Tagged: fan

‘A NEVER ENDING BATTLE’! DOCUMENTARY SET FOR NYCC SCREENING!

NEWS RELEASE 

Contact: Ed Catto

O: 917.595.4107

Ed.catto@bonfireagency.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 New PBS Documentary to Preview at New York Comic Con


“A Never-Ending Battle” Celebrates Comics’ Superheroes
and their Creators


New York, NY  (October 3, 2011)   “A Never-Ending Battle,” the first episode of a new film from the creative team responsible for the award-winning PBS documentaries “Broadway: The American Musical” and “Make ‘Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America,” will be screened in front of an audience for the first time at the New York Comic Con, the East Coast’s largest and most exciting pop culture convention.


Featuring rare footage along with new interviews with legends such as Joe Simon, Stan Lee, Jim Steranko, Neal Adams, Michael Chabon and Jules Feiffer, segments of the first episode – “A Never-Ending Battle: 1938-1954” – will be previewed on Friday, October 14, 2011 at 4PM in Room 1B01 of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center at 655 West 34th Street in Midtown Manhattan.  An on-stage interview and Q&A with filmmakers and cultural historians Michael Kantor and Laurence Maslon will take place immediately following the screening.


“We’re really excited to preview our film to fans at New York Comic Con,” said Emmy Award winning filmmaker Michael Kantor. “Because so many incredible talents have given us interviews, I think of this screening as kind of like attending six all-star panel sessions at once.  We are also very eager to get fan reactions and feedback.”


“As a comics fan from back in the days of Second Sundays at the McAlpin Hotel, it was a privilege for me to sit down and hear so many legendary creators spin new tales I had never heard before,” added Maslon, the film’s co-writer, as well as an associate professor at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. “This documentary series will mark the first time that we’re able to tell the grand epic of the American comic book heroes on a scale that they deserve.”


The event is open to all registered attendees of the New York Comic Con, space permitting, and has been made possible by special arrangement with Ghost Light Films, Inc., Reed POP and Bonfire Agency, LLC.




About “A Never-Ending Battle”


With principal production funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts, “A Never-Ending Battle” is slated to air as the first episode of a three-part series on PBS stations early in 2013.  The series will explore the American art form of the comic book superhero and its complex interrelation with American culture over the last 75 years.  Throughout this period, comic books artists, writers and publishers have unleashed thousands of exotic, bizarre, heroic and seductive adventurers upon the American public; some have become instantly recognizable all over the globe, many have crashed miserably under the weight of their own lack of inspiration—all were created in the hopes that they connect with some aspect of the American consumer.  In this regard, the film explores how the evolution of the costumed crusader reflects our social, political and cultural history.  Fervent fans, casual viewers, and everyone in between will discover much to marvel over in this informed overview of the adventures of America’s most popular genre of historic fiction.


About Ghost Light Films, Inc.

Founded in 1996 by Michael Kantor, Ghost Light Films has produced a range of award-winning documentary films for PBS and cable television that explore the history of the arts in America. Most recently, Kantor served as Executive Producer on “Give Me the Banjo” which was narrated by Steve Martin and will air on PBS on November 4, 2011.  In 2009, Ghost Light created the six-part PBS series, “Make ‘Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America,” which was produced with Thirteen/WNET, New York in association with BBC-TV.  The series, hosted by Billy Crystal and narrated by Amy Sedaris, garnered both critical acclaim and outstanding ratings, earning Mr. Kantor and his co-writer Laurence Maslon, an Emmy nomination. In 2005, Ghost Light Films produced three hours of documentary material to accompany the 40th anniversary release of “The Sound Of Music,” including a documentary hosted by Julie Andrews.  That same year, Ghost Light garnered the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Nonfiction series by co-producing “Broadway: The American Musical” with Thirteen/WNET New York, NHK Japan and BBC in association with Carlton International.  In association with Metropolitan Entertainment, Ghost Light produced “The Lullabye of Broadway: Opening Night on 42nd Street” for PBS, and has produced segments on artists such as Quincy Jones, David Mamet and Arthur Miller for the Bravo cable network and for Thirteen/WNET’s “EGG: the arts show.”  “A Never-Ending Battle” is a co-production with Oregon Public Broadcasting.


