Who Are the Greatest Pulp Heroes?

[@ellesse3862]

Schools and their dull book choices, some truly aweful dreary books that were more ordeal than inspiring. Thank goodness for my parents who read pretty much every type of book and genre, my local library, and the ratty old second hand book shop crammed with wonderful things. Mention of the Black Bat put a smile on my face.

[@Rob.S-]

This is a lot of fun. My father had a few Doc Savage books when I was a kid and I remember reading them, I don’t remember any stories but those covers are burnt into my mind.

[@thewestisthebest]

@Rob.S- thank you!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Fantastic video! I look forward to that Shadow video.

[@thewestisthebest]

Thank you sir!

[@thecaptain6730]

This is a wonderful video!!! Lots of books to check out! Thank you!

[@thewestisthebest]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@KevinCrossArt]

I was just suggested this video, and glad I watched. I love this stuff! You’ve got a new subscriber. Thanks for sharing this stuff!

[@thewestisthebest]

@@KevinCrossArt thank you!

[@GrammaticusBooks]

Great video McNulty! I recently came into possession of several Spider novels. Now I have to read them before your video!

[@thewestisthebest]

Cool!

[@MattelJones]

Hello and thank you for another entertaining presentation. I discovered Doc and the Shadow during the Bantam reprint era. Yesterday I had some very good luck at the closing day sale of used bookstore in my neighborhood that had been around for decades. This sale had gone on all month on the weekends with everything at 50% off and had been quite busy through most of it, but somehow it seemed that not one of the hundreds of people that had passed through had much interest in Pulp reprints (this included other book dealers who had a private preview before the public!) The original owner a nice albeit gruff fellow was out of the picture at this. point (but fortunately not dead) and honestly some of his prices were (imho) a bit crazy but to be fair most of the stock was in very crisp shape. In the end I was able to pack full a couple grocery bags which I got for a shockingly low price. Now for the first time I have a stack of Phantom Detective books , nearly all the Lee Falk Phantom prose books and around a dozen each of both Doc and Shadow reprints (The Avenger as well) including quite a few Doc doubles and Omnibus editions. I also scored a couple fistfuls of Frank Gruber Westerns a stack of Man From Uncle digest magazines (super mint) and a score of Burroughs Ace paperbacks (the small ones) and more.. One item I wasn't familiar with but was very happy to acquire was a set of books (6 volumes) by Robert Sampson called Yesterday's Faces which purports to be a "Study of Series Characters in the Early Pulp Magazines". I read a review online where his overview of the Clarence Mulford Hopalong Cassidy books (in Vol. 1) was cited as the best they'd ever seen. Anyway sorry to drag this out but I had to share my good fortune with someone who'd appreciate it (not that my wife didn't relish my obvious elation over the score). Add to tit my good fortune in discovering McNulty's Book Corral and it's been a pretty great week! BTW I second (or 3rd or 4th) your praise of Michael Vaughn's vlog, great presenter great content. Thanks again!

[@thewestisthebest]

This is a wonderful response and I am grateful to read this. Marvelous, and thank you. I am grateful if anyone finds even the smallest measure of interest in my babbling. It's all about a love for literature. Please feel free to check in anytime my friend.

[@ShadeofJeremy]

Great list. I'm glad KZbin recommended this video. I agree with you for the most part. I personally have The Shadow at the top of my list. My introduction to pulps was when my neighbor loaned me his copies of the Carson of Venus novels back when I was in high school. I'd also add newspaper comic strip characters like Dick Tracy and The Phantom as well. Plus one of my earliest heroes, Zorro. Anyway, I'm looking forward to the videos on the individual characters. I have subscribed so I can check them out as you do them.

[@thewestisthebest]

Thank you very much!

