"Few characters as obscure as Canadian
novelist Frank L. Packard’s gentleman cracksman, Jimmie Dale the Gray Seal,
have had the impact and long term import of this one. Almost unknown today,
Packard and his creation not only exerted a tremendous influence on the pulps
he came from, but established many of the tropes of the modern superhero in
comic books. From his secret lair, the Sanctuary, his multiple identities, and
his calling card, a gray diamond paper seal, Jimmie Dale set the pattern for
the mystery men and super heroes who will follow."
- David L. Vineyard
In the summer of 1912 New York City was being
terrorized by a bizarre organization of metal-clawed criminals who ascend stonewalls
as easily as others climb stairs. Dubbed the Spider Gang by the press, they
roamed over every part of Manhattan from neighborhoods of squalid tenements to
the most luxurious mansions of the rich. It wasn't wealth that they sought
however; instead it was the City's most beautiful women who were being carried
off for some sinister purpose.
A new challenge for the Gray Seal! The very
first in a long, long line of crime-fighting urban vigilantes has returned in
an all new novel length adventure. More than a century ago bored society
millionaire Jimmie Dale hid his identity behind a mask and slouch hat to become
the safe-cracking master criminal known as the Gray Seal. His objective was
excitement rather than financial gain, but quickly decided that justice was a
still more worthy goal. Dale became feared and hunted by both the police and
the underworld as he waged a one-man war on evildoers the law could not stop.
Commanded by the mysterious woman of a thousand faces known as the Tocsin,
Jimmie Dale pits himself against those who prey on the weakest members of
society. The Gray Seal novels of Frank Packard influenced a wide range of
heroes including The Shadow, the Spider, and the Green Hornet. The Gray Seal
strikes again!
Jimmie Dale Alias The Gray Seal (Crime Mystery)
By Michael Howard
Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN #978-1548060466
Price $15.99
374 Pages
Rating 5-Stars
“Return Of An Old Favorite”
It’s 1912, and The Spider Gang is terrorizing New York.
Halvard Romeron, a Norwegian, has arrived in the city that never sleeps, and
his gangs of weirdly dressed men who can climb building walls are kidnapping
young, beautiful women of different races. It’s believed they are to be used in
the white slavery market.
Marie LaSalle, only known to Jimmie Dale as The Tocsin, has
sent him as The Gray Seal out to try to find and rescue the women. In the
meantime, Dan Reid is in New York and Marie LaSalle reveals to him that she’s
still alive, and tells him about The Crime Club that is searching for her, so
she must remain in hiding least they murder her like they did her father and
uncle. While in town he decides to assist the daughter of his old friends in
her current search for the missing women.
I am an old fan of the Jimmie Dale mysteries from the turn of
the twentieth century, and this brand new novel is a treat, bringing back great
characters and action. I must say, the old stories are a bit dated a hundred
years later, but the current author has brought a more modern sensibility to
the stories, making for a fun read. The story actually begins in 1920, as
Jimmie and his wife, Marie look back on their beginning in 1912, a few years
after she had recruited the robin hood thief to help her in her fight against
gangdom. The Gray Seal predated most of the masked Robin Hoods and vigilantes
of the pulps, including Johnston McCulley’s famed Zorro. Future crime fighters
would follow The Gray Seal’s use of leaving a mark (a gray seal) noting the
crime was his. Zorro would leave the “Z” mark on his opponent’s with his sword,
The Spider would leave a crimson mark of a spider on his victims, and The Black
Bat would leave a black bat image on his victims. However, in this new story,
the seal was mysteriously absent this time, though mentioned in passing. Highly
recommended for both old fans and new. An old favorite has returned.
Tom Johnson
Author of THE MAN IN THE BLACK FEDORA
No comments:
Post a Comment