About Bonfire Agency LLC

Bonfire Agency LLC is the marketing community’s first advertising and promotional agency specializing in helping brands reach and deepen connections with highly influential, but difficult to engage, pop culture consumers. This demo, labeled by some as geek or comic culture, is comprised of incredibly passionate, tribe-wired fans of everything from comic books, video games and action films to underground music, sci-fi inspired television and cutting edge adult comedy. Bonfire’s mission is to find ways to build relevant bridges between brands and a diverse audience of consumers that just might become their most effective advocates.  The agency was founded in January 2011 by marketing veterans and pop culture specialists Steve Rotterdam (former Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at TimeWarner’s DC Comics) and Ed Catto (former Senior Vice President at Ogilvy and Reed Exhibitions). For more information, visit www.BonfireAgency.com.


About ReedPop

ReedPOP is a boutique group within Reed Exhibitions that is exclusively devoted to organizing events, launching and acquiring new shows, and partnering with premium brands in the pop culture arena. ReedPOP is dedicated to producing celebrations of popular culture throughout the world that transcend ordinary events by providing unique access and dynamic personal experiences for consumers and fans. The ReedPOP portfolio includes: New York Comic Con (NYCC), Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) East & West, Star Wars Celebration V, New York Anime Festival (NYAF), and UFC Fan Expo. The staff at ReedPOP is a fan based group of professionals producing shows for other fans, thus making them uniquely qualified to service those with whom they share a common passion. ReedPOP is focused on bringing its expertise and knowledge to world communities in North America, South America, Asia and Europe.



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Harry Potter hit by hi-tech conmen

Pottermore officially opens in October, and scammers are selling fake accounts for the site that claim to give fans early access.

They are also using search engine poisoning to direct Potter fans to sites that are seeded with viruses and other malicious programs.

via BBC News – Harry Potter hit by hi-tech conmen.

Star Wars Early Access App is now Available

We know you’ve been saving up all summer to buy Star Wars: The Complete Saga  so we wanted to make you aware that the Early Access App is now available for iPad, Iphone and iTouch.  An earlier version of this was unveiled in time for Comic-Con International, but this updated free download will tide you over until the actual DVD release.

Before Star Wars: The Complete Saga hits shelves on September 16, fans can get a sneak peek at the 40+ hours of bonus footage on the Blu-ray collection through the Star Wars Blu-ray: Early Access App. The App, available for all iDevices including the iPad and iPhone highlights a sampling of bonus materials featured in the Blu-ray collection, including never-before-seen content sourced from the Lucasfilm Archives such as matte paintings and concept art; prop, maquette and costume turnarounds; supplementary interviews with cast and crew; and more.

Revisit the World of M.A.S.K.

We told you a while back that the animated series M.A.S.K. was coming to DVD at long last. For those less familiar with the series, our friends at Shout! Factory provided us with this slide show.


M.A.S.K.: The Complete Original Series DVD box set debuts on August 9, 2011 from Shout! Factory, in collaboration with FremantleMedia Enterprises. Poised to attract an audience of kids, young adults and parents who grew up with this animated series, this 12-DVD box set contains all 65 action-packed episodes – known to fans as the original series aired in 1985, as well as insightful bonus features.

Led by multimillionaire Matt Trakker, the Mobile Armored Strike Kommand — better known simply as M.A.S.K. — defends the world against Miles Mayhem and his nefarious international criminal organization V.E.N.O.M., the very same group responsible for the death of Trakker’s teenage brother. With his own son, Scott, and a secret strike force including his friends — engineer Bruce Sato, courageous historian Hondo MacLean, mechanic Buddy Hawks, rocker Brad Turner, computer expert Alex Sector, stunt driver Dusty Hayes and beautiful martial artist Gloria Baker — it’s up to Trakker, equipped with special power-granting masks and a garage of special militarized vehicles, to keep the world safe from Mayhem and the villainy of V.E.N.O.M (Vicious Evil Network of Mayhem).

Throughout the years, M.A.S.K. boasts a large fan following and spawned a series of toy line, comic books and video games. The complete original series of M.A.S.K. has been sub-licensed to home video distribution to Shout! Factory by FremantleMedia Enterprises.

