Secret Agent “X”: Halo of Horror
Part of a series of all-new novels of the pulp character, as written by Stephen Payne. These are in the format that all modern pulp fiction should appear in: the format matches the original layout, size & design of the Secret Agent “X” pulps of the 30s.
January 16th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
I understand that Stephen Payne has done several other original Secret Agent X novels, including The Freezing Fiends, Master of Madness, and most recently, The Resurrection Ring.
I hope the plans are to reprint these along with this one.
January 28th, 2009 at 10:39 am
Just got this. Looks very nice, and as mentioned, done in the style of a Secret Agent X pulp. I would have liked to have seen some kind of forward or afterward on SAX & Payne.
I do hope you reprint Payne’s other SAX novels, and in this same style.
January 28th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
That’s a good idea. Let’s see if we can get Stephen to do so for his other SAX stories once reprinted.
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Having had the chance to look further at this edition, I have further comments. I do hope these aren’t seen as being overly negative, but just that as a bibliophile, I kind of expect certain things in books I get. This doesn’t prevent me from getting them, just things I find a little annoying.
First off, if anyone is wondering if POD is as good as regular books, I can say that of the half dozen works I’ve gotten from Lulu, all stand up to many of the trade paperbacks I’ve gotten elsewhere.
This edition of Payne’s SAX work is meant to look like an original pulp, which I think is great. However, there are some areas that puzzle me or I wish there was more info. In no particular order.
* this is given as the July 38 issue. There was no July 38 issue, obviously, but that puts in between 2 other issues (#38 and 39). I would have thought it more logical to have it appear as a ‘new’ issue that appeared after the last real issue of SAX, with further Payne reprints following after that in terms of dates.
* when a book is a reprint or reprints works elsewhere, I like to see that information given. I would have liked to have seen a small note as to the original publication of this story (where ever it was).
* the cover by Norman Saunders I assume is an reprint of a real pulp cover. Where did it come from? Is the interior artwork a reprint of other stuff, again, where from?
May 18th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Hi, M. (Gee, that sounds sort of “Bondish,” doesn’t it?)
I’m finally getting around to answering one of your queries, specifically the chronology of the story, Halo of Horror. The story is set in 1938 (as I recall) because it is a “revival” of sorts, bringing Harvey Bates back to the series. He had not appeared in an X tale since The Corpse That Murdered, so I thought it was appropriate to bring him back in a story set right after that one. Funny you should be wanting to read a post-Yoke of the Crimson Coterie tale, by the way. My next Secret Agent X adventure, The Resurrection Ring, is set around mid-1939. And I’m currently planning a fifth X, set during the Cold War (circa 1948). It will be similar to some of the Doc Savage adventures like Terror Wears No Shoes and The Red Spider and will involve biological blackmail. Hope you’re looking forward to reading it, as I’m eager to write it.
Best,
Steve Payne