Evan Lewis's Blog, page 9

NICK CARTER meets THE SHADOW (or does he?) (1943)

Basil Wolverton's DAUNTLESS DAWSON (1946)

DOC SAVAGE Comics: "The Skull Strikes!" (1943)

The Wild Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Volume 5

Yes, Dr. Murray has done it again. These Sherlock adventures keep pouring from his wild imagination, and by his own count he’s only three stories and four novels behind Sir Arthur himself. Come on, Will. You can catch him!

This latest volume brings us ten fine tales culled from many of the prestigious Sherlockian anthologies the author has contributed to.

Two of the most intriguing stories feature a new rival by the name of Reynard Renbourne. Though the character, and the stories, bear no particular resemblance to the TV series “The Blacklist,” I have to wonder if the name was inspired by the equally intriguing Raymond Reddington. Rather than solve or prevent crimes, Renbourne advises would-be villains how to commit them without getting caught. Fun stuff.

This one also features the return of Giles Greengold, a baddie more in the Moriarty mode, who made his debut in an earlier volume, and the return of a sketchy art dealer we met way back in Volume 1. And Holmes has a particularly tough time when he’s poisoned by his own client.

One of the coolest—and most difficult—mysteries involves a phantom with huge white eyes and a pig’s snout, who comes out of the fog to accost unwary citizens. Who is he? What is he? Holmes is on the hunt, and won’t be satisfied until he finds out. And neither will you.

All ten cases present tough little problems, to which Holmes provides clever and often surprising solutions. The supporting characters, both high and low born, are consistently well-drawn, adding sugar and spice to the proceedings. And the familiar presence of Mrs. Hudson, Inspector Lestrade and Wiggins keep us grounded in Sherlock’s world

As always, though, the heart and soul of the stories rests upon the unique personalities and enduring friendship of Holmes and Watson themselves. Dr. Murray brings them alive on every page, and leaves us eager to spend more time with them.

Will we get to? The author says he’ll have to pen seven more stories to fill another volume. My message to him is, “Get busy!”

THE SHADOW Guest Starring with SHADOW JR. (1946-47)

SHADOW COMICS DECEMBER 1946 








SHADOW COMICS MAY 1947

SHADOW COMICS AUGUST 1947

SPICY MYSTERY Stories - 1938

THE SHADOW Guest Stars with BEEBO OF JUNGLE ISLE (1943)

PART 2







PART 3








PART 4








PART 5








PART 6

THE SHADOW Meets the Subway Ghost (1947)

THE SHADOW Guest Stars in SUPER-MAGICIAN Comics: The Masked Headsman (1943)

Basil Wolverton's FLAP FLIPFLOP's Last Stand (I think) (1947)