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

Category: true crime

November 1933 issue ~ cover art by Dalton Stevens

November 1933

cover art by Dalton Stevens

better image than previously posted

Posted on January 28, 2026January 17, 2026Categories pulp, magazine, true crimeTags dalton stevens, true detective mysteriesLeave a comment on November 1933 issue ~ cover art by Dalton Stevens

Where to begin – – –

November 06, 2013

Posted on January 27, 2026January 17, 2026Categories true crimeTags james ellroy, jean ellroyLeave a comment on Where to begin – – –

1952 Detective Yearbook

December 16, 2013

Posted on January 25, 2026January 17, 2026Categories Hardboiled, magazine, pulp, spicy, true crimeTags 1952 Detective yearbook, boundLeave a comment on 1952 Detective Yearbook

January 1941 issue

January 1941

better image than previously posted

Posted on January 23, 2026January 14, 2026Categories Hardboiled, magazine, pulp, true crimeTags headline detective magazine, women in prisonLeave a comment on January 1941 issue

April 1962 issue

April 1962

Posted on January 22, 2026January 15, 2026Categories magazine, true crimeTags gambling, inside detective magazine, pulp illustration, rouletteLeave a comment on April 1962 issue

Sept.-Oct. 1936 issue ~ cover art by H.L. Parkhurst

Sept.-Oct. 1936

cover art by H.L. Parkhurst

Posted on January 22, 2026January 14, 2026Categories Hardboiled, magazine, pulp, true crimeTags easy money magazine, gambling, h.l. parkhurstLeave a comment on Sept.-Oct. 1936 issue ~ cover art by H.L. Parkhurst

October 1946 – debut issue

October 1946 – debut issue

Posted on January 21, 2026January 14, 2026Categories magazine, pulp, true crimeTags alan hynd, anthony abbott, true police cases magazine, william e. barrettLeave a comment on October 1946 – debut issue

Unknown Painter x 3

unknown artist – Howell Dodd?

November 1950 Smash Detective Crime Cases

cover art reused for March 1954 Best True Fact Detective

cover art repurposed for 1958 Beacon paperback original

Posted on January 16, 2026January 7, 2026Categories Hardboiled, magazine, original art, paperback, pulp, spicy, true crimeTags beacon paperback, best true fact detective, george kramer, lurid, sleaze, smash detective casesLeave a comment on Unknown Painter x 3

#5 1952 – Last issue

#5, October 1952 – Final issue of the series, fifth of five

Posted on January 15, 2026January 14, 2026Categories crime comic, Hardboiled, true crimeTags bound, fugitives from justice comic, portholeLeave a comment on #5 1952 – Last issue

July 1940 issue ~ cover art by Albert Fisher

July 1940

cover art by Albert Fisher

Posted on January 14, 2026January 7, 2026Categories Hardboiled, magazine, pulp, true crimeTags albert fisher, arson, inside detective magazineLeave a comment on July 1940 issue ~ cover art by Albert Fisher

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