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Doc Savage
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I own most of the Bantam Docs(missing about a dozen). I do have all the new novels written by Farmer(One) and Murray(eight). Have you read any of those?
They are are to find around here--people mustbe hanging on to them. If found, I will grab.I read two of the Murray novels--they were okay--and I do want to read Farmer's as it's is about the beginning of Doc's adventures, yes? (Escape From Loki).
Hw you read Farmer's "biography"--Doc Savage: His Apocalyptic Life?
Yes, Escape From Loki is the story of how Doc and his associates first met in WWI.I would recommend Doc Savage: His Apocalyptic Life as well.
I just picked up the first 11 or so Doc Savage books at a used bookstore and am starting "Man of Bronze" for the first time later on today. Very much looking forward to finally reading it.
I will be interested in knowing what you think. My first Doc Savage was "The Polar Treasure". My favorite is " Land of Always Night".
To be honest, I thought "Man of Bronze" was a pretty rough read. The narrative style was interesting and I found myself enjoying how over-the-top and ridiculous it was, but the dialogue was painful.The story itself was a lot of fun. I'll probably read one more to give the series another shot, but I'm not sure it's something I'd ever recommend to anyone.
Should I try one of the later novels instead?
I felt the same way about Man of Bronze. I had an easier time with the next one, Land of Terror.
The Docs are of varying quality... Be aware that the Bantams after Land of Terror are not in the order they were printed.I have been rereading in order and quite enjoying them, though the quality varies wildly. If you don't like Man of Bronze or Land of Terror, you probably won't like the Doc books...
So far, the good Doc isn't impressive. It may be because I'm overly focused on wanting quality dialogue (years of writing for film/TV does that). Although, I'm getting a lot of people saying that the first few novels are stinkers and to look at later ones instead.
The Doc Savage adventures did improve--a little--but they are all very similar. Try "Land of Always Night" if that is one you have; otherwise just try two more---any two.Much as I like Doc, he's not everybody's cup of tea.
My face is still the first one I ever read "Fortress of Solitude." it is a great read, in my opinion. And supposedly it is the prototype for a certain other hero's own Fortress. I know Will Murray wrote a sequel to that story that was never been published. He said it is the third book that is going to come out in the new Doc Savage series that Atlas is publishing.
Speaking of which, has anyone picked up that new series yet? Only the first book is out so far, The Desert Demons and I'm waiting to get the Kindle edition, so of course I'm still waiting. But I'd like to know what you others think of it.
Elie: I was unaware of the new series. I will check it out! Thanks for the tip.
It has been announced that Will Murray is getting his name on the cover of a Doc Savage book for the first time - he has co-written a new adventure along with artist Joe De Vito. The book - Doc Savage: Skull Island. Yep Doc Savage goes to Skull Island and meets King Kong... Thanks Will and Joe, I never thought we'd get to see that!And Happy 80th Anniversary to both Doc and Kong!
I read and reviewed Skull Island here on goodreads.
I started reading Doc Savage decades ago, when I picked up a new copy of The Phantom City, attracted by it's Bama cover and the story review on the back cover. I have been a fan ever since and own just about all the original stories in paperback. I once owned the first five years of pulp issues too from the 1930's, but money shortage forced me to sell them.Some years back I got all the (original) Doc Savage and Shadow stories on CD for about $5. They are now available on DVD.
I have tried some of the new Doc Savage stories including Skull Island (which I did not like) and think I will stick with the originals. Like the Barton Werper "Tarzans", they just aren't the same.
Michael wrote: "I started reading Doc Savage decades ago, I wasn't enamored of Skull Island either. Well written, but it didn't have the pulp flavor I was hoping for.
That is it. The pulps were written mainly in the thirties and forties and naturally had the atmosphere and everything else of those times. Writers several decades later cannot casually duplicate those times.
As fun as the original stories are they very much reflect the times and circumstyances they were written in. The continuations written by Will Murray capture the flavor of the time but are written in far superior prose. No one has more respect for the original material than Will though. I highly recommend his writing.
My favorite: Brand of the Werewolf. Love the Bantam cover.
David wrote: "My favorite: Brand of the Werewolf. Love the Bantam cover."I love that one too and first introduction to Pat Savage as well!
One reason of course, is he is more easily found that some othere pulp heroes.
I brought my first Bantam Doc paperback at the age of 14--45 years ago. I do think the first five or six years where to best of the series (1933 to 1939). The style of the ones written in the 1940's is subtly different==still good, but not as good.
I also liked Doc's crew, especially Monk and Ham. Loved their ongoing feud.
Anyother "Doc" fans out there?