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Fist and Fang

Part of Fist and Fang

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Catalogue facts

Published dateMay 1930

Introduction

Fist and Fang is a Steve Costigan story set in the South Seas. Costigan’s visit to the islands becomes a fight for survival involving brutal combat and loyalty among companions.

It was first published in Fight Stories in May 1930. It appeared again in the Winter 1938–1939 issue under the title Cannibal Fists and the byline “Mark Adam.”

Summary spoilers

Steve Costigan, serving as the heavyweight champion of the merchant ship Sea Girl, ventures to the island of Roa-Toa with his sidekick Bill O’Brien and his faithful bulldog Mike. Intent on visiting an old friend, Chief Togo, on the nearby island of Tamaru, they instead stumble upon a scene of destruction and are captured by the inhabitants, now led by a new chief, Santos, a formidable figure from Costigan's past.

Santos, once a celebrated boxer known as the "Borneo Tiger," had his career shattered after a defeat by Costigan in San Francisco. Embittered and vengeful, he has returned to his native island, overthrowing Chief Togo to assume control. Holding Costigan and O’Brien captive, Santos reveals his plan for revenge through the torturous "Death of a Thousand Cuts."

A desperate bargain is struck: Costigan agrees to a brutal, bare-knuckle rematch with Santos, with the stakes being a swift death by bullet for him and O’Brien if Costigan wins, or the agonizing death Santos had planned if he loses. The fight is a savage affair, a test of pure survival instinct against Santos's raw power and fury. Despite the overwhelming odds, Costigan's resilience and sheer determination turn the tide. The battle ends abruptly when Mike intervenes, saving Costigan from a fatal blow and mauling Santos, leading to the chief's demise.

The narrative concludes with the arrival of the Sea Girl's crew, led by the Old Man (the captain), who, having been informed of Santos's treachery, come to the rescue. Costigan and O’Brien are saved, and despite their severe injuries, there's a sense of triumph over the adversities faced and the bond of friendship that sustained them through the ordeal.

From the letters

From a letter (#120) to Tevis Clyde Smith, circa February 1930 we learn:

Well, here is the letter. I haven’t much to add. Fiction House — Fight Stories — took another Steve Costigan story for $100. Also they finally located “Iron Men” and accepted it for $200. This is by far the best fight story I ever wrote. In many ways the best story of any kind I ever wrote. I guess my destiny is tied up with the Costigan family. I’ve never sold Fight Stories a story that didn’t deal with them.

Characters in this exact text

Abie HussensteinAbie Hussenstein — Battling Santos’s former managerMentionedfirst: Fists of Iron Round Two UE p. 81SantosBattling Santos — boxer called the Borneo Tiger who seizes control of TamaruOn Pagefirst: Fists of Iron Round Two UE p. 81Bill O’BrienBill O’Brien — rangy Irish Sea Girl sailor and Steve Costigan’s close friend/secondOn Pagefirst: Fists of Iron Round Two UE p. 77FirpoFirpo — historical boxer referenced by surname in Cupid vs. Pollux and Iron MenMentionedfirst: Fists of Iron Round Two UE p. 82Joe HandlerJoe Handler — boxer repeatedly matched with Slade CostiganMentionedfirst: Fists of Iron Round Two UE p. 82Kid AllisonKid Allison — recurring boxer/seaman identity appearing in The Voice of Doom and Lobo Volante and mentioned in Iron MenMentionedfirst: Fists of Iron Round Two UE p. 83MacGregorMacGregor — white trader on Roa-ToaOn Pagefirst: Fists of Iron Round Two UE p. 77MikeMike — Steve Costigan’s white bulldog and constant animal companionOn Pagefirst: Fists of Iron Round Two UE p. 78Old ManOld Man — captain of the Sea Girl in the Sailor Steve Costigan storiesOn Pagefirst: Fists of Iron Round Two UE p. 77Sea GirlSea Girl — merchant ship associated with Sailor Steve CostiganOn Pagefirst: Fists of Iron Round Two UE p. 77Steve CostiganSteve Costigan — sailor-boxer brought in to face Snake Wamberson in The Trail of the SnakeOn Pagefirst: Fists of Iron Round Two UE p. 77TogoTogo — chief of Tamaru; the text notes this is an approximation of his actual nameOn Pagefirst: Fists of Iron Round Two UE p. 77Tom YorkTom York — first-rate boxer previously faced by SantosMentionedfirst: Fists of Iron Round Two UE p. 82

Textual witnesses & editorial mediation

These records describe how this textual state is known or represented. A witness may be authorial, editorially mediated, restored, transcribed or otherwise derived without becoming a new Howard-authored textual state.

Fists of Iron Round Two - Ultimate EditionRestored reading editionAuthority basis: Restoration toward authorial text · Treatment: Restored toward authorial wording

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