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Doc Savage (Bantam) #74
The Derrick Devil
A mysterious jellylike creature is terrorizing the Indian Dome Oil Field! The Man of Bronze and his five fantastic aides descend upon Oklahoma to do battle with dastardly Tomahawk Tant — and uncover the infernal secret of the weird monster from the depths of the earth.
138 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1973
101 people want to read
About the author
Kenneth Robeson
916 books134 followersKenneth Robeson was the house name used by Street and Smith Publications as the author of their popular character Doc Savage and later The Avenger. Though most Doc Savage stories were written by the author Lester Dent, there were many others who contributed to the series, including:
William G. Bogart
Evelyn Coulson
Harold A. Davis
Lawrence Donovan
Alan Hathway
W. Ryerson Johnson
Lester Dent is usually considered to be the creator of Doc Savage. In the 1990s Philip José Farmer wrote a new Doc Savage adventure, but it was published under his own name and not by Robeson. Will Murray has since taken up the pseudonym and continued writing Doc Savage books as Robeson.
All 24 of the original stories featuring The Avenger were written by Paul Ernst, using the Robeson house name. In order to encourage sales Kenneth Robeson was credited on the cover of The Avenger magazine as "the creator of Doc Savage" even though Lester Dent had nothing to do with The Avenger series. In the 1970s, when the series was extended with 12 additional novels, Ron Goulart was hired to become Robeson.
William G. Bogart
Evelyn Coulson
Harold A. Davis
Lawrence Donovan
Alan Hathway
W. Ryerson Johnson
Lester Dent is usually considered to be the creator of Doc Savage. In the 1990s Philip José Farmer wrote a new Doc Savage adventure, but it was published under his own name and not by Robeson. Will Murray has since taken up the pseudonym and continued writing Doc Savage books as Robeson.
All 24 of the original stories featuring The Avenger were written by Paul Ernst, using the Robeson house name. In order to encourage sales Kenneth Robeson was credited on the cover of The Avenger magazine as "the creator of Doc Savage" even though Lester Dent had nothing to do with The Avenger series. In the 1970s, when the series was extended with 12 additional novels, Ron Goulart was hired to become Robeson.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 22, 2023
Doc Savage meets the Blob. Evildoers try to take over Oklahoma's oilfields. Doc and crew spoil the plot.
May 3, 2024
The Derrick Devil is a "Doc Savage" novel by Kenneth Robeson. Kenneth Robeson was the house name Street and Smith Publications used as the author of their popular Doc Savage novels. Though most Doc Savage stories were written by the author Lester Dent, there were many others who contributed to the series, including: William G. Bogart, Evelyn Coulson, Harold A. Davis, Lawrence Donovan, Alan Hathway, and W. Ryerson Johnson.
I love reading these old pulp novels from time to time. I read about 80%+ of the Doc Savage novels when I was a teenager but that was a very long time ago. I have been trying to find them again in the Bantam editions I read in my youth. I have found several of them in used bookstores and have bought several from online aftermarket bookstores.
In this one, Doc Savage and his men are in the thick of it again. The action is classic Doc Savage, filled with good old-fashioned adventure and gadgets that always seem to be there when the hero needs them. You can relax and escape for a little while. A good read in the Doc Savage series.
I love reading these old pulp novels from time to time. I read about 80%+ of the Doc Savage novels when I was a teenager but that was a very long time ago. I have been trying to find them again in the Bantam editions I read in my youth. I have found several of them in used bookstores and have bought several from online aftermarket bookstores.
In this one, Doc Savage and his men are in the thick of it again. The action is classic Doc Savage, filled with good old-fashioned adventure and gadgets that always seem to be there when the hero needs them. You can relax and escape for a little while. A good read in the Doc Savage series.
February 29, 2016
Of all the pulp era heroes few stand out above the crowd, Doc Savage is one of these. With his 5 aides and cousin he adventures across the world. Fighting weird menaces, master criminals and evil scientists Doc and the Fab 5 never let you down for a great read. These stories have all you need; fast paced action, weird mystery, and some humor as the aides spat with each other. My highest recommendation.
