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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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Category: digest

1952 Rainbow digest – cover art by George Gross

1952 Rainbow digest

cover art by George Gross

Posted on March 13, 2026February 23, 2026Categories crime fiction, digest, Hardboiled, pulpTags david wade, fireplace, george gross, rainbow digest, shoulder holsterLeave a comment on 1952 Rainbow digest – cover art by George Gross

Carl Pfeuffer x 3

Sure Fire Detective Stories October 1957

cover art by Carl Pfeuffer

June 1960 Two-Fisted Detective Stories

Posted on March 12, 2026February 23, 2026Categories crime fiction, digest, Hardboiled, original art, pulpTags carl pfeuffer, sure fire detective stories, two-fisted detective storiesLeave a comment on Carl Pfeuffer x 3

1952 Rainbow digest – cover art by Harry Barton

1952 Rainbow digest

cover art by Harry Barton

Posted on March 8, 2026February 16, 2026Categories crime fiction, digest, Hardboiled, mystery, pulpTags gambling fiction, san francisco fiction, smoking, harry barton, rainbow digest, val munroeLeave a comment on 1952 Rainbow digest – cover art by Harry Barton

January 1962 issue ~ cover art by Carl Pfeuffer

January 1962 issue

cover art by Carl Pfeuffer

Posted on March 4, 2026February 15, 2026Categories crime fiction, digest, Hardboiled, pulp, spicyTags al james, art crockett, bound, carl pfeuffer, david kasanof, off beat detective stories, talmage powellLeave a comment on January 1962 issue ~ cover art by Carl Pfeuffer

1952 Falcon digest

1952 Falcon digest

cover art by Howell Dodd (who typically didn’t sign his work) or George Gross (who did)?

Posted on February 28, 2026February 10, 2026Categories crime fiction, digest, Hardboiled, original art, pulpTags dame, falcon digest, gambling fiction, hodge evens, staircaseLeave a comment on 1952 Falcon digest

October 1953 issue ~ cover art by Fred Kirberger

October 1953

cover art by Fred Kirberger

better image than previously posted

Posted on February 17, 2026February 2, 2026Categories crime fiction, digest, Hardboiled, mystery, pulpTags art mystery, charlotte armstrong, ellery queen's mystery magazine, fred kirberger, fredric brown, rex stout, steve fisher, thomas walshLeave a comment on October 1953 issue ~ cover art by Fred Kirberger

March 1960 issue ~ cover art by Carl Pfeuffer

March 1960

Carl Pfeuffer

Posted on January 26, 2026January 17, 2026Categories digest, Hardboiled, original art, pulpTags al james, art crocket, carl pfeuffer, dagger, garter, james rosenquest, leslie g. sabo, off beat detective stories, stockingsLeave a comment on March 1960 issue ~ cover art by Carl Pfeuffer

Run for Your Life/Kill-Box

1946 Crown hardcover

1948 Handi-Book reissue

pseudonym of Lawrence Lariar

this is the 1954 Ace paperback reissue, retitled.

Posted on January 17, 2026January 14, 2026Categories crime fiction, digest, Hardboiled, hardcover, paperback, pulpTags ace double paperback, crown hardcover, handi-book paperback, lawrence lariar, michael starkLeave a comment on Run for Your Life/Kill-Box

June 1972 issue

June 1972

December 14, 2013

Posted on December 25, 2025December 5, 2025Categories crime fiction, digest, Hardboiled, mystery, pulpTags brett halliday, christmas crime, mike shayne mystery magazine, robert blochLeave a comment on June 1972 issue

January 1953 issue

January 1953

cover photograph of Bettie Page by Dirone Photography

better image than previously posted

Posted on December 25, 2025September 20, 2025Categories Hardboiled, mystery, crime fiction, digestTags bettie page, christmas crime, ellery queen's mystery magazine, francis iles, margery allingham, pulp illustration, ray bradburyLeave a comment on January 1953 issue

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