[@GaryMartinDobbs]

I've listened to many of the Shadow Radio shows but never read any of the stories. Great content. Enjoyed this

[@StevenEverett7]

Hi Gary. I also have enjoyed the Shadow radio shows. You do, however, need to read the books as they are quite different from the show. Much better in my humble opinion. Old time radio shows are something I haven't seen covered on KZbin and it's a shame. There were so many good broadcasts that were really great. The great thing about the variety and number of still existing programs is staggering and most of them are in the public domain.

[@thewestisthebest]

Thanks Gary! Those old radio shows are great as well. Thanks for checking in.

[@RicardoRios-fp6gl]

I always has read Conan, Tarzan, the Shadow ( my favorite) and Doc Savage ( also my favorite)by sadly I didn’t have a chance to read Phantom Detective and the Spider, I heard of them but never read them yet, so thank you for telling me how to get them

[@thewestisthebest]

@@RicardoRios-fp6gl glad to help!

[@StevenEverett7]

My personal favorite of the pulp heroes is Doc Savage, closely followed by The Shadow. Great stuff. I'm looking forward to your episodes on those characters Thomas.

[@thewestisthebest]

Hi Steven. That windy episode airs right after Thanksgiving. Stay well my friend.

[@kellyrusk8015]

I recently acquired the entire Bantam reprints of Doc Savage and am reading them in their original order of publication. My favorite pulp hero!!!

[@thewestisthebest]

@@kellyrusk8015 enjoy!

[@jimgillespie6109]

So glad to have discovered your channel! I just subscribed, and I'm looking forward to the character-specific episodes. Love the contents of your bookshelf as well. Very cool. And is that Wonder Woman drawing on your wall by Neal Adams? Sure looks like it to me. Oh, and I've had issues with DC Comics for decades now. Decades!

[@thewestisthebest]

Yes, sir! I have multiple signed prints, one drawing, and a hand painted color guide. Thank you for your kind comments about the channel and the books!

[@kevintowle9665]

Thomas- what an awesome video!Really enjoyed learning some new insights here. Have a great Thanksgiving sir!

[@thewestisthebest]

@kevintowle9665 thank you so much!

[@philipmsearle1399]

I discovered The Spider about 25 years ago and the character leads the field in my favourite pulp characters. Tarzan and conan, however, are close contenders since i read them originally during the teenage years.

[@thewestisthebest]

I love the Spider as well. Thank you so much for checking in.

[@marqsee7948]

I used to think a small town library with inter-war books and little for updated releases was boring. Tom Swift and Doc Savage changed that. And Tintin and Asterix. Now I'm just lonely, but entertained.

[@josephd5879]

Great video and great list. I'm not a connoisseur in the pulps although I have read a small variety so I would not argue with your list. I would like to add a few lesser known and maybe honorable mentions in Operator 5 and Secret Agent X.

[@thewestisthebest]

Thanks, I like Operator 5 as well!

[@kurtreichenbaugh6284]

Oh man, I love this stuff! I remember seeing the Bantam reissues of Doc Savage in Waldenbooks as a kid in the early 70s and I was hooked. I've been a pulp hero fan ever since. Several years ago I found a bunch of Bantam reissues of The Avenger in a Bookmans store here in AZ. Paul Ernst, I believe, wrote most of them. I haven't read much of The Phantom Detective. I should give them a try.

[@thewestisthebest]

I have some of those as well. The pulp era is so much fun to indulge in!

[@mediumjohnsilver]

My favorite pulp hero is The Shadow. I have volumes 1 through 139 of the Sanctum Books reprint series, and I’m currently reading volume 82, “The Spy Ring” (April 1, 1940). I’m looking forward to your episode focusing on The Shadow.

[@thewestisthebest]

Thanks!

[@MysteryandMayhem-gr7nn]

Great choices, Thomas!

[@thewestisthebest]

Thank you sir!

[@DonMckee-n7w]

To the guy below me some of those pulp heroes had their own comics and comic strips back then

[@thewestisthebest]

@@DonMckee-n7w they certainly did, and comic books were printed on the same pulp paper as the magazines clearly making them "pulp fiction." Those other guys are just looking for an argument.

