PROHIBITION

PROHIBITION

By Terrence McCauley

Airship 27 Productions

181 pages

Now on Kindle

Guest Reviewer – Derrick Fergusson

I’m going to get to talking about PROHIBITION in a bit, I promise. But first, I gotta relate a little story that will assist me in making my opening point. Okay? Thank you for your patience and sit back. Here it goes:

Couple of weeks ago I’m having a Skype conversation with a gentleman who is incensed that I don’t like “Hobo With A Shotgun.” It’s a perfect modern grindhouse movie he insists. No, I politely disagree. “Planet Terror” is a a perfect modern grindhouse movie. The gentleman spends the next two minutes expressing his opinion that whatever it is I allegedly use for thinking must be composed of excrement and another minute telling me that “Planet Terror” is garbage and why on Earth do I think it’s the better movie.

“Because,” says I, “Robert Rodriguez knows what grindhouse is. The guys who made ‘Hobo With A Shotgun’ just think they know what grindhouse is.”

Which finally brings me to PROHIBITION by Terrence McCauley. We’ve got a lot of New Pulp writers who think they know what a 1930’s gangster story is. But Terrence McCauley knows what a 1930’s gangster story. Man, does he ever.

We’re in New York, 1930. The town is run by Archie Doyle, the city’s most powerful gangster who is more like the monarch of an unruly kingdom. And there’s somebody out there looking to take his crown. Archie’s got an ambitious plan in mind that will give him more power than he’s ever dreamed of before. But he’s got to stay alive long enough to see that plan through. That’s where his chief enforcer Terry Quinn comes in. Terry’s an ex-boxer and the toughest mug on two legs. But finding out who’s trying to start a bloody gang war between Archie Doyle and his main rival, Howard Rothman is going to take more than just being tough. Quinn is going to have to rely on his street smarts and think his way through this. Of course, shooting and slugging his way to the guilty party helps an awful lot, too.

PROHIBITION has a lot going for it, mainly that McCauley isn’t afraid to write characters who aren’t likeable at all. But that’s okay with me. As long as I know why the characters are doing what they’re doing and understand their motivations, I’m cool. McCauley is writing about people who have chosen a dark, dangerous and violent life and he stays true to that. That’s not to say he doesn’t find the humanity in them. He does. It’s just a humanity that manifests itself within the terms and parameters of the concrete jungle his characters have chosen to inhabit for whatever reasons people have to live a life of crime. This wasn’t an easy period in American history to live in and people had to make hard choices. The characters in PROHIBITION have to make the hardest choices of all since the wrong one can get them killed.

A lot of New Pulp writers figure that to write a 1930’s gangster story you just have to have pseudo-tough talking wanna-be’s sounding more like Slip Mahoney than real gangsters run around shooting Tommy guns. McCauley understands that the most successful gangsters of that era ran their organizations like businesses. The business just happens to be crime is all. Violence wasn’t their first resort to solve every problem. It was just as useful and as profitable to know when not to use violence as it was to know when to use it.

I appreciated the smartness of these characters. The way they talk to each other, maneuvering to gain an edge through words makes for some really solid dialog. The relationship between Archie Doyle and Terry Quinn reminds me a lot of the relationship between the Albert Finney/Gabriel Byrne characters from “Miller’s Crossing.” Imagine if Gabriel Byrne’s character was an authentic badass who knew how to fight instead of getting his ass kicked all the time and you’ll get what I mean. Terry Quinn is a guy who knows how to work the angles and his navigation through this gleefully violent story is an enjoyable one to read.

And like any good gangster story, McCauley doesn’t skimp on the sex and violence. If you want cute gangsters who pal around and crack jokes then go watch “Johnny Dangerously” because you’re not going to find that in PROHIBITION. I appreciated the tough, hard story McCauley is telling and the even tougher, harder characters who speak and talk pretty much the way I expect gangsters of that era to behave.

I’m sure that there are some who are going to be uncomfortable or even turned off by the language and that there isn’t really an ‘heroic’ character to root for. Terry Quinn is a killer and extraordinarily violent man who doesn’t make apologies for how he lives his life. Most readers like to have a lead character to root for and while Terry’s misplaced sense of honor and loyalty lifts him a notch above most of the other characters in the book that doesn’t mean he’s anywhere near being on the side of the angels. But it’s precisely because of that misplaced honor and loyalty that makes him such an enjoyable protagonist to read about.

And I can’t wrap up this review without mentioning the wonderful illustrations by Rob Moran which do an excellent job of capturing the mood and feel of the story. I’m willing to bet next month’s rent that Rob Moran has seen a lot of those great classic Warner Brothers black-and-white gangster epics of the 30’s and 40’s as that’s the feeling I got from his illustrations.

