Author: Tommy Hancock
Contents announced for Tales of the Shadowmen 7: Femmes Fatales
Announcing Tales of the Shadowmen 7: Femmes Fatales, from Black Coat Press
US$22.95/GBP 14.99 – 6×9 tpb, 324 pages – ISBN-13: 978-1-935558-44-6
on sale: December 1, 2010 / cover by Phil Cohen
This seventh volume of the only international anthology devoted to paying homage to the world’s most fantastic heroes from popular literature spotlights the females of the species: beautiful, deadly, tragic, accursed, enticing… all gathered here for an amazing collection of new adventures…
Tremble as Christine Daae meets Herbert West the Reanimator and Dr. Loveless Nurse Ratched! Experience thrills as Milady tries to outwit Captain Blood and Lady Blakeney the Black Coats! Watch in awe as Becky Sharp foils the designs of Sâr Dubnotal and Amelia Peabody those of mad King Tut! Wonder as the Bride of Frankenstein challenges the power of Dr. Omega and the vampire countess Marcian Gregoryi that of Victor Frankenstein and the Illuminati! Also starring Carmilla! Catherine Levendeur! Rosa Klebb! Fah Lo Suee! And the Eyes Without A Face!
With a foreword by Xavier Mauméjean and a portfolio by Matt Haley.
My tale is an entry in my “Road to Wold Newton” series which kicked off with last year’s Scarlet Pimpernel story “Is He in Hell?” (appearing both in
Tales of the Shadowmen 6: Grand Guignol and slightly revised and expanded in The Worlds of Philip José Farmer 1: Protean Dimensions [Meteor House]).Contents:
- Matt Haley: My Femmes Fatales (portfolio)
- Xavier Mauméjean: My Femmes Fatales (foreword)
- Roberto Lionel Barreiro: Secrets
- Matthew Baugh: What Rough Beast
- Thom Brannan: What Doesn’t Die
- Matthew Dennion: Faces of Fear
- Win Scott Eckert: Nadine’s Invitation
- Emmanuel Gorlier: Fiat Lux!
- Micah Harris: Slouching Towards Camulodunum
- Travis Hiltz: The Robots of Metropolis
- Paul Hugli: Death to the Heretic!
- Rick Lai: Will There Be Sunlight?
- Jean-Marc Lofficier: The Sincerest Form of Flattery
- David McDonnell: Big Little Man
- Brad Mengel: The Apprentice
- Sharan Newman: The Beast Without
- Neil Penswick: Legacy of Evil
- Pete Rawlik: The Masquerade in Exile
- Frank Schildiner: The Tiny Destroyer
- Stuart Shiffman: Grim Days
- Bradley H. Sinor: The Screeching of Two Ravens
- Michel Stéphan: The Three Lives of Maddalena
- David L. Vineyard: The Mysterious Island of Dr. Antekirtt
- Brian Stableford: The Necromancers of London
LULU COLUMBUS DAY SALE!!!
Since so many companies that produce pulp today utilize Lulu as one way to get their books and magazines out, ALL PULP felt the following offer from Lulu was newsworthy!! http://www.lulu.com/
| Enter coupon code EXPLORE305 at checkout and receive 14.92% off any order. Maximum savings is $50. Enter coupon code CARGO305 at checkout and receive 20% off any order over $350. Maximum savings is $500. You can only use either of these codes once per account, and unfortunately you can’t use these coupons in combination with other coupon codes. These great offers expire on October 11, 2010 at 11:59 PM, so don’t miss out! While very unlikely, we do reserve the right to change or revoke these offers at anytime, and of course we cannot offer these coupons where it is against the law to do so. |
THE LA TIMES TALKS ABOUT THE SPIDER, MOONSTONE, AND PULP!!!