[@ishtarian]

I concur that this is a very nice introduction to the topic; informative enough to pique curiosity, but not overly long. My own favorites, by the way, of those you list would be: Doc Savage; The Shadow; and Conan (not necessarily in that order, though I have a particular fondness for Doc and his team). On Burroughs' male appeal... I didn't read any of the Tarzan stories until well into my 20s, though I had read a few others (Tje Monster Men; some of the John Carter series), but a few years ago, as part of a lengthy project of looking into the influences on H. P. Lovecraft, I began reading ERB's work in order of publication (which can be quite convoluted, when some of the stories published as single novels in later years, were originally a serial -- or two, or three -- separated by months or even a year or two; e.g., The Mad King, The Eternal Savage, The Cave Girl, The Mucker)but it strikes me that, for all his masculine heroes, he was not at all why on very strong female characters as well, from Jane Clayton to several secondary characters to "The Girl from Farris's", much as REH was with several of his female characters (Bêlit, Yasmina, Valeria, Agnes d'Chastillon -- to give it REH's original spelling -- and, of course, Salome). I won't take oath on this, but I would gather it was because he was himself well acquainted with women of strong character, and got more than a bit sick of seeing the wall-flowers being the accepted type in much pulp fiction... though by no means all (C. L. Moore's Jirel of Joiry, as well as several in A. Merritt's work, come to mind). For those interested in reading the Doc Savage stories in order of publication, Phil Farmer's *Doc Savage: His Apocalyptic Life* is an excellent guide, though I would add "The Red Spider" (originally titled "In Hell, Madonna" by Dent, is not included in the original edition(s) of that, as it was published only several decades after the magazine's discontinuance; it was intended, if memory serves, to be in the Nov. 1948 issue, but the editor at the time had grown weary of the plethora of "Red Menace" stories appearing in the pulps, and that issue also came as the magazine was transitioning from a bi-monthly appearance to quarterly... and only three issues were published after that.

[@thewestisthebest]

@@ishtarian so cool! Thank you for this insightful overview!

[@thewestisthebest]

@@ishtarian superb commentary on your part!

[@ishtarian]

@@thewestisthebestYou're very welcome!

[@glockensig]

Michael is outstanding! I would never say anything bad about him....again....(Mostly because of his bloodthirsty mummy companion). Your vids are great as well. I have moved too many times to maintain a collection like yours.....have to stay one step ahead of Roger!

[@thewestisthebest]

Michael is awesome. Thanks for checking in, and I hope you are well.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thanks!

[@TheRoot2944]

For me personally, I'm more of a pop noir detective guy myself so for me it's Sam Spade, The Shadow and things of that nature. There's lots of great ones. Can't forget the phantom detective

[@thegkbc4510]

this was amazing, i added every single one of these pulpies to my futures list fact: the man who played doc savage in the 1970s on tv or movie very recently died but anyway, i came here from Hide n Read love this, and agree on death of a salesman thoughts on Flash Gordon?

[@thewestisthebest]

Flash Gordon is another classic!

[@MementoMorituri]

When Captain America throws his mighty shield, All those who choose to oppose his shield must yield. If he's led to a fight and the duel is due Then the red and the white and the blue will come through When Captain America throws his mighty shield!

[@thewestisthebest]

That's cool!

[@stephennootens916]

I have heard some of the old time radio show episodes of The Shadow so anytime someone mentions him I hear Orson Wells in my head.

[@thewestisthebest]

I agree, his resonates in my memory as well.

[@manofaction1807]

Great Video!! Three off the top of my head? Phantom Detective, or just The Phantom. The Phantom, (the Ghost who walks.) Tom Strong. Tarzan explodes after 2 and 3. Edger Rice Burroughs is a top tier writer. Tarzan 1, introduces and establishes him, the rest take it from there. Yeah, dust off the Pulps if you want to teach kids to read.

