Pro Se Press, a leader in New Pulp fiction, is extremely proud to announce the first of many releases penned by Veteran Pulp Author Barry Reese and starring Reese’s best known creation, THE ROOK!THE ROOK: VOLUME SIX by Reese is now available from Pro Se Press!
Already established as one of the best known heroes of The New Pulp Movement, The Rook takes on his greatest adventures in VOLUME SIX.Reese ups the ante significantly for Max Davies, millionaire and vision driven vigilante, by setting The Rook against Sun Koh, Prince of Atlantis in the lead story, THE SCORCHED GOD!A character from German pulps of the 1930s, Sun Koh is essentially the Germanic Doc Savage and comes up against The Rook in order to take his supposed rightful place as ruler of the world.Assisted by a variety of interesting villains, most notably The Furies, three women, each one representing an Axis nation.What chance does any mere mortal man have against a near Godlike being and his bevy of deadly beauties?Fortunately, there is nothing ‘mere’ about The Rook in ‘THE SCORCHED GOD!’
The Rook continues to deliver two fisted justice in two other tales included in VOLUME SIX!Taking a trip to the Old West like no one ever has, The Rook hopes to help lost souls clear up ‘SINS OF THE PAST’!And The Rook appears for the first time ever in a story with Reese’s latest and greatest New Pulp hero!Lazarus Gray, of Pro Se’s SOVEREIGN CITY PROJECT, stands side by side with The Rook as they take on evil and injustice in ‘DARKNESS, SPREADING ITS WINGS OF BLACK’!
This volume also includes an introduction by Pro Se Editor in Chief Tommy Hancock, an interview with the author, and a timeline for The Rook and the various and sundry tales told within that universe!
“Clearly, Pro Se is more than proud and pleased to be able to put out THE ROOK: VOLUME SIX,” stated Tommy Hancock, EIC of Pro Se Press.“Barry has clearly set a standard for what a New Pulp Author and a New Pulp hero should be!And this volume is not just chocked full with adventure, but the extras give it a more rounded feel as well.Also, this represents another step toward Pro Se’s own house style of formatting, developed and designed by our own Sean Ali.”
AVAILABLE NOW-THE ROOK: VOLUME SIX by Barry Reese from Pro Se Press!
No shelf of New Pulp Fiction will be complete without this volume!
Pro Se Productions-Putting the Monthly Back into New Pulp!
ISBN-13: 978-1463548995
ISBN-10: 1463548990
Release date: 06/09/11
Retail Price: $12.00
On-Line Store – https://www.createspace.com/3623250
Pro Se Productions released a second trailer spotlighting its upcoming release of Barry Reese’s THE ROOK: VOLUME SIX today. Tommy Hancock, Editor in Chief of Pro Se, states, “This book is good enough to have its own movie, much less more than one trailer! This trailer shows a different aspect from the first one and actually previews art from the upcoming volume!” Produced by Pro Se CEO Fuller Bumpers, this trailer showcases THE ROOK: VOLUME SIX, due out in a matter of days!
TIPPIN’ HANCOCK’S HAT-Reviews of All Things Pulp by Tommy Hancock THE BLEEDING HELLS by Barry Reese Published by Wild Cat Books 2008
If you know New Pulp, then you probably know the work of author Barry Reese. Even more likely you know the character Reese is best known for creating, THE ROOK, formerly with Wild Cat Books, coming soon from Pro Se Press. Barry has made quite a name for himself by producing ROOK story after ROOK story, most of them collected in six total volumes with plans for three full novels to come over the next year or two. What you may not know about, though, is a little Reese gem that slides under most radars. And not only is The Rook central to the story, but Reese with all his New Pulp skill and style reaches into the land of Classic Pulp and the Public Domain and adds a liberal dose of The Black Bat, Ascott Keane, and Doctor Satan into one bleeding helluva story that may be one of my favorite ROOK adventures.
