Tagged: audio

The Comancheros

At a time when movie stars were truly larger-than-life and iconic, few stood taller and were more memorable than John Wayne. The Duke more or less played himself, the tall, laconic keeper of the moral code regardless of era or genre. He’s best remembered for his work in Westerns, ultimately earning his one Oscar for True Grit, a tribute to a career spent along the dusty trails of a bygone America.

Bit by bit, Wayne’s oeuvre is being preserved on DVD and now Blu-ray, with [[[The Comancheros]]] being the most recent offering. In time for the perfect Father’s Day gift, the deluxe package from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment offers up one of Wayne’s last big Westerns just as interest in the genre was beginning to wane. The movie is well regarded by many Western fans and Elmer Bernstein’s score has lived on, well beyond the film itself, used elsewhere ever since (including The Simpsons). It also has the historical footnote of being the final film from director Michael Curtiz, beloved for his earlier work on The Adventures of Robin Hood and Casablanca. He was laid low early on by cancer and Wayne himself took over much of the directing but refused credit. Second unit action sequences were handled by Cliff Lyons. The unfortunate many hands approach probably led to the film feeling incredibly uneven, talky without much punch to the dialogue sequences, and sluggishly paced for the first third. (more…)

PULP ARK DAY ONE-RADIO LIVES AGAIN!

Friday, May 13th, 2011, 6 PM

Tommy Hancock getting RADIO LIVES AGAIN started!

As a part of the first day of activities at PULP ARK, Coordinator Tommy Hancock invited several writers to adapt excerpts from their stories for a live audio old time radio style recording.  One writer adapted a script himself and Hancock had time to adapt two other scripts.  What then ensued was tremendous fun and lots of bravery and performing by volunteers.  Each excerpt was performed unrehearsed live and with sound effects. 

Rob Davis (on floor), Art Sippo, Alex  Hancock,
Fuller Bumpers, Tommy Hancock
RADIO LIVES AGAIN

The first, an excerpt from Van Plexico’s GIDEON CAIN, stars Ron Fortier as a demon, Plexico as Cain, and Tommy Hancock as Cain’s Arab Companion.  LANCE STAR, SKY RANGER, written by Bobby Nash, followed, with Fuller Bumpers as Lance, Rob Davis as Ice, Art Sippo as Andrew, Alex Hancock as Bar Guy and Tommy Hancock as Announcer.  The final scene is from Wayne Reinagel’s KHAN DYNASTY with Patrick Cranford as Kong, Rob Davis as Bart, and Tommy Hancock as Chang Lee!  Follow the link below to download the whole event AND all the con chatter that went on inbetween scenes!

http://www.filedropper.com/pulpark

From Left-Rob Davis, Fuller Bumpers, Art Sippo, Tommy Hancock, Alex Hancock
RADIO LIVES AGAIN




Van Plexico (left) and Tommy Hancock
RADIO LIVES AGAIN



PULP ARK DAY ONE-ALL PULP PANEL!

Friday, May 13th, 5-6:00 PM

From Left-Barry Reese, Ron Fortier, Derrick Ferguson, Tommy Hancock, Bobby Nash

The first panel of the first ever Pulp Ark was hosted and manned by six of the seven men behind the first full blown news site dedicated to Pulp.  Six of the Spectacled Seven (You were missed, Sarge Portera!) made up this panel and shared news from various New Pulp publishers, a lot of which they were involved in in some way or another…..Taking one at a time, we’ll start with…

Art Sippo watching (from left) Derrick Ferguson, Tommy Hancock, Bobby Nash, Van Plexico

Barry Reese-

Barry Reese (on right) with Ron Fortier

Has stories in The Green Hornet Casefiles and The Avenger Justice Inc. Files from Moonstone.

Rook Volume Six is coming out in late May- Early June, 2011 from Pro Se Productions

The Family Grace Collection, focusing on the adventuring family that is the backbone of the Rook Universe, is coming out later this year from Pro Se Productions.

Lazarus Gray vol. 1, a collection of Reese’s Sovereign City Project stories, will be out in September, 2011 and his first full length Lazarus Gray novel, DIE GLOCKE, is in progress.

Bobby Nash-

Bobby Nash (on right) with Wayne Reinagel

Bobby has a few anthologies and comic books coming out featuring stories in the next several months. Theose include The Green Hornet Casefiles (Moonstone), Tales From The Zero Hour Vol. 4: Weird Tales (Blinding Force Productions), Lance Star: Sky Ranger Vol. 3 (Airship 27), Secret Agent X Vol. 4 (Airship 27), The Danger People (New Babel Books), Aym Geronimo and the Post Modern Pioneers: Tall Tales, The Ruby Files (Airship 27), Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar (Moonstone), The Wraith (Airship 27), The Avenger (Moonstone), Domino Lady Vs. The Mummy (Moonstone), untitled Abyss Walker Universe anthology, Frontier (BEN Books), and more.
Van Plexico-

Van Plexico (on right) with Bobby Nash

 Van’s new Sentinels novel, STELLARAX, from White Rocket Books, will be in stores by mid-June.  It is the seventh volume in the series overall, and completes the big, cosmic “Rivals” trilogy.

