Tagged: anthology

PRO SE OPEN UPDATED AND NEW ANTHOLOGIES ADDED!

PRO SE OPEN UPDATED AND NEW ANTHOLOGIES ADDED!

  • News
  • October 19, 2012

The Pro Se Open has its own page now! http://pulpmachine.blogspot.com/p/pro-se-open.html

The Pro Se Open is a list of Anthologies that Pro Se Productions, a leading publisher of Heroic Fiction and New Pulp plans to do in the future. This is an open call on all the books listed in the Open, that is anyone can submit a story for any of the books in the list. For some of the anthologies, there is no deadline essentially, that is until all the slots open in any given book are filled. However, some will have deadlines attached and these will be noted by each individual title.


The Process will be as follows-
1. An upcoming Anthology is listed in the Pro Se Open.
2. Submissions are accepted (a 2-3 paragraph proposal for the story and at least a two page writing sample if you are a new writer submitting to Pro Se)
3. When the slots for the collection are all filled, a deadline for story completion will be set of approximately ninety days from the closing of the anthology. This will give writers time to complete their tales, artists time to do covers, etc.
4. The book will be published within approximately 30 days following the passing of the deadline.

 Even though the deadline will be 2-3 months out once a book is closed, Editors assigned to these projects will follow up, monitor, and make sure work is being done. Steps will be taken to move the anthology along as planned if work is not being done in a timely manner.  This means, however, that until all the slots are filled on an anthology in The Pro Se Open, it will remain open, but it is Pro Se’s commitment that once all the works are in for a particular collection, that that collection move into high gear toward publication, regardless of current publishing schedule.

The Pro Se Open will be updated periodically as to adding new collections and removing ones that have been filled.
New Anthologies to the Open as of 10/18/12 are As Follows-

TALL PULP– Although every country has its mythologies, none quite have the same flavor as that of that infant of a nation, The Good Ol’ US of A.   Instead of Gods and such, a whole crop of larger than life type heroes and characters have popped up throughout American history, collectively known as ‘Tall Tales’…   TALL PULP (tentative title) will focus on characters who populate American Folklore, such as Paul Bunyan, Mike Fink, Pecos Bill, and more!  These stories, each 10,000 words in length, will be Pulp minded tales that focus on one Tall Tale figure (either completely fictional or the tall tale version of a real person, such as Davy Crockett).  These stories may either be retellings of the original legends with a Pulp flavor, set in the original time period of the characters themselves, or can be completely new updatings of these characters into other settings (John Henry in 1930s Chicago for instance)  Three stories, 10,000 word stories

COVERT OPS: GEMINI– Not all spies are actors, models, or…spies in their off mission time.  Under a particular program in the United States, active since the 1950s, hundreds, maybe even thousands of America’s top secret operatives live the majority of their lives as housewives, plumbers, teachers, garbagemen, and other ordinary, even mundane existences.  But when they receive a message with their own personal codename followed by a single word- Gemini- then they leave suburbia or the rat race and become America’s only hope for survival.  Outside of their ‘real’ lives, these spies show skills and talents not ever apparent in their daily existence.  Guided by a voice known only as ‘Officer James’, C.O.G. Team Leaders stand ready to pull the best and most devious spies available to the US out of the humdrum and plunge them straight into danger.  Three stories, 10,000 words each (If interested, request bible).

BADGE CITY–  This collection is all Police Procedural, but with a slight twist.   Set in an unnamed metropolis, referred to by the local cops and even crooks as Badge City due to the tenacity of the police force, the three stories in this collection will be set in three different time periods and each story will focus on a member of the Connors Family, each one serving on the Police force in some capacity.   Starting in the 1930s-50s, then moving onto the 1960s-80s, and ending in the 1990s-now, three writers get the opportunity to write true police procedurals as written in the eras covered while building the history of a family and a city! Think Dragnet meets 87th Precinct meets Blue Bloods.   Three stories, 10,000 words each (If interested, request bible.)

