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{{Short description|Pulp magazine}}
{{About|the pulp magazine|comic strip "Secret Agent X-9"|Secret Agent X-9}}
{{italic title}}
{{italic title}}
{{Infobox pulps character
{{Infobox comics character
| character_name = Secret Agent X
<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| image = Cover of Secret agent Magazine April 1937.jpg
<!--Character section-->
| imagesize =
|code_name = Secret Agent X
| caption = Cover of "Secret Agent" Magazine for April 1937 showing inclusion of story about Secret Agent X.
|image =
|imagesize =
| alt =
|caption =
| publisher = [[Ace Magazines]]
|alt =
| debut = ''Secret Agent X'' #1
| first_series =
|publisher = [[Ace Magazines]]
| first_episode =
|debut = ''Secret Agent X'' #1
|debutmo = February
| first_comic =
| creators = [[Paul Chadwick (author)|Paul Chadwick]]
|debutyr = 1934
| voiced_by =
|creators = [[Paul Chadwick]]
|real_name = Unknown
|cast = Betty Dale<br>Jim Hobart<br>Harvey Bates<br>Thaddeus Penny


| alter_ego =
<!--Series section-->
|title = Secret Agent X
| full_name =
|schedule =
| real_name = Unknown
| supports = Betty Dale<br>Jim Hobart<br>Harvey Bates<br>Thaddeus Penny
|format = <!-- defaults to Pulp magazine -->
| powers = Genius-level intellect, expert knowledge of physical and biological sciences, master of hand-to-hand fighting (jiu-jitsu, boxing, and karate), master detective, master of disguise, ventriloquism, voice mimicry
|genre = Crime, Spy, Adventure, Weird Menace, Science Fiction
|date =
|1stishyr = 1934
|1stishmo = February
|endishyr = 1939
|endishmo = March
|issues = 41
|writers = Paul Chadwick, Emile C Tepperman, G.T. Fleming-Roberts, Wayne Rogers
|editors =


<!--Adaptations section-->
|comic =
|comiclink = <!-- defaults to Comics -->
|comic_pub =
|comic_yr =
|comic_yrend =
|comic# =
|comic_pub# =
|comic_yr# =
|comic_yrend# =
|sort = Secret Agent X
}}
}}


'''''Secret Agent X''''' was the title of a [[United States|U.S.]] [[pulp magazine]] published by [[A. A. Wyn]]'s [[A. A. Wyn's Magazine Publishers|Ace Magazines]], and the name of the main character featured in the magazine. The magazine ran for 41 issues between February 1934 and March 1939.
'''''Secret Agent X''''' was the title of a [[United States|U.S.]] [[pulp magazine]] published by [[A. A. Wyn]]'s [[A. A. Wyn's Magazine Publishers|Ace Magazines]], and the name of the main character featured in the magazine. The magazine ran for 41 issues between February 1934 and March 1939.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pulpandoldmagazines.wordpress.com/2018/09/08/secret-agent-x/| title=Secret Agent X| date=8 September 2018|publisher=Pulp and Old Magazine|accessdate=2020-07-24}}</ref>


The ''Secret Agent X'' stories were written by more than one author, but they all appeared under the "house name" of [[Brant House]].<ref name = " Hutchison"> {{cite book |last=Hutchison |first=Don |title=The Great Pulp Heroes |year=1995 |publisher=Mosaic Press |isbn=978-0-88962-585-3 }} p. 273 </ref> The first Secret Agent X story, ''The Torture Trust'' was written by [[Paul Chadwick (author)|Paul Chadwick, d. 1971]], who went on to write at least fifteen others. Later stories were produced by G. T. Fleming-Roberts (born George Thomas Roberts, 1910-1968), Emile C. Tepperman (1899-1951) and Wayne Rogers (pen name of Archibald Bittner (1897-1966). [http://www.geocities.com/pulp.master/secret-agent-x.txt]{{dead link|date=November 2010|bot=AnomieBOT}}
The ''Secret Agent X'' stories were written by more than one author, but they all appeared under the "house name" of [[Brant House]].<ref name = " Hutchison">{{cite book |last=Hutchison |first=Don |title=The Great Pulp Heroes |year=1995 |publisher=Mosaic Press |isbn=978-0-88962-585-3}} p. 273</ref> The first Secret Agent X story, ''The Torture Trust'' was written by [[Paul Chadwick (author)|Paul Chadwick, d. 1971]], who went on to write at least fifteen others. Later stories were produced by G. T. Fleming-Roberts (born George Thomas Roberts, 1910-1968), Emile C. Tepperman (1899-1951) and Wayne Rogers (pen name of Archibald Bittner (1897-1966).


