The Shadow was a masterpiece, and I could never figure out why it didn't last longer than 12 issues. The writing (mainly) by the great Denny O'Neil, who could write the kind of hard-boiled, atmospheric whodunits you'd expect for a pulp crime-smasher, was top-notch. The art was provided by three highly distinctive and wildly talented artists: Mike Kaluta, Frank Robbins, and E.R. Cruz, all masters of mood and period-pieces. I can't think of a single issue that I didn't dig, but there weren't enough like-minded fans to suit the powers-that-were at DC, t'would seem. The Shadow went out with an appropriate "bang" though, with this O'Neal/Cruz classic from May 1975..."Night of the Damned!"
E-Man was a major cult fave and definitely on Ol' Groove's short-list of best mags of the Groovy Age, but, alas, it wasn't a great seller. Nick Cuti and Joe Staton's masterpiece lasted only 10 issues in the 70s, but made a major comeback in the 80s and then jumped in and out of print during the 90s and early 2000s. Low seller it might have been, each ish of E-Man was a true gem, right down to the final issue's (June 1975) Al Capp tribute (or is it parody?), "The Witch of Hog Wallow". Dig it!
Here's wishing all of Groove-dom the happiest of New Years! Ol' Groove hopes 2011 will be your best year ever! See ya tomorrow as we kick off a brand new year! Huzzah!
The reason for the Shadow's failure rests squarely on the shoulders of Denny O'Neil. A left-wing writer, trying to work on a right-wing character. Each issue ends with some variation of the villain slipping and falling to his doom by accident, as the Shadow looks on. No wonder he was always laughing.
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