Man from Atlantis Complete Series/Complete TV Movies

One of the joys of the Warner Archive program is that movies and television shows for small groups of fans can be released. The restoration costs seem to have reached a reasonable scale and these direct-to-order projects don’t really require the bells and whistles higher profile releases deserve. As a result, we can revel in the stuff we grew up or recall fondly. In my case, that includes a ton of Hanna-Barbera and Ruby-Spears stuff that has been coming out over the last year or two. It also meant I finally got a good copy of the pilot to the Search series.

And while some will turn their noses up to those offerings, they may begin salivating at some of the others that have been released; titles which I personally find not worth our time and attention. One such series is the short-lived NBC clunker Man from Atlantis, best known as the vehicle that gave the world Patrick Duffy pre-Dallas. The premise is certain high concept enough to have been interesting: amnesiac Mark Harris displayed the ability to breathe underwater and withstand the crushing deep sea water pressure. His origins remained murky but as was the formula from the 1970s, he was immediately set up with a purpose that served others rather than himself: working for the Foundation for Oceanic Research, a front for top secret activity. He was accompanied by a team of humans (co-stars Belinda J. Montgomery and Alan Fudge) aboard the high-tech sub called the Cetacean. And rather than delve into her personality or explore the things that made him unique, he became another handsome, shirtless hunk who went through the motions.

NBC’s Fred Silverman green lit the series, first as a number of telefilms, running four during the 1976-1977 television season and these are collected in the just-released two-disc Man from Atlantis: The Complete TV Movies Collection.

The concept proved durable enough it was given a weekly series order and those 13 episodes have also been collected and released as a four-disc Man from Atlantis: The Complete Television Series. I should stress, the pilot film was previously released on its own. (more…)

MICHAEL DAVIS: Con Man

I came home from the San Diego Comic-Com last Sunday night around 9:30. I went to bed around 9:32. I slept all day Monday and most of the day Tuesday.

Why do I need so much sleep after Comic-Con? Because I had maybe 20 hours sleep total the two weeks before Comic-Con and five hours sleep during Comic-Con.

Here’s my Comic-Con recap.

Friday morning my annual Black Panel did a tribute to my fallen partner Dwayne McDuffie and I do think we did him justice. It was supposed to be a joyous celebration and for the most part it was, but there were a few times when the tears did flow. All and all it was great being around fans, friends and pros that all loved Dwayne. The highlight for me was the video taped message from Wayne Brady. In it Wayne told the audience what a big fan of Dwayne he was. that was cool!

Also at the Black Panel, I announced the “Search For The Next Great Graphic Novelist” contest! FAN, Final Draft and my imprint Level Next are sponsoring the contest. More details to come right here at ComicMix!

Friday afternoon saw me as a panelist on the cool ass upstart panel, “The Nappy Hour.”  I make it a point not to do any panels except The Black Panel while at Comic-Con. The Black Panel is so much work that doing another panel is simply out of the question and I’m asked to be on at least four panels every year. Keith Knight, the founder of the Nappy Panel, had a bit of a run in last year on the net. Years ago the run in would have turned into a war but now the kinder, gentler Michael Davis look for other options than to smite those who dare to speak ill of me. FYI: Keith did not speak ill of me and in fact it was me that took something he wrote the wrong way. If you know anything about me you know that when I’m wrong I own up to it.

Keith and I decided to do what black men don’t do. We decided to talk! Then we decided to do each other…each other’s panel. Get your mind out of the gutter! The Nappy Panel was so much fun that I’m thinking he and I should create a panel that would showcase the best of The Nappy and the Black panels. What do you think, Keith?

