Photoshop pulp

Seeing the lurid poster of Taratino's Grindhouse has inspired me to create my own pulp covers.

_____________________________________

A collector of Asian antiquities fights for his life as his latest acquisition comes to life and begins to slaughter people left and right in the name of some profane deity.

Can the intrepid historian stop this loathsome creature before it kills again?!
_____________________________________























Three heroes united against a common foe.

The Red Phantom - Crimson clad avenger of the oppressed and killer of ghosts.

The Manhunter - Vengeance driven vigilante seeks the most dangerous game... man.

Lobster Johnson - Spectral hero committed to protecting America and its citizens

"The Pulpy Heroes That Time Forgot": Episode 1- The Prowler

In the '80's, as my Shadowmania was in the first spasmic throes, I would buy any comic I could find with a fedora or slouch hat on the cover. I was diving into the world of pulp heroes with gusto. I may not have understood or appreciated the history and effects of the pulp era yet; I just knew anything with a hat was cool.

Sue me: I was just a kid.

Anyway, the first pulp-pastiche hero I found was The Prowler (not to be confused with the Marvel character of the same name). I wish I could give you a better link, but time seems to have swallowed this character up. Weird.

Anyway, the series was set in the late 1980's, although sometimes the narrative would show a flashback set in the 30's or 40's. We are introduced to college student Scott Kida, amateur karate student and artist. Scott has found himself a friend and apprentice of one Leo Kragg. Leo was once a Spider-like vigilante called The Prowler, but had fallen on hard times and was planning a comeback... a comeback that Scott (as his apprentice) was to play a part in. During the series, Leo was grooming Scott to carry on the name of The Prowler, to someday wear the fedora, greatcoat, and ski-mask of the once legendary hero.

It's an understatement to say that the series was gritty and dark: one storyline has Leo, Scott, and some old allies (more on them in a moment) taking on a child pornography ring. Before it's over, the reader feels like he needs to take a shower to wash off the despair and dirt. Leo deals "death to the bringers of death" on a regular basis... the book's violence is a constant factor in the story, and Scott has a hard time dealing with it all. He's basically a nice kid, and it's a dark ride as he's drawn into the world of Leo Kragg, a truly scary, sinister figure.

Part of the appeal of the title is the mix of heroes and villains from the past that pop up here, and a few forgotten golden-age heroes are name-checked and make cameos. Those allies I mentioned earlier? They're Tom and Corby, the Marine heroes from the movie-serial "Fighting Devil Dogs". Then there's the connections with "White Zombie" (the movie, not the band), which sees Bela Lugosi's "reprisal" of his role as arch-villain and voodoo doctor Murder Legendre. There was even a black and white Prowler one-shot that connected directly to the movie. Connections also appeared to "The Vampire Bat", and real-life serial killer Ed Gein had a cameo in one issue as well. It seemed like the flashback material was more fun to read, and the modern-day stuff was a lot more pitch-black in it's world-view... Of course, it WAS the '80's, and a lot of that was going around at the time in comics.

Sadly, my Prowler collection is incomplete, and I haven't been able to track down the missing issues. But it was a fun ride while it lasted, and I recommend picking up an issue... if you can find one.

Don

3 Announcements

Attention America, this is Doctor Lightning broadcasting way above Mount Rushmore in my armored airship, the Flying Reaper. I am the master of the skies and none of you can do a thing to stop me.

I would make three important announcements.

1. Don is currently working on a new article about "forgotten" heroes.
   
2. Gabriel is working on one about the Paul Kirk Manhunter
   
3. Finally, I would like to welcome Tom Floyd

Mr. Floyd, welcome to the Collective. I expect many a good thing from you.

This is Doctor Lightning signing off...

Neo-pulp and magic - Helmet of Fate miniseries

Hi friends. Gabriel here with a quickie entry about the role of magic (or magicK as some silly pagans have you believe)in this wonderful world of pulp.

It's unavoidable. From secret profane societies worshipping a foul entity, to heroes like Mandrake and Dr. Strange casting cantrips and engaging in rituals to save our souls magic has been a vital element in many pulp stories.

In this entry, I'll discuss the Helmet of Fate series which was published by DC Comics, a company known to respect the history of their characters. Many of which are deeply rooted in pulp history.

I've always been fond of magic and the occult in comics. Wizards, priests, demons, ghost hunters. I love it. You can have your stupid cybernetically enhanced heroes, telekinetic bimbos and aliens. Me? I'll take the guy who can wave a finger and zap a monster into a puddle of primordial muck.

