October 6: Rick Lai

Respected pulp historian, fiction writer, and chronologist best known for his detailed work on classic pulp heroes such as Doc Savage, The Shadow, and The Avenger, Rick Lai was born on this date. An expert in the interconnected mythologies of pulp and adventure fiction, Lai authored numerous articles and stories that explored the hidden links between popular characters of the early 20th century.

Among his most notable contributions is “The Adventures of Doc Savage: A Definitive Chronology,” his groundbreaking expansion on Philip José Farmer’s chronology. He organized the entire Doc Savage saga into a cohesive and plausible timeline. Drawing on clues from the original pulp novels, Lai reconciled inconsistencies, cross-referenced historical events, and connected the Doc Savage stories to a broader pulp fiction universe. The chronology has been widely praised for its depth of research and for offering both longtime fans and new readers a structured way to explore the Man of Bronze’s many adventures.