A few hours after the Nappy Panel I met with co-publisher of DC Comics Dan Didio to talk about a possible project. It was the first official meeting I’ve had with DC in over a decade. What happened?  Well…

(more…)

LOOK INTO WHITE EYES THIS WEEK WITH DOC SAVAGE AND RADIO ARCHIVES!

newsletterheader60-9938906
July 29, 2011

It’s the Radio Archives Newsletter!
* New Doc Savage Audiobook: “White Eyes”
* New in Pulp Fiction: The Spider Volume 20, Doc Savage Volume 49, and The Shadow Volume 51
* New in Digital Downloads
* Deal of the Day
* The Critics Love “Python Isle”
* New in Classic Radio: Claudia, Volume 5

New Doc Savage Audiobook: “White Eyes”
The place: New York City. During the depths of the Great Depression, in the shadow of streamlined skyscrapers, reporters scramble for clues about an insidious wave of bizarre deaths – everyday citizens struck dead, the eyes in their lifeless bodies turned a sightless and ghastly white. The Blind Death has the teeming city paralyzed with fear; in desperation, civic leaders turn to the one man who can discover who or what is behind this gruesome series of murders: Doc Savage, the Man of Bronze.

From his offices high above the city, Doc and his band of trusted colleagues soon uncover a terrifying scheme to gather together all of the city’s criminal elements as a single and seemingly undefeatable force. Their intent: to seize the wealth of the Man of Bronze and destroy him once and for all!

“White Eyes”, the second in a new line of audiobook adventures from RadioArchives.com, is an epic tale of crime from the pen of Will Murray, heir apparent to Lester Dent, creator of Doc Savage. Featuring dramatic narration by Richard Epcar, “White Eyes” is a roller coaster ride of action and excitement that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Produced and directed by Roger Rittner, who joined with Will Murray to bring you both “The Adventures of Doc Savage” radio series and the thrilling audiobook “Python Isle”, “White Eyes” brings you ten hours of engrossing entertainment. Now available as both a ten audio compact disc collection priced at Just $31.98 and a ten hour digital download priced at Just $21.98, this new release from RadioArchives.com also features evocative cover art by Joe DeVito and two fascinating and exclusive audio interviews with the author.

Join the Man of Bronze for a suspenseful tale of action and adventure in “White Eyes”, the new Doc Savage audiobook now available from RadioArchives.com!

New in Pulp Fiction: The Spider Volume 20, Doc Savage Volume 49 and The Shadow Volume 51sp20-250-4865556If you’re a fan of pulp fiction, you know that, in the 1930s and 1940s, there were three heroes who dominated the newsstands of America: the mysterious enemy of the underworld known as The Shadow, the tall and muscular Doc Savage, and a troubled and vengeful vigilante known as The Spider. Here at RadioArchives.com, we’re delighted to carry a full line of double novel reprints featuring all three of these iconic supermen – including three new books that have just been released:

sh51-250-2379536“The Spider Volume 20” features two thrill-packed adventures written by Norvell Page and Wayne Rogers under the pseudonym of Grant Stockbridge. First, in “The Devil’s Candlesticks”, a mystic murder spell falls over Manhattan, transforming America’s moneyed aristocracy into ruthless fiends and criminals. Only The Spider can battle a horror league that has turned America’s most wealthy citizens into lawless butchers! Then, in “Revolt of the Underworld”, America’s most ruthless criminals declare war on the Spider. Organized by the Fox, this tireless and devious band have succeeded in framing Richard Wentworth for the apparent murder of his fiancé Nita Van Sloan. Can the Spider successfully clear his name while also searching for the whereabouts of his beloved fiancée?

Then, in “Doc Savage Volume 49”, you’ll thrill as the Man of Bronze and his daredevil cousin Patricia Savage battle deadly menaces in two classic pulp novels by Lester Dent, writing as Kenneth Robeson: “The Terror in the Navy” and “Waves of Death”.

Finally, in “The Shadow Volume 51”, the Knight of Darkness battles strange supercrime in two thrillers by Walter Gibson: “The Living Joss” and “Judge Lawless”.

These beautifully formatted issues, priced at Just $14.95 each, feature classic cover art, interior illustrations, full-length stories reformatted for relaxed reading, and many special features to add to your enjoyment. Radio Archives carries the latest issues of these exciting publications, plus all of the back issues as well, ensuring you hours of edge-of-your-seat entertainment. Be sure to stop by RadioArchives.com and pick up your copies of these new releases right away!
New in Digital Downloads
ra050-200-3204047For years, entertainment on the go meant a transistor radio or a portable 8-track or cassette player. But nowadays, thanks to the new digital technologies, you can travel the world and take a world of entertainment with you to enjoy along the way!

ra198-200-2718113Whether you enjoy your entertainment on your laptop, your cell phone, or one of the many small portable devices now available, when you’re on the go, be sure to take the great sounding radio shows and audiobooks from Radio Archives right along with you. All of our digital downloads offer the same impressive audio fidelity as our compact disc collections and are available to you around the world around the clock at RadioArchives.com. And, best of all, with digital downloads, you’ll pay no postage or delivery charges!

