From 1933–37 pulpsmith extraordinaire Frederick C. Davis chronicled the adventures of the classic pulp hero the Moon Man in the pages of Ten Detective Aces. One of the most unique and compelling characters in the history of the genre, the Moon Man was the Robin Hood of the pulps: He stole from those who profited from the misery of the Depression to help those in need, to balance the scales of justice.
And justice was close to the Moon Man’s heart. For the Moon Man was actually police detective Stephen Thatcher—a dedicated law officer all too familiar with the cracks in the system criminals used to avoid retribution. Donning a black robe and a globe of Argus glass, Thatcher became the Moon Man, a thief who stole from criminals the law could not touch.
Now the Moon Man is hunted by his best friend and partner, reviled by his father and fiancé who all want to see the masked thief pay the ultimate price for his crimes. Stephen Thatcher must walk the razor’s edge of his double life where, every minute, the threat of exposure could shatter his fragile world.
For the first time in decades all 38 of the Moon Man’s exploits have been collected by Altus Press in a seven-volume set. And it includes an all-new introduction by Moon Man expert Andrew Salmon.
- The Sinister Sphere: With a strange, uncanny knowledge the Moon Man selected his victims. Those victims had climbed rough-shod to power; some within the law, and others outside the pale. And the Moon Man called on them with a very definite and grim plan—for he walked in the eternal danger of a double menace.
- Blood on the Moon: The picturesque crook—the Moon Man—had amazed Great City with his daring robberies. And he had goaded Detective Lieutenant Gil McEwen to the limit. But now came the cry of murder! There was blood on the moon! Lieutenant McEwen swore a solemn oath to get the killer.
- Moon Wizard: The Moon Man tried to help a fellow in need. But that fellow was a two-legged rat. The reward for the Moon Man’s capture turned his head, and he joined forces with Lieutenant Gil McEwen. The Moon Man was drawn into a double-baited trap.
- The Silver Secret: The Moon Man in trying to help his friend—the Angel—had thrust him into the sinister shadow of the electric chair. The Moon Man had the choice of letting his friend burn, or of unmasking himself. And in his frantic efforts the Moon Man discovered a crooked cop—whom he could never expose.
- Black Lightning: The Moon Man was cheated out of a big haul. Cheated by a notorious gunman who blasted his way with murderous lead. Only the Moon Man saw the face of that masked killer. And in the dual role of robber-detective, he paid that killer a visit.
- Night Nemesis: Lieutenant Gil McEwen had evidence that pointed to the gunner, but he could not use it. His hands were tied by political tape. The chief was at the point of death. Detective Sergeant Steve Thatcher was helpless, too—as a department dick. But as the Moon Man, became the—night nemesis.
- Murder Moon: A killer pack, cornered by the bloodhounds of the law, made a reckless bid for immunity. They planned to capture the notorious Moon Man, and feed him to the law in exchange for their own liberty. They could not trap the elusive Moon Man, himself—but they knew where to find his trusted aide, the Angel. And for the Angel, they prepared a torture gruesome enough to make a man sell his soul.
The Complete Adventures of the Moon Man, Volume 1: 1933 by Frederick C. Davis contains the following stories:
- “The Sinister Sphere”
- “Blood on the Moon”
- “Moon Wizard”
- “The Silver Secret”
- “Black Lightning”
- “Night Nemesis”
- “Murder Moon”