This article was just too cool not to be posted on ALL PULP! Please note, that this IS NOT AN ALL PULP ORIGINAL ARTICLE. The original article can be found at 
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2010/10/gary-phillips-on-writing-for-the-new-pulps.html
Books, authors and all things bookish
Gary Phillips on writing for the new pulps
October 6, 2010 | 1:46 pm
Gary Phillips, the L.A.-based author, is usually considered a mystery writer. He’s the author of the Ivan Monk and Martha Chainey mystery series, edited the anthology “Orange County Noir” and is on the board of the Southern California chapter of the Mystery Writers of America.And on the side, he also likes comic books.
“I first discovered pulp fiction when I was a teenager and Bantam Books was republishing Doc Savage stories in paperback for 50 cents apiece,” Phillips writes on the blog The Rap Sheet. “Initially, I had no idea who this Doc Savage was other than he had a cool name and his adventures were introduced by great magazine covers…Titles such as Land of Always-Night, Mystery Under the Sea, Death in Silver, and Resurrection Day (in which Clark Savage Jr., aka Doc — who was not only a giant of a man, supremely trained in the fighting arts, but a scientist, gadgeteer, and surgeon as well — brings a pharaoh back to life to run amok in Depression-era New York City) had me hooked.”
Phillips, who has done some comic book writing in the past, is now writing a revival of Jimmy Christopher, Operator 5, a pulp-era crime fighter that’s been licensed by Moonstone Books. Moonstone sometimes sets a full page of prose opposite a full-page illustration — they publish, their website proclaims, “fine & distinct Comic Books, Graphic Novels, and Prose… books that are meant to be read.”
In his post, Phillips notes that there are competing expectations when it comes to a pulp character. Today’s readers have grown accustomed to the questioning and angst of comic book heroes like the Dark Knight, which stand in contrast to the earlier era.
It seems there are the old-school pulp enthusiasts, who want a certain kind of good guys versus bad guys story, with none of those post-modern, angst-driven, fallacy-prone main characters. Then there are the more entrenched comics fans, who don’t really give a damn about the historical pulp characters, so are wondering just what the fuss is about.
He explains how he’s creating the character Jimmy Christopher, Operator 5, somewhere in the middle: the book promises to include secrecy, relationship troubles, father issues plus fighting for his country and real-life Depression-era characters. The character will make his first appearance as a back-up feature in The Spider, which debuts in January 2011.
— Carolyn Kellogg
Image: Moonstone Books
Green Hornet and Captain Action Team Up in Winter Special
New York, NY October 6, 2010: Moonstone Books and Captain Action Enterprises, LLC announce the Captain Action Winter Special. This oversized, stand-alone issue, on sale January 2011, is 48 pages and priced at $4.99. Four stories are included:
· Original Captain Action confronts a beautiful French Spy, a Communist Yeti and a 3,000 foot drop! Story by Beau Smith and art by Eduardo Baretto.
· Lady Action stars in a fun-filled, pun-filled romp by Tony Lee and Reno Maniquis called “The Spy Who Snowballed Me”.
· Khem, Action Boy’s Panther, is featured in another solo adventure. Story by Joe Gentile and art by Giovanni Trimpano.
· Plus – For the first time ever, the Green Hornet teams up with Captain Action in a sizzling sixties showdown! This story is written by Matthew Baugh. The advertising copy urges fans to “Get your buzz” for this prose adventure featuring these two 60’s icons.
“Captain Action meets the Green Hornet in ‘Reflections in Green.’ says writer Matthew Baugh. “Captain Action is assigned to take down an operation led by a Red Crawl controlled city official. The problem: it’s the Green Hornet’s friend and confidante, DA Scanlon.”
Covers by Mark Wheately and Ruben Procopio. Moonstone is also offering a special retailer incentive. Retailers who order 4+ copies, receive one FREE alternate Ruben Procopio Green Hornet/Captain Action cover.
For all the latest on Captain Action, visit www.CaptainActionNow.com.
Information on Captain Action Comics can also be found at www.MoonstoneBooks.com
About Moonstone Books
Moonstone Books publishes comics and illustrated fiction from the Dark Side to the light, featuring classic and new heroes in thrilling tales of adventure, mystery, and horror. For more than a decade, Moonstone has created fine and distinct comic books, Graphic Novels and prose…books that are meant to be read.