December 3, 2022
Like I've said before. Comfort food/security blanket.
October 14, 2024
Another quick and exciting read from Doc. This one had a small bit or racism from the bad guys, never from Doc or his aids.
Every time I read 'Tomahawk Tant' my inner reading voice said 'Tomahawk Taint' instead.
It also gave us these literary gems:-------------------------------------------------------------
The girl was about the right size, (the right size to be wrong for me)
Reservoir Hill growled, "Well! Didn't answer, did he?" (And I've been texting him all day, even left a voice mail and I emailed him too)
Louder than the .30-30, it did not have as ugly a sound. (not as ugly a sound as a Justin Beiber CD, but still pretty ugly)
"It goes right to Sam Sand's duds!" (and if you didn't buy your used car from honest Sam sands duds, all you got was a dud)
The dog was nearly pony size and had bloodshot eyes. (Are you sure it wasn't a pony on drugs? What? It could happen!)
There was no white whatever on the dog. (Thanks to Just for Dogs comb in hair coloring)
"Clark Savage, Jr.," he said. "Sometimes called Doc Savage." (But my friends call me Doctor Pooper Pants. You can't call me that because you're not my friend)
"Take that blankety--blankety--blankety--blatherskite of a thing over to the river and tie a rock to it!" Monk yelled. (What the blankety-blankety does that mean?)
They said she could, and she did. (isn't that the quote on an inspirational poster somewhere?
The army planes found nothing, either. (Thanks for nothing Army)
His aids, while remarkable gentlemen, did not have the bronze man's powers. They did not need them (You can keep your dumb old powers, I didn't want them anyhow)
His clothing had leaked a big pool of water. (Is that like a way to say he peed himself?)
These crooks of ours rented it from the other crooks for a while (Oh, so it's a bad guy timeshare!)
The men got in and out of the submarine by a simple method. (By using the door)
TWO BODIES STRANGELY MANGLED ("Hey Bob, look over there at this two mangled bodies!" "Hmmm. How strange!")
Police refuse to explain what the greasy material is. (It's grease.)
"I'll wring your neck, or I hope to be put on a diet of carrots, than which there's nothing I like less!" (Hey, Elmer Fudd, calm down!)
"Thank you," said the police chemist, flattered. (You're not so bad yourself bronze stuff)
and the car horn began to blow steadily and horribly. (Yeah, that horn blows!)
Doc reached the house, found nobody home, broke in (Wait a sec, doesn't that mean he'd have to arrest himself?)
"Followed you--figured--might help. Wasn't I--the big ninny!" (That's OK, don't worry about it you big ninny you)
"They did nothing but search me," Doc explained. (Then why are you naked?)
"Keep your heads!" Doc said, again sharply (Thanks, I've kind of grown attached to mine)
A number of heavily armed men stood about. (So are the men heavy or just their arms? I'm asking for a friend)
One or two laughed jeeringly. (Say, this situation sure is jeering! HA HA!)
a wayward breeze trickling through the naked boughs of some thick forest, (For crying out loud, put some clothes on forest, we have guests)
"There ain't no earth devils!" (Hey buddy, spoiler alert much?)
At least, they were never heard from again, nor could a trace be found of them (Yeah, boo hoo, sucks to be them.. Anyhow...)
-------------------------------------------------------------
It also gave us a few 'Insert your own joke here' lines, like----------------
That was just old lube
"It wasn't lube," Reservoir Hill said, shuddering.
Monk felt in a trousers pocket
"Pull up my coat tail and shirt and take a look at my back,"
He was going to let the other start screwing a finger around in his ear again
Queer business, huh!
THEY drove on, leaving the attendant with his six-gun in his hands and a big grin on his face.
The men leading him tried to yank him on
-------------------------------------------------------------
Here's the running count for this adventure:
The lube was talked about 7 times
They came across 11 queer things/situations
Things were Supermalagorgeous 2 times
And last but not least, the return of superamalgamated, 6 times this go around.
Oh well, on to the next one......
Every time I read 'Tomahawk Tant' my inner reading voice said 'Tomahawk Taint' instead.