Anthologies previously listed in the Pro Se Open  and their status are as follows- 

PULPOLOGY– It has been said often that Pulp has its origins in ancient tales, legends, the mythologies of many lands. Taking this to heart, this anthology will feature stories starring characters from mythologies around the world! Actual mythological characters in new adventures set in their own era, the ancient world of heroes and monsters, or updated takes on classic myths (Jason and The Argonauts in the Old West, for example). Either way, these stories will spotlight the characters and strengths of mythologies world wide and put a two fisted, high octane Pulp spin on the legends themselves! 3 Stories, 10,000 words each. VOLUME ONE OF THIS ANTHOLOGY IS CLOSED PENDING ACCEPTED STORIES BEING TURNED IN, ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FOR VOLUME TWO
SIX GUNS AND SPACESHIPS– This is a wide open, do it as you want Space Western Anthology. The requirements- It’s got to be a mash up between classic westerns and space opera (Firefly, Outland, Bravestarr, just a few examples). It doesn’t take place on Earth at all, has to be off planet, but time period and location beyond that are up to the writer! Three Stories, 10,000 word stories VOLUME ONE OF THIS ANTHOLOGY IS CLOSED PENDING ACCEPTED STORIES BEING TURNED IN, ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FOR VOLUME TWO

TO LOVE AND DIE– Pulp Romance is back! And its deadlier than ever! These stories will be set in any time period up until modern day and must feature two things-Romance…and Treachery. These stories may be mysteries, horror tales, adventure yarns, whatever, but there must be a strong core of romance mixed with danger throughout. Three Open Slots, 10,000 word stories- VOLUME ONE OF THIS ANTHOLOGY IS CLOSED PENDING ACCEPTED STORIES BEING TURNED IN. ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FOR VOLUME TWO

THE BLACK FEDORA-A BOOK OF VILLAINS– This is just what it says it is, an anthology dedicated to stories about the bad guys we love to hate. These stories will focus on original villains and of course the heroes they face, these tales similar in style to the FU MANCHU stories of the past. But this isn’t only for yellow perils!! Any type of villain that populates pulp is welcome to try on THE BLACK FEDORA! VOLUME ONE OF THIS ANTHOLOGY IS CLOSED PENDING ACCEPTED STORIES BEING TURNED IN, ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FOR VOLUME TWO

NEWSHOUNDS! – Dogged reporters, crusty editors, copyboys and cub photographers with dreams of grandeur, Pressmen who know the city lives and breathes by what they print! One of the most fertile grounds for action packed pulp has always been the newspaper office. And all those wonderful character types and more all work for The Partisan, a 1950s paper partial to the common man, to righting the wrongs done against the innocent and the weak! And this gaggle of hard bitten, hard fighitng men and women are known near and far to those who love them and those who wish to see them dead! Do No Wrong in Their City unless you want it covered by the Newshounds! 3 Stories, 10,000 word stories) If Interested, request Bible.  THREE SLOTS STILL OPEN

THE ADVENTURES OF MOOSE AND SKWIRL, TROUBLETAKERS- Trouble happens everywhere in the universe. Any time. Any place. And to make sure whatever cockeyed balance there is is kept, the universe takes care of itself, assigning special individuals to the unpredictable, unrewarding, and usually life threatening task of just being in the completely wrong places at the totally right times to hopefully keep everyone…or most everyone from dying. But the universe doesn’t trust just one person to do this, no it works in groups of two. Moose-Stocky, barrel chested, two fisted, sarcastic, and ready to deliver a soliloquy over the bodies of whoever stands in his way… And Skwirl-Seductive, sexy, and with a sense of humor that could kill….literally. These two ‘Trouble Takers’ travel space and time very much at random, figuring out whatever issue they are thrown into and then fixing it. In their own unique, usually very destructive, bloody way. Three stories, 10,000 word stories ( If interested, request short bible for this one). TWO STORIES APPROVED, ONE SLOT REMAININGTHE 

NINTH CIRCLE-VOLUME ONE, This collection centers around a crime ridden precinct and borough in a city that shuffles its misbegotten and forgotten to THE NINTH CIRCLE. Three Slots-10,000 word stories (If interested, request short bible for this one) TWO SLOTS OPEN, 12,500 WORD STORIES

HIGH ADVENTURE HISTORY-Ever wanted a chance to write a masked man enforcing justice in ancient Egypt? Or a larger than life genius and his team of heroes righting wrongs in renaissance Italy? Or mad scientists terrorizing the Arizona desert towns of the Old West? Then here’s your chance! HIGH ADVENTURE HISTORY will include stories of traditional pulp concepts and tropes plopped into our very own past, pre 1900! Take your favorite pulp stereotype and wrap it up in ancient or not so ancient places and people and join us in HIGH ADVENTURE HISTORY! Three stories, 10,000 word stories- TWO SLOTS OPEN