About Captain Action Enterprises
Captain Action Enterprises, LLC is dedicated to creating new character experiences for both the collectible/nostalgia market and passionate fans of adventure toys and fiction through licensing, re-creations and creative innovations. More information is available at www.CaptainActionNow.com.
They are exhibiting at booth #2380 at New York Comic Con.
They are exhibiting at booth #2380 at New York Comic Con.
SIGNING SCHEDULED FOR PULP CREATORS IN NEW JERSEY!
From Jason Butkowski, Managing Editor
Episodes from the Zero Hour! creators Anthony Schiavino and Jay Butkowski are going to be at Paranormal Books and Curiosities on Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park, NJ, this Sunday from 2 – 4 to kick off their New Jersey/tri-state area book signing tour. We should have more dates to announce soon in Hoboken and Manasquan, and we’re in the works to break into the Manhattan and Philadelphia indie book stores.
PULP AUTHOR ANNOUNCES RECENTLY RELEASED TITLES!!
Deadline Zombies: the adventures of Maxi and Moxie
Written by Teel James Glenn
Edited by Rob Peerce
Author’s website at theurbanswaashbuckler.com
The Book is Fantasy/ pulp adventure/mystery
Published by BooksForABuck
Publisher’s email: booksforbuck.com
Isbn#(ebook) 978-1-60215-123-9
(paper) 978-1-60215-126-0
Published June 2010
198 Pages
Priced at 14.99 pod and $3.99 for e book version
Submitted by the author
Synopsis:
Chasing a headline is just a job for ace reporter Moxie Donnovan, but sometimes those headlines turn on him and bite. Moxie, along with his sexy better half, Maxi (a theater and film actor) face a tiger-sized panther, mechanical gunmen who support the master race, Irish Fae with the urge to pay Moxie back for the loot his grandfather took from them, murder and a hypnotist intent on re-filming Ben Hur.
Author Teel James Glenn writes a compelling fantasy adventure inspired by the pulp fiction of the 1930s (with evil Nazis, sinister magic, and a wise-cracking and sympathetic protagonist in Moxie). Although Glenn’s work pays homage to the classics of the 1930s, he gives Maxi, Moxie’s love interest a far more active role than typical in the stories actually written in that era, helping to make his story resonate with the modern reader.
Glenn has done his research. Language, period details, stage and movie references, and social settings all ring true, but his emphasis is on the story rather than on the history. Magic plays an integral role in the Maxi/Moxie adventures, but somehow Moxie remains a skeptic, always looking for the human explanation for what’s going on around him.
Weird Tales of the Skullmask
Written by Teel James Glenn
Edited by Rob Peerce
Author’s website at theurbanswaashbuckler.com
The Book is Fantasy/ pulp adventure/mystery
Published by BooksForABuck
Publisher’s email: booksforbuck.com
Isbn#(ebook) 978-1-60215-108-6
(paper) 978-1-60215-109-3
Published October 14, 2009
141 Pages
Priced at 14.99 pod and $3.99 for e book version
Submitted by the author
Synopsis:
Since mankind crept out of the caves, violence and injustice has been a common thread. And since those early times, the most harmed have called out for justice. For those most harmed, most in need, a strange object offers hope. Made from the skin of its first owner, the Skullmask provides its wearer with the knowledge, skill, speed, and intelligence of the countless others who have called on its power. But the Skullmask demands its price, and the Skullmask only appears when all else fails, and in those horrible cases where Revenge and Justice are one.
WEIRD TALES OF THE SKULLMASK follows the Skullmask from a western town where rich ranchers terrorize farmers and their Mexican-born workers, on to a Caribbean island where Voodoo Loa and zombies hold sway, then to the city-room of a major newspaper where a reporter faces off against the German-American Bund, and finally to a post-WWII drug smuggling operation. In each case, ordinary justice has failed…but the Skullmask offers hope.