==Character==
==Character==
In the stories, the true identity of Secret Agent X is never revealed. He is a master of disguise, known as "the man of a thousand faces", who adopts several different identities in each story. Although he is a dedicated crime-fighter working undercover for the [[Federal government of the United States|U.S. government]], this is unknown to the police who consider him an outlaw. His true role is known only to newspaper reporter Betty Dale and his mysterious Washington controller, K-9. Agent X came close to being undone once by a woman who could recognise him no matter his disguise. She turned out to be blind and recognised his manner of walking.

In the stories, the true identity of Secret Agent X is never revealed. He is a master of disguise, known as "the man of a thousand faces", who adopts several different identities in each story. Although he is a dedicated crime-fighter working undercover for the [[Federal government of the United States|U.S. government]], this is unknown to the police who consider him an outlaw. His true role is known only to newspaper reporter Betty Dale and his mysterious Washington controller, K-9. Agent X come close to being undone once by a woman who could recognise him no matter what his disguise. She turned out to be blind and recognised his manner of walking.


Originally X was bank-rolled by an anonymous group of millionaires who made any amount of money he might need available. He maintained a number of identities and had bank-rolled a failing detective business into a thriving business where alongside their usual work, they did work for him, gathering news reports, getting information, leg work, guarding people, etc. They did not know his real identity. Later X became more of a mysterious government figure. His weapon of choice was a gas gun which quickly rendered people unconscious for a short time without any side effects.
Originally X was bank-rolled by an anonymous group of millionaires who made any amount of money he might need available. He maintained a number of identities and had bank-rolled a failing detective business into a thriving business where alongside their usual work, they did work for him, gathering news reports, getting information, leg work, guarding people, etc. They did not know his real identity. Later X became more of a mysterious government figure. His weapon of choice was a gas gun which quickly rendered people unconscious for a short time without any side effects.


Although ostensibly in the [[Crime fiction|crime]] genre, the ''Secret Agent X'' stories were situated at the more far-fetched end of the spectrum, with a number of [[science fiction]] elements such as futuristic weapons and [[mad scientist]]s. They were generally given highly [[Sensationalism|sensational]] titles such as ''The Ambassador of Doom'' (May 1934), ''Servants of the Skull'' (November 1934), ''The Golden Ghoul'' (July 1935), ''Satan’s Syndicate'' (August 1937) and ''Curse of the Crimson Horde'' (September 1938). [http://www.geocities.com/pulp.master/secret-agent-x.txt]{{dead link|date=November 2010|bot=AnomieBOT}} There were a number of similarities between Secret Agent X and other pulp heroes of the time such as [[The Shadow]], the [[Green Lama]] and [[Operator No. 5]]. Authors such as Tepperman and Rogers produced stories for ''Operator No. 5'' magazine as well as for ''Secret Agent X''.
Although ostensibly in the [[Crime fiction|crime]] genre, the ''Secret Agent X'' stories were situated at the more far-fetched end of the spectrum, with a number of [[science fiction]] elements such as futuristic weapons and [[mad scientist]]s. They were generally given highly [[Sensationalism|sensational]] titles such as ''The Ambassador of Doom'' (May 1934), ''Servants of the Skull'' (November 1934), ''The Golden Ghoul'' (July 1935), ''Satan’s Syndicate'' (August 1937) and ''Curse of the Crimson Horde'' (September 1938). [http://www.geocities.com/pulp.master/secret-agent-x.txt] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102205900/http://www.geocities.com/pulp.master/secret-agent-x.txt |date=2012-11-02 }} There were a number of similarities between Secret Agent X and other pulp heroes of the time such as [[The Shadow]], the [[Green Lama]] and [[Operator No. 5]]. Authors such as Tepperman and Rogers produced stories for ''Operator No. 5'' magazine as well as for ''Secret Agent X''.


[[Ace Comics (publishers)|Ace Comics]] also published a short-lived character based on Secret Agent X, but called him "X- The Phantom Fed". All stories were based on early novels.
[[Ace Comics (publishers)|Ace Comics]] also published a short-lived character based on Secret Agent X, but called him "X- The Phantom Fed". All stories were based on early novels.


