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DIGITAL PULPINESS AND MORE FROM RADIO ARCHIVES!

June 3, 2011
See What’s New at RadioArchives.com!
* Now Available: Digital Downloads!
* New in Old Time Radio: The Unexpected, Volume 2
* Coming June 10th: Doc Savage Returns in “Python Isle”
* New in Pulp Fiction: Doc Savage Volume 48 and The Shadow Volume 49
* Pick Up a Bargain in the Treasure Chest
* Also New in Old Time Radio: Joe Palooka

Now Available: Digital Downloads!

You asked for it – and now it’s here: the first Digital Download from RadioArchives.com! Our newest CD set, “The Unexpected, Volume 2”, is now available to you in two ways: mailed to you as an audio CD set  OR delivered to you immediately as a digital download!

And purchasing the digital version is easy: when you go to the webpage for “The Unexpected, Volume 2”, you’ll see the option to instead go to the product page for the downloadable version of the collection. Once you’re there, just add the download version to your shopping cart, proceed with check-out, and you’ll instantly be able to download a ZIP file containing MP3s of all of the shows in the set . In just a few seconds, you’ll be enjoying the exciting tales of “The Unexpected”!

From this point forward, all of the new CD sets released by RadioArchives.com, as well as every release in our new line of audiobooks, will be available to you as downloads on the same day they are released as CD sets – and, in the weeks to come, you’ll find that more and more of our other great sounding CD sets will also be downloadable. Be sure to visit the “Digital Downloads” page on our website regularly to check out the new products as they become available.

Digital Downloads from RadioArchives.com – a new way to bring you the very best in audio entertainment!

New in Old Time Radio: The Unexpected, Volume 2
Fifty years from now, should some intrepid archaeologist happen to come across a stack of radio and movie scripts from the postwar years, he or she is bound to end up with an interesting take on our culture. It’s likely, in fact, that American society circa 1947 will be interpreted as paranoid, suspicious, and steeped in fear and dread. And if, in that pile of crumbling paper, that archaeologist also happens upon scripts for a little-known radio series titled “The Unexpected”, his or her impression of a society in psychological crisis would be even more certain.

“The Unexpected” was produced by Hamilton-Whitney Productions, a Los Angeles-based company creating programs for syndication. Unlike big-time network dramatic shows, Hamilton-Whitney couldn’t afford the price tags attached to “A” list celebrities – but this actually proved beneficial, since busy radio and movie character actors like Barry Sullivan, Jack Holt, and Lurene Tuttle were used to playing a multitude of parts with very little rehearsal. The budgets may have been small but, thanks to experienced hands both before and behind the microphone, the results were quite impressive.

Then as now, every show that hoped for success had to have some sort of hook or gimmick that differentiated it from other shows. In the case of “The Unexpected”, the series specialized in tense stories of mystery and suspense, usually centering on the thoughts or actions of a single person. A prison inmate, fed up with the verbal abuse of the guards, suddenly snaps and makes his escape…a counterfeiter, fearing capture, gets involved in a card game with the intention of losing all of his phony currency…a ship captain, owing money to a gambling syndicate, plans to sink his own ship for the insurance money – all were simple but engaging plots for this enterprising series. But the fascinating thing about the shows – and the “hook” designed to attract and retain the interest of listeners – was the twist ending that came with each program. You’ll be listening along to the story and then, just about the time the plot is being resolved, the program’s announcer will say “You think the story is over, don’t you? But wait! Fate takes a hand. Wait…for the Unexpected!” Well, after that, what can a listener do but sit through the commercial to find out the REAL ending to the tale?

If you’re a fan of suspenseful mysteries – and particularly if you love surprise endings – you’ll find “The Unexpected, Volume 2” to be a real delight. Transferred directly from original transcription recordings and fully restored for sparkling audio fidelity, this second collection features such talented performers as Lurene Tuttle, Lyle Talbot, Barry Sullivan, and Virginia Gregg.

What’s more, this new collection is now available in two formats: you can get the five-CD set for just $14.98 or, if you prefer, you can get “The Unexpected, Volume 2” as a digital download for just $9.98! Stop by RadioArchives.com and order your copy right away!

