Where does the Shadow's "official" history end?

[Joseph Booth]

Excuse me if this has been discussed before. But I have a question that kind of has nagged at me for some time now.
Just because something is published as "The Shadow" do you consider it part of the "true" Shadow lore? I'm speaking of the '60's novels, the Helfer & Chaykin comics, and especially the "history" as created by P J Farmer. Linking the Master of Darkness to G-8, giving him the Allard Kent Rassendyll family name as well as "Kentov". Fun stuff, I agree, but can it be considered part of the real history? The clews as to what the Shadow looked like were published as a contest as a way of getting fans excited about the new pulp, but W B Gibson completely ignored them as he began to author the novels. Does that mean that the description is not actually canon? I really liked the article by Arn McConnell "Casting a Little Light Among the Shadows" and some of the conclusions.
Personally, I choose to throw out the newer stuff (sorry PJF, HC & AH) and work from the contest clews forward. What say you?

[Melody]

When working with franchises, I tend to think of things and being in three categories: Primary canon, Semi-canon, and non-canon. I use this system for my fanfiction works.

Primary canon nearly always refers to the original work, in this case the pulps. They are unquestionably canonical.

Semi-canon works are those which are almost canonical because of their wide acceptance or strong resemblance to the original works. The Radio Show and "The Shadow Strikes" comics fall into this category. Promotional materials that do not contradict the original work could also fall into this category. Some semi-canon works can be considered an alternate universe or "elseworlds" version of the original. The Star Wars Expanded Universe is an example of semi-canon.

Non canon works are those which contain substantial differences from the primary canon in important ways. Such works usually contain some degree of character derailment and change important aspects of the original. The Chaykin comics, the Archie comics, and the 1994 film fall in this category. I would consider the 1994 film semi-canon if they had not inserted an entirely new origin story.

To further clarify:
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CharacterDerailment
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AdaptationDecay

Additionally, there is also "fanon" or things the fans have invented that are widely accepted as practically canon.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Fanon

[Melvin Creston Williams]

For me, the "canon" begins with Frank Readick Jr. and the Detective Story Hour, as well as the six "two reelers" films he was in. Then, Walter B. Gibson made him a flesh and blood character. Like Richard Lai, I believe that the stories that are truest to the character are those written by Walter Gibson and Theodore Tinsley. I also believe that the radio show (1937 - 1954) is a completely different character, interesting in itself, but different. If there is an ending to the canon, it would be the 1963 novel; "The Shadow Returns", written by Walter B. Gibson. However, God willing, There will be no ending to The Shadow's recorded exploits................Amen??

[Joseph Booth]

Thanks for the input. Wow, I'm going to have to step it up when it comes to the discussions. You guys are really up on The Shadow and it is refreshing to find such fervor. I'll have to visit more often.
Melody, where would you put the Farmer hypotheses? Semi canonical? I prefer to place them as non canon, myself.
Melvin, I agree that Frank Readick Jr. is the beginning of the Shadow, ironic since I consider the radio version to be a paler rendition a mere shadow of the real thing.
Again, thanks for the comments.

[Melvin Creston Williams]

You are most certainly welcome. I believe you will fit right in here. The Shadow Knows.

[Melody]

It's like published fanfiction isn't it? It would be semi-canon if more fans were familiar with it, but as it is, it's probably non-canon.

Joseph Booth said:

Thanks for the input. Wow, I'm going to have to step it up when it comes to the discussions. You guys are really up on The Shadow and it is refreshing to find such fervor. I'll have to visit more often.
Melody, where would you put the Farmer hypotheses? Semi canonical? I prefer to place them as non canon, myself.
Melvin, I agree that Frank Readick Jr. is the beginning of the Shadow, ironic since I consider the radio version to be a paler rendition a mere shadow of the real thing.
Again, thanks for the comments.

[Scott]

Joseph,

I recommend these two books, currently in print by Altus Press, that cover the history of the Shadow and can provide a clearer understanding of The Shadow canon.

Gangland’s Doom: The Shadow of the Pulps
Chronology of Shadows: A Timeline of The Shadow’s Exploits

If you can find them, I would also recommend
The Shadow Scrapbook by Walter Gibson
The Duende History of The Shadow Magazine by Will Murray
and the very hard to find
The Night Master by Robert Sampson

Read these and you will have, perhaps the most comprehensive history of the Shadow and what Shadow scholars consider canon.

[Joseph Booth]

Scott,

Thanks for the info. I downloaded a pdf of "Chronology of Shadows" a couple of days ago (haven't read it yet) and found "Gangland's Doom" on Amazon. I pretty much memorized Duende and Scrapbook when I was, uh, younger, and I just started reading "The Night Master" although I've owned it since '82. Thanks again for all of the comments.