It also gave us these literary gems:-------------------------------------------------------------
The girl was about the right size, (the right size to be wrong for me)
Reservoir Hill growled, "Well! Didn't answer, did he?" (And I've been texting him all day, even left a voice mail and I emailed him too)
Louder than the .30-30, it did not have as ugly a sound. (not as ugly a sound as a Justin Beiber CD, but still pretty ugly)
"It goes right to Sam Sand's duds!" (and if you didn't buy your used car from honest Sam sands duds, all you got was a dud)
The dog was nearly pony size and had bloodshot eyes. (Are you sure it wasn't a pony on drugs? What? It could happen!)
There was no white whatever on the dog. (Thanks to Just for Dogs comb in hair coloring)
"Clark Savage, Jr.," he said. "Sometimes called Doc Savage." (But my friends call me Doctor Pooper Pants. You can't call me that because you're not my friend)
"Take that blankety--blankety--blankety--blatherskite of a thing over to the river and tie a rock to it!" Monk yelled. (What the blankety-blankety does that mean?)
They said she could, and she did. (isn't that the quote on an inspirational poster somewhere?
The army planes found nothing, either. (Thanks for nothing Army)
His aids, while remarkable gentlemen, did not have the bronze man's powers. They did not need them (You can keep your dumb old powers, I didn't want them anyhow)
His clothing had leaked a big pool of water. (Is that like a way to say he peed himself?)
These crooks of ours rented it from the other crooks for a while (Oh, so it's a bad guy timeshare!)
The men got in and out of the submarine by a simple method. (By using the door)
TWO BODIES STRANGELY MANGLED ("Hey Bob, look over there at this two mangled bodies!" "Hmmm. How strange!")
Police refuse to explain what the greasy material is. (It's grease.)
"I'll wring your neck, or I hope to be put on a diet of carrots, than which there's nothing I like less!" (Hey, Elmer Fudd, calm down!)
"Thank you," said the police chemist, flattered. (You're not so bad yourself bronze stuff)
and the car horn began to blow steadily and horribly. (Yeah, that horn blows!)
Doc reached the house, found nobody home, broke in (Wait a sec, doesn't that mean he'd have to arrest himself?)
"Followed you--figured--might help. Wasn't I--the big ninny!" (That's OK, don't worry about it you big ninny you)
"They did nothing but search me," Doc explained. (Then why are you naked?)
"Keep your heads!" Doc said, again sharply (Thanks, I've kind of grown attached to mine)
A number of heavily armed men stood about. (So are the men heavy or just their arms? I'm asking for a friend)
One or two laughed jeeringly. (Say, this situation sure is jeering! HA HA!)
a wayward breeze trickling through the naked boughs of some thick forest, (For crying out loud, put some clothes on forest, we have guests)
"There ain't no earth devils!" (Hey buddy, spoiler alert much?)
At least, they were never heard from again, nor could a trace be found of them (Yeah, boo hoo, sucks to be them.. Anyhow...)
-------------------------------------------------------------
It also gave us a few 'Insert your own joke here' lines, like----------------
That was just old lube
"It wasn't lube," Reservoir Hill said, shuddering.
Monk felt in a trousers pocket
"Pull up my coat tail and shirt and take a look at my back,"
He was going to let the other start screwing a finger around in his ear again
Queer business, huh!
THEY drove on, leaving the attendant with his six-gun in his hands and a big grin on his face.
The men leading him tried to yank him on
-------------------------------------------------------------
Here's the running count for this adventure:
The lube was talked about 7 times
They came across 11 queer things/situations
Things were Supermalagorgeous 2 times
And last but not least, the return of superamalgamated, 6 times this go around.
Oh well, on to the next one......
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2024
The Derrick Devil looks to be another five-star Doc Savage adventure. This story originally appeared in the February, 1937 issue of Doc Savage Magazine and was written by Lester Dent. Lester knew how to grab a reading audience in the initial paragraphs of his stories, and The Derrick Devil is no exception; Chapter I contains within its pages the introduction of two major characters, a murder, and the murderer making its getaway.