So should you read PROHIBITION? Absolutely. It’s not only a terrific way to spend a couple of quality reading hours, it’s also an important book in the evolution of New Pulp. It’s exciting to see books like this that adds another genre to expand what New Pulp is and can be. The bread-and-butter of New Pulp are the masked avengers, the jungle lords and the scientific adventurers, sure. But there’s plenty of room for sports stories, romance, westerns and private eyes. And in the last couple of years we’ve seen those. Hard-boiled crime stories are just as much a Classic Pulp tradition and I’m delighted to see it being continued and represented in New Pulp. Most definitely put PROHIBITION on your Must Read List. 

PROHIBITION

WELCOME TO HARD TIMES

Airship 27 Productions proudly announces the release of their 16^th and final title of the year; PROHIBITION by Terrence McCauley. 

The year is 1930 and New York is a city on the edge. The Roaring '20s ended with the Stock Market Crash and the Great Depression is only beginning. Banks are failing. Companies are closing their doors. Breadlines grow longer by the day. The only market making money is the black market: racketeering, rum running, and speakeasies.  But when even those vices begin to weaken, the most powerful gangster on the Eastern Seaboard, Archie Doyle, sees the writing on the wall. He launches a bold scheme that, if successful, will secure his empire’s future beyond Prohibition. Beyond even the Great Depression. 

But when a mysterious rival attempts to kill Doyle’s right hand man, a dangerous turf war begins to brew. With his empire under attack, Doyle turns to his best gun, former boxer Terry Quinn, for answers. Quinn must use his brains as well as his brawn to uncover who is behind the violence and why before Doyle’s empire comes crashing down. 

New York based writer Terrence McCauley whips up a fast paced pulp thriller ripe with Tommy-gun blasting hoods, corrupt cops and deadly dames in this original novel reminiscent of the classic gangster movies of old.  “This is pure, unadulterated gangster pulp,” cheers Airship 27 Managing Editor Ron Fortier.  “When I first read it, I immediately found myself thinking of all those great black and white Warner Brother film classics starring Edward G.Robinson, James Cagney, Humprhey Bogart and George Raft. McCauley captures the feel and atmosphere of those rambunctious outlaw days when the mobs were battling each other for control of the Big Apple.”

Beautifully illustrated by Rob Moran who also provides the cover as colored by Shannon Hall with designs by Rob Davis, PROHIBITION is a tough-guy blow to the literary gut readers will not soon forget.

AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTIONS – Pulp Fiction for a New Generation!

Now available at Create Space – (https://www.createspace.com/4098079)

A $3 PDF edition is available at – (http://robmdavis.com/Airship27Hangar/index.airshipHangar.html)

Within a week it will be on-sale at Amazon proper and in two weeks at (www.IndyPlanet.com)

CAPT.HAZZARD AUDIO BOOK!

CAPTAIN HAZZARD AUDIO BOOK

Airship 27 Productions & Dynamic Ram Audio are thrilled to announced the release of the first ever Captain Hazzard adventure, “Python Men of the Lost City,” as an audio book recorded by actor Joe Stofko.

In 2006 six, writer Ron Fortier realized a personal dream when he re-wrote the original pulp classic known amongst fans because it only produced one issue.  Although released under the house name of Chester Hawks, it is believed that pulp veteran Paul Chadwick was the true author of this Doc Savage want-to-be.

“Finding a facsimile reprint copy years go,” explains Fortier, “I was instantly enamored with the characters, especially Hazzard.  I could also see why the book failed.  Chadwick, better known for his Secret Agent X exploits, wasn’t at all comfortable with high adventure and the book is filled with plot holes galore.”  Fortier sat down, re-wrote the entire book and republished it via Ron Hanna’s Wild Cat Books.  It became an instant hit amongst the pulp community.  “I would challenge pulp fans to read the original and then my re-write,” Fortier chuckles.  “The response I received from those who did this was overwhelmingly positive.  Enough so that I started writing new Captain Hazzard novels.”

Later, Fortier and his partner, Art Director Rob Davis, parted ways with Wild Cat Books to start their own publishing imprint, Airship 27 Productions and quickly produced new editions of the book.  Earlier this year, Airship 27 joined forces with Dynamic Ram Audio headed by Sound Engineer Chris Barnes.  One of the titles chosen to bring to audio life was of course, “Catpain Hazzard – Python Men of the Lost City.”  The audio files run approximately four and a half hours.  There are plans to do CD versions in the coming months and make them available at various cons.

Fortier had high praise for Joe Stofko’s reading.  “Joe’s a professional actor and does a lot of theater.  His reading is full of passion and drama with a hint of the fun. That’s what I loved the most while listening to the tapes.  Joe brings the story to life with his reading and adds a completely different dimension to the experience.  No one could have done a better job with this.”

