THE SPIDER - MASTER OF MEN!
The Spider began publication in 1933 and ran to 1943 for 118 issues. The character was a grim and merciless crime fighter. He administered justice in is own fashion, outside the law. Criminals he killed would be marked with a spider seal on their foreheads. The character, along with the Shadow, was likely influential on the later comic book creation Batman. His brutal ways would foreshadow some of the more darker sides of super heroes of the present day.
The Spider's alter-ego was millionaire playboy and criminologist Richard Wentworth. The cast of regular characters included fiancée Nita Van Sloan as well as his trusted ally Ram Singh.
The first two novels were written by R.T.M. Scott before a house pseudonym Grant Stockbridge was used for the authorship. Most stories were written by Norvell Page, later with Emile Tepperman and Wayne Rogers doing some novels.
Many of the copies in this collection are quite lovely with bright front covers and bright red spines. One has the stamp from the printing house (Cuneo) and we suspect a number of the copies here are from the same source. (Provenance: Joseph Wrzos collection).
THE SPIDER.
Chicago: Popular Publications, Inc., 1934. Octavo, single issue, cover by John Howitt, pictorial wrappers. Pulp magazine. "Serpent of Destruction" with Norvell Page writing as "Grant Stockbridge." The character was established to be a direct competitor to Street and Smith's Shadow magazine. After Doc Savage and The Shadow this was the most popular hero character. The Spider character was considered one of the most brutal and violent of the pulp era. [Reference: Cook, Mystery, Detective and Espionage Magazines, pp. 521-527. Tymm and Ashley, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Weird Fiction Magazines, pp. 602-604].
THE SPIDER.
Chicago: Popular Publications, Inc., 1935. Octavo, single issue, cover by John Howitt, pictorial wrappers. Pulp magazine. "Slaves of the Crime Master" with Norvell Page writing as "Grant Stockbridge." The character was established to be a direct competitor to Street and Smith's Shadow magazine. After Doc Savage and The Shadow this was the most popular hero character. The Spider character was considered one of the most brutal and violent of the pulp era. [Reference: Cook, Mystery, Detective and Espionage Magazines, pp. 521-527. Tymm and Ashley, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Weird Fiction Magazines, pp. 602-604].
THE SPIDER.
Chicago: Popular Publications, Inc., 1934. Octavo, single issue, cover by John Howitt, pictorial wrappers. Pulp magazine. "Prince of the Red Looters" with Norvell Page writing as "Grant Stockbridge." The character was established to be a direct competitor to Street and Smith's Shadow magazine. After Doc Savage and The Shadow this was the most popular hero character. The Spider character was considered one of the most brutal and violent of the pulp era. [Reference: Cook, Mystery, Detective and Espionage Magazines, pp. 521-527. Tymm and Ashley, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Weird Fiction Magazines, pp. 602-604].
THE SPIDER.
Chicago: Popular Publications, Inc., 1939. Octavo, single issue, cover by John Howitt, pictorial wrappers. Pulp magazine. "The Spider and the Fire God" with Norvell Page writing as "Grant Stockbridge." The character was established to be a direct competitor to Street and Smith's Shadow magazine. After Doc Savage and The Shadow this was the most popular hero character. The Spider character was considered one of the most brutal and violent of the pulp era. [Reference: Cook, Mystery, Detective and Espionage Magazines, pp. 521-527. Tymm and Ashley, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Weird Fiction Magazines, pp. 602-604].
THE SPIDER.
Chicago: Popular Publications, Inc., 1933. Octavo, single issue, cover by John Howitt, pictorial wrappers. Pulp magazine. The third issue. With this issue and the remainder of the run the house pseudonym of Grant Stockbridge is used. This issue, "Wings of Black Death" with Norvell Page writing as "Grant Stockbridge." The character was established to be a direct competitor to Street and Smith's Shadow magazine. After Doc Savage and The Shadow this was the most popular hero character. The Spider character was considered one of the most brutal and violent of the pulp era. [Reference: Cook, Mystery, Detective and Espionage Magazines, pp. 521-527. Tymm and Ashley, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Weird Fiction Magazines, pp. 602-604].
