Death Angel, a New Pulp character created by Mike Bullock, debuted in the pages of Phantom: KGB Noir #1 from Moonstone books in 2010. Soon after, Death Angel’s adventures paired her with pulp fiction legend The Black Bat, but through it all, Death Angel has always been a bit of a loner.
Now, the vigilante returns in a brand new solo adventure. iPulpfiction has the exclusive debut of the first chapter of this new serialized romp through the darkness that blankets not only this city, but the minds of those who walk it’s streets.
Stalking the alleys of a crime infested metropolis. Armed with a scientifically enhanced suit and the ability to create illusions in the minds of the wicked, Death Angel has sworn to exact vengeance on those who would victimize the innocent. Follow the exploits of the dark avenger at iPulp.
In My Dominion:
Having been born into money and married to a wealthy businessman, Ellen Fromme was used to the finer things in life. She had little interest in her husband’s business. She only cared about the luxuries his earnings brought to their life.
This Halloween, Moonstone heads back to their monstrous roots with the Return of the Monsters Event. Return of the Monsters features four stand-alone tales of pulp’s mightiest heroes facing off against some classic monsters. One of those titles called The Spider vs. The Werewolf by writer Martin Powell with art by Jay Piscopo. All Pulp sat down with Jay Piscopo about this upcoming book.
All Pulp: Tell us a little about yourself and your pulp interests.
Jay Piscopo: Well, I’ve been working as a commercial artist for over 20 years and I’m very engaged with my own company Nemo Publishing and The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli graphic novel series. As to pulp interests, I remember seeing Doc Savage paperback covers when I was little and when Marvel and DC created the comic adaptations of Doc, The Shadow and The Avenger I was hooked- and it prompted me to seek out the prose. I love the primal aspects of pulp heroes and created an homage character in Capt’n Eli named Commander X.
Art: Jay Piscopo
AP: You’re providing the art and tones for the Return of the Monsters Halloween event book, The Spider vs. The Werewolf. What can we expect from this titanic throw down
JP: As I mentioned before– the 70s pulp comic adaptations really hooked me- and finally to work on a pulp/comic was really a thrill. The Spider is primal, savage energy and The Werewolf is as well- Let’s just say when they clash, the fur is flying!
AP: The Spider Vs. The Werewolf has a pulp hero battling a classic monster, a combination that even though done in some regards hasn’t ever really been done the way Moonstone is doing it with the Return of the Monster event. What do these genres have in common and how do they differ in ways that complement each other?
Art: Jay Piscopo
JP: What is interesting to me is how The Spider is very much like a classic monster as well as a hero. The Werewolf and The Spider seem to be opposite sides of the same coin. Both are primal and savage, but the legend of the werewolf is rooted in tragedy, where The Spider always triumphs. And The Spider seems to be in control of his bloodlust and savage nature enough to focus it.
AP: The Return of the Monsters Halloween event brings back several classic monster archetypes to Moonstone’s lineup. How does this version of the werewolf compare and contrast to previous versions of the character?
JP: I think the writer, Martin Powell has added a new human element we haven’t seen before to the werewolf human host. I don’t want to spoil anything, but this werewolf is very much in the vein of other incarnations but has his own tragic twists.
Art: Jay Piscopo
AP: What appeals to you about pulp heroes battling classic monsters? What was it that excited you about visually pitting the Spider against a werewolf?
JP: To overuse a word, I’d have to say the characters are both primal.. Constantly in movement and unpredictable — pitting two characters like this against each other and drawing them in action is a dream.
AP: What, if any, existing pulp, monster, or comic book characters would you like to try your hand at drawing?
JP: I think like most pulp fans and creators- Doc Savage and The Shadow would be first choices-
Return of the Monsters Covers By Dan Brereton
Art: Jay Piscopo
AP: What does Jay Piscopo do when he’s not drawing?
JP: ah— i try to take a breath once in awhile.
AP: Where can readers find learn more about you and your work?
This Halloween, Moonstone heads back to their monstrous roots with the Return of the Monsters Event. Return of the Monsters features four stand-alone tales of pulp’s mightiest heroes facing off against some classic monsters. One of those titles is Domino Lady vs. the Mummy by co-writers Nancy Holder and Bobby Nash with art by Rock Baker and Jeff Austin. All Pulp sat down with Nancy Holder about this upcoming book.
All Pulp: Tell us a little about yourself and your pulp interests.
Nancy Holder: I absolutely love pulp fiction. I grew up reading a lot of comic books—I had subscriptions to so many! I loved Tarzan, Justice League, and lots of DC. I also read the scary ones even though they completely freaked me out. I loved Kolchak (and still do, to this day.) I love the resurgency of pulp fiction. You have to give it your all as a writer or it’s just a watery pastiche. I love feeling that engaged with what I’m doing.
Cover: Uwe Jarling
AP: Your story, co-written with Bobby Nash, for the Return of the Monsters Halloween event is called Domino Lady Vs. The Mummy. What can we expect from this titanic throw down?
NH: Bobby is so amazing and wonderful. I love Bobby. Let’s put it this way—our mummy’s a female. And our “Ardath Bey” is a female. I guess it’s no surprise that a dame like the Domino Lady has many, er, admirers.
Domino Lady doesn’t usually delve into the supernatural. So this is a very cool departure for her.
