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The Shadow Pulp #8
The Shadow: The Black Master
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155 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1932
3 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Walter B. Gibson
638 books86 followersWalter Brown Gibson (September 12, 1897-December 6, 1985) was an American author and professional magician best known for his work on the pulp fiction character The Shadow. Gibson, under the pen-name Maxwell Grant, wrote "more than 300 novel-length" Shadow stories, writing up to "10,000 words a day" to satisfy public demand during the character's golden age in the 1930s and 1940s.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 2, 2022
The Shadow's run a gauntlet through crooks, gangsters, and cultists, and now finally ends up with a real criminal mad mastermind that wouldn't feel too out of place in Batman's rogue's gallery. It's his trickiest challenge as of yet, and brings him the closest to defeat and death.
...all of which, frankly, serves only to lose my interest and makes this the least enjoyable novel in the series so far. I used to enjoy the point-of-view of dumbass criminals, their attempts at catching this elusive crimefighter - but now the script is flipped, the villain is truly mysterious (though still rather obvious), and The Shadow shows up far more than ever, his thoughts all too often downright dictated for the audience. He really is rather like Batman now, and as such his unique appeal fades.
I hope we'll go back to how it was, still. Let The Shadow fade back into the shadows, and let his agents do more stuff in the front of the story. Although, really, I struggle to think of a time Harry Vincent was in any way useful at all.
...all of which, frankly, serves only to lose my interest and makes this the least enjoyable novel in the series so far. I used to enjoy the point-of-view of dumbass criminals, their attempts at catching this elusive crimefighter - but now the script is flipped, the villain is truly mysterious (though still rather obvious), and The Shadow shows up far more than ever, his thoughts all too often downright dictated for the audience. He really is rather like Batman now, and as such his unique appeal fades.
I hope we'll go back to how it was, still. Let The Shadow fade back into the shadows, and let his agents do more stuff in the front of the story. Although, really, I struggle to think of a time Harry Vincent was in any way useful at all.
April 14, 2020
Even though this is the second “Shadow” novel in the order published by Pyramid, it is actually the eighth one as originally published in the March 1932 issue of The Shadow Magazine.
The story opens with a bombing on Wall Street, leading to the deaths of five men. One hour later a similar bombing takes place at Grand Central Station, followed by a third explosion at the subway entrance at Columbus Circle. What is going on? Sounds like a case for The Shadow…
The Shadow, as usual, needs help gathering all the evidence and clues necessary to expose the entire plan and who’s behind it. Several of his regular agents contribute to this adventure, including Harry Vincent who has been in all seven of the novels before this one. Also, contact man Burbank is here, as well as reporter Clyde Burke. Detective Joe Cardona plays a large part in this story and I understand he appears in over 200 of the pulp novels. The Shadow, himself, appears in disguise as Henry Arnaud for the very first time although not quite the same Arnaud that will appear in later stories. The Arnaud disguise reportedly appears in twenty-eight of The Shadow's adventures, but usually Arnaud was a solemn businessman. This time around, he is an eccentric multi-millionaire.
This was a fast-paced adventure with a lot of moving parts. The identity of “The Black Master”, the one behind the bombings is fairly evident from near the beginning but it is still fun to watch how The Shadow and his agents figure it out.
The story opens with a bombing on Wall Street, leading to the deaths of five men. One hour later a similar bombing takes place at Grand Central Station, followed by a third explosion at the subway entrance at Columbus Circle. What is going on? Sounds like a case for The Shadow…
The Shadow, as usual, needs help gathering all the evidence and clues necessary to expose the entire plan and who’s behind it. Several of his regular agents contribute to this adventure, including Harry Vincent who has been in all seven of the novels before this one. Also, contact man Burbank is here, as well as reporter Clyde Burke. Detective Joe Cardona plays a large part in this story and I understand he appears in over 200 of the pulp novels. The Shadow, himself, appears in disguise as Henry Arnaud for the very first time although not quite the same Arnaud that will appear in later stories. The Arnaud disguise reportedly appears in twenty-eight of The Shadow's adventures, but usually Arnaud was a solemn businessman. This time around, he is an eccentric multi-millionaire.