Author Teel James Glenn just happens to be a professional fight choreographer, jouster and veteran of fifty renaissance faires, scores of films and hundreds of T.V. appearances.
He also the author of several dozen books, including , Death at Dragonthroat Sister Warrior, The Daemonhold Curse, Of Swords and Sorcery and Tales of a Warrior Priest. The Escape Artist
A Hex of Shadows
by Teel James Glenn
eBook Description: In the year 1937 the world trembles on the brink: Dr. Shadow, Former stage magician, Anton Chadeaux, is paralyzed in a plane crash in Korea is rescued and taken to a secret Sulsa monastery where for years he is bathed in strange herbal mixtures and taught ancient secrets. He is reborn as a grey skinned Goliath with a mission: help the helpless, give hope to the hopeless and punish the truly evil of the world. Join him in six mysterious adventures as he: Investigates a murder attempt on the father of a friend? Faces a mysterious killer called the Shade of Death? Must figure out how a ‘locked room murder’ of the head of a New York Tong and save his lady friend friend ‘Hank’? Faces the vicious Mauler Manzetti in a charity boxing match? Encounters machete wielding killers, in the world of Voodoo ? And lastly, when Dr. Shadows’ friend is murdered in New Orleans is forced to enter the deadly Bayou Sinistre. Mystery and action as if straight from the pages of the Pulps of old?
eBook Publisher: epress-online/epress-online, inc., Published: 2010
Available on Fictionwise And Amazon.com Release Date: March 2010
INTERVIEW-WAYNE SKIVER-PUBLISHER/AUTHOR/RESTAURANTEUR/CONVENTIONEER
AP: Wayne, thanks a ton for taking a break from your busy schedule, much of which we’ll discuss in a bit, to sit down with ALL PULP. Before we get into you and Pulp, can you give us a bit of background on yourself?
WS: I’m tempted to quote Dr. Evil “The circumstances of my upbringing are quite inconsequential.” but Sure: I’m a lifelong fan and collector of comics and fantastic fiction. My two first heroes were Batman and oddly enough Conan the Barbarian, the Marvel Comics version. Those 1970’s Conan comics were the gateway to pulps for me and as a kid I devoured Robert E. Howard and quickly discovered and fell in love with Doc Savage. My interests naturally led to me wanting to tell my own stories.
AP: You have your hands in several things pulpwise, so let’s tackle it in pieces. First, your writing. Can you give us an overview of your published works, both fiction and nonfiction, in the field of pulp?
WS: Yow…that list is getting away from me! I was surprised myself when I started going over it recently. From fan fiction and little no name local comic fanzines as a teen to my first “real” published story which featured my own pulp hero, Prof. Stone. about six years ago. An overview: I’ve written and am writing articles on Comics History for Jim Main’s “Comic Fan!” magazine, Several articles on the history of golden age heroes and classic comic creators, a well recieved article on the history of Doctor Who as well as a handful of Sci-Fi and Fantasy stories for Startling Stories and Lost Sanctum, I’ve had stories in various anthologies with classic characters such as Ki-Gor, The Black Bat, Doctor Satan and The Griffon. I’ve done a good deal of costumed super hero prose, primarily in my own universe but I also contributed a story in that genre for Van Plexico’s Sentinels Widescreen edition. The last couple of years I’ve been having some fun in the Western Genre. I have a few original characters, most notably Prof. Stone. I was (and still am) dumbfounded that I was recently asked to write an Avenger story for Moonstone.
AP: Now, you have a handful of original characters, but one stands out. Tell us about Prof. Stone.
WS: Professor William Henry Stone is my homage to Doc Savage. He’s not as simple as a pastiche though, he has very much become his own character. One fan once described him as “A cross between Doc Savage and Remo Williams”. I love that. To date he has appeared in 2 novellas and half a dozen short stories. He also guest stars in Barry Reese’s latest Rook volume. Several new stories are in the works.
AP: You are also a publisher. Can you tell us about how you started Age of Adventure, what your company produces, and the mission and purpose of Age of Adventure?