Coming June 10th: Doc Savage Returns in “Python Isle”

On June 10, 2011, RadioArchives.com will inaugurate a new and exciting era in pulp fiction entertainment. On that day, for the very first time, The Man of Bronze will come to vivid life in the first of a new series of audiobook adventures.
Written by Will Murray and produced and directed by Roger Rittner – the same team that brought you “The Adventures of Doc Savage” radio series – “Python Isle” will feature narration by Michael McConnohie, known for his work on some of the most popular audiobooks, anime features, and video. This team of professionals, and many other talented performers and technicians, have joined together to create a new series of pulp audiobooks for RadioArchives.com – a series that, in the months to come, will also feature the thrill-packed adventures of The Spider, Secret Agent X, and many other timeless favorites.

The quality of these new releases, which will be available as both audio compact disc sets and as digital downloads, is truly impressive. To hear an audio clip featuring Michael McConnohie reading from “Python Isle”, click here: Audiobooks from RadioArchives.com

For eighty years, the name Doc Savage has meant excitement to millions of readers worldwide. On June 10th, join with us and experience his exploits in a whole new way as we introduce pulp audiobooks from RadioArchives.com!

New in Pulp Fiction: Doc Savage Volume 48 and The Shadow Volume 49

Back in the 1930s, it was common to find teenagers and grown men alike gathering around their neighborhood newsstand, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the latest adventures of their favorite pulp heroes. Nowadays, however, it’s far easier for fans of Doc Savage and The Shadow to get the latest tales of these two timeless adventure favorites: just stop by RadioArchives.com and you’ll find two brand new and just released reprints featuring the Man of Bronze and the Knight of Darkness waiting for you!
In “Doc Savage Volume 48”, priced at just $14.95, you’ll thrill to the classic adventures of the Man of Bronze in two original novels by Lester Dent, writing as Kenneth Robeson. First, what is the bizarre connection between the appearance of “Red Snow” and the disappearance of a United States senator? Our national security may depend on Doc Savage’s discovery of the sinister secret! Then, in “Death Had Yellow Eyes”, Monk Mayfair is abducted while the Man of Bronze is framed for bank robbery and murder. This classic pulp reprint is available in two editions: one features the original color pulp covers by Walter M. Baumhofer and Modest Stein, while the alternate edition features an impressive painting by Bantam artist James Bama. Both feature Paul Orban’s classic interior illustrations and historical commentary by Will Murray, writer of seven Doc Savage novels which are soon to be released as audiobooks by RadioArchives.com.

Next, the radio origins of the Knight of Darkness are showcased in “The Shadow Volume 49”, priced at just $14.95 and featuring two classic pulp novels by Walter Gibson, writing as Maxwell Grant. First, the Dark Avenger teams with Secret Service agent Vic Marquette to investigate a far-reaching counterfeiting ring in “The Shadow Laughs!”, the landmark novel that introduced the real Lamont Cranston. Then, how can The Shadow prove that an innocent man is not a murderer when several witnesses have identified the young man as the “Voice of Death”? This instant collector’s item features the original color pulp covers by Jerome Rozen and Graves Gladney, classic interior illustrations by Tom Lovell and Edd Cartier, and commentary by popular-culture historians Will Murray and Anthony Tollin.

Both of these collectable publications are now available at RadioArchives.com – and, to get one or both, you’ll pay just $3.00 flat rate shipping, delivered anywhere in the United States. If you just can’t get enough of these two exciting heroes – as well as The Spider, The Avenger, and The Whisperer – stop by RadioArchives.com and place your order right away.