The story begins in an oil field in Oklahoma where Vida Carlaw and Croton “Reservoir” Hill are investigating the hideous murder of their driller, Sam Sands. They see some type of translucent red flowing mass that has apparently dissolved the body of their driller, leaving some type of “gooey stuff” on his clothes. There is a trail of the stuff leading to the well head where this red blob or whatever it is goes down the pipe into the ground. After a short verbal disagreement with her investment partner, Reservoir Hill, Vida decides to contact Doc, but decides instead to visit him in New York as she wants to attempt securing further investment funding for their oil exploration … in other words, they're running out of money. Having cut short his “mini vacation” to his Fortress of Solitude, Doc is mysteriously on the plane when his future client is almost killed by a passenger, who is working for someone who doesn’t want Doc Savage involved in this investigation. But, the Man of Bronze has already become involved when he was a disguised passenger of the plane; solving the mystery of The Derrick Devil has become his and his crew's latest endeavor.
Doc solved it, but he and his crew had their hands full, eventually fighting two groups of thugs with two masterminds instead of the usual single gang. Everyone involved crisscrossed the central portion of Oklahoma, from various oil leases to Tulsa and the surrounding area to eventually a huge tank farm. Here, the final showdown occurs with the two rival gangs meeting their justifiable destruction, but not before the two masterminds and their motives are identified, and the mystery of the “red blobs” is explained.
The Derrick Devil was another five-star Doc Savage adventure; it’s apparent Lester did his research as his descriptions of the Oklahoma oil fields were written as if he had actually visited them. He also inserted a few humorous anecdotes in his story; one I especially liked was found in Chapter XV when Doc and Johnny arrived in disguise at the Fujiyama Roadhouse, which was used as a meeting place for the thugs; Doc had apparently rented a car … here’s what Lester wrote … Half an hour had passed when a plain-looking car, of a make noted for its speed, drove into the grounds and to the rear, where it parked. It was a coupé…1.
As someone who loves the old classic American cars, I’m going to take a very good guess at Doc's rented car … it was probably a new 1937 Ford two-door coupe with the famous flat head V8; they were about the fastest car the “average guy” could buy when this story was first published in Doc Savage Magazine. Perhaps the parents of some of the readers who paid ten cents for a copy of Doc's magazine owned one of those “V8 Fords.” Perhaps Lester himself owned one.
All in all, The Derrick Devil was another five-star Doc Savage adventure, just like I expected it to be, and I was captivated for the duration of the story. *****
1. The Derrick Devil, Chapter XV, p. 47.
The story begins in an oil field in Oklahoma where Vida Carlaw and Croton “Reservoir” Hill are investigating the hideous murder of their driller, Sam Sands. They see some type of translucent red flowing mass that has apparently dissolved the body of their driller, leaving some type of “gooey stuff” on his clothes. There is a trail of the stuff leading to the well head where this red blob or whatever it is goes down the pipe into the ground. After a short verbal disagreement with her investment partner, Reservoir Hill, Vida decides to contact Doc, but decides instead to visit him in New York as she wants to attempt securing further investment funding for their oil exploration … in other words, they're running out of money. Having cut short his “mini vacation” to his Fortress of Solitude, Doc is mysteriously on the plane when his future client is almost killed by a passenger, who is working for someone who doesn’t want Doc Savage involved in this investigation. But, the Man of Bronze has already become involved when he was a disguised passenger of the plane; solving the mystery of The Derrick Devil has become his and his crew's latest endeavor.
Doc solved it, but he and his crew had their hands full, eventually fighting two groups of thugs with two masterminds instead of the usual single gang. Everyone involved crisscrossed the central portion of Oklahoma, from various oil leases to Tulsa and the surrounding area to eventually a huge tank farm. Here, the final showdown occurs with the two rival gangs meeting their justifiable destruction, but not before the two masterminds and their motives are identified, and the mystery of the “red blobs” is explained.
