PULP COVER FRIDAY PRESENTS: PULP COVER FRIDAY, ON FRIDAY!
Made it! I hope everyone is having a happy holiday season on the run up to Christmas, and that your good fortune continues through-out the upcoming New Year.
More detective fun as we continue our look at DIME DETECTIVE. Since I only made it through mid 1937 this time around, I’m sure we’ll have plenty of material for another Friday or so.
The names T.T. Flynn and Frederick C. Davis figure prominently and frequently on the covers. I looked around a bit for info on these guys. Not much is available, except for some not entirely informative snippets. Flynn (1902-1978) was a prolific (obviously) writer in the mystery and western genres. One source said that he wrote “countless” western and mystery stories and seven novels, but other sites list 22 books available by him, all westerns (of course, some could be story collections). Frederick C. Davis also was obviously prolific. Among his series was the Moon Man (why the “Moon Man,” I have no idea) a cop who led a double-life as a Robin Hood figure at night who stole from the rich (Maybe criminal?) and gave to the poor.
The more I see these covers, the more I wish I could get my hands on some of these ‘zines. Not that I don’t have enough to read as it is. But can we really actually have enough to read?
I’m presenting these covers without comment, but I can’t help saying that one of them depicts a scene of electrocution in an electric chair. A pulp first? Maybe.
For those of you still with me, here’s a chance to snap up a nice set of books, gratis. As regular CHEESE MAGNET readers know, I pick up books by the late, great Roger Zelazny (when I can find them) at used book stores and give them away to fans who might not be familiar with his work, because all of you should be. Recently I came across the the first five Avon paperbacks of his classic Amber series. They’re in decent if not pristine condition. I’m announcing the give-away here, unfortunately not in time to reach you for Christmas, but in time for a nice post-X-mas gift. Let me know if you want them. Christmas is Sunday. I’ll accept requests through Monday, put them in a hat (or maybe a baseball xap, since that’s the only type of hat I own) and pick the lucky winner on Tuesday. Good luck and Feliz Navidad and/or Happy Holiday of your choice.
I’ve always wanted to read “Lord of Light” but never had the chance.
Merry Christmas
I just recently read “Lord of Light” due to John’s contests (and generosity). It takes a commitment from the reader but the payoff was definitely worth it. I found it quite thought provoking. Now I want to give “Creatures of Light and Darkness” a try.
LORD is tough to find used. Like I’ve said, when I can find a copy, I give it away, but I’ve only found the one copy since I started tow rite this blog. It was also the first book I ever read by Zelazny, and the first book I ever read that I thought was great (actually, can’t emphasis great enough, even if I write it, GREAT, with innumerable exclamation points). It blew me away. After a couple thousand sf novels under my belt and probably an equal number in other genres (and all novels are genre fiction), it’s still the greatest book I’ve ever read. Of course, that’s a pretty strong statement and an intensely personal one and is probably still so prominent in my mind for a number of reasons. I first read it when I was 14 or 15, an impressionable age, but it is the book I’ve also re-read most throughout my life and my initial impressions still hold. It was beautifully written, innovation in structure, had wonderful characters, was steeped in philosophy yet had incredible action scenes. It made me want to be a writer even more (though I had already collected my first rejection slips). I can’t praise it enough. Seek it out and you will be rewarded.
CREATURES would rank somewhere between by 3rd and 5th favorite Zelazny novel. That still makes it great. The Steel General, alone, is worth the price of admission. I always wished that Roger had written a novel centered around him.
I think I may be running out of space here, but this has given me an idea for a series of blog posts — Writers You Should Be Reading. First up will be Roger. Next, maybe Lord Dunsany.
Lord of Light was on my Christmas wish list, so hopefully I’ll be reading it before the year is out.
Merry Christmas to me. I got the Lord of Light from my wife.
You’re aware of the proposed film version and the CIA/Tehran connection, right?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_of_Light
Hope you enjoy it. Let me know.
Yes — perhaps they’ll make a movie about making the movie. Or schemes about making the movie.
Is that mummy smoking a cigarette?!?
Those are some great covers. There is so much going on. I’m particularly partial to the cover with the disrobed young lady tied to the pagan statue. Those ropes must chafe something awful.
Have a happy holiday, John and all the Cheese Magneteers! Thanks for all the free entertainment over the last year.
Yeah, I think so. Many of these covers repay close examination. You’re right that there’s a ton of stuff going on in most, yet they don’t seem busy. Check out, for example, the expression on the guy’s face as he leans on the electric chair switch (I think). Some great work on these. I’ll post more next week.
Thanks Michael, you too. We’ll be having dinner here with some friends and family. You’re welcome. Thanks for coming by and sharing in my enthusiasms.
Another theme you might want to look at is just the “Two-fisted” approach to everything on pulp covers, like “two-fisted politicians” http://www.pulpoftheday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/DetectiveFictionWeekly-21Sep40.jpg
Wow. Two-fisted politicians. Chicago. Figures.
I’ve read the Amber series Corwin and Merlin many many times but am hoping to enter in lieu of my daughter Aeriel who is a fantasy fan but has never actually read the Amber series and would love the chance
So if my name can be entered with her as the potential winner that would be appreciated.
or her name (Aeriel Blair)
That’s fine Dan. Will enter it.