A complete, restored issue of Pulp Fiction from 1882 — all 16 pages of painted-cover fiction magazines that launched science fiction, horror, and hardboiled crime, free to page through at ComicBooks.com.

Home › Exhibition › Pulp Fiction › Read

A complete issue · 16 pages · 1882

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 245

1882 · Free to read

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 245 — page 2 of 16 — 2 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 245 — page 3 of 16 — 3 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 245 — page 4 of 16 — 4 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 245 — page 5 of 16 — 5 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 245 — page 6 of 16 — 6 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 245 — page 7 of 16 — 7 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 245 — page 8 of 16 — 8 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 245 — page 9 of 16 — 9 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 245 — page 10 of 16 — 10 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 245 — page 11 of 16 — 11 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 245 — page 12 of 16 — 12 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 245 — page 13 of 16 — 13 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 245 — page 14 of 16 — 14 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 245 — page 15 of 16 — 15 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 245 — page 16 of 16 — 16 / 16

About this issue

"Merle, the Middy; or, The Heir of an Ocean Freelance" by Col. Prentiss Ingraham, serialized in this 1882 Beadle and Adams dime novel. The narrative follows the flight of Montezuma the Merciless, now Prince of Persia, and his wife Mildred from the vengeful Prince Kaluta, who seeks both the throne and Mildred herself. Montezuma resolves to abandon power and sail for America aboard his yacht, the Nemesis. During their escape, they are pursued by Kaluta's armed cruiser. Mildred gives birth to their son, Merle, amid the chaos of pursuit. A naval battle ensues as the cruiser closes in, with Montezuma's small crew fighting to defend the yacht against Kaluta's superior numbers. The OCR text cuts off mid-battle.

Browse this issue page by page

Each page has its own page — the cartoon, who’s in it, and what the satire means.