The Derrick Devil was another five-star Doc Savage adventure; it’s apparent Lester did his research as his descriptions of the Oklahoma oil fields were written as if he had actually visited them. He also inserted a few humorous anecdotes in his story; one I especially liked was found in Chapter XV when Doc and Johnny arrived in disguise at the Fujiyama Roadhouse, which was used as a meeting place for the thugs; Doc had apparently rented a car … here’s what Lester wrote … Half an hour had passed when a plain-looking car, of a make noted for its speed, drove into the grounds and to the rear, where it parked. It was a coupé…1.
As someone who loves the old classic American cars, I’m going to take a very good guess at Doc's rented car … it was probably a new 1937 Ford two-door coupe with the famous flat head V8; they were about the fastest car the “average guy” could buy when this story was first published in Doc Savage Magazine. Perhaps the parents of some of the readers who paid ten cents for a copy of Doc's magazine owned one of those “V8 Fords.” Perhaps Lester himself owned one.
All in all, The Derrick Devil was another five-star Doc Savage adventure, just like I expected it to be, and I was captivated for the duration of the story. *****
1. The Derrick Devil, Chapter XV, p. 47.
October 25, 2022
The Derrick Devil begins in Oklahoma before Vial Carla’s attempts to make her way to NYC to enlist Doc Savage and his men to help her. She had telephoned Doc’s office only to have Monk tell her the Doc is away at his Fortress of Solitude. No one knows when Doc will return. Vidal, a “ravishing beauty” (but of course) takes a plane to NYC. A disguised Doc thwarts the plans of a mysterious man who had knocked out the ravishing Vidal, put a parachute on her and was attempting to jump out the window of the airplane. Did airplane windows really open for passengers? Sounds implausible to me. The action eventually gets back to NYC where Doc and all of his men make their plans and set off for Oklahoma.
This is another caper of the mysterious boss man but not really so mysterious. This novel is the first instance of Doc using a smoke grenade, with yellow smoke, to guide his men in a plane to his destination. Doc previously had taken a small speed plane which he leaves in Ohio and then the plane is then forgotten from the novel. His men are held captive for large parts of the book except for Johnny who accompanies Doc. This is a bit of a relief since most books usually have Monk and Ham to the exclusion of the others.
Another first is Doc having tinted windows of his office. This allows anyone to look out but prevent anyone from looking in. I wonder if the tinted windows will remain in the following novels?
While in his headquarters in NYC, Doc leaves Vida alone in his headquarters. She objects for fear of her life. Doc reassures her that his place is impregnable. Lol. How many times previously has Doc’s quarters been invaded? I can remember to many Doc Savage adventures where the bad guys were able to get inside his offices.
This book was published February 1937 by Lester Dent. The cool thing about this book at the end was its lead in to the next adventure titled The Mental Wizard.
Even though this book is listed as Doc Savage #74 as published by Bantam Books, I have chosen to read the Doc Savage books in their original order of publishing as they were released by the Doc Savage Magazine in the 1930’s & 1940’s.
This is another caper of the mysterious boss man but not really so mysterious. This novel is the first instance of Doc using a smoke grenade, with yellow smoke, to guide his men in a plane to his destination. Doc previously had taken a small speed plane which he leaves in Ohio and then the plane is then forgotten from the novel. His men are held captive for large parts of the book except for Johnny who accompanies Doc. This is a bit of a relief since most books usually have Monk and Ham to the exclusion of the others.
Another first is Doc having tinted windows of his office. This allows anyone to look out but prevent anyone from looking in. I wonder if the tinted windows will remain in the following novels?
While in his headquarters in NYC, Doc leaves Vida alone in his headquarters. She objects for fear of her life. Doc reassures her that his place is impregnable. Lol. How many times previously has Doc’s quarters been invaded? I can remember to many Doc Savage adventures where the bad guys were able to get inside his offices.
This book was published February 1937 by Lester Dent. The cool thing about this book at the end was its lead in to the next adventure titled The Mental Wizard.
Even though this book is listed as Doc Savage #74 as published by Bantam Books, I have chosen to read the Doc Savage books in their original order of publishing as they were released by the Doc Savage Magazine in the 1930’s & 1940’s.