This was a fast-paced adventure with a lot of moving parts. The identity of “The Black Master”, the one behind the bombings is fairly evident from near the beginning but it is still fun to watch how The Shadow and his agents figure it out.
November 19, 2023
An explosive introduction, followed by a mediocre center and a fast-paced, satisfying ending.
Thanks to the Rageaholic on YouTube for the fantastic audiobook! Looking forward to checking out his take on Double Z!
Thanks to the Rageaholic on YouTube for the fantastic audiobook! Looking forward to checking out his take on Double Z!
March 18, 2019
Pulp adventure is like a snack food advertised on television many years ago, there’s always room for pulp adventure. Since many of these stories were first printed in the pulp magazines as novellas, they aren’t very long and don’t require a large time commitment to read. They are a television show to a novel’s full-length motion picture. The Shadow: The Black Master fits the genre perfectly, but it also has a distinctive quality for a person reading this early 20th century thriller from a 21st century perspective. The plot involves bombing attacks that have a tremendously familiar feeling regarding terrorist attacks, today. Of course, the motivation is different from that of more recent attacks and the mechanism is different from current technology, but a bombing on Wall Street and a bombing in Grand Central Station to start the book feels eerily possible.
Today, a series of bombings in prominent locations would suggest self-righteous fanatics of some sort. In a way, the first suspects in these fictional bombings are believed to be fanatics, as well. They are implied anarchists. If the book had been written two decades after its first 1932 printing, the suspects probably would have been characterized as communist infiltrators. Indeed, The Shadow: The Black Master was published 12 years after the famous Sacco and Vanzetti trial and bears, pardon the expression, a shadow of that event in the novel when two anarchists, Sforza and Pecherkin, are sentenced to be executed even though the Shadow believes them innocent. In fact, most of the evidence against the real-life anarchists was disproven, but they were condemned to death, anyway. One wonders if there was still some sympathy for the two anarchists when this novel was written.
Readers familiar with The Shadow will find that Officer Joe Cardona, The Shadow’s unofficial agent on the police force is extremely dense to be working with such a brilliant detective. Sometimes, this negative quality of the otherwise likeable detective gets very frustrating. In addition, this novel is one of those where The Shadow engages a different identity than the more familiar Lamont Cranston. That was interesting. And speaking of identities, the villain’s identity is clear from very early on, even though the overt unveiling takes place late in the novel. Still, the story has some classic pulp moments and it was fun to solve the mystery way before even the Shadow does. The Shadow: The Black Master is classic pulp adventure. I’ve always liked The Shadow better than Doc Savage, but I’d rather have the “Doc’s” team or The Spider’s agents than the limited specimens with whom The Shadow must work.
Today, a series of bombings in prominent locations would suggest self-righteous fanatics of some sort. In a way, the first suspects in these fictional bombings are believed to be fanatics, as well. They are implied anarchists. If the book had been written two decades after its first 1932 printing, the suspects probably would have been characterized as communist infiltrators. Indeed, The Shadow: The Black Master was published 12 years after the famous Sacco and Vanzetti trial and bears, pardon the expression, a shadow of that event in the novel when two anarchists, Sforza and Pecherkin, are sentenced to be executed even though the Shadow believes them innocent. In fact, most of the evidence against the real-life anarchists was disproven, but they were condemned to death, anyway. One wonders if there was still some sympathy for the two anarchists when this novel was written.
Readers familiar with The Shadow will find that Officer Joe Cardona, The Shadow’s unofficial agent on the police force is extremely dense to be working with such a brilliant detective. Sometimes, this negative quality of the otherwise likeable detective gets very frustrating. In addition, this novel is one of those where The Shadow engages a different identity than the more familiar Lamont Cranston. That was interesting. And speaking of identities, the villain’s identity is clear from very early on, even though the overt unveiling takes place late in the novel. Still, the story has some classic pulp moments and it was fun to solve the mystery way before even the Shadow does. The Shadow: The Black Master is classic pulp adventure. I’ve always liked The Shadow better than Doc Savage, but I’d rather have the “Doc’s” team or The Spider’s agents than the limited specimens with whom The Shadow must work.