THE BLEEDING HELLS focuses on The Knife of Elohim, a blade that is a major part of The Rook’s arsenal. This blade, once bathed in the blood of Christ, is blessed with supernatural energy. Within this story, it turns out there were four such blades and two criminals have decided to collect all four and open up a portal into The Bleeding Hells, essentially the worst version of Lucifer’s headquarters one could imagine. It turns out that not only does The Rook have one of these knives, but The Black Bat has one and the infamous Dr. Satan has the other two. The criminals of course end up getting hands on all four and our heroes…and yes, one incredibly evil villain…have to pool resources, set aside differences, and hope they can save the world, even if they already be too late.
THE BLEEDING HELLS is Reese’s ROOK at its best. The characterization of Max Davies shows not only an avenger of justice, but a man troubled enough by his own past to fight like heck to insure the safety of the future. Reese goes to a whole other level, however, within this tale than just putting his best Rook forward. Once again, Barry shows an excellent grasp of what’s come before and gives fantastic portrayals of THE BLACK BAT, ASCOTT KEANE, and a thoroughly chilling and enjoyable DOCTOR SATAN. Other strengths shine through as well, including the pacing being dead on. Barry builds the tension of the story well, even as he thrusts you immediately into the action. Dialogue pops all the way through, from the smarminess of Satan to the back and forth charming dialogue between the various heroes’ sidekicks. In all ways Reese, this is one of the best efforts I’ve yet to see and definitely makes me want to see this collection of heroes and villains once again…and even twice.
The only drawback to this volume and unfortunately it’s a significant one, is the editing. It’s not that there’s a mistake on every page, but the misspelling and absence of words is enough that it proved distracting from the beginning to the end. I thoroughly enjoyed THE BLEEDING HELLS, but I have also built up a tolerance to editing errors to a small degree. Even with that, though, the editing or lack of it made THE BLEEDING HELLS a little more difficult to read than I would have liked.
FOUR OUT OF FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT-The editing is an issue for me, but to be honest, the story is just awesome enough to overcome it.
AP: Joe, Welcome to ALL PULP. First, tell us a little about yourself please, sir!
JJ: Thanks! I’ve been a professional illustrator since 1978 when I sold my first cover to Heavy Metal magazine at the age of 18. Since then I’ve worked for just about every major comic company producing everything from covers to posters, trading cards, and fully painted sequential stories.
AP: You are involved in the FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLFMAN project coming up in FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND magazine. How did you get to be a part of this adaptation?
JJ: Facebook is a wonderful thing! Martin Powell and I follow each other’s pages and realized we both had a love all things monster in common, particularly the old Universal Monsters films and Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine. Martin contacted me to inquire as to my interest in painting the cover to his filmbook adaptation for FM and I jumped at the opportunity! I have wanted to see that Famous Monsters masthead over a piece of my art since childhood. I can’t believe after all these years it’s actually happened! Cross one more thing off of my bucket list!
AP: The cover you’ve done for the magazine the adaptation will appear in looks fantastic. Was there any particular scene or maybe even other influence you drew inspiration from for that cover?
JJ: Well, when you think of that film the (much too brief) climactic fight is invariably the first thing that comes to mind. If you were going to paint one image to represent the movie that would have to be it! I had seen it painted before but without the surging water from the exploded dam. That is such a dramatic element I knew from the very start I’d be including it in the painting. I had thoughts about showing the dam blowing up through a window but decided against it for compositional and narrative reasons. If you know he film you know where the water is coming from and if you don’t maybe you’ll want to find out.
AP: As an artist, can you outline your process of creating a painting or drawing for a project? Are there any steps you go through, any particular techniques you use each time?
JJ: Geez, that is such an involved answer. Actual steps vary from piece to piece but in general I first try to determine what scene will make the most effective and eye catching image for the cover. It’s my job to get the potential reader to pick up the magazine in the first place. Once I decide on a scene I’ll work up a quick layout or two to see if my idea will work. I very seldom do more that one or two because my instincts are pretty well honed by now and I pretty much feel my first idea is always my best. Ninety percent of the time, at least.I’ll then send the sketch the editor/AD for approval and then proceed to the final art. I either photograph or gather the reference I’ll need for a particular job (in this case I scoured the internet and shot screen grabs from a DVD) and refine the initial idea before proceeding to paint. I work exclusively in quick drying acrylics which I find suits my temperament as I’m a very impatient painter and dislike waiting for stages to dry. I then scan the final art, clean it up in Photoshop and send it off to the client.
