Soon after getting the sixth Doc Vandal novel we get the next one, The Skyscraper Thief. This series by Dave Robinson is a Doc Savage pastiche.
Doc Vandal is clearly influenced by Doc Savage, but has other influences as he was raised on the Moon (shades of Captain Future) by alien AIs and gifted with an improved body, along with knowledge of a long-ended alien civilization (shades of Perry Rhodan). Doc Vandal exists in a different world where there are aliens along with other strange things, and the level of tech in some areas, like airships and robots, is higher.
He has a small group of associates that over the novels slowly increases, thus I recommend folks read this series from the beginning. You can obtain the novels singly or in omnibus volumes with three novels each. There are two omnis so far.
Originally, he was aided by Vic, Gus, and Gilly. Vic is an ex-pat Russian countess, pilot, and thrill-seeker who is like a sister to Doc. Gus is a talking gorilla from a lost city in Africa and a genius. Gilly is the group’s driver, as well as a diver and photographer, and is black. Over the next few books, they are joined by Gus’ gorilla wife, Kehla; Vic’s girlfriend, Li Ming (who is also a doctor). There are also some associates who may get involved, such as Shard, an alien from another dimension (who is more an associate than a member of the team, but gets involved in the action sometimes), and Vic’s and Ming’s mothers.
This one is set toward the end of 1937, shortly after their return in the prior adventure. Someone is stealing major skyscrapers in New York. This is discovered when one is walking away. There is a framework around it, giving it arms and legs, and it walks away. Attempts at stopping it fail, and where it went is unknown.
While looking into things, Vic and Gilly discover some kind of monsters in the New York sewers that may be tied in. They are goat-like, similar to the so-called “Jersey Devil.” How are they connected?
When a second building is taken, the team tries to stop it, even sending some members into the sewers to see if the devils are there and if there is a connection, which there is. Sadly, they fail to prevent this second theft.
As you expect, they eventually discover who is behind it, and just as important, why. We even get a “robot fight” between two of the buildings. The secondary thread in recent stories regarding the increasing influence of the German bund is also shown. I expect this will come to a conclusion as we get closer to this world’s World War II.
It’s another great Doc Vandal story. I did like that more of the team was given good use. We really haven’t seen much of Gilly of late.
We are promised that the next novel is coming, but I have no idea when.
I have to be critical of the cover artwork, as it’s not as nice as prior ones. I would be concerned that this could hurt sales. And I think a nice “Doc Vandal” logo needs to be created and used prominently on the cover as well.