March 5, 2018
Who is behind a series of explosions in New York City? The police suspected terrorists, but The Shadow knew there was a much more complex plot behind it all. This is a real page turner!
July 15, 2016
I started in on this The Shadow adventure because it came second in the Pyramid printings of the series, but now it appears it's actually later in the series. Oh well! I don't usually get to take things in the proper order anyhow. What really matters is that the book was worth the dig.
Much like in “The Living Shadow”, this adventure involves The Shadow pitting his extraordinary abilities against a criminal mastermind whose identity is a secret until the climax. Some of these stories play some Agatha Christie style deception to render the identity of the supervillain a surprise, but (as some reviewers pointed out) the surprise here could have been a tad more surprising.
The reader is treated to plenty of The Shadow in disguise or in trademarked costume, sneaking up clues and making escapes. The plot gets going with a series of bombings which makes for a reasonably cleverly-done montage of scenes that toy with a reader's sense of security and expectation. The flipside to this is that The Shadow and his agents take a while to get into action and onto the scene.
Harry Vincent returns here and ends up with some unfortunate misadventure on behalf of The Shadow. I would have liked to see more of him, but there's only so much space in these things.
Anyhow, I'm still a fan and I continue to collect the books and read them when they come up in my cue. It's lightweight stuff, but it has it where it counts. I'm about done trying on the “heavy” stuff that never really delivers.
Much like in “The Living Shadow”, this adventure involves The Shadow pitting his extraordinary abilities against a criminal mastermind whose identity is a secret until the climax. Some of these stories play some Agatha Christie style deception to render the identity of the supervillain a surprise, but (as some reviewers pointed out) the surprise here could have been a tad more surprising.
The reader is treated to plenty of The Shadow in disguise or in trademarked costume, sneaking up clues and making escapes. The plot gets going with a series of bombings which makes for a reasonably cleverly-done montage of scenes that toy with a reader's sense of security and expectation. The flipside to this is that The Shadow and his agents take a while to get into action and onto the scene.
Harry Vincent returns here and ends up with some unfortunate misadventure on behalf of The Shadow. I would have liked to see more of him, but there's only so much space in these things.
Anyhow, I'm still a fan and I continue to collect the books and read them when they come up in my cue. It's lightweight stuff, but it has it where it counts. I'm about done trying on the “heavy” stuff that never really delivers.
June 7, 2024
My first Shadow novel and what an introduction! You always assume there’s a reason the classics are classics for a good reason but going back and reading them is a great reminder why.
Walter B. Gibson is a master crime and mystery author, with this book detailing a series of bombings that seem to have no connection. On the face of it, it reads like any crime novel but the inclusion of the crime fighting avenger as a mysterious force of nature. The pulps are masterfully told and it’s impressive to hear the man wrote 300+ Shadow novels in his lifetime. (Not to mention radio dramas, comics, and such)
I caught this book via an audiobook done by Shadow enthusiast Razorfist and I was spoiled. I could listen to the entire Shadow library in his voice. It’s made other audio narrators seem boring in comparison.
Walter B. Gibson is a master crime and mystery author, with this book detailing a series of bombings that seem to have no connection. On the face of it, it reads like any crime novel but the inclusion of the crime fighting avenger as a mysterious force of nature. The pulps are masterfully told and it’s impressive to hear the man wrote 300+ Shadow novels in his lifetime. (Not to mention radio dramas, comics, and such)
I caught this book via an audiobook done by Shadow enthusiast Razorfist and I was spoiled. I could listen to the entire Shadow library in his voice. It’s made other audio narrators seem boring in comparison.
June 9, 2011
It's The Shadow against the mysterious Black Master. What more do you need to know? It's pure pulp action! This is the Pyramid edition from 1974. It says it's #2 in series. The thing is, The Black Master's was originally published in The Shadow magazine as the eighth The Shadow story. Odd.
April 23, 2017
Quick fun read!!
November 6, 2022
This one hits different—I’ve never read another Shadow story with the feel this one has.
