A History of the Doc Savage Adventures in Pulps, Paperbacks, Comics, Fanzines, Radio and Film [Hardcover]

Robert Michael Cotter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 21, 2009 | ISBN-10: 0786441356 | ISBN-13: 978-0786441358

Doc Savage is not only the prototype of the modern fictional superhero; he was also a seminal force in creating multimedia crossovers. The character exploded onto the scene in 1933, with the Great Depression and the gathering clouds of war as a cultural backdrop. The series is examined in relation to historic events and changing audience tastes, with special attention on the horror and science-fiction elements. The artwork features illustrations, covers, and original art. Appendices cover Doc Savage paperbacks, pulp magazines, comic books, and fanzines, and a biographical appendix covers all major contributors to the series.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Graphic designer Robert Michael "Bobb" Cotter lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In addition to his books about comics and film, he writes a monthly column for Creepy Classics.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 239 pages
• Publisher: McFarland (October 21, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786441356
• ISBN-13: 978-0786441358
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #902,643 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A History in Bronze, November 15, 2009

By 

Mark Counts "Mr. J. Sunlight" (Longview, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A History of the Doc Savage Adventures in Pulps, Paperbacks, Comics, Fanzines, Radio and Film (Hardcover)

The most recent monograph about the Man of Bronze, this tome deals with all the written supersagas in an amazingly rich and detailed manner. Rather than a simple rehash of story plots, we are treated to the most remarkable aspects of each adventure, both plot-wise as well as retrospectively; examining story points and details that have served to influence many varied aspects of media and pop-culture in the years since these tales were written. While not particularly image-heavy, the visuals that are included enhance and support the narrative in a balanced way. The many avenues of published history concerning Doc are explored in turn, as well as an examination of the amateurs and professionals that have contributed to the character as he has evolved during the past 76 years. A great affection for, and familiarity with the subject matter is readily and refreshingly evident, and this well written book is to be recommended for those familiar with Doc and his crew, but also to those who have yet to travel to that place where heroic thrills still dwell.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must-have" for any diehard Doc Savage fan!, December 12, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A History of the Doc Savage Adventures in Pulps, Paperbacks, Comics, Fanzines, Radio and Film (Hardcover)

A History of the Doc Savage Adventures in Pulps, Paperbacks, Comics, Fanzines, Radio and Film is an in-depth compendium of information about the popular stories featuring legendary action-adventure icon Doc Savage. From Doc Savage's origin in a "Street & Smith" pulp magazine, to the changes (and the consistencies) in the character and his dramatic journeys throughout the decades, to Doc Savage's appearances in media ranging from paperbacks to graphic novels to radio, the silver screen, and even fan creations, A History of the Doc Savage Adventures lives up to its title with a wealth of meticulous research, including a spotlight on (and brief summary of the plot of) published Doc Savage stories. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this welcome addition to college library literary studies shelves with an emphasis on popular culture. A History of the Doc Savage Adventures is also, of course, a "must-have" for any diehard Doc Savage fan!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Second Essential Doc Savage Reference Book, May 4, 2010

By 

Blue Coronet (east coast) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: A History of the Doc Savage Adventures in Pulps, Paperbacks, Comics, Fanzines, Radio and Film (Hardcover)

Bob Cotter's "A History of the Doc Savage Adventures in Pulps, Paperbacks, Comics, Fanzines, Radio and Film" is, chronologically, the second essential Doc Savage reference book to be published (the first being Larry Widen's "Doc Savage: Arch Enemy of Evil"). Cotter's book is also the first large format hard cover book on Doc Savage. It measure 7-1/8 by 10-2/8.

Bobb Cotter's ten page introduction places the series in an historical context and in the next section he does a fine job of summarizing each Doc Savage story, noting what's unique and talking about what gadgets or inventions Doc uses in each story. The story summaries take up about 146 of the 239 pages. Following the novel summaries are sections on radio, film, fanzine and comic book interpretations of Doc.

The appendices include essays on the people behind Doc Savage's creation, the best of the the novel, pulp and paperback covers, a chronological listing of both the original Doc Savage pulps plus the bantam reprints, and a Doc Savage comicography.


My suggestions to McFarland Publishing for future editions of this important and enjoyable book are: include more illustrations, devote a few pages each to talking about the former Bantam Doc Savage reprint series and the current (and excellent) Doc Savage reprint series (with historical essays by Will Murray) published by Anthony Tollin's Sanctum Books. And lastly, lower the retail price of $55.

With the 2011 publication of Will Murray's new Doc Savage novel, THE DESERT DEMONS, books like Bob Cotter's and Larry Widen's volumes will be well read.