June 9, 2017
5 for nostalgia. A story featuring all of the gang. Johnny is featured a little more heavily than normal and Long Tom is barely there.
March 30, 2011
Back Cover Blurb:
A mysterious jellylike creature is terrorizing the Indian Dome Oil Field! The Man of Bronze and his five fantastic aides descend upon Oklahoma to do battle with dastardly Tomahawk Tant -- and uncover the infernal secret of the weird monster from the depths of the earth.
My take:
I used to be a big fan of the pulp hero Doc Savage and collected many of the Bantam paperback reprints when I was a kid growing up in the 70s and 80s. Discovering other fans of the series online over the past five years or so (check out the wonderful website www.docsavage.org) has rekindled my interest and so ever since, periodically I find myself in the mood to run through a half-dozen or so of these novels. Generally speaking, I've been able to enjoy them even through my more jaded and critical adult eyes, as examples of high-octane period adventure with often vividly-described action and spectacle.
However, the recent batch of "supersagas" (as entries in the series are fondly called by fans, a phrase that likely originated from famed SF writer and fan Phillip Jose Farmer) that I've been reading have been a decidedly average lot compared to last year's list.
THE DERRICK DEVIL (originally published Feb. 1937) was the first in this year's Doc Savage binge, and despite a strong premise, it's pretty weak tea by writer Lester Dent's usual standards, with mundane villains and a less-effective performance by Doc this time out. There is one great segment, though (pages 112-115), where some of the bad guys tie up the gaunt, big-word-spouting Johnny (one of Doc Savage's five pals that accompany him on his adventures) to a tank full of the weird, blob-like things that have apparently turned their many victims to piles of dissolved goo. Dent's writing comes alive here, describing Johnny's disgust and fear in atmospheric detail. It's only a brief vignette, however, and the novel's resolution and explanation of the true nature of the creatures proves anti-climactic, if in keeping with the series' rationalistic bent.
Overall, a lesser Doc Savage novel, but not without a few points of interest.
A mysterious jellylike creature is terrorizing the Indian Dome Oil Field! The Man of Bronze and his five fantastic aides descend upon Oklahoma to do battle with dastardly Tomahawk Tant -- and uncover the infernal secret of the weird monster from the depths of the earth.
My take:
I used to be a big fan of the pulp hero Doc Savage and collected many of the Bantam paperback reprints when I was a kid growing up in the 70s and 80s. Discovering other fans of the series online over the past five years or so (check out the wonderful website www.docsavage.org) has rekindled my interest and so ever since, periodically I find myself in the mood to run through a half-dozen or so of these novels. Generally speaking, I've been able to enjoy them even through my more jaded and critical adult eyes, as examples of high-octane period adventure with often vividly-described action and spectacle.
However, the recent batch of "supersagas" (as entries in the series are fondly called by fans, a phrase that likely originated from famed SF writer and fan Phillip Jose Farmer) that I've been reading have been a decidedly average lot compared to last year's list.
THE DERRICK DEVIL (originally published Feb. 1937) was the first in this year's Doc Savage binge, and despite a strong premise, it's pretty weak tea by writer Lester Dent's usual standards, with mundane villains and a less-effective performance by Doc this time out. There is one great segment, though (pages 112-115), where some of the bad guys tie up the gaunt, big-word-spouting Johnny (one of Doc Savage's five pals that accompany him on his adventures) to a tank full of the weird, blob-like things that have apparently turned their many victims to piles of dissolved goo. Dent's writing comes alive here, describing Johnny's disgust and fear in atmospheric detail. It's only a brief vignette, however, and the novel's resolution and explanation of the true nature of the creatures proves anti-climactic, if in keeping with the series' rationalistic bent.
Overall, a lesser Doc Savage novel, but not without a few points of interest.