Now available at the Airship 27 Hangar Catalog site for $9.99! Direct link to the entry:

(http://robmdavis.com/Airship27Hangar/index.airshipHangar.html#PythonAudio)

Print and Kindle Editions are available here –

(http://www.amazon.com/Captain-Hazzard-Python-Men-Lost-City/dp/061569649X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354207098&sr=1-1&keywords=Captain+Hazzard+Python+Men+of+the+Lost+City)

THREE AGAINST THE STARS

BOLD NEW SPACE OPERA

Airship 27 Productions is thrilled to announce the release of its 15^th title of the year, a rousing new space opera; THREE AGAINST THE STARS by Chicago based writer Joe Bonadonna.  Best known for his sword and sorcery fantasies, Bonadonna now steps into a whole new arena to deliver a truly fast paced futurist pulp adventure.

On the distant alien planet of Rhajnara a conspiracy created by the facist Khandra Regime is set into motion to overthrow the rightful Rhajni Republic and instigate a policy of ethnic-cleansing.  The conspirators are cunning and it seems nothing in the universe can derail their mad apocalyptic scheme.

Nothing that is but three rambunctious Space Marines from the Third Regiment Company E of the United States Space Marines assigned to Rhajnara with the Terran Expeditionary Force.  Sergeants Fernado Cortez, Seamus O’Hara and Claudia Akira are the most unlikely trio ever to don jarhead camouflage and become military heroes.  To their superiors they are wild, reckless and incessant troublemakers always in the thick of things.  Yet their courage, loyalty and devotion to duty prove them to be the toughest Devil Dogs in the Corp.

Now, with the aid of a Medical Corpsman named Makki Doon, a young Felisian native proto-feline humanoid, these three futuristic musketeers are about to become the one factor capable of exposing the traitorous Khandra coup.  But to do so they will have to put their lives on the line one more time and risk all to save the day facing off against incredible odds.  To save an empire they will truly become…THREE AGAINST THE STARS.

“This is old school space opera,” cheered Airship 27 Productions’ Managing Editor, Ron Fortier.  “From Buck Rogers to the Space Patrol, the classic elements in this book make for a fun read from start to finish.”  The book features interior illustrations by the popular Pedro Cruz with a dynamic cover by Laura Givens and is designed by Art Director, Rob Davis.  “In the end, Joe Bonadonna delivers an action packed space opera fans of Edmond Hamilton and E.E. “Doc” Smith will not soon forget.”

AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTIONS – Pulp Fiction For A New Generation!

Available now at Create Space – (https://www.createspace.com/4072461)

As a digital PDF download here –

(http://robmdavis.com/Airship27Hangar/index.airshipHangar.html)

In another week at Amazon & Kindle.

In two weeks from (www.IndyPlanet.com)

NEW BOSTON BOMBERS EDITION!

BOSTON BOMBERS NEW EDITION

The new Wild Wolf Edition of THE BOSTON BOMBERS is now available at both  Barnes & Noble on-line and Amazon.  This pulp inspired graphic novel was written by Ron Fortier and illustrated Chris Jones, Bob Cram Jr. and Gary Kato .  The first edition, self-published Rob Davis’ Redbud Studio won the 2010 Pulp Award for Best Pulp Comic.

THE BOSTON BOMBERS is the story of an alternate world where Jesus was female and accepted as the Messiah by the Jewish people.  Where the last vestiges of the Roman Empire continued exist in South Africa and the center of the Catholic Church is located in Jerusalem.  After this reality’s World War One, the League of Nations became a military force to maintain peace throughout the globe.

Indra Devine and her all girl team are special agents of the League on a mission to uncover the machinations of the Roman Empire whose quest for world domination is once again being felt.  From politics to religion, from gun battles and giant airships, this epic saga has everything but the kitchen sink.

“I want to thank Sean Collins of Wild Wolf Entertainment for offering up this new edition to what we hope will be a much larger audience,” Fortier applauded enthusiastically.  “This is project has always been one of my personal favorites and we continue to sell lots of copies at pulp & comic shows every year.”

THE BOSTON BOMBERS is now available at –

Barnes & Noble (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/boston-bombers-ron-fortier/1113763713?ean=9780982341773&itm=1&USRI=boston+bombers&)

At Amazon – (http://www.amazon.com/Boston-Bombers-Ron-Fortier/dp/0982341776/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353952350&sr=1-1&keywords=Boston+Bombers)

The Redbud Edition is also still available –

(http://www.robmdavis.com/RedbudStudio/index.html)

BONES VS ALIEN MONSTER!

BONES VS ALIEN GODS

Airship 27 Productions, in conjunction with Dynamic Ram Audio, is thrilled to announce the release of their third audio recording based on the stories of the new pulp sensation, Brother Bones – The Undead Avenger by Ron Fortier.  Voice actor Mark Kalita returns to read this new entry called, “The Scales of Terror.”