THE SPIDER.
Chicago: Popular Publications, Inc., 1940. Octavo, single issue, cover by Rafael DeSoto, pictorial wrappers. Pulp magazine. "The Spider and the Jewels of Hell" with Norvell Page writing as "Grant Stockbridge." The character was established to be a direct competitor to Street and Smith's Shadow magazine. After Doc Savage and The Shadow this was the most popular hero character. The Spider character was considered one of the most brutal and violent of the pulp era. [Reference: Cook, Mystery, Detective and Espionage Magazines, pp. 521-527. Tymm and Ashley, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Weird Fiction Magazines, pp. 602-604].
THE SPIDER.
Chicago: Popular Publications, Inc., 1941. Octavo, single issue, cover by Rafael DeSoto, pictorial wrappers. Pulp magazine. "The Crime Laboratory" with Norvell Page writing as "Grant Stockbridge." The character was established to be a direct competitor to Street and Smith's Shadow magazine. After Doc Savage and The Shadow this was the most popular hero character. The Spider character was considered one of the most brutal and violent of the pulp era. [Reference: Cook, Mystery, Detective and Espionage Magazines, pp. 521-527. Tymm and Ashley, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Weird Fiction Magazines, pp. 602-604].
THE SPIDER.
Chicago: Popular Publications, Inc., 1943. Octavo, single issue, cover by Rafael DeSoto, pictorial wrappers. First edition. Pulp magazine. The final issue. "When Satan Came to Town" with Prentice Winchell (Stewart Stirling) writing as "Grant Stockbridge." Cover illustration has the main character with fangs. The character was established to be a direct competitor to Street and Smith's Shadow magazine. After Doc Savage and The Shadow this was the most popular hero character. The Spider character was considered one of the most brutal and violent of the pulp era. [Reference: Cook, Mystery, Detective and Espionage Magazines, pp. 521-527. Tymm and Ashley, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Weird Fiction Magazines, pp. 602-604].
THE SPIDER.
Chicago: Popular Publications, Inc., 1934. Octavo, single issue, cover by John Howitt, pictorial wrappers. Pulp magazine. "Empire of Doom" with Norvell Page writing as "Grant Stockbridge." The character was established to be a direct competitor to Street and Smith's Shadow magazine. After Doc Savage and The Shadow this was the most popular hero character. The Spider character was considered one of the most brutal and violent of the pulp era. [Reference: Cook, Mystery, Detective and Espionage Magazines, pp. 521-527. Tymm and Ashley, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Weird Fiction Magazines, pp. 602-604].
THE SPIDER.
Chicago: Popular Publications, Inc., 1934. Octavo, single issue, cover by John Howitt, pictorial wrappers. Pulp magazine. "Empire of Doom" with Norvell Page writing as "Grant Stockbridge." The character was established to be a direct competitor to Street and Smith's Shadow magazine. After Doc Savage and The Shadow this was the most popular hero character. The Spider character was considered one of the most brutal and violent of the pulp era. [Reference: Cook, Mystery, Detective and Espionage Magazines, pp. 521-527. Tymm and Ashley, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Weird Fiction Magazines, pp. 602-604].
THE SPIDER.
Chicago: Popular Publications, Inc., 1940. Octavo, single issue, cover by Rafael DeSoto, pictorial wrappers. Pulp magazine. "Hell's Sales Manager" with Norvell Page writing as "Grant Stockbridge." The character was established to be a direct competitor to Street and Smith's Shadow magazine. After Doc Savage and The Shadow this was the most popular hero character. The Spider character was considered one of the most brutal and violent of the pulp era. [Reference: Cook, Mystery, Detective and Espionage Magazines, pp. 521-527. Tymm and Ashley, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Weird Fiction Magazines, pp. 602-604].
THE SPIDER.
Chicago: Popular Publications, Inc., 1934. Octavo, single issue, cover by John Howitt, pictorial wrappers. Pulp magazine. "City of Flaming Shadow" with Norvell Page writing as "Grant Stockbridge." The character was established to be a direct competitor to Street and Smith's Shadow magazine. After Doc Savage and The Shadow this was the most popular hero character. The Spider character was considered one of the most brutal and violent of the pulp era. [Reference: Cook, Mystery, Detective and Espionage Magazines, pp. 521-527. Tymm and Ashley, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Weird Fiction Magazines, pp. 602-604].