AP: What appeals to you as an artist about the monsters like Frankenstein and the Wolfman?
JJ: For me it’s the nostalgia and visual interest of the films. I think the Universal Monster series had some of the most imaginative set design and atmospheric cinematography that gave them a very unique look and feel. Many have tried to emulate them but never really seem to come close. Jack Pierce’s make up also set the standard for how those creatures should look. When you think of Frankenstein you think of Boris Karloff, not Kiwi Kingston.
AP: One question some might ask about this project is relevance. Is this a project aimed at old fans of classic monster movies or is it a project that hopes to bring in new fans? What role do you feel art plays in that?
JJ: Let’s face it, Famous Monsters has a fairly classic, older fan base. While I truly hope the revised magazine and the art will generate new interest among a younger demographic, based on how little interest my fiancee’s 18 year old son has in reading magazines of any kind, B&W movies or anything not digitally enhanced I’m not sure. I know that many of my friends who are painting covers for FM’s current incarnation are doing it for the coolness factor and some very fond childhood memories. We are just beside ourselves to be on the cover!
AP: Art plays a major role in Pulp Fiction, both historically and even in New Pulp work. Do you consider yourself a pulp artist and if so, why?
JJ: In many ways I do, and I often lament the fact that I was not working in the 60’s when pulp art was so prevalent in paperbacks. I am the biggest fan of artists like Robert McGinnis, Bob Abbett, Robert Maquire and Mitchell Hooks (among many others). I would be content painting pulp and genre covers all the time. I’ve done a lot of superhero work over the years but my real love is pulpy, noirish material. All the Conan covers I’ve done as well as the Edgar Rice Burroughs work definitely falls into that category to be sure.
AP: What other projects do you have in the works that might be of interest to our Pulpy audience?
JJ: Harkening back to the previous question I’m actually producing a series of faux 60’s style paperback images for a proposed calendar, and Im having a blast! I’m also currently painting the monthly covers for Dynamite Entertainment’s adaptations of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Barsoom series. You can’t get much pulpier than that! I also may be illustrating the first two Tarzan novels for the 100th anniversary but that is still uncertain as of this time.
PULP ECHOES presents seven new stories in the pulp tradition, both new and original characters: The Bat returns in “Blind As A Bat,” The Crimson Clown returns in “The Crimson Clown – Killer,” and Nibs Holloway battles Dr. Death in “Till Death Do Us Part.” The Black Ghost is back in “Carnival of Death,” Captain Anthony Adventure in “Terror In The North Country,” The Black Cat in “A Cat Among Dogs,” and Senora Scorpion in “Senora Scorpion.”
TIPPIN’ HANCOCK’S HAT-Reviews of All Things Pulp by Tommy Hancock PRIDE OF THE TRAVELER by Bryce Beattie Originally Published in Astonishing Adventures Magazine #2 Now Available at http://www.smashwords.com/ and http://www.storyhack.com/ (Author’s site)
It’s always nice to discover new authors plying the New Pulp trade, especially when it’s via digital media, the wave of the future for New Pulp creators and stories. Such is the case with PRIDE OF THE TRAVELER, a short swashbuckler by Bryce Beattie.
Set in Beattie’s own land of fantasy and swords, Caldera, this tale focuses on a sword for hire by the name of Key who essentially goes town to town challenging swordsmen for money. Also on his travels, Key has made a habit of stopping into visit fortune tellers and gypsies and that is where this story starts. Visiting a gypsy named Drabardi Fawe, Key asks for his fortune to be told. What the gypsy shares with him figures prominently into his working the crowd in this latest town, a town peopled with guards who are not only practiced swordsmen, but have a few dark practices as well.
