Doc Savage - Volume 01 Issue 01

My Rating

“The Thousand-Headed Man”

Maples ran at top speed through the Croydon airport baggage handling area just south of the tarmac concourse. Tucked under his arm was a package addressed to the daughter of his late business partner, one Doctor Calvin Copeland. Lucille was the intended recipient of the artifact recovered in the Cambodian jungles, but someone was out to intercept the delivery. As Maples begins to make his way over to a throng of people gathering near a recently arrived passenger jet, his pursuer levels a suppressed 9mm semiautomatic in his direction. A muffled pinging sound erupts from the pistol’s barrel but the bullet goes high, whizzes past the head of Copeland’s friend and confidante.

Fifty yards away, near the group of star-struck onlookers, the famous Doc Savage and his team descend down the boarding stairs to the waiting spectacle below. As the adventures get closer to the mob they can pick up the silly chatter in regards to different skills and accolades each man. Who is cooler than the “Man of Bronze”? It couldn’t be “Monk” Blodgett, no way. What about “Long Tom” Roberts? Not a chance! Sure each man is top in their field of expertise, but Doc Savage has the strength of ten men.

Several minutes go by as Savage and his team gather and begin answering some light questions from the younger British children in attendance. Does their jet really have vertical takeoff capabilities? Yes, yes it does. Did they really discover a werewolf in South America? Maybe kid, just maybe. Then as the men begin to part ways an exhausted and disheveled Maples pushes his way through the crowd. “Doc Savage, you have to take the package and keep it safe”, Maples yells as he tosses the package over the head of a Yorkshire youth.

Doc Savage catches the package, but before he can berate the man about his antics, two Asian men in dark suits grab Maples by his arms and begin to drag him back through the crowd of people. Were the two grapplers Scotland Yard detectives? Doc Savage would soon learn the truth in the lobby of the Piccadilly Hotel.

What is the mystery of three black keys recovered in a forgotten Cambodian Temple? Who are the men sent to assassinate Lucille Copeland, daughter of the famous British Archeologist and world explorer? Will Doc Savage and his team unlock the secret behind the “Thousand-Headed Man”? Read this issue to find out!

Reviewer Notes

Before there was Indiana Jones, and way before Lara Croft, there was Doc Savage the Man of Bronze. First appearing in the golden age of pulp fiction magazines, the character of Doc Savage has survived many decades through various publications and a movie adaptation. Part adventurer and part surgeon, Doc Savage uses his superhuman strength and unmatched intellect to explore the world and discover its mysteries. With the help of his team of experts even the strange and supernatural can not stop him from saving the day. This is the Man of Bronze, villains beware!

Out of all the Gold Key comic books I’ve read so far, this is hands down my favorite one in my collection. This story has everything that a young lad of the 1960’s would need to keep him occupied. There is adventure, fighting, gunplay, and even high tech gadgets that would make 007 peanut butter and jealous. That right ladies, this is a man’s book, so stay away from the tree fort and our Doc Savage.

As with any other form of entertainment produced during this era, American culture and values were quite different then when it came to various social and racial issues. Some younger readers may find the art depicting Asian characters a bit harsh, especially compared to today’s standards. This, unfortunately, was common practice for the time. If you can see your way past this, and understand that this art style was abandoned fifty years ago, the writing and storyline alone is worth your time.

I enjoyed this book cover to cover. Too bad Doc Savage would not see another issue until Marvel Comics released a limited run in 1972. I’m giving Gold Key’s adaptation of the character five out of five stars. If you can find a copy of this one shot, definitely pick it up.