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Will Murray's Pulp History
Master of Mystery: The Rise of the Shadow
Who is The Shadow? How did he come to be? Master of The Rise of The Shadow delves into the murky origins of perhaps the most significant media creation of all time.
Between 1930 and 1954, The Shadow was a dominant figure in American popular culture. A multi-media sensation, he emerged from the creative cauldron of the earliest days of radio drama, and soon migrated to magazines, comic books, film and eventually paperback books. Only Superman and Batman, who were created a few years later, rivaled The Shadow in global public recognition. A century later, this enigmatic personality and his famous mantra, “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” remains recognizable to new generations born long after his remarkable reign.
Popular culture historian and novelist Will Murray explores radio’s first superstar and talks to the writers and artists who took a nebulous radio personality and brought him to blazing life in the pages of more than 300 classic pulp novels. Packed with revelations, Master of Mystery reveals how The Shadow inspired the creation of Batman in 1939! Including rare interviews with Walter B. Gibson, Theodore Tinsley, John L. Nanovic, Graves Gladney and Edd Cartier.
Between 1930 and 1954, The Shadow was a dominant figure in American popular culture. A multi-media sensation, he emerged from the creative cauldron of the earliest days of radio drama, and soon migrated to magazines, comic books, film and eventually paperback books. Only Superman and Batman, who were created a few years later, rivaled The Shadow in global public recognition. A century later, this enigmatic personality and his famous mantra, “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” remains recognizable to new generations born long after his remarkable reign.
Popular culture historian and novelist Will Murray explores radio’s first superstar and talks to the writers and artists who took a nebulous radio personality and brought him to blazing life in the pages of more than 300 classic pulp novels. Packed with revelations, Master of Mystery reveals how The Shadow inspired the creation of Batman in 1939! Including rare interviews with Walter B. Gibson, Theodore Tinsley, John L. Nanovic, Graves Gladney and Edd Cartier.
- GenresPulpHistoryNonfiction
311 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2021
About the author
Will Murray
696 books76 followersWill Murray is an American novelist, journalist, and short-story and comic-book writer. Much of his fiction has been published under pseudonyms. Will is the author of over 50 novels in popular series ranging from “The Destroyer” to “Mars Attacks”. Collaborating posthumously with the legendary Lester Dent, he has written to date nine Doc Savage novels, with “Desert Demons” and “Horror in Gold” now available. For National Public Radio, Murray adapted “The Thousand-Headed Man” for “The Adventures of Doc Savage” in 1985, and recently edited “Doc Savage: The Lost Radio Scripts of Lester Dent” for Moonstone Books. He is versed in all things pulp.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 28, 2021
Beware! This book will take hold of you and put you in such a Shadowy mood that you’ll be compelled to delve immediately into some of his many adventures. I advise you to have at least a couple of novels—and maybe a few comic books—on hand to enjoy as soon as you finish reading. If you’re also enamored of the radio show (which I am not), you may crave a couple of those, too.
Master of Mystery: The Rise of the Shadow collects eleven articles that have appeared hither and yon—over a period of thirty or more years—in various fanzines and other publications. I’ve seen a couple of them before, but most I have not, and every one of them makes engrossing and entertaining reading.
Fittingly, more a third of the book’s 311 pages involve the single most important person in Shadow history: Mr. Walter B. Gibson. Will Murray enjoyed a ten-year friendship with Mr. Gibson, conducting interviews and gathering personal and professional information, and the bond they shared is apparent in these pages, allowing us to participate—at least vicariously—in that relationship. Among other things, we’re treated to Mr. Gibson’s thoughts on the radio program, the creation of the pulp magazine, the process of creating the stories, the cover and interior artists, and his relationships with his various co-creators. We also get a lot of inside dope on his other career, as a magician and author of innumerable books on magic.
The less Gibson-centric articles include: an in-depth and fascinating history of the creation and development of the radio program; a visit with Street & Smith editor John Nanovic (who also oversaw Doc Savage); an interview with and appreciation of Theodore Tinsley—the Black Mask writer who contributed 27 tales to the Shadow canon; a no-holds-barred interview with cover artist Graves Gladney; a fine piece on interior illustrator Edd Cartier; and reports focusing on the purple girasol and the Shadow’s influence on Batman. Among the many photographs and illustrations are a couple dozen by the great Frank Hamilton. In all, Master of Mystery is a hell of a package, and one that belongs on every bookshelf.
Near the end, in a chapter called ‟Memories of Walter,” Mr. Murray describes the moment he heard of Walter Gibson’s death: ‟I could think of no other way to say goodbye to Walter than this: I pulled my copy of The Shadow’s Justice from my bookshelf and began reading it . . . ”
It should come as no surprise that reading this passage had the same effect on me. I pulled out my Nostalgia Ventures reprint of that same novel and dived in. And yep, it was a corker.
