Listen to “The Great Detectives Present the Avenger and I.A. Moto” on Spreaker.
The Avenger was a character created in 1939 by Street and Smith publications combining characteristics of their best selling characters the Shadow and Doc Savage in Richard Henry Benson. The character’s arrival coincided with the decline of pulp fiction and his career was short-lived in print, but he’s continued to thrive in comic books to this day.

The Avenger came to radio from 1941-43. However, none of those programs survive. The Avenger series over radio that does exist is from the early Post-War era and features James Monks as Jim Brandon, a bio chemist who has discovered the ability to read minds as well as invisibility. While Benson was aided by multiple assistants, much like the Shadow, the radio Avenger is aided by a single female aide. John Dunning has called this version of the Avenger a “poor man’s Shadow,” and pretty much he’s correct.

The relationship of this radio show and the prior one or the character released by Street and Smith is not documented.

Cast Notes:

James Monks (1913-94) played the Avenger. He was a long time stage, radio, and television actor.  In addition to his role as the Avenger, he also played Mr. Moto for NBC in the 1950s.

Episode Log (right click to download):

• The High Tide Murders (Original Air Date: October 25, 1945)
• Mystery of the Giant Brain (Original Air Date: November 1, 1945)
• Rendezvous with Murder (Original Air Date: November 1, 1945)
• The Eyes of Shiva (Original Air Date: November 15, 1945)
• The Coins of Death (Original Air Date: November 15, 1945)
• The Mystery of Dead Man’s Rock (Original Air Date: November 22, 1945)
• Tunnel of Disaster (Original Air Date: November 29, 1945)
• The Crypt of Thoth (Original Air Date: December 6, 1945)
• The Melody of Murder (Original Air Date: December 13, 1945)
• Fiery Death (Original Air Date: December 20, 1945)
• Ghost Murder (Original Air Date: December 27, 1945)
• Blue Pearls (Original Air Date: January 3, 1946)
• The Wingate Heirs (Original Air Date: January 10, 1946)
• The Thoroughbred Murder (Original Air Date: January 17, 1946)
• Department of Death (Original Air Date: January 24, 1946)
• Keys to the City (Original Air Date: January 31, 1946)
• Death in Mid-Air (Original Air Date: February 7, 1946)
• The Hooded Circle (Original Air Date: February 14, 1946)
• Death Rings the Bell (Original Air Date: February 21, 1946)
• The Subway Ghost (Original Air Date: February 28, 1946)
• The Cradle of Doom (Original Air Date: March 7, 1946)
• Death Meets the Boat (Original Air Date: March 14, 1946)
• Murder Hits the Jackpot (Original Air Date: March 21, 1946)
• Diploma of Death (Original Air Date: March 28, 1946)
• A Shot in the Dark (Original Air Date: April 5, 1946)
• Death Counts Ten (Original Air Date: April 12, 1946)

Log information Source; Radio Goldindex