"I was very excited to be chosen to bring Ron's Brother Bones stories to the audio medium,” Kalita says.  “These tales are so rich in the classic pulp fiction tradition with their noir atmosphere, gritty language and larger-than-life hero that you can't help but let yourself get pulled into the shadows of their delightfully dark recesses. Hopefully my readings will further enhance the imagery that Ron has so skillfully crafted to make them appeal both to fans of old time radio and modern audio books."

This short audio files are part of an on-going project to sell all seven of the Brother Bones tales from the Airship 27 Productions’ prose collection for the reasonable price of $2.  Once all seven have been recorded and made available, the entire audio book will be offered for the bargain price of $10.  “Response thus far has been truly wonderful,” reports Fortier, who is also Airship 27 Productions Managing Editor.  “We couldn’t be any happier with Dynamic Ram Audio’s quality on these recordings and Mark brings so much to the table.  His readings enhance the creepiness of each story.”

There is some definitive extra passion to this reading as Kalita went on to explain.  "Scales of Terror was particularly special for me to read because I'm a big fan of H.P. Lovecraft and the idea of doing a story about a secret cult and otherworldly beasties had instant appeal. Throw in Brother Bones and his particular brand of undead justice and it just doesn't get any better. I think listeners will also find Chris Barnes' special audio treatment really helps bring this tale an added dimension of cool creepiness."

BROTHER BONES – Audio Tales # 3 The Scales of Terror is now available for download at -(http://robmdavis.com/Airship27Hangar/index.airshipHangar.html#brobonesaudio3)

AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTIONS – Pulp Fiction for a New Generation!

MYSTERY MEN (& Women) Vol III

THEY’RE BACK!

Airship 27 Productions is excited to announce the release of their third MYSTERY MEN (& Women) anthology celebrating the creations of brand new pulp heroes to follow in the steps of the classic avengers of old.  Managing Editor, Ron Fortier explains it this way, “After doing new stories of classic pulp heroes for nearly four years, many of our writers starting getting the itch to invent their own original pulp characters.  This anthology series addresses that need and has been a huge hit with all our readers.”

As in the first two volumes in this series, a quartet of today’s most ambitious pulp writers put on their creative caps and have whipped up four thrilling brand new pulp adventures crammed with wall-to-wall action. In MYSTERY MEN (& Women) Vol III we get to meet three brand new characters and have the pleasure of enjoying the return of a familiar character from volume two.

THE SKEIN - A black veteran of World War One returns home to the bayou country only confront an evil practitioner of the voodoo magic is turning living people into lifeless zombies.  Donning his old doughboy uniform and a gasmask, the Skein is born to protect the innocent and defeat the wicked, written and created by Kevin Noel Olson

THE BROWN RECLUSE – Next, in the grand tradition of the old pulp magazines comes a new series that focuses not on the stalwart heroes of the tale but rather on its dastardly villain.  A mad scientist whose genius is capable of inventing the most bizarre weapons, the Brown Recluse has but one goal in mind, the complete domination of all mankind under his heel. He is the invention of writer by Greg Gick

KIRI - A beautiful female samurai comes to New York in the early 1930s employed as the personal aid to a newspaper business woman wanting to clean up the city from vice and corruption.  Along the way, Kiri stumbles on a white slavery ring connected to a former ally who murdered her teacher back in Japan.  Suddenly her mission becomes that of personal vengeance and before it is over blood will be spilled.  Airship 27 Productions is thrilled to welcome gifted writer Curt Ferlund to our ranks and premier this truly wonderful new pulp hero.

MONGREL (Chapter Two) – And lastly the saga of the modern day action hero, Mongrel, continues in this second chapter picking up where the first ended.  There is a conspiracy to destroy Mongrel’s family, the owners of a multi-faceted high tech communications empire.  Using disguised, sophisticated cyborg assassins, the enemy strikes from the shadows.  This is Airship 27 Productions’ first on-going chapter serial and is presented by the creator of Dillon, the one and only Derrick Ferguson.

Airship 27 Productions’ 14^th title of the year features a stunning cover by artist Marco Turini with interior illustrations and designs by Art Director Rob Davis.  Here once more are four fast-paced, colorful heroes created in the spirit of the golden age pulp avengers and brought to you by the publisher where adventure reigns.  Airship 27 Productions.  PULP FICTION FOR A NEW GENERATION!

Now Available at Create Space – (https://www.createspace.com/4049994)

Within 7 to 10 days at Amazon & Kindle.

As a PDF Digital Download Now at our Website.

(http://robmdavis.com/Airship27Hangar/index.airshipHangar.html)

And in two weeks as a POD from – (http://indyplanet.com/store/)

SECRET AGENT X Vol IV

AMERICA’S ACE SPY RETURNS

Airship 27 Productions is thrilled to announce the release of the fourth volume in their best selling pulp series; Secret Agent X – Man of a Thousand Faces.

The greatest pulp spy of them all, Secret Agent X returns in four brand new adventures.  Continuing the excitement and thrills generated by the previous three volumes in this series, the Man of a Thousand Faces is back in four daring adventures written by today’s most talented pulp writers.