As far as the story goes, it’s entertaining. Not the best, but certainly not the worst. I’ll echo what another reviewer said: some of the twists will not surprise you, and some of the actions taken are dubious, leaving plot holes that leave you, if you think about it too much, wishing for at least a little more explanation of everything The Shadow did and didn’t do while working this case. But it’s decent enough and well paced. I’ll give this five stars, not for the story but for the refreshingly different feel.
Right out of the gate, Gibson seems to be making a concentrated effort to write this in the style of more elevated novels, setting the scene with a series of vignettes of New York life, then describing how they’re torn asunder. The tone of it is dark and serious, and we’re intended to really feel the lives lost. Once the story is off and running it returns to more of its fast and light pulp style, but that idea that this was attempting to be a more adult Shadow tale stuck with me.
The second departure is that The Shadow is kept far more on the back foot for much of it. He knows what others don’t and is able to start picking up on threads, but instead of being three steps ahead of everyone else at all times, we actually see him playing quite a bit of catchup here, and not always successfully. Not really a spoiler but We see The Shadow unsuccessful, surprised, disappointed, saddened, disadvantaged, knocked around, and generally given a much rougher time than he’s used to. One somewhat amusing, somewhat sympathetic moment is when an injured, dust covered, bedraggled Shadow has no choice but to simply hobble into a hotel lobby, in full light with people around, wearing his full cloaked regalia, in order to make an urgent phone call. The story started with a very gritty dose of realism and pathos, and towards the end it gives us a rare look at our fabled protagonist, pulled into a scene of normal life, in full view, as just a strange looking man who seems like he’s the one who could use some help. It’s a jarringly different presentation of The Shadow, even after a rather similar situation just befell him in Silent Seven. The addition of eyes upon him this time, seeing the master of darkness who is normally just a wraith hidden in a corner, humbles him like we’ve never previously seen.
Another interesting aspect is the examination of The Shadow as a character. By setting him against a formidable villain who works in similar ways, maintains a similar network, and who recognizes in The Shadow a rare equal and kindred, we’re given the opportunity to hear both an outside perspective on him, and his responses to that perspective, his explanations of why he does what he does. This particularly stood out to me because I recently trashed the Fire of Creation comic for getting The Shadow’s character so wrong, and failing to understand the core decency that drives this pitiless dark avenger. The exchanges in this story confirm my take on him: he makes it clear that his willingness to take life is not a reflection of any lack of value for it, and that if anything it’s his overriding concern for the value of innocent lives that makes him willing to do whatever it takes to stop those who endanger them. He’s not Superman, but he’s a lot more Batman than some modern Punishery characterizations have him.
Overall, an enjoyably difficult battle for The Shadow. I wouldn’t want every story to be like this, because I prefer a stronger, more ahead of the game Shadow, but this humanized Shadow in a world that feels a little more real is a welcome change of pace for one story.
Speaking of feeling more real world, I can’t really imagine how the events in this felt to the audience of 1932, but to a post-9/11 audience it has a certain ripped-from-the-headlines realness to it that lends some extra horror and urgency.
And one quick note of interest: There’s a brief and vague observation made about The Shadow’s face that doesn’t really give any answers but it sure raises questions.
As far as the story goes, it’s entertaining. Not the best, but certainly not the worst. I’ll echo what another reviewer said: some of the twists will not surprise you, and some of the actions taken are dubious, leaving plot holes that leave you, if you think about it too much, wishing for at least a little more explanation of everything The Shadow did and didn’t do while working this case. But it’s decent enough and well paced. I’ll give this five stars, not for the story but for the refreshingly different feel.
Right out of the gate, Gibson seems to be making a concentrated effort to write this in the style of more elevated novels, setting the scene with a series of vignettes of New York life, then describing how they’re torn asunder. The tone of it is dark and serious, and we’re intended to really feel the lives lost. Once the story is off and running it returns to more of its fast and light pulp style, but that idea that this was attempting to be a more adult Shadow tale stuck with me.
