The Running Man [Signet AE 1508]

Stated: "First printing, May 1982; Copyright 1982 by Richard Bachman." Number-line beginning w/2. Signet code #AE 1508. King's fourth use of pseudonym Richard Bachman with a small original print-run. In 1987, The Running Man inspired the Paul Michael Glaser film. King insisted his name not be in the credits, and the screen credit for the film went to the pseudonym Richard Bachman. Classic pictorial wraps, light shelf, edge wear. Dark wraps with silver cover and spine titles feature hands holding up panopticon ball with screen signal lit in red. Pages near fine; no writing. Bind fine, square. Interestingly, front endpaper lists Sensational Signet Bestsellers including "Small World" by Tabitha King. Rare near fine original printing. From cover: "Welcome to America 2025 When the Best Men Don't Run for President. They Run for Their Lives!" From front endpaper: "One Against All. Killian was well-dressed, handsome, smiling and soft-spoken. Ben Richards hated him at first sight. 'The Running Man' is the biggest thing going on Free-Vee,' Killian said. 'And I am its executive producer.' 'That's really wonderful,' Richards said. 'The program is one of the surest ways the Network has of getting rid of embryo trouble-makers such as yourself, Mr. Richards. We've been on for six years. We've had no survivals. To be brutally honest, we expect to have none.' 'Then you're running a crooked table,' Richards said flatly. Killian was more amused than angered. 'But we're not. You keep forgetting you're an anachronism, Mr. Richards. All those millions and millions of your fellow Americans won't be rooting for you to get away. Goodness not. They all want to see you wiped out, and they'll help if they can. The more messy the better.'" This was the ultimate death game in a nightmare future. Each night, whether they live in the vast polluted slums or the fortress-like enclaves of the rich, Americans tune in to the nation's favorite game show: "The Running Man." Has the contestant succeeded in evading death at the hands of the Hunters as he tries to survive for thirty days and win the billion dollar jackpot, or has he faced his ultimate demise? The record for survival is eight days. But now a new contestant, Ben Richards, has set out to best the brutal odds, beat the rigged game and the entire savage system! He's betting his life that he can. Printed in Canada. Cover printed in U.S.A. 219 pages. Insured post. Size: 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall.…