Did you know that Walter B. Gibson created another character named Norgil the Magician? Not only did Gibson write the vast majority of The Shadow stories, he also created the character of Norgil the Magician and penned over 20 short-stories featuring Norgil.
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| November 1937 edition of Crime Busters |
The first Norgil story was published in November of 1937 in Street and Smith's Crime Buster pulp. In all, 23 Norgil stories were published. Just like The Shadow, Gibson wrote using the Maxwell Grant pen name. Norgil the Magician has a supporting cast made up of Miriam, his assistant and Fritz his stage assistant.
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| The Mysterious Press reprint |
In 1977 and 1979, a collection of the original Norgil stories were published by The Mysterious Press. These books featured original cover art by Jim Steranko and introductions by Walter B. Gibson. Only 16 of the 23 Norgil stories were collected in these two books.
Sanctum Books has republished some of the Norgil stories in their reprints of The Whisperer.
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| Sanctum Books reprint of The Whisperer |
While I have not read a single Norgil story, I am looking forward to reading them and getting to know this character. Based on what little I do know, he sounds like a bit of Mandrake the Magician and The Shadow mixed together! I know Walter B. Gibson was a master magician himself so I'm sure his knowledge and craft was woven into the stories. Hope you've enjoyed this brief look at another one of Gibson's great pulp characters!
