Review: ‘Tales of Masks & Mayhem, Vol. 4’

Here is the fourth volume of “Tales of Masks and Mayhem,” now from a new publisher, NTD Books.

This one is a mix of new and reprinted stories, with stories of classic and original pulp heroes.

First off is the Hooded Hunter, a New Pulp hero that has elements of cliffhanger movies mixed in (the movie serial “Masked Marvel” was an influence). This one is a reprint (from Classic Pulp Fiction Stories #17 & 18), and is set during WWII, with the Hunter going after Nazi spies, and having support of the U.S. government, so he gets cooperation with the police. This is unusual for a pulp hero, almost having the feels of the Batman TV show (in terms of how he is treated by the police). We do learn who the Hunter is, and that he is backed by a secret group of citizens in his fight against america’s enemies (similar to Secret Agent X). There are other agents of this group, but they don’t know his identity. The use of a Texas Ranger added an interesting element as well. It would be interesting to see more of this character. I know one other story has been written, maybe it will be reprinted in the next volume.

Next is a story of the Masked Avenger, another New Pulp hero created by Tom Johnson, but here written by someone else. Tom’s stories of the Masked Avenger has appeared in three issues of Altus Press‘s Triple Detective, one of which I believe was an origin story (I have not read them). Johnson has also been reprinting them as well.

The Masked Avenger is another interesting mix of pulp and movie serial hero, as he wears a rocket pack, only seen in a few movie serials. Strangely, it seems that most people think him just a pulp magazine character, though a few average people do believe he exists (which is strange because one would think a rocket-pack-wearing hero would be noticed). Here he deals with a Nazi infiltrator. There are a few elements that where strange. The nun added a strange supernatural element, and it was unclear the connection between one individual and the Masked Avenger. At one point I thought he might have been the Masked Avenger, then I thought he might have been in league with the bad guy.

Also, the story is not told in a truly linear fashion. The focus shifts from character to character, and in doing so will jump back in time. This was confusing at first until I understood what was going on.

Then we have a new Crimson Mask story. The Crimson Mask was a short-lived character, being reprinted by Altus Press (one collection so far in planned set of three). Not having read any Crimson Mask stories, I can’t judge how accurate it remained to the original. But this was a good story.

Doc Atlas is next, and this is a new Doc Atlas story after the recent complete collection of his short stories were put out (there is also a stand alone novel). Doc Atlas is an original Doc Savage pastiche, but a character whose stories are set post-WWII. This story is set during WWII, and shows Doc as an already known character, who is working with his two assistants (Ham and Monk analogs). This is different from Doc Savage, who didn’t become known until well after WWI. Here Atlas goes up against a Nazi scientist. Setup is given with Atlas and friends about to rescue what appears to be a Captain America analog.

Finally, we have a new story of the Black Cat. A classic pulp character who only appeared as a secondary character in the one Angel Detective novel, Tom Johnson has resurrected this character. He gave an origin story in his recent “Pulp Echoes” volume, and now we have another new story with the character.

All in all, a great collection, and I do hope we will see a fifth volume!