Anyway, during the Day of Vengeance storyline in DC, the Spectre (God's Angel of Wrath/Punishment/whatever) has, up to that time, been without a human host. A host is needed to control the Spectre's fury as he metes out particularly brutal vengeance against the worst sinners. Getting back, during the DoV story the Spectre was manipulated by God's former Angel of Wrath, Eclipso. The Spectre went on a crazed rampage killing off magic users in the DC universe. It took the death of Doctor Fate to get God's attention so he can step in to deal with this mounting mystical crisis. He bound the Spectre's essence to a dead cop to teach him a lesson in humility, compassion etc.

Btw, I'm reading the miniseries with the Spectre now and I gotta say, the big green ghost ain't learning his lessons.

But getting back before I lose myself, Doctor Fate's soul is sent back to the afterworld and a new Age of Magic begins in DC. The good Doctor's helmet is all that's left of him. The decision is made to toss the helmet and let it lay where it falls. Whoever finds the helmet will harness the magical powers of the new Age of Magic and be the new Doctor Fate. It's tossed into space by Captain Marvel whose magically enhanced power is so strong, the helmet passes through many dimensions until it hits the LITERAL EDGE of the universe and rebounds back. As the helmet flies back, it apparently gathers power. Recharging itself as it were.

It finally lands on Earth and smacks the Detective Chimp knocking the poor guy out. The chimp regains consciousness and uses the helmet to solve all sorts of crimes. Eventually he discovers that for all the good he does with the helmet, there are more problems that come with it and he becomes swamped in trying solve them. He gives the helmet a great kick, a dimensional aperture opens and it disappears. This was an entertaining story with great humor and action. What does one expect from a talking monkey who's a better detective than Batman? Incidentally, the Chimp can be found in the title Shadowpact. Another great supernatural/action comic.

The helmet then appears in Ibis the Invincible. Young Danny Khalifa, using the newfound powers as an avatar of benevolent Egyptian gods, prevents the helmet from being used by Set. A decent story with great old school art. The detail on the Egyptian gods is simply amazing. I think this character is going to have great potential.

The helmet turns up in Zauriel. Another one of God's Angels of War (at least that's the title according to Jack_of_Spades from City of Heroes) who willingly gave up his immortality to save humanity. A very intriguing and wholly spiritual character, Zauriel was utterly wasted in this story.

He's informed of the helmet's fate (no pun) and flies off to locate it and prevent an alien vampire from abusing its power.
Someone as powerful as an angel should be put in a story which is on more epic scale. Great art though.


I know I'm skipping head but I'm saving the best for last...









Now onto Black Alice. Interesting character, horrible story. Black Alice is a young woman who has the power to temporarily rob the powers of other magic users. Also, she's a cool looking goth chick. Ahh, how I miss gothing it up in the 90s. Shame that the scene is filled with fucking emo bitches, vampire freaks and S&M pervs. I'm pleased to see that Gail Simone didn't stereotype Alice as how other comic writers and TV tend to do with those in the goth subculture, but I can't help but get the feeling Simone could've done more with Alice's choice of subculture. At least Alice wasn't emo and whine. The story in fact is quite bland and boring. The helmet teaches Alice how to be responsible for herself. Yawn. I don't recommend it. Sorry Gail, you may be a hottie but this story SUCKED.

And now, the piece de resistance!

Somehow the helmet appears in Sargon the Sorcerer. Now THIS was an issue I **REALLY** enjoyed. The art was incredible, the story of how David Sargent inherited his grandfather's legacy and power was well done. The art had a distinct pulp look to it. The colors are dark yet muted, the inking thick and moody. He stumbles across the Ruby of Life, which his grandfather possessed and was told of his destiny. Using his new magic, he dealt with two humans-turned-demon who tried to bilk him out of his grandfather's estate. The way he deals with the two wizards is amusing and horrifying.

How cool does he look?! His looks SCREAMS pulp. Everything is perfect. Except for the star on his forehead. Out of all of the Helmet of Fate one shots, he has the most promise. The pulp influence is very obvious in this. Gotta love the non-reflective black cloth and the dark red aura.

Here's my ranking of them from best to worst

• Sargon - Great art, great origin, great story.
  
• Ibis - Great art, a weak origin but great a story about the war of gods.
  
• Chimp - A humor issue, it was fun seeing the Chimp with powers but I expected more magic.
  
• Zauriel - A great spiritual character (something hardly seen in DC or Marvel nowadays) but a crap-tacular sci-fi story holds him back.
• Black Alice - A fun character with a great power but a fucking DULL and DRAB USELESS STORY.
  

For my next entry, I will review the Manhunter collection written by Archie Goodwin.

Welcome Dave Flora

Attention America, this is Doctor Lightning broadcasting deep below the North Pole. I have successfully tamed the Lier in Wait utterly and completely. You will bow down to my whim or I shall unleash Him onto the heartland of your country.

For now, I wish to welcome Agent Flora whose work, Tales of the Revenant is a wholly cracking, rip-snorting adventure.

This is Doctor Lightning signing off...