![\"Tales](\"https:\/\/thepulp.net\/pulpsuperfan\/files\/2014\/02\/tales-of-masks-mayhem-vol-4.jpg\")
Here is the fourth volume of “Tales of Masks and Mayhem,” now from a new publisher, NTD Books.<\/p>\nHere is the fourth volume of “Tales of Masks and Mayhem,” now from a new publisher, NTD Books.<\/p>\n
This one is a mix of new and reprinted stories, with stories of classic and original pulp heroes.<\/p>\n
First off is the Hooded Hunter<\/strong>, a New Pulp<\/a> 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<\/em> #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<\/em> 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<\/strong>). 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.<\/p>\n Next is a story of the Masked Avenger<\/strong>, another New Pulp hero created by Tom Johnson<\/strong>, but here written by someone else. Tom’s stories of the Masked Avenger has appeared in three issues of Altus Press<\/a>‘s Triple Detective<\/em>, one of which I believe was an origin story (I have not read them). Johnson has also been reprinting them as well.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Then we have a new Crimson Mask<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n