← Back to Works
WritingPermanent catalogue Work

The Devil's Joker

Alternate title:Outlaw TrailsAlternate title:The Devil's Jest
4textual states11Characters
Genre
Western

Introduction

The final version of The Devil’s Joker, sent to Otis A. Kline in June 1933, has not survived. Glenn Lord applied the title to one of two untitled drafts found among Howard’s papers. A surviving alternate draft is substantially longer and darker than the other known version, with significant differences between the two.

Textual states

Shown in a practical developmental order where possible: synopsis/outline, numbered drafts, submission states, then published or posthumous states. This display order does not itself assert exact chronology or textual authority.

Draft 1The Devil's Joker — Draft 1
Open exact text →
Draft 2The Devil's Joker — Draft 2
Open exact text →
Textual versionThe Devil's Joker (alternate version)
Open exact text →
Primary textThe Devil's Joker
Catalogue defaultOpen exact text →

Characters in this Work

Counts are across exact Textual Versions currently represented. Additional textual research may add further appearances.

Big Bill Harrigangunman in The Devil’s Joker1 textual stateBill Larsonhired killer in the alternate Devil’s Joker1 textual stateBlack Jim Buckleygunman in The Devil’s Joker1 textual stateCactus Lemarkdeadly figure whose associates pursue Steve Allison1 textual stateDick Brillnamed gunman/participant in The Devil’s Joker1 textual stateFrank Reynoldsfigure in The Devil’s Joker1 textual stateLa Costafigure in the alternate Devil’s Joker; not the French La Costa of The Judgment of the Desert1 textual stateSam Herdcounty sheriff shot by Steve Allison1 textual stateSheriff John MacFarlanesheriff in The Devil’s Joker2 textual statesStephen Angus AllisonSteve Allison / the Sonora Kid2 textual statesWellsnamed figure in the alternate version1 textual state

Publication appearances

REH: Two-Gun Raconteur #3The Black Coast PressWinter 1976↗The End of the Trail: Western StoriesUniversity of Nebraska Press - Bison BooksApril 2005↗Western TalesREH Foundation PressDecember 2013↗Sfida al Canyon InfernaleFratini EditoreMay 2014↗