A couple of years ago, New Pulp publisher Pro Se Press started a new monthly (now quarterly) digest series, “Pro Se Presents.” Most have from one to four stories each, but in volumes 9 and 10 was a single story by Erwin K. Roberts called “Sons of Thor.” This story made use of several original pulp heroes now in the public domain.
The main storyline is about a group of Germans called “The Sons of Thor,” that has been plotting to take over the world, and is now allied with the Nazis in the years before the U.S. entered the World War II.
The first volume sets the stage, with a long flashback with Lt. Richard Van Loan in WWI dealing with the Sons of Thor. He has a brief meeting with Captain Midnight.
For those not aware, Van Loan would later become the Phantom Detective, a long-running pulp hero.
Secret Agent X is mentioned, but does not appear, though his government boss, K-9, is loosely involved. Dr. Skull is mentioned. He is an identity for The Skull-Killer, who appeared in The Octopus and The Scorpion pulps.
The Crimson Mask appears briefly toward the end of the first volume.
I’m not sure if I missed any other real or literary characters.
There are a few issues with the first part. One of the bad guys is referred to as “Mr. Average,” but is never identified beyond that. He disappears — never to return.
The storyline concludes in the second volume.
The main character in this part is the Phantom Detective. He is joined by several other characters (or at least they are mentioned). They include Jim Anthony, Super Detective; Tiger Standish (though the author appears to have written him as a little less jingoistic than his creator did); King of the Royal Mounted (met by another character, but not part of the main storyline); the Black Bat; and Rex Parker (who would later become the Masked Detective).
Again, there are a few issues in the second part. Reference is made to Control/Central, but this was not mentioned in the previous volume. I also caught a few typos.
One thing that I thought was an interesting touch was in a scene were the Phantom Detective leds a group of soldiers against the Sons. For this, the Phantom dressed as many think he looks like, from the pulp covers and comics, in top hat, tuxedo and domino mask. He remarked that he usually doesn’t dress so, but did it this time because those he led would expect that of him.
I am unclear why the use of the public-domain pulp heroes wasn’t played up more in the promotion of this story.
It’s a good story. And it leaves open the possibility of future appearances together of these characters, with them being placed “in the same universe.” We’ll see if this happens.
“Pro Se Presents” is a great series, and I recommend people check it out.