THE SHAMUS DIRECTIVE is a project actually founded in historical context. Just prior to and all during World War Two, The United States government via the FBI as well as members of the Armed Forces, developed dossiers on all licensed Private Investigators in the country. A list was then comprised of the ones deemed appropriate and ‘good’ and they were then considered to be ‘cleared’ to be used in espionage missions, mostly on the homefront, or missions that regular forces just could not deal with for various reasons. THE SHAMUS DIRECTIVE poses the theory that not only was this list compiled, but the people on it were truly the world’s greatest detectives and they were formed into sort of a team to handle major issues in conjunction, even maybe saving major parcels of land and people in the process. Six stories , 10,000 word stories (If interested, request short bible for this one) TWO SLOTS OPEN 

If you’re a writer or artist and are interested in these anthologies or have questions, email Editor in Chief Tommy Hancock at proseproductions@earthlink.net! And check out Pro Se at www.prosepulp.com and www.pulpmachine.blogspot.com.



LANCE STAR: SKY RANGER VOL. 4 ARTIST ANNOUNCED

  • Uncategorized
  • October 18, 2012
Art: Scott “Doc” Vaughn (not Lance Star art)

Art: Felipe Echevarria

Airship 27 Productions has announced the artist for Volume 4 their wildly popular pulp anthology series, Lance Star: Sky Ranger. Artist Scott “Doc” Vaughn will join writers Bobby Nash, Sean Taylor, Andrew Salmon, and Jim Beard and cover artist Felipe Echevarria for the continuing adventures of America’s Favorite Air Ace!

Look for Lance Star: Sky Ranger vol. 4 coming from Airship 27 Productions.
For more information on Airship 27 Productions, visit them on-line at www.airship27.com and www.gopulp.info

For more information on Lance Star: Sky Ranger, visit www.lance-star.com
Lance Star: Sky Ranger volumes 1, 2, & 3, and the Lance Star comic book “One Shot!” are still available.

Peter Cannon Thunderbolt Review


Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt Returns at Dynamite
Peter Cannon Thunderbolt is back and Dynamite delivers it with style with a new number one that came out last month.
Dynamite has done a great job with taking old pulp concepts like Lord Of The Jungle and bringing them back with a new look and style, yet remaining true to the concept.  Peter Cannon is no exception.
Issue one opens with the Thunderbolt battling a dragon.  Experiments with nuclear testing caused a  dragon to appear in the sky.  It was subdued (for the moment) by the Thunderbolt and led countries to talks about nuclear disarmament.  We flash forward two years later and Peter is looking miserable as he prepares to be interviewed on another talk show.  The thunderbolt identity is known to the world.  Peter did this to stop people from being hounded by reporters – now finds himself facing the challenges of celebrity and fame.  Things didn’t go quite as expected and Peter seems to be searching for a way to overcome the distractions in his life. 
Along the way, new and old acquaintances to the previous thunderbolt series make their appearances, foreshadowing future issues to come.  The conclusion is unexpected and in a good way.  Steve Darnall and Alex Ross managed to capture a lot of the qualities that made the character so intriguing, and manage to build an intriguing mystery to keep you coming back for more.  Jonathan Lau’s Thunderbolt is impressive, but I think my favorite panel in the issue is peter, alone in his dressing, head down and drowned in shadow.  In conveyed his personal happiness better than anything else in the whole issue. It’s the little storytelling things that make or break a good book and that little panel was a nice touch.   A credit should also be shared with Vinicius Andrade for that as well. 
Beyond the main story, Mark Waid introduces Pete Morisi Thunderbolt story never before published.  A little bit of that Charlton fanboy in me squeed at reading this retelling of Peter Cannon’s origin.  Who better to tell it then Morisi himself? 
Originally, this story was going to be published for DC Comics in the Secret Origin’s anthology that Mark Waid was editing at the time.  Due to unforeseen circumstances, the story never was published until now.  In it you meet Peter Cannon, and get a great re-telling of his origin.  You see him train and master the ancient scrolls to become the Thunderbolt.   The hooded one, the man studying the scrolls before Peter was chosen for them, also appears and begins to become a thorn in Peter’s life, from his trials to the main plot of the first story.
Using his telepathy, the hooded one manipulates Lucifer Barnes into hatching a dinosaur egg and sets it loose in the city.  As the thunderbolt, Cannon foils the plot and vows never ever to be that man again…until next time.
Additionally, there is an essay written by Steve Darnall called Pete’s Dragon, which talks about the influences for the main story in the book which is a fascinating read.
You’d be very hard pressed to find a book this week worth the money paid for then with this.  Two comic stories – including a Peter Morisi comic, a promising first issue and one of the amazing four covers for the book, all in all a great comic worth reading.