Art: Rock Baker & Jeff Austin
AP: Domino Lady Vs. The Mummy has a pulp hero battling a classic monster, a combination that even though done in some regards hasn’t ever really been done the way Moonstone is doing it with the Return of the Monster event. What do these genres have in common and how do they differ in ways that complement each other?
NH: Moonstone gets how much people love the pulpy feel of some kinds of fiction—adventure, horror, romance. That’s why I love to write for them. Moonstone writers are writing love stories to the flat-out investment readers in the 30’s had in this kinds of stories. One of my favorite movies of all time is Karloff’s THE MUMMY. That is one classy, scary movie. I’ve watched it a gazillion times and it never fails to thrill me. The Domino Lady is an anomaly in pulp fiction—smart and sassy, an adventuress and a sex goddess, but not a superhero per se. All she’s got is some knockout drops (and powder, but she uses that sparingly), a shiny silver gun, and some great gams to use in her battle against evil. But when you’re Domino Lady that’s all you need.
AP: The Return of the Monsters Halloween event brings back several classic monster archetypes to Moonstone’s lineup. How does this version of the Mummy compare and contrast to previous versions of the character?
Art: Rock Baker and Jeff Austin
NH: This mummy is all female—a true “femme fatale.” As ambitious and ruthless as other Karnakian incarnations. She spends a fortune in moisturizers. That’s a joke.
AP: What appeals to you about pulp heroes battling classic monsters? What was it that excited you about pitting the Domino Lady against a mummy?
NH: I love writing Domino Lady and as I mentioned, I loved that Karloff version of the Mummy. Lucky for me, Bobby was as enthusiastic as I was.
AP: You’ve been spearheading the Domino Lady’s comic book adventures for Moonstone. What’s ahead for the book and character?
NH: Domino Lady is teaming up with Sherlock Holmes and going to Egypt again. And of course there’s a guy for her to love up… I can’t wait for people to see it. It’s a two-parter and it’s going to be a stunner.
Art: Rock Baker and Jeff Austin
AP: What, if any, existing pulp, monster, or comic book characters would you like to try your hand at writing?
NH: The Crypt Keeper! More Kolchak. I’d love to do Vampirella.
AP: What does Nancy Holder do when she’s not writing?
NH: Sleeps. Actually, I’m a devoted mom and I love all that that entails. I also teach in the Stonecoast MFA in Creative Writing Program offered through the University of Southern Maine. I love it.
AP: Any upcoming projects you would like to mention?
NH: I’m writing a lot of young adult dark fantasy these days. I work with another partner, Debbie Viguié. Our second book in our Crusade series, DAMNED, is out now. UNLEASHED, will come out on November 22—two days before Thanksgiving. I’m stuffing my turkey with the first draft.
AP: Thanks, Nancy.
NH: Thank you!!!
Domino Lady vs. the Mummy is solicited in August Previews for an October in store release.
Brought to you by New York Times best selling author Nancy Holder and novelist Howard Hopkins! When young women vanish at a sleazy burlesque club, three beautiful heroines slip undercover and out of their clothes to investigate–and wind up comforting a kidnapper who just might be out of this world. Featuring the delicious Domino Lady, the first appearance of the deadly Golden Amazon in 70 years and introducing the voluptuous new pulp crime-fighter, The Veil! **Franchesco variant cover can be purchased separately at retail of $5.50 Story: Gary Phillips Art: Manuel Martin, Ben Hansen Tones: Jason Jensen Cover: Mark Maddox 72pgs, grayscale, $6.99
Cover: Mark Maddox
HONEY WEST, CAPTAIN ACTION, & FLINT
Vertigo’s crime writer Gary Phillips (Angel Town, Cowboys) presents this oversize comic one time event! For the first time ever Zen freelance spy Derek Flint, the cool curvaceous private eye Honey West, and the mysterious secret agent super-hero Captain Action team up in a story in swingin’ sixties L.A. to battle hippie robots, mobbed-up, ray gun totting gangsters, a wigged out mad scientist, brainwashed GIs and an alien menace we could only called DANGER A-GO-GO. Dig it!
Cover: Paul Gulacy
COMPLETE CAPTAIN ACTION
This is the BIG ONE! EVERY Captain Action Moonstone appearance ever printed…as well as Lady Action, Action Boy, Captain Action Classified, and Khem! One BIG TOME-O-READING! A one-time printing only!
Learn more about Moonstone Books at http://www.moonstonebooks.com/. Story: Fabian Nicieza, Steven Grant Art: Mark Sparacio, etc. Cover: Paul Gulacy 432pgs, b/w, 7″ x 10″ squarebound, $28.95 ISBN: 978-1-936814-18-3 ***RETAILERS INCENTIVE: buy 3 copies and receive one variant incentive Franchesco cover, FREE! Story: Nancy Holder & Howard Hopkins Art: Silvestre Szilagyi Colors: James Brown Cover: Mark Sparacio 40pgs, color, 7″x10″, $4.50 A Return of the Originals oversize Event!
This Halloween, Moonstone heads back to their monstrous roots with the Return of the Monsters Event. Return of the Monsters features four stand-alone tales of pulp’s mightiest heroes facing off against some classic monsters. One of those titles is The Black Bat vs. Dracula by Mike Bullock and Eric Johns. All Pulp sat down with the artist to talk about this upcoming book.
All Pulp: Tell us a little about yourself and your pulp interests.
Eric Johns: I’m just a regular guy, who spent far too much time studying the way the world works and the best way to record it. After unlocking some esoteric doors, I found my path as a Comic book artist. There are no limits to this format, all stories are possible, no production restraints, no boundaries like other mediums have.
Art: Eric Johns
Having owned a comic book store, I’ve read all kinds of Pulp: John Carter, The Shadow, Tarzan, Conan, and Doc Savage to name a few off the top of my head. These guys trailblazed the way for the comic book heroes we know today. Pulps, directly or indirectly, influence nearly all creators in the comic field.
AP: You’re providing pencils and inks for the Return of the Monsters Halloween event book, The Black Bat vs. Dracula. What can we expect from this titanic throw down?
EJ: Expect a captivating thrill ride, with a harrowing glimpse into Death Angel’s soul, as penned by the masterful Mike Bullock.
AP: The Black Bat vs. Dracula has a pulp hero battling a classic monster, a combination that even though done in some regards hasn’t ever really been done the way Moonstone is doing it with the Return of the Monster event. What do these genres have in common and how do they differ in ways that complement each other?
Art: Eric Johns
EJ: Well both deal with the dark side. They both wield weird, often powerful abilities that make brawls and action sequences far above the realm of knuckles and the 40 inch vertical leap of mere humans. The Heroes of Pulp fit nicely in opposition to the evil Monsters, completing the chess pieces necessary for battle. A battle between beings that can actually go toe to toe, or claw in some cases.
AP: The Return of the Monsters Halloween event brings back several classic monster archetypes to Moonstone’s lineup. How does this version of Dracula compare and contrast to previous versions of the character?
Return of the Monsters Cover Art: Dan Brereton
EJ: Well he compares in power and weaknesses, and is shadowed comfortably in the darkness, like previous incarnations. Mike Bullock’s version deviates only slightly from the classic, he hides in plain sight at the beginning. Oh, maybe I shouldn’t have said that. (laughs.) He has long hair, but otherwise it’s our beloved Drac.
Art: Eric Johns
AP: What appeals to you about pulp heroes battling classic monsters? What was it that excited you about visually pitting the Black Bat against the lord of the vampires?
EJ: Are you kidding me? Anytime you get to draw one of the classic monsters, it’s an opportunity not to be wasted.
AP: What, if any, existing pulp, monster, or comic book characters would you like to try your hand at drawing?
EJ: The Shadow, any of the Monsters, and Daredevil or Batman. My art style is probably better suited to Superman or Captain America, however, and I love both of those characters as well.
Art: Eric Johns
AP: What does Eric Johns do when he’s not drawing?
EJ: I’m a strange mixture of nerd and athlete. Athnerd or dorklete. I play basketball and Magic the Gathering, and love my comics.
AP: Where can readers find learn more about you and your work?
AP: Any upcoming projects you would like to mention?
EJ: I’m illustrating “SGT. Janus: Spirit Breaker,” it’s prose style Pulp fiction. I could give accolades to this book and it’s writer, Gentleman Jim Beard, but it’s better to just relate what I told Jim. There is a fairy tale that he created, pure Jim Beard, but it resonated with me and my mind kept telling me, “I remember that story,” as I read it for the first time. That is profound writing!
AP: Thanks, Eric.
The Black Bat vs. Dracula is solicited in August Previews for an October in store release.
This Halloween, Moonstone heads back to their monstrous roots with the Return of the Monsters Event. Return of the Monsters features four stand-alone tales of pulp’s mightiest heroes facing off against some classic monsters. One of those titles called The Spider vs. The Werewolf by writer Martin Powell with art by Jay Piscopo. All Pulp sat down with Martin Powell about this upcoming book.
All Pulp: Tell us a little about yourself and your pulp interests.
Martin Powell: I’ve been a professional writer for over twenty-five years, and although I’ve written everything from educational science books to children’s stories, my creative roots have always been firmly set in the pulps. A neighborhood friend introduced me to the Doc Savage paperbacks when I was about eleven years old, and James Bama’s fantastic ultra-realistic cover paintings really grabbed me. I just had to see what was going on inside those books.
Art: Jay Piscopo
Finally, I found the paperbacks at a nearby department store—there seemed to be a zillion of them. My pocket contained just enough spare change for one book—about sixty cents—and it was a tough decision. Ultimately, “Devil on the Moon” came home with me, mostly because I was keenly fascinated by the Apollo 11 moon landing, and that evening I read the novel cover to cover. I was hooked.
I knew nothing whatsoever about pulp magazines, had never even heard of them. Although I did notice on the inside of the book that it had originally appeared in “Doc Savage Magazine” in 1938. I was very intrigued. I visited the big library downtown in search of back issues. No luck. Happily, I returned to the department store with some birthday money and bought six more paperbacks, but I didn’t actually find and purchase my first authentic Doc Savage pulp magazine until about ten years later. Along the way I learned more about the pulps themselves, including other great characters like The Shadow, The Avenger, and especially The Spider, through the great books of Philip Jose Farmer.
Eventually I would collect the entire series of 182 Doc Savage paperback novels, and lots from the other characters, too, and today I have a nice collection of the original pulps which I’d never ever part with.
Art: Jay Piscopo
AP: Your story for the Return of the Monsters Halloween event is called The Spider Vs. The Werewolf. What can we expect from this titanic throw down?
