Category: News

Hancock Tips His Hat to RABBIT HEART!!

TIPPIN’ HANCOCK’S HAT-Reviews by Tommy Hancock
RABBIT HEART by Barry Reese

Published by Wild Cat Books

Sometimes even pulp writers forget that the Pulp genre has levels like an ogre…er..uh…an onion.   And granted, we love to write the high powered action, the over the top adventure, the weird villains, and larger than life heroes.  But we sometimes forget that pulp just isn’t a style of literature.  Like any written work, pulp can explore the basic concepts that drive people to do what they do.  

Rabbit Heart does that.  Wow, does it do that.

Barry Reese’s horror/supernatural pulp novel isn’t just about a young lady who is attacked by a serial killer horror movie reject as a child and then later finds out that she’s actual a spirit given life to continue The Wild Hunt.  Oh, it’s definitely about that and Fiona, the central character, is a fully realized individual, but not just because she wields a machete and has an eye patch.  Reese effectively works in the angst any young adult woman would feel into who Fiona becomes, including sexual awkwardness, desire, worry about her future, all of the things that make DeGrassi DeGrassi fits right into this.  Along with demon like creatures, a cosmically overactive libido, and a fantastic rendition of a public domain Pulp hero backing up Fiona.  Characterization is top notch throughout this book.

Now, let’s talk about the sex.  And the violence.  Yes, both are in here from the beginning and this isn’t for your kids to read in any stretch of the imagination.  Let Doc Savage and The Rook bring in kid readers, this one’s for Mom and Dad.  What Reese does, though, isn’t arbitrary.  Each of the characters in this story are driven by their basest desires and due to the Hunt, those desires rise to the surface like lava in a volcano.   They are sexual creatures, they are violent creatures, and those very things make the story live and breathe and move the story along.  It’s not gratuitous sex and violence.  They are characters all by themselves.

The only issue I had at all with RABBIT HEART was an issue of exposition at the beginning of the book.  Reese is introducing a heavy concept as the center of the novel and basically did a large, somewhat jarring information dump in the first twenty or so pages.  It all evens out very quickly and by the end of the book, I was glad he had done it, but it was a little bit cumbersome initially.

Overall, I can’t recommend RABBIT HEART enough.  And I am tickled that Wild Cat just announced two sequels to this awesome work.

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.)

PULP ARTISTS’ WEEKEND BECOMING PULP ARTISTS SPOTLIGHT!!

The Pulp Artists’ Weekends have been fantastic here at ALL PULP, but the wonderful artists within the Pulp genre need to be shared anytime ALL PULP has enough to spotlight them, not just the weekends. So, PAW will now be Pulp Artists’ Spotlight!  The format won’t change, an interview and gallery will go up when any artist is spotlighted any day of the week!  Thanks to all those who have participated so far and ALL PULP can’t wait to see more artists and their works shared with the world!

‘Warehouse 13’ Opens its Doors for Dynamite Entertainment

While no creative talent has been named, we think this is a pretty cool announcement.

November 18, 2010, Runnemede, NJ – Dynamite Entertainment has signed a comprehensive license agreement with NBC Universal Television, DVD, Music and Consumer Products Group for comic books based on Syfy’s hit dramedy series, Warehouse 13. Warehouse 13 premiered on July 7, 2009 on Syfy as the most successful series in Syfy’s history and will return for a 3rd season in the Summer of 2011. A holiday-themed episode will air next month.

“We’re very excited to be working with our friends at Dynamite Entertainment, again,” said Chris Lucero, Director of Global Licensing, NBC Universal Television Consumer Products Group.  “With Dynamite’s stable of thrilling storytellers and talented artists, we’re confident that Warehouse 13 will stand side-by-side with some of the best comics in the industry today.”

“It is a fantastic opportunity for Dynamite to bring a popular TV Show such as Warehouse 13 to the comics market,” said Dynamite President Nick Barrucci.  “Dynamite’s Warehouse 13 comic books will be an excellent companion to the TV Show, and I am excited for fans to see what we have up our sleeves!”

