Another Doc Con has come and gone (XVIII in 2015), but along with it we got a new volume of The Big Book of Bronze, volume 7. See my reviews of previous volumes.
A semi-annual series of books for Doc Savage fans, The Big Book of Bronze is published by Jay Ryan‘s Solace of Fortitude Publications. Clocking in at 276 pages, one of the largest, we get another great collection of articles by the top researchers on Doc.
Top Doc researcher Will Murray gives us a look at the changes that occurred in “The Monsters,” including reducing their size.
Wold Newton researcher Rick Lai takes a look at the recent “Sinister Shadow” from the Wild Adventures of Doc Savage series and its pulp continuity. As Rick has done chronologies of both Doc and The Shadow (previously reviewed), this is right up his alley. Pretty interesting, but don’t read it unless you’ve read the book.
Dafydd Neal Dyar takes a look at the 1975 film Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze, in particular the easter eggs hidden through out. Some I knew about, but several I hadn’t caught.
Publisher/editor Jay Ryan gives us an look at what was on the shelves at Lester Dent‘s house. This is an extensive article that covers the possible pulps and books he might have had, especially those with his works. This serves as a great “bio-bibliography,” taking a year-by-year look at Dent’s output.
In an article that could be a sequel or continuation of Dafydd’s article from the previous volume on the various Doc clones/pastiches, David Webb adds several that were overlooked. though I did note a couple of flubs, including missing the second Doc Omega short story (that appeared in Pax Omega).
But the big part of this volume is the work by Jay Ryan, a continuation of his “Closer Look” series from the previous volumes. A collection of articles actually, this takes on Doc Savage’s world renowned Fortress of Solitude. We look at the original plan for it that never made it into the pulp, the descriptions in the pulps, the Blue Doom version, the iceberg version, as well as possible locations for the Fortress. Or should I say Fortresses.
The volume is rounded out with several other articles as well as several pieces of fan art. Another great volume. I look forward to the next one, and wonder if we will see another “Closer Look” and what it will be about. Any fan of Doc should get this one.