Pick Up a Bargain in the Treasure Chest

 At RadioArchives.com, we love to reward our customers for their business – and that’s why, every day of the week, we offer you our Treasure Chest Bonus offers. These special deals are always featured on our home page and give you the chance to add something special – and bargain priced – to each and every order you submit. Get out your calendars now and circle the dates for the deals coming your way this week:
* Today through Monday June 6th, you can get our newest CD set – “The Unexpected, Volume 2”, a $14.98 value – for Just 99 Cents when you submit an order of $35.00 or more.
* On Tuesday June 7th, pulp fiction’s legendary Man of Bronze returns in “Doc Savage Volume 3”, featuring two classic stories by Walter Gibson. In “Death in Silver”, ruthless terrorists launch a series of attacks that leave Manhattan in flames. The Man of Bronze, his Iron Crew, and Doc’s beautiful cousin Patricia Savage must unmask the leader of the Silver Death’s-Heads before they achieve their murderous goals. Then, in “Golden Peril”, an international band of mercenaries invades the Republic of Hidalgo to usurp the source of Doc’s secret wealth in the sequel to the first Doc Savage novel. This beautifully reformatted double-novel reprint is normally priced at $12.95 – but you can enjoy these two exciting adventures for Just 99 Cents when you submit an order of $35.00 or more..
* On Wednesday June 8th, the Robin Hood of the Old West rides again in “The Cisco Kid, Volume 1”, a ten-CD collection featuring twenty exciting tales of action, adventure, and excitement. Transferred from a series of long-lost recordings and fully restored for sparkling audio fidelity, this timeless compact disc collection normally sells for $29.98 – but, for one day only, it can be yours for Just 99 Cents when you submit an order of $35.00 or more.

Also New in Old Time Radio: Joe Palooka

 During radio’s heyday, it was common to adapt stories and characters from the comic strips into shows for radio listeners to enjoy. In some cases, the results were extraordinarily successful; Harold Gray’s Little Orphan Annie, sponsored by Ovaltine, became a radio legend, while both Jungle Jim and Flash Gordon enjoyed weekly success. But, surprisingly, some of the biggest names in the comics failed to click with listeners – and, in 1945, one of those big names was that of the popular prizefighter of the funny papers, Joe Palooka.

Created by cartoonist Ham Fisher, Joe Palooka had made his newspaper debut in 1930. Since that time, his popularity had grown to the point that his exploits were being carried in 900 newspapers throughout the country – helped, no doubt, by the fact that the pugilist had spent the war years serving in the United States Army. One of the earliest characters to enlist, Joe joined the military in 1940 and spent the next five years fighting the Axis forces in both his daily and Sunday comic strips. Not surprisingly, he was a big hit with GI’s, his adventures printed in both Stars and Stripes and Yank, two newspapers printed exclusively for military personnel.

Realizing that the war had brought fame and respect to the character far beyond his expectations, in 1945, Ham Fisher decided that it was time to bring Joe Palooka back to radio in a new series of peacetime adventures. To bring his comic strip to life, Fisher first contacted Harold Conrad, a former Broadway columnist who had lately turned to press agentry and free-lance writing. There was no question that Conrad had knowledge of the boxing world and Fisher felt that his fascination with the eccentrics and rogues that populated the sport would infuse the radio version with an authentic ringside flavor. Conrad agreed to write a couple of radio scripts for a syndicated series to be produced by Graphic Radio Productions, Inc. Two audition shows were quickly produced by the NBC Radio-Recording Division in their Chicago Merchandise Mart studios, but the series failed to sell.

Undaunted by this, Ham Fisher then took the concept to John Boler, the President of the North Central Broadcasting System, which supplied programming to a number of midsized radio stations. Boler, in conjunction with Fisher’s partners, agreed to produce a five-a-week radio series to be recorded in the studios of the L. S. Toogood Recording Company in Chicago. Recording began in the fall of 1945 and, over the next few months, a total of 130 fifteen-minute episodes were produced – 26 weeks worth of daily shows. As it turned out, however, 1946 was not a good year for North Central Broadcasting; in the summer, the company filed for bankruptcy and, by the end of the year, it was no more. With all of the financial complications, “Joe Palooka” failed to get the publicity and salesmanship that it deserved and, unfortunately, the series never aired outside of a few small local markets.

Though disappointed by the way things turned out, Ham Fisher remained enthusiastic about Joe Palooka’s potential for broadcasting – but radio, it seemed, was not to be his medium. Fisher turned his attention to television and, by 1953, “The Story of Joe Palooka” made its video bow in a syndicated series produced by Guild Films. The radio series, having been heard by very few people, fell into obscurity and has been almost completely forgotten by radio historians – but luckily, a few months ago, Radio Archives acquired twenty episodes of the series, as well as the 1945 audition recordings made by NBC. The result is a brand new five-hour collection containing twenty episodes of “Joe Palooka”, as well as the two NBC auditions. For fans of comic strips, as well as those who grew up with Joe Palooka in the movies and on television, it’s a rare chance to hear this iconic American hero on the air in his own radio series.

