As you've already gathered, the "wealthy playboy about town" archetype was incredibly popular in the 30s. Most kids and adults were suffering through the great depression and a hero with money, social skills, and a suave superhero alter ego provided much needed escape. Many of them were also war veterans, one of the worlds most honorable titles. Kent Allard is a famed French aviator with psychic abilities who seeks out criminals lurking in dark alleys and shadowy streets. Orson Welles famously loaned his voice to the character in the 1930s radio serials and he has been adapted a number of times onto the big screen, most recently in the 1994 film of the same name starring Alec Baldwin. The Shadow also shares common ground with the Green Hornet in that the public perceived him as a villain. Staying out of the positive public eye aided the Shadow in his war on ending crime. Although many of the aforementioned characters are vital to the pulp movement, the Shadow arguably remains the most pivotal because of his influence on a genre of heroes that took to great heights. He was both the most well known and longest running pulp magazine and is one of the most important characters in superhero history. A film based on him, when done correctly, could only be nothing but stylish, entertaining, and very cool. If anyone deserves another shot at the big time, it's definitely him. Fan of the pulps? Who did we miss? Which of your favorite classic characters do you want to see back on the big screen? Comments below, kids!
Actor, writer, filmmaker, stand up comic, jack of all trades...hopefully master of some. Living the dream, whatever that is, in LA while always sitting in traffic. He's also the co-creator of the comedy group NSFYM (Not Safe For Your Mom). facebook.com/nsfym
