Monday, July 25, 2016

Doc Savage and Route 66

When I was a young teenager I happened across a Doc Savage book that featured a James Bama painted cover.  Intrigued, I bought it, read it and really enjoyed it.

Not long after I searched out all the other Bama cover Doc Savage books and purchased and read them.  I was hooked.

Coincidentally not long that after Marvel Comics began publishing a Doc Savage comic book and magazine and about that same time a Doc Savage movie came out starring one-time TV Tarzan: Ron Ely.

I also discovered that Doc Savage had originally been published as a Pulp Fiction series popular in the 1930s and 1940s.

Here's an interesting fact, Doc Savage in many respects is the predecessor to and inspiration for Superman.  Doc Savage was known as 'The Man of Bronze', while Superman was 'The Man of Steel' and both had Fortresses of Solitude.  Coincidence?  I think not.

McFarland Publishing and author Robert Michael 'Bobb' Cotter present A History Of The Doc Savage Adventures in pulps, paperbacks, comics, fanzines, radio and film.

It makes for a fascinating read chronicling one of the most important fictional characters ever created and who was responsible, no small part, for the superhero comic book genre.

America's Main Street, Route 66, was for decades the road, or route, that American's used to see this great country of ours.

Much of the infrastructure and travel businesses we take for granted today was created during the heyday of Route 66 including motels, drive-ins, etc.

It was a route resplendent with wacky off-road attractions, quirky buildings and down-home folk trying to make a living in their mom and pop establishments.

Author William Kaszynski does an outstanding job of delineating the history of Route 66 complemented with art and photos from the past and present in 'Route 66 Images Of America's Main Street'.

Thankfully Route 66 is experiencing a resurgence in interest as Americans from all walks of life are rediscovering America's Main Street.