The Spider #92 - The Devil's Paymaster
Just finished listening to "The Spider #92 - The Devil's Paymaster" by Norvell W. Page writing as Grant Stockbridge, released by Radio Archives.
Now as frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media platforms know, I always admit when I have a connection to the book, movie, music CD, and/or audio drama that I am reviewing. I have previously written some end-notes for Radio Archives on a few of the collections that they have released; and while we have never met and/or talked in person, I am friends with Nick Santa Maria here on Facebook an I think we may have exchanged a few messages over the past 20-some odd years. I am a firm believer in full transparency when applicable.
Grant Stockbridge was the corporate owned pen name for Norvell W. Page and the other writers who chronicled the adventures of The Spider during the Golden Age of Pulp - though it was page who wrote a majority of The Spider's adventures before and after his "breakdown."
There is no doubt that The Spider, a.k.a. Richard Wentworth, is a psychotic serial killer who only kills those criminals who threaten humanity. Think of him as Dexter and the Punisher rolled into one neat disturbing package. His only "superpowers," if you want to call them that, is his overwhelming will which drives him to destroy criminal activity and his commanding voice, which makes him "The Master of Men." Interestingly enough, Wentworth began his crusade against crime when he killed the man who was blacking mailing his mentor Professor Brownlee, though what the professor was being blackmailed for is never discussed and after his death, his son is introduced and has a few adventures with The Spider before presumably settling down to marry a princess. It was Professor Brownlee who created the Seal of The Spider out of his gratitude to Wentworth, along with creating The Spider's Web.
The Spider does not have a Trophy Room of mementos from the criminals he's killed "for the good of humanity." He does mark his victims with the Crimson Seal of The Spider as a warning to other criminals.
What is curious about this outing of The Spider is that it rather accurately predicts and predates the use of directed radioactivity for targeted assassinations. When nine people mysteriously die from unknown causes in New York City, it catches the attention of Richard Wentworth who soon finds himself racing to find the link between the victims and the unknown person who is delivering death in the guise of a man who supposedly drowned at sea. But is it revenge against a wrongful death or is it something more sinister?
Another tense, taunt tale of The Spider.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.radioarchives.com/The_Spi...
Now as frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media platforms know, I always admit when I have a connection to the book, movie, music CD, and/or audio drama that I am reviewing. I have previously written some end-notes for Radio Archives on a few of the collections that they have released; and while we have never met and/or talked in person, I am friends with Nick Santa Maria here on Facebook an I think we may have exchanged a few messages over the past 20-some odd years. I am a firm believer in full transparency when applicable.
Grant Stockbridge was the corporate owned pen name for Norvell W. Page and the other writers who chronicled the adventures of The Spider during the Golden Age of Pulp - though it was page who wrote a majority of The Spider's adventures before and after his "breakdown."
There is no doubt that The Spider, a.k.a. Richard Wentworth, is a psychotic serial killer who only kills those criminals who threaten humanity. Think of him as Dexter and the Punisher rolled into one neat disturbing package. His only "superpowers," if you want to call them that, is his overwhelming will which drives him to destroy criminal activity and his commanding voice, which makes him "The Master of Men." Interestingly enough, Wentworth began his crusade against crime when he killed the man who was blacking mailing his mentor Professor Brownlee, though what the professor was being blackmailed for is never discussed and after his death, his son is introduced and has a few adventures with The Spider before presumably settling down to marry a princess. It was Professor Brownlee who created the Seal of The Spider out of his gratitude to Wentworth, along with creating The Spider's Web.
The Spider does not have a Trophy Room of mementos from the criminals he's killed "for the good of humanity." He does mark his victims with the Crimson Seal of The Spider as a warning to other criminals.
What is curious about this outing of The Spider is that it rather accurately predicts and predates the use of directed radioactivity for targeted assassinations. When nine people mysteriously die from unknown causes in New York City, it catches the attention of Richard Wentworth who soon finds himself racing to find the link between the victims and the unknown person who is delivering death in the guise of a man who supposedly drowned at sea. But is it revenge against a wrongful death or is it something more sinister?
Another tense, taunt tale of The Spider.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.radioarchives.com/The_Spi...
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