When sinister menace stalks the survivors of the Mattling steamship family and their enterprises, the Phantom Detective goes on the difficult trail of an overlord of crime whose methods defy justice! The masked sleuth pits himself against the minions of grim terror!
Although similar to other masked men featured in Pulp Magazines, The Phantom Detective can actually be credited with at least two influences on later characters, both those to follow in pulps and one in particular to come to life in comic books.
Because he wore a mask and was so skilled at the art of disguise, Richard Curtis Van Loan had to come up with a way to identify himself to law enforcement officials as the actual Phantom Detective. To this end, he fashioned a platinum badge in the shape of a domino mask. This concept of leaving a calling card would be found in innumerable heroes to follow in unique ways, including The Spider.
Another even more influential invention on the future of a certain caped crusader came in the form of a red beacon that Frank Havens, the only person to know the Phantom Detective’s true identity, had installed on the roof of his newspaper building. This was used whenever the Clarion’s owner needed to summon The Phantom from somewhere else in the city. Obviously, this is very similar to the signal used to summon Batman in comics in later years, but the connection between the two is not mere supposition. Jack Schiff and Mort Weisinger both edited The Phantom Detective under the leadership of Leo Margulies before moving on to editing in a different format and a different character-Batman in comics books.
‘Masterpiece of Murder’ was originally published in the December 1945 issue of The Phantom Detective Magazine and is read with pulse pounding intensity by award winning voice actor Milton Bagby.
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Melody of Death
Chapter 2: Dinner Date
Chapter 3: The Phantom
Chapter 4: Blackjack Murder
Chapter 5: Cover of Dark
Chapter 6: Information
Chapter 7: Princess Court
Chapter 8: Fire at Sea
Chapter 9: Bronx Laboratory
Chapter 10: Elkhorn Tavern
Chapter 11: The Phantom’s Plan
Chapter 12: On Orders
Chapter 13: The Voice
Chapter 14: Midnight Call
Chapter 15: Fast Exit
Chapter 16: Barlow Speaks
Chapter 17: Bandstand Girl
Chapter 18: Second-Floor Front
Chapter 19: Hundred Grand
Chapter 20: Jaws of the Trap