For over fifty years, Joe Palooka, his colorful manager Knobby Walsh, his girlfriend Ann Howe, and the many other characters that populated the comic strip brought enjoyment to millions of devoted readers. In this five CD set, priced at just $14.98, you’ll enjoy five full hours of his radio adventures, made available here for the very first time since 1945. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the history of an American icon who entertained and inspired American youth – and it’s now available from RadioArchives.com.

Listen to this Newsletter!
Sit back, relax, and enjoy this newsletter as an Audio Podcast! Click anywhere in the colorful banner at the top and you’ll automatically hear the Radio Archives Newsletter, enhanced with narration, music, and clips from our latest compact disc collections! This audio version of our regular newsletter is a pleasant and convenient way to hear all about our latest CD sets, as well as the newest pulp fiction reprints, special offers, and much, much more!
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The releases we’ve described in this newsletter are just a small fraction of what you’ll find waiting for you at RadioArchives.com. Whether it’s pulp fiction classics, colorful and exciting books from Moonstone, timeless movies and televisi on shows on DVD, or the over 150 compact disc collections containing thousands of sparkling and fully restored classic radio shows, we hope you’ll make RadioArchives.com your source for the best in entertainment.
We’d love to hear from you! Send an e-mail to Service@RadioArchives.com or call us toll free at 800-886-0551 with your comments, questions, or suggestions.

PULPWORK PRESS ANNOUNCES WEIRD WEST 2 PREORDER!

HOW THE WEST WAS WEIRD 2 Now Available for Pre-Order

On July 1, HOW THE WEST WAS WEIRD VOL. 2 will be available to the whole wide world, through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and a host of other places, both offline and on. Twenty stories by some of the top names in New Pulp, mashing the western with horror, sci-fi, and fantasy – and all wrapped in a gorgeous new cover by Jim Rugg.
But say you don’t want to wait – nay, you CAN’T wait – a whole month for the release of this 368-page blockbuster. There’s no need! Pulpwork Press (in association with Anderfam Press) is now taking advance orders for HOW THE WEST WAS WEIRD VOL. 2.
Here’s what you get with your pre-order:
  1. The book, of course.
  2. Free shipping.
  3. A free bonus e-book: HOW THE WEST WAS WEIRD: CAMPFIRE TALES. This e-book, available in just about any format you like, includes weird west stories by Josh Reynolds, Joel Jenkins, Derrick Ferguson, and Russ Anderson. These are stories that aren’t included in either of the HOW THE WEST WAS WEIRD books, and this is the only way you’re going to get your hands on them. Here’s the cover.
HOW THE WEST WAS WEIRD VOL. 2 is $14.99.

HANCOCK TIPS HIS HAT TO MONOGRAM’S THIRD ‘SHADOW’!

TIPPIN’ HANCOCK’S HAT-Reviews of All Things Pulp by Tommy Hancock

“THE MISSING LADY”
Monogram Pictures
Starring Kane Richmond, Barbara Reed, George Chandler, et al.
Directed by Phil  Karlson
Written by George Callahan
Based on THE SHADOW stories by Walter Gibson from THE SHADOW Magazine
1946

Yes, Virginia, there was a SHADOW movie before Alec Baldwin (which, by the way, I enjoyed although many did not). Actually, there were three, all B movies turned out by Monogram Pictures in the 1940s.   ‘The Missing Lady’ is the third entry in the series, but the first that I watched, so hence the review.  

Now, for those not familiar with most movie adaptations of our beloved pulp types, they often usually go far askew of what we as fans are familiar with and enjoy.  This was true oftentimes in the days of early Hollywood, due in part to the inability to mimic many of the things that occurred in the written word, but also to often fit trends that were present in the movies at the time.  Not so different from today, this practice seems to be more prevalent in the 1930sand 40s, a period where ‘film series’ short 60-75 minutes movies were produced rather rapidly focusing on a central character.  The Saint, The Falcon, and The Lone Wolf are probably the best examples of ‘detective/hero/playboy’ types that dominated movie screens in the 1940s.   Monogram had an opportunity to jump into this genre with a totally different twist when it took on dramatizing Gibson’s THE SHADOW stories.  Unfortunately, this ended up being a very much missed opportunity.