A story (“Thunder Over China”) in LANCE STAR: SKY RANGER, Vol. 3, coming soon from Airship 27.

Van is involved in Bobby Nash’s and Sean Taylor’s upcoming SF action anthology.

Van’s 45,000-word novella is featured in the second MARS McCOY: SPACE RANGER anthology from Airship 27, coming possibly later this year.
Van created and is editing an SF action-adventure anthology for White Rocket Books:  BLACKTHORN: THUNDER ON MARS.  It’s a sort of John Carter – meets – Thundarr deal.  Look for that one toward the end of the year.
Derrick Ferguson-

Derrick Ferguson (on right) with Art Sippo

A Fortune McCall collection, part of the Sovereign City Project, later this year (October) from Pro Se Productions
A special project with Joshua Reynolds forAirship 27 Productions.
A collection of Dillon stories later this year from Pulpwork Press.
Ron Fortier-
KALUTA  BOARDS AIRSHIP 27
Ron Fortier (on left) with Barry Reese
World famous graphic artist, Michael Kaluta has signed on to provide both cover art and interior illustrations for Airship 27 Productions forthcoming title, CHALLENGER STORM, Isle of Blood; the first in a new pulp series by writer Don Gates.
Kaluta’s comics work began in the 1970s working on such titles as “House of Secrets” and “Web of Horror.”  It was during this time he created fortune teller Madam Xanadu for Editor Joe Orlando.  His work on DC’s Shadow comics is considered the best graphic portrayal of that classic pulp hero ever produced.  He also illustrated Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Carson of Venus for that same company.  From 1975 to 1979, he was a member of “The Studio” along with Barry Windsor-Smith, Bernie Wrightson and Jeff Jones.  He’s an award winning painter and illustrator who had contributed to role playing games and illustrated numerous music album covers.  In 2003 he was named a Spectrum Grand Master in recognition of his vast and influential body of work.
“We, at Airship 27 Productions are extremely thrilled and honored to be working with a true living legend of American art,” said Ron Fortier, Managing Editor.  Airship 27 Productions is one of the leading producers of new pulp fiction novels and anthologies, their titles being published by Cornerstone Book Publishers of New Orleans. 
Challenger Storm is a rollicking, old fashion pulp adventure in the grand tradition of Doc Savage and Captain Hazzard and is Gates’ first book in a planned series.  “We hope to have the book out by the end of the year,” Fortier went on to add.  “Mr. Kaluta is always much in demand and we are not about to rush such beautiful artwork.”  Kaluta’s latest foray into pulp prose will soon be seen on the cover of Moonstone’s Green Hornet Casefiles due out in few weeks.
PHANTOM  SCRIBE  TACKLES  S & S  NOVEL
Airship 27 Table at PULP ARK!
Airship 27 Productions is pleased to announce that well known Phantom comic writer, Mike Bullock, has agreed to write a new sword & sorcery novel for the company titled THE RUNEMASTER.
Bullock is an award winning fiction writer, poet and former professional musician. Born in WashingtonDC, Bullock grew up reading comic books, comic strips and pulp fiction. He’s translated this love of fast-paced imaginative story-telling into a successful career as a comic book and prose author. Having worked on enduring characters from Black Bat and Captain Future to Sonic the Hedgehog and Zorro, Bullock cemented his place in the annals of speculative fiction by authoring more Phantom stories than any other American author aside from Lee Falk. His original works include Lions, Tigers and Bears, The Gimoles, Death Angel and more. Bullock’s Lions, Tigers and Bears was optioned by Paramount Pictures in 2010 as a feature film.
The Runemaster marks Bullock’s first foray into novel writing and tells the story of  Skarl Kirwall, a man born during the Last Great War and destined to lead his clan as the next Runemaster. When he is betrayed by a friend, Skarl is banished from his village and later learns of its destruction at the hands of their bitter enemies, the Ysling clan.
While mourning the loss of his family and clan, Skarl discovers the woman he loves has been dragged off to be sacrificed to Ysfang, the World Serpent. Armed with only his mighty sword and cunning, Skarl sets off across the frozen wastes to rescue her and somehow regain his rightful role as the Runemaster. 
Forged in the fires of Conan, Beowulf and Braveheart, steeped in Norse legendry and baptized in the blood of those who would oppose him comes the Runemaster.
Tommy Hancock –
 From Moonstone Entertainment-
Moonstone at PULP ARK!
 RETURN OF THE MONSTERS!
Moonstone Announces Halloween Pulps

Coming this October from Moonstone Books – Four pulp horror books sure to frighten and delight you.

