Originally slated to appear
in The Spider Magazine in the 1940s, "Slaughter, Incorporated" was
ultimately shelved when that magazine was cancelled. Never before published
directly from author Donald G. Cormack's original manuscript, this edition has
been faithfully reconstructed as an exact copy of the never-published February
1944 issue of The Spider Magazine, complete with vintage interior
illustrations. In addition, The Spider: Slaughter, Incorporated (Facsimile
Edition) marks the first publication of the never-before-published lost Red
Finger story, "Red Finger and the Murder Trio," penned by Arthur Leo
Zagat. Also including a story by longtime Spider author, Norvell Page. Rounded
out by an introduction by Spider scholar, Will Murray, The Spider: Slaughter,
Incorporated (Facsimile Edition) is the most important pulp publication of the
year.
The Spider Slaughter,
Incorporated (Pulp Reprint)
By Grant Stockbridge (Donald
G. Cormack)
ISBN #978-1618273178
Price $19.95 (Paperback)
96 Pages
Rating 5-Stars
This was the last Spider
novel written in 1943 for Popular Publications, scheduled for publication
February 1944. It was obvious that PP had decided to drop the series, as the
main author, Norvell Page, was working for the government now. They had hired
Donald G. Cormack to write the final entry, but the series ended before Slaughter,
Incorporated was published. There wasn’t much of a plot; it was all about the
ending. The Spider and Richard Wentworth in a fight to the death. It was a plot
to kill The Spider once and for all, and as the story ends we see The Spider
dead and Richard Wentworth standing victorious above him. Even Police
Commissioner Kirkpatrick buys the finale. I had read this story years ago when
Robert Weinberg published it in paperback under the title of Blue Steel.
It took many years, but Altus
Press has finally published this important novel in the style of the old pulp
magazines, including interior artwork, with short stories in the back pages.
One of the short stories is an unpublished Red Finger story that was rejected
during the pulp period, Red Finger And The Murder Trio, so readers are not
getting just one unpublished story, but two in this lost volume featuring The
Spider. There is also a Norvell Page and Wayne Rogers short story in the back.
This book is a must for any pulp fan, and highly recommended.
Tom Johnson
Author of THE BLACK BAT
COMPANION
I'll put it on my list.
ReplyDeleteVery nice. I enjoy pulp fiction. I have three volumes of weird science, beautiful hardcover edition. Each has 24 stories published between the 40's and 50's. I'm kind of sad that I have only the last one to read now. I will try to find other volumes to purchase through Amazon.
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