“Since starting Airship 27, Secret Agent X has been our flagship series,” explains Managing Editor Ron Fortier.  “Pulp fans just love this golden age spy and every time we put out a new book they not only rush to get a copy but they instantly begin clamoring for more of his exciting new adventures.  Pulps fans just can’t get enough of Secret Agent X and we’re only too happy to provide them with more.”

Deep in mountains of central Europe, Bobby Nash pits X against a deadly beast-man  with a special agenda while Jarrod Courtemanche has the master spy confronting a scientist who controls fears.  In a one of a kind cross-over, Agent X confronts one of the most nefarious pulp villains of them all, Fantamos, courtesy of Kevin Noel Olson and finally Frank Schildiner chronicles one of our hero’s earliest missions alongside the famed Sir Lawrence of Arabia in the burning sands of the Sahara.

“This is by far the most eclectic collection we’ve released thus far,” added Fortier.  The book features twelve interior illustrations by Art Director & Company Designer Rob Davis with a terrific cover by Davis and Shane Evans.  It is their second artistic collaboration on this highly popular series.

Dedicated to the protection of his country, the master of disguises, America’s top secret agent is in wavering his loyalty and courage as he once against takes on villainy in all its myriad forms.  He is the one and only Secret Agent X!

AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTIONS – Pulp Fiction for a New Generation!

Available now from –

Create Space (https://www.createspace.com/4020313)

As a Digital Download –

(http://robmdavis.com/Airship27Hangar/index.airshipHangar.html)

And within the next two weeks from –

Amazon – Kndle - & (www.IndyPlanet.com)

AUDIO BROTHER BONES!

AUDIO BONES

In 2008 Airship 27 Productions released BROTHER BONES; a collection of seven original stories featuring Ron Fortier’s original character known as the Undead Avenger. Taking place in the fictional port city of Cape Noir, the stories dealt with zombie dogs, gorilla gangsters, werewolf assassins and even a ghost train.  Throughout each, Brother Bones took on every evil with his twin blazing .45 automatics as the unstoppable vigilante. 

Now Airship 27 has teamed with Chris Barnes of Dynamic Ram Audio to bring these over the top pulp thrillers to audio and in two different options.  Initially each individual tale, all to be read by voice actor Mark Kalita, will be offered to fans as individual downloads from the Airship 27 website for the low price of $2 each. The first such, “The Bone Brothers,” which tells the origin of the character is now up and available.

Barnes is not shy about his love for the character.  “When Ron Fortier approached me to produce Brother Bones : The Undead Avenger, let’s just say he was glad he was thousands of miles away, because I would quite literally have bitten his hand off.  These stories begged to be given a full audio treatment, and both Mark Kalita and I are having an absolute ball putting these together!  We hope fans will enjoy listening to them as much as we are enjoying making them.”

As each new story is completed it will also be sold separately for the $2 price.  When all seven of the tales have been completed and sold individually, Airship 27 & Dynamic Ram Audio will make the entire audio book available to fans for the sale price of $9.99, a $4 saving from the individual offerings.

“It was our idea,” explained Fortier, the Airship 27 Managing Editor, “to offer fans of the character these smaller audio files for a very reasonable fee.  Brother Bones has a huge following and we are also delighted to have several of these made available just in time for Halloween.”

THE BONE BROTHERS, an audio pulp written by Ron Fortier and read by Mark Kalita is now on sale at (http://robmdavis.com/Airship27Hangar/index.airshipHangar.html).

In a few weeks a brand new edition of the book will also be available on Create Space, Amazon, Indy Planet and Kindle.

SINBAD - The New Voyages

SET SAIL FOR ADVENTURE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTIONS – Pulp Fiction For A New Generation!

Now available as $3 PDF download.

(http://robmdavis.com/Airship27Hangar/index.airshipHangar.html)

From Create Space

(https://www.createspace.com/3988204)

Later from Indy Planet.com POD.

(http://indyplanet.com/store/)

And finally Amazon & Kindle.

AIRSHIP 27 AUDIO BOOK!

AIRSHIP 27 AUDIO BOOKS

The first Airship 27 Productions audio book is now available for sale at the Airship 27 Productions website; “Witchfire” by Ardath Mayhar & Ron Fortier.  (See link below.)  Produced in conjunction with Broken Sea audio, the six hours plus book features reader Fiona Thraille and was engineered by Chris Barnes.

“We could not be happier with the final product,” said Airship 27 Editor in Chief Ron Fortier, also one of the co-writers of the book along with the late Ardath Mayhar of Texas.  “I’m not sure if any of Ardath’s many science fiction or fantasy novels were ever adapted to this format. I hope her many fans will truly enjoy this audio version which is dedicated to her memory.”

Along with the release of this, Airship 27 is also releasing a Kindle version of “Witchfire.”  The company released its first Kindle title, “Captain Action – Riddle of the Glowing” by Jim Beard only last week.  “We are really excited about these new formats,” Fortier went on.  “Our readers have been asking for them and finally we have the capability to provide them with this multiple formats.  Expect to see many more of our books on both Kindle and as audio downloads.”

Up next will be “Captain Hazzard – Python Men of the Lost City,” and “Brother Bones – The Undead Avenger.”

For now only audio file downloads will be available, selling for $9.99.  Airship 27 does hope to eventually press CD copies as well.  The company, started six years ago is devoted to publishing brand new pulp novels and anthologies and is operated by Fortier and his partner, Art Director Rob Davis.

AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTIONS – Pulps for a New Generation!

(http://robmdavis.com/Airship27Hangar/index.airshipHangar.html)

BLACK BAT MYSTERY Vol Two.

THE BAT IS BACK!

Airship 27 Productions is super thrilled to announce the release of BLACK BAT MYSTERY, Vol Two. This is the second in their anthology series featuring all brand new adventures of one of pulpdom’s most loved heroes, the Black Bat!

Crusading Attorney Anthony Quinn believed his career was over when a criminal threw acid into his face blinding him. Months later, desperate to regain his sight, Quinn underwent a unique transplant operation which gave him the eyes of a slain lawman. Not only did the procedure work, but it also gave Quinn the ability to see in the dark.  Using this fantastic gift, he created the Black Bat, a justice seeking vigilante able to battle those villains beyond the reach of the law. Aided by his team of loyal crime-fighters, Carol Baldwin, Silk Kerby and Butch O’Leary, the Black Bat is once again on the prowl, his target, the depraved and evil denizens of his beloved city.

“This new collection of stories are so much fun,” stated Managing Editor, Ron Fortier.  “We knew after the success of Volume One, we needed to really find other unique and original stories that our readers would appreciate.”  New pulp writers, Aaron Smith, Joshua Reynolds, Jim Beard and Frank Byrns offer up a deadly quartet of fast pace action thrills.  There are traditional pulp themed plots that pit the Black Bat against super human Nazis monsters and mysterious aircrafts terrorizing a small town.  But at the same time there is Frank Byrn’s yarn about corrupt politicians involved with Major League Baseball.  “The idea of using a 1930s baseball background for a Black Bat adventure was extremely exciting for us,” Fortier continued.  “And then there’s Reynolds story that has him teaming up with another classic pulp legend, Jim Anthony the Super Detective.  Now who doesn’t love a good pulp team-up?”

The book features a stunning cover by Ingrid Hardy and Rob Davis based on Byrn’s story and has gorgeous interior illustrations by Andres Labrada.  BLACK BAT MYSTERY Vol. Two is another great pulp collection from the high flying Airship 27 Productions you won’t want to miss.

AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTIONS – PULP FICTION FOR A NEW GENERATION!

Available At

Create Space  (https://www.createspace.com/3974551)

At regular Amazon a week later.

Airship 27 Hangar as $3 Digital Download

(http://robmdavis.com/Airship27Hangar/index.airshipHangar.html)

And in two weeks at (http://indyplanet.com/) as a POD.

SAVING THE COSMOS - HERE COMES LANCE STAR: SPACE RANGER

Story: Bobby Nash. Art: Jeff Austin

Check out a sneak peek at the upcoming Lance Star: Space Ranger comic book story by Bobby Nash and Jeff Austin at the artist's blog - http://pencilbrushblog.blogspot.com/2012/08/in-outerspaceaceaceace.html

Lance Star: Sky Ranger comic #2: Strange Tales is coming soon from BEN Books.

For more on Lance Star: Sky Ranger, visit www.lance-star.com

Bobby

Table Talk: Pulp Team-ups and Medium Mixers

Table Talk is Back!

Pull up a seat and strap yourself in for another edition of Table Talk, the (semi) regular column where New Pulp authors Barry Reese, Bobby Nash, and Mike Bullock answer questions and offer their viewpoints on a wide array of topics relating to New Pulp Fiction.

This time out, the guys tackle team ups and mixing mediums. That’s right, it’s a pulp team-up-a-palooza at www.newpulpfiction.com.
Direct link: http://www.newpulpfiction.com/2012/07/table-talk-pulp-team-ups-and-medium.html

Join the conversation. Leave us a comment on the blog and let us know your thoughts on this topic. We’d love to hear your thoughts and questions.

Have a question you want the Table Talk Trio to answer? Send it to newpulpfiction@gmail.com with "Table Talk Question" in the subject line. Also, let us know if you want attribution for the question, or you'd rather remain anonymous. Please, keep the questions pertinent to the creation of New Pulp and/or writing speculative fiction in general. We'll get the questions worked into future columns.

Follow the Table Talk Trio on Twitter @BarryReesePulp @BobbyNash @MikeABullock and Facebook.

