Paperback Warrior

Paperback Warrior

Paperback Warrior is an American content creator that specializes in critiquing vintage fiction. The creator's flagship is it's eponymous blog that contains over 2,000 comprehensive posts about vintage and contemporary fiction including media such as comic books, graphic novels, pulps, action-adventure magazines, digests, black and white magazines, comic strips, and movie and television tie-in content. Additionally, the brand's owner, Christopher Eric Compton, hosts the Paperback Warrior Podcast, an outreach of the blog featuring reviews, author biographies, publisher histories, bookstore guides, buying tips, interviews, and analytic commentary about the 19th and 20th century publishing industry. The brand's YouTube channel contains over 200 videos that channels the same spirit as the blog and podcast with additional commentary about Eric's national bookstore experiences and a monthly ranking video of the prior month's reads. Paperback Warrior continues to collaborate with publishers such as Stark House Press, Black Gat Books, Brash Books, Cutting Edge Books, Wolfpack Publishing, Rough Edges, and Encyclopocalypse. The brand also incorporates affiliate partnerships with Amazon, Abe Books, and YouTube with Ad Sense. Media and publishers can contact the brand at paperbackwarrior@yahoo.com. FOLLOW ME HERE! ▸ Subscribe ▸ X ▸ Donate ▸ Blog ▸ Spreaker Podcasts Videos Everyone Loves: ▸ Ranking the Dean R. Koontz Books ▸ Paperbacks from Hell ▸ Ranking the Stephen King Night Shift Stories ▸ Used Bookstore Blitz! #Action #Adventure #Mystery #Thriller #Suspense #BookReview #Reviews #Novel #Paperback #Vintage #Fiction #Read #Reading #Crime #Crime-Noir #Noir #Whodunit #Sleuth #Detective #Investigate #War #Battle #Combat #Spy #Espionage #Spy-Fiction #Secret Agent #Cold War #Spies #Horror #Scary #Stories #Pulp #Pulp Fiction #Heroes #Comics #Graphic Novels #Terror #Scary Stories #Scary Story #Creepy #Eerie #Fantasy #Science-Fiction #Sci-Fi #Gothic #Sword and Sorcery #Old Comics #Old Books #Old Magazines #WWII #Vietnam War #Book

Episodes

Conversations - Bad Taste Books & The Book Graveyard

July 26, 2026 • 61 mins
Paperback Warrior joins forces with Bryan from Bad Taste Books and Nick from The Book Graveyard for a lively discussion of Shark Fighter, Len Levinson's outrageous 1976 cult paperback from Belmont Tower. The trio explores the explosion of shark-themed fiction inspired by the blockbuster success of Jaws, the stunt-driven marketing craze of the 1970s, and why books like Shark Fighter became unforgettable pieces of pop culture. Along ...
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Conversations - The Book Graveyard

July 5, 2026 • 77 mins
In this new collaboration with Nick from The Book Graveyard, Paperback Warrior explores Mistress of Orion Hall, a haunting 1970 gothic-suspense paperback published by Fawcett Gold Medal. Along the way, the episode traces the remarkable career of John Messmann, examining his work across westerns, spy fiction, and action novels, as well as the gothic romances he wrote under the pseudonym Claudette Nicole. The discussion also highligh...
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Conversations - The Book Graveyard

February 23, 2026 • 66 mins
Welcome to my newest collaboration with Nick at The Book Graveyard. On this episode, we continue our "Guide to Gothics" discussions by reviewing a 1976 paperback by William Ross titled Phantom Wedding. In this analysis, we discuss William Ross's career, his contributions to the vampire-themed Dark Shadows series, and how he stacks up in terms of other gothic paperback writers. You can stream the video version of this episode H...
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Conversations - The Book Graveyard & Liminal Spaces

January 28, 2026 • 86 mins
In this episode, I'm talking with Nick from The Book Graveyard and Chris from Liminal Spaces about a 1969 paperback titled To the Dark Tower by Weird Tales author Frank Belknap Long. Is the book an early representative of folk horror? Is it a standard gothic romance paperback? What are the ties to Lovecraft's cosmic horror? We have the answers in this newest episode of the Guide to Gothics series.

Stream the podcast here or ...
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Episode 125: Top Reads of 2025

December 14, 2025 • 37 mins
In this energetic year-end episode, Eric looks back at a wildly productive 2025 for Paperback Warrior — packed with reviews, interviews, collaborations, and behind-the-scenes adventures. He shares big milestones, surprising personal updates, and a rapid-fire countdown of his Top 10 Reads of the Year (spoiler-free!). Eric also teases exciting projects coming in 2026, including new partnerships, publishing work, and podcast app...
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Conversations - The Book Graveyard

November 16, 2025 • 72 mins
In this month’s installment of Guide to Gothics, Paperback Warrior teams up once again with Nick Anderson of The Book Graveyard to unearth a paperback relic: Dorothy Daniel’s The Tormented, a 1969 gothic suspense novel from Paperback Library. 

The book was successful enough to warrant two printings, one in 1971 and another in 1974. Since then, this book has lingered for decades in the shadowy corners of vint...
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Conversations - John Shirley

November 9, 2025 • 90 mins
Legendary writer John Shirley blasts into Paperback Warrior to talk crime, cyberpunk, and chaos. From his hard-boiled new novel The Silver Revolver to the upcoming streaming revival of his ’80s action series The Specialist, Shirley pulls no punches.