‘THE MISSING LADY’ opens with the murder of an art collector and the theft of a Jade figurine of a lady, the absent diva of the title.  It jumps immediately to a month later, and I mean immediately with the use of a newspaper headline saying the murder we’d just watched was a month ago, and a whole host of people searching for the statue.  Included in this cast of characters is playboy and amateur detective Lamont Cranston, the only person seemingly investigating the murder.  Cranston and his cab driving roommate Shrevvie, along with their vapid bumbling girlfriends Margo Lane (yes, Margo is a jealous goofball throughout the movie) and Jenny Delaney, feel that the series of murders following the first one in the film, are all tied into the ‘Missing Lady.’  Throw in a police investigator that Cranston spars with for comedy, a list of two dimensional 1940 mystery stereotypes, and two kooky spinster sister elevator operators who have races in ‘Upsadaisy’ and ‘Downsadaisy’, their named elevator car and you have this movie.

Oh yeah, and Cranston becomes The Shadow twice and is the only person to ever mention his alter ego.

The acting was average for the most part for a B Movie from this period.  The storyline was convoluted, confusing, and way too crowded.   It was obvious that some characters, including the artist who lived in Cranston’s building, were simply thrown in so there would be more suspects.  The attempts at comedy fell flat for the standards of the period and due to that, are particularly dated for modern viewers.   The resolution of the murders was pretty good concerning the very first murder, although it was telegraphed five minutes into the movie.  The resolution for the others, however, was just as throwaway as most of the characters.

I did enjoy the way that they portrayed The Shadow the few times he was shown.  He was literally that, a black shadow in a fedora and something covering his face.  For the period, one particular effect was really cool.  The Shadow accosts a bad guy and grabs hold of him and the guy is pulled off screen.  The fight seen only in shadow added a little weight to the portrayal and had this continued in various ways, would have made this much more enjoyable.   Kane Richmond definitely fit the look for Lamont Cranston, but what was missing were many of the Shadow trademarks, like the creepiness and the laugh.   And let’s not even talk about the waste of both Barbara Reed and Margo Lane.  Reed shows promise to be a good Margo in a couple of scenes, but the writing makes Margo more ‘Lucy’ than ‘Lane’ and it just doesn’t work.

TWO OUT OF FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT-If you’re a Shadow fan who feels like you need to see, read, or hear everything THE SHADOW is in, then you need to see this.  Or if you have no idea who the character is, but you want to point and laugh at the old movie, then this is also for you.  Other than that, go watch Alec Baldwin.

ComicMix Quick Picks: June 4, 2011

Today’s artwork is from Miss Matzenbatzen, Steffi Schütze. Closing windows before I head off for a day of wackiness:

Anything else? Consider this an open thread.

ComicMix Quick Picks: June 3, 2011

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Closing windows while waiting on line for X-Men: First Class, so here we go as the foreman looks and the sundial on his wrist and pulls the bird’s tail:

Anything else? Consider this an open thread.

NBC Claims LOVE BITES

Harkening all the way back to the classic 1970s show, LOVE AMERICAN STYLE, NBC is rolling the dice on a love anthology series this summer. Greg Grundberg and Constance Zimmer talk sbout their place in the mix on LOVE BITES. And DC is doing what? We’ve gotta talk here….

Can a show like LOVE BITES be a hit?  Drop us a comment below!

See Two New ‘Dark Knight Rises’ Viral Videos

Just in time to blunt the release of X-Men: First Class, new Dark Knight Rises teaser videos have popped on up YouTube, uploaded by “The Fire Rises” who posted even more cryptic videos over the past few days.

One is a news report from GCN from TV anchor Mike Engel (Anthony Michael Hall), with sketchy TV footage that’s labeled “Arkham Breakout?” There’s also a quick flash of a Facebook page URL, which also belongs to The Fire Rises (aka Warner Bros. Entertainment, according to the user info page).