BOBBY NASH TALKS CONS ON PULPED!

This week on PULPED!, The New Pulp Podcast, Tommy Hancock is joined by Author Stephen Jared, writer of JACK AND THE JUNGLE LION, its upcoming sequel ELEPHANTS OF SHANGHAI, and his latest release TEN-A-WEEK-STEALE! Listen as they discussed New Pulp, Hollywood, and Hard Boiled!

Also, Tommy is joined by Convention Connoisseur Bobby Nash to discuss why Conventions are important and why Water applied in various ways is a Con-goer's friend!

Listen now at http://www.pulped.libsyn.com/webpage/pulped-the-official-new-pulp-podcast-stephen-jared-gets-pulped.

BOBBY NASH AND SEAN TAYLOR OPEN THE RUBY FILES IN THE BOOK CAVE!

Sean Taylor and Bobby Nash, writers and co-creators of the new Airship 27 anthology title, The Ruby Files stopped by The Book Cave podcast to discuss with the world of Rick Ruby, the creation of a pulp P.I., and Rick’s women. Oh, yes, Rick’s ladies.

Join Bobby, Sean, and The Book Cave’s hosts, Ric Croxtin and Dr. Art Sippo for a look at The Ruby Files on The Book Cave. You can listen now at http://thebookcave.libsyn.com/webpage/the-book-cave-episode-188-the-ruby-files

After the podcast, swing by the official The Ruby Files site at http://rickruby.blogspot.com

About The Ruby Files:
PRESS RELEASE

GANGSTERS & GUNMOLLS

Airship 27 Productions dons its tough-guy mantle, as it premiers its newest pulp star in THE RUBY FILES. 

It was the 1930s and America was locked in the grip of the Great Depression.  Gangsters controlled the major cities while outlaws roamed the rural back country.  It was a time of Speak Easy gin-joints, Tommy-guns, fast cars and even faster dames.  This is the world of New York based Private Investigator Rick Ruby, a world he is all too familiar with.  From the back alleys of Gotham to the gold laden boulevards of Hollywood, Ruby is the shamus with a nose for trouble and an insatiable appetite for justice.  So if you’ve got a taste for hot lead and knuckle sandwiches, tug your cuffs, adjust your fedora and light up a Lucky, a brand new pulp detective is coming your way. 

Created by pulp masters, Bobby Nash & Sean Taylor, Rick Ruby echoes the tales of Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe while offering up his own brand of two-fisted action.  Joined by fellow pulp smiths Andrew Salmon & William Patrick Maynard, these modern scribes of purple prose present a quartet of tales to delight any true lover of private eye fiction. This instant classic features a gorgeous Mark Wheatley cover and eight evocative black and white illustrations by Rob Moran.

This is a book that harkens back to the classic black and white Warner Brothers gangster movies that featured James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart and Edward G. Robinson to name a few.  The atmosphere is gritty with a no-nonsense hero pulp fans are going to applaud from the first story to the last.  And when that last tale comes to a close, you can bet we haven’t seen the last of Rick Ruby, Private Eye.

AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTIONS – PULP FICTION FOR A NEW GENERATION!

You can find The Ruby Files at these fine booksellers:
Paperback - Amazon
Ebook - Airship 27
Paperback - Airship 27
Paperback - Indy Planet

Welcome to Belle’s! http://rickruby.blogspot.com

CAPTAIN ACTION NOW ON SALE!

CAPTAIN ACTION – RIDDLE OF THE GLOWING MEN, the first ever Captain Action novel from Airship 27 Productions and Captain Action Enterprises, LLC is now on sale!  Written by Jim Beard, the book features a stunning cover by Nick Runge with interior illustrations and design by Rob Davis.

“Riddle of the Glowing Men,” is set in the sixties where secret agent, Miles Drake, aka, Captain Action, is attacked at A.C.T.I.O.N. headquarters by several assassins whose green skin glows as if radiated.  In the process of learning the identity of these killers and the reason behind their attack, Captain Action teams with a beautiful female Russian agent and their quest leads them to a hidden civilization under the frozen wasteland of Siberia. “Jim Beard has written a terrific, authentic Captain Action adventure,” applauds Airship 27 Productions Managing Editor Ron Fortier. “It perfectly captures the break-neck speed and thrills of the early pulps only with today’s modern sensibilities. This book is sure to appeal to both Captain Action fans and new pulp enthusiasts alike.”

Author Jim Beard will be signing copies at Pulp Fest, in Columbus, Ohio, at the Airship 27 table on Sat. 11th Aug.  He will also be signing at Captain Action’s New York Comic Con booth in October. 

Available Now at Amazon (https://www.createspace.com/3938619)

& soon from (www.IndyPlanet.com)

& (airship27hangar.com)

Captain Action Enterprises, LLC.