MP: Actually, it’s called “The Werewolf War Massacres.” I couldn’t resist giving it a more Norvell Page-inspired title. Hopefully Moonstone will go for that on the inside front cover. No one could dream up pulp titles like Norvell, and I’ve always tried to mimic him as best I can. As for the story itself, it has more depth, is more action-packed, is more vicious, and has richer characterization that most of what I’ve gotten to write for the Spider in the past, thanks to its greater page length. I had a lot more space to work with, which was a luxury. It’s a horror story, to be sure, but it’s also about how the nightmare of war has changed two men.
AP: The Spider Vs. The Werewolf has a classic pulp hero battling a classic monster, a combination that even though done in some regards hasn’t ever really been done the way Moonstone is doing it with the Return of the Monsters event. What do these genres have in common and how do they differ in ways that complement each other?
Return of the Monsters Cover Art By Dan Brereton
MP: Well, I’ve always thought of the Spider as a sort of werewolf himself, and I’ve written him that way, in that he seems to transform into an alternate personality. The real question in my Spider adventures is which is the true identity, Wentworth or his lethal alter-ego? Which one is wearing the mask? The Spider is sort of a composite of Count Dracula and Mr. Hyde. He’s one of the original monster-heroes, and can be genuinely terrifying. The major difference is the Spider actually cares about us. Sure, he’s crazy as Renfield at times, but he also has a conscience, a lot of heart, and something of a messiah complex. It was a very easy, compatible fit combining the Master of Men with a gothic supernatural element. They seemed made for each other.
Art: Jay Piscopo
AP: The Return of the Monsters Halloween event brings back several classic monster archetypes to Moonstone’s lineup. How does this version of the Werewolf compare and contrast to previous versions of the character?
MP: This mystery-adventure is set in 1937, so the public at that time weren’t very educated on exactly what werewolves were supposed to be. The Wolf Man starring Lon Chaney, Jr. was still a few years away, so I based my monster mostly on lycanthrope mythology and folklore. Both the aspect of transforming under the full moon and being vulnerable only to silver weapons are Hollywood-created devices, so I ignored them. My werewolves change unpredictably, at any time, just like the creatures of legend. That makes them much more frightening and dangerous, and they are very tough to kill. However, I did strive to make the werewolf in this story ultimately a sympathetic character, which I think is very important. He’s a creature without any personal physical control. He can’t help himself.
AP: What appeals to you about pulp heroes battling classic monsters? What was it that excited you about pitting the Spider against a werewolf?
Art: Jay Piscopo
MP: I’m always excited about a new Spider story, especially getting to write an adventure of this length. Also, although “The Werewolf War Massacres” is not exactly an origin tale, it does provide us with a gruesome glimpse into Richard Wentworth’s past while he was a soldier in World War One. We get to see the Spider’s personae beginning to take form. The added excitement, for me, was finally getting to work with prolific artist Jay Piscopo, who understands and loves the 1930’s period pulp atmosphere as much as I do.
AP: You’ve been spearheading the Spider’s comic book adventures for Moonstone. What’s ahead for the book and character?
MP: That’s largely up to Moonstone. We have discussed a couple ideas, both dealing with larger formats which I’d really like to do. I have an especially massive apocalyptic epic in mind, with my regular Spider artist Hannibal King, which would resurrect one of the Spider’s classic and most deadly enemies. Also, Jay Piscopo and I have had a grand sweeping adventure planned which would team-up the Spider, Operator 5, and G-8 and His Battle Aces for the very first time.
AP: What, if any, existing pulp, monster, or comic book characters would you like to try your hand at writing?
Cover: Dan Brereton
MP: People who know me well realize that my favorite fictional worlds are the original 1933 King Kong, the classic Universal monster movies, the Hammer Studios horror films, and the Dark Shadows television series. So, I felt quite at home among the Spider and werewolves. I’ve written several Dracula stories over the past twenty-five years, and I just wrote a prose filmbook of Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man for Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine, which should be on sale before Halloween. I also have a new graphic novel reviving Dick Briefer’s classic pre-code Monster of Frankenstein horror series coming up, illustrated by Nik Poliwko, and will be published by Michael Hudson’s Sequential Pulp Comics, an imprint of Dark Horse. I have something in the works specifically for The Creature from the Black Lagoon with another publisher, too, but that’s all I can say for now. As for other pulp heroes, I’d love a shot at Doc Savage someday. The Shadow, too. And Tarzan most of all.
AP: What does Martin Powell do when he’s not writing?
MP: I’m a full-time writer, but I do have a lot of other interests. I haven’t watched commercial or cable television since 2004, and I fill some of that time with model kit building, collecting vintage books, and hunting for fossils. Some of my best times are spent playing with our beagle and three cats in our newly purchased 1925 bungalow, which we’re decorating in its proper 20s and 30s period. I suspect gardening will become another passion come next spring, now that we have our own yard. Among other things, I’m really looking forward to growing my own pumpkin patch. As Vincent Price once said, “There’s a whole world up on the stage and screen, but there’s a bigger world off of them. The person who limits their interests, limits their life.”
AP: Where can readers find learn more about you and your work?
AP: Any upcoming projects you would like to mention?
MP: Yes! I’m very excited to be writing a number of graphic novels for Sequential Pulp/Dark Horse Comics. Currently in the works are Martians, Go Home, The Hound of the Baskervilles, the Frankenstein book I already mentioned, plus a very cool upcoming werewolf project. Also, I’m writing several graphic novels based upon books by Edgar Rice Burroughs and licensed by his estate, including Caspak: The Land That Time Forgot, Number 13 (based on The Monster Men), and The Cave Girl, with more to come which I can’t talk about yet. All dream projects, to be sure. However, I’m most excited about the first graphic novel of my The Halloween Legion, from the same publisher. It’s a very exciting, very productive time for me. I’m very lucky.
AP: Thanks, Martin.
MP: It’s been fun. Thank you.
The Spider vs. The Werewolf is solicited in August Previews for an October in store release.
This Halloween, Moonstone heads back to their monstrous roots with the Return of the Monsters Event. Return of the Monsters features four stand-alone tales of pulp’s mightiest heroes facing off against some classic monsters. One of those titles is Domino Lady vs. the Mummy by co-writers Nancy Holder and Bobby Nash with art by Rock Baker and Jeff Austin. All Pulp sat down with artist Jeff Austin to talk about this upcoming book.
All Pulp: Tell us a little about yourself and your pulp interests.
Art: Rock Baker & Jeff Austin
Rock Baker: Well, I’ve always been very heavy into classic monster movies, period adventure stories, and I’m a cheescake cartoonist by trade, so you can imagine how much of a dream something like Domino Lady vs. The Mummy sounded when the assignment was offered to me. I didn’t enjoy it as much as I should have, though, because I was forced to draw everything very small in order to accommodate my rather shrimpy scanner. That matter aside, though, it was a real treat to work with a pulp character in a monster story.
AP: You’re providing pencils for the Return of the Monsters Halloween event book, Domino Lady Vs. The Mummy. What can we expect from this titanic throw down?
Art: Rock Baker
RB: A lot of creepy atmosphere. The pages are dripping with shadows. There’s a vibe of unearthly violence that creeps into high society and makes even the most well-lit locale look sinister. There’s also a pretty big event in the lives of these characters that fans will be excited to see! I also want to take a second and note that the key to making all this work is that I have Jeff Austin doing the inks. He has to be the best inker in the business, and I’m blessed to have him as a partner on this book!
AP: Domino Lady Vs. The Mummy has a pulp hero battling a classic monster, a combination that even though done in some regards hasn’t ever really been done the way Moonstone is doing it with the Return of the Monster event. What do these genres have in common and how do they differ in ways that complement each other?
Art: Rock Baker & Jeff Austin
RB: Well, both genres work within a world that looks a lot like ours, but plays by slightly different rules. Pulp heroes tend to take beatings that would kill them in real life, but they shrug it off pretty quick on paper. Likewise, monsters tend to be fancifully indestructible in their worlds. Touches of the supernatural often surface in hard-boiled detective literature. Tossing a monster into the mix is the same logic taken to its extreme. One has to be careful, though, to keep it from being TOO radical an addition. Crime fiction has a locked down set of rules concerning how people live, die, talk, whatever, while horror fare throws any such pretense out the window.
Art: Rock Baker
AP: The Return of the Monsters Halloween event brings back several classic monster archetypes to Moonstone’s lineup. How does this version of the Mummy compare and contrast to previous versions of the character?
RB: Most obviously, this one is female, where most classic mummies are male. More importantly, she’s smart. Most mummies in stories like this function as classic zombies, they shamble around and do the bidding of another. They’re usually the foot soldier of a high priest. This mummy, on the other hand, is the brains of the operation. That’s a fairly fresh take when one considers the more famous Lon Chaney-type mummies we’ve seen. (To be fair, Karloff’s Im-ho-tep was such a creature, but again he was male.)
AP: What appeals to you about pulp heroes battling classic monsters? What was it that excited you about visually pitting the Domino Lady against a mummy?
Art: Rock Baker & Jeff Austin
RB: It mixes together so many things that fire the imagination, and its nice to see imaginative storytelling isn’t something we grow out of. What can be better than two-fisted adventure and a monster on the side? Drawing a female mummy was a nice challenge. I wanted to make her a powerful monster, as she is in the script, yet I also wanted her to not be too monstrous. In her time, I’m sure this woman was a very beautiful girl. That became my hook. She’s got a nice figure, loaded down with jewelry, has plenty of poise and grace one might expect from Egyptian royalty. Mostly, she’s aged around the eyes, where her supernatural power is focused. Between her supernatural ways and the embalming procedures developed by the ancient Egyptians, she should retain an echo of her former beauty.
AP: What, if any, existing pulp, monster, or comic book characters would you like to try your hand at drawing?
Return of the Monsters Covers By Dan Brereton
RB: Interesting question. Sheena or one of the many similar jungle girl characters would be ideal, as I could combine cheesecake art with lush natural backgrounds. I’ve always been a fan of werewolf movies, so I might enjoy drawing a werewolf tale, provided I could actually draw a Wolf Man-type creature and not one of those more modern werewolves that look like bears and don’t wear clothing.
Art: Rock Baker
AP: What does Rock Baker do when he’s not drawing?
RB: He watches a lot of movies. Motion pictures have always been my main area of interest. My library currently contains 1900+ titles that I’ve collected or taped from television. I encourage people to donate their VHS tapes to me rather than just throw them out, which would be a waste. I once wrote and edited a monster magazine, among other things involving genre films.
AP: Where can readers learn more about you and your work?
RB: My blog can be found here: http://rock-baker.blogspot.com/ (I should be posting a lot of artwork there in addition to movie reviews.) I can also be found on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bakercartoons
AP: Any upcoming projects you would like to mention?
RB: It’s hard to keep track sometimes. I try to get an assignment finished as quickly as possible and move onto the next thing on the list. I sometimes forget what I’ve drawn until it suddenly comes out a few months later! This Moonstone project is one of the big ones, for sure, and I’m looking forward to seeing it in print! I’m also pretty happy about the continuing adventures of my own character Dinosaur Girl, in the pages of AC Comics!
AP: Thanks, Rock.
RB: Thank you very much! It has been an honor!
Domino Lady vs. the Mummy is solicited in August Previews for an October in store release.
This Halloween, Moonstone heads back to their monstrous roots with the Return of the Monsters Event. Return of the Monsters features four stand-alone tales of pulp’s mightiest heroes facing off against some classic monsters. One of those titles is Domino Lady vs. the Mummy by co-writers Nancy Holder and Bobby Nash with art by Rock Baker and Jeff Austin. All Pulp sat down with artist Jeff Austin to talk about this upcoming book.
All Pulp: Tell us a little about yourself and your pulp interests.
Jeff Austin: Well, I’m a freelance artist who spends a lot of time inking-embellishing others. My pulp connections come largely from my book collection, which contains many anthologies comprised of pulp stories.
Art: Rock Baker & Jeff Austin
AP: You’re providing inks and tones for the Return of the Monsters Halloween event book, Domino Lady vs. The Mummy. What can we expect from this titanic throw down?
JA: Guns, mummies, a strong female character and guys in trench coats.
AP: Domino Lady vs. The Mummy has a pulp hero battling a classic monster, a combination that even though done in some regards hasn’t ever really been done the way Moonstone is doing it with the Return of the Monster event. What do these genres have in common and how do they differ in ways that complement each other?
JA: I’m sure many pulp readers back in the day wished for a merging of story elements…an action character with a dash of supernatural overtones [think Doc Savage meets Weird Tales]. Moonstone is allowing readers to finally see it on paper.
AP: The Return of the Monsters Halloween event brings back several classic monster archetypes to Moonstone’s lineup. How does this version of the Mummy compare and contrast to previous versions of the character?
Art: Rock Baker & Jeff Austin
JA: Imagine an ancient Egyptian pinup queen…the Betty Page of her time…resurrected from the dead to win over the hearts of modern man… well, maybe not… it’s a female, anyway…
Art: Rock Baker & Jeff Austin
AP: What appeals to you about pulp heroes battling classic monsters? What was it that excited you about visually pitting the Domino Lady against a mummy?
JA: Good looking woman battles undead ancient woman…. it’s a study in texture and tone. Smooth-sexy versus crusty-dusty.
AP: What, if any, existing pulp, monster, or comic book characters would you like to try your hand at drawing?
JA: My dream assignment would be to work on an Addams Family comic. That’s close, isn’t it?
Art: Rock Baker & Jeff Austin
AP: What does Jeff Austin do when he’s not drawing?
JA: Watching movies, sleeping or thinking about different ways to draw.
AP: Where can readers find learn more about you and your work?
AP: Any upcoming projects you would like to mention?
JA: Well, there’s always FemForce…I’m slowly planning out some solo projects…. I do various things for Main Publishing…. Still need to finish up inking a Lance Star story over the talented Rock Baker [same penciler on this Moonstone book]… and about half a dozen other ink assignments crying for my attention…. crying….. begging……
AP: Thanks, Jeff.
JA: My pleasure. Now go away… I got pages to ink….
Domino Lady vs. the Mummy is solicited in August Previews for an October in store release.
This Halloween, Moonstone heads back to their monstrous roots with the Return of the Monsters Event. Return of the Monsters features four stand-alone tales of pulp’s mightiest heroes facing off against some classic monsters. One of those titles is Domino Lady vs. the Mummy by co-writers Nancy Holder and Bobby Nash with art by Rock Baker and Jeff Austin. All Pulp sat down with Bobby Nash about this upcoming book.
All Pulp: Tell us a little about yourself and your pulp interests.
Bobby Nash: I’m a writer of prose and comic books, many of which feature pulp characters and themes. Some of the characters I’ve written include Lance Star: Sky Ranger, Domino Lady, Secret Agent X, Ravenwood – Stepson of Mystery, the Green Hornet, and more. You can see all of my various books at http://www.bobbynash.com/. I also run the http://www.lance-star.com/ website as well.
AP: Your story, co-written with Nancy Holder, for the Return of the Monsters Halloween event is called Domino Lady vs. the Mummy. What can we expect from this titanic throw down?
Art: Rock Baker & Jeff Austin
BN: Domino Lady’s adversaries tend to be more human so it was a fun experiment having her face off against a supernatural threat. Getting the opportunity to work with writer Nancy Holder, whose novels and comics I’ve enjoyed over the years was just icing on the cake. She developed an interesting plot that was fun to play with. She has Domino Lady’s character down pat. Working with the art team of Rock Baker and Jeff Austin again was an added bonus. Together, Rock and Jeff have that classic art style that really fits a character like Domino Lady and the world she inhabits. I hope we get to see them work on this character again.
Here’s a tease about the story. The Domino Lady and her police friend, Detective “Mad Dog” Vernia are targeted by an Egyptian sorceress and her mistress, a mummy hell-bent on finding the perfect mate. The mummy’s search for the perfect “parts” leaves a rail of victims all over 1930’s Hollywood and only the Domino Lady stands in her way.
Art: Rock Baker & Jeff Austin
AP: Domino Lady Vs. The Mummy has a pulp hero battling a classic monster, a combination that even though done in some regards hasn’t ever really been done the way Moonstone is doing it with the Return of the Monster event. What do these genres have in common and how do they differ in ways that complement each other?
BN: When Moonstone boss, Joe Gentile first told me about this project he mentioned going for a black and white with gray tones feel I thought it was a brilliant idea that would capture the mood of both those old noir films as well as monster movies. From that point on it clicked for me and I play around with things like lurking shadows a lot in the script. Seriously, see how many you can find when the book comes out in October.
AP: The Return of the Monsters Halloween event brings back several classic monster archetypes to Moonstone’s lineup. How does this version of the Mummy compare and contrast to previous versions of the character?
BN: It compares in that it’s a mummy and that comes along with certain trappings like being wrapped in bandages, canopic jars, ritual organ harvesting, that sort of thing. Y’know, just a fun night in Hollywood. (laughs). This particular mummy isn’t based on any particular mummy we’ve seen before. Taking Nancy’s concept of the mummy as a starting point, I tried to make it as scary and dangerous a mummy as possible. The art really sells that, starting with Dan Brereton’s cover straight through the book.
Covers by Dan Brereton
AP: What appeals to you about pulp heroes battling classic monsters? What was it that excited you about pitting the Domino Lady against a mummy?
Art: Rock Baker & Jeff Austin
BN: I was excited for the opportunity to write the character again. I really took a liking to the Domino Lady when I was reading the original stories as research for my story in the Moonstone Domino Lady prose anthology. Since then I’d been looking for any excuse to work on the character again. The thought of dropping Domino Lady into a situation that is completely alien to her was of interest. We played up her detective skills, which I really enjoyed. All of that had me excited, but then I found out I would be co-writing with Nancy Holder and I got even more excited. Then Rock and Jeff came on board. Then I saw the cover. By that point I was over the moon.
AP: What, if any, existing pulp, monster, or comic book characters would you like to try your hand at writing?
BN: Oh, take your pick. I’ve written a few pulp characters, but would love to try my hand at the Spider, Captain Action, or maybe team up G-8 with Lance Star: Sky Ranger. That would be fun. As for monsters, I’ve written a lot of werewolves over the past year or two (not one, but two comic book projects that feature a werewolf are in process), plus I’ve written Dracula and now the mummy. I might have to go with a sea monster next. With comics, my dream gig would have to be the Fantastic Four, but I wouldn’t sneeze at Spider-man, Thor, Nightwing, or Captain America either.
Cover: Shannon Hall
AP: What does Bobby Nash do when he’s not writing?
BN: I sleep. I also spend way too much time in front of the TV or with my nose in a novel. I love traveling and attend a lot of conventions, which even though not technically writing is still part of the job. I’m also a co-host for the Earth Station One podcast. We record an episode each week. Check it out at www.esopodcast.com. We always like new listeners. Other than that I’m generally doing something creative. I’ve never learned the art of sitting around and doing nothing.
AP: Where can readers find learn more about you and your work?
AP: Any upcoming projects you would like to mention?
BN: Just released: Lance Star: Sky Ranger Vol. 3 (Airship 27), Green Hornet Casefiles (Moonstone), and Golden Age Good Girls (Mini Komix). Coming soon (in no particular order): The Ruby Files (Airship 27), Domino Lady vs. the Mummy (Moonstone), Zombies Vs. Robots (IDW), Tales From The Zero Hour Vol. 4 (Blinding Force Productions), Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar (Moonstone), All-Star Pulp Comics (Airship 27), Green Hornet: Still At Large (Moonstone), and more Lance Star: Sky Ranger prose and comics. Plus a few surprises I can’t talk about yet. You can see all of my upcoming announcements at http://www.bobbynash.com/.
AP: Thanks, Bobby.
BN: My pleasure.
Domino Lady vs. the Mummy is solicited in August Previews for an October in store release.
This Halloween, Moonstone heads back to their monstrous roots with the Return of the Monsters Event. Return of the Monsters features four stand-alone tales of pulp’s mightiest heroes facing off against some classic monsters. One of those titles is The Black Bat vs. Dracula by Mike Bullock and Eric Johns. All Pulp sat down with the writer about this upcoming book.
All Pulp: Hi, Mike. Tell us a little about yourself and your pulp interests.
Mike Bullock: Well, I’m a guy who loves escapist fiction. Mostly the kind that goes on inside my head. I don’t have much time anymore to spend reading great books or watching thrilling movies, so that love burrows deep into my mind and sinks its fangs into the wellspring of imagination constantly flowing through my thoughts.
My pulp interests began with sword and sorcery stuff, then sci fi and space opera stuff. I was never much into the hard-boiled detective type stuff and somehow missed the boat on Doc Savage, but I love Conan, John Carter, Flash Gordon and the more fantastical stuff like Captain Future, Gladiator and the like.
Oh, and, I love pizza.
Art: Eric Johns
AP: Your story for the Return of the Monsters Halloween event is called The Black Bat vs. Dracula. What can we expect from this titanic throw down?
MB: It’s a game of cat and mouse and cat as Death Angel investigates a serial killing only to discover the killer is after her next and he doesn’t want to kill her, but to make her his eternal lover. A fateful game of huntsmanship through the historic Phaidor hotel, brought to life by the zealous pencils and pens of Eric Johns.
AP: The Black Bat vs. Dracula has a pulp hero battling a classic monster, a combination that even though done in some regards hasn’t ever really been done the way Moonstone is doing it with the Return of the Monster event. What do these genres have in common and how do they differ in ways that complement each other?
MB: I’m sure everyone has their own view of how to answer that, but since you’re asking me, here’s mine: Both pulp and the classic monster tales use some really imaginative characters that are far outside the ordinary and place them into situations that force the ordinary to become extraordinary. Frankenstein, Dracula, werewolves, mummies and zombies all seem to come from the same wellspring I mentioned above, and so do characters like Black Bat, Phantom Detective, Domino Lady, Spider and Death Angel.
I also think both “genres” (I use that word very, very loosely) appeal to a similar audience, people looking for escapism with a solid sense of right and wrong, the heroic and villainous. There aren’t many shades of grey in either, although characters on both sides of the table do have both human and monstrous sides to their personas. AP: The Black Bat vs. Dracula also features your creation, Death Angel. How does this modern day creation hold her own against these two classic characters?
Art: Eric Johns
MB: I think that’s up to the readers to decide. I’d have to be pretty egotistical to think a character I came up with just a few years ago could compare to the likes of Dracula and Black Bat. Those are two creations that have stood the test of time for a very long time and will continue to do so. I can only hope ‘Angel is still remembered when she’s been around as long as those two heavyweights. Honestly, I’m just tickled that people seem to dig her as much as they do.
AP: The Return of the Monsters Halloween event brings back several classic monster archetypes to Moonstone’s lineup. How does this version of Dracula compare and contrast to previous versions of the character?
MB: I haven’t seen all the previous versions, but my take on the Prince of Darkness is fairly ‘classic’ I think. He’s young in appearance, charismatic, self assured, powerful and someone who is very used to getting his way. Until this story, Death Angel had never met her equal in a fight and it’s made her a bit overconfident. After this encounter, if she survives, that confidence will be shaken to the core.
AP: What appeals to you about pulp heroes battling classic monsters? What was it that excited you about pitting the Black Bat against the lord of the vampires?
MB: For me, it was a classic “Battle to Rule The Night” scenario. Black Bat, Death Angel and Dracula all exist in the shadows, stalking their prey through the darkness, using fear as a weapon. But, while their methods are all very similar, their motives and desired goals are definitely not. Black Bat wants justice, Death Angel wants revenge and Dracula wants blood. Aim those three at the same crossroads and get ready for the “big one”.
AP: You’ve been spearheading the Black Bat’s comic book adventures for Moonstone. What’s ahead for the book and character?
MB: At some point the second Black Bat graphic novel will come out, concluding the “Black Death” story begun in the first graphic novel. I also have a Black Bat/Spider crossover tale coming in the Spider prose anthology. After that, I think the majority of new Black Bat tales will come in prose form. I’d like to start building him ground up in a series of prose tales, but we’ll have to wait and see what the future holds.
Art: Eric Johns
AP: What, if any, existing pulp, monster, or comic book characters would you like to try your hand at writing?
MB: Pulp – Conan, John Carter. Monster, more Dracula and possibly some Frankenstein. I wrote a Frankenstein tale years ago I might dust off, polish up and release in eBook format sometime. For comics, I’d love to write Moon Knight, Firestorm and Captain “Shazam” Marvel, and to a minor extent would love to do some Silver Surfer and eventually Batman.
AP: What does Mike Bullock do when he’s not writing?
MB: Spend entirely too much time on the phone discussing writing with clients, publishers, artists and friends. When not doing that, I love to spend time with my beautiful wife and awesome son.
Cover Art: Dan Brereton
AP: Where can readers learn more about you and your work?
MB; Read the tea leaves. They know everything. If not, roll the bones; the runes never lie. But, if you don’t have access to tea leaves and rune stones, you can check out my studios’ website at www.runemasterstudios.com and the sister site www.pulp.runemasterstudios.com/
AP: Any upcoming projects you would like to mention?
MB: Anyone out there who is into sword and sorcery should stay tuned for my first prose novel, coming from Airship 27 early next year, “The Runemaster.” It’s a Viking epic in the vein of Conan, Braveheart and Beowulf. After that, check out my second novel, coming from Pro Se entitled “Janus: Guardian of Worlds.” Janus exists in the late 1930s where he finds himself as the lone guardian between our world and an infinite number of others inhabited by all sorts of nasty creatures, unimaginable evil and supernatural forces all hell-bent on the destruction of everything we know. And you thought the Nazis were the only thing to worry about back then…
AP: Thanks, Mike.
MB: You’re welcome. Thanks for the interview and thanks for everything All Pulp does for those of us with an addiction to fiction.
The Black Bat vs. Dracula is solicited in August Previews for an October in store release.
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