THE SPIDER.
Chicago: Popular Publications, Inc., 1935. Octavo, single issue, cover by John Howitt, pictorial wrappers. Pulp magazine. "The City Destroyer" with Norvell Page writing as "Grant Stockbridge." The character was established to be a direct competitor to Street and Smith's Shadow magazine. After Doc Savage and The Shadow this was the most popular hero character. The Spider character was considered one of the most brutal and violent of the pulp era. [Reference: Cook, Mystery, Detective and Espionage Magazines, pp. 521-527. Tymm and Ashley, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Weird Fiction Magazines, pp. 602-604].
THE SPIDER.
Chicago: Popular Publications, Inc., 1935. Octavo, single issue, cover by John Howitt, pictorial wrappers. Pulp magazine. "Dragon Lord of the Underworld" with Norvell Page writing as "Grant Stockbridge." The character was established to be a direct competitor to Street and Smith's Shadow magazine. After Doc Savage and The Shadow this was the most popular hero character. The Spider character was considered one of the most brutal and violent of the pulp era. [Reference: Cook, Mystery, Detective and Espionage Magazines, pp. 521-527. Tymm and Ashley, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Weird Fiction Magazines, pp. 602-604].
THE SPIDER.
Chicago: Popular Publications, Inc., 1936. Octavo, single issue, cover by John Howitt, pictorial wrappers. First edition. Pulp magazine. "Laboratory of the Damned" with Norvell Page writing as "Grant Stockbridge." The character was established to be a direct competitor to Street and Smith's Shadow magazine. After Doc Savage and The Shadow this was the most popular hero character. The Spider character was considered one of the most brutal and violent of the pulp era. [Reference: Cook, Mystery, Detective and Espionage Magazines, pp. 521-527. Tymm and Ashley, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Weird Fiction Magazines, pp. 602-604].
THE SPIDER.
Chicago: Popular Publications, Inc., 1937. Octavo, single issue, cover by John Howitt, pictorial wrappers. Pulp magazine. "The Man Who Ruled in Hell" with Norvell Page writing as "Grant Stockbridge." The character was established to be a direct competitor to Street and Smith's Shadow magazine. After Doc Savage and The Shadow this was the most popular hero character. The Spider character was considered one of the most brutal and violent of the pulp era. [Reference: Cook, Mystery, Detective and Espionage Magazines, pp. 521-527. Tymm and Ashley, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Weird Fiction Magazines, pp. 602-604].
THE SPIDER.
Chicago: Popular Publications, Inc., 1935. Octavo, single issue, cover by John Howitt, pictorial wrappers. Pulp magazine. "Hordes of the Red Butcher" with Norvell Page writing as "Grant Stockbridge." The character was established to be a direct competitor to Street and Smith's Shadow magazine. After Doc Savage and The Shadow this was the most popular hero character. The Spider character was considered one of the most brutal and violent of the pulp era. [Reference: Cook, Mystery, Detective and Espionage Magazines, pp. 521-527. Tymm and Ashley, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Weird Fiction Magazines, pp. 602-604].
THE SPIDER.
Chicago: Popular Publications, Inc., 1935. Octavo, single issue, cover by John Howitt, pictorial wrappers. Pulp magazine. "The Flame Master" with Norvell Page writing as "Grant Stockbridge." The character was established to be a direct competitor to Street and Smith's Shadow magazine. After Doc Savage and The Shadow this was the most popular hero character. The Spider character was considered one of the most brutal and violent of the pulp era. [Reference: Cook, Mystery, Detective and Espionage Magazines, pp. 521-527. Tymm and Ashley, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Weird Fiction Magazines, pp. 602-604].
THE SPIDER.