Warehouse 13 follows two Secret Service agents who find themselves abruptly transferred to a massive, top-secret storage facility in windswept South Dakota which houses every strange artifact, mysterious relic, fantastical object and preternatural souvenir ever collected by the U.S. government. The Warehouse’s caretaker Artie Nielsen (Saul Rubinek) charges Agents Pete Lattimer (Eddie McClintock) and Myka Bering (Joanne Kelly) with chasing down reports of supernatural and paranormal activity in search of new objects to cache at the Warehouse, as well as helping him to control the Warehouse itself. Allison Scagliotti plays Claudia, Artie’s apprentice.

Warehouse 13 is produced for Syfy by Universal Cable Productions. Jack Kenny (The Book of Daniel) is Executive Producer and Showrunner.

ComicMix’s Glenn Hauman at PhilCon this weekend

Yep, on the road again. PhilCon lasts for three days, I’ll be there tonight and Saturday. Here’s my schedule:

Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza V (Five) (1 hour)
UNSTOPPABLE FORCE SUPERHEROES (455)

   [Panelists: Glenn Hauman (mod), Jonathan Maberry, Alexis Gilliland, Andre Lieven]

   The Silver Age Superman could juggle planets. Sufficiently enraged, the Hulk has no upper strength limit. How can such invincible characters be given sufficient challenges and obstacles to make satisfying stories without de-powering them? Is this merely an enlarged version of the eternal ‘how can there be tension if we know the main character will survive’ quandary?

Fri 9:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four) (1 hour)
WEIRD SCIENCE COMICS! (512)

   [Panelists: Bill Spangler (mod), Stephanie Burke, Glenn Hauman, J. Andrew World]

   The Influence of EC Comics on Science Fiction

Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza II (Two) (1 hour)
OFF THE SCREEN: MOVIE/TV TIE-IN COMIC (424)

   [Panelists: Keith R.A. DeCandido (mod), Glenn Hauman, Bill Spangler]

   For years, TV shows and movies have had comic-book adaptations, and sometimes even long-running titles.  These days, however, it’s been taken to a whole other level, with comics like “Buffy” and “Firefly” actually being written or overseen by the show’s creator.  Can comics act as way to tell stories that can’t be told on the screen

Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza III (Three) (1 hour)
BUT THAT’S NOT SCIENCE FICTION (462)

   [Panelists: Michael J. Walsh (mod), Diane Weinstein, Carl Fink, Glenn Hauman, Barbara Barnett]

   Certain types of non-Science Fiction works such as the Sherlock Holmes series, the Regency Romances of Georgette Heyer, much of Kipling and  the Hornblower series are widely read by many science fiction fans and writers. Is there something these works have in common with science Fiction? If so, what is it?

Sat 2:00 PM in Plaza III (Three) (1 hour)
MARVEL/DISNEY: A MATCH MADE IN HOLLYWOOD (419)

   [Panelists: Andre Lieven (mod), Phil Kahn, Glenn Hauman, J. Andrew World]

   Earlier this year, The Walt Disney Company purchased Marvel Comics and Marvel Studios.  What is this going to mean for some of Marvel’s popular characters, like Spiderman, the Xmen, or Capt. America? What about films based on some of Marvel characters?  And what effect, if any, will this have on DC Comics and it’s corporate parent, Time-Warner?

Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza III (Three) (1 hour)
HOW REAL WORLD INVENTIONS HAVE INFLUENCED SCIENCE FICTION (513)

   [Panelists: Glenn Hauman (mod), Tom Purdom, Andre Lieven, Bernie Mojzes, Linda Bushyager]

   Science fiction has not always had a great track record of anticipating technological advances. Sometimes an invention has to show up in the real world before science fiction writers begin to write about it.
   Then what happens?

Sat 6:00 PM in Plaza I (One) (1 hour)
NOT JUST CAPES: THE BEST IN NON-SUPERHERO COMICS (427)

   [Panelists: Tony DiGerolamo (mod), Glenn Hauman, Jared Axelrod, James Chambers]

   Not every comic book features spandex and superpowers.  Some of them are about everyday people.  Some are about… other things.  But what are the best comics out there without superhero characters?
   Come and find out!

Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven) (1 hour)
WHY THE THEME ANTHOLOGY? (517)

   [Panelists: Eric Kotani (mod), Lawrence M. Schoen, Mike McPhail, Glenn Hauman, Danielle Ackley-McPhail]

   Why do we see so many anthologies on pre-chosen subjects?

