The Avenger – Part 1: The Paul Ernst Novels

The Avenger was the third kick at the cat for Street & Smith. They had The Shadow publishing every two weeks. They had Doc Savage coming out once a month. Why not another Pulp hero to fill the magazine stands? These two dozen novels were written by Paul Ernst, a true professional who wrote short stories in Horror for Weird Tales, Science Fiction for the Clayton Astounding, and all manner of other tales for the detective and Shudder Pulps. He was a seasoned writer who could handle Mystery and quasi-supernatural elements easily. He had even had experience with a Pulp hero in 1935 when he wrote the Captain Satan series for Weird Tales. Who better to be the next Kenneth Robeson?

Ernst was lucky in that when the character was developed from Nanovic and Ralston’s ideas, he had the assistance of The Shadow‘s Maxwell Grant (Walter B. Gibson) and Doc Savage‘s Kenneth Robeson (Lester Dent). These writers gave Ernst advice on how to plot a fast-paced novel, to involve a team of characters and, in general, pump out a novel a month.

Richard Benson is a hero forged in violence like Doc Savage. Instead of his father being murdered, it is Benson’s wife and child. The three are on a plane that is specially designed to drop passenger suddenly in flight. The criminals then try to gaslight Benson into thinking he never had any family at all. The shock of this assault on his life causes Benson to change. His hair turns white and his face become malleable. He can take on the appearance of anyone he chooses. In this way, Richard Benson was the first of a line of revenge-motivated tough guys.

Fergus “Mac” MacMurdie  appear in the first novel, Justice, Inc. Like Monk Mayfair before him, he is a chemist. The Scot also had his family killed by criminals. He joins Benson largely because he has become indifferent to his own suffering.

Algernon Heathcote “Smitty” Smith also appeared in Justice, Inc. Like Mac, he is a combination of Doc savage character. Six-nine and very powerful, he combined Monk and Renny’s size and strength with Long Tom’s electronics know-how. His gripe is an unlawful prison term.

Nellie Gray first shows up in the second novel, The Yellow Hoard. Her archaeologist father is killed and she finds Benson’s organization to join. She is not a love interest but a protege of the Avenger. (Since Benson is driven by the loss of his family, replacing Alicia Benson is not necessary.) Some have compared Nellie to Emma Peel of The Avengers. It was unusual to have a female sidekick in the Pulps.

Josh and Rosabel Newton join the team with the third book, The Sky Walker, are another unusual pair for the Pulps of the 1930s. They are a black couple, well educated but willing to pose as servants to gain information for the team. Such a portrayal of African-Americans was not typical of the Pulps or even the Slicks.

Cole Wilson is a late addition but a pleasant change from all the dour revenge-seekers. He adds a little light-heartedness to the group.

The Avenger Novels by Paul Ernst (1939-142)

Avenger #1: Justice Inc. (September 1939) (June 1972) by Paul Ernst

Avenger #2: The Yellow Hoard (October 1939) (July 1972) by Paul Ernst (For comic adaptations go here.)

Avenger #3: The Sky Walker (November 1939) (August 1972) by Paul Ernst

Avenger #4: The Devil’s Horns (December 1939) (September 1972) by Paul Ernst

Avenger #5: The Frosted Death (January 1939) (October 1972) by Paul Ernst

Avenger #6: The Blood Ring (February 1940) (November 1972) by Paul Ernst

Avenger #7: Stockholders in Death (March 1940) (December 1972) by Paul Ernst

Avenger #8: The Glass Mountain (April 1940) (January 1973) by Paul Ernst

Avenger #9: Tuned For Murder (May 1940) (February 1973) by Paul Ernst

Avenger #10: The Smiling Dogs (June 1940) (March 1973) by Paul Ernst

Avenger #11: The River of Ice (July 1940) (April 1973) by Paul Ernst

Avenger #12: The Flame Breathers (September 1940) (May 1973) by Paul Ernst

Avenger #13: Murder on Wheels (November 1940) (June 1973) by Paul Ernst

Avenger #14: Three Gold Crowns (January 1941) (July 1973) by Paul Ernst

Avenger #15: House of Death (March 1941) (August 1973) by Paul Ernst

Avenger #16: The Hate Master (May 1941) (September 1973) by Paul Ernst

Avenger #17: Nevlo (July 1941) (October 1973) by Paul Ernst

Avenger #18: Death in Slow Motion (September 1941) (November 1973) by Paul Ernst

Avenger #19: Pictures of Death (November 1941) (December 1973) by Paul Ernst

Avenger #20: The Green Killer (January 1942) (January 1974) by Paul Ernst

Avenger #21: The Happy Killers (March 1942) (February 1974) by Paul Ernst

Avenger #22: The Black Death (May 1942) (March 1974) by Paul Ernst

Avenger #23: The Wilder Curse (July 1942) (April 1974) by Paul Ernst

Avenger #24: Midnight Murder (September 1942) (May 1974) by Paul Ernst

Conclusion

The sales just weren’t there. The hero Pulps that had been the superstars of the Great Depression faced new competition by 1940. Radio, comic strips and comic books were supplying a steady stream of superheroes like Superman, Batman, Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon, Tarzan, etc. The more down-to-earth adventures of Richard Benson (and it is hard to believe these are down-to-earth!) could not garner the dimes of readers like Doc and The Shadow had. After twenty-four issues, Paul Ernst hung up his Avenger cap and moved onto other prospects. By the time the Pulps coughed their last in 1954 (or so), Ernst had made the transition to non-fiction articles in magazines like Good Housekeeping. Ever the pro, he could maneuver with the times and keep on writing.

This was the end of the Paul Ernst novels, but it wasn’t the end for The Avenger. Not by a long shot! Next time, The Avenger becomes a back-up feature then a Radio star!