Dr. Yen Sin
Encyclopedia
Dr. Yen Sin was a short-lived pulp
science fiction magazine
published by Popular Publications
during 1936. It superseded a similar magazine from the same publishers entitled The Mysterious Wu Fang, which had ceased publication in February 1936. The title characters of both magazines, Wu Fang and Yen Sin, were Yellow Peril
villains in the mold of Fu Manchu
.
Only three issues of Dr. Yen Sin appeared, with cover dates May/June 1936, July/August 1936 and September/October 1936. Each issue contained a lead novel, written by Donald E. Keyhoe (who later became famous as the author of Flying Saucers Are Real
), together with additional material. The titles of the three novels, in chronological order of publication, are as follows:
The first novel was reprinted in Robert Weinberg
's Pulp Classics #9 (1975), while the second and third novels were reprinted in High Adventure
issues 32 (1997) and 39 (1998) respectively.
The novels are set in a dark, fog-shrounded version of Washington, D.C.
resembling the Limehouse
of Sax Rohmer
's Fu Manchu books. Yen Sin, described as the "Yellow Doctor" and the "Invisible Emperor", combines the mysticism of the East with the latest devices of the West with diabolical results. He uses blow guns, Dacoit
stranglers, death rays and science laboratories to achieve his evil ends. He is opposed by Michael Traile, a man who is incapable of natural sleep (owing to a bungled brain operation) and who has to resort to periodic yoga
-like relaxation sessions in order to recharge his vitality.
Pulp magazine
Pulp magazines , also collectively known as pulp fiction, refers to inexpensive fiction magazines published from 1896 through the 1950s. The typical pulp magazine was seven inches wide by ten inches high, half an inch thick, and 128 pages long...
science fiction magazine
Science fiction magazine
A science fiction magazine is a publication that offers primarily science fiction, either in a hard copy periodical format or on the Internet....
published by Popular Publications
Popular Publications
Popular Publications was one of the largest publishers of pulp magazines during its existence, at one point publishing 42 different titles per month. Company titles included detective, adventure, romance, and Western fiction. They were also known for the several 'weird menace' titles...
during 1936. It superseded a similar magazine from the same publishers entitled The Mysterious Wu Fang, which had ceased publication in February 1936. The title characters of both magazines, Wu Fang and Yen Sin, were Yellow Peril
Yellow Peril
Yellow Peril was a colour metaphor for race that originated in the late nineteenth century with immigration of Chinese laborers to various Western countries, notably the United States, and later associated with the Japanese during the mid 20th century, due to Japanese military expansion.The term...
villains in the mold of Fu Manchu
Fu Manchu
Dr. Fu Manchu is a fictional character introduced in a series of novels by British author Sax Rohmer during the first half of the 20th century...
.
Only three issues of Dr. Yen Sin appeared, with cover dates May/June 1936, July/August 1936 and September/October 1936. Each issue contained a lead novel, written by Donald E. Keyhoe (who later became famous as the author of Flying Saucers Are Real
The Flying Saucers Are Real
The Flying Saucers Are Real by Donald Keyhoe, is a book that investigates numerous encounters between USAF fighters, personnel, and other aircraft, and UFOs between 1947 and 1950...
), together with additional material. The titles of the three novels, in chronological order of publication, are as follows:
- The Mystery of the Dragon's Shadow
- The Mystery of the Golden Skull
- The Mystery of the Singing Mummies
The first novel was reprinted in Robert Weinberg
Robert Weinberg (author)
Robert Weinberg is an American author. His work spans several genres including non-fiction, science fiction, horror, and comic books.-Biography:...
's Pulp Classics #9 (1975), while the second and third novels were reprinted in High Adventure
High Adventure
High Adventure is the fourth solo album by soft rock singer, Kenny Loggins. Released in 1982, it is perhaps best-known for its top 40 pop singles "Heart to Heart", "Heartlight", and "Don't Fight It" which was co-written by Journey frontman Steve Perry, who also performs on the track and Neil...
issues 32 (1997) and 39 (1998) respectively.
The novels are set in a dark, fog-shrounded version of Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
resembling the Limehouse
Limehouse
Limehouse is a place in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is on the northern bank of the River Thames opposite Rotherhithe and between Ratcliff to the west and Millwall to the east....
of Sax Rohmer
Sax Rohmer
Arthur Henry Sarsfield Ward , better known as Sax Rohmer, was a prolific English novelist. He is best remembered for his series of novels featuring the master criminal Dr...
's Fu Manchu books. Yen Sin, described as the "Yellow Doctor" and the "Invisible Emperor", combines the mysticism of the East with the latest devices of the West with diabolical results. He uses blow guns, Dacoit
Dacoity
Dacoity is a term used for "banditry" in India. The spelling is the anglicized version of the Hindi word and as a colloquial Anglo-Indian word with this meaning, also appears in the Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases Banditry is criminal activity involving robbery by groups of...
stranglers, death rays and science laboratories to achieve his evil ends. He is opposed by Michael Traile, a man who is incapable of natural sleep (owing to a bungled brain operation) and who has to resort to periodic yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
-like relaxation sessions in order to recharge his vitality.