The second departure is that The Shadow is kept far more on the back foot for much of it. He knows what others don’t and is able to start picking up on threads, but instead of being three steps ahead of everyone else at all times, we actually see him playing quite a bit of catchup here, and not always successfully. Not really a spoiler but We see The Shadow unsuccessful, surprised, disappointed, saddened, disadvantaged, knocked around, and generally given a much rougher time than he’s used to. One somewhat amusing, somewhat sympathetic moment is when an injured, dust covered, bedraggled Shadow has no choice but to simply hobble into a hotel lobby, in full light with people around, wearing his full cloaked regalia, in order to make an urgent phone call. The story started with a very gritty dose of realism and pathos, and towards the end it gives us a rare look at our fabled protagonist, pulled into a scene of normal life, in full view, as just a strange looking man who seems like he’s the one who could use some help. It’s a jarringly different presentation of The Shadow, even after a rather similar situation just befell him in Silent Seven. The addition of eyes upon him this time, seeing the master of darkness who is normally just a wraith hidden in a corner, humbles him like we’ve never previously seen.
Another interesting aspect is the examination of The Shadow as a character. By setting him against a formidable villain who works in similar ways, maintains a similar network, and who recognizes in The Shadow a rare equal and kindred, we’re given the opportunity to hear both an outside perspective on him, and his responses to that perspective, his explanations of why he does what he does. This particularly stood out to me because I recently trashed the Fire of Creation comic for getting The Shadow’s character so wrong, and failing to understand the core decency that drives this pitiless dark avenger. The exchanges in this story confirm my take on him: he makes it clear that his willingness to take life is not a reflection of any lack of value for it, and that if anything it’s his overriding concern for the value of innocent lives that makes him willing to do whatever it takes to stop those who endanger them. He’s not Superman, but he’s a lot more Batman than some modern Punishery characterizations have him.
Overall, an enjoyably difficult battle for The Shadow. I wouldn’t want every story to be like this, because I prefer a stronger, more ahead of the game Shadow, but this humanized Shadow in a world that feels a little more real is a welcome change of pace for one story.
Speaking of feeling more real world, I can’t really imagine how the events in this felt to the audience of 1932, but to a post-9/11 audience it has a certain ripped-from-the-headlines realness to it that lends some extra horror and urgency.
And one quick note of interest: There’s a brief and vague observation made about The Shadow’s face that doesn’t really give any answers but it sure raises questions.
August 30, 2017
Written while sitting out the evacuation of Hurricane Harvey.
IMO the best Shadow adventure ever. It's pulp, but you have to accept it for what it is. Walter Gibson is a prolific writer but not necessarily a good one; however in this instance he was inspired to produce a great adventure. Best of all we get the 'real' Shadow at his mythic best without the 'Lamont Cranston' baloney that pervades modern culture. The Shadow had dozens of disguises; here we get Henry Aunard and Cliff Guage. The Black Master is a 'master' villain; not that you can't guess right away who he is; a mad bomber who manages to capture the Shadow and unmask him, revealing 'the man of a thousand faces, with no face of his own.' Now that is both a scary and intriguing image, and it reveals the Shadow at his most vulnerable, yet most resolute. It's a pity Gibson couldn't write like this all the time. But at least we can be thankful he managed this one.
IMO the best Shadow adventure ever. It's pulp, but you have to accept it for what it is. Walter Gibson is a prolific writer but not necessarily a good one; however in this instance he was inspired to produce a great adventure. Best of all we get the 'real' Shadow at his mythic best without the 'Lamont Cranston' baloney that pervades modern culture. The Shadow had dozens of disguises; here we get Henry Aunard and Cliff Guage. The Black Master is a 'master' villain; not that you can't guess right away who he is; a mad bomber who manages to capture the Shadow and unmask him, revealing 'the man of a thousand faces, with no face of his own.' Now that is both a scary and intriguing image, and it reveals the Shadow at his most vulnerable, yet most resolute. It's a pity Gibson couldn't write like this all the time. But at least we can be thankful he managed this one.
January 2, 2022
The Black Master by Walter Gibson is a good pulpy, Shadow novel. Its quick, reasonably well paced, and engaging. Some of the twists and turns can be seen ahead, and some actions appear a little dubious, but overall the plot holds up pretty well. There is a bit of a problem centered around the eponymous villain, as the story falls into some very old tropes about meeting one's match. Of course, The Black Master is a foil in a few ways, but some of the things about him, especially the ending, left something to be desired. I recommend giving it a read if you're a fan of old Pulps, the original run of Shadow novels, or a fan of old-timey thrillers. If that's not your scene, then neither will this book be.
