Thoth", published May 1, 1946

304. "Alibi Trail", published June 1, 1946

305. "Malmordo", published July 1, 1946

306. "The Blackest Mail" by Bruce Elliott, published August 1, 1946

307. "Happy Death Day" by Bruce Elliott, published September 1, 1946

308. "The Seven Deadly Arts" by Bruce Elliott, published October 1, 1946

309. "No Safety In Numbers" by Bruce Elliott, published November 1, 1946

310. "Death on Ice" by Bruce Elliott, published December 1, 1946

311. "Death Stalks the U.N." by Bruce Elliott, published January 1, 1947

312. "Murder in White" by Bruce Elliott, published March 1, 1947

313. "Room 1313" by Bruce Elliott, published May 1, 1947

314. "Model Murder" by Bruce Elliott, published July 1, 1947

315. "Svengali Kill" by Bruce Elliott, published September 1, 1947

316. "Jabberwocky Thrust" by Bruce Elliott, published November 1, 1947

317. "Ten Glass Eyes" by Bruce Elliott, published January 1, 1948

318. "The Television Murders" by Bruce Elliott, published March 1, 1948

319. "Murder on Main Street" by Bruce Elliott, published May 1, 1948

320. "Reign of Terror" by Bruce Elliott, published July 1, 1948

321. "Jade Dragon", published September 1, 1948

322. "Dead Man's Chest", published Fall 1948

323. "The Magigals Mystery", published Winter 1949

324. "The Black Circle", published Spring 1949

325. "The Whispering Eyes", published Summer 1949

A decade and half would pass before new tales of adventure about The Shadow would be published. Belmont Books wanted to capitalize on the James Bond craze so went to the original author, Walter Gibson, to bring back the man in the hat and cloak, which he did with:

The publisher were very unhappy with the fact that the man who knew more about The Shadow than anyone else had not given them what they wanted by giving them The Shadow as he was, dangerous and mysterious but not spy-ish.

So they went to Dennis Lynds who produced what was asked but not, apparently, what the readership wanted. Only 8 of those were created and it is those 8, definitely spy-ish, that are shown below.


1			The Return of The Shadow Written by Walter Gibson Copyright: 1963 Numerous men of importance, all connected to the U.N. have been acting strangely recently. The Shadow is certain they are either under considerable stress or have been replaced with impostors. He send Harry Vincent to a section of the Appalachian Trail each man had been to not long before to see what he can find.

2			The Shadow Strikes Written by Dennis Lynds Copyright: 1964 Both the Shadow and the FBI are extremely interested in a group calling itself the Liberation Front and supposedly handling the escape from behind the Iron Curtain of hundreds of freedom-seeking people. Something is definitely wrong with the Front, however, as the bodies start to pile up.

3			Shadow Beware Written by Dennis Lynds Copyright: 1964 When a man working for the Peace Corps shows up in London dead, that organization fears nefarious forces are at work and asks for the help of Commissioner Weston and his friend, Lamont Cranston. This takes the Shadow to England in search of a killer and a mad scheme involving international relations.

4			Cry Shadow Written by Dennis Lynds Copyright: 1964 Someone is stealing artwork from various galleries around New York, prompting Lamont Cranston and Margo Lane to investigate. All evidence points to a Columbian smuggling ring that even the Shadow will have trouble breaking.

5			The Shadow's Revenge Written by Dennis Lynds Copyright: 1964 A demon out of the darkness of the jungles of Africa has arisen to kill, destroy, and totally dominate the west African area of the Congo. When the head of a relief mission, a friend Cranston and Weston, disappears while investigating the fantastic stories, the Shadow decides a visit to that region is in order.

6			Mark Of The Shadow Written by Dennis Lynds Copyright: 1966 The first introduction of CYPHER, this adventure deals with one man's desire to control an entire state. To accomplish this, he needs to remove several powerful men and for that he needs the help of C.Y.P.H.E.R., an organization willing to provide any illegal service to anyone with enough money.

7			Shadow - Go Mad! Written by Dennis Lynds Copyright: 1966 Now that CYPHER knows that the Shadow is after them, they lay a terrific trap by unleashing a series of bizarre murders around the world, killings that have no apparent motive except to lead first Margo Lane and then Lamont Cranston into a deadly trap.

8			The Night Of The Shadow Written by Dennis Lynds Copyright: 1966 The Red Chinese, seeking to extend their influence into Latin America, is backing a secret plan to overthrow one of the nations there. Also on hand to stop the downfall of one of the few democracies in the region is the Shadow, along with his team of highly trained agents.

9			Destination: Moon Written by Dennis Lynds Copyright: 1966 Someone is out to destroy America's space program. Thus far they have sabotaged the last three missions, causing death and great embarrassment. As the fourth attempt to send a rocket to the moon gets ready, the Shadow is on hand to find out who is behind the mayhem, the Russians, the Chinese, or C.Y.P.H.E.R.?

MY COMMENTS

I don't for a moment claim that the eight adventures of the revamped Shadow are as good as the previous 300+ ones. I don't happen to think that at all. The changes move the character from the mysterious to the superhero and loses too much along the way. So if you followed the storyline from the 1931 character up through the 40's and then met the new one, you wouldn't like him at all.

But if, like me, you started with them as a teenager and then branched out both into fuller spy fiction as well as the original stories, they will always hold a very special place in my memory.

As I reread them for this compendium, I lose 35+ years, at least for a short time. And that is not a bad thing at all.

GRADE

My Grade: C

YOUR OPINIONS

Rock Savage	-	4/6/2013 10:17:32 AM	I only read "Cry Shadow" and it was dull and mundane! If the rest of the series is this bad, you might want to skip it!!

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