The publication of Master of Mystery was timed, no doubt, to coincide with the appearance of the new novel The Shadow from the James Patterson Fiction Factory—written by Brian Sitts with probably a cup of coffee’s worth of input from Patterson himself. (WARNING! THERE ARE SPOILERS COMING. But don’t fret. The Shadow is a book that deserves to be spoiled.)
I’ll be reviewing that novel elsewhere, but this much must be said right now. The Shadow by Patterson/Sitts is NOT about the pulp or radio character discussed in Master of Mystery. Instead, it purports to be about the ‟real” Lamont Cranston, upon whom the pulp and radio stories were supposedly based. That ‟real” Cranston considers the fictional versions ‟junk.” The concept is not a bad one, and in the right hands (like Mr. Murray’s) could produce a very good novel. Unfortunately, this Patterson/Sitts effort just plain silly. The ‟real” Lamont Cranston, we are told, is ten thousand years old, can shoot fireballs from his hands, and is a shape-shifter who can turn himself into a cat or a brick wall at will. (He turns himself into a brick wall in an effort to stop Shiwan Khan, who has turned himself into a double-decker tour bus!) Nothing says ‟real” like a ten thousand year-old fireball-shooting shape-shifter.
Ideally, any newbees picking up that Patterson/Sitts atrocity should be required to read Master of Mystery first. It would give them an understanding of what the Shadow is truly about, and what the character has meant to millions of readers and listeners over the past ninety years. It might also make them choose to read the adventures of the ‟unreal” Shadow instead, which would be a very good thing!
Master of Mystery: The Rise of the Shadow collects eleven articles that have appeared hither and yon—over a period of thirty or more years—in various fanzines and other publications. I’ve seen a couple of them before, but most I have not, and every one of them makes engrossing and entertaining reading.
Fittingly, more a third of the book’s 311 pages involve the single most important person in Shadow history: Mr. Walter B. Gibson. Will Murray enjoyed a ten-year friendship with Mr. Gibson, conducting interviews and gathering personal and professional information, and the bond they shared is apparent in these pages, allowing us to participate—at least vicariously—in that relationship. Among other things, we’re treated to Mr. Gibson’s thoughts on the radio program, the creation of the pulp magazine, the process of creating the stories, the cover and interior artists, and his relationships with his various co-creators. We also get a lot of inside dope on his other career, as a magician and author of innumerable books on magic.
The less Gibson-centric articles include: an in-depth and fascinating history of the creation and development of the radio program; a visit with Street & Smith editor John Nanovic (who also oversaw Doc Savage); an interview with and appreciation of Theodore Tinsley—the Black Mask writer who contributed 27 tales to the Shadow canon; a no-holds-barred interview with cover artist Graves Gladney; a fine piece on interior illustrator Edd Cartier; and reports focusing on the purple girasol and the Shadow’s influence on Batman. Among the many photographs and illustrations are a couple dozen by the great Frank Hamilton. In all, Master of Mystery is a hell of a package, and one that belongs on every bookshelf.
Near the end, in a chapter called ‟Memories of Walter,” Mr. Murray describes the moment he heard of Walter Gibson’s death: ‟I could think of no other way to say goodbye to Walter than this: I pulled my copy of The Shadow’s Justice from my bookshelf and began reading it . . . ”
It should come as no surprise that reading this passage had the same effect on me. I pulled out my Nostalgia Ventures reprint of that same novel and dived in. And yep, it was a corker.
The publication of Master of Mystery was timed, no doubt, to coincide with the appearance of the new novel The Shadow from the James Patterson Fiction Factory—written by Brian Sitts with probably a cup of coffee’s worth of input from Patterson himself. (WARNING! THERE ARE SPOILERS COMING. But don’t fret. The Shadow is a book that deserves to be spoiled.)
I’ll be reviewing that novel elsewhere, but this much must be said right now. The Shadow by Patterson/Sitts is NOT about the pulp or radio character discussed in Master of Mystery. Instead, it purports to be about the ‟real” Lamont Cranston, upon whom the pulp and radio stories were supposedly based. That ‟real” Cranston considers the fictional versions ‟junk.” The concept is not a bad one, and in the right hands (like Mr. Murray’s) could produce a very good novel. Unfortunately, this Patterson/Sitts effort just plain silly. The ‟real” Lamont Cranston, we are told, is ten thousand years old, can shoot fireballs from his hands, and is a shape-shifter who can turn himself into a cat or a brick wall at will. (He turns himself into a brick wall in an effort to stop Shiwan Khan, who has turned himself into a double-decker tour bus!) Nothing says ‟real” like a ten thousand year-old fireball-shooting shape-shifter.
Ideally, any newbees picking up that Patterson/Sitts atrocity should be required to read Master of Mystery first. It would give them an understanding of what the Shadow is truly about, and what the character has meant to millions of readers and listeners over the past ninety years. It might also make them choose to read the adventures of the ‟unreal” Shadow instead, which would be a very good thing!