==Stories==
==Stories==
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Secret Agent X.jpg|right|Secret Agent X. March 1936 issue.]] -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Secret Agent X.jpg|right|Secret Agent X. March 1936 issue.]] -->
# ''The Torture Trust'', 02/01/34 01/1 - Paul Chadwick
# ''The Torture Trust'', 02/01/34 01/1 - Paul Chadwick
# ''The Spectral Stranglers'', 03/01/34 - Paul Chadwick
# ''The Spectral Stranglers'', 03/01/34 - Paul Chadwick
# ''The Death-Torch Terror'', 04/01/34 - Paul Chadwick
# ''The Death-Torch Terror'', 04/01/34 - Paul Chadwick
# ''The Ambassador of Doom'', 05/01/34 - Paul Chadwick
# ''The Ambassador of Doom'', 05/01/34 - Paul Chadwick
# ''City of Living Dead'', 06/01/34 - Paul Chadwick
# ''City of Living Dead'', 06/01/34 - Emile C. Tepperman
# ''Octopus of Crime'', 09/01/34 - Paul Chadwick
# ''Octopus of Crime'', 09/01/34 - Paul Chadwick
# ''The Hooded Hordes'', 10/01/34 - Paul Chadwick
# ''The Hooded Hordes'', 10/01/34 - Paul Chadwick
# ''Satan's Scalpel'', 03/01/34 - Emile C Tepperman
# ''The Eyes Of Durga'', 04/01/34 - Emile C Tepperman
# ''No Living Witness'', 06/01/34 - Emile C Tepperman
# ''Hand of Horror'', 08/01/34 - Emile C Tepperman
# ''Hand of Horror'', 08/01/34 - Emile C Tepperman
# ''Tong Torture'', 09/01/34 - Emile C Tepperman
# ''Servants of the Skull'', 11/01/34 - Emile C Tepperman
# ''Servants of the Skull'', 11/01/34 - Emile C Tepperman
# ''The Murder Monster'', 12/01/34 - Emile C Tepperman
# ''Call From Hell'', 11/01/34 - Emile C Tepperman
# ''Talons of Terror'', 04/01/35 - Emile C Tepperman
# ''The Murder Monster'', 12/01/34 - Emile C Tepperman
# ''The Terror's Trade-Mark'', 02/01/35 - Emile C Tepperman
# ''Talons of Terror'', 04/01/35 - Emile C Tepperman
# ''Taking No Chances'', 04/01/35 - Emile C Tepperman
# ''Tomb Of Torture'', 05/01/35 - Emile C Tepperman
# ''Paid In Slugs'', 09/01/35 - Emile C Tepperman
# ''The Suicide Coterie'', 04/01/38 - Emile C Tepperman
# ''Sinister Scourge'', 01/01/35 - Paul Chadwick
# ''Sinister Scourge'', 01/01/35 - Paul Chadwick
# ''Curse of the Waiting Death'', 02/01/35 - Paul Chadwick
# ''Curse of the Waiting Death'', 02/01/35 - Paul Chadwick
# ''Devils of Darkness'', 03/01/35 - (Emile C Tepperman or Paul Chadwick)
# ''Devils of Darkness'', 03/01/35 - Paul Chadwick
# ''The Corpse Cavalcade'', 05/01/35 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''The Corpse Cavalcade'', 05/01/35 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''The Golden Ghoul'', 07/01/35 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''The Golden Ghoul'', 07/01/35 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''The Monarch of Murder'', 08/01/35 - Paul Chadwick
# ''The Monarch of Murder'', 08/01/35 - Paul Chadwick
Line 89: Line 59:
# ''Horde of the Damned'', 10/01/35 - Paul Chadwick
# ''Horde of the Damned'', 10/01/35 - Paul Chadwick
# ''Ringmaster of Doom'', 11/01/35 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Ringmaster of Doom'', 11/01/35 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Kingdom of Blue Corpses'', 12/01/35 - ?
# ''Kingdom of Blue Corpses'', 12/01/35 - Paul Chadwick?
# ''Brand of the Metal Maiden'', 01/01/36 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Brand of the Metal Maiden'', 01/01/36 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Dividends of Doom'', 02/01/36 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Dividends of Doom'', 02/01/36 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''The Fear Merchants'', 03/01/36 - Paul Chadwick
# ''The Fear Merchants'', 03/01/36 - Paul Chadwick
# ''Faceless Fury'', 04/01/36 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Faceless Fury'', 04/01/36 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Subterranean Scourge'', 06/01/36 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Subterranean Scourge'', 06/01/36 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''The Doom Director'', 08/01/36 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''The Doom Director'', 08/01/36 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Horror's Handclasp'', 10/01/36 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Horror's Handclasp'', 10/01/36 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''City of Madness'', 12/01/36 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''City of Madness'', 12/01/36 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Death's Frozen Formula'', 02/01/37 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Death's Frozen Formula'', 02/01/37 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''The Murder Brain'', 04/01/37 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''The Murder Brain'', 04/01/37 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Slaves of the Scorpion'', 06/01/37 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Slaves of the Scorpion'', 06/01/37 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Satan's Syndicate'', 08/01/37 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Satan's Syndicate'', 08/01/37 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''The Assassin's League'', 10/01/37 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''The Assassin's League'', 10/01/37 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Plague of the Golden Death'', 12/01/37 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Plague of the Golden Death'', 12/01/37 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Curse of the Mandarin's Fan'', 02/01/38 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Curse of the Mandarin's Fan'', 02/01/38 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Claws of the Corpse Cult'', 04/01/38 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Claws of the Corpse Cult'', 04/01/38 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''The Corpse that Murdered'', 06/01/38 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''The Corpse that Murdered'', 06/01/38 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Curse of the Crimson Horde'', 09/01/38 - Paul Chadwick
# ''Curse of the Crimson Horde'', 09/01/38 - Paul Chadwick
# ''Corpse Contraband'', 12/01/38 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Corpse Contraband'', 12/01/38 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Yoke of the Crimson Coterie'', 03/01/39 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
# ''Yoke of the Crimson Coterie'', 03/01/39 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts


==Reprints & New Stories==
==Reprints and new stories==
Several Secret Agent X novels have been reprinted over the years. In the 1960s, at the height of the camp craze and the success of the [[Doc Savage]] reprints, Corinth Press (an imprint of soft porn publisher Regency) issued seven Secret Agent X adventures in paperback. Their low distribution made them collector's items almost from the very first, but didn't generate enough sales to continue the series. Since then, several other small presses have reprinted different stories. Small press [[Altus Press]] has begun an ambitious reprinting of the entire Secret Agent "X" series in nine volumes. [https://web.archive.org/web/20100323115754/http://www.altuspress.com/2008/09/secret-agent-x-the-complete-series-volume-1/] All nine volumes have appeared.


Beginning in 1996 Secret Agent X became the latest in a series of pulp heroes to be revived. In Tom Johnson's short story "Horror's Monster", published in ''Classic Pulp Fiction Stories'' #9, Agent X's saga moved into the early days of World War II. Here he squared off against criminals who employed giant spiders to achieve their nefarious ends. Since publication of Johnson's tale, Stephen Payne has penned three novels starring the Secret Agent: ''The Freezing Fiends'' (''CPFS'' #12-17), ''Master of Madness'' (''Double Danger Tales'' #1-3), and ''Halo of Horror'' (''Double Danger Tales'' #21-23), all appearing under the aegis of Tom Johnson's Fading Shadows books. ''Halo of Horror'' and ''Master of Madness'' has since been reprinted in a pulp facsimile format by [[Altus Press]]. [https://web.archive.org/web/20091208174807/http://www.altuspress.com/2008/03/secret-agent-x-halo-of-horror/]
Several Secret Agent X novels have been reprinted over the years. In the 1960s, at the height of the camp craze and the success of the [[Doc Savage]] reprints, [[Corinth Press]] (an imprint of soft porn publisher Regency) issued seven Secret Agent X adventures in paperback. Their low distribution made them collector's items almost from the very first, but didn't generate enough sales to continue the series. Since then, several other small presses have reprinted different stories. Small press [[Altus Press]] has begun an ambitious reprinting of the entire Secret Agent "X" series in nine volumes. [http://www.altuspress.com/2008/09/secret-agent-x-the-complete-series-volume-1/ ] Seven volumes have appeared so far.