  • News
  • October 15, 2012

Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt #1 Review

Peter Cannon Thunderbolt is back and Dynamite delivers it with style with a new number one that came out this week.
Dynamite has done a great job with taking old pulp concepts like Lord Of The Jungle and bringing them back with a new look and style, yet remaining true to the concept.  Peter Cannon is no exception.
Issue one opens with the Thunderbolt battling a dragon.  Experiments with nuclear testing caused a  dragon to appear in the sky.  It was subdued (for the moment) by the Thunderbolt and led countries to talks about nuclear disarmament.  We flash forward two years later and Peter is looking miserable as he prepares to be interviewed on another talk show.  The thunderbolt identity is known to the world.  Peter did this to stop people from being hounded by reporters – now finds himself facing the challenges of celebrity and fame.   
Things didn’t go quite as expected and Peter seems to be searching for a way to overcome the distractions in his life. 
Along the way, new and old acquaintances to the previous thunderbolt series make their appearances, foreshadowing future issues to come.  The conclusion is unexpected and in a good way.  Steve Darnall and Alex Ross managed to capture a lot of the qualities that made the character so intriguing, and manage to build an intriguing mystery to keep you coming back for more.  Jonathan Lau’s Thunderbolt is impressive, but I think my favorite panel in the issue is peter, alone in his dressing, head down and drowned in shadow.  In conveyed his personal happiness better than anything else in the whole issue. It’s the little storytelling things that make or break a good book and that little panel was a nice touch.   A credit should also be shared with Vinicius Andrade for that as well. 
Beyond the main story, Mark Waid introduces Pete Morisi Thunderbolt story never before published.  A little bit of that Charlton fanboy in me squeed at reading this retelling of Peter Cannon’s origin.  Who better to tell it then Morisi himself? 
Originally, this story was going to be published for DC Comics in the Secret Origin’s anthology that Mark Waid was editing at the time.  Due to unforeseen circumstances, the story never was published until now.  In it you meet Peter Cannon, and get a great re-telling of his origin.  You see him train and master the ancient scrolls to become the Thunderbolt.   The hooded one, the man studying the scrolls before Peter was chosen for them, also appears and begins to become a thorn in Peter’s life, from his trials to the main plot of the first story.
Using his telepathy, the hooded one manipulates Lucifer Barnes into hatching a dinosaur egg and sets it loose in the city.  As the thunderbolt, Cannon foils the plot and vows never ever to be that man again…until next time.
Additionally, there is an essay written by Steve Darnall called Pete’s Dragon, which talks about the influences for the main story in the book which is a fascinating read.
You’d be very hard pressed to find a book this week worth the money paid for then with this.  Two comic stories – including a Peter Morisi comic, a promising first issue and one of the amazing four covers for the book, all in all a great comic worth reading.

Review: Aces Weekly – Today’s Newest Future

I like anthology comics. For one thing, that’s how the comic book medium started – single-character comics didn’t really start until about six years down the road. For another, the anthology format reinvented comics with 2000AD back in the mid-1970s. Today, the anthology format is all but gone, with the notable – and highly laudable – exception of Dark Horse Presents, Creator-Owned Comics and a handful of others.

I like electronic publishing in general and electronic comics publishing in specific. I am a well-known advocate of the movement, at least in my own mind. Well before e-comics became real, I had a debate with my pal and oft-time co-conspirator Mark Wheatley, one of the most innovative and hardest-working people in the known universe. Mark advocated the potential of e-comics expanding the medium by incorporating effects that would move the medium past the boundaries imposed by print. Whereas I agreed with that position, I maintained that such additions move comic books into… something else. Not bad, not good – that depends on content. But nonetheless… something else.