March 16, 2022
If you're a fan of the pulps published in the 1930s and 40s, especially of The Shadow, this book will be of great interest. It covers the origins of The Shadow from radio to print, as well as other adaptations in comics and movies to some extent. The main writer for the series, Walter B. Gibson (as Maxwell Grant), is profiled in depth, detailing his other writings and his deep involvement with the magic community (for example, he ghostwrote for Houdini and other famous magicians). Profiles of some of the artists and other authors who worked on the series are also included. There's even an analysis of how The Shadow "inspired" a whole host of other pulp and comic book characters, particularly Batman. The book is well researched and well written by a man who was a personal friend of Gibson; the love Murray shows towards his subject matter comes through clearly.
I read the hardback edition.
I read the hardback edition.
November 7, 2021
This is a great book that brings the craftsmen of the pulp era back to life. Reprinted from hard to find originals published in fanzines, here we have interviews with the writers, editors, and artists who were involved in the creation of the greatest of the pulp heroes, The Shadow. In particular, there are multiple interviews with the main writer of the The Shadow, Walter Gibson. What a fascinating figure! And, rare to see nowadays, the book is replete with many interior illustrations and photos. Highly recommended for any fan of the long bygone pulp era.
November 16, 2023
Interesting if somewhat rambling history of the creation and enduring popularity of The Shadow.
May 17, 2022
This is an excellent set of interviews and observations.
The interviews are with a number of people involved with the creation and production of the Shadow in the various media.
I think it's a great read. I only wish there had been more.
The interviews are with a number of people involved with the creation and production of the Shadow in the various media.
I think it's a great read. I only wish there had been more.
February 5, 2023
I think I was under the impression that this would be a chronological history of The Shadow, possibly based on the subtitle The Rise of the Shadow and the way the book opened.
This is more a collection of interviews and essays rather than a history as such. Not that I'm complaining. It was a fast and enjoyable read and very much a companion volume to The Duende History of The Shadow Magazine which I discovered in a comic book shop in 1985 and devoured. I believe that Dark Avenger: The Strange Saga of The Shadow is an updated version of the Duende book I read, for those who enjoyed this volume and want more.
Most of the articles revolve around Walter B. Gibson who was fundamental in creating the character and wrote over 300 Shadow novels from the 1930s to the 1950s. I became a fan of pulp fiction through the Bantam reprints of Doc Savage and the later Pyramid Shadow books and have my own anecdote. I found The Shadow Scrapbook in a public library in 1983 and devoured it. I found that Gibson had left a vague reference to where he was living while writing the book and I was able to track down his phone number through international phone books at the library (that was a thing at one time). I called him and gushed about The Shadow and bragged a bit about my detective work. He put me in my place, laughing and saying that you could write "The Shadow, U.S.A." on an envelope and it would get to him. I promised to call again, hoping to do an interview for the college newspaper, but sadly it never happened.
This is more a collection of interviews and essays rather than a history as such. Not that I'm complaining. It was a fast and enjoyable read and very much a companion volume to The Duende History of The Shadow Magazine which I discovered in a comic book shop in 1985 and devoured. I believe that Dark Avenger: The Strange Saga of The Shadow is an updated version of the Duende book I read, for those who enjoyed this volume and want more.
Most of the articles revolve around Walter B. Gibson who was fundamental in creating the character and wrote over 300 Shadow novels from the 1930s to the 1950s. I became a fan of pulp fiction through the Bantam reprints of Doc Savage and the later Pyramid Shadow books and have my own anecdote. I found The Shadow Scrapbook in a public library in 1983 and devoured it. I found that Gibson had left a vague reference to where he was living while writing the book and I was able to track down his phone number through international phone books at the library (that was a thing at one time). I called him and gushed about The Shadow and bragged a bit about my detective work. He put me in my place, laughing and saying that you could write "The Shadow, U.S.A." on an envelope and it would get to him. I promised to call again, hoping to do an interview for the college newspaper, but sadly it never happened.
December 23, 2021
I picked up Master of Mystery from the author at a pulp show and am I glad I did.
Leave it to Will Murray to find information about our pulp past and present it in a way that compels you to turn the pages. Just the history of the radio Shadow alone was worth the price of admission.
And there will be a sequel? I'm on board!
Leave it to Will Murray to find information about our pulp past and present it in a way that compels you to turn the pages. Just the history of the radio Shadow alone was worth the price of admission.
And there will be a sequel? I'm on board!
April 16, 2022
A good background on the shadow pulps
I was introduced to the shadow and doc savage stories when they were reprinted in the late1970's buy my father. I have many pleasant memories of them. My dad used to tell me about the radio shows that he listened to as a kid.
I was introduced to the shadow and doc savage stories when they were reprinted in the late1970's buy my father. I have many pleasant memories of them. My dad used to tell me about the radio shows that he listened to as a kid.
October 9, 2021
A highly enjoyable collection of articles about The Shadow and Walter Gibson.
September 7, 2022
Great info and a nice collection of interviews but while good to know it’s mostly stuff of interest to the already initiated
April 6, 2023
A collection of essays about the Shadow and his creators.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews