It is somehow appropriate that the very first title in Moonstone Book’s new line of small paperback novellas would be the late Howard Hopkins, “The Lone Ranger – Vendetta.” Howard, who passed away unexpectedly last winter at the age of 49, though a versatile writer in all genres, was primarily known for his western novels under the penname of Lance Howard. Thus when Moonstone acquired the rights to produce new prose adventures of the famous Masked Man and his Indian companion Tonto, it would be to Hopkins they would turn first.
“The Lone Ranger – Vendetta,” is Howard at his finest, at ease narrating a fictional adventure of the old west that is still deeply rooted in the authentic aspects of that setting. Hopkins knew western lore, culture and lingo.His delving into the Native American spiritualism that motivates the Ranger’s companion is brilliant and adds as yet another layer to a character many of us have known most of our lives. Hopkins also has no difficulty accepting this hero’s old fashion moral code about never taking a life, of always wanting to serve justice and never capitulating to his own personal desires for vengeance which is the theme of this short novella.
From out of the Ranger’s tortured past comes as yet another monster in human form seeking to wreak pain and suffering on our hero and all those he holds dear.This time the villain is none other than the widow of Butch Cavendish, the outlaw who ambushed the six Texas Rangers in Brian’s Gap and in the process created one of the most iconic legends ever to come out of the old west.Unbeknown to the Ranger and Tonto, Cavendish had been married and now this female murderer launches an insidious plan to find, capture and kill the Lone Ranger. But before she does so, she and her gang of cutthroats invade the town of Coopersville and proceed to butcher its citizenry.
All too quickly the Lone Ranger discovers for himself that female species is often deadlier than the male. But to stop her will he have to sacrifice his life and at long last fill the empty grave that await him in Brian’s Gap? “The Lone Ranger – Vendetta,” is a fast paced, thought provoking action western that looks beneath the man named John Reid and his history, revealing a heart big as the west and just as noble.That it would mark the final chapter in a gifted writer’s stellar career is truly fitting, as Howard Hopkins the man was as large a talent as the hero he loved so much.
This is a book to own and treasure for all western fans; young and old.Thanks Howard, and until we meet again, happy trails.
HAWK: Hand of the Machine– now in paperback and on Kindle!
(May 29, 2012)White Rocket Books proudly announces the release both in trade paperback and Kindle formats of HAWK: HAND OF THE MACHINE, a far-future science fiction adventure novel by award-winning author Van Allen Plexico (The Sentinels; Assembled!), set after the invasion and devastation of our galaxy.
Conjuring images of the great adventure-fiction lawmen of literature, from the Lone Ranger to Green Lantern, HAWK: HAND OF THE MACHINEintroduces us to Hawk, an officer in service of the great Machine intellect that protects the survivors of our galaxy.Awakening naked and screaming in a post-apocalyptic future, he discovers our already-shattered worlds being overrun anew by savage alien invaders—and the Machine strangely silent.Plunging into action, he finds himself armed with only a few high-tech weapons and a sentient spacecraft with its own hidden agenda.Now he must discover the truth about the attackers, about himself—and about the other Hands of the Machine.Do any still live?If so, will they help him or hinder him?And, most critically of all:Is Hawk himself really who he seems, or is he something far worse: the greatest traitor and criminal in all of history?
“HAWK—the character and his setting—came to my mind in almost complete form a few years ago,” says Plexico.“But with the success of my Sentinels novels, he sort of got pushed to the back burner for a while. Now White Rocket Books is rectifying that situation.Hawk is, I’m confident in asserting, far too good of a character to ignore for long.His story should grab anyone who enjoys the idea of the lone lawman patrolling the lawless expanses of Earth and the depths of space—from the Lone Ranger to Babylon 5’s Rangers to Raylan Givens of Justified—and dealing with all sorts of unsavory menaces.And then, as the action escalates to truly epic levels, with futuristic armies clashing across alien landscapes, there are the twists,” Plexico adds.“A whole battle cruiser full of them, before Hawk is done!”
Plexico has been called “truly gifted” (Pulp Fiction Reviews) and “amazingly talented” (Sean Taylor, author of Show Me a Hero).“Nobody—not even Abnett and Lanning—is doing cosmic superheroes as well as Van Plexico is doing them, period,” adds Barry Reese, award-winning author of Rabbit Heart and creator of the Rook.
Portions of HAWK appeared serialized in the February and March 2012 issues of Pro Se Presents, to general and widespread acclaim.“One of the leading New Pulp writers of today, and able to bridge nearly any genre,” said publisher Tommy Hancock, “Van brings a special touch to anything he writes and creates.”
White Rocket Books is a leader in the New Pulp movement, publishing exciting action and adventure novels and anthologies since 2005, in both traditional and electronic formats.White Rocket books have hit the Amazon.com Top 15-by-Genre, have been nominated for many New Pulp awards, and have garnered praise from everyone from Marvel Comics Editor Tom Brevoort to Kirkus Reviews.
On sale as of May 29, 2012, HAWK: HAND OF THE MACHINE is a $15.95, 6×9 format trade paperback from White Rocket Books, as well as a $2.99 e-book for Amazon Kindle.(Nook format is coming soon.)
I love comics. I love reading them, thinking about them, discussing them, and even critiquing them. I also love writing them, something I’ve discovered in the last couple of years as I started writing a series of webcomics about characters in upcoming comic book-related movies, which were then published on movie news websites like MTV Splash Page and ReelzChannel. Since that time, I’ve realized that I’d really like to keep writing comics, including, hopefully someday soon, full issues for a major company, to be seen by all the worrrrrrld[insert maniacal laugh here].
That may seem like a big leap, but it could happen. After all, most of the people who are or have been involved in professional comics started out just as I did: as ridiculously huge fans of the medium and the characters and stories. I mean, sure, maybe a few here or there got pulled into a job and then discovered they liked it, but for the most part, the people making comics do it because they were fans who, basically, landed their dream jobs through expressing their love of or thoughts on comics.
There are some great public examples of this amongst the current Big Names in comics. They include Geoff Johns, who wrote in to DC Comics as a kid with suggestions for the Superboy storyline. There’s also Kevin Smith, whose lifelong comics fandom landed him a number of roles in comics-writing after he’d already made a name for himself with movies (and he also owns Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash, the first comic book store I ever went to, being a Jersey gal). There’s also Gail Simone, who came to the attention of comics publishers through her website Women in Refrigerators, which critiqued the treatment of female characters in comics, and has since written a weekly column on Comic Book Resources and a lot of great comics about both male and female characters, including well-received stints on the all-female group comic Birds of Prey. (I mention this comic in particular because I think it’s great that after Simone expressed her opinion on a certain issue in comics, she had the opportunity to address that issue by writing a number of female characters.) And let’s not forget Mark Waid, whose studio tour on Comic Book Resources reveals just how much of a fan collector he is, as well as giving us this quote about a three-page sequence from Flash #0 that hangs on his wall: “[it’s] the scene where the adult Wally West meets his ten-year-old self and tells the boy that no matter how rotten his young life seems or how hard the days are to get through, when he grows up, every wish he’s ever wished for will come true. It’s hands-down my favorite sequence I have ever written because – and I say this in all sincerity – I often dream about being able to travel back in time and tell young Mark Waid that same thing.”
Aw.
Of course, compared to these greats and all of their former-fan-now-professional companions, including my esteemed fellow columnists at ComicMix, I wouldn’t say I’ve had too much of a “career in comics” to date. But like, I suspect, at least a few big names today, I have gone from being “just a fan” to being much closer to where I’d like to be in the industry, and have high hopes of continuing along that trajectory in the future. I know that a lot of other fans have similar hopes. So I thought I’d take a couple of minutes to look back at my own experience with comics so far and see how it’s progressed.
As a kid I hadn’t read many comics, and didn’t even know there were such things as “comic book stores” devoted to (gasp) just that medium. There were a few comics in the house that belonged to my oldest sister – the ones I remember being some old collections of Archie and some individual issues of Richie Rich – and I did read those few books countless times, and remember being enamored of both the funny and entertaining stories and the way the illustrations complimented and enhanced them. But I didn’t lack for reading materials, with an English teacher for a mom and two older sisters who loved books, so I never went looking for more comics.
Television, however, was a different matter. You didn’t have to go out and find television shows – they came to you! So I grew up on a healthy mix of cartoons like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, ThunderCats, X-Men: The Animated Series (I still love the theme song!), DuckTales and Darkwing Duck, Batman: The Animated Series, and countless others, most of which either started as or ran concurrently with comic books (although I didn’t know it at the time). I also, thanks to my dad, got a healthy dose from an early age of adventure and comics-related shows and movies he loved, including Sky King, The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, and the Christopher Reeve Superman movies. Fast forward a few years, and I was addicted to Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (and even later, I got hooked on Smallville. Apparently I can’t resist on-screen Clark Kent). So comics have always been a part of my life, and I’ve always been a fan, but I didn’t realize it.
In 2008, that all changed. Thanks to an ex who suggested we go to the local comic book store for Free Comic Book Day, I started getting interested in collecting paper comics. On that fateful day he recommended a character that “I think you’ll like,” i.e. Deadpool; and after flipping through a couple of issues, I was completely hooked. In the following month I acquired and read all the Deadpool books I could find (as well as a slew of other comics, both new and old), and, in a joking conversation with the ex in which I was pretending to answer questions as Deadpool, I think I said something like, “wouldn’t it be funny if Deadpool was online answering questions?” and he said, “You should totally do that,” and thus, the first entry of Ask Deadpool was born. I made up the first few questions myself; and by the next day, people were writing in. I’ve now been regularly answering questions online as Deadpool for four years.
I’ve never had much of an interest in writing fanfiction generally, but with comics, it feels a little different. In a strange way, the comics industry could be looked at as the ultimate repository for quality fanfic (except that as it’s published, it becomes canon). There are so many professionals that got their start playing in sandboxes that were built by previous professionals that writing a comic book character non-professionally feels less like fanfic and more like practicing to join the fun. Sure, my Ask Deadpool writing is still fanfic (until I take over Deadpool at Marvel and write it for the next 20 years, mwahahaaaaa), but it’s different than someone writing about a closed universe such as, say, the Harry Potter series. Not only is writing comics fanfic a great way to practice writing previously published characters’ voices, but there’s actually the chance that all that practice might someday be put to use, professionally.
And there’s also the chance that in writing about something you love, you will accidentally become known as a gigantic Deadpool fan to everyone you know and many people you don’t, which will result in a friend getting a cool Deadpool print signed to you by one of the best inkers in the business (hey-oh, Nathan Massengill!), and you will be so excited about it that you will get it framed, and send a thank you email and photo of the framed print to the inker, and subsequently become friends with the inker, who incidentally convinces you to go to a comic con and introduces you to a bunch of other cool people in comics, and soon other fans and all these people who actually work in comics will know you as the biggest Deadpool fan ever, and this turns out to be a pretty good thing.
Because then you will turn out to be “the most passionate Deadpool fan” that a movie news site has encountered, and will be asked to write a fan article about Deadpool for them, at the same time that you just so happened to have started writing comic strip scripts using Deadpool and other characters to commentate on current pop-culture news, and have found another fan who’s a great artist and has agreed to draw the comics, and it turns out that you’ve already written a script that exactly fits the topic of the article. And the news site likes it, and want to see more.
That’s how I ended up having webcomics published on popular movie news websites. (Although it’s also important to know your own value and not be afraid to pitch something. My Avengers three-part series ran on MTV Splash Page because I actually pitched it to the editor, rather than him finding me.) The same passion for comics and network of people and happenstances has also led to me meeting the folks here at ComicMix and being invited to write a weekly column; and to me meeting another writer who has already had several comic scripts published professionally, and with whom I am now plotting out the greatest comic series ever created (well we think so, anyway). And although I can’t predict the future, I have high hopes that for me, it will hold an abundance of work in comics.
The interesting thing here is, until recently I didn’t really sit down and think to myself, “hey, maybe I could actually write comics. Like, professionally.” Instead, I was just having fun with something I enjoy, and expressing a passion for characters and a medium I’ve come to love. As it turns out (I think, and evidence suggests), this is a pretty good way to get started in comics, and the more I think about what I’d like to write in comics, the more ideas I have. Along with thegreatest comic series ever created, I’d love to write Deadpool for Marvel someday (after much more practice, perhaps!) and I’ve got a Superman story in my head that I think would knock people’s socks off. And that’s just what’s percolating in my brain right now. But really, whatever happens in my future, I’m overjoyed that I am where I am today, writing about a medium I love and interacting with people who keep me inspired, and plan to continue to write columns, and webcomics, and anything else people will let me write professionally, for as long as I can. And maybe, if you’re a passionate fan like me, you can do that too! Servo Lectio!
The production of Walt Disney’s take on The Lone Ranger began about a week ago and now we have our first glimpse of the famous masked man and his Native American sidekick. In case you forgot, the Ranger is played by Armie Hammer (J. Edgar) and the guy under the war paint is Johnny Depp, whose casting as Tonto two years backs helped make this movie a reality.
This is a clear departure from the more traditional blue fabric outfit the Ranger has been depicted in since the radio series began in the 1930s. The Ranger’s outfit has gone largely unchanged in comics, serials, television and tons of merchandise so this will help set it apart from what has come before.
Despite production nearly being derailed because of the inflated budget, it was retooled and finally green lit some months back. The official synopsis reads: Native American spirit warrior Tonto (Johnny Depp) recounts the untold tales that transformed John Reid (Armie Hammer), a man of the law, into a legend of justice-taking the audience on a runaway train of epic surprises and humorous friction as the two unlikely heroes must learn to work together and fight against greed and corruption.
The movie is being directed by Gore Verbinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, the team that worked magic with Depp in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Meantime, Depp will next be seen as Barnabas Collins in Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows, coming in May. He has been attached to numerous projects, playing one pop culture icon after another and most recently has been attached to a big screen adaptation of Kolchak the Night Stalker, based on Jeff rice’s novel and the ABC series featuring Darren McGavin.
BURBANK, Calif. (February 28, 2012) — Production has commenced on location in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado on Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ epic adventure “The Lone Ranger.” The film reunites the filmmaking team of the first three “Pirates of the Caribbean” blockbusters—producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Gore Verbinski—with Johnny Depp, who created Captain Jack Sparrow in his iconic, Academy Award®-nominated performance and contributed the voice of the title character of Verbinski’s Academy Award-winning “Rango.”
Depp plays spirit warrior Tonto in “The Lone Ranger,” with Armie Hammer (“The Social Network,” “J. Edgar”) starring in the title role. Depp and Hammer are joined by a prestigious international cast which includes Tom Wilkinson, two-time Academy Award nominee (“Michael Clayton,” “In the Bedroom”) and Golden Globe® and Emmy® winner (“John Adams”); William Fichtner (Jerry Bruckheimer’s productions of “Armageddon,” “Pearl Harbor” and “Black Hawk Down”); Emmy Award-winner Barry Pepper (TV’s “The Kennedys,” “True Grit,” “Saving Private Ryan”); James Badge Dale (“The Grey,” TV’s “The Pacific” and “Rubicon”); Ruth Wilson (television’s “Jane Eyre” and “Luther”); and two-time Academy Award nominee and six-time Golden Globe nominee Helena Bonham Carter (“The King’s Speech,” “Alice in Wonderland”). The film is slated to open on May 31, 2013.
“The Lone Ranger” is a thrilling adventure infused with action and humor, in which the famed masked hero is brought to life through new eyes. Native American spirit warrior Tonto (Johnny Depp) recounts the untold tales that transformed John Reid (Armie Hammer), a man of the law, into a legend of justice—taking the audience on a runaway train of epic surprises and humorous friction as the two unlikely heroes must learn to work together and fight against greed and corruption.
“The Lone Ranger” is written by Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio of “Pirates of the Caribbean,” Eric Aronson and Justin Haythe. The executive producers are Mike Stenson, Chad Oman, Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Eric Ellenbogen and Eric McLeod.
Jerry Bruckheimer and Gore Verbinski are joined by a remarkable team of behind-the-scenes artists, including director of photography Bojan Bazelli (Verbinski’s “The Ring,” “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”); visual consultant Mark “Crash” McCreery (production designer of Verbinski’s “Rango); costume designer Penny Rose (“Pirates of the Caribbean” films); film editor James Haygood (“Panic Room,” “Fight Club”); visual effects supervisor Tim Alexander (“Rango,” three “Harry Potter” films); Academy Award®-winning special effects supervisor John Frazier, a 10-time nominee whose previous collaborations with Jerry Bruckheimer have included “Armageddon,” “Pearl Harbor” and, with Verbinski as well, “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End”; and stunt coordinator Tommy Harper (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2”).
Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Gore Verbinski has enjoyed tremendous box office success as the innovative director of both character-driven franchises and thoughtful genre-bending fare. Most recently, Verbinski released his first animated film, the smash hit “Rango,” starring Johnny Depp. Grossing over $240 million worldwide, the film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film, as well as BAFTA and Annie awards, and received Golden Globe® and PGA nominations. Verbinski previously helmed the hit franchise “Pirates of the Caribbean,” directing the first three films starring Johnny Depp and Keira Knightley. The films have collectively grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide since release. He made his directorial debut with “Mouse Hunt,” starring Nathan Lane, followed by the road movie “The Mexican,” starring Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt and James Gandolfini. He also directed the smash horror film “The Ring,” starring Naomi Watts.
Verbinski is also a successful award-winning commercial director, having been honored with four Clio Awards and a Cannes Silver Lion Award for his work on an assortment of memorable advertising spots. In addition, he directed music videos for bands including Bad Religion and Crystal Method.
First in partnership with Don Simpson, and then as the chief of Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Bruckheimer has produced an unprecedented string of worldwide smashes, impacting not only the industry, but mass culture as well. Bruckheimer’s films include (producing with Don Simpson) “Top Gun,” “Beverly Hills Cop,” “Beverly Hills Cop 2,” “American Gigolo,” “Flashdance,” “Bad Boys,” “Dangerous Minds,” “Crimson Tide,” “The Rock,” and (producing solo) “Con Air,” “Armageddon,” “Enemy of the State,” “Gone in 60 Seconds,” “Coyote Ugly,” “Remember the Titans,” “Pearl Harbor,” “Black Hawk Down,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” “Bad Boys II,” “Veronica Guerin,” “King Arthur,” “National Treasure,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” “National Treasure: Book of Secrets” and the 2011 blockbuster “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.”
On television, Bruckheimer had an unprecedented 10 television series airing in the 2005-6 season, a record in the medium for an individual producer. JBTV’s series include “C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation” and its spinoffs “C.S.I.: Miami,” “C.S.I.: NY” and “Without a Trace,” “Cold Case” and the eight-time Emmy® Award-winner “The Amazing Race.”
Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Television have been honored with 41 Academy Award® nominations, six wins, eight GRAMMY® Award nominations, five wins, 23 Golden Globe® nominations, four wins, 105 Emmy® Award nominations, 21 wins, 30 People’s Choice nominations, 15 wins, numerous MTV Awards, including one for Best Picture of the Decade for “Beverly Hills Cop.”
“The Lone Ranger” will film exteriors and studio work in New Mexico, followed by locations in Arizona, Utah and Colorado.
New Pulp Author Howard Hopkins (writing as Lance Howard) has a new novel coming from UK publisher Hale Book’s Black Horse Western line. Hell On Hoofs is set to debut in January 2012.
About Black Horse Westerns: Black Horse Westerns can be requested at public libraries or ordered at bookstores. They can be bought online from the publisher at http://www.halebooks.com/, or from other retailers including Amazon, Amazon UK, WH Smith, Blackwells and The Book Depository (“free delivery worldwide”).
Also, Howard’s Lone Ranger novel, “Vendetta” debuts in February 2012 from Moonstone Books.
Moonstone Books has announced that the Lone Ranger novel, “Vendetta” and the Kolchak: The Night Stalker novel, “The Lost City” will arrive in book stores and comic shops in February 2012.
KOLCHAK AND THE LOST CITY
Written by CJ Henderson, cover by Doug Klauba.
New thriller-novels from Moonstone! From the author of the Brooklyn Knights novels! After getting a serial killer to confess, Kolchak is offered an international assignment with massive coverage around the world. With fame and fortune finally within reach, Kolchak is ready to cover the story, when he’s confronted by a mysterious monk who warns him that “the seventy-two must always be.” What this means is not explained. But, before he knows it, Kolchak’s dreams are invaded by unexplainable images that let him know every step he takes toward this story is bringing him closer to death.
130 pages, $4.99.
THE LONE RANGER: VENDETTA
Written by Howard Hopkins, cover by Doug Klauba.
New thriller-novels from Moonstone! From out of the past comes a mysterious killer systematically murdering anyone with a connection to the Masked Rider of the Plains former identity. When all signs point to Butch Cavendish, a man long dead, The Ranger finds himself trapped in a deadly game of cat and mouse with the life of his faithful Indian companion hanging in the balance.
Howard Hopkins is a prolific writer of novels, comic books, and short stories as well as an editor and musician. It was recently announced that Howard would be writing the first new Lone Ranger novel of the 21st Century, which will certainly be a future Trivial Pursuit question. All Pulp sat down to discuss the new novel, Lone Ranger: Vendetta as well as Howard’s other writing and editing projects.
AP: Tell us a little about yourself and your pulp interests.
HH: I’m a horror, western, kids’ horror, pulp, comics writer who lives in Maine, in a small seaside community haunted by sea captains’ ghosts and tourists. It’s a very mysterious place of snaking mist and strange happenings, most of which occur on beer night, which is basically every night in these parts! I’m not sure I can really label myself a “pulp” fan, but I am a huge fan of certain pulp characters, such as Doc Savage, The Avenger and The Shadow, maybe a handful of others to a lesser degree. I grew up on the Doc Savage paperback reprints with their gorgeous Bama covers, as well as The Avenger with their Caras and Gross covers. As a kid I didn’t know what a pulp was, only that there was the occasional odd reference in the books to running boards and wire recorders. It was only in my 20s I got my hands on an actual, honest-to-goodness-crumble-my-hands-as-tried-to-read-it pulp and learned of some of the other characters, like The Spider, Captain Future and The Moon Man.
AP: It was recently announced that your next novel will be The Lone Ranger: Vendetta from Moonstone Books. With your history writing western novels, this seems like a perfect fit. What can we expect from the first Lone Ranger novel of the 21st century? HH: You can expect the true Lone Ranger, no re-imaging and political correctness. Set in a more realistic and gritty West, dealing with authentic issues and vicious villains. The original Lone Ranger series on the radio and TV—which, make no mistake, I love dearly—was largely intended for a younger audience. Moonstone’s series is not aimed at kids, but it is aimed at Lone Ranger fans and Western readers, as well as adventure readers and folks who just enjoy a thrilling story. The Lone Ranger and Tonto—I don’t like to use the term Blood Brothers because it was a term not used by the Native Americans, but that’s what they really are—are equal parts of a whole, dealing with a West full of prejudice, sudden death and human corruption. Yet The Ranger also stands above that. He is The Lone Ranger and I have taken great pains to keep the soul and spirit of the character intact. I have a great love and respect for this character and have done my best to make sure to respect Rangers fans in writing the book. There’s nothing I hate more than seeing a cherished character so totally redone as to be not only unrecognizable but alienating. These are great, iconic characters. They were popular and loved for a reason. I see no need to screw with that. At the same time, the Old West is a violent, vast and even lonely place, and The Lone Ranger and Tonto are operating within it. Basically I have done my durndest to preserve everything that makes The Ranger The Ranger, and set it against a backdrop of a Deadwood styled West (without the cussing). I believe fans as well as many non-Western readers will like it. I am hoping there will be a few of those goosebump moments we all look for in our favorite characters when they appear in new books or movies.
You can also expect a pretty vicious villain seeking revenge. The story is called Vendetta and the lead villain has a hell of a score to settle. Unfortunately this means bad news for some of the Masked Rider of the Plains’ acquaintances.
AP: In addition to writing, you also have a couple of anthologies coming up that you’ve edited as well. Tell us a bit about the upcoming Sherlock Holmes and The Avenger collections.
HH: Yes, indeed. A Honey West anthology too, in fact. The Sherlock Holmes antho is called Sherlock Holmes: The Crossovers Casebook, and involves the Great Detective working with some of history’s fictional and real characters, solving a crime. My own story, called The Haunted Manor, teams Sherlock with Calamity Jane. He teams with Arsene Lupin, The Great and Powerful OZ, Lawrence of Arabia and many others. We have some truly excellent writers involved with the project and an awesome cover. I believe Holmes fans will enjoy it and if I may say so myself it’s going to be one kick ass anthology. I have also been co-editor with Joe Gentile on three Avenger anthologies, the first two of which are out now and available from comic shops and Amazon.com. These are labors of love for me, since The Avenger is one of my all time favorite characters, second (or perhaps even tied with) Doc Savage. I’ve done stories for all three volumes, and the second volume, titled The Justice, Inc. Files, includes, in the special hardcover edition, the first three of six vignettes focusing on the original Man of Steel’s aides. In this case, Nellie, Mac and Cole Wilson. The next will spotlight Smitty, Josh and Rosabel. And of course this is THE Richard Benson, not somebody named Benny or a drastic updating of characters.
AP: What is The Chloe Files?
HH: The Chloe Files is my paranormal horror series focusing on Chloe Everson, a dancer at The Red Lagoon who gets herself into all sorts of supernatural problems. She’s not a wizard like Harry Dresden, but she does take on others’ ghostly problems and something quite special about her will be revealed as the series progresses. Two books are now available on Kindle, Nook and in paperback. The action takes place in the cursed seaside town of New Salem, Maine, and this is not your sparkly vampire lovefest. The monsters Chloe faces are classic style and mean as hell. She’s Kolchak with boobs. She’s also going to find out some rather dark and startling revelations about her past and the reasons the supernatural is after her. In the meantime, she’s kicking Evil’s ass—one demon at a time.
AP: Your books have spanned multiple genres including westerns, horror, mystery, pulp adventure, and more. Do you have a favorite genre to write? What appeals to you about switching genres?
HH: The spooky genes are probably my favorite. I love things that go bump in the night and I love to scare readers. But I enjoy all genres I write in because it all boils down to the same thing–I read to escape…I write to help others escape. I like working in genres that take folks away from their worries and day to day problems, at least for a couple hours. I do not strive to be literary, though I do strive to make my characters live and drive the story. I am an entertainer and that’s just fine with me. It’s all about the escape. When I was a kid, I went through some tough times—and if not for some of the heroes and books I love, honestly, I might not have made it. They saved me from at least some addictions that might have proved destructive. I owe the writers of those stories more than I can repay and I owe my readers what I was given.
AP: Is there a genre you’ve not written that you would like to try your hand at some point?
HH: Well, actually there’s one I am just now getting a chance to write in I haven’t done much with before and that’s 50s noir. I will be writing a 15,000 word novella (novelette?) for a brand new anthology based on the old radio show Nightbeat, about a reporter who stumbles into serious crime. And the best part is I am getting to be in it with some super talents. What more can a writer ask? It will be a lot of fun slipping into that noir world.
AP: There seem to be many different opinions about what can be defined as pulp. How do you define pulp and what do you look for in a pulp story as a writer and a reader?
HH: Oh, man, this may get me into some trouble, but I don’t define pulp. Pulp was a type of paper novels and stories were printed on, in magazine format. In every genre. Now stories are printed in paperbacks and in ebooks. It was cheap fiction, but still just fiction, often written hastily and for the specific reason of entertaining its audience. Escapism, again. I don’t write pulp, because pulp does not really exist as a genre, in my opinion. I write about some characters who appeared in pulp magazines, but I make no deliberate attempt to write in the same style or emulate the technical mistakes they made. I believe the authors, had they been paid better and given the opportunity, would have polished their stories more. But they weren’t and didn’t have time. When I write about those characters, I do my best to flesh them out and present as highly a polished story as my ability allows. Some are hero stories, some horror, some adventure. I think the modern audience expects more from authors now. While I think it’s a huge mistake to reinvent the wheel with these characters—I do my damnedest to maintain the core and soul of the characters and let’s face it, these characters have cult followings because there was something special that didn’t need changing—I do feel writers handling them have to give them more depth, along with slicker writing and better plot. I love reading these characters’ original adventures, but I accept them for what they are and when they were written. I won’t accept that from modern writers who have the time and talent to avoid the things the original writers would have avoided had they gotten the time for rewrites. If you look at The Avenger Chronicles and Justice, Inc. Files, you won’t see “pulp” stories; you’ll see very talented authors telling great stories. I don’t label anything “pulp.” I label them good stories using pulp characters. They are adventure, hero stories in genre. They cross into mystery, horror, western, etc.
