The Shadow Unmasks / The Yellow Band

by Maxwell Grant

Who knows what secrets lurk in The Shadow's mysterious past? The Dark Avenger's enigmatic origins are revealed in the first-ever reprint of one of the rarest (and most expensive) Shadow pulps. In The Shadow Unmasks, the real Lamont Cranston's whereabouts become front-page news, and the Dark Avenger is forced to resurrect his long-buried true identity of Kent Allard, missing aviator and former spy. Then, while investigating a Miami crime ring, Kent Allard is framed by The Yellow Band and must revert to his Lamont Cranston alter ego to clear his name, This collector's item special showcases George Rozen's spectacular pulp covers and all the original interior art by pulp-legends Edd Cartier and Tom Lovell, BONUS: Walter Gibson and Will Murray reveal behind-the-scenes revelations about The Shadow's origins, while Anthony Tollin examines the bizarre saga of Colonel P. H. Fawcett, the legendary explorer whose real-life exploits inspired Kent Allard's creation.

Genres: Pulp, Crime, Mystery

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2008

About the author

Maxwell Grant was a pseudonym often used by Walter B. Gibson to write stories of "The Shadow".

Reviews

[Shawn Manning · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you only know the Shadow from the radio show, you will most likely find the pulp version a little be jarring. In this volume, there is no Margo Lane to be seen. This version is also considerably more prone to violence than his radio counterpart. Walter Gibson also exploits the length of the medium to tell a much more complex story than the 30 minutes of the radio show would allow. Gibson, an accomplished magician uses his facility for misdirection to the fullest.

The thing that makes this a standout volume in the series is that the reader finally (after 7 years) gets the (mostly) full story on the Shadow and who he really is. You needn't have read earlier stories to appreciate this one, but you might wish to read the first story, The Living Shadow to get a feel for the character. After all, the Shadow Knows

[J.L. Rallios · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both great classic Shadow novels. The Shadow Unmasks is unique in that it exposes the real identity of The Shadow and his background story! Very good. The Yellow Band has great action and twists, in which Kent Allard (The Shadow) is accused of heinous crimes and clears his name as only The Shadow can!

[ISMOTU · Rating 5 out of 5]

The biggest of big reveals! Who is the Shadow? Having had this 80 year old tale spoiled for me back when it would've been only a 65 year old tale or so did not reduce my enjoyment of learning the mysterious origin of the Shadow in the words of his creator. Solid pulp classics.

[Rose]

I adore old radio shows. This show is one of my favorite and I actually squealed ever so briefly when I saw that they were reprinting the old serials. I just got this one, but haven't had a chance to read it yet. I do, however, have plans for me this book and a day off.