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Doc Savage (Bantam) #60
The Majii
In New York, Rama Tura, chosen disciple of the Majii, leads Doc Savage into a sinister world of drugs and advanced hypnotism. Far away in Jondore, a revolt is brewing that will pit the Man of Bronze against his most devious opponent: the man who cannot die.
140 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 1935
2 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Kenneth Robeson
915 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 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 15, 2025
All right, I have to admit, after the trainwreck of the last one, this one was refreshing. Also the fourth co-written one, so I'm wondering if the co-author injected a little more life into this one. As per usual, the plot is ridiculous, but at least this one was fun.
May 12, 2024
This adventure started out slow but picked up about halfway through. Slightly offensive with every foreigner being called a 'brown man' and a bit confusing at times, but all in all it was an ok adventure.
It did give us our usual literary gems, such as:------
"I AM about to, be killed," the woman said. (Hey, spoiler alert much?)
They had heads which made the clerk think of coconuts. (What is with everyone and coconuts today? Did we land on Gilligan's Island? )
The plump man nodded. (Yep, I have a dad bod. I'm about as round as a coconut)
"Then you think--" (Nope, I try not to, it hurts my head)
"Has any one tried to see her?" "No one." "I see." (Yes, you are the only one to see her)
There was a damp spot on the gown, on one arm, and it gave off a strong scent of toilet water. (Eww, gross! Maybe she got into a fist fight with a Ninja Turtle?)
The heavy roadster began to cover ground in a slightly eerie manner. (It was a creepy Cadillac!)
"Back against the wall, then turn around." (Then put your left foot in and take your left out, then put your left foot in and you shake it all about...)
"Stick in here five minutes and be healthy," (Were they being kidnapped by Richard Simmons?)
The masked man drove the car furiously, (Back towards Gotham City and the Batcave)
Chapter IX. DOC HAS A Waterloo (I did too once but a doctor gave me some pills and in a few weeks it was gone)
They were near a roof hatch, and there were no chimneys or ventelators near them (that explained why Santa hadn't visited)
"Scat, bowser!" he howled. (Our princess is in another castle)
and he was kneading his legs and arms. (Needing them for what?)
Ham said, "Don't brag, stupid." (Can I brag smart?)
Chapter XIV. BLACK HOLE: IT was dark. (Duh)
There was a very modern padlock, American made (USA! Still #1 in padlocks!!)
In the north, it was Jagee, and in the south, it was Genee, or Gini. (In the west they called him Frank)
crashing laughter it was, with a very perceptible undertone of viciousness. (And just a hint of rosemary)
Two score men--his foes numbered that at least--could conceivably bring down an elephant, or the most vicious lion (or at the very least a really pissed off Star Trek fan)
by the aid of thongs which they had managed to loop over his limbs. (So they tied him up with their underwear? Eww, gross!)
"just how many knives his body will hold." (Just how man knives does it take to get to the tootsie roll center of a Doc Savage?)
Monk squinted upward. "Looks kind of spooky." (Would you go up there for some Scooby Snacks? Er.. I mean some Savage Snacks?)
Monk sniffed. (He forgot to use Flonaze for his seasonal tomb allergies)
This adventure also gave us a few (insert your own joke here lines, like---------------------
Blows whacked. There were gasps, grunts, much puffing.
"It's big," said, the masked man dryly.
He got the first from behind.
the man fell down, gagging.
then realized Ham was in earnest, and that he, Monk, was feeling a bit queer
He whacked his pony lustily
They "blew."
This time around both our Holy Cow count and Supermalgamated count both came up zeros which was so easy to keep track of on my fingers.
But oh well, on to the next one.......
It did give us our usual literary gems, such as:------
"I AM about to, be killed," the woman said. (Hey, spoiler alert much?)
They had heads which made the clerk think of coconuts. (What is with everyone and coconuts today? Did we land on Gilligan's Island? )
The plump man nodded. (Yep, I have a dad bod. I'm about as round as a coconut)
"Then you think--" (Nope, I try not to, it hurts my head)
"Has any one tried to see her?" "No one." "I see." (Yes, you are the only one to see her)
There was a damp spot on the gown, on one arm, and it gave off a strong scent of toilet water. (Eww, gross! Maybe she got into a fist fight with a Ninja Turtle?)
The heavy roadster began to cover ground in a slightly eerie manner. (It was a creepy Cadillac!)
"Back against the wall, then turn around." (Then put your left foot in and take your left out, then put your left foot in and you shake it all about...)
"Stick in here five minutes and be healthy," (Were they being kidnapped by Richard Simmons?)
The masked man drove the car furiously, (Back towards Gotham City and the Batcave)
Chapter IX. DOC HAS A Waterloo (I did too once but a doctor gave me some pills and in a few weeks it was gone)
They were near a roof hatch, and there were no chimneys or ventelators near them (that explained why Santa hadn't visited)
"Scat, bowser!" he howled. (Our princess is in another castle)
and he was kneading his legs and arms. (Needing them for what?)
Ham said, "Don't brag, stupid." (Can I brag smart?)