Altus Press has also published other Secret Agent X material: ''The Stolen Formula'', [https://web.archive.org/web/20100427231133/http://www.altuspress.com/2008/03/triple-detective-1-winter-1956/] a rewrite of a ''Secret Agent X'' story written specifically for the Greek audience and published in their "magazine" ''Triple Detective #1'', and reprinted ''The Secret Agent X Companion'', [https://web.archive.org/web/20091208125907/http://www.altuspress.com/2008/03/the-secret-agent-x-companion/] a comprehensive history of the character by Tom Johnson and [[Will Murray]].
Beginning in 1996 Secret Agent X became the latest in a series of pulp heroes to be revived. In Tom Johnson's short story "Horror's Monster," published in ''Classic Pulp Fiction Stories'' #9, Agent X's saga moved into the early days of World War II. Here he squared off against criminals who employed giant spiders to achieve their nefarious ends. Since publication of Johnson's tale, Stephen Payne has penned three novels starring the Secret Agent: ''The Freezing Fiends'' (''CPFS'' #12-17), ''Master of Madness'' (''Double Danger Tales'' #1-3), and ''Halo of Horror'' (''Double Danger Tales'' #21-23), all appearing under the aegis of Tom Johnson's Fading Shadows books. ''Halo of Horror'' and ''Master of Madness'' has since been reprinted in a pulp facsimile format by [[Altus Press]]. [http://www.altuspress.com/2008/03/secret-agent-x-halo-of-horror/]


In addition, Wild Cat Books issued two collections of novellas showcasing the Agent; ''Secret Agent X Volumes 1 & 2''. These were edited by pulp historian/writer, [[Ron Fortier]] and are currently Airship 27 Productions and published by [[Cornerstone Books Publisher]]. It is a continuing series of all new stories with future volumes in production. The third, fourth, and fifth volumes have already appeared, with Frank Schildiner's take on the hero as the cover tale.
Altus Press has also published other Secret Agent X material: ''The Stolen Formula,'' [http://www.altuspress.com/2008/03/triple-detective-1-winter-1956/] a rewrite of a ''Secret Agent X'' story written specifically for the Greek audience and published in their "magazine" ''Triple Detective #1'', and reprinted ''The Secret Agent X Companion,'' [http://www.altuspress.com/2008/03/the-secret-agent-x-companion/] a comprehensive history of the character by Tom Johnson and [[Will Murray]].


Stephen Payne wrote a fourth new ''Secret Agent X'' novel, ''The Resurrection Ring'', which revealed new facts about the origin of the Man of a Thousand Faces. It also starred some old friends and even an old enemy who had not been featured since the 1930s. Altus Press released it in Summer 2014, at Pulpfest. More recently, Payne has completed his fifth novel of the Secret Agent, ''League of the Seventh Son''. Set in New Orleans in 1932, it showcases an adventure from before the Agent's recorded career, wherein the Man of a Thousand Faces battles the terrible Mister Seven, a variant of an ancient European legend. In addition it shows the specific reason that Agent X faked his own death, in order to become a nameless, faceless crime-buster. The novel was released in 2017. Payne is also writing his sixth novel, ''Agents of Apollyon''. In this crossover tale set in 1938, X battles a 19th-century villain who has somehow survived to the 20th century. In the process the character has gained a deadly weapon with which he can bring the entire world to its knees. Payne will follow this novel with ''The Satan of the Sky'', wherein the Agent faces an airborne menace in 1940 Phoenix. Future tales will include a pair of Cold War adventures: ''Fear's Flotilla'' and ''Time of the Terrible People''. Also Payne is working on the outline for a story tentatively entitled ''Silence for Sale''. In it the Man of a Thousand Faces will battle the Man of Silence, a weird villain who does not speak, but uses a form of sign language to communicate with his underlings.
In addition, Wild Cat Books issued two collections of novellas showcasing the Agent; ''Secret Agent X Volumes 1 & 2''. These were edited by pulp historian/writer, [[Ron Fortier]] and are currently Airship 27 Productions and published by [[Cornerstone Books Publisher]]. It is a continuing series of all new stories with future volumes in production. The third and fourth volumes have already appeared, with Frank Schildiner's take on the hero as the cover tale.


Age of Adventure published a full-length Secret Agent X novel set during World War II, ''The Sea Wraiths'' by Sean Ellis. This has been reprinted by Retrograde Press recently.
And recently Stephen Payne has completed the fourth new ''Secret Agent X'' novel, ''The Resurrection Ring,'' which will reveal new facts about the origin of the Man of a Thousand Faces. It will also star some old friends and even an old enemy who has not been featured since the 1930s. Altus Press released it in Summer 2014, at Pulpfest. Payne is currently writing his fifth novel of the Secret Agent, ''League of the Seventh Son''. Set in New Orleans in 1932, it will showcase an adventure from before the Agent's recorded career, wherein the Man of a Thousand Faces battles the terrible Mister Seven, a variant of an ancient European legend. It will also show the specific reason that Agent X faked his own death, in order to become a nameless, faceless crime-buster.

