John L. Nanovic

Credited with co-creating Doc Savage, John Leonard Nanovic (October 7, 1906 – February 9, 2001) was the magazine’s first editor. When readers think of Doc Savage, they often recall the bronze-skinned hero, his high-tech gadgets, or the breakneck pulp adventures that filled the pages of Doc Savage Magazine. But behind the Man of Bronze stood a guiding editorial hand: John L. Nanovic, the original editor who helped shape the magazine’s tone, style, and lasting legacy.

Nanovic was a pivotal figure in the early years of pulp publishing, most notably through his work at Street & Smith, where he also oversaw The Shadow. When Doc Savage Magazine launched in 1933, it was Nanovic who helped translate publisher Henry W. Ralston‘s vision into a compelling, high-octane reality. He worked closely with Lester Dent, steering the magazine’s blend of science fiction, adventure, and heroism into one of the defining titles of the pulp era.

Under Nanovic’s editorial eye, Doc Savage wasn’t just another pulp, but a blueprint for the modern action hero. His emphasis on pacing, fantastic yet plausible plots, and tight characterization helped turn the magazine into a staple for readers of the 1930s and beyond.

Though editors often go unsung, John L. Nanovic’s fingerprints are all over the success of Doc Savage Magazine, making him a true architect of pulp fiction’s golden age.

“Many pulp fans today analyze the Shadow and Doc Savage novels for psychology and what have you. All we were giving the reader then is what he wanted — action. If there were other things in them, I never knew about it.”

  — John L. Nanovic in the Washington Post 1977