THE RISE OF THE SPIDER! In the Fall of 1933, upstart Popular Publications released their challenge to Street & Smith top-selling crime fighter, The Shadow. The Spider walked darker streets and battled more vicious criminals than The Shadow ever imagined. His hard-boiled exploits ran from the Great Depression into World War II, and thrilled ten-year-old Stan Lee, future creator of Spider-Man.

This unique volume collects the first four Spider novels, including bestseller R.T.M. Scott’s seminal stories of millionaire criminologist Richard Wentworth and his suave yet sinister alter ego, followed by Norvell Page’s emotionally powerful continuation of the character.

Go with the Spider as he embarks upon his crime-crushing career, swiftly evolving into one of the most powerful and compelling heroic figures in all pulp fiction. Driven, relentless, and without mercy for criminals, the Spider dares Underworld dens of horror and iniquity no other investigator braved.

With an introduction by modern Spider novelist Will Murray, revealing secrets of the Spider’s creation, and a penetrating exploration of the weird psychology of the tormented crusader known and feared as the Master of Men!