The second video, titled ‘Outbreak,’ features an Abu Gharib vibe and the same creepy chants.

Am I the only person who is worried that Batman’s heart is going to be ripped out by Mola Ram?

Spy Cars Like Us

Cars 2, revving up for release later this month, has sent us this cool new featurette:

Here are the rest of the film’s details:

U.S. Release Date: June 24, 2011

Voice Talent: Owen Wilson, Larry the Cable Guy, Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Bonnie Hunt, Tony Shalhoub, Cheech Marin, Jason Isaacs, Joe Mantegna, Peter Jacobson, Thomas Kretschmann, Guido Quaroni, Lloyd Sherr, Paul Dooley, John Ratzenberger, Jenifer Lewis, Michael Wallis, Katherine Helmond, John Turturro, Franco Nero, Vanessa Redgrave, Eddie Izzard, Bruce Campbell, Michel Michelis, Jeff Gordon, Darrell Waltrip, Lewis Hamilton, David Hobbs

Director: John Lasseter

Co-Director: Brad Lewis

Producer: Denise Ream

Story By: John Lasseter, Brad Lewis and Dan Fogelman

Screenplay By: Ben Queen

Composer: Michael Giacchino

Star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship to exciting new places in “Cars 2” when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car. But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours and hilarious surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage. Mater finds himself torn between assisting Lightning McQueen in the high-profile race and towing the line in a top-secret mission orchestrated by master British super spy Finn McMissile (voice of Michael Caine) and the stunning rookie field spy Holley Shiftwell (voice of Emily Mortimer). Mater’s action-packed journey leads him on an explosive chase through the streets of Japan and Europe, trailed by his friends and watched by the whole world. The fast-paced fun includes a colorful new all-car cast, complete with menacing villains and international racing competitors.

 

 

 

John Lasseter returns to the driver’s seat to direct this follow-up to his 2006 Golden Globe®-winning “Cars.” “Cars 2” is co-directed by Brad Lewis, producer of the Oscar®-winning film “Ratatouille,” and produced by visual effects industry veteran Denise Ream (associate producer, “Up”; visual effects executive producer, “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith”). The film hits the track on June 24, 2011, and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D in select theaters.

 

 

 

Notes:

 

· John Lasseter made his feature film directing debut with “Toy Story” in 1995. He has since directed such Disney•Pixar classics as “A Bug’s Life,” “Toy Story 2” and “Cars” and served as executive producer of all other Pixar films to date. He is currently the chief creative officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios and principal creative advisor of Walt Disney Imagineering.

 

· “Cars 2” is the 12th feature-length animated film from Pixar Animation Studios (its first 11 have earned $6.5 billion at the global box office). Pixar, which has earned 29 Academy Awards® and seven Golden Globes®, celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2011.

 

· “Cars” originally released on June 9, 2006, and grossed nearly $462 million worldwide. It was nominated for two Oscars® and one Golden Globe®, winning the first ever Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film.

 

When star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix, Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage.

NOTED PULP AUTHOR/HISTORIAN ON FARMER CON/PULPFEST!

From Win Scott Eckert-

FarmerCon VI and PulpFest 2011!

From the PulpFest site:

PulpFest 2011 is pleased to announce that FarmerCon VI will be held concurrently at our convention. An annual gathering for fans of Grand Master of Science Fiction Philip José Farmer, FarmerCon is rooted in Peoria, Illinois, the late author’s home town.

It all started soon after Phil had won the Grand Master award at the 2001 Nebula Awards ceremony. To honor the event, the Peoria Public Library staged a Living Legend Reception for the author. Farmer enthusiast Michael Croteau spread the word about the event through his website, The Official Philip José Farmer Home Page, resulting in fans coming to Peoria from across the country.    

In 2006, no longer able to travel to science fiction conventions as they had done in the past, Farmer and his wife Bette decided it was time for the mountain to come to Mohammed. Thus FarmerCon was originally conceived to be a gathering of fans in Peoria, figuratively, and literally, right outside Phil’s back door. With programs, speeches, panels, dinners, and picnics at the author’s house, the convention quickly became a great success. After the passing of Phil and Bette Farmer in 2009, it was decided to take FarmerCon on the road, giving fans of the author an opportunity to meet other Farmer devotees unable to travel to Peoria. And by holding FarmerCon alongside events like PulpFest, Farmer fans get a weekend full of programming (including several Farmer-related presentations on Friday, July 29th) and a room full of pulp and book dealers to enjoy. It also keeps Philip José Farmer’s name in the public eye, reminding fans of his long and amazing body of work.