Chapter XIV. BLACK HOLE: IT was dark. (Duh)
There was a very modern padlock, American made (USA! Still #1 in padlocks!!)
In the north, it was Jagee, and in the south, it was Genee, or Gini. (In the west they called him Frank)
crashing laughter it was, with a very perceptible undertone of viciousness. (And just a hint of rosemary)
Two score men--his foes numbered that at least--could conceivably bring down an elephant, or the most vicious lion (or at the very least a really pissed off Star Trek fan)
by the aid of thongs which they had managed to loop over his limbs. (So they tied him up with their underwear? Eww, gross!)
"just how many knives his body will hold." (Just how man knives does it take to get to the tootsie roll center of a Doc Savage?)
Monk squinted upward. "Looks kind of spooky." (Would you go up there for some Scooby Snacks? Er.. I mean some Savage Snacks?)
Monk sniffed. (He forgot to use Flonaze for his seasonal tomb allergies)
This adventure also gave us a few (insert your own joke here lines, like---------------------
Blows whacked. There were gasps, grunts, much puffing.
"It's big," said, the masked man dryly.
He got the first from behind.
the man fell down, gagging.
then realized Ham was in earnest, and that he, Monk, was feeling a bit queer
He whacked his pony lustily
They "blew."
This time around both our Holy Cow count and Supermalgamated count both came up zeros which was so easy to keep track of on my fingers.
But oh well, on to the next one.......
April 26, 2024
The last time I read Doc Savage was over fifty years ago and while I had a great collection, I had to sell them off eventually. Now here I am gathering up used copies with pages so dried out they’re almost crispy. They never have reissued them as individual novels since the 70’s so you have to take what you can get.
Kenneth Robeson was a huge influence on me as a writer. His stories are short, to the point and with plenty of action. Doc is a superhuman who can do things almost nobody else can. This story takes place first in the states and then a made up country similar to India. Given the time, there’s plenty of racist language though not the worst I’ve seen. I still had a great time with this fun read and look for the next ones I can get hold of. Highly recommended.
Kenneth Robeson was a huge influence on me as a writer. His stories are short, to the point and with plenty of action. Doc is a superhuman who can do things almost nobody else can. This story takes place first in the states and then a made up country similar to India. Given the time, there’s plenty of racist language though not the worst I’ve seen. I still had a great time with this fun read and look for the next ones I can get hold of. Highly recommended.
March 7, 2022
This was one of Doc’s better sagas. Johnny and Renny are not in this story; both being out of the country. Early on one bad guy is captured and sent upstate New York to Doc’s special college for crimal rehabilitation. This adventure takes Doc and his men from the streets of NYC to Jondore near India and Nepal. There is mysterious mysticism in this book with a mysterious Majii that Doc Savage and his men must unravel. The biggest mystery never explained is how the pig Habeus got from the ocean liner back to New York once Doc and his crew left the pug onboard.
May 21, 2017
This is the first Doc Savage book I've read where Doc takes it on the chin a few times, and doesn't seem to have it all figured out in the first couple of chapters. Pretty good Doc Savage tale, all in all.
September 19, 2020
Pulp novel featuring Doc Savage. The minions of the Majii are afoot in New York City. Doc and his team spring into action! Much chaos ensues.
October 10, 2020
The mysterious followers of the Majii are up to something in New York...we just don't know what and neither does anyone in the cast and we don't find out until about ten pages before the book ends.
Which is a shame, because he's a cool bad guy, creepy, sinister and he makes Doc break a sweat.
Plus, Doc and company are well written, but a hundred pages of 'he's up to something, just trust us' wears thin.
If it had been handled better this had potential to be a five star, but it ends up being good, not great.
Which is a shame, because he's a cool bad guy, creepy, sinister and he makes Doc break a sweat.
Plus, Doc and company are well written, but a hundred pages of 'he's up to something, just trust us' wears thin.
If it had been handled better this had potential to be a five star, but it ends up being good, not great.
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!
February 26, 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 14, 2013
Most underrated Doc Savage novel? Might be this baby. It tends to be overlooked among lists of the top dozen or so Docs, but it certainly belongs. "The Majii" is chock-full of Eastern mysticism, hypnotism, adventure. Start to finish, a great tale.
April 18, 2014
Reminiscent of an earlier volume, The Mystic Mullah, this has a mystic whipping up opposition to British rule in the Far East and using seemingly supernatural powers to take down all opposition. Eerie and fast paced enough to be a good read.
January 12, 2013
It's Doc Savage. If you don't know, then you should, and if you are any kind of comic book fan you DEFINITELY should.
January 19, 2014
Nice relaxing read.
January 14, 2015
This is a good Doc Savage 1930s' pulp adventure. What I think I found most engaging about is that for once Doc is up against opponents that can give him a run for his money.
September 15, 2015
A fun entry in the series. A trip to colonial-era India and some involvement by a pre-war independence movement. Monk, Ham, and Long Tom on deck, along with a trim-ankled Indian princess.
November 17, 2018
read some time in 1986
August 1, 2016
One of many Doc Savage adventures that I read in the 70s. Always enjoyed these!
July 20, 2014
"Well written adventure novel ,Excellent book! 5/5
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews