The Pulpster celebrates several notable anniversaries in 2025.
As our cover notes, we’ve got a package of articles on pulp villains. Ninety years ago, Dell Publishing introduced the first pulp magazine featuring a villain as its lead. With its February 1935 number, All-Detective Magazine became Doctor Death. Half a year later, Popular Publications hit the stands with The Mysterious Wu Fang, while Weird Tales debuted Doctor Satan. Later in the decade, Shiwan Khan battled The Shadow in four thrilling adventures, while the villainous Benedict Stark waited on deck.
This year also marks the sesquicentennial of the births of Edgar Wallace, Rafael Sabatini, and Edgar Rice Burroughs, all turning 150 years old in 2025. Ed Hulse, John C. Bruening, and Henry G. Franke III send out their respective birthday wishes to these “Masters of Blood and Thunder.”
A century ago, Weird Tales introduced Robert E. Howard to the reading public with the story, “Spear and Fang,” published in the July 1925 issue of “The Unique Magazine.” It was the author’s first professional sale. And fifty years back, Hollywood’s George Pal brought Doc Savage to the silver screen. What better way to highlight the occasion with a look at the first Doc Con, the convention being resurrected at this year’s PulpFest.
You’ll also find a look at the women who wrote for the science fiction pulps, an article on working girls of the pulps, and an interview with Philip José Farmer, conducted by Darrell Schweitzer.
And, as always, we’ll remember those in pulpdom whom we’ve lost recently in Tony Davis’ latest installment of “Final Chapters.”
A longstanding tradition cherished by attendees of summer pulp cons, The Pulpster #34 will be released at PulpFest 2025. Every member of PulpFest — including supporting members — will receive a complimentary copy of The Pulpster. It will be available for order — along with assorted back issues — on the Pulpster website and through select booksellers, a week or two after the convention.
PulpFest 2025 begins on Thursday, August 7, and runs through Sunday, August 10 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh – Cranberry. We’ll be celebrating the “Masters of Blood and Thunder and More” at the convention.
You can learn how to join PulpFest 2025 by clicking the registration button found on our website. As Doc Con XXI, ERBFest 2025, and FarmerCon XX are all part of PulpFest, there is no extra cost to attend them. That’s four conventions for the price of one! You can’t beat that deal!!
Our featured image was excerpted from Graves Gladney’s original art for The Shadow, dated September 15, 1939 and illustrating Walter B. Gibson’s “The Golden Master.” Gladney’s painting was also adapted by Pulpster editor William Lampkin for the cover to this summer’s issue of our award-winning program book.
Dress in style while reading your copy of The Pulpster. Click the link in our top menu and order one or pick one up at the convention. They’re available in a variety of sizes in black or royal blue with the PulpFest logo across the chest.
And since we’re discussing Doc Con, don’t forget to visit the PulpFest YouTube Channel for Craig McDonald’s latest episode of Pulp Talk. It’s an interview with Chuck Welch, who recently resumed publishing The Bronze Gazette following a year-long hiatus.
And don’t forget to subscribe to both our Channel and The Bronze Gazette.
