Customer Reviews

The Spook Legion/The Submarine Mystery (Doc Savage (Nostalgia Ventures))

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-- The Spook Legion --

This book was so mysterious that it kept me eagerly plowing ahead. Part of the fun of Doc Savage stories, for me, is waiting to find out how Lester Dent explains things at the end. This story is no exception. You might find it a little over-the-top in its scope, but that's often what makes Doc stories fun, isn't it?

-- The Submarine Mystery --

Until the last chunk of the story, this was one of my favorite to read. I especially remember the Iron Sharks chapter being entertaining. The way Dent wrote this book was a little different than usual. He seemed to be in a snarky and witty mood while writing it. There was a good dose of humor in this story, often involving one of the female characters you'll meet. This particular character added much amusement to the story. Doc's interactions with her were some of the most memorable ever.

But, for some reason, the last part of the book was a little bit of a letdown for me. It just didn't pan out as smoothly as I would have liked. It felt sort of choppy and weirdly paced.

Still, the majority of the story is so enjoyable that I recommend it to Doc fans.

Like many folks my age, I was first introduced to Doc Savage in a not particularily good movie starring Ron Ely. For years, my impression of Doc was not good. However, I was reintroduced during my tour in Iraq, when some blessed soul had sent, in a care package of books, several Doc Savage novels to my FOB. Because of my interst in pulps, I gave them a chance.

They're most assuredly something from an earlier age--jazz era racism and cultural attitudes jar with modern mores. However, the adventures that Doc and his crew go on are rowsing, exciting, and generally fun.

Additionally, Doc Savage is not a modern sort of hero--he has no flaws, admirable in all ways. A lad could do a lot worse then aspire to be like Doc Savage when he grows up.

For exciting adventures, led by a true hero, one needs to look no further than Doc Savage.

Nostalgia Ventures and Anthony Tollin have teamed up to do a comprehensive reprint of several Street & Smith pulp heroes. At present, they are doing double reprints of The Shadow and Doc Savage. Shortly, they will start new series reprinting The Avenger and The Whisperer. All have complete pulp texts (no edits or removals, like past reprints), tho reset so its easier to read, the original illustrations, reprinted covers (one is used as the cover of the book, but both original pulp covers are shown on the back), and several additional articles and additions.

Hopefully, they can succeed to reprinting all these characters in these new editions, they are all excellent.

While all the Doc Savage novels were reprinted by Bantam, for those (like me) who have these reprints, the reason for getting these new volumes is the chance to read the original stories (WITHOUT the editing that occured in the Bantams, including in a few rare cases a LOT of text), see the original illustrations and covers, and the great additional articles.

This volume (#5 in their series), reprinting "The Spook Legion" (April 35) and "The Submarine Mystery" (June 38). We get the cover of "The Spook Legion" as the cover of this volume, and both original pulp covers are on the back.

"The Spook Legion" features Doc and company going up against a legion of invisible crooks.

"The Submarine Mystery" features Doc and company dealing with modern day pirates and the disappearance of a navy sub.

Extras in this volume include:

A Foreward by pulp historian Will Murray, on the times when Doc was launched.
A long Intermission by Murray on the writting of these 2 novels.
A brief bio of Lester Dent.

The Spook Legion is one of the best stories reprinted from the 181 original pulp series. This captures the 1930's. Monk and Ham almost steals the lead from Doc Savage in this story. The Submarine Mystery is also a fine follow up story. If you like the Doc Savage pulp series then this is a must have reprint.