Violent Night

In case you aren't aware, Will Murray and co. are working tirelessly at reprinting pulp stories including the original cover and interior art. While I regret they hadn't done it decades earlier, it's a welcomed relief nonetheless. It was these reprints that got me properly introduced to Doc Savage. (I had been a fan of the Shadow since eighth grade.)

Having read a few of them, I instantly fell for Patricia Savage and vowed to read as many stories that contained her as possible. But there was one story I was sure they wouldn't reprint mainly because it concerns a living person. The story is called "Violent Night," and it's about the night Doc Savage, Pat, and gang capture Adolf Hitler.

Not only is Hitler in the story, though probably not named outright, his horrified mug is on the cover. I was sure that, for any amount of reasons, Will Murray would be reluctant to re-release a story that features the Worst Man in History. But my fears were short lived, and Volume 22, out just last month, featured Violent Night along with two other stories.

I have just started reading the first few chapters, and immediately I'm sucked into the story. The reader is informed of what Doc's feeling and thinking, a big change from the earlier stories. I can't wait until the end where supposedly Pat Savage gives ol' Adolf something he wouldn't soon forget. (I'd rather not ruin it for others.)

Thanks, Will Murray.

I Also Wear Bow Ties Now

'Nuff said.

Updates

Apologies for no posting, but no harm, no foul when there's no one reading this.

I'm not sure what's to blame. My non-social life has been pretty limited to family and work, and the sad thing is I probably prefer it this way.

I'll post a separate entry with an update on the newest story. I keep trying to find an audience for these things, but to no avail.

I recently reread "The Room Without A Door" (Kate Orman) and "Lungbarrow" (Marc Platt), old high school companions among dozens of other Dr. Who novels, but they're still my favorites.

Speaking of Doctor Who, season six has come and gone, and I'm none too impressed. But what else is new?

Come back later for real content, folks.

Sunday Movie: Captain America : The First Avenger

There's a lot to adore about this movie, but nothing quite as much as Stanley Tucci's beign scientist and Chris Evans's pre-steroids Steve Rogers. They provide much of the heart and pathos in the beginning of the movie that help give meaning to the second half's over the top action pieces.

To begin with, the movie is a pastiche of American movie genres. Its 1940s setting helps cement the film as an "old fashioned" film made in that era. Our hero, always a boy scout, falls in love, but is never amorous except for some double entendre featuring fondue and a passionate kiss. This is, obviously, reminiscent of films of that era, and even old Westerns.

Once we move on to the villains, powered by a MacGuffin from "Thor" (Marvel almost works too hard to keep these films interconnected), and before you know it, they are armed with distintegrator rays from 1950s sci-fi b-movies. Luckily, Captain America has and briefly uses a gadget-filled motorcycle that would make 60s spy films envious. (It also may be a nod to the television specials made in the 70s featuring Rob Brown, a colorful outfit, and a motorcycle.)

(Alan Manken wrote a catchy tune that may invoke, to some, the Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers days of big musical numbers.)

Whatever the reason, Joe Johnston and gang made a hero, true to the comic books, as a courageous, well-meaning kid from Brooklyn who's always true to himself and never misses his mark. God bless Captain America.