83/100
83/100
June 4, 2024
The bombing incidents at the beginning of the story draw you in, and the Shadow's mysterious ways and omniscience makes you stay. The personality of the Shadow comes through very well, with the Batman-esque orchestral music and the evil laugh he does. Damn, what a twist with the villain! I listened to the modern day audio show version.
February 16, 2021
Classic pulp fiction at it's finest, but don't expect it to be as thrilling as the latest James Patterson or Lee Child book.
Chapters 19 through 23 are where the story gets really good but the rest is just a build-up. Still, it is a fun read and a must have for any fan of classic pulp fiction
Chapters 19 through 23 are where the story gets really good but the rest is just a build-up. Still, it is a fun read and a must have for any fan of classic pulp fiction
February 1, 2021
Captivating story of two masters battling with their wits and strength
September 19, 2022
bombers in New York. The shadow must stop it. It just takes him a long time to do it. Fun, but protracted.
April 20, 2024
Interesting twist very cheesy and simple
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2024
Clearly the best Shadow story of the half-dozen I have read. The writing is taut, the indicants clear, and the unfolding of the plot compelling. A very well-done pulp story.
February 10, 2025
He’s no Superman, he’s no Batman. He’s the original. He’s The Shadow!
October 1, 2025
This was a good one. Tense, with another intricate plot that The Shadow figured out.
February 1, 2026
Uneven, abrupt, unfocused, but readable
January 19, 2016
March 1,
A mad bomber arrives in New York City. (For some strange reason I have this image from the Muppet Show of the guy that was the mad bomber there.) Anyhow, the guy sets off a bunch of bombs all over the place and kills some people and injures others. A Russian dude knows something about it but when he goes to the newspaper office the office blows up.
There's also good reason given for not working with a mad bomber.
Harry Vincent is in the story, along with Burbank, Clyde Burke and Detective Joe Cardona. Another one of the Shadow's disguises is reveal, this one as Henry Arnaud. He also uses another disguise, that of Clifford Gage. In today's world, the bomber would probably be considered a terrorist of some sort.
A mad bomber arrives in New York City. (For some strange reason I have this image from the Muppet Show of the guy that was the mad bomber there.) Anyhow, the guy sets off a bunch of bombs all over the place and kills some people and injures others. A Russian dude knows something about it but when he goes to the newspaper office the office blows up.
There's also good reason given for not working with a mad bomber.
Harry Vincent is in the story, along with Burbank, Clyde Burke and Detective Joe Cardona. Another one of the Shadow's disguises is reveal, this one as Henry Arnaud. He also uses another disguise, that of Clifford Gage. In today's world, the bomber would probably be considered a terrorist of some sort.
September 22, 2015
I enjoyed the story very much, but it wasn't really a challenge to figure out who the Black Master really was. Still, it was a strong entry in the series so far. I agree with another reviewer - this would make a good movie.
December 4, 2015
Another good Shadow adventure, the only problem here was that the idebtity of the Black Master was pretty obvious from the start -- it was just a matter of seeing how the Shadow would bring the villain out of the darkness. It was also another very well written story.
February 2, 2016
When it comes to pulp heroes there are 2 or 3 great standouts and the Shadow is one of those. The stories are fast paced and action filled. The mystery just adds to the excitement. With his army of agents to help the Shadow never lets you down for a great read. Highly recommended
April 8, 2016
The Shadow meets his moral opposite and his mental equal!, yet they have many similarities. This shows the fine line The Shadow walks and how motivation behind actions are so important.
An excellent pulp if ever one was written.
An excellent pulp if ever one was written.
March 12, 2012
Sadly, the cover on my old Pyramid paperback edition has damage to it's cover, like someone might have spilled a Mountain Dew on it at one time.
September 24, 2012
Excellent story. I truly believe if they were to make a new Shadow movie, this should be the story they use.
September 9, 2015
Great book if you like the old pulp fiction classics.
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May 28, 2016read some time in 1986
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