He opens up about writing for Blue Öyster Cult, collaborating with Todd McFarlane on Spawn, penning the darkly brilliant Batman novel Dead White, and crafting post-apocalyp...
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Conversations - The Book Graveyard

October 20, 2025 • 54 mins
The Brooding Lake – A Gothic Gem Resurrected

In this episode of Paperback Warrior: Conversations, our host joins forces with Nick Anderson of YouTube’s Book Graveyard to unearth a haunting treasure from 1953 — The Brooding Lake by Dorothy Eden. Originally published twice by Dell, this classic gothic novel drips with atmosphere, mystery, and psychological tension. Together, they explore what makes The Brood...
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Conversations - David Agranoff

September 21, 2025 • 79 mins
This in-depth interview explores the work and creative philosophy of author David Agranoff, known for blending horror, science fiction, and political commentary. The discussion covers his literary influences—ranging from heavy metal and punk rock to authors like Alistair MacLean and Philip K. Dick—and how they inform his fast-paced, visceral writing style.

0:00 - Intro
1:28 - Heavy Metal
4:14 - Alistair Mac...
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Conversations - Greg F. Gifune

September 16, 2025 • 91 mins
In this in-depth conversation, acclaimed horror author Greg F. Gifune discusses his literary journey, publishing experiences, writing philosophy, and the psychological themes that define his work. From early magazine publications to film adaptations, this episode offers a comprehensive look into the mind of one of dark fiction’s most nuanced storytellers. Also, an exclusive first look at the cover art for Gifune's newest nove...
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Conversations - The Book Graveyard

August 31, 2025 • 60 mins
The Paperback Warrior collides with The Book Graveyard for another "Guide to Gothics" episode. On this show, Eric and Nick discuss a 1972 Dell Gothic paperback titled, "Decoy in Diamonds". The episode includes a review of the book, discussion of the author Natalie Gates, the Cincinnati Reds, the New York Giants, and a showcase of 10 Gothic paperbacks. Also, view the video on YouTube HERE.
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Episode 124: William R. Cox

August 24, 2025 • 28 mins
This podcast episode features William R. Cox, a prolific author of over 1,000 pulp stories known for his crime-fiction, sports, and western novels. It also includes a review of a 1967 vintage suspense-thriller by John Farris. Listen today! 

Follow all the vintage fiction reviews, articles, and video links on PaperbackWarrior.com
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Episode 123: Pulps in Paperback

August 10, 2025 • 46 mins
In this episode, Eric explores the transition of vintage pulp stories and heroes from magazine format to mass market paperbacks in the 1960s and 1970s. He also celebrates GarbAugust by highlighting three of the worst books he’s ever read.

Be sure to follow all of the Paperback Warrior reviews, articles, and links at Paperback Warrior.
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Conversations - The Book Graveyard

July 21, 2025 • 114 mins
Eric collaborates with Nick from The Book Graveyard BookTube channel to review the 1971 gothic paperback The Shadow Guest. They also explore the gothic paperback scene of the 1960s–80s, focusing on its mix of supernatural and mystery elements. The discussion is available as a podcast and as a video on The Book Graveyard channel HERE.
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Episode 122: Jack Karney & S.S. Rafferty

July 6, 2025 • 33 mins
In this double-feature episode, Eric investigates the mysterious life and work of crime-fiction and boxing-story writer Jack Karney, while also spotlighting S.S. Rafferty, a regular contributor to Ellery Queen and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazines. The episode also includes a segment on a non-fiction book about MGM Studios, a look at this summer's conventions, and fiction's first colonial continental op.

Check out thousands...
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Audiobook: Guns Drawn by Thomas Hyland (narrated by Eric Compton)

June 29, 2025 • 75 mins
It's a book premier right here on Paperback Warrior! I narrate the new 75-page novella GUNS DRAWN by Thomas Hyland, a violent, tightly-knit character piece involving bad guys, sexy women, gunplay, and bloodshed. It's a stylish 1950ish potboiler...and it's free for you.

SYNOPSIS:

Daisy Mae married mob accountant Abner Little to escape the wrong side of the tracks. Her escape turned into a short-cut to Hell. Abner prefe...
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Episode 121: Arthur Catherall

June 15, 2025 • 46 mins
In this episode, Eric embarks on a globe-trotting nautical adventure with a spotlight on Arthur Catherall, exploring his World War II-era series set in exotic locales. He also dives into a recent western discovery, reviews a thrilling novel about a runaway rollercoaster, and shares his thoughts on the latest short story collection from Bruce Elliott, newly released by Stark House Press.

You can watch this episode on YouTube ...
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Episode 120: Lou Cameron

June 1, 2025 • 36 mins
In this episode, Eric explores the life and career of Lou Cameron, a comic book artist who became a prolific paperback writer and pioneer in the adult western genre. He also reviews a Booktuber, showcases his latest used book acquisitions, and discusses the newest issue of Men's Adventure Quarterly.

Be sure to follow Paperback Warrior online for thousands of reviews on vintage fiction including video links for book shopping ...
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Episode 119: Amityville Paperbacks from Hell

May 18, 2025 • 36 mins
In this podcast episode, Eric explores the infamous Amityville murders and their impact on pop culture through a deep dive into The Amityville Horror and its many paperback sequels and spinoffs that shaped haunted house fiction in the '80s and '90s. He also reviews Grady Hendrix’s novel How to Sell a Haunted House.

Be sure to visit Paperback Warrior to read thousands of reviews for vintage books, comics, magazines, pul...
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Conversations - Paul Bishop

May 11, 2025 • 56 mins
Acclaimed author, editor, and podcast host Paul Bishop joins Eric for a lively conversation about his latest book, 52 Weeks 52 Sherlock Holmes Novels. In this engaging discussion, Paul offers a thoughtful introduction to Arthur Conan Doyle’s legendary detective, sharing tips on where newcomers should start, exploring why Sherlock Holmes remains timeless, and delving into the wide world of adaptations—from classic storie...
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