Age of Adventure published a full-length Secret Agent X novel set during World War II, ''The Sea Wraiths'' by Sean Ellis. This has been reprinted by Retrograde Press recently.

==Notes==
{{reflist}}


==See also==
==See also==
Line 132: Line 98:
* [[Fantasy fiction magazine]]
* [[Fantasy fiction magazine]]
* [[Horror fiction magazine]]
* [[Horror fiction magazine]]

==References==
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.philsp.com/data/data279.html Page with some ''Secret Agent X'' cover scans]
*[http://www.philsp.com/data/data279.html Page with some ''Secret Agent X'' cover scans]
*[http://www.geocities.com/pulp.master/secret-agent-x.txt ''Secret Agent X'' checklist]{{dead link|date=November 2010|bot=AnomieBOT}}
*[http://www.geocities.com/pulp.master/secret-agent-x.txt ''Secret Agent X'' checklist] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102205900/http://www.geocities.com/pulp.master/secret-agent-x.txt |date=2012-11-02 }}
*[http://www.altuspress.com/2008/03/secret-agent-x-halo-of-horror/ Stephen Payne's ''Halo of Horror'' reissue]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20091208174807/http://www.altuspress.com/2008/03/secret-agent-x-halo-of-horror/ Stephen Payne's ''Halo of Horror'' reissue]
*[http://www.altuspress.com/2008/03/triple-detective-1-winter-1956/ ''Triple Detective #1'', which contains ''The Stolen Formula'']
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100427231133/http://www.altuspress.com/2008/03/triple-detective-1-winter-1956/ ''Triple Detective #1'', which contains ''The Stolen Formula'']
*[http://www.altuspress.com/2008/03/the-secret-agent-x-companion/ Tom Johnson and Will Murray's ''The Secret Agent X Companion'']
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20091208125907/http://www.altuspress.com/2008/03/the-secret-agent-x-companion/ Tom Johnson and Will Murray's ''The Secret Agent X Companion'']
*[http://www.altuspress.com/2008/09/secret-agent-x-the-complete-series-volume-1/ Secret Agent “X” - The Complete Series Volume 1]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100323115754/http://www.altuspress.com/2008/09/secret-agent-x-the-complete-series-volume-1/ Secret Agent “X” - The Complete Series Volume 1]
*[http://pulpgen.com/pulp/downloads/list_by_mag.php?page=22] Download two Secret Agent X stories to read for free.
*[http://pulpgen.com/pulp/downloads/list_by_mag.php?page=22] Download two Secret Agent X stories to read for free.
*[http://pulpgen.com/pulp/downloads/list_by_mag.php?page=23] Download a Secret Agent X story to read for free.
*[http://pulpgen.com/pulp/downloads/list_by_mag.php?page=23] Download a Secret Agent X story to read for free.
{{ScienceFictionFantasyWeirdPulpMagazines}}


[[Category:Pulp magazines]]
[[Category:Pulp magazines]]
[[Category:Characters in pulp fiction]]
[[Category:Characters in pulp fiction]]
[[Category:Fictional secret agents and spies]]
[[Category:Male characters in comics]]
[[Category:Fictional spies in comics]]
[[Category:Magazines established in 1934]]
[[Category:Magazines established in 1934]]
[[Category:Magazines disestablished in 1939]]
[[Category:Magazines disestablished in 1939]]
[[Category:Defunct science fiction magazines of the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct science fiction magazines published in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 04:10, 12 February 2024

Secret Agent X
Cover of "Secret Agent" Magazine for April 1937 showing inclusion of story about Secret Agent X.
Publication information
PublisherAce Magazines
First appearanceSecret Agent X #1
Created byPaul Chadwick
In-story information
Alter egoUnknown
Supporting character ofBetty Dale
Jim Hobart
Harvey Bates
Thaddeus Penny
AbilitiesGenius-level intellect, expert knowledge of physical and biological sciences, master of hand-to-hand fighting (jiu-jitsu, boxing, and karate), master detective, master of disguise, ventriloquism, voice mimicry

Secret Agent X was the title of a U.S. pulp magazine published by A. A. Wyn's Ace Magazines, and the name of the main character featured in the magazine. The magazine ran for 41 issues between February 1934 and March 1939.[1]

The Secret Agent X stories were written by more than one author, but they all appeared under the "house name" of Brant House.[2] The first Secret Agent X story, The Torture Trust was written by Paul Chadwick, d. 1971, who went on to write at least fifteen others. Later stories were produced by G. T. Fleming-Roberts (born George Thomas Roberts, 1910-1968), Emile C. Tepperman (1899-1951) and Wayne Rogers (pen name of Archibald Bittner (1897-1966).

