Pulp Traditions
Pulps
were famous for taking heroes from familiar settings and occupations and pitting
them against masterminds of many cultures and social society. Scientists, gangsters,
mullashs, fakirss and aliens all proved to be popular villians
A parade of veterans, cops, reporters, students and teachers found themselves saving
the world, or at least a girlfriend, from the clutches of a gang, spy, mystic or
evil force from another reality.
While often allied with the police, the limitations of communications meant the information
usually did not arrive before the hero, or the information would take some time to
arrive, even by radio. Public libraries, newspaper morgues and public records were
the sources of related backgrounds, information or clues.
The average people you would meed were friendly, honest and hard working folk. Running
into sullen, tacitern or unscrupulous townfolk was usually an indication "something's
wrong"!
Pulp worlds are rife with secret passages, forgotten cities, abandoned buildings,
hidden bases, secret societies, trap doors, sliding walls, unsuspected chambers and
aerial walkways.
Cars rely on a foot-starter instead of a key, or are very easy to hardwire. Hopping
a freight train, stowing away on a steamship or dirigible or snagging a ride on an
escaping plane are the norm. Heroes and victims have an exceptional resistance to
blackjacks, lead pipes, war clubs, saps, gun butts, and being pushed out of moving
vehicles -- they wind up in a hospital, but they survive the encounter.
Download a .pdf file