Spider #1: Death Reign of the Vampire King

by Grant Stockbridge

Book by Grant stockbridge

Genres: Horror, Pulp, Superheroes, Mystery

144 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1935

About the author

Pen Name asociated with the pulp hero The Spider.

Reviews

[Shawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of those weird updates where they took the original pulp novel and randomly "updated" things like makes of cars and guns, etc. - trying to horn in on the James Bond market, I guess. IIRC - this leads to a hilarious moment where our manic-depressive hero The Spider, who would occasionally run out onto the wings of planes cackling crazily to dispatch some foe, does the same thing except in this case the biplane has been updated to a jet-fighter - which is, let's admit it, unlikely...

[Skjam! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps the best-known of the Spider stories, because of its memorable villain, the Bat Man. Not only does the Bat Man control a flock of thousands of poisonous vampire bats, but he dresses in a vampire bat costume, complete with wings that allow him to glide through the air.

This novel is a great example of the frenetic pace of the Spider stories, with Richard Wentworth on the go from the very first page and barely slowing down until the final one (when we learn that he somehow did some research on the villain offscreen, it's difficult to figure out when he had time to do that.) Plus the climax is a thrilling midair battle between Spider and Bat Man with our hero at a distinct disadvantage against his more maneuverable foe.

But there's some disappointment too. When the Bat Man is finally dealt with, we learn his real name, but not why he sought world domination, how he managed to get and control a flock of vampire bats, or what the heck inspired the whole mad scheme in the first place. I mean, people don't just randomly decide to put on a vampire bat costume and attempt to take over the world...right?

For more pulp reviews, see http://www.skjam.com/tag/pulp/

[Margeaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the original 1930's version, not the 1970's rewrite. My comments are based on the 1930's version. Good, fast-paced, over-the-top, lurid, pulp fun. Vampire bats terrorized the nation! Hundreds killed at a time! Only one man can save the day: The Spider. Plus.... romance! I'm not giving anything away with those comments that isn't already in the preview blurb. A good example of The Spider. My only complaint is the ending and motivations seemed rushed at the end.... but I'll not tell you more. Still worth the read.

[Craig · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pocket reissued several of the Spider books that were heavily edited to moderize them, and this was one of the victims. It was a terrible idea that ruined the story; avoid this edition if at all possible. The bones of the story are still there, but the soul was washed away.

[Little Timmy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This 4 volume reissue of the pulp character The Spider is a rewritten set of stories attempting to bring the character into modern times. The original pulp stories are much better and stand the test of time without being changed to "fit" modern times. Not recommended

[Randy · Rating 2 out of 5]

another rewritten to update The Spider. Again, a terrible idea.

[Jeff J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun pulp novel featuring the Spider. Pretty much nonstop action, with an intriguing villain. Recommended!

[Ronald · Rating 5 out of 5]

read some time in 1993

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

was awful in the best way

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: the first of The Spider stories; it features The Bat Man who controls poisonous vampire bats.