WS: Age of Adventure (AofA for short) started out putting together collected editions of Public Domain Comic book material. Basically it was stuff I wanted on my shelf in a nice format that didn’t cost too much. Others seemed to agree and sales were good. It quickly grew into what it is now. We publish 3 ongoing magazines as well as the odd Pulp anthology, collection or novel. You can check out our storefront at: http://stores.lulu.com/goldenage1
We try to keep costs as low as possible so that more people can afford to enjoy them. Our goal is simply to put out material that the fans want to read!
AP: Age of Adventure covers several sub genres within pulp, but two in particular have been prominent from you in the last year or so. What appeals to you about the western story and about war stories?
WS: I don’t know if War stories are big from us, but I love a story that embraces adventure combined with brotherhood and often thats the core element of a good War story. Our Westerns have been selling gangbusters! I grew up watching Western movies and TV shows and have always been a big fan of John Wayne, Chuck Connors, Clint Eastwood, etc. I feel that Western stories are so appealing due to the fact that its an American take on the classic Knight Errant. Wandering hero, codes of honor, tin stars in place of armor and six guns instead of swords. Plenty of damsels in distress too. Whats not to love? Every story is like re-visiting a Saturday morning of my childhood.
AP: You also are the organizer/creator of your very own convention? Can you tell us about that, what it’s called, its history, that sort of thing?
WS: I run “Savage Con” once a year in St. Louis. This will be the second year under that name, there were 3 prior which were known as the “LaPlata Doc Con” due to the fact that they were held in LaPlata, Mo. The hometown of Doc Savage scribe Lester Dent. It started as a simple gathering of Doc Savage friends and while we’ve kept our original crew of attendees its blossomed into something a bit bigger than it originally was.
AP: Doc Savage is definitely a well known character and has influenced many fans, writers, and artists? What goes into building a convention around a single character? Is there enough about Doc to warrant that much attention over a two or three day period?
WS: Our get together is a day and a half and there is definitely enough Doc to fill that. He’s the archtype for so many heroes today and has such a rich history and catalog of stories. Doc fandom is very much a brotherhood all its own. From buying, selling, and trading, to fanmade original swag, discussions and trivia. One of our brotherhood, Matt Hiebert, put together a really wonderful “DOC”umentary even.
AP: What about this year’s Con? What’s the agenda for those who attend?
WS: The typical Trading, Buying, Selling, and comradarie. A silent auction for some original Doc Art, Trivia contests with prizes, and various pulpy films to be shown. We may even have a book signing or two. One of our regulars is Dr. Art Sippo who wrote “Sun Koh: Heir of Atlantis” released through AofA. Art is one of the nicest and most knowledgeable guys you could ever meet.
AP: What are your long term plans for Savage Con?
WS: I’m hoping to start attracting comic fans as well as pulp fans, and possibly expand some content that is still high adventure, but not nec. Doc-specific. Just to add to the fun.AP: All right, now on to for what is probably for some the most interesting aspect currently of your relationship to pulp. You are a chef by trade. And now you own a restaurant. Can you describe the Raygun Café’ for us? 
WS: Absolutely! Raygun Cafe’ was born in part out of my attempts to get some kind of Pulp Museum going. Things didn’t work out in LaPlata to that end, though I and some other fans did get a nice, permanent Dent/Doc display established at the Library in his hometown. Raygun is basically the pulp and comic version of a Hard Rock cafe’. Pulp, comic, and Sci-Fi art and memorabilia, Serials, OTR, etc. Thats the atmosphere and the food is second to none! Italian beef, Gourmet Hotdogs, Panini’s, fresh, seasonal soups and stews and local micro brews and artisan beers. A lot of positive buzz locally so far!
AP: Pulp is definitely a genre that is on the upswing, experiencing a renaissance. Is there a market for a pulp themed restaurant and if so, what market are you targeting?
