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SMB Noir

For the Fans of Hardboiled, Pulp & Gumshoe Art

Back in 2013, our tumblr site was started and ran until 2018, when they decided it was too "adult" - too lurid, supposedly. We followed the exodus to newtumbl and four years of dedication vanished in June of 2023. That work was not only new posts but upgrades of hundreds of old tumblr posts as well. So far, there has been no way to rescue those posts, so this will be the third version of this project. And, I'll warn you in advance, I may slip in covers that are not crime or mystery but just because I like the artwork. Enjoy!

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For altered posts, choose the category "Updated"

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All rights to this ongoing project are reserved by the owner.

November 15, 1940 issue ~ cover art by Graves Gladney

November 15, 1940

cover art by Graves Gladney

Posted on October 1, 2026September 22, 2026Categories Hardboiled, pulp, magazine, adventure, crime fiction, action fictionTags the shadow, graves gladney, flashlightLeave a comment on November 15, 1940 issue ~ cover art by Graves Gladney

October 1957 issue ~ cover art by Frank Kelly Freas

October 1957

cover art by Frank Kelly Freas

better image than previously posted

Posted on October 1, 2026September 22, 2026Categories crime fiction, digest, Hardboiled, mystery, pulpTags agatha christie, anchor, bound, ellery queen's mystery magazine, frank kelly freas, nelson algren, rufus kingLeave a comment on October 1957 issue ~ cover art by Frank Kelly Freas

1959 Hillman paperback – cover art by George Ziel

1959 Hillman paperback

cover art by George Ziel

better image than previously posted

Posted on September 30, 2026September 17, 2026Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, paperback, pulpTags george ziel, hillman paperback, lawrence lariarLeave a comment on 1959 Hillman paperback – cover art by George Ziel

Los Angeles, September 10, 1956

LAPD detective with night watchman, maintenance man and elevator operator, inspecting a bomb scare at W.M. Garland Building at 117 West 9th Street, Los Angeles, September 10, 1956

Posted on September 30, 2026September 17, 2026Categories true crimeLeave a comment on Los Angeles, September 10, 1956

April 1953 issue ~ cover art by Howell Dodd

April 1953

cover art by Howell Dodd

better image than previously posted

Posted on September 30, 2026September 17, 2026Categories Hardboiled, magazine, pulp, true crimeTags dame, hooker, howell dodd, police detective cases, smokingLeave a comment on April 1953 issue ~ cover art by Howell Dodd

1955 Pennant paperback reissue

pseudonym of Johannes Matthijs Willem Knipscheer

1953 Little Brown hardcover

1955 Pennant paperback reissue

illegible artist’s signature at the right edge of the post

better image than previously posted

Posted on September 30, 2026September 17, 2026Categories Hardboiled, pulp, paperback, crime fictionTags dock, james m. fox, pennant paperback, warfLeave a comment on 1955 Pennant paperback reissue

April 1940 issue

April 1940

July 15, 2015

Posted on September 30, 2026September 17, 2026Categories Hardboiled, magazine, pulp, true crimeTags master detective magazineLeave a comment on April 1940 issue

December 1938 issue

December 1938

better image than previously posted

Posted on September 30, 2026September 18, 2026Categories Hardboiled, pulp, magazine, mystery, crime fictionTags g.t. fleming-roberts, joe archibald, popular detective magazine, jewel thief, westmoreland gray, emeraldsLeave a comment on December 1938 issue

November 22, 1930 issue

November 22, 1930

Posted on September 30, 2026September 17, 2026Categories pulp, magazine, mystery, crime fictionTags detective fiction weekly, flynn's, johnston mcculleyLeave a comment on November 22, 1930 issue

August 1954 issue ~ cover art by Howell Dodd

cover art by Howell Dodd

gouache on board, 26 x 18 inches (66.0 x 45.7 cm)

August 1954 issue

Posted on September 30, 2026September 17, 2026Categories Hardboiled, magazine, original art, pulp, true crimeTags gouache on board, howell dodd, police detective magazineLeave a comment on August 1954 issue ~ cover art by Howell Dodd

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