Since then we’ve had various and sundry incursions into the multimedia comics world, the best known being “motion comics.” Interesting, but short of scintillating. But this is a nascent form in need of development, innovation and coddling.

Then my pal David Lloyd (Kickback, Night Raven, Doctor Who, V For Vendetta, Espers, Hellblazer, Wasteland … jeez, this guy has done a lot and, yeah, I’ve got a lot of pals who make great comics; what of it?) decided to combine the anthology concept of the past with the computer magic of an hour-and-a-half ago.

And by “an hour-and-a-half ago,” I mean that almost literally. His new title, Aces Weekly, debuted yesterday.

You’ve probably read about it in all sorts of places. I was lucky enough to get a head’s-up during last month’s Baltimore Comic-Con; Mark Wheatley showed me the first hundred pages of “Return Of The Human,” the series he’s doing with may pal (yeah, yeah) J.C. Vaughn. And I was left panting.

In addition to David, Mark and J.C., Aces Weekly offers us the talent of (take a deep breath) Kyle Baker, David Hitchcock, Herb Trimpe, David Leach, Billy Tucci, Bill Sienkiewicz, Marc Hempel, James Hudnall, Steve Bissette, Val Mayerick, Henry Flint, Dan Christensen, Dave Hine, Colleen Doran, and a lot of others of similar high caliber. No, not all are in the first issue: it’s a weekly, and as one story ends another begins, and the talent recovers.

Aces Weekly costs $9.99 per seven-issue subscription – the anthology is published in seven issue “volumes,” which is a clever idea. It’s online-only, all the material is original, and once you buy it you can read it wherever and whenever you have web access. It’s all creator-owned and, evidently, creators aren’t overly burdened by control-freak editors like me.

Check it out at www.acesweekly.co.uk. No matter how cynical you may be, have your credit card ready.

Oh, yeah. It says up there in the headline “review,” so here’s my review:

I’m jealous as hell.

 

Psychopomp Volume #1

Psychopomp Volume #1

  • News
  • September 29, 2012

PSYCHOPOMP VOLUME #1 RELEASED FOR KINDLE ON AMAZON

London (NW3), 29th September, 2012 – Published by Vietnamese Wallflowers, the first edition of new anthology title Psychopomp debuts for Kindle e-readers and apps on Amazon this weekend.

Featuring short stories by seven new and upcoming authors from North London and around the world, Psychopomp showcases the best in both genre and literary fiction, a combination of challenging and engaging tales to intrigue all readers.

Originating within the leafy calm of Hampstead and established to give voice to local authors and likeminded friends and colleagues the world over, Psychopomp intends to address and explore themes of loss and departure within the context of modern pop culture and shifting genres. The work is structured in such a way that each author approaches their conflict on a personal level, coaxing and inviting the reader into communion with the heart of their themes.

Present for dissemination within the first volume are tales of time travel, isolation, obnoxious passengers on public transport, public executions, endless shadows and failed romance. Each story is both a challenge and a secret, an invitation to delve deeper into ideas and events that underpin our everyday lives yet are forever set apart by emotional resonance.

Described by Vietnamese Wallflowers author and nouveau pornographer, Kevin Joyce as being comparative of the ancient Greek nekyia –the ritual of journeying into the dark and asking questions of the future – Psychopomp is a collection of stories for those who have set sail from traditional realms and entered into darker waters.

Of paramount importance to Carl Jung’s theories of analytical psychology, the nekyia forces the traveller to ask questions of him or herself; questions to which answers may not be entirely welcomed. Through Psychopomp, the reader is invited upon their own journey.

Showcasing work by Martin David Edwards, Samuel James White, Jack Buxton, Jericho Vilar, Adrian J. Watts, Alice Old and Jacob Milnestein, Psychopomp is over 40 pages of unique storytelling and engaging tales from the emerging North West London set and beyond.

Available now from Amazon, Psychopomp Volume One is priced at $1.

For further information please contact Kevin Joyce at utsukushuu.dreamer@gmail.com.
Follow us on twitter – @Psychopompadour
Follow us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/psychopompmedia

THE ROOK FLIES AGAIN!