WS: We’re targeting not only fans who know the genre, but fans of adventure and nostalgia buffs as well. I think the market for such an endeavor is ready to be tapped. Who doesn’t love action and heroic imagery? Who doesn’t love to eat!? Its got a big eye appeal factor, its family friendly, and I plan to try and sneak a little pulp history lesson in here and there to help create a new generation of fans.
AP: Now, this is much more than a restaurant for you. You’ve been quoted as describing it as an educational experience as well. Would you mind elaborating on that?
WS: The artwork, pulps, and comics on display naturally lend themselves to discussion and people asking questions. I’m working up info-cards with pulp and creator history tidbits to display as well as just being available and encouraging questions and discussion on the decor and exhibits. “Who is that guy?” will be something a person asks once and winds up answering for others later.
AP: Can you tell us what patrons can expect to be on the menu at the Raygun Café? Also, what artifacts/displays they might expect to see from the world and history of pulp?
WS: Well, as I said before on the menu, we’ll have Italian Beef (Art Sippo will vouch for how good that is!) French Dips, Deli style sandwiches and sides, Various gourmet Hotdogs, Panini’s, fresh soups, stews, and chowders, and when weather permits, we have a grill out back for BBQ specials. Just don’t touch the art!!
As for displays we have original pulps and vintage comics, Pulp and Sci-Fi artwork enlarged to gigantic size, Retro space toys, and original genre related artwork from local artists (including some amazing stained glass). I’ll be constantly rotating the actual pulps and comics that are displayed and will likely have “Gallery Talk” sessions when I do so.
AP: What are the future plans for the Raygun? In ten years, will there be one in every major city in America, if you have your way?
WS: …gah! One is enough stress right now! I’m certainly not against franchising, but we need to get this one going strong first. Right now the goal is to excite the masses and provide an income for my family!
AP: Let’s back up and talk about your writing a bit more? What particular process do you go through to create a character and write a story? Do you just sit and let the words flow from your fingers or do you follow a particular pattern?
WS: I’m very much comic book inspired, I tend to think very visually and i’ve been told I write that way as well. Someone once told me “Your stories are too comic book!” They meant that as an insult, I took it as a compliment. I never outline anything to be honest. Usually I’ll get an idea for a scene or a story and let it evolve in my head for a few days, after that I sit down and hammer it out. Once I get going with a character they pretty much write themselves, I just provide a situation they have to deal with and they act accordingly. I don’t obsess with daily wordcounts and such, that simply builds frustration. If I have a story to tell I tell it. If it takes me a day or a month to write it then thats what it takes. I basically write stories I myself would like to read.
AP: What sort of stories and writers is Age of Adventure interested in?
WS: Right now we’re taking open submissions for our Western Magazine (short stories). We also look for good, solid action and adventure in any setting, from pulp era to contemporary. I like working with writers I’m familiar with, but if you have a good story to tell, I’m happy to give it a shot. I’ll be honest, being a publisher, even a small press one, you get your fill of big egos pretty quick. Politeness and humility go a long way towards getting anything you want in this world!
AP: What’s in the future for Age of Adventure?
WS: We have our ongoing Western Mag issue 3 of which is due out later this month, and a really fantastic anthology which will be hitting the stands by the 20th titled “Vampires Vs. Werewolves”. Great cover art by Rob Moran on that one. Thrilling Adventures is gearing up to return along with Super Heroic Tales (our other two magazines). We have a collection of Barry Reese’s stories in a variety of pulpy genres titled “Dangerous Worlds”, and Art Sippo is busy working on Sun Koh 2…
AP: What about Wayne Skiver, the writer? Anything coming down the pike you want the public to know about?
WS: Actually i’ve been hard at work scripting a comic series with some original characters. Can’t say too much about that right now, but its going to be a lot of fun and I’m working with some really amazing like-minded cohorts. The next issue of Comic Fan! from Main Enterprises has an article on the history of the Charlton Action Heroes from me as well.
AP: Wayne, it’s been awesome to spend some time with you. Anytime you want to push Age of Adventure, the restaurant, the convention, or what you’re writing, let us know!
