Manga Review: Case Closed Volumes 91-94

Manga Review: Case Closed Volumes 91-94 by Gosho Aoyama Very quick recap: Shin’ichi Kudou (Jimmy Kudo in the dub) is a teen genius detective. He crossed paths with the mysterious Black Organization, criminals that gave him an experimental poison. Instead of killing him as intended, it shrunk him to child size, so he must solve… Continue reading Manga Review: Case Closed Volumes 91-94

Comic Book Review: The Best of DC #30: Detective Comics

Cover by Aparo.

Comic Book Review: The Best of DC #30: Detective Comics edited by Len Wein Detective Comics is one of DC’s longest-running comic book series, and indeed, they’re named after it. While it’s best known as the birthplace of Batman, over the years it’s hosted several other features involving some form of detection or mystery solving.… Continue reading Comic Book Review: The Best of DC #30: Detective Comics

Comic Book Review: The Best of DC #2: Batman

Cover by Wally Fax

Comic Book Review: The Best of DC #2: Batman edited by Paul Levitz 1979 was the fortieth anniversary of the first published Batman story. Thus this special digest, showcasing interesting stories from each decade of the hero’s publication history. It comes with an essay by Mike W. Barr explaining each story’s significance. “The People vs.… Continue reading Comic Book Review: The Best of DC #2: Batman

Movie Review: Three on a Ticket

Movie Review: Three on a Ticket (1947) directed by Sam Newfield Private investigator Michael “Mike” Shayne (Hugh Beaumont) has just arrived at his office when his secretary Phyllis “Phil” Hamilton (Cheryl Walker) tells him he has an appointment with a prospective client, Jim Lacy (Brooks Benedict). Lacy is a private eye from the East Coast that… Continue reading Movie Review: Three on a Ticket

Movie Review: The Case of the Velvet Claws

Perry attempts to negotiate with a hostile witness.

Movie Review: The Case of the Velvet Claws (1936) directed by William Clemens Perry Mason (Warren Williams) invades the night court of Judge Mary F O’Daugherty (Clara Blandick) with an urgent matter–marrying his secretary, Della Street (Claire Dodd)! As the happy couple pose for the press photographers, Perry announces his retirement from criminal law. From now… Continue reading Movie Review: The Case of the Velvet Claws

Comic Strip Review: Dick Tracy His Greatest Cases #1: Pruneface

Comic Strip Review: Dick Tracy His Greatest Cases #1: Pruneface by Chester Gould As a popular and long-running comic strip, Dick Tracy has had quite a few collections over the years. This paperback is from a 1970s series that collected particularly favorite plotlines from past years. It’s 1942, and America is at war. Police detective… Continue reading Comic Strip Review: Dick Tracy His Greatest Cases #1: Pruneface

Magazine Review: High Adventure #200: Special Last Issue

Magazine Review: High Adventure #200: Special Last Issue edited by John P. Gunnison Much like the pulp magazines it reprints, HIgh Adventure is at last coming to the end of its publication history. But a 200 issue run over 33 years (starting as Pulp Review) is pretty darn impressive. And to celebrate the occasion, this… Continue reading Magazine Review: High Adventure #200: Special Last Issue

Movie Review: Woman on the Run (1950)

Dan and Eleanor visit a nightclub looking for clues.

Movie Review: Woman on the Run (1950) directed by Norman Foster Frank Johnson (Ross Elliott) is out walking his dog Rembrandt (uncredited) one evening when he witnesses a gangland slaying. He gets a good look at the killer, but not vice versa as the gunman shoots at his shadow instead before driving off. When the police,… Continue reading Movie Review: Woman on the Run (1950)

Movie Review: Larceny in Her Heart

Mike and Tim confer about a late night visitor.

Movie Review: Larceny in Her Heart (1946) directed by Sam Newfield Noted private detective Michael Shayne (Hugh Beaumont) and his adoring if sarcastic secretary Phyllis “Phil” Hamilton (Cheryl Walker) are five minutes away from starting a two-week vacation visiting her aunt in Niagra. Naturally, that’s when a wealthy would-be client walks through the door. Burton Stallings… Continue reading Movie Review: Larceny in Her Heart

Movie Review: The Casino Murder Case

Philo and Doris compare notes.

Movie Review: The Casino Murder Case (1935) directed by Edwin L. Marin We begin our story with urbane amateur detective Philo Vance (Paul Lukas) fencing with his manservant Currie (Eric Blore). This is part of Vance’s recent exercise kick, and Currie has been dragged into it as well. More relevantly to the plot, an anonymous letter… Continue reading Movie Review: The Casino Murder Case