Not Actual Cover
That said, anyone who wants to call it pulp or call me a pulp writer is certainly free to do so and it bothers me not in the least. I just don’t feel it’s even an argument and worth the time debating, to be honest. I’d rather read and write the stories!
AP: Where can readers find information on you and your books?
AP: What upcoming projects do you have coming up that you can tell us about at this time?
HH: Well, The Lone Ranger novel, of course, and a Lone Ranger short story for an anthology, along with another story for The Green Hornet 3, the novella for Nightbeat, a new Chloe Files novel in the works, an Avenger story, Honey West story, a new Western novel, a comic book called Threesome that involves my own—dare I now say “pulp”?—heroine called The Veil and the return of the Golden Amazon (with The Domino Lady and co-written with NY Times bestselling author, the lovely and talented Nancy Holder), A Golden Amazon novel called Ripper, Burning Bright, three Spider widescreen graphic novels from Moonstone, new Golden Amazon short stories, a YA series novel, and some other stuff. Two upcoming Westerns called Hell of Hoofs and Twilight Trail. Then a kidnapping of myself by Jennifer Love Hewitt, but shhhh on that…
AP: Do you have any shows, signings, or conventions coming up where your fans can meet you?
HH: Nothing scheduled at present. I haven’t done many shows, but I’m hoping to change that soon.
AP: And finally, what does Howard Hopkins do when he’s not writing?
HH: Um, what do you mean by that? What is this not writing thing of which you speak? My ass is superglued to the office chair. Well, ok, I am a musician—mandolin, keyboards, guitar, singing—so when I have time I do that, read, of course, collect comic books and DVDs of old TV shows such as UFO, Hulk, Dark Shadows, etc. Sometimes I sleep, but try not to let that get in the way.
AP: Thanks, Howard.
HH: Thank you, All Pulp Potentates!s
About The Lone Ranger – Vendetta:
The Masked Man in a brand-new adventure! From out of the past comes a mysterious killer systematically murdering anyone with a connection to the Masked Rider of the Pains former identity. When all signs point to Butch Cavendish, a man long dead, The Lone Ranger finds himself trapped in a deadly game of cat and mouse with the life of his faithful Indian companion hanging in the balance!
It looks like The Lone Ranger will ride after all: TheWrap has confirmed that Disney is close to a deal to revive the Johnny Depp movie. In August, the company halted production on the big-budget project, which stars Depp as Tonto and Armie Hammer as the masked man. Gore Verbinski is directing and Jerry Bruckheimer is producing. An individual close to the project told TheWrap on Tuesday that while a deal to get the project back in production is not yet finalized, it appears imminent.
Price: $3.99 Shipping: October, 2011 Related Products: SKU: C725130179708 Rating: Teen + Covers: Francesco Francavilla (50%), Aaron Campbell (50%) Writer: Stuart Manning Artist: Aaron Campbell Awards: N/A Publication Date: Oct 2011 Format: Comic Book Page Count: 32 pages Rights: WW Age range: 16+ UPC: 725130179708 Television’s original reluctant vampire is back! Barnabas Collins is re-adjusting to life under his vampiric curse. Haunted by terrifying dreams of his age-old lover and nemesis, Angelique, and fighting his bloodlust, Barnabas fears that danger lies ahead for all who live at Collinwood. Meanwhile, Barnabas’ ally and trusted friend Dr. Julia Hoffman is harboring secrets of her own…
RED SONJA STATUE INSPIRED BY J. SCOTT CAMPBELL
SKU: C117134 This beautiful statue was inspired by the incredible Red Sonja artwork of J. Scott Campbell. Tom and Joy Snyder sculpted, painted and painstakingly reviewed every detail of this statue under the watchful eye of J. Scott, creating one of the most compelling and beautiful Red Sonja statues of all time. Measuring approximately 8.5″ tall with a base 4″ long x 6″ wide, this magnificent piece shows that we created a piece that fans will appreciate for years to come Price: $189.99 Shipping: October, 2011
WARLORD OF MARS 2012 CALENDAR
Price: $14.99 Shipping: October, 2011 Related Products: SKU: C117556 Publication Date: August 2011 (advance solicit for October 2011) Dimensions: 12 x 12 Format: Wall Calendar Page Count: 24 pgs Caution Code: C:0-1-2 UPC: 725130175564 Start 2012 with a trip to Mars! This full color calendar features incredible art by J. Scott Campbell, ,Alex Ross, Joe Jusko, Paul Renaud, Arthur Adams, and Lucio Parrillo from the hit Warlord of Mars comic books. 2012 is the year of John Carter and his adventures on Mars!
KEVIN SMITH’S THE BIONIC MAN #3
Price: $3.99 Shipping: October, 2011 Related Products: SKU: C725130179753 Rating: Teen + Covers: Alex Ross (main), Jonathan Lau (1-in-10) Writer: Kevin Smith with Phil Hester Artist: Jonathan Lau Colorist: Ivan Nunes Genre: Media Tie-In, Action Adventure Awards: N/A Publication Date: Oct 2011 Format: Comic Book Page Count: 32 pages Rights: WW Age range: 16+ UPC: 725130179753 Colonel Steve Austin’s body is ruined, his spirit broken, the prospect of a future as a barely human cyborg haunting him as he hovers between life and death. Meanwhile, the demented cyborg Hull launches the first strike in his fanatical war against humanity! From the team that brought you Kevin Smith’s Green Hornet.
