Behind The Mask Volume 2

BEHIND THE MASK Volume 2 by Tom Johnson. Published by FADING SHADOWS. Titles and cover design by Tom TV Powers. When the most valuable diamond in the world in stolen right under the watchful eyes of Burton Blayne, it’s a direct challenge to Funny Face, the Nemesis of the underworld. But despite all his efforts, the Star of Africa eludes him.

When a young man is found dead by cobra venom, Inspector Gregg calls in the underworld’s greatest enemy, the Phantom Detective. But before the crimefighter can unravel the mystery, Steve Huston is beaten by hoodlums, and Muriel Havens is captured by the gang. Will the Phantom reach the mastermind before another dies from cobra venom?

When the Man In Purple uncovers an evil plot of massive greed, his team of rogues plan to remove their ill-gotten gain from their vaults, but he soon discovers that these seven men of crime are as vicious as any mad dog, and a wrong move on his part could easily end his young career.

         A small time gang kills a patrol officer during a robbery, and Captain McGrath wants Tony Quinn’s help in discovering the killers. Meanwhile, the Phantom Detective also wants something from Tony Quinn, and the Black Bat might have a say in the matter.

         Now available on Amazon Kindle for $2.99, at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XN5XZ88/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1488391843&sr=1-1&keywords=behind+the+mask+volume+2+by+tom+johnson

Triple Detective #4

TRIPLE DETECTIVE #4: Guest Editor Tom Johnson and Altus Press www.altuspress.com presents the final issue of TRIPLE DETECTIVE. Contained in this issue is THE GIBBERING GAS OF MADNESS by Capt. Kerry McRoberts. Featuring The Eagle, America’s greatest spy. CITY OF PHANTOMS by Robert Wallace. Featuring The Black Bat & The Phantom Detective is a case together. PLAGUE OF DEATH by Tom Johnson. Featuring The Masked Detective. An additional surprise is in store for the readers with THE LEGEND by Tom Johnson. Tom Johnson wrote all stories in this issue. We just couldn’t get authors to contribute, and Tom didn’t have time to continue filling each issue with novels. This giant issue also contains a Phantom Detective comic not reprinted in THE PHANTOM DETECTIVE COMPANION. Available for $13.05 on Altus Press and Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Triple-Detective-4-Fall-1956/dp/1450508588/ref=la_B008MM81CM_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1424108120&sr=1-12

Pulp Detectives

“Pulp Detectives” by Tom Johnson. Nine all-new stories starring the classic pulp heroes of the 1930s, featuring characters such as The Phantom Detective, The Black Bat, The Lone Eagle, The Masked Detective, Secret Agent X and introducing Tom’s western hero, The Nightwind. Written by pulp scholar Tom Johnson, it's nearly 400 pages of excitement! $22.46 from ALTUS PRESS at www.altuspress.com and Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Pulp-Detectives-Tom-Johnson/dp/1450509444/ref=la_B008MM81CM_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1422570778&sr=1-8

Tom's Infamous Wall of Heroes

Tom’s Infamous Wall of Heroes

For a change of pace, I thought I would share a couple of pictures with the Group. Above is my infamous wall of heroes. My first two heroes were Batman and Superman, comic book super heroes I discovered in 1947, at age seven. I guess I read comic books for 33 years, giving them up in 1980. I had discovered new heroes, not men wearing tights (LOL). In 1963 & ’64, I discovered Doc Savage and The Shadow, along with REH and ERB, while I was stationed in France with the US Army. From that time onward, my interest in comic books began diminishing, and a love for exciting pulp tales was escalating. On the wall below Superman and Batman you will see Doc Savage, The Shadow, and The Phantom Detective, three of my all-time favorite heroes from the pulp magazines – but certainly not the only ones. The picture below is my den; wall-to-wall pulps, paperbacks, and digest magazines surround the pool table.

Tom's Altus Press Hardbacks

Tom’s Altus Press Hardbacks

It’s time to advertise my hardback books from Altus Press this week. I have two short story collections, and five research books available. I only have a few of the hardback editions, so check with Altus Press on the availability of these, and confirm the prices. What I have listed may be incorrect.

The Pulp Detectives: For the first time, nine all-new stories starring the classic pulp heroes of the 1930s, featuring characters such as The Phantom Detective, The Black Bat, The Lone Eagle, The Masked Detective, Secret Agent X and Nightwind. Paperback $22.46. Written by pulp scholar Tom Johnson, it's nearly 400 pages of excitement! Hardback is $34.95 from Altus Press www.altuspress.com

The Phantom Detective Companion: The longest-running hero of the pulp era! For the first time, the history of the Phantom Detective is bought under one volume, completely updated! Includes an index to nearly 175 stories, 100s of pages of articles, two unused Phantom story plots from the mid-1930s and nearly all of the Phantom's comic book appearances. Paperback is $26.96. It's 400 pages of must-own information for any pulp fan to enjoy. The hardback is $39.95 from Altus Press www.altuspress.com

The Secret Agent X Companion: The classic investigation of SECRET AGENT "X," revised and updated by the original writers, Tom Johnson and Will Murray, including new chapters, images and information! It's the last word on this classic character! Paperback edition is $13.46. I’m not sure if this one is in hardback yet, check with Altus Press www.altuspress.com

G-Man Companion: For nearly 20 years, Dan Fowler and his G-men battled crimedom in the pages of G-Men Detective. Now, author Tom Johnson has indexed each issue, listing everything you need to know about the series. Also included are complete reprints of the two best Dan Fowler stories as chosen by Johnson and pulp historian Will Murray: "Give 'Em Hell" by Norvell W. Page and "Bullet Justice" by Charles Greenberg. And reprinted in its entirety for the first time: "I Cover the Murder Front," the lost, rejected Dan Fowler story. Paperback is 31.46. Featuring additional articles by Johnson and Murray, this is the ultimate history of the series. The hardback is $44.95 from Altus Press www.altuspress.com

Exciting Pulp Tales: The exciting sequel to Tom Johnson's 2010 anthology, PULP DETECTIVES, EXCITING PULP TALES brings you ten more all-new stories featuring classic pulp heroes such as The Angel, The Green Ghost, The Cobra, The Crimson Mask, Gentle Jones, The Purple Scar, Funny Face, Mr. Death, The Jungle Queen, and Ki-Gor. Paperback is $22.46. The hardback is $34.95 from Altus Press www.altuspress.com

Operator #5: The entire history of the The Purple Invasion, the War and Peace of the pulps which ran for over a year in the pages of Operator #5! Loaded with illustrations from the original pulps. Paperback edition is $13.46. The hardback is $24.95. I think the hardback is still available. Check with Altus Press www.altuspress.com

The Black Bat Companion: This one is not in hardback yet, but I wanted to list it anyway. One of the most beloved pulp characters, The Black Bat, is finally celebrated with this 340 page deluxe retrospective. Author Tom Johnson has indexed each issue, listing everything you need to know about the series, along with the following highlights: - A complete reprint of the rejected Black Bat adventure, "The Lady's Out for Blood" - A breakdown of the newly-discovered final Black Bat story, "The Celebrity Murders" - All 800 German Black Bat stories newly identified for the English audience - Nine complete reprints of the Black Bat's golden Age comic book stories - An interview with series creator Norman Daniels as well as his complete payment records... available here for the first time Featuring additional articles by Will Murray, this is the ultimate history of the series. Paperback edition $26.96 from Altus Press www.altuspress.com