October 15, 2016
The first Doc Savage story appeared in 1933 and the series ran in pulp and later digest format into 1949. Bantam reprinted the entire series in paperback with wonderful, iconic covers starting in the 1960's. Doc was arguably the first great modern superhero with a rich background, continuity, and mythos. The characterizations were far richer than was common for the pulps; his five associates and their sometimes-auxiliary, Doc's cousin Pat, and the pets Chemistry and Habeas Corpus, all had very distinctive characteristics and their byplay was frequently more entertaining that the current adventure-of-the-month. The settings were also fascinating: Doc's Fortress of Solitude, the Hidalgo Trading Company (which served as a front for his armada of vehicles), and especially the mysterious 86th floor headquarters all became familiar haunts to the reader, and the far-flung adventures took the intrepid band to exotic and richly-described locations all over the world. The adventures were always fast-paced and exciting, from the early apocalyptic world-saving extravaganzas of the early days to the latter scientific-detective style shorter works of the post-World War Two years. There were always a few points that it was difficult to believe along the way, but there were always more ups than downs, and there was never, ever a dull moment. The Doc Savage books have always been my favorite entertainments... I was always, as Johnny would say, superamalgamated!
August 11, 2014
I've been reading Doc Savage off and on for a lot of years. And while they are the king of pulp they are also fun to read, exciting and inventive. Yes, you do have to put with Doc Savage always being a bit better than everyone. He is stronger, smarter, quicker, and almost never makes a mistake. So what's to dislike?
His partners are not equal to his genius. His wealth is great. His influence is beyond comparison. But, the stories are page turners. His cliff hangers hang on very tall cliffs. That's what makes these stories fly. They are all different but of course a bit predictable. In modern novel writing that seems to be the norm: a bit different, predictable.
I think when these were produced the readers wanted something as fantastic as Superman yet more human. Like the Ironman series we like our good guys to have help and yet be better than all of us put together.
I bought three Doc Savage at the recent comic convention in Bristol, Tenn. First time ever to such a thing. Despite a bazillion comics for sale which wasn't impressive to me, stumbling across a whole raft of Doc Savage was. What I didn't see were any Fu Manchu novels. Rats!
His partners are not equal to his genius. His wealth is great. His influence is beyond comparison. But, the stories are page turners. His cliff hangers hang on very tall cliffs. That's what makes these stories fly. They are all different but of course a bit predictable. In modern novel writing that seems to be the norm: a bit different, predictable.
I think when these were produced the readers wanted something as fantastic as Superman yet more human. Like the Ironman series we like our good guys to have help and yet be better than all of us put together.
I bought three Doc Savage at the recent comic convention in Bristol, Tenn. First time ever to such a thing. Despite a bazillion comics for sale which wasn't impressive to me, stumbling across a whole raft of Doc Savage was. What I didn't see were any Fu Manchu novels. Rats!
January 22, 2022
Oil wells in Oklahoma have unleashed strange creatures, terrorizing the countryside, while rumors of the notorious outlaw, Tomahawk Tant keep circulating.
A couple of the owners of a small drill site go to Doc for help and the adventure begins.
Pretty solid story, with an interesting mystery, a decent supporting cast and for a nice change Johnny and Renny get a bit more to do than usual.
A couple of the owners of a small drill site go to Doc for help and the adventure begins.
Pretty solid story, with an interesting mystery, a decent supporting cast and for a nice change Johnny and Renny get a bit more to do than usual.
January 31, 2015
Not one of my top Savage adventures but a good story nonetheless. This book has Doc and the crew (featuring Monk and Ham mainly) as they investigate the mysterious force devouring oil workers and leaving behind nothing but a strange red jelly. The exciting travel feature in this one is a parachute chase. The female is a little spitfire who is miffed that Doc isn't captivated by her beauty but is also a woman entrepreneur. The mystery was pretty transparent which was disappointing.
March 18, 2015
A great opening as oozing Lovecraftian horrors slither from the ground to attack Oklahoma oil workers. Of course I knew it would be a more mundane explanation but the book that develops is surprisingly dull overall.
December 25, 2007
read 02.20.85
read 09.xx.86
read 09.xx.86
December 15, 2013
Check out the splashy color scheme from cover artist Fred Pfeiffer on the Bantam reprint! Holy crap! "The Derrick Devil" is a pretty ordinary Doc Savage tale set among oil fields. Ho-hum.
November 17, 2018
read some time in 1983
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews