Thanks to the efforts of several longtime Doc Savage fans, Doc Con will return in 2025 as part of PulpFest. Inspired by the success of Farmercon and ERBFest — which have attracted fans of Philip José Farmer and Edgar Rice Burroughs — these devoted “Fans of Bronze” are hoping the revived Doc Con will enjoy similar success.
Just in time for the Golden Anniversary of George Pal’s film, Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze, the convention for the “Fans of Bronze” returns. Doc Con XXI will take place August 7 – 10 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh – Cranberry in Mars, Pennsylvania as part of PulpFest 2025.
Saturday afternoon, August 9, is the grand finale for Doc Con 2025! Our programming schedule gets underway at 12:30 pm as “Pop Culture Archaeologist” Michael Stradford presents “Steve Holland: The Torn Shirt Sessions.”
Born a century ago on January 8, 1925, actor and model Steve Holland got his start with Fawcett’s Bob Colt comic book about a fictitious B-movie cowboy. He also landed a few bit parts on early television. In 1954, Holland took on the starring role for the Flash Gordon television series. Unfortunately, the show lasted a single season. His bread and butter was as an artist’s model for print ads, magazine illustrations, and paperback books.
It was artist James Bama’s (and later, Bob Larkin’s and Joe DeVito’s) decision to have Steve Holland play the role of pulp superhero Doc Savage that gave the model his claim to fame. Although he would also appear as The Avenger, The Spider, Operator #5, Nevada Jim, Matt Helm, Mack Bolan, Tarzan, The Phantom, Conan, Matt Helm, Magnus Robot Fighter, and other paperback and comic book heroes, it is as “The Man of Bronze” that Holland will primarily be remembered.
Michael Stradford has written and published four books about Steve Holland, and is the author of MilesStyle: The Fashion of Miles Davis and Black to the Movies and Other Pop Culture Musings. He recently published the graphic novel, Fargo: Hell on Wheels, adapted and illustrated by Howard Chaykin, and is currently working on Graphic Samurai: The Art of Denys Cowan, about the career of the legendary comic book artist. A content creator, producer, publisher, writer, and the founder of GIZMOE Studios and Press, Michael was a leading executive in the entertainment industry for decades. To support the deluxe edition of Steve Holland: The World’s Greatest Illustration Model, click here.
“Steve Holland: The Torn Shirt Sessions” is part of Doc con XXI. To learn more about the 2025 convention, please read our post, “Doc Con Returns!” You can find it by clicking here.
The general public is welcome to attend our afternoon programming events free of charge. To learn more about our programming, please click the 2025 Schedule button at the top of this page.
For those who also want to enjoy our dealers’ room, you can join PulpFest by clicking the register button at the top of this page. Remember, in addition to your membership in PulpFest 2025, you’ll also be a member of Doc Con XXI, ERBFest 2025, and Farmercon XX. That’s four conventions for one price! You can’t beat that deal.
Don’t forget to book a room. Due to cancellations, our host hotel, the beautiful DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh – Cranberry has a few rooms left at the convention rate. Click here to make your reservation. You can also reserve a room at our host hotel by calling 1-724-776-6900 or 855-610-8733. To receive the special convention rate of $136 plus tax per night, you must mention that you are a PulpFest attendee or use the code CDT91R. To get the convention rate, you must book your room by 11:59 pm on Tuesday, July 15.
You can click here for nearby hotels if the rooms at the DoubleTree are no longer available.
If you’re looking for a roommate, write to Jack Cullers at his email address below.
If you’re interested in selling at PulpFest, our dealers’ room is full. However, we are adding a limited number of tables in the pre-function foyer outside of the dealers’ room. These tables will cost $125 each and will be guarded by security overnight. If you are interested, please write to Jack Cullers at jack@pulpfest.com to sign up for a spot. Any attendees who are interested in providing security services, please write to Jack Cullers at his email address above.
To enjoy more Doc Savage, visit the PulpFest YouTube Channel and catch the many films featuring The Man of Bronze, put together by Craig McDonald.
And please don’t forget to subscribe!
Our featured image is excerpted from Peter Caras’ cover art for Hy Steirman’s Cry of the Hawk, a cold war espionage thriller published in 1970 by Paperback Library. Caras’ art was also used as the cover art for Michael Stradford’s first Holland book, Steve Holland: The World’s Greatest Illustration Art Model, published in 2021.
Our lead image was adapted and colorized by Bill Lampkin from a photograph of Steve Holland posing as Doc Savage for James Bama’s cover painting, which illustrated Lester Dent’s The Man of Bronze. Our final image is the first Bantam Books edition of The Man of Bronze, published in 1964.
Don’t be left in the lurch with a badly worn shirt. Click the link in our top menu and order a PulpFest t-shirt. They’re available in a variety of sizes in black or royal blue with the PulpFest logo across the chest. They’ll also be available for sale at PulpFest 2025.
