Review: ‘Pulp Echoes’

“Pulp Echoes” is the third (and apparently last) collection of New Pulp hero stories by Tom Johnson. It’s a sort of sequel to his previous two collections from Altus Press: “Pulp Detectives” and “Exciting Pulp Tales.” This collection has stories of both new and classic pulp heroes.

First up is a story featuring Tom’s original character, the Black Ghost. This is apparently the last Black Ghost story, and features the return of the villain from Tom’s book “The Spider’s Web.” For further Black Ghost stories, get the “Guns of the Black Ghost.”

The Black Ghost is a character in the style of The Shadow, and his origin is tied to a classic (though not well-known) pulp character that I’ve done a posting on (hint, hint). Over the past few stories he has built up a small organization of agents, and in this story we learn more about one of his newer agents. The door is open to further stories, and that would be nice.

Next is a story starring the Black Cat, a secondary character from a pulp magazine that ran only one issue: The Angel Detective. While the Angel Detective was the main character, the Black Cat appeared in a backup story. This story is intended to be a prequel to that appearance and serves as an origin.

The following story stars The Bat. Not to be confused with other characters like The Black Bat, this one was a short-lived character that may have been written by Johnston McCulley (see my prior posting). Altus Press has reprinted all the original stories, so this is intended as a follow-up to that saga. The Bat was a detective wrongfully convicted of murder. His execution is faked and he goes after the criminals responsible. This story does not end the saga, but adds to it.

Then we have a Nibs Halloway/Doctor Death story. This is the original Doctor Death that ran in All-Detective magazine. Altus Press has also reprinted all those stories. Nibs Halloway is a troubleshooter for a jewelry merchant who keeps running afoul of a European supercrook known as “Doctor Death” who somehow seems to be killed in every story, only to come back. Is this the final “Doctor Death” story? Who knows.

Another original character, Captain Anthony Adventure is next. Inspired by a couple of Doc clones, Jim Anthony, Super-Detective and The Adventurers, a set of Doc Savage/Ham/Monk clones created by Doc ghost writer William Bogart (again, see my prior posting). It’s clear to see the Doc elements in Cap Adventure. Cap is added by a group of seven aides, though in this story only the Monk and Ham analogues, — Chemical Sam and Slim — help out.

A new story with another McCulley creation is next: The Crimson Clown. (Sadly, no one has yet to reprint the original stories of this character.) The Crimson Clown shows elements of several McCulley heroes: a Robin Hood-like character who is really an idle playboy, who uses a gas gun to knockout people, and who gets rid of his outfits with acid. Another pulp hero makes a cameo appearance as well.

And the last story is yet another new character Senora Scorpion. Johnson created her when he created a new story with McCulley’s Whirlwind (appearing in the Altus Press collection); this is a new story with her. It is similar to the story in which she appeared in the Altus Press collection, but is written from her point of view.

Rounding out the book are a few lists. We have a list of all the original pulp characters, first appearances of new stories of the originals, research books and pulp fanzines, and then a list of the New Pulp characters.

Overall a great collection of stories.