This week, we’re excited to feature our new line of audiobooks for digital download – including the Doc Savage adventures “Python Isle” and “White Eyes”. “The Adventures of Doc Savage” radio series is downloadable, too, as well as radio classics like the long-lost daytime serial “Claudia”, the mystery whodunits of “Philo Vance”, the bizarre tales of “The Unexpected”, and the hilarious misadventures of “Fibber McGee and Molly”. Whether you’re a fan of drama, westerns, comedy, detectives, or musical variety, you’ll find it on the Digital Downloads page at RadioArchives.com. Place your order, download your shows and, within minutes, you’ll be enjoying some delightful audio entertainment.

Digital downloads from Radio Archive give you the best of everything: great shows, great selection, great sound quality, and all at great prices, too! Stop by RadioArchives.com today and see what’s waiting for you!Deal of the DayLooking for a great deal in entertainment? Then you can’t go wrong with the Deal of the Day, a new feature now available at RadioArchives.com!

When you visit our home page, look for the bright yellow Deal of the Day tag on the top right hand side. Click on it and you’ll see today’s special deal. Sometimes a pulp reprint, other times a book, a DVD, or a compact disc collection, these limited time bargains are available at a fraction of their regular price – and there’s no minimum purchase required! Whether you want just that day’s special deal or whether you add it to the rest of your order with RadioArchives.com, the price you see is the price you’ll pay – and that price will reflect a discount of 10, 20, or even 50 percent off the retail price!

But remember: the Deal of the Day may change at any time! If you like what you see, order it right away; wait and it may be gone!

Visit RadioArchives.com often and check out the Deal of the Day. It’s a great way to stretch your budget, add to your personal library, and enjoy some timeless entertainment!
The Critics Love “Python Isle”For well over a decade, Radio Archives has maintained only the highest standards of quality, making our reputation by offering the very best audio fidelity, packaging, and customer service. So, when we decided to begin producing our own line of audiobooks, we wanted to make sure that they were the very best you could get anywhere at any price – and, thanks to the impressive talents of producer/director Roger Rittner and the skills of our world-class narrator Michael McConnohie, “Python Isle” had not only met but exceeded our standards and expectations.

But don’t take our word for it! Here are some reviews that have recently appeared:

In “Mass Movement Magazine”, Tim Cundle writes:
“It’s an incredible tale of an ancient tribe of Solomon, a queen and a sorcerer locked in political struggle, pirates, New York gangsters, undiscovered islands, lost explorers, hijacked zeppelins and much, much, much more. Michael McConnohie’s narration is nothing short of breath taking, capturing Dent and Murray’s frantic pacing perfectly whilst bringing each and every character to glorious life. ‘Python Isle’ is an astonishing accomplishment that I can’t recommend highly enough. Brilliant. Just…Brilliant.”

In “Comics Bulletin”, Penny Kenny writes:
“The skillful use of language and vocabulary is one of the delights of the story, and narrator Michael McConnohie’s smooth, rich voice is more than up to the task of bringing it to life for the listener. Without overdoing it, McConnohie brings out the humor in lines that could easily be glided over, and he creates tension simply by the way he reads a passage. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to read a Doc Savage book again without hearing McConnohie’s interpretation in my head. If you’re looking for a fun action-adventure story, or if you want to try some of the original pulp fiction, you need to give the ‘Python Isle’ audiobook a try.”

“Python Isle”, written by Will Murray and directed and produced by Roger Rittner, is available as an eight audio compact disc collection priced at Just $25.98 and as an eight hour digital download priced at just $17.98. Join the thousands of excited listeners who are now thrilling to the audio exploits of the Man of Bronze. Visit RadioArchives.com and order your copy of “Python Isle” and our latest audiobook “White Eyes” right away !
New in Classic Radio: Claudia, Volume 5ra215-200-9566907If you were a stay-at-home housewife in the 1930s and 1940s, you were most likely a fan of the soap operas. Ever-present on radio, and later on television, these daytime dramas of romance, heartbreak, mother love, sacrifice, and somewhat overdramatized family life became a staple in the lives of millions of avid listeners – many of whom planned their daytime chores around the five-times-a-week adventures of “Our Gal Sunday”, “Ma Perkins”, “Stella Dallas”, and the other dramas that dominated the airwaves between 10 AM and 5 PM.