Please welcome FarmerCon VI to PulpFest 2011. We hope they’ll be back again and again.”

In conjunction, Meteor House will have a table in the PulpFest Dealer’s Room, and I’ll be helping man the table, along with my friend, fellow FarmerCon organizer, and Meteor House cohort, Mike Croteau. As one of the organizers and participants in FarmerCon, I’d like to thanks the fine folks at PulpFest for agreeing to co-host us this year. This will be our 6th annual gathering, and the second since Phil Farmer and Bette Farmer passed away.
We will have some cool Farmer/Pulp/Wold Newton presentations for the programming, and we’ll have a selection of books still available from Phil Farmer’s estate, as well as some copies of the latest Farmer books for sale (last summer’s THE WORLDS OF PHILIP JOSE FARMER 1: PROTEAN DIMENSIONS, Meteor House), and the forthcoming THE WORLDS OF PHILIP JOSE FARMER 2: OF DUST AND SOUL, featuring new works from Phil’s files, non-fic essays about his work, new authorized fiction set in his various worlds, and cover art by Laura Givens.
Of course, I’ll also bring copies of my latest non-Farmerian books and will be selling those at our table as well. Fingers crossed I’ll have the forthcoming THE GREEN HORNET CASEFILES on hand, as well as THE AVENGER: THE JUSTICE INC. FILES. CROSSOVERS 2 was not out in time for last year’s FarmerCon, so that’s also something to keep in mind.
I’ll be discussing Phil’s pulp universe/timeline, known as the Wold Newton Universe, and hopefully I’ll have copies on hand of Titan Books’ reissue of Phil’s Sherlock Holmes-Lord Greystoke mashup novel, THE PEERLESS PEER, to which I’ve contributed a new afterword.
Some other regular FarmerCon attendees who I know will be there are my pals Art
Sippo, John Small, and Doc Savage/Shadow chronologist Rick Lai. Some other online pals who I’m looking forward to meeting in person are writer Greg Gick and All Pulp’s Tommy Hancock.
Meteor House is also running a Book Bonanza for authors:

“If you are an author coming to FarmerCon VI, here is your chance to tell the rest of us which books of yours you have available. Then fellow attendees may request that you bring copies of certain books for them to purchase directly from you.”

Follow The Official Philip Jose Farmer Home Page, Meteor House, BookTour.com, and this site for more details.
We’re looking forward to seeing everyone there!

The First Batch Of DC New First Issues

DC Comics has released information on the first ten titles of their September reboot, with creative teams and cover art.

Here we go, kids.

  • We already knew about JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 by our superstar creators Geoff Johns and Jim Lee. The cover to issue #1 is by Jim Lee and Scott Williams.
  • New York Times bestselling writer Brian Azzarello, author of The Joker and 100 Bullets, teams up with artist Cliff Chiang (Neil Young’s Greendale) for WONDER WOMAN #1. The cover to issue #1 is by Cliff Chiang.
  • Geoff Johns reunites with GREEN LANTERN and BRIGHTEST DAY collaborator Ivan Reis to bring you AQUAMAN #1. The cover to issue #1 is by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado.
  • Rising superstar Francis Manapul, fresh off his acclaimed run on THE FLASH with Geoff Johns, makes his comics writing debut in THE FLASH #1, sharing both scripting and art duties with Brian Buccellato. The Flash knows he can’t be everywhere at once, but what happens when he faces an all-new villain who can? The cover to issue #1 is by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato.
  • Writers Ethan Van Sciver and Gail Simone team up with artist Yildiray Cinar to deliver THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #1. Jason Rusch and Ronnie Raymond are two high school students, worlds apart – and now they’re drawn into a conspiracy of super science that bonds them forever in a way they can’t explain or control. The cover to issue #1 is by Ethan Van Sciver.
  • (more…)