[@vo1non]

The Shadow and Doc Savage.

[@rlgood]

This past weekend, I got my paperback copy of The Spider: Robot Titans Of Gotham signed by cover artist Jim Steranko! Thanks for making this video. All hail The Master Of Men!

[@thewestisthebest]

@@rlgood that is great to hear! Thank you!

[@jpotter2086]

Solid list, who could argue with it? Great stance regarding Bat-Man, I would add the Scarlet Pimpernel and Zorro among the list of "inspirations". I like many works featuring Bat-Man, but what I really like is that character template, the dark, (usually) urban, super-capable, gadget-employing hero. Was there a comment re: Dick Tracy ... ? I already forgot ... oh well, just have to relisten LOL

[@thewestisthebest]

Thank you!

[@hognatius_valentine9057]

Have to say, I agree with you on Batman. I don’t hate the character, but certainly in recent years I’ve just not found him or the stories grabbing me. Oddly enough, I enjoyed some of the silver age Batman. Can’t wait for your next videos on this. Doc Savage is my favourite, but I also loved the sheer apocalyptic nuttiness of The Spider.

[@thewestisthebest]

I don't hate Batman either. In fact, one of my all-time favorite comics are Batman stories! Thank you so much for checking in.

[@markbaumbargt3430]

What about G-8 and His Battle Aces. I believe there were almost a hundred episodes. Weird war at it's best.

[@DavidGonyner]

MY. DAD. ME. LOVED. READING.DOC. SAVAGE..WE. HAD. OVER. 80.BOOKS. BY. KENNETH. ROBSON ❤❤❤❤❤

[@thewestisthebest]

Very cool thanks!

[@lesliesimpson6295]

Although I like your choices, were you just listing under super heros ? I wasn't sure because of Tarzan, I was looking for The Continental OP by Dashiell Hammet to be in the top 2 because Dashiell created the template of the modern day detective that most people are used to seeing. Keep up the good work, I just discovered your channel.

[@thewestisthebest]

@lesliesimpson6295 yes, "heroes" as defined by super abilities. The Op is certainly high on my list of historically important characters and will be covered next year. Thank you so much for checking in.

[@TheAyeAye1]

I discovered Doc Savage and the Shadow a couple of years ago. The Shadowcast on KZbin is well worth a listen.

[@thewestisthebest]

Thanks!

[@Littlebiglibrary]

Doc Savage! You know my history with Savage. Grrrrrrrr. I should have bought Savage instead of L'Amour all those years ago! Thank you Mr. Thomas -James & Bella

[@thewestisthebest]

Hi James and Bella - you can still pick them up if you come across them!

[@Littlebiglibrary]

​@@thewestisthebest. Yes, but it would have been more impressionable on me as a 13 year old boy. I can still enjoy them today but my 13 y/o imagination would have blown me away! Hahaha -James

[@thewestisthebest]

@Littlebiglibrary good point!!

[@philipgreen8227]

I like the shadow and the spider but for me doc savage is my favourite i learnt about the character from the old marvel comics and then I chased down the paperbacks

[@TheRoot2944]

The shadow knows

[@primocorona4331]

I love the Shadow and Conan. I'm re-reading a lot of those stories now. Doc Savage is good, but I kind of cringed when I read in one of the stories that he has a secret clinic in upstate New York where he takes convicts and performs "delicate brain operations" to make them forget their criminal tendencies... basically he's lobotomizing people! I'll be back to see more of your videos!

[@thewestisthebest]

Thank you sir!

[@UandMeKid]

There's a new Conan novel that came out this week called CONAN: CULT OF THE OBSIDIAN MOON by James Lovegrove.

[@thewestisthebest]

I will check that out! Thank you!

[@willieluncheonette5843]

Sluggo. He survives without ever working a job. But the lad is NOT on the dole.