But, in 1947, a new soap opera debuted that was far more quiet and gentle and down-to-earth than its strife-ridden neighbors on the radio dial. “Claudia”, based on the best-selling novel and play by author Rose Franken, told the tale of Claudia and David Naughton, two newlyweds just beginning their married life. Young, enthusiastic, and very much in love, they weren’t suffering from any of the crises or tragedies that were the common plot points of most daytime dramas. Instead, they were two people simply facing the many challenges of marriage and learning to live together as husband and wife. Thanks to insightful scripting, as well as charming performances by Kathryn Bard and Paul Crabtree in the leading roles, “Claudia” remains one of the unsung classics of radio’s golden age – as well as one of the most entertaining soap operas ever aired.

In “Claudia, Volume 5”, you’ll enjoy 24 more consecutive broadcasts that were first heard in April and May of 1948. Priced at Just $17.98 for the six audio CD set and Just $11.98 for the six hour digital download, this charming series is one you’ll want to share at home with your family – or keep it in the car and play one episode a day as you drive to or from work. Either way, we know you’ll be delighted by the endearing adventures of “Claudia”, now available from RadioArchives.com !

radioannouncer-9578474Listen 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 collections! This audio version of our regular newsletter is a pleasant and convenient way to hear all about our latest products, as well as the newest pulp fiction reprints, special offers, and much, much more!

Star Wars App Previews Blu-ray Extra Features

Before STAR WARS: THE COMPLETE SAGA hits shelves on September 16, fans can get a sneak peak at the 40+ hours of bonus footage on the Blu-ray collection through the Star Wars Blu-ray: Early Access App.  The App, available for all iDevices including the iPad and iPhone will highlight a sampling of bonus materials featured in the Blu-ray collection, including never-before-seen content sourced from the Lucasfilm Archives such as matte paintings and concept art; prop, maquette and costume turnarounds; supplementary interviews with cast and crew; and more.

For fans lucky enough to score a ticket to Comic-Con, stop by booth #3528 to check out the App and get an even bigger sneak peek at the Blu-ray Disc  and experience one of the Saga’s most iconic moments from a unique, in-universe vantage point!

FORTIER TACKLES MAC’S LATEST HELLER NOVEL!

ALL PULP REVIEWS by Ron Fortier

BYE BYE, BABY

By Max Allan Collins

Forge Books

326 pages

Release Date 16 Aug. 2011

ISBN 10 – 0765321793

ISBN 13 – 978-0765321794

Sometimes it’s all too personal.  Or so Chicago based private eye, Nathan Heller discovers when he’s asked by his friend, Hollywood sex symbol and superstar Marilyn Monroe to help her in her battle with Twentieth Century Fox. The year is 1962 and the famous blond is in a contractual contest with the studio that is facing financial ruins. When the entire energies of the studio’s marketing staff begin attacking her reputation and credibility, Marilyn retaliates.  Fearing the contest will end in court, she asks Heller to tap her phones thus providing her with physical evidence to present a judge. Heller, now in his mid-50s and a highly successful entrepreneur with offices in New York, Chicago and Hollywood, gladly accepts the job unaware his client is deeply embroiled in a sex scandal that could rip the country apart.

Heller soon learns that Marilyn’s sexual escapades with Jack and Bobby Kennedy have attracted a hive of dangerous bees to include the C.I.A., FBI, Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa and underworld figure Sam Giancana. All of them have a vested interest in keeping the blond bombshell quiet.  When she dies only a few months later of a drug overdose, the usually unflappable Heller is shocked by the inept police investigation that follows. It reeks of a cover up and Heller is convinced the depressed film actress was murdered.  Now comes the tough part, proving it.