Chicago: Popular Publications, Inc., 1935. Octavo, single issue, cover by John Howitt, pictorial wrappers. Pulp magazine. "Reign of the Death Fiddler" with Norvell Page writing as "Grant Stockbridge." The character was established to be a direct competitor to Street and Smith's Shadow magazine. After Doc Savage and The Shadow this was the most popular hero character. The Spider character was considered one of the most brutal and violent of the pulp era. [Reference: Cook, Mystery, Detective and Espionage Magazines, pp. 521-527. Tymm and Ashley, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Weird Fiction Magazines, pp. 602-604].
THE SPIDER.
Chicago: Popular Publications, Inc., 1933. Octavo, single issue, cover by John Howitt, pictorial wrappers. Pulp magazine. The second issue. "The Wheel of Death" by R. T. M. Scott. This is the last to be written by Scott starting with the next (third issue) a house pseudonym was used. The character was established to be a direct competitor to Street and Smith's Shadow magazine. After Doc Savage and The Shadow this was the most popular hero character. The Spider character was considered one of the most brutal and violent of the pulp era. [Reference: Cook, Mystery, Detective and Espionage Magazines, pp. 521-527. Tymm and Ashley, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Weird Fiction Magazines, pp. 602-604].
THE SPIDER.
Chicago: Popular Publications, Inc., 1933. Octavo, single issue, cover by John Howitt, pictorial wrappers. Pulp magazine. The second issue. "The Wheel of Death" by R. T. M. Scott. This is the last to be written by Scott starting with the next (third issue) a house pseudonym was used. The character was established to be a direct competitor to Street and Smith's Shadow magazine. After Doc Savage and The Shadow this was the most popular hero character. The Spider character was considered one of the most brutal and violent of the pulp era. [Reference: Cook, Mystery, Detective and Espionage Magazines, pp. 521-527. Tymm and Ashley, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Weird Fiction Magazines, pp. 602-604].
THE SPIDER.
Chicago: Popular Publications, Inc., 1937. Octavo, single issue, cover by John Howitt, pictorial wrappers. Pulp magazine. "Master of the Flaming Horde" with Norvell Page writing as "Grant Stockbridge." The character was established to be a direct competitor to Street and Smith's Shadow magazine. After Doc Savage and The Shadow this was the most popular hero character. The Spider character was considered one of the most brutal and violent of the pulp era. [Reference: Cook, Mystery, Detective and Espionage Magazines, pp. 521-527. Tymm and Ashley, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Weird Fiction Magazines, pp. 602-604].
THE SPIDER.
Chicago: Popular Publications, Inc., 1942. Octavo, single issue, cover by Rafael DeSoto, pictorial wrappers. Pulp magazine. "Zara-Master of Murder!" with Norvell Page writing as "Grant Stockbridge." The character was established to be a direct competitor to Street and Smith's Shadow magazine. After Doc Savage and The Shadow this was the most popular hero character. The Spider character was considered one of the most brutal and violent of the pulp era. [Reference: Cook, Mystery, Detective and Espionage Magazines, pp. 521-527. Tymm and Ashley, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Weird Fiction Magazines, pp. 602-604].
THE SPIDER.
Chicago: Popular Publications, Inc., 1933. Octavo, single issue, cover by Walter Baumhofer. pictorial wrappers. Pulp magazine. The first issue. "The Spider Strikes" by R. T. M. Scott. The character was established to be a direct competitor to Street and Smith's Shadow magazine. After Doc Savage and The Shadow this was the most popular hero character. The Spider character was considered one of the most brutal and violent of the pulp era. [Reference: Cook, Mystery, Detective and Espionage Magazines, pp. 521-527. Tymm and Ashley, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Weird Fiction Magazines, pp. 602-604].
THE SPIDER.
Chicago: Popular Publications, Inc., 1934. Octavo, single issue, cover by John Howitt, pictorial wrappers. Pulp magazine. "Builders of the Black Empire" with Norvell Page writing as "Grant Stockbridge." The character was established to be a direct competitor to Street and Smith's Shadow magazine. After Doc Savage and The Shadow this was the most popular hero character. The Spider character was considered one of the most brutal and violent of the pulp era. [Reference: Cook, Mystery, Detective and Espionage Magazines, pp. 521-527. Tymm and Ashley, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Weird Fiction Magazines, pp. 602-604].