Character

[edit]

In the stories, the true identity of Secret Agent X is never revealed. He is a master of disguise, known as "the man of a thousand faces", who adopts several different identities in each story. Although he is a dedicated crime-fighter working undercover for the U.S. government, this is unknown to the police who consider him an outlaw. His true role is known only to newspaper reporter Betty Dale and his mysterious Washington controller, K-9. Agent X came close to being undone once by a woman who could recognise him no matter his disguise. She turned out to be blind and recognised his manner of walking.

Originally X was bank-rolled by an anonymous group of millionaires who made any amount of money he might need available. He maintained a number of identities and had bank-rolled a failing detective business into a thriving business where alongside their usual work, they did work for him, gathering news reports, getting information, leg work, guarding people, etc. They did not know his real identity. Later X became more of a mysterious government figure. His weapon of choice was a gas gun which quickly rendered people unconscious for a short time without any side effects.

Although ostensibly in the crime genre, the Secret Agent X stories were situated at the more far-fetched end of the spectrum, with a number of science fiction elements such as futuristic weapons and mad scientists. They were generally given highly sensational titles such as The Ambassador of Doom (May 1934), Servants of the Skull (November 1934), The Golden Ghoul (July 1935), Satan’s Syndicate (August 1937) and Curse of the Crimson Horde (September 1938). [1] Archived 2012-11-02 at the Wayback Machine There were a number of similarities between Secret Agent X and other pulp heroes of the time such as The Shadow, the Green Lama and Operator No. 5. Authors such as Tepperman and Rogers produced stories for Operator No. 5 magazine as well as for Secret Agent X.

Ace Comics also published a short-lived character based on Secret Agent X, but called him "X- The Phantom Fed". All stories were based on early novels.

Stories

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  1. The Torture Trust, 02/01/34 01/1 - Paul Chadwick
  2. The Spectral Stranglers, 03/01/34 - Paul Chadwick
  3. The Death-Torch Terror, 04/01/34 - Paul Chadwick
  4. The Ambassador of Doom, 05/01/34 - Paul Chadwick
  5. City of Living Dead, 06/01/34 - Emile C. Tepperman
  6. Octopus of Crime, 09/01/34 - Paul Chadwick
  7. The Hooded Hordes, 10/01/34 - Paul Chadwick
  8. Hand of Horror, 08/01/34 - Emile C Tepperman
  9. Servants of the Skull, 11/01/34 - Emile C Tepperman
  10. The Murder Monster, 12/01/34 - Emile C Tepperman
  11. Talons of Terror, 04/01/35 - Emile C Tepperman
  12. Sinister Scourge, 01/01/35 - Paul Chadwick
  13. Curse of the Waiting Death, 02/01/35 - Paul Chadwick
  14. Devils of Darkness, 03/01/35 - Paul Chadwick
  15. The Corpse Cavalcade, 05/01/35 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
  16. The Golden Ghoul, 07/01/35 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
  17. The Monarch of Murder, 08/01/35 - Paul Chadwick
  18. Legion of the Living Dead, 09/01/35 - Paul Chadwick
  19. Horde of the Damned, 10/01/35 - Paul Chadwick
  20. Ringmaster of Doom, 11/01/35 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
  21. Kingdom of Blue Corpses, 12/01/35 - Paul Chadwick?
  22. Brand of the Metal Maiden, 01/01/36 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
  23. Dividends of Doom, 02/01/36 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
  24. The Fear Merchants, 03/01/36 - Paul Chadwick
  25. Faceless Fury, 04/01/36 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
  26. Subterranean Scourge, 06/01/36 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
  27. The Doom Director, 08/01/36 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
  28. Horror's Handclasp, 10/01/36 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
  29. City of Madness, 12/01/36 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
  30. Death's Frozen Formula, 02/01/37 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
  31. The Murder Brain, 04/01/37 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
  32. Slaves of the Scorpion, 06/01/37 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
  33. Satan's Syndicate, 08/01/37 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
  34. The Assassin's League, 10/01/37 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
  35. Plague of the Golden Death, 12/01/37 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
  36. Curse of the Mandarin's Fan, 02/01/38 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
  37. Claws of the Corpse Cult, 04/01/38 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
  38. The Corpse that Murdered, 06/01/38 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
  39. Curse of the Crimson Horde, 09/01/38 - Paul Chadwick
  40. Corpse Contraband, 12/01/38 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts
  41. Yoke of the Crimson Coterie, 03/01/39 - G. T. Fleming-Roberts