WS: Thank you, it was good to talk with you. The pulp community is a close niche, its good to have a site to get a glimpse of whats going on in various aspects of all things pulp, print and non!
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HANCOCK TIPS HIS HAT TO THE GREEN LAMA-UNBOUND!!
TIPPIN’ HANCOCK’S HAT-Reviews by Tommy Hancock
Green Lama-Unbound
Written by Adam L. Garcia
Art by Mike Fyles
Published by Airship 27 Productions and Cornerstone Book Publishers
There’s a lot of discussion in the Pulp field, on this site and elsewhere, about what makes a novel or story pulp. Let’s dispense with that right off the bat. GREEN LAMA- UNBOUND undoubtedly meets the requirement to be considered pulp, meets it, exceeds it, runs all over it, and jumps on it again. And that’s not just because the novel, the second volume of Green Lama from Cornerstone/Airship 27, stars a known pulp character. No, Adam Garcia weaves in all the right elements to make this book pulp. Heroes we could only wish really existed, over the top villains, a thrill or revelation on almost every page, and enough mysticism, fist throwin’, and other sorts of hoodoo to fill another couple of books. This is undoubtedly a pulp book.
It is also, refreshingly so, a well put together novel. Even though this is his first novel, Garcia has mixed all the right ingredients together to make for an interesting, engaging read and an awesome foundation for future stories. First, the plot is a strong one. Essentially, The Green Lama and his cohorts are pulled into a battle trying to stave off not only the possible end of the world, but the return of the most evil presence imaginable. Yes, we are in Lovecraft territory once again, but Garcia doesn’t overplay the Elder Ones card. He uses the obvious intense evil that these characters represent as a way to bring more out of Dumont and the cast, both good and bad guys. The plot starts and never stops, the hook is set from word one.
Secondly, Garcia has captured the pacing necessary for a good novel. This novel can probably be described as going at a beyond breakneck speed and it certainly does that. Garcia, however, deftly works in slower moments, times for the cast and the reader to breathe without ever really stopping the action. Someone is always learning something new, a new trap is being laid, or someone is plotting against someone else. The action, both true pulp action and just general movement of the story and characters is handled extremely well throughout the book.
Lastly, Garcia presents a cast of characters that offer any reader everything they could want. Although The Green Lama is the title character and the story revolves completely around him and his destiny, the supporting cast from Tsarong to Caraway and Jean and even to the villains are rich, full of life and expression, and in no way cardboard cutouts, as so many people seem to believe pulp supporting characters were and should be.
Having said that, if this book has any weakness, it is in some of the characterizations. Garcia makes an obvious effort to give each and every character down to the smallest one personality and to make them more human. Although that works for the most part, there are some instances where it seems he tries too hard to make the point that these people are human. This is most glaring at times in the portrayal of the Lama himself, but also in a couple of other spots. In trying to bring out the more realistic qualities, Garcia sometimes makes the mistake of making caricatures of his cast, not characters of them. But again, this is not the rule in this novel, but the exception.
The art of Mike Fyles deserves review as well. It deserves review because it is simply stunning. The images Fyles casts of the Lama and others is almost photorealistic in one way, but more than that, it evokes every emotion within the novel. Fear is present in every line, regret and destiny fill each shadow, and passion and determination etch each face. Fyles indeed captures in image what Garcia expresses in words.
GREEN LAMA-UNBOUND is a fantastic read and the right way to make sure people buy the next two books that Garcia has already announced are in the future.
Four out of Five Tips of Hancock’s Hat (usually reserved for heads of state, arresting officers, and little old ladies, which is pretty darn good.)
HANCOCK TIPS HIS HAT TO THE ROOK VOLUME FIVE!!