This short story did exactly what a short piece should do. It lured me in, hooked me with the dialogue, the characters, and the fight scenes, and left me wanting to see more of Key and other characters. Beattie definitely set this up for other adventures and I for one hope to see more. Theres a real Errol Flynn feel to Key that is quite obvious and enjoyable throughout the story.
Although the dialogue could be a bit more consistent, shifting from ‘formal’ to modern vernacular here and there, PRIDE OF THE TRAVELER is most definitely a fantastic introduction into Bryce Beatties work and into the world of Caldera itself.
FOUR OUT OF FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT-Would love to unlock more stories with Key and crew for sure and certain!
TIPPIN’ HANCOCK’S HAT-Reviews of All Things Pulp by Tommy Hancock GUAN-YIN AND THE HORRORS OF SKULL ISLAND by Barry Reese Published by Wild Cat Books 2009
One of the best things about Pulp fiction is that since it was a medium that arguably has grown into its own genre, it is rife with all sorts of sub genres one can write within. One story by one author can be a masked vigilante tale, then the next a straight western, and the third a science fiction ‘what if’ and all three will still be called Pulp. The stories are more varied and authors are thankfully allowed to be more versatile, to take chances outside of the sub genres they are known for.
Barry Reese, known for his hero, THE ROOK, and most recently for LAZARUS GRAY as wellas a plethora of other tales and such, took just such a chance two years back by walking the plank right off feet first into a pirate tale that also doubled as a mash up of sorts.
GUAN-YIN AND THE HORRORS OF SKULL ISLAND focuses on a saucy, talented, and smart female captain of a pirate ship. Helming THE LOTUS BLOSSOM, Guan Yin is a pirate that can stand her own with sword, fist, and pillaging up against any man calling himself pirate, but she is also a woman with a mission. As a child, Guan’s pirate father went on one more escapade and never returned. Growing up in his shadow and eventually filling his figurative boots, Guan Yin harbored for years the hope of finding out what happened to her father. That hope is answered when a strange African, M’buku tells her that a great treasure awaits him, her, and her crew on an island draped in mysteries and myths. An island where, according to M’buku, hints of what happened to her father, also exist.
This book is a quick read, both short in length and traveling at a break neck speed. The characters often start off as stereotypical, but Reese throws a little bit of that exploration and realization that he is known for, adding a bit of flesh and fat to the bare bones of the words he writes.
Is this book a definitive tale rife with pirate lore and nautical fact? No. GUAN YIN is not to be held up in comparison to Sabatini and other pirate classics, but I don’t believe that was necessarily the intent. Is this Reese’s strongest entry into the Pulp genre? No. But this is a fun romp through a Pulp trope with a certain large monkey and his worshipping natives froma certain hollywood classic thrown in for good measure. GUAN YIN is the tale that we all imagine we’d like to write and/or live as we’re growing up and Reese did one of those and for that imagination, he did it well.
THREE OUT OF FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT-A great romp on the high seas worth the read.
We are all serious about our Pulp, be we writers, artists, publishers, or fans. The goal of ALL PULP is to make sure you as a reader have all the insight and news we can provide you about All Things Pulp! That includes, although not frequently, whimsy. Yes, whimsy can exist within the stark black and white right and wrong world of Pulp. And the best whimsy of all is that which brings Pulp authors and Pulp style to the forefront. Enjoy the following whimsical, yet extremely valid Pulp post, wont you?
FROM DOC HERMES via DERRICK FERGUSON http://dochermes.livejournal.com/157023.html I posted this a few years ago, when I was plowing through pulp stories as if they were going to be taken away any minute. Finishing a Nero Wolfe story right after a Solomon Kane one gave me a whimsical idea.
These are fun to write, please feel free to add a few.
WHAT IF… Robert E Howard wrote a Nero Wolfe mystery?
