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The Spider #82 Audiobook
Dictator's Death Merchants
by Emile C. Tepperman writing as Grant Stockbridge
Read by Nick Santa Maria
Never before had the destruction of Richard Wentworih, alias the Spider, seemed so imminent. For El Crocodilo, mysterious crime king from the past, forestalled Dick's every move — even influencing Nita van Sloan to lead the man she loved into the most perfect deathtrap ever set to catch the Master of Men!
Norvell W. Page’s mark on the Spider as a maniacal crusader for justice would remain as he thrust Wentworth into adventure after adventure. Even though other writers over time would bring their own touches to the character, all had to work with the madness and panicked pacing Page had infused into the character for all time.
Yet there was a human side to this complex man. Consider his strange relationship with his semi-fiancé, Nita van Sloan.
When he had met Nita, his life was already pledged to the service of humanity. The Spider had been a scourge of the Underworld for three years. So he had fought against the love he knew could never reached culmination in marriage. What man could marry, have a home and children, when death and disgrace hung hourly over his head? No, he could not permit Nita to face such a possibility. He had told her that, when they found their love was stronger than the will to resist; had told her all his secret life in the hope that it might accomplish what his will had not. It had only drawn Nita closer to him, and they had fought the hard way together.” As Wentworth once remarked to her, “How perfectly is thy mystic karma attuned to mine!”
Nick Santa Maria brings the action to vibrant life, narrating with a fever-pitch intensity. Dictator's Death Merchants originally published in The Spider magazine, July, 1940.
Chapter 1: Reception à la Spider
Chapter 2: El Crocodilo’s First Move
Chapter 3: Man with the Note
Chapter 4: Dangling in Midair!
Chapter 5: Dick Wentworth — Fugitive!
Chapter 6: Mr. Avery Steps Out
Chapter 7: The Crocodile Snaps His Jaws
Chapter 8: The Devil’s Private Car
Chapter 9: Lair of the Crocodile
Chapter 10: Odds Against the Spider!
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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