“Bye Bye, Baby,” is the fifteenth Nate Heller mystery, Collins’ longest running series and his most acclaimed.  So meticulous is the research that goes into each book, one gets both a fast paced thriller and a history at the same time.  Talk about more bang for your bucks.  Throughout the series, Heller has crossed paths with such personalities as Orson Welles, Frank Nitti, Sally Rand and Charles Lindberg.  He’s very much the detective version of a Forrest Gump.  Yet in all these past cases, he has never been more human or vulnerable.  This is due in large part to the events taking place in a time writer Collins is personally familiar with and it is that intimate connection that infuses itself into the character’s perceptions.

Norma Jean Baker, born June 1st, 1926, came to Hollywood as a model and became Marilyn Monroe.  She landed her first film contract in 1946 and went on to become the most popular screen sex goddess since Jean Harlow.  By 1953, she had progressed to leading roles and shaken off her “dumb blonde” image, winning the coveted Golden Globe Award in 1959 for her role in “Some Like It Hot.”  The true circumstances of her death sparked an avalanche of conspiracy theories still bandied about today.

 

Collins’ genius is taking the dozens of convoluted records and few remaining pieces of evidence to describe one possible scenario on how Marilyn was murdered.  In the end the story is a gut wrenching tragedy and perhaps Collin’s finest book ever.  It is one this reviewer was emotionally involved with from beginning to end.   I can remember all too easily being a fifteen year old fan when Marilyn Monroe died and the sadness I felt.  You see, Max, I loved her too.

LANCE STAR’S ORIGINAL PUBLISHER TALKS ABOUT IPULP VERSIONS!

The Lance Star: Sky Ranger interviews – Author/Publisher Ron Fortier

Ron Fortier

With the announcement of Lance Star: Sky Ranger joining the iPulp Fiction Library, we wanted to introduce readers to some of the Honorary Sky Rangers involved with making these stories happen. Next up is Lance star: Sky Ranger Publisher Ron Fortier.

LSSR: Tell us a little about yourself and where readers can find out more about you, your work, and Airship 27 Productions?

RF: Okay, Reader’s Digest version here. Been writing professionally for past thirty-five years, mostly comics and now pulps. Folks can visit my website (www.airship27.com) to see what I’m up to on a weekly basis and learn more about Airship 27 Productions etc.

Airship 27 Productions

LSSR: How did you become involved with the Lance Star: Sky Ranger series?

RF: Having been a fan of the old pulp aviation heroes, we wanted to do our own series and Lance Star was the answer. He and his Star Rangers are classic aviation heroes with tons of adventures to tell.

LSSR: Who is Lance Star? What makes pulp characters like Lance and the Sky Rangers appeal to you as a writer, a reader, and a publisher?

Lance Star: Sky Ranger Vol. 1

RF: Lance Star is an flying adventurer and veteran of World War One. He and his crew travel the globe of the 1930s and setting them against this ear as historical background is always fun.

LSSR: Digital content has changed the publishing landscape. As a creator and publisher, what excites you about digital content? As a reader?

RF: Obviously the ability to get our books out to a much larger audience, folks who own Kindles and Nooks, is the biggest attractions. We want lots of people to have the fun of reading our books and the digital market has opened that possibility far beyond our wildest dreams.

Lance Star: Sky Ranger Vol. 2

LSSR: Airship 27 currently has two Lance Star: Sky Ranger anthologies in print and available as eBooks with several of those stories soon to be released individually at iPulp Fiction. What’s next for these pulp heroes?

RF: Simply more of the same. We have a third Lance Star anthology in production and hope to follow it up with his first ever full blown novel.

And I’m told there are more shot comics in the works. We plan on keeping Lance and the Sky Rangers flying high for a long time to come.

Damballa

LSSR: Any upcoming projects you would like to plug?

RF: Airship 27 Production just released its third SHERLOCK HOLMES – CONSULTING DETECTIVE anthology and will soon be releasing the first ever African American 1930s avenger, DAMBALLA by novelist, Charles Saunders. It’s a book we’re damn proud of.

LSSR: Thanks, Ron.

Sherlock Holmes Vol. 3

For more information on Airship 27 Productions, please visit http://www.gopulp.info/
For more information on iPulp Fiction, please visit http://www.ipulpfiction.com/