It was ten o’clock on a dreary winter morning, and as Wolfe lowered his immense bulk behind his desk and rang for the first of his unending series of beers, I couldn’t take it any longer. “Another exciting day, I suppose. It’s fine for you. You’ve got those filthy orchids and pouring beer into your gut while you pretend to read some 700 page book on Hungarian politics. But what about me?”
Wolfe raised one eyebrow, which for him was a dramatic reaction and I exploded, venting all my long pent up rage. “I’m not a bloated product of civilization!” I snapped. “I’m six feet of lean muscle and rawhide, wide shouldered and narrow hipped. I burn to smash my fist into Inspector Cramers sneering mug, feeling his teeth splinter under my knuckles. By God, Im tempted to go down to Centre Street and litter that place with bleeding cops.”
“Archie, cease this flummery,” Wolfe said with that insufferable smugness that made a red haze of fury pass over my eyes. “Have you been reading those so-callled pulp magazines again? Every month when WEIRD TALES comes out, it has a deleterious effect on your demeanor.”
“Well, what of it!” I roared, leaping up with the speed of a starving panther. “When are we going to get a case where I can sink my blade deep in my enemys heart and carry off some buxom wench? A case with the stolen eye from some heathen idol or a death cult of slant eyed killers? I'm sick of these sissy cases where only one person gets killed!" Beneath my heavy black brows, my volcanic blue eyes burned hotly. <br><br>"Pfui," said Wolfe, marking his place with a bookmarker. "First, Archie, I must remind you that your eyes are dark brown and you are not Irish on either side. As we have discussed before, you are English and Dutch, with some Cherokee on your paternal grandmother's side. This Celtomania is fatuous, coming from a man who resembles Humphrey Bogart." <br><br>I barely restrained myself from pouncing upon him in a blur of savage motion. That accursed paycheck held my hand. <br><br>"Furthermore," Wolfe went on as calmly as if I were not poised to leap at him, my iron fists clenched, "Fritz is preparing lamb kidneys with dumplings, and blueberry tarts for lunch and you wouldnt want to miss that.”
He had me there. Fritz made dumplings with chopped beef marrow, duck eggs and lemon rind. I could easily keep up with Wolfe as far as dumplings went. And faint vapors of the blueberry variety were teasingly drifting into the office.
“Fine”, I gave in with ill grace, and returned to my desk where my copy of WEIRD TALES sat. Wolfe glanced at me and snorted almost inaudibly. “I should be grateful, I suppose, that you don’t read THE SPIDER”, he muttered.
_____________________ WHAT IF… Don Pendleton Wrote a Nancy Drew Story?
Stepping away from her sporty red roadster with its running boards and rumble seat, Nancy felt the breeze stir her golden hair. Yeah, it was a good day to be sixteen and a little princess. It was just too darn bad that for Carmine it would be his last day on Gods earth. <br><br>She had parked high on the hill overlooking Makeout Point, where teenagers had been parking under the summer moon for years. Nancy remembered that moon and her face flushed red as she gazed coldly down at the figure waiting for her below. <br><br>How had she ever thought that Carmine Salvucci could help her in her solving of mysteries? And what was an Italian family doing in Bayport anyway? Nancys lovely eyes narrowed into slits as she saw Carmine leaning against the fender of his own jalopy, cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth. Enjoy it, she thought, you darned little ruffian.
For a second, she touched the tiny hole where a button was missing from her pure white blouse with the blue collar, and her adorable mouth tightened. Then she turned and from the rumble seat she drew the thing she had taken from the closet of her father, noted detective Carson Drew. The Scheissekopf 374 (with the folding stock and chrome lined barrel) was a heavy weapon, and it took all her strength to lift it, much less hold it steady. But a girl had to do what was right in a world that was going to heck, no matter what the consquences. Yeah, she was determined to live large and stay firm. Soft but firm.