THIS WEEK ON THE BOOK CAVE-Derrick Ferguson talks DIAMONDBACK!

ALL PULP’S OFFICIAL PODCAST!!!!

11/18/10

THIS WEEK ON THE BOOK CAVE!! Ric has guest Derrick Ferguson to talk about Derrick’s DIAMONDBACK Novel and other aspects of the Fergusoniverse!
Check out ALL PULP’S official podcast, THE BOOK CAVE here-
http://thebookcave.libsyn.com/

The Point Radio: It’s Time To Watch THE EVENT


Have you been avoiding THE EVENT in fear that it would be yet another “unfinished” story? Now might be the time to change that. NBC has extended the show into 2011 and the cast joins us to speculate where things are headed on the show. Plus Dennis Leary as Gwen Stacy’s pop?  And War Of The Green Lanterns? Really?

And be sure to stay on The Point via iTunes - ComicMix, RSS, MyPodcast.Comor Podbean!

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Don’t forget that you can now enjoy THE POINT 24 hours a Day – 7 Days a week!. Updates on all parts of pop culture, special programming by some of your favorite personalities and the biggest variety of contemporary music on the net – plus there is a great round of new programs on the air including classic radio each night at 12mid (Eastern) on RETRO RADIO COMICMIX’s Mark Wheatley hitting the FREQUENCY every Saturday at 9pm and even the Editor-In-Chief of COMICMIX, Mike Gold, with his daily WEIRD SCENES and two full hours of insanity every Sunday (7pm ET) with WEIRD SOUNDS!

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RABBIT HEART’s sequels are announced!


Press Release from Wild Cat Books:

RABBIT HEART by Barry Reese shocked audiences upon its release in February 2010, mixing sex and violence in unpredictable fashion. The story of a young woman named Fiona Chapman and her descent into a world of madness and murder, RABBIT HEART has garnered praise from sources as varied as Ron Fortier and Percival Constantine.

And now comes word of not just one but two future sequels, one scheduled for a 2011 release and the other to follow in 2012. The second book is entitled KILLER SMILE and will feature a cover by noted artist Ed Mironiuk. Volume three is currently untitled but will feature a cover by Jason Levesque, who did RABBIT HEART’S haunting front image. All three books will eventually be collected into a giant omnibus edition.

Hancock Tips His Hat to BC Bell’s THE BAGMAN!!


TIPPIN’ HANCOCK’S HAT-Reviews by Tommy Hancock
TALES OF THE BAGMAN by B. C. Bell

Cover by Laura Givens
Interior art by Kelly Everaert
Published by Airship 27Productions/Cornerstone Publishers

I don’t get it…I really don’t.

I had heard rumors prior to reading this book that someone out in the great wasteland we call the internet reviewed this book introducing The Bagman, a character created by BC Bell, and that reviewer said that he/she/it didn’t see much here to get excited about, that this was Bell’s attempt to do his version of Batman.

What I really don’t get is just what book that person was reading!!  This is not any attempt to rework The Dark Knight or any other character for that matter.  The Bagman does have his roots planted squarely in many long time concepts used to design pulp (and comic) heroes.  That is part of his appeal.  What Bell does, though, is tweaks and twists the old standards just enough that Frank ‘Mac’ McCullough, the former gangster who becomes the grass roots hero in 1930s Chicago, stands out as a fully realized character who, although he undergoes a sort of transformation when he wears the bag, stands on his own as a conflicted, yet dedicated human figure.

The cover art and interior art not only compliment the stories and the book as a whole, but the styles of Everaert and Givens compliment each other, adding a beauty and depth to this book that only adds to the impact of each tale told. 

Speaking of tales, there are three that make up the Bagman’s debut.  Let’s talk about them, shall we?

THE BIRTH OF A BAGMAN is literally that, the origin of how small time hood Frank McCullough moves from crime to crimefighter.  Bell takes his time in this tale, letting the reader get to know and like Mac before it’s ever really clear what’s going to happen to him.  Throw in Crankshaft, one of best supporting characters I’ve seen in a long time and this story is nothing but golden.  By itself, Five out Five Tips of the Hat.