WARLORD OF MARS #13
Price: $3.99 Shipping: October, 2011 Related Products: SKU: C725130179852 Rating: Mature Covers: Joe Jusko (50%), Stephen Sadowski (50%), Lucio Parrillo (1-in-15) Writer: Arvid Nelson Artist: Stephen Sadowski Colorist: Adriano Lucas Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Super-Hero Awards: N/A Publication Date: Oct 2011 Format: Comic Book Page Count: 32 pages Rights: WW Age range: 16+ UPC: 725130179852 John Carter returns to Mars to be with his beloved princess and the son he has never know – at least, that was his plan. He arrives on the Red Planet in a forest of horrors, a place he’s never seen before. Fortunately, an old friend joins him soon enough. Before Carter can look for answers about where he is, he’s going to have to do what he does best – kick a little ass. Well, more than a little! Warlord of Mars #13: A Forest Battle is the thrilling first installment of the Gods of Mars story arc, believed by some, including the writer of this very blurb, to be the finest of the Edgar Rice Burroughs Mars novels. You don’t want to miss it!
WARLORD OF MARS: DEJAH THORIS #8
Price: $3.99 Shipping: October, 2011 Related Products: SKU: C725130179883 Rating: Mature Covers: Paul Renaud (33%), Joe Jusko (33%), Ale Garza (33%) Writer: Arvid Nelson Artist: Carlos Rafael Colorist: Carlos Lopez Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Super-Hero Awards: N/A Publication Date: Oct 2011 Format: Comic Book Page Count: 32 pages Rights: WW Age range: 16+ UPC: 725130179883 Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, and Phondari, Pirate Queen of Mars, find themselves in the clutches of Phodari’s old master, Xen Brega. But before Xen was Phondari’s master, he was her slave. Phondari wasn’t the kindest of mistresses, and Xen’s looking for a little vengeance. He’s invited Phondari and Dejah to dinner… to be the main course! If Dejah and Phondari can escape the butcher’s knife, Dejah might just learn a thing or two about the mysterious coin she discovered, and why Phondari is so interested in it. Get ready for Dejah Thoris #8: The Hoard of Segotha!
WARLORD OF MARS: FALL OF BARSOOM #4
Price: $3.99 Shipping: October, 2011 Related Products: SKU: C725130179913 Rating: Teen + Covers: Joe Jusko (main), Francesco Francavilla (1-in-10) Writer: Robert Place Napton Artist: Roberto Castro Genre: Action/Adventure Awards: N/A Publication Date: Oct 2011 Format: Comic Book Page Count: 32 pages Rights: WW Age range: 16+ UPC: 725130179913 100,000 YEARS BEFORE THE TIME OF JOHN CARTER! A tribe of Red Martians attacks the Atmosphere Plant just as it’s about to go operational. Meanwhile, the savage Warhoon march on the last stronghold of the Orovar — the city of Horz–determined to wipe the White Martians from the face Mars. This is the penultimate chapter in the Fall of Barsoom!
GREEN HORNET #21
Price: $3.99 Shipping: October, 2011 Related Products: SKU: C725130180018 Rating: Teen + Covers: Brian Denham (33%), Phil Hester (33%), and Jonathan Lau (33%) Writer: Ande Parks Artist: Igor Vitorino Colorist: Ivan Nunes Genre: Super-Hero, Adventure Awards: N/A Publication Date: Oct 2011 Format: Comic Book Page Count: 32 pages Rights: WW Age range: 16+ UPC: 725130180018 This stand alone story is jam packed with malevolent Mixed Martial Arts mayhem, as Green Hornet and Kato enter a cage match with the baddest men in Century City! Britt Reid and Mulan have decided to enjoy a nice, street clothes night out at the fights. When an old college buddy of Britt’s is seriously injured in the octagon, our heroes join the fray. Now, Green Hornet and Kato have to stay alive in a bloody cage match to the death against the very fighters they bought tickets to see.
ZORRO RIDES AGAIN #4 (OF 12)
Price: $3.99 Shipping: October, 2011 Related Products: SKU: C725130180025 Rating: Teen + Covers: Matt Wagner Writer: Matt Wagner Artist: Esteve Polls Genre: Action/Adventure Awards: N/A Publication Date: Oct 2011 Format: Comic Book Page Count: 32 pages Rights: WW Age range: 16+ UPC: 725130180025 Matt Wagner (MAGE, GRENDEL) continues the finale of his epic story of Zorro! How will Don Diego’s personal life affect Zorro’s continuing crusade against the alcalde of Los Angeles, Luis Quintero? Find out in ZORRO RIDES AGAIN #4!
RED SONJA #64
Price: $3.99 Shipping: October, 2011 Related Products: SKU: C725130180049 Rating: Teen + Covers: Walter Geovani (50%), Wagner Reis (50%) Writer: Eric Trautmann Artist: Walter Geovani Genre: Sword and Sorcery, Adventure, Superhero Awards: N/A Publication Date: Oct 2011 Format: Comic Book Page Count: 32 pages Rights: WW Age range: 16+ UPC: 725130180049 The She-Devil With A Sword has traveled from pastoral Shem to strife-torn Koth and now, into the dark heart of Stygia itself. Sonja’s quest: a lost weapon of terrifying power, and perhaps, some measure of atonement. But the sinister schemes of the Phaorah’s own witch, Azenathi, may only bring Red Sonja death.
