As previously noted, the fanzine Echoes ran from 1982 to 2002. Published by the late Tom Johnson with his wife Ginger, it is probably the longest-running pulp fanzine. Because of the changes in format, I’m not going with a strict 10 issues per posting. So we move to the second format change, that occurred for issues #10-16.
These issues are 6-3/4- x 9-1/2-inches and saddle stitched, and about 30 pages. They are on white paper, most seem a little heavier than typical copier paper, rather than newsprint. Many feature Frank Hamilton covers and interiors, but not all. There are also letter pages and reviews.
#10 (December 1983). This issue has a Hamilton cover based on one of James Bama‘s Doc Savage covers, which links to an article by Link Hullar on Bama’s covers. Robert Sampson does an overview of Johnston McCulley‘s Thunderbolt. Nick Carr checks out the Crimson Mask (now being reprinted by Steeger Books). Another article is on Underworld Romances pulp.
#11 (February 1984) . This issue starts off with a cover by Hamilton showcasing Secret Agent X, which ties to an article on SAX by Johnson. Gene Tipton showcases Thrilling Detective. Ginger Johnson gives a pulp profile on Robert Weinberg. Howard Hopkins starts an irregular column called “Golden Perils” (same as his long-running fanzine that started in 1985, so was this how that started?). I don’t see in in subsequent issues.
#12 (April 1984). Hamilton’s cover memorializes Rex Ward, a pulp fan who had contributed to Echoes and had recently passed away. Will Murray wrote a tribute on him, and we get several articles by him on G-8, The Shadow, and various topics.
#13 (June 1984). This issue has a green paper cover and a cartoon artwork by Ted Baglin. We get articles on the best G-8 novels by Nick Carr, and the early movie versions of The Spider by Rick Lai. Will Murray checks out The Purple Scar, who has since been reprinted and given new stories. And Robert Sampson looks at “Ace High,” a six-part series that ran in The Popular Magazine in 1919. James Reasoner examines the Walt Slade series from Pyramid Books that was written by A. Leslie Scott, who had written the long-running Jim Hatfield series in Texas Rangers.
#14 (August 1984). Otto Linkenhelt, the first movie Tarzan, is featured in this issue’s cover by Hamilton, which ties to an article by Link Hullar on favorite Tarzan movies. Gene Tipton examines Famous Fantastic Mysteries and Fantastic Novels. We also get a short look at sports pulps.
#15 (October 1984) . The various western characters of John Wayne is highlighted in Hamilton’s cover artwork, which is a partial wrap-around for this issue that is western-themed. We also get a centerfold piece on Wayne as well as several contribute their favorite Wayne movies. Al Tonik provides information from the ledgers of agent August Lenninger who helped several pulp authors sell their works. Mary Lachman checks out the pulp fiction of Ray Bradbury and Louis L’Amour. Bob Jones looks at “Western Writer’s Brand” in their use of serial characters. As a change, Gary Lovisi examines Planet Stories.
#16 (December 1984). This time gives us a Christmas-themed cartoon cover by Ted Baglin. Edwin Murray provides an examination of Zorro, and Nick Carr does the same for Dan Fowler and G-Men magazine, which takes up much of this issue. There is also a report on Pulpcon 13 by Nick Carr and Link Hullar.
After this point, we’ll go to a new format that will last for years, so will go to a more normal review of 10-20 issues per posting, except for the first one.
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