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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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Tag: h.j. ward

December 1943 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

December 1943

cover art by H.J. Ward

better image than previously posted

Posted on May 26, 2024May 13, 2024Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, pulpTags h.j. ward, roger torrey, super-detective magazineLeave a comment on December 1943 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

December 1938 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

December 1938

cover art by H.J. Ward

better image than previously posted

[image updated 1/28/24]

Posted on May 23, 2024June 21, 2025Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, pulp, spicyTags dagger, evening wear, h.j. ward, lingerie, robert a. garron, spicy detective stories, turban, tuxLeave a comment on December 1938 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

January 1942 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

January 1942

cover art by H.J. Ward

better image than previously posted

Posted on May 22, 2024May 13, 2024Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, pulp, spicy, weird fictionTags cleaver, h.j. ward, lew merrill, sacrifice, spicy mystery magazineLeave a comment on January 1942 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

February 1942 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

February 1942

cover art by H.J. Ward

artist’s “signature” is his initials carved into the bottom log

Posted on May 13, 2024April 24, 2024Categories action fiction, adventure, finest kind, Hardboiled, magazine, pulp, spicyTags bound, dagger, finest kind, h.j. ward, log cabin, luke terry, northwest, spicy-adventure storiesLeave a comment on February 1942 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

June 1939 issue

June 1939

“This issue’s H. J. Ward cover is an altered version of his cover for the April 1938 issue.”

Posted on May 13, 2024April 24, 2024Categories action fiction, adventure, crime fiction, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, pulp, spicy, western fictionTags h.j. ward, robert a. garron, sombrero, spicy adventure stories magazineLeave a comment on June 1939 issue

October 1935 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

October 1935

cover art by H.J. Ward

Posted on May 9, 2024April 24, 2024Categories Hardboiled, magazine, pulp, true crimeTags h.j. ward, motorcycle cop, prison life stories, william mahoneyLeave a comment on October 1935 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

June 1937 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

June 1937 – premiere issue

cover art by H.J. Ward

[images updated 5/3/25]

Posted on May 8, 2024May 3, 2025Categories crime fiction, finest kind, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, pulp, spicy, updatedTags fiend, garter, h.j. ward, hatchet, hollywood fiction, private detective stories, robert leslie bellem, stockingsLeave a comment on June 1937 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

January 1937 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

January 1937

cover art by H.J. Ward

better image than previously posted

[cover updated 11/19/25]

Posted on May 6, 2024November 19, 2025Categories crime fiction, finest kind, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, pulp, spicy, updatedTags dagger, finest kind, h.j. ward, justin case, showgirl, spicy detective stories, top hatLeave a comment on January 1937 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

November 1942 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

Posted on May 6, 2024April 23, 2024Categories crime fiction, finest kind, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, original art, pulp, spicyTags bound, dungeon, fiend, finest kind, h.j. ward, lew merrill, original art, pulp art, spicy mystery magazine, whipLeave a comment on November 1942 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

August 1940 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

August 1940

cover art by H.J. Ward

better image than previously posted

Posted on May 6, 2024April 23, 2024Categories crime fiction, finest kind, Hardboiled, magazine, mystery, pulp, spicyTags finest kind, h.j. ward, jerome severs perry, lingerie, spicy detective magazine, stockings, whipLeave a comment on August 1940 issue ~ cover art by H.J. Ward

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