QUEEN SONJA #24
Price: $3.99 Shipping: October, 2011 Related Products: SKU: C725130180056 Rating: Teen + Cover: Lucio Parrillo (50%), Adriano Batista (50%) Writer: Luke Lieberman Artist: Fritz Casas Genre: Sword and Sorcery, Adventure Awards: N/A Publication Date: Oct 2011 Format: Comic Book Page Count: 32 pages Rights: WW Age range: 16+ UPC: 725130180056 When finally the forces of Emora and Songoria meet in open battle, who lives and who dies? Can Queen Sonja stop the Emperor’s onslaught on Songoria from a hundred Leagues away? And once she sits on the Emperor’s throne, will she ever give it up?
THE LONE RANGER VOL 4: RESOLVE TPB
Price: $19.99 Shipping: October, 2011 Related Products: SKU: C1606901184 Rating: Teen + Cover: John Cassaday Writer: Brett Matthews Penciller/Inker: Sergio Cariello Colorist: Marcelo Pinto Genre: Western, Action Adventure Awards: N/A Publication Date: Oct 2011 Format: soft cover trade paperback Page Count: 180+ The Ranger and Tonto head for their final confrontation with the villainy that is Butch Cavendish. Along the way, love is found, life is lost, and the Ranger learns the true meaning of “Resolve”. Collects issues #17-25, along with a complete cover gallery by artist John Cassaday. ISBN-10: 1-60690-118-4 ISBN-13: 978-1-60690-118-2
GREEN HORNET VOL 3: IDOLS TPB
Price: $16.99 Shipping: October, 2011 Related Products: SKU: C1606902199 Rating: Teen + Cover: Alex Ross Writer: Phil Hester Artist: Jonathan Lau Colorist: Ivan Nunes Genre: Superhero, Action Adventure Awards: N/A Publication Date: Oct 2011 Format: soft cover trade paperback Page Count: 136 Picking up right where Kevin Smith’s Green Hornet left off! The Black Hornet is history, but a new, even deadlier threat has grown right in the heart of Century City, and it may already be too late for The Green Hornet and Kato to stop it. How can Green Hornet scare a street gang out of business when the gang members themselves have no fear of anything – even death? Is the horrifying power behind their fearless ferocity truly supernatural? And just who is Saint Death? Collects issues #11-15 in one volume, along with complete cover gallery. Introduction by Ande Parks ISBN-10: 1-60690-219-9 ISBN-13: 978-1-60690-219-6
WARLORD OF MARS: DEJAH THORIS VOLUME 1 – THE COLOSSUS OF MARS TP
Price: $16.99 Shipping: October, 2011 Related Products: SKU: C1606902458 Rating: Mature Cover: Paul Renaud Writer: Arvid Nelson Artist: Carlos Rafael Colorist: Carlos Lopez Genre: Fantasy, Sci Fi, Action Adventure Awards: N/A Publication Date: Oct 2011 Format: soft cover trade paperback Page Count: 128 Martians live forever – everyone knows that. So what was Dejah Thoris doing all those hundreds of years before John Carter arrived? Four hundred years before the events of Warlord of Mars took place, Dejah’s nation of Helium was divided into two warring city-states. An unscrupulous overlord from afar encouraged that rivalry to his own advantage, until he discovers a terrible secret from Mars’s ancient past beneath Dejah Thoris’ capital. A secret to kill for! Collecting the first five issues of the hit series in one volume, with bonus material and a complete cover gallery from artists such as Art Adams, Joe Jusko, Paul Renaud, Sean Chen, and Ale Garza. John Carter of Mars film in development from Pixar, set for a March 9, 2012 release in theaters worldwide. ISBN-10: 1-60690-245-8 ISBN-13: 978-1-60690-245-5
SHERLOCK HOLMES: YEAR ONE TPB
Price: $19.99 Shipping: October, 2011 Related Products: SKU: C1606902172 Rating: Teen + Cover: Francesco Francavilla Writer: Scott Beatty Artist: Daniel Indro Genre: Mystery, Action Adventure Awards: N/A Publication Date: Oct 2011 Format: soft cover trade paperback Page Count: 144 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s dauntless detective returns in an all-new series of adventures exploring the sleuth’s untold origins! Join Dr. John Watson as he meets young Sherlock Holmes in a fateful encounter that will forever shape both men’s destinies! Mysteries and murders most foul abound as we discover clues that reveal just how Holmes became the world’s most famous detective. Collecting the 6-issue series in one volume, plus bonus material and a complete cover gallery timed to coincide with the new Guy Ritchie Sherlock Holmes movie, A Game of Shadows, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law slated for theatrical release December 16, 2011! ISBN-10: 1-60690-217-2 ISBN-13: 978-1-60690-217-2
WAREHOUSE 13 #3 (OF 5)
Price: $3.99 Shipping: October, 2011 Related Products: SKU: C725130179982 Rating: Teen + Covers: Ben Morse (50%), Photo Cover (50%) Writer: Marque Franklin-Williams & John-Paul Nickel Artist: Ben Morse Genre: Media Tie-In, Sci-Fi Awards: N/A Publication Date: Oct 2011 Format: Comic Book Page Count: 32 pages Rights: WW Age range: 16+ UPC: 725130179982 When a series of strange murders in Japan pings the Warehouse team’s radar, Pete, Myka and Claudia journey to the Land of the Rising Sun to investigate. What they discover is a masked assassin who’s using an artifact to cut a swath of terror through the Japanese criminal underworld. In order to snag, bag and tag this deadly weapon, our heroes will have to protect the head of the Yakuza from becoming the killer’s next victim. Little do they realize the assassin is closer than they think! Written by WAREHOUSE 13’s Marque Franklin-Williams & John-Paul Nickel.
