One
of the most popular titles of its day, TRIPLE DETECTIVE carried some terrific
stories. The magazine was so popular that it lasted long after most titles had
folded, continuing until the Fall 1955 issue. Some interesting stories ended up
in the later issues after the other titles ceased. Unfortunately, many of the
later issues contained reprints of earlier published stories. TRIPLE DETECTIVE
is being published in the pulp format of old, and for the pulp collector, and
fan of the character pulps, this will quickly become a collector’s item in
itself. Available from Altus Press & Amazon.
#1,
2007, $14.95: With the release of the new series from Altus Press, three
important stories are included in the first issue for the pulp fan.
THE
HAPPIEST HOUR MURDERS by Norman Daniels was written as a Phantom Detective
entry in 1934, but rejected, and published later with all reference to the
Phantom removed from the story. Restored by Tom Johnson.
THE
LADY OF DEATH by Stewart Sterling was originally written as a Black Bat, but
left unpublished, and appeared later, with all traces of the Black Bat removed.
Restored by Tom Johnson.
THE
STOLEN FORMULA by Elia Back (Secret Agent X) was published in Greece in 1950. This
is its first American publication in English. Translated by Dimitry Hanos, and
heavily edited by Tom Johnson.
#2,
2008, $14.95: DOCTOR DEATH RETURNS by Steve Mitchell: Twenty years before, a
sinister madman held the world at bay, using the twin powers of science and
sorcery to unleash a crimson tide of murder and destruction that swept across
America and Asia. Then he disappeared—leaving no clue to his final fate.
MURDER
MUSEUM by K.G. McAbee: The Phantom Detective, that nemesis of all evildoers in
New York City, takes on the uncanny powers of the sinister Dr. Darkness!
CRIME'S
LAST STAND by Tom Johnson: Will evil win out? Can even The Great Masked Avenger
survive the final battle with the city's underworld when crime makes its last
stand!
#3,
2009, $14.95: THE BLACK BAT'S WAR by G. Wayman Jones In the trenches of
war-torn Germany, soldiers were dying from the medicines they were receiving
for their wounds. The Army generals blamed America for the bad drugs, yet
nothing could be done until the source of the deadly medicines could be
uncovered and replaced with new drugs. While investigators were stymied, The
Black Bat and his team of crime fighters took up the challenge, uncovering a
giant plot by a master criminal. But would he be in time to save brave young
soldiers dying of their wounds in a far off No-Man’s Land?
THE
EYES OF SATAN by Robert Wallace: From war-torn Europe comes a mastermind with
plans to unite all the mobs under his leadership, but while he is making future
plans, a small-time thief murders his young bride, calling for vengeance first.
That vengeance results in the death of three people, the small time thief, a
respected jewel dealer, and a city cop. Those murders bring in the underworld’s
dreaded nemesis, The Phantom Detective. But when the lovely Muriel Havens,
daughter of the Phantom’s only contact, Frank Havens, is kidnapped, can even
the master detective run down the killer before death strikes again?
DARK
STREETS OF DOOM by Tom Johnson: Dark Streets That Lead To Ebony Alleys In The
City’s Immigrant District Culminate In A Spider’s Web of Fear When Homeless
Children Are Abducted By Emissaries Of Evil. When The Masked Avenger Promises
Protection To The City’s Unwanted Children, Can He Keep That Promise?
#4,
2009, $14.95: THE GIBBERING GAS OF MADNESS by Capt. Kerry McRoberts. When
Scientist working on military weapons mysteriously go mad, The U.S. Government
fears a foreign power at the source of the evil and G-2 calls in their top
secret agent, The Eagle. But this time his foe may be the greatest spy in the
world – And the most beautiful. Will Jeff Shannon also fall victim to her
womanly charms?
CITY
OF PHANTOMS by Robert Wallace. When an old case resurfaces, The World’s
Greatest Detective is pulled back into a new battle with a deadly enemy, while
ex-Fighting District Attorney Tony Quinn’s lovely secretary, Carol Baldwin is
kidnapped by a vicious mob, hoping to force the prosecution to drop it’s case
against their Boss. Two champions of Justice meet in a race against time!
PLAGUE
OF DEATH by Tom Johnson. A German scientist has brought a virus to America to
aid in the Brown Shirts taking control of the United States for Hitler. To test
the virus, the scientist releases it on a Chicago orphanage, killing all but
one child. The Masked Avenger puts the child, a young Korean boy, under his
protection, while a Chicago policeman and young Korean woman also watch over
him. But when the boy is kidnapped, the trail leads the Masked Avenger to New
York, where he must uncover the German scientist and stop the virus from
killing everyone in the great city. A wild ride, as the German mob and Brown
Shirts combine to bring America to its knees while Hitler concentrates his army
on Europe! Can one man, even such as the Masked Avenger, succeed when America
looks to be doomed?
An
additional surprise is in store for the readers with THE LEGEND by Tom Johnson.
In this short story, The Legend returns to bring justice to an old hoodlum!
This giant issue also contains a Phantom Detective comic not reprinted in THE
PHANTOM DETECTIVE COMPANION.