  • Uncategorized
  • September 26, 2012
Art: George Sellas

New Pulp Author Barry Reese announced the creative line up of writers contributing stories to Tales of The Rook Volume Two, coming soon from Pro Se Press.

Press Release:

The Rook first took flight into the world of New Pulp with the release of his debut story, “Lucifer’s Cage,” in 2006. Since then, he’s starred in six volumes of his own adventures, plus a comic book adventure in All-Star Pulp Comics # 1. The character has become a New Pulp standard-bearer and is recognized both inside and out of the ever-growing field. A favorite of many artists, The Rook has been depicted by the likes of George Sellas, Frank Brunner, Norm Breyfogle, Ed Mironiuk and Anthony Castrillo.

Art: Bob Hall

Earlier this year, Tales of The Rook Vol. 1 was released to great critical and commercial acclaim, debuting at # 1 on the New Pulp Best Seller List. Now comes of the follow-up volume, which will see print in 2013 from the Reese Unlimited imprint of Pro Se Press.

Rook creator Barry Reese says, “All of the authors who took part in Volume One did a wonderful job but I wanted to continue mixing things up, getting different visions of the character and his universe. To achieve that, I only sent out invitations to authors who didn’t take part in the previous book — and I think we’ve got one heck of a lineup!”

Pro Se Editor-in-Chief Tommy Hancock, who took part in the first volume, shares that same belief. “There’s nothing like a great idea. Except when that great idea has enough legs to come around again. Pro Se is ecstatic about Tales of the Rook Volume 2 and the ever-growing collection of writers leaving their stamp on this iconic character.’

Lined up for Volume Two:

Russ Anderson, author of We Keep the Cars Running and the editor of the How the West Was Weird series.

Jim Beard, author of Sgt. Janus, Spirit-Breaker and Captain Action – Riddle of the Glowing Men.

Adam Lance Garcia, author of The Green Lama – Unbound and The New Adventures of Richard Knight.

James Palmer,author of Slow Djinn and the mastermind behind Mechanoid Press.

Sean Taylor, author of The Ruby Files and Gene Simmons’ Dominatrix.

Creator Barry Reese will also be contributing a brand-new Rook story.

THE MAN OF A THOUSAND FACES IS BACK IN ACTION!

  • News
  • September 24, 2012
Secret Agent X back cover art/design: Rob Davis

Airship 27 Productions has shared the back cover of the upcoming fourth volume of its popular SECRET AGENT X pulp anthology series. Edited by Ron Fortier, Secret Agent X Vol. 4 features stories by Bobby Nash, Jarrod Courtemanche, Kevin Noel Olsen, and Frank Schildiner. Back cover art and design by Rob Davis.

Expect cover art and interior illustratior announcements soon.

REVIEW: Terra Nova

Any time Steven Spielberg comes to television, it’s always with something different. He honored the anthology series of his youth with Amazing Stories and lent his storytelling expertise to get ER launched, making that into a smash hit for NBC. So, when Fox heard of a series about humans and dinosaurs and Spielberg, it seemed like a no brainer. If anyone could get dinosaurs to work convincingly on the small screen, it was the director of Jurassic Park. What the network couldn’t count on was the full extent of Spielberg’s involvement and in time the series was placed under showrunner Brannon Braga’s control. Braga cut his teeth on Star Trek: The Next Generation and has gone on to do other genre fare, but he can’t seem to repeatedly sacrifice characterization in favor of conspiracy and that’s where Terra Nova fell off the rails.

Delayed by schedule issues as the massive CGI prehistoric creatures proved more difficult to execute on a budget, the series debuted last fall and for 14 episodes, we were treated to a series with tremendous potential, most of it wasted.

In 2149, mankind has choked the world so badly that time travel to resettle humanity in the past was the best hope for survival. A colony was established and those fortunate enough to be picked were sent in waves, controlling the impact of man altering the past. We follow the Shannon family from this wretched dystopia to the clean air of the past and see if people can do better when given a better chance. Jim Shannon (Jason O’Mara) is in jail for violating population laws and conceiving a third child but is broken free and joins his wife, Dr. Elisabeth Shannon (Shelley Conn), 17 year old son Josh (Landon Liboiron), 16 year old daughter Maddy (Naomi Scott), and five year old Zoe (Alana Mansour), as they join the Tenth Pilgrimage 85 Million years back in time.