As Retropreneurs, Captain Action Enterprises, LLC specializes in rejuvenating old properties for a new generation. Captain Action toys and collectibles are available nationally. The Original Super Hero Action Figure will soon return to comics in an on-going comic book series.  Additional properties include Lady Action, the Zeroids and Savage Beauty. For more information, contact ed.catto@bonfireagency.com.

Airship 27 Productions

Begun in 2004 to produce new novels and anthologies featuring classic, public domain pulp heroes of the 30s and 40s, Airship 27 Productions was one of the major factors behind the pulp renaissance which evolved into the New Pulp Movement.  Today they have over fifty titles in their ever expanding catalog, sell both hard copy and digital versions of their books and will soon be launching audio books of their titles. They can be found at airship27hangar.com

CAPTAIN ACTION COMING SOON

CAPTAIN ACTION – PULP HERO!

Airship 27 Productions, one of the premier publishers in the New Pulp movement, and Captain Action Enterprises, licensors of the popular Captain Action toy line, have joined forces to produce the first ever Captain Action pulp novel, “Riddle of the Glowing Men,” by Jim Beard.  The book debuts this Aug. at Pulp Fest in Columbus, Ohio.

“We are tremendously excited to be working with Joe Ahearn and Ed Catto of Captain Action Enterprises,” said Airship 27 Productions’ Managing Editor, Ron Fortier.  “This is the first time we’ve ever put together a title based on a highly popular and successful license.”

Captain Action is based on the action figure created in 1966 by Stan Weston for Ideal Toys. He came equipped with a wardrobe of costumes allowing him to become many different heroes such as Batman, The Lone Ranger, the Green Hornet and many more. In 1967, Captain Action proved so popular that the line was expanded to include a sidekick, Action Boy and a blue skinned alien foe with bug eyes, the nefarious Dr. Evil.  The following year, DC Comics licensed the character from Ideal and published five issues of Captain Action featuring industry luminaries such as Jim Shooter, Wally Wood and Gil Kane.

Since 2005, Captain Action Enterprises, has been producing an array of exciting new collectibles, including statues, toys, comics, trading cards, and apparel.  Still, the one remaining venue the enduring hero had yet to conquer was that of a prose novel.  Enter veteran writer Jim Beard, a life-long fan of the character.  “Jim approached us late last year with this idea for a Captain Action pulp novel,” recalls Catto. “We were immediately intrigued by the possibilities and began seriously exploring the idea.”
It was Beard who then brought Ahearn and Catto to Airship 27 Productions.  “At the time I’d just finished my first book for Airship 27,” Beard elaborates.  “Impressed with their industry leading quality and professionalism, I knew they were the right people to usher Captain Action into the fast-paced world of pulpdom.”
The challenge of doing a licensed property appealed to Fortier and his partner and Art Director, Rob Davis and they signed on.  Their first goal was to assemble the finest art team possible. This was achieved by recruiting the talented cover painter, Nick Runge.  Runge’s work on such IDW titles as Angel & Terminator –Salvation has spotlighted him as being one of the finest new artists in the graphic field today.  Davis himself took on the task of doing the nine interior illustrations while also designing the entire package.
“Riddle of the Glowing Men,” is set in the sixties where secret agent, Miles Drake, aka, Captain Action, is attacked at A.C.T.I.O.N. headquarters by several assassins whose green skin glows as if radiated.  In the process of learning the identity of these killers and the reason behind their attack, Captain Action teams with a beautiful female Russian agent and their quest leads them to a hidden civilization under the frozen wasteland of Siberia. “Jim Beard has written a terrific, authentic Captain Action adventure,” applauds Fortier. “It perfectly captures the break-neck speed and thrills of the early pulps only with today’s modern sensibilities. This book is sure to appeal to both Captain Action fans and new pulp enthusiasts alike.”
Joe Ahearn and Ed Catto will be hosting a Captain Action panel at this year’s San Diego Comic Con with further details about other exciting plans for the classic hero.  Artist Nick Runge will also be present at his table in Artist Alley.  Fortier, Davis and Beard will be in attendance at Pulp Fest and will announce the book’s actual publication date.

About Captain Action Enterprises

As Retropreneurs, Captain Action Enterprises, LLC specializes in taking old properties and rejuvenating them for a new generation. Captain Action now appears in an on-going comic book series, lithographs, statues, action figures, T-shirts, model kits and an iPhone app. Additional properties include Lady Action, the Zeroids and Savage Beauty. For additional information, contact ed.catto@bonfireagency.com.

About Airship 27 Productions

Begun in 2004 to produce new novels and anthologies featuring classic, public domain pulp heroes of the 30s and 40s, Airship 27 Productions was one of the major factors behind the pulp renaissance which evolved into the New Pulp Movement.  Today they have over fifty titles in their ever expanding catalog, sell both hard copy and digital versions of their books and will soon be launching audio books of their titles. They can be found at airship27hangar.com