Carmine seemed to sense his danger for he suddenly flicked his butt to the ground and jerked his head up to look right at her. His eyes bugged out with raw terror and his jaw dropped so hard she heard the thump it made. Then she gently squeezed the trigger and a huge copper jacketed slug sizzled through the summer air to plow through Carmines face as it it wasnt there. And in fact, it wasnt there any longer. <br><br>Her shoulder ached from the recoil of the massive Scheissekopf but she didnt even feel it. She looked down grimly at the cold clay that a minute ago had been a high school student. “No one cops a feel off Nancy Drew,” she whispered.
____________________________ WHAT IF… H.P. Lovecraft Wrote a Lone Ranger Story?
THE UNPLEASANT KIVA
Despite the irridescent luminosity of the Arizona sun, which rivalled Hyperion in the late summer afternoon, the air around the Kiva had somehow a cold, clammy chill which carried a faint odious vapor with it. Even the scrub grass which grows sparsely in that land was absent around the foreboding area; the ground was black and barren, and they seen no sign of any living thing for nearly a mile.
Seated astride their splendid mounts, the masked man and his aboriginal comrade regarded the bleak structure with misgivings. Unlike the typical Kiva, religious structures used by the Indians of the American Southwest for their ancient heathen rituals, this structure stood by itself, far from the cliff dwelings. Its opening, surounded by a low adobe rim, resembled nothing so much as the phantasmagorical maw of some antedilivuian beast, the bones of which normally are only seen in museums.
“Cant recollect Ive ever laid eyes on a Kiva like that,” mused the Lone Ranger in a hushed tone. “How old would you say it is, Tonto?”
“Ugh, me not know,” replied his stoic coppery countenanced companion.
“Confound it!” the masked rider vented angrily. “I know you speak English, Spanish and half a dozen Indian dialects. How is it you cannot manage correct pronouns?”
As his friend turned his head in grieved silence, the Ranger regretted his outburst. Before moving to the wilderness of Texas, his family had been among the oldest and most prominent of the gentry in New England and his innate breeding should have given him the tact to avoid giving offense. “Walll”, he said after a silence, “Since three townsfolk have been missing after they expressed interest in the treasure allegedly buried in this pagan structure, it is our duty to investigate.”
Alighting from his steed, the Ranger uncoiled his trusty lariat from its hook on his saddle and fastened one end securely to a projection on the outer ring of the Kiva. As he placed one polished boot on the rim, he turned and said, “Tonto, perhaps you had best secure our steeds in the shadow of those rather withered and unhealthy trees, since the direct sunlight cannot be good for their health. Then wait for me to climb back up.”
The Indian brave took the reins of the great white stallion which was most appropriately named Silver, but there was apprehension on his lined face. By that, I mean Tontos face, not Silvers. “Kemo sabe, me think there is bad medicine in that hole. Me hear tales of the Old Ones who lived here in the long ago time, before even the red man. Maybe best you wait for me”. “Balderdash,” scoffed the noble champion of justice, flashing his brilliant smile. “What evil spirit can stand against silver bullets fired by one whose heart is pure?”
With obvious reluctance, the redman rode his painted pony to the shade, towing the magnificent argent beast with him, as behind him the masked man clambered lithely down the foreboding opening. Even as Tonto secured the reins to the trees, which did indeed look as if they had long been exposed to a malign influence, he heard the crisp retorts of two Colt revolvers being fired.
Faster than he would have thought possible, the agitiated brave raced back to the Kiva and thrust his weathered face over the opening, In his hand was his own weapon, drawing without his realized it. For only a second, he listened and then he whirled in fled in a dire panic dreadful to see in a man of such proven courage. The horse Silver he abandoned where it stood, later to be taken by wandering Navajo.
Tonto himself was a broken man after that, losing much weight and babbling dementedly, taking to strong drink and staying behind locked doors the remainder of his life. When asked what could have wrought such a change in his formerly heroic constitution, he would only mumble, “Chewing….me heard CHEWING!”