TIPPIN’ HANCOCK’S HAT-Reviews by Tommy Hancock
THE ROOK: VOLUME FIVE
Written and Created by Barry Reese, one tale written by Stacy Dooks
Wildcat Books
2010
There is always great comfort in reading the new adventures of a character you’ve read before. Clichéd though it may be, it truly is like revisiting an old friend and coming away with new tales and stories and desperate for the next time you meet. I am glad to say that reading THE ROOK: VOLUME 5 by Barry Reese from Wildcat Books gave me that exact feeling. Once again, Max Davies and his crew of allies and enemies, some new additions, others old friends, are back to wow and amaze with tales of pulp heroics, action packed daring do, and good ol’ fashioned black magic. This book has all the hallmarks of past Rook volumes and, although weaker in some areas than its predecessors, still delivers a decent flyin’ one-two punch for pulpdom.
THE DIABOLICAL MR. DEE is a tale that, in this reviewer’s opinion, could have been and probably still be expanded into its very own novel. It introduces a concept of a super team for the Rook, his ‘Claws’ and pits Max and crew against a host of awesome villains. Reese plays with all sorts or archetypes within this one, including swamp monsters, flame heads, and dimension traveling sailors. By far one of the best stories in the collection.
PLAGUE OF WICKED MEN is the reason that the previous tale was listed as ‘one of the best’ in this volume. This story must be its own novel at some point. So much is wrapped into this tale, the Rook’s Claws again, along with Captain Hazzard, Ki-Gor, Cthulu, and so many more hints and tips of the hat to the pulp genre that it very much carries a great weight, one a lot of tales would crumble under. This one does not only stand the weight, it carries the load well. Reese weaves in this multitude of characters, including a fantastic handling of Professor Stone, an original pulp creation of Wayne Skiver’s, and still tells an engaging adventure, develops characters further right along with the fists and guns, and provides a very satisfactory ending in that loose ends are tied up and new ones dangle.
THE DEVIL’S SPEAR is yet another epic, sweeping adventure of the Rook and his Claws, but it’s more than that. This story brings back major elements of the Rook mythos, including an old villain, Max’s father, and even deals with the end of one regular and a new chapter for another. Add to that a certain mustached German leader and the Lord of the Vampires and you have one heckuva ride. This one, however, does suffer under the weight of its contents more than the previous two. Although it is a good read, it sometimes gets bogged down in who’s in the story more than the story itself. So many characters are thrown into the mix and the balance, though maintained for the most part, between characters and story for the most part, gets unwieldy, especially toward the middle.
THE IVORY MACHINE is a good read overall, but to be honest, there was little in it to set it apart from the three previous stories. It was the usual good mix of characters, history, and magical mayhem, but it did not have the spark that the three preceding stories and most of The Rook’s previous adventures contain. Is it worth reading? Yes, because it has all the traits of a good Rook story, especially the care and attention that Reese gives the characters. Is it a stand out? Frankly, no.
THE DEVIL’S DUE is a Rook story written by Stacy Dooks. It spotlights a different Rook and a different era. Our hero is William Davies, although Max and Evelyn are still around and heavily involved, and our villain is…well there’s a few, one that has ties to William’s father time as The Rook. This story was enjoyable and Dooks ably wrote a tale that is extremely reminiscent of comic book type tales of the 1960s. It had a very cool, sleek Silver Age feel to it and the characters were easy to visualize…for the most part. Dooks’ rendering of the new Rook, his sister, and the couple of new villains thrown into the mix were dead on for the period he seemed to be emulating. I wasn’t as convinced of his characterizations of Max and Evelyn, though. They seemed out of place in this story, like pieces that should fit, but didn’t. But other than that, this was a cool addition to the volume and to the legacy of The Rook.
The art for this book hit about half and half with me. Some of the images were evocative of old pulps and stood out as things I’d hang on my wall. About half of them, though, looked like standard comic book profile images, characters we’ve all seen before in different poses just with different clothes and such. The art wasn’t necessarily bad, it just didn’t contribute much to the package.
Overall, a good read. Is it the best volume of The Rook…no. Does it add dimensions, layers, and nuances to the Davies legacy that are awesome and make for great pulp. No doubt.
Three out of Five Tips of Hancock’s Hat (Three tips are generally reserved for those tales that I enjoy and make for good pulp readin’.)
