The Octopus (Vintage Horror)
by Norvell W. Page backed by Edith and Eljir Jakobsson writing as Randolph Craig
Liner Notes by Will Murray
128K
One of the most bizarre pulp magazines ever published was titled The Octopus.
Released in 1939 by Popular Publications, it turned the formula of The Spider on its head. Instead of centering on a fearless avenger of crime, it focused on the master criminal himself!
His true identity unknown, The Octopus is a denizen of the underworld, bent on bringing America’s greatest city to its knees through a campaign of terror and horror never before seen.
Writers Norvell W. Page of Spider fame, backed by Edith and Eljir Jakobsson produced this weird epic under the name of Randolph Craig. Evidently they were attempting to duplicate the success of The Spider—with a weird twist. But there was more to The Octopus than an archfiend who dressed like a cuttlefish. Just as no pulp series can last long without a worthy villain, they understood that without a formidable foe, The Octopus would flop. So they created a hero with three identities. Jeffrey Fairchild is a wealthy medico. By day, he masquerades as kindly old Dr. Skull, treater of the sick in New York’s East Side slums. But at night, he dons a more sinister guise and becomes the sworn foe of all crime—The Skull Killer! Branding his kills on the forehead like the Spider, The Skull Killer takes on The Octopus and his purple-eyed minions in the wildly over-the-top story, The City Condemned to Hell.
Backing up this masterpiece of weird menace are three novelettes torn from the pages of the only issue of The Octopus ever published. This audiobook is read by the talented brothers of Doug Stone and Glen Stone.
The City Condemned to Hell
Read by Doug Stone
Chapter 1: When the Beast Hungers
Chapter 2: The Skull Killer
Chapter 3: A Surprise for Dr. Skull
Chapter 4: Hell’s Hospital
Chapter 5: While the City Sleeps
Chapter 6: The Purple Warning!
Chapter 7: Creatures That Once Were Men
Chapter 8: When Hell Locked Its Gates
Chapter 9: Jeff Plays a Lone Hand
Chapter 10: Fresh Blood for the Octopus
Chapter 11: Blood Bank of the Damned
Chapter 12: Voice of the Skull Killer
The Little Dolls of Death
Read by Glen Stone
Chapter 1: Death for Sale!
Chapter 2: The Murdering Doll
Chapter 3: Death Strikes Again
Chapter 4: Approach to Death
Chapter 5: Secret of the Corpse-Maker
Detour to the Grave
Read by Doug Stone
Locked in with Murder
Read by Glen Stone
Chapter 1: Blood on Her Throat!
Chapter 2: The Invisible Prowler
Chapter 3: The House Where Death Dwells
Chapter 4: A Sucker for Murder
Chapter 5: The Odor of Fear
Replies
Thank you very much!
Thanks for sharing. Next to OTR, I love pulp stories.
Thank you!
Wonderful!