[@thewestisthebest]

good one!

[@DavidGonyner]

Kenneth. Robson..also..wrote. the. Avenger..

[@codex3048]

Jim Hatfield, Texas Ranger.

[@thewestisthebest]

I believe Bradford Scott wrote those under the Jackson Cole pen name. A favorite of yours? Cool!

[@codex3048]

@@thewestisthebest The Texas Rangers pulp had multiple authors, just like the other pulp heroes you cited. A. Leslie Scott (aka Bradford Scott) was the main author.

[@thewestisthebest]

​@codex3048 sounds like you have a great grip on this material and I'm happy that you checked in!

[@rickcroucher]

I very much like your idea of tossing DEATH OF A SALESMAN and replacing it with CONAN. We studied DOS in high school and in college and I never liked it at all. We had to watch the play and it was such a dull depressing couple of hours. This is not the way to encourage reading, as you said. The vibrant rich prose of Robert E Howard would light the fire of enjoyment in those kids exposed for the first time into a lifetime of reading and some onto the keyboard to attempt story telling of their own for sure. I wish schools would hear your idea and act on it. Good post.

[@thewestisthebest]

@@rickcroucher thank you!

[@JamesELFERS]

I'm a big fan of the Shadow, Doc Savage, and the Spider. The Spider has the best girlfriend of any pulp hero. I've read a little over a dozen Spider novels so far and in them Nita van Sloan, his main squeeze has shot bad guys disguised as the Spider, been shot at herself, she's been kidnapped several times losing all her clothes twice in the process, been nabbed by white slavers, strip searched, endured brain surgery and been threatened with "A fate worse than death" administered via horny orangutan! (I'm not joking)! All the while she remains the best, sexiest, most intelligent and elegant girlfriend imaginable.Holy cow! Nita is the best!

[@thewestisthebest]

I agree!

[@codex3048]

"Pulp heroes" should be limited to pulp magazines, I think. Comic books are not pulps. Pulps are primarily text with a few illustrations. Comic books are primary illustrations with a limited amount of text. Pulps were mostly written to a general adult audience; comic books were written for a juvenile audience (though some adults read them).

[@MichaelRBrown-lh6kn]

Agree. There is a big problem with people misusing the term "pulp fiction". As you said it said it really only applies to the fiction from pulp magazines. The later fiction in paperback books, especially the sleaze paperbacks of the 70s, are NOT pulp fiction. The style of writing is NOT the same. And adaptions of pulp heroes in other medium doesn't really count.

[@Rob.S-]

I would consider The Spirit pulp.

[@MichaelRBrown-lh6kn]

@@Rob.S- I wouldn't. He's a comic strip character with pulp elements. Didn't appear in pulp magazine, not pulp.

[@MichaelRBrown-lh6kn]

Superman and Captain America are NOT pulp heroes but are comic book heroes. Doesn't belong in such a list. As someone noted, pulp magazines and comic books are separate mediums.

[@cliffwoodbury5319]

Frank L. Packard 1. Grey Seal, the

[@mikesweet2554]

Thought The Green Hornet, Prince Valiant, Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers or The Lone Ranger may have been on the list. I prefer the Golden Age and Silver Age Batman,the modern version is awful.

[@jinchoung]

the worst thing about english curricula is that material like "death of a salesman" has little to no relevance to the target audience! is it any wonder kids tune out when they're asked to identify with a middle aged loser?!? they should totally have regular readings from stuff like robert e. howard or even modern fantasy and sci fi books and apply the kinds of lessons about symbolism and prose and all that to those books... and then, just have the classics introduced to them with selected excerpts and a broad strokes approach. novels didn't proliferate because they were "important". they attained popularity because they were entertainment. and typical english classes miss that boat completely and take works that actually entertained their original readers and made them dull and odious.

[@thewestisthebest]

@@jinchoung yes, thank you!