Terra Nova is a thriving colony under the command of Commander Nathaniel Taylor (Stephen Lang) and contains enough raw power to protect the populace from the mammoth critters that wander the jungles just beyond their walls. While the thrust of the stories should have been the struggle to adapt to the environment and its deadly inhabitants, Braga had other ideas. Apparently, The Others, I mean the Sixers split back during the sixth pilgrimage and are working with unknown forces back in the future to seize the pristine world’s resources. Then there’s the mystery of Taylor’s son, a genius who was either part of the conspiracy or its pawn. Add in a blackmarketeer, a teen turned traitor to save her ill mother, young romance, and a few other threads, you get a crazy quilt of plots that could actually be told in any other environment.

The show failed to be different from its genre competitors because it avoided the most unique element going for it: dinosaurs! Man versus nature! How do the people adapt to diseases, microbes, and minerals they never encountered before? How do they ensure each step they take beyond the colony does not in some way create a vastly different tomorrow? Nope, the show skips all of those possibilities for conspiracies and soap operas.

The appealing cast does its best with weak material but by the end of the series, it was clear that there would be little progress in solving these dilemmas and when the plug was mercifully pulled in March, it vanished without much of an imprint in the genre or prime time television.

The complete series is presented on four standard definition discs from 20th Century Home Entertainment. In addition to fourteen hours of drama, the set comes with complete with some vaguely interesting deleted scenes and an extended version of “Occupation/Resistance”, the two-part finale (there’s also an audio commentary from Stephen Lang, Brannon Braga and Rene Echevarria). There are a handful of somewhat interesting “Director’s Diaries – Making the Pilot” with comments from Alex Graves, whose work I have generally admired. Finally, there is a brief look at “Cretaceous Life: The Dinosaurs of Terra Nova”, which should enlighten younger viewers who can’t get enough dinosaurs, and “Mysteries Explored”, delving into the less interest aspects of this failed series. Rounding things out is a gag reel.

A series with potential like this is all the more disappointing when it does not embrace its strengths in favor of a creator’s personal interests. Had Spielberg been more hands on, things might have turned out differently, but as it stands, the show is a mildly engaging misfire.

AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCES SINBAD – THE NEW VOYAGES

  • Uncategorized
  • September 17, 2012

Press Release:
SET SAIL FOR ADVENTURE

Airship 27 Productions announces the release of their newest pulp anthology title, SINBAD – The New Voyages.

The greatest seafaring adventurer of all times returns to the high seas, Sinbad the Sailor!

Born of countless legends and myths, this fearless rogue sets sail across the seven seas aboard his ship, the Blue Nymph, accompanied by an international crew of colorful, larger-than-life characters. Chief among these are the irascible Omar, a veteran seamen and trusted first mate, the blond Viking giant, Ralf Gunarson, the sophisticated archer from Gaul, Henri Delacrois and the mysterious, lovely and deadly female samurai, Tishimi Osara.  All of them banded together to follow their famous captain on perilous new voyages across the world’s oceans.

“This was another opportunity for us to explore another classic pulp genre,” Managing Editor Ron Fortier explained.  “Fantasy high adventure was a popular setting in many of the more exotic themed pulp titles of the 1930s.  Doing one starring Sinbad seemed a natural choice for us.”

Writers Nancy Hansen, I.A. Watson and Derrick Ferguson offer up three classic Sinbad tales to rival those of legend while adding a familiar sensibility from the cult favorite Sinbad movies of FX master, Ray Harryhausen.  SINBAD – The New Voyages will enthrall and entertain all lovers of fantasy adventure in a brand new way; featuring cover art by Bryan Fowler and twelve black and white illustrations by Ralf van der Hoeven.

“From inception to realization, this was one of the fastest titles we’ve ever put together,” Fortier added.  “In fact we received so many submissions that we had enough to fill two books.  You can expect volume two to sail over the horizon soon.  And we couldn’t be happier.”

So pack up your you traveling bags, bid ado to your loved ones and get ready to sail with the tide as Sinbad El Ari takes the tiller and the Blue Nymph sets sails once more; its destination worlds of wonder, mystery and high adventure. 

AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTIONS – Pulp Fiction For A New Generation!

Now available as $3 PDF download
From Create Space
Later from Indy Planet.com POD
And coming soon to Amazon & Kindle.

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