THE BUGHOUSE MASSACRE is essentially The Bagman’s next step in the plan he develops in the first story-to rid his neighborhood of the Mob by eliminating them both professionaly and physically if he has to.  This story is just what it should be, a great follow up, a good introduction of other characters, and more building on who The Bagman is.  The intenstiy level on this one isn’t quite amped up as much as the first, but by the time Bell gets the reader to the incident referred to in the title, it doesn’t slow down a bit.  Four out of Five Tips of the Hat.

Finally, we have BIG CITY, BIG SHOULDERS.  Of all the three stories, this one, although good and wound up well and tight by the end, struggles in the beginning.  It felt as if Bell wanted to tie up several loose ends and introduce some things all in this story and although he does just that and all is well told by the end, following the actual direction the story is going is difficult in about the first half.  What Bell does do, however, is tie The Bagman forevermore into his city of Chicago.  The tour the reader is taken on through McCullough’s eyes is riveting and lets you know that The Bagman and Chicago are made for each other.  Three out of Five Tips of the Hat.

Taking all that into consideration and giving a definite Five out Five to the art and design of this book, BC Bell’s TALES OF THE BAGMAN clearly is destined to be a book someone looks back on and says ‘Batman’s got nothin’ on this guy!’

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.)

GUEST REVIEW OF THE WEEK-Author Reviews ‘Masked Gun Mystery #1’!!

Andrew Salmon-Reviewer/Award Winning Author

Pro Se’s Masked Gun Mystery Number One-UNMASKED!
Any pulp fan worth his or her salt knows that the pulps flourished for decades in magazine form before giving way to the booming paperback market after WW2. Thankfully we live in an era where classic pulp fiction is back with a vengeance and us pulp fans couldn’t be happier. Whether reprints of classic tales are your thing, or new pulp yarns from today’s top purveyors of purple prose, there’s one thing that’s been missing from this pulp resurgence: pulp magazines. Sure, online mags abound, but where are the new print magazines at these days?
Well, Pro Se Productions has answered that question with the launch of 3 new pulp magazines for today’s audience. One of these is Masked Gun Mystery, the first issue of which is the subject of this review.
The first issue of Masked Gun Mystery doesn’t mess around. You get an impressive 90 pages of pulp excitement in a well laid-out, large (8.5 X 11) format and features 8 mystery stories. There’s something for everyone here as the issue contains tales set in the modern day as well as the 1930s. Let’s break down each story.
The issue kicks off with “The Things He Leaves Behind” by Aric Mitchell. The tale deals with the tragic consequences of domestic violence and is a great kick off to the issue. Although I found the story overly long, the subject matter was handled well and the mystery kept me reading.
“Hello New Life, Hello Old” by Ken Janssens introduces us to reluctant private eye, Aloha McCoy. This tale is also set in the modern day and was entertaining start to finish. Plucky McCoy’s search for a missing rich-kid is memorable and the brisk pace of the tale makes it one of the standouts.
Aaron Smith’s “The Day He Found The Clown” is a nice change of pace from the first two tales which were longer yarns. Here we’ve got a former hockey player turned police detective on the trail of a clown’s murderer. Picard, saddled with celebrity from his playing days, is trying to embrace his new life dedicated to helping those in need. The dialogue is crisp and the action captivating in this one. Another standout.
“Dineena’s Dilemma” by Lee Huston, Jr. flings us into the future on an alien world where we meet private detective Hugh Monn. I found this tale to be low on plot but high on gadgetry. Flying cars, robots, alien life forms all contribute to an interesting and promising setting although the mystery itself is not all that mind-bending. There’s promise here and the tale, at a mere 9 pages, is a quick, somewhat enjoyable read.
Tommy Hancock checks in with a period piece set in 1929. “Murphy’s Wake” is a cop tale of corruption, vengeance and honor told in an offbeat, engaging style through the use of newspaper reports, journal entries and live action. The deft mixture of styles makes for a great read and the pacing is white hot.
It’s back to the modern day for C. William Russette’s “Demon Night” or is it “Dragon Night”? It’s listed as ‘Demon’ in the table of contents and ‘Dragon’ in the story itself. I really enjoyed this tale as it featured a very memorable protagonist and a set up that begs for future instalments. I don’t want to spoil any of the fun here by revealing too much. Let’s just say that the tale is a shoot-em-up you don’t want to miss.
There’s no way I can objectively review the next tale as it is my contribution to the issue. So I hope you’ll settle for a quick recap of the story’s plot. “Run” by Andrew Salmon is set just after the end of WW2 and tells the tale of recently discharged Clark Logan looking to put the horrors of war behind him. Instead he stumbles into a mess of trouble that has him running for his life from start to finish.
The issue closes with a trip back to 1989 courtesy of Robert E. Kennedy. “Crime Of The Arts, Part One” is this issue crowning glory. I ripped through this tale like it was nobody’s business and experienced intense aggravation (the good kind) when I got to the end. You see, it is the first part of a serial and a great one at that. Kennedy gives us a modern day pulp hero that is instantly relatable and likeable, a relatively modern day avenger bad guys do not want to mess with. This is a must read although you might want to wait until you have more instalments to read before scorching your eyes across this one lest you be left storming the Pro Se offices for Part Two.
And there you have it. For only $7.50, Masked Gun Mystery #1 is sure to satisfy even the most discerning pulp fan. With a great mix of vintage, modern and futuristic tales, every reader will have their favorite. The tales are trussed up with spot illustrations from artists Armando Rillo, Fernando Sosa, Peter Cooper and Fuller Bumpers. This first issue also sports a moody cover by John A. Palmer IV.
So do yourself a favor and experience pulps the way they began, as magazines. Masked Gun Mystery delivers, schweetheart.