Reprints and new stories

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Several Secret Agent X novels have been reprinted over the years. In the 1960s, at the height of the camp craze and the success of the Doc Savage reprints, Corinth Press (an imprint of soft porn publisher Regency) issued seven Secret Agent X adventures in paperback. Their low distribution made them collector's items almost from the very first, but didn't generate enough sales to continue the series. Since then, several other small presses have reprinted different stories. Small press Altus Press has begun an ambitious reprinting of the entire Secret Agent "X" series in nine volumes. [2] All nine volumes have appeared.

Beginning in 1996 Secret Agent X became the latest in a series of pulp heroes to be revived. In Tom Johnson's short story "Horror's Monster", published in Classic Pulp Fiction Stories #9, Agent X's saga moved into the early days of World War II. Here he squared off against criminals who employed giant spiders to achieve their nefarious ends. Since publication of Johnson's tale, Stephen Payne has penned three novels starring the Secret Agent: The Freezing Fiends (CPFS #12-17), Master of Madness (Double Danger Tales #1-3), and Halo of Horror (Double Danger Tales #21-23), all appearing under the aegis of Tom Johnson's Fading Shadows books. Halo of Horror and Master of Madness has since been reprinted in a pulp facsimile format by Altus Press. [3]

Altus Press has also published other Secret Agent X material: The Stolen Formula, [4] a rewrite of a Secret Agent X story written specifically for the Greek audience and published in their "magazine" Triple Detective #1, and reprinted The Secret Agent X Companion, [5] a comprehensive history of the character by Tom Johnson and Will Murray.

In addition, Wild Cat Books issued two collections of novellas showcasing the Agent; Secret Agent X Volumes 1 & 2. These were edited by pulp historian/writer, Ron Fortier and are currently Airship 27 Productions and published by Cornerstone Books Publisher. It is a continuing series of all new stories with future volumes in production. The third, fourth, and fifth volumes have already appeared, with Frank Schildiner's take on the hero as the cover tale.

Stephen Payne wrote a fourth new Secret Agent X novel, The Resurrection Ring, which revealed new facts about the origin of the Man of a Thousand Faces. It also starred some old friends and even an old enemy who had not been featured since the 1930s. Altus Press released it in Summer 2014, at Pulpfest. More recently, Payne has completed his fifth novel of the Secret Agent, League of the Seventh Son. Set in New Orleans in 1932, it showcases an adventure from before the Agent's recorded career, wherein the Man of a Thousand Faces battles the terrible Mister Seven, a variant of an ancient European legend. In addition it shows the specific reason that Agent X faked his own death, in order to become a nameless, faceless crime-buster. The novel was released in 2017. Payne is also writing his sixth novel, Agents of Apollyon. In this crossover tale set in 1938, X battles a 19th-century villain who has somehow survived to the 20th century. In the process the character has gained a deadly weapon with which he can bring the entire world to its knees. Payne will follow this novel with The Satan of the Sky, wherein the Agent faces an airborne menace in 1940 Phoenix. Future tales will include a pair of Cold War adventures: Fear's Flotilla and Time of the Terrible People. Also Payne is working on the outline for a story tentatively entitled Silence for Sale. In it the Man of a Thousand Faces will battle the Man of Silence, a weird villain who does not speak, but uses a form of sign language to communicate with his underlings.

Age of Adventure published a full-length Secret Agent X novel set during World War II, The Sea Wraiths by Sean Ellis. This has been reprinted by Retrograde Press recently.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Secret Agent X". Pulp and Old Magazine. 8 September 2018. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
  2. ^ Hutchison, Don (1995). The Great Pulp Heroes. Mosaic Press. ISBN 978-0-88962-585-3. p. 273
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