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The Spider #44 Audiobook
Devil's Pawnbroker
by Emile C. Tepperman writing as Grant Stockbridge
Read by Nick Santa Maria
Deep-hidden in evil, Satan's Suicide Club sat in council — and men died. What dreadful force drove these men, leaders of society with everything to live for, to end their lives at the behest of that sinister being who sardonically called himself Professor Mephisto? And why did men and women suffer the tortures of the damned rather than defy this mysterious being? Richard Wentworth once more assumes the cloak of the Spider to free these lost ones from a living hell and a disgraceful death — and steps into the jaws of a devil's trap that casts his life among the lives in pawn!
In a letter to a Spider fan, Author Norvell W. Page once wrote, “Think of me as Wentworth, if you will. The line between us is not too distinct.”
A transplanted Virginian, Norvell. W. Page took Spider readers on a roller-coaster ride of wild action and fevered emotion unlike anything ever published. Once he got going, he painted a portrait of a tortured superhero, one more emblematic of the 21st century than of the Great Depression. For Richard Wentworth saw himself as a man on a holy mission, a self-appointed messiah with a martyr complex.
Norvell W. Page’s mark on the Spider as a messiah like figure would remain, even in his absence, while other authors, such as Emile C. Tepperman, thrust Wentworth into adventure after adventure. Although each writer brought his own style to the tales, all had to work with the madness and panicked pacing Page had infused into the character for all time.
Nick Santa Maria again takes on the dual role of Richard Wentworth, aka the Spider, Master of Men, for this powerful story. Devil's Pawnbroker. Originally published in The Spider magazine, May, 1937.
Chapter 1: Knives Behind the Door
Chapter 2: Mephisto's Warning
Chapter 3: Ambush on the Lawn
Chapter 4: "Wentworth Is Dead!"
Chapter 5: The Spider Strikes
Chapter 6: Pitched Battle
Chapter 7: The Frightened Woman
Chapter 8: Wentworth Sells His Life
Chapter 9: A View of Inferno
Chapter 10: The Face of Mephisto
Nick Santa Maria Nick was born early in life in Brooklyn, NY. His theatrical background is based in Comedy Improv. He was a long standing member of the late lamented Miami based, Mental Floss, where he served as head writer/composer. From there he began his career in commercials, voice-overs, TV, Film, and theatre. He has performed in many roles on the stage including his award winning turn as Nick in Over The River And Through The Woods, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, as Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, in The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee as Mr. Panch (3-D Theatricals), Mr. Bromhead in No Sex Please, We’re British at The Norris, and as Pseudolus in, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at the Norris Theatre. Television: The Buffalo Bill Show, B.J. Stryker, and two Disney Christmas Specials. Off Broadway: Writer/Composer/Performer on Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know, Soundtrack on RCA Victor. Broadway: Vince Fontaine in Tommy Tune’s production of Grease. He also appeared in every domestic company of Mel Brooks’ The Producers, understudying everyone from Nathan Lane and Jason Alexander, to Tony Danza and David Hassellhoff. He was the original Genie in Disney’s Aladdin, a Musical Spectacular, soundtrack on Disney Records. Nick is a resident of Los Angeles and is currently writing a book about classic film comedians, Nick’s been a long time film historian, and has written several articles on the topic.
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