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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.

August 1940 issue

August 1940

better image than previously posted

Posted on February 6, 2025January 28, 2025Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, pulpTags fire escape, frank johnson, john l. benton, mystery novels magazineLeave a comment on August 1940 issue

Crossroads x2

1959 Crest paperback reissue

cover art by Robert McGinnis

later 1959 printing

Posted on February 6, 2025January 28, 2025Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, paperback, pulpTags crest paperback, dame, fawcett paperback, femme fatale, john d. macdonald, robert mcginnis, shoulder holsterLeave a comment on Crossroads x2

March 1936 issue ~ cover art by Rafael DeSoto

March 1936

cover art by Rafael De Soto

better image than previously posted

Posted on February 6, 2025January 28, 2025Categories crime fiction, government agent, magazine, mystery, pulpTags bullet holes, clark aiken, frederick c. painton, gold seal detective, rafael desoto, tommygunLeave a comment on March 1936 issue ~ cover art by Rafael DeSoto

1956, The Killing

1956, The Killing – Kubrick’s second movie

adapted from Lionel White’s Clean Break, Dutton hardcover, 1955

Posted on February 6, 2025January 28, 2025Categories film noirTags heist, lionel white, stanley kubrick, target, the killingLeave a comment on 1956, The Killing

May 1936 issue ~ cover art by Blaine (Norman Saunders)

May 1936

cover art by Blaine (Norman Saunders)

[updated 10/28/25]

Posted on February 5, 2025October 28, 2025Categories Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, pulp, spicy, updatedTags alligator, blaine, hollywood fiction, norman saunders, saucy movie talesLeave a comment on May 1936 issue ~ cover art by Blaine (Norman Saunders)

November 1947 issue ~ cover art by George Rozen

November 1947

cover art by George Rozen

Posted on February 5, 2025January 28, 2025Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, pulpTags george rozen, private detective stories, ted strattonLeave a comment on November 1947 issue ~ cover art by George Rozen

July 1941 issue

July 1941

only three issues to the magazine, this the last and with title changed from Red Mask Detective

better image than previously posted

Posted on February 5, 2025January 28, 2025Categories action fiction, crime fiction, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, pulpTags bart anstin, flashlight, james hill, red hood detective stories, stanley richardsLeave a comment on July 1941 issue

December 1944 issue ~ cover art by Rudolph Belarski

December 1944

cover art by Rudolph Belarski

Posted on February 5, 2025January 28, 2025Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, pulpTags dagger, marionettes, phantom detective magazine, robert wallace, rudolph belarski, skeletonLeave a comment on December 1944 issue ~ cover art by Rudolph Belarski

September 1943 issue

September 1943

Posted on February 5, 2025January 28, 2025Categories Hardboiled, magazine, pulp, true crimeTags fireplace, headquarters detective magazineLeave a comment on September 1943 issue

November 1949 issue ~ cover art by Rudolph Belarski

November 1949

cover art by Rudolph Belarski

better image than previously posted

cover art repurposed for 1950 Popular Library edition of Jonathan Latimer’s The Fifth Grave

Posted on February 5, 2025January 28, 2025Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, pulpTags bruno fischer, david dodge, lantern, popular detective magazine, rudolph belarski, skeletonLeave a comment on November 1949 issue ~ cover art by Rudolph Belarski

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