Historic Heroes Collide in Moonstone Hardcover!

1128 South State Street
Lockport, Illinois, 60441
815-834-1658

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-
11/17/10, Lockport Illinois-

HISTORIC HEROES COLLIDE IN MOONSTONE Hardcover!

The Ghost Who Walks.


The Original Super-Hero Action Figure.


Two characters that make fans of heroic fiction and toys stand up and take notice. Moonstone. The one company that brings these American icons together again for the first time!

Cover by Mark Sparacio

The Phantom and Captain Action appear once more in a Hardcover collecting the already classic two issue Moonstone comic mini series from early 2010. This fantastic volume, also laden with new features, is courtesy of Moonstone and Captain Action Enterprises, LLC and will be available 11/24/10!


Lee Falk’s adventure comic creation, The Phantom has fought his way through the jungles of the world and the imaginations of fans for almost seventy five years. The toy that was several heroes rolled into one man, Captain Action has returned with guns and action blazing from the nostalgic past. Now, thanks to writer Mike Bullock and artist Reno Maniquis, these legendary leading men of justice share an adventure tailor-made for the two of them together!


Bullock and Maniquis weave a tale of intrigue, espionage, adventure, and action that carries both heroes to the height of conflict and the depths of danger! Also included in this collection is a never before seen Phantom prose story as well as a Captain Action short story to boot! More action than you can you shake a skull ring at!


“This story,” declares Ed Catto of Captain Action Enterprises, LLC, “shines as a great adventure story: full of action, clever plot twists and heroics. But it’s a little bit more, too. This graphic novel touches on the concepts of family friendships and how that plays out in both the Walker-Palmer family as well as Captain Action’s family.”


Speaking of family, The Phantom is not the only hero bringing his supporting cast along in this tale. “”Lady Action sneaks into our narrative,” teases Catto, “and while she doesn’t ‘steal the show’, she comes pretty close!”

Cover by Art Thibert


This wonderfully designed hardcover edition is available with spectacular covers by Mark Sparacio and Art Thibert. It also features an introduction penned by Mike Bullock and an afterword from Catto.

“This beautiful book,” according to Mike Bullock “is perfect for anyone who loves The Phantom, grew up with Captain Action, or just loves classic Brave and the Bold style team-ups.”
THE PHANTOM/CAPTAIN ACTION HARDCOVER
AVAILABLE FROM MOONSTONE 11/24/10
Place your order at http://www.moonstonebooks.com/ ISBN-1933076844
           9781933076843

Moonstone publishes comics and illustrated fiction designed to “awaken your sense of adventure”, 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.  Awaken your sense of adventure at http://www.moonstonebooks.com/

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. Properties included Savage Beauty, Captain Action, the Zeroids and Lady Action. More information is available at www.CaptainActionNow.com.