________________________ WHAT IF… Norvell Page Wrote an Oz Story?
RED PAIN SLAVES OF THE BLOOD DEATH KING
Dorothy reeled back in horror against the door of the summer palace. The Emerald City was in flames, crimson tongues of fire roaring upward but not drowning out the screams of pain. All around her,, hundreds of Munchkins were staggering in agony as red blood poured from their mouths and noses. As the Kansan gasped in disbelief, a dying Munchkin collapsed against her, lifes blood spewing from his face onto her blue gingham dress. "Ewww, gross," she said and pushed him off. <br><br>Horrified beyond words, the young girl turned back to where her best friends in Oz stood in the doorway behind her. The Tin Woodsmans cold metallic face was unreadable, but Glinda……! On Glindas lovely ageless countenance was a scowl of pure hatred. <br><br>"These mishaps never happened in Oz before your arrival, she hissed at Dorothy. You must be responsible, Kansan! Kill her, Woodman!" <br><br>Even as the unliving horror drew back his mighty axe, Dorothy reacted. Her exploits in Oz had sharpened her wits and toughened her body, and for an eight year old, she was extremely dangerous. She knew Nick Choppers weakness. Even as he drew his axe high overhead, the Kansan leaped forward and shoved him hard in the chest with both hands. Taken off balance, the Woodman fell with a loud metallic clang and she knew from their past adventures together that he could not rise quickly.
Whirling toward Glinda, Dorothy cried out. “Have you gone mad? The citys on fire! Your people are dying from this strange affliction. Now is when we must work together to make things right." But there was a strange evil glitter in the Good Witchs eyes, and as she raised her star tipped wand, lurid red sparkles danced around it. In another instant, Dorothy would have been blasted into charcoal but quick as a litttle cat, the Kansan seized the Woodmans axe. The short tool was surprisingly light (it was made of tin after all) and she whirled it to smash the wand from Glindas hand. Even in her desperation, Dorothy was careful to use the flat of the blade, not the edge. As the magic wand went flying, Dorothy spun to flee. She had to find out what was behind this. Could the Nome King have somehow cast a spell on Glinda?
Dorothy knew there was a farm just down the road with a scarecrow in its field. If she could reach it, she could disguise herself as her friend, the famous living Scarecrow, and be able to move around freely while she found out what was going on.
“Stop!” commanded Glindas icy voice. "Have you forgotten....Toto?" <br><br>Freezing where she was, Dorothy turned with reluctance to see Glindas servants wheeling out a large circus cage which was seperated into two compartments. In the smaller section was her beloved Toto, cringing in the corner, eyes rolling wildly. And in the other compartment, roaring and foaming at the mouth, was the Cowardly Lion. The great beast was too enraged to speak, its bloodshot eyes fixed on the tiny little pitiful beast almost within its reach.
“Hah hahhh” laughed Glinda in hideous triumph. “The Lion has not been fed in three days and he is not Cowardly anymore only Ravenous. If I give the word, the barrier between him and your miserable little mutt will be lifted. Well, Kansan, wlll you surrender?”
In a few second, the young girl suffered terribly as she realized her awful decision. But Dorothy Gale came from tough pioneer stock and had never been one to give up. Quick as a bunny, she raced to the cage and brought the axe down as hard as her skinny little arms could weild it to snap off the lock on the cage holding the Lion. Even as she dropped flat, the great brute leaped over her to pounce full upon Glinda.
The hideous scene that followed does not bear describing (the editor said no). As Glinda met her fate at those leonine fangs, her spell broke. The Munchkins stopped spewing blood and the burning city began to return to normal. Casting a wary eye on the feasting lion, the Kansan bent to pluck up the star tipped wand where its late owner had dropped it. A wry smile was on Dorothy`s lips. Killing witches was getting to be a habit with her.
______________________ WHAT IF… Shakespeare Wrote a Mike Hammer Story?
That very breath which inspires warmth and animation into this mortal clay fled her lips as doth mist off ice in the noonday sun. Still she found the will to speak.
“How couldst thou?” spake the virago and I in turn rushed to answer ere flesh and spirit were forever sundered.
“With ease,” I spake to ears which, alas, would never hear aught more.
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! ——————————————————————————– 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.
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:
The book, of course.
Free shipping.
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.
