A complete, restored issue of Pulp Fiction from 1879 — all 16 pages of painted-cover fiction magazines that launched science fiction, horror, and hardboiled crime, free to page through at ComicBooks.com.

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A complete issue · 16 pages · 1879

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 88

1879 · Free to read

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 88 — page 2 of 16 — 2 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 88 — page 3 of 16 — 3 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 88 — page 4 of 16 — 4 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 88 — page 5 of 16 — 5 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 88 — page 6 of 16 — 6 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 88 — page 7 of 16 — 7 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 88 — page 8 of 16 — 8 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 88 — page 9 of 16 — 9 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 88 — page 10 of 16 — 10 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 88 — page 11 of 16 — 11 / 16

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Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 88 — page 15 of 16 — 15 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 88 — page 16 of 16 — 16 / 16

About this issue

This 1879 Beadle and Adams dime novel, written by Edward L. Wheeler (author of "Deadwood Dick" and "Rosebud Rob" series), introduces "Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth," set in the mining town of Cascade City. The protagonist is a nineteen-year-old photographer and con artist who displays a rogue's gallery of four hundred photographs of wanted criminals and criminals from his traveling display. The narrative features Phil's boisterous street-corner pitch to crowds, his encounter with familiar characters including Baltimore Bess, and a mysterious drunk named "Bully Ike." Phil attends a local theater performance and subsequently encounters a young woman, Millicent Vere, claiming poverty and hardship. He generously provides her money despite suspecting potential deception. The story establishes Phil's resourcefulness, glib tongue, and moral complexity while exploring themes of frontier entrepreneurship and charity within the mining settlement setting.

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