I just snagged the four issue run of DC's JUSTICE, INC. comic from the 70's. I've never read the Avenger, but thought this might be a cool place to start...
Much as I love Doc Savage, I think many of the AVENGER novels are better written. Especially the early stories written by Paul Ernst. The character of Richard Henry Benson is more interesting than Doc or The Shadow, too, being much more complex and multi-layered.
THE AVENGER also has one of the most iconic origins in heroic fiction, which many later comic book heroes like Batman, Spider-Man, and The Punisher would seem to imitate.
That's a given. Unfortunately, finding those paperbacks is easier said than done. I did find one copy of an Avenger book in a used book store (don't remember which one) and they guy wanted $10!! Not to worry, I'll keep searching them out.
Anthony Tollin's Nostalgia Ventures, which already re-presents THE SHADOW and DOC SAVAGE novels each month, will be doing the same very soon with THE AVENGER.
I've been getting Tollin's reprints, even tho I have a complete collection of Doc & Avenger paperback reprints.
Why?
* restored stories (many Docs were cut, and they are restoring stuff, also some reprints of the Shadow were cut)
* additional articles and extras. Some have scripts, articles on the stories giving great background, additional short stories, radio scripts, etc.
* original interior artwork.
* original cover artwork. (I've seen very little of the original covers, and even fewer in color.)
Also, due to the split between Nostalgia Venturers & Tollin, you may get a better deal getting the Docs & Shadows NV & Tollin published from them (or via eBay) in sets.
9 comments:
I just snagged the four issue run of DC's JUSTICE, INC. comic from the 70's. I've never read the Avenger, but thought this might be a cool place to start...
Excellent!
But read the pulp novels too - -they were republished in the '70s. :-)
Yes--do read them!
Much as I love Doc Savage, I think many of the AVENGER novels are better written. Especially the early stories written by Paul Ernst. The character of Richard Henry Benson is more interesting than Doc or The Shadow, too, being much more complex and multi-layered.
THE AVENGER also has one of the most iconic origins in heroic fiction, which many later comic book heroes like Batman, Spider-Man, and The Punisher would seem to imitate.
That's a given. Unfortunately, finding those paperbacks is easier said than done. I did find one copy of an Avenger book in a used book store (don't remember which one) and they guy wanted $10!! Not to worry, I'll keep searching them out.
Good deal -- you'll enjoy them!
Anthony Tollin's Nostalgia Ventures, which already re-presents THE SHADOW and DOC SAVAGE novels each month, will be doing the same very soon with THE AVENGER.
Highly recommended!
Indeed, good point! And although I have all the 1970s reprints from Warner books, I'm definitely getting the Nostalgia Ventures editions as well. :-)
Tollin's parted ways with Nostalgia Ventures. The reprints are from his own Sanctum Books now.
I've been getting Tollin's reprints, even tho I have a complete collection of Doc & Avenger paperback reprints.
Why?
* restored stories (many Docs were cut, and they are restoring stuff, also some reprints of the Shadow were cut)
* additional articles and extras. Some have scripts, articles on the stories giving great background, additional short stories, radio scripts, etc.
* original interior artwork.
* original cover artwork. (I've seen very little of the original covers, and even fewer in color.)
Also, due to the split between Nostalgia Venturers & Tollin, you may get a better deal getting the Docs & Shadows NV & Tollin published from them (or via eBay) in sets.
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