In ANGELS AND THE UNDEAD writer Mike Bullock and artist  Eric Johns tell a tale of spine-chilling fear as Death Angel and Black Bat team up to face none other than the Lord of Vampires: Dracula in the
haunted halls of the historic Phaidor Hotel.

THE WEREWOLF WAR MASSACRES written by Martin Powell and illustrated by Jay Piscopo asks the question “Has the Master of Men finally met his Monstrous Match?”

From the mind of Aaron Shaps comes the third book, PHANTOM DETECTIVE: THE BLOOD OF FRANKENSTEIN the monster enjoys a new lease on life, illustrated by Kalman Andrasofszky and Jim McKern.

The fourth Halloween horror from Moonstone was announced at PULP ARK by author Bobby Nash.  Bobby recently completed and submitted to Tombstone a script entitled THE PERFECT MATE pitting The Domino Lady against The Mummy!  Art will be handled by Rock Baker and Jeff Austin.

Covers for at least three of these pulp terror tales brought to you by Dan Brereton.

Look for these and more in October, only from Moonstone Books.

Decoder Ring Theater

Tommy Hancock

Tommy is penning a new six episode series for Decoder Ring Theater.  Known for its audio drama podcasts starring fan favorites The Red Panda and Black Jack Justice, DRT, headed up by Gregg Taylor, is the home for great modern pulp audio.  Hancock’s new series, THE WEIRD WEST ADVENTURES OF HUNT AND PECK, is based on characters created by Taylor for a recent episode of DRT’s RED PANDA where The Panda and his sidekick The Flying Squirrel go back in time to the Old West.  Hancock’s six episodes will pick up where THE WILD WEST episode leaves off.
Pro Se Productions

Nancy Hansen and Ken Janssens with Pro Se at PULP ARK

Pro Se is moving into audio!! Tommy Hancock announced that in partnership with Broken Sea Audio, Pro Se would be releasing audio book versions of some of its product this year, including issues of its three magazine titles, Hancock’s own novel, YESTERYEAR, and Barry Reese’s THE ROOK, VOLUME SIX.

Tommy reviewed upcoming publications from Pro Se Productions, including works by Nancy Hansen, Lee Houston, Jr., Ken Janssens and others.

BULLOCK BRINGS TOTEM TO PRO SE!

 Pro Se Productions was also proud to reveal that Mike Bullock, noted author of Moonstone’s THE PHANTOM, writer of comics such as SAVAGE BEAUTY, and an upcoming BLACK BAT Original Graphic Novel as well as his own original work, including LIONS, TIGERS, AND BEARS, will be joining the ranks of Pro Se for his first every prose short story collection!

Bullock brings an original character like none other to Pro Se’s stellar cast of characters.  Bullock’s TOTEM, VOLUME ONE will feature four stories focused on the title character, one rich in both history and tied to the supernatural!  Expect TOTEM VOLUME ONE by Mike Bullock to be out early next year from Pro Se Productions and stay tuned to http://www.pulpmachine.blogspot.com/ for more information on this fantastic creation by one of today’s best New Pulp writers as it becomes available!

Review: ‘Casino Royale’ 3-Disc Collector’s Edition DVD

I’m not objective when it comes to James Bond. [[[Dr. No]]] was the first “grown-up” movie I ever saw, and I’ve been writing about 007 in magazines and my books ever since.

Nor am I particularly dispassionate about [[[Casino Royale]]]. The New York premiere at the great Zeigfeld Theater was the best experience I’ve had in cinemas for the last few decades — and it was there that I ate humble pie because, to my shame, I had been dead set against Daniel Craig in the role prior to that (I had been rooting for runner-up Henry Cavill, and anyone who’s seen him as “Charles Brandon” in the second season of Showtime’s [[[The Tudors]]] can see why).

The only thing I wasn’t a big fan of was the original, cautious, DVD release that didn’t even include an audio commentary. Naturally, everyone knew that a big special edition would eventually appear, and, following record-breaking grosses and a Blu-ray release that really put the medium on the map, this is it.

The film remains exceptional but quibbliable (some nitpick at the central, drawn-out poker game, while I cavil [if you’ll excuse the expression] at the dispassionate off-screen dispatching of the main henchmen, to be hastily replaced by some generic thugs for 007 to slaughter at the climax).

The three-DVD status of this Special Edition (tomorrow) is also questionable, since the second disc only contains the extras found on the original release, promoted to their own disc apparently to make way for the previously absent audio commentaries. Even the DVD menus aren’t particularly distinguished.

However, the approximately nine hours of new Special Features made it worth the wait. Having done forty good, bad, or ugly audio commentaries myself, I know a great one when I hear it, and Casino Royale now has two. The first, with director Martin Campbell and producer Michael Wilson, is packed with illuminating info (including that the opening was inspired by The Ipcress File and the finale by Don’t Look Now), but the second is even better.

(more…)