The Spider, Master of Men! #3: The Prince of Evil

by Grant Stockbridge, Norvell W. Page

Book by Grant Stockbridge

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1934

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good, early Spider story. It was originally published in 1934 in the pulp magazine's August issue as Prince of the Red Looters, but was given this new title (which was also the title of a Shadow novel, which leads to confusion) and a nifty Frank Kelly Freas cover when Dimedia brought out this paperback edition in 1985. It introduces one of Wentworth's best opponents, The Fly, who's a bored playboy on a crime spree to taunt The Spider. He gasses and loots the high society crowd at the opera, and plans to do the same to the whole city via dirigible. Plenty of mayhem and madness and vileness and violence after Wentworth invites him into the parlor...

[Jean-Pierre Vidrine · Rating 2 out of 5]

When it comes The Spider novels, one can only compare them with other Spider novels. They are ripping yarns that don't even pretend to be what snootier readers call "literature," nor do they try to live up to the lofty standards of so many murder mysteries. Even the most seemingly obvious comparisons with The Shadow stories are useless. Despite outward appearances, the two characters and their tales are actually very different in style and overall feel.
So, comparing this book with other Spider books, it has its highs and its lows. The lows, I'm sorry to say, are very low.
The story doesn't disappoint on over the top action and violence. The Spider is always good on delivering the kind of spectacle that, no doubt, has influenced comic book and movie action for decades afterward.
Despite the action, the story wasn't as compelling as it could have been. This may be, in part, because there are a number of times in the story where the titular hero could have stopped the mad schemes of the villain as easily as he dispensed with his henchman, but was stopped by some idea of fencers' "honor" that seemed incongruent with the Spider's usual brand of instant lethal justice. The sub-plots of the Fly's control over some young people and the mystery of his real identity were thin and never felt too important.
Clearly there is an unevenness to the quality of the Spider novels, but that won't deter me from reading more of them in the future.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great, over the top adventure of the Spider.
This one features the return of the his arch-foe, The Fly, the only man to face the Spider twice!

Few too many twists as the writer tries to keep the Fly's secret identity a secret, but otherwise great stuff. Lots of mystery and action.

[John Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was Norvell Page's first contribution to the series and it multiplies the usage of exclamation points by the 100s. Has the frenetic pacing and crazy violence that became the staples of the series. I suspect Page improved as the series continued. I'll find out soon enough.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another all action all the time adventure.

[Ronald]

originally The Prince of the Red Looters; read some time in 1987