Ravenwood Interview on The Book Cave!

RAVENWOOD, STEPSON OF MYSTERY: Want to hear me get kicked out of The Chicago Library right in the middle of an interview? Listen to this podcast on THE BOOK CAVE.
See how fellow authors FRANK SCHILDINER and BOBBY NASH handle it. Also join us as we discuss Rex Stout, research in period pieces, the characters relation to DOCTOR STRANGE, SUN KOH--the German DOC SAVAGE, H.P. LOVECRAFT... Oh, and try to guess who's doing the podcast naked!

More Fun in the New World!

Big plans for 2011, Gang!
I'm currently working on another Dan Fowler: G-Man story. Just coming up with a big "sock finish." If you haven't already read my DFG-Man tale "Harvest of Crime" in Vol 1, shame on you! Click that Airship 27 link (should be just right over here-->)and pick up a copy.

I've been working on a licensed character's short-story for a project with Moonstone you might be familiar with; more will be revealed!

I just signed on to do the story I was born to write, for the good people over at Pro Se Productions. This one features a Black Mask-style gangster tale, heavily-influenced by the works of pulp great Paul Cain, author of Fast One  and Seven Slayers. This should prove to be both challenging, and more fun than I'm probably allowed to have. Of course if I had written the above P. Cain's style it would read: "Signed on for a story, for some Pro Se mugs. A gangster yarn." And that would be it. Regardless, it's going to be great. Like freakin' Shakespeare with machine guns!

And, finally, the big news: I'm working on a full length BAGMAN novel even as you read this. I've had a few people ask, and I've been plotting this thing out in my head for a year. This one has Mac, Crankshaft, Coco, Hunts, and a whole new cast of deep city denizens. Not to mention The Chicago World's Fair, Belly Dancers, John Dillinger, The Real King of the Theives, a team of Gypsy pickpockets, and, The Bagman's first super villain--even as Mac begins to learn more about his strange new powers and propensity for prediction! .

Yes, 2011 is going to be one big, wild ride! Let's have fun with it!

Just Released: Ravenwood--Stepson of Mystery

Airship 27 Productions & Cornerstone Book Publishers bring back another classic pulp hero from the 1930s in an all new collection of fast paced, macabre adventures of the supernatural.  Meet Ravenwood – Stepson of Mystery!

He is an orphan raised by a Tibetan mystic known only as the Nameless One.  As an Occult Detective he has no equal and is called upon by the authorities when they are challenged by supernatural mysteries.  One of the more obscure pulp characters, Ravenwood – The Stepson of Mystery appeared as a back-up feature in the pages of Secret Agent X magazine.  There were only five Ravenwood  stories ever written, all by his creator, the prolific pulp veteran, Frederick C. Davis.

Now he returns in this brand new series of weird adventures, beginning with this volume in which he combats Sun Koh, a lost prince of Atlantis, battles with monstrous Yetis in Manhattan and deals with murderous ghosts and zombie assassins.  Four of today’s finest pulp storytellers Frank Schildiner, B.C. Bell, Bill Gladman and Bobby Nash offer up a quartet of fast paced, bizarre thrillers that rekindle the excitement and wonder that were the pulps.

With a stunning cover by Bryan Fowler and dramatic interior illustrations by Charles Fetherolf, Ravenwood – Stepson of Mystery was designed by Rob Davis and edited by Ron Fortier.  Once again Airship 27 Productions presents pulp fans with another one-of-kind quality pulp reading experience like no other on the market today. 

AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTIONS – Pulp fiction for a new generation!

ISBN:  1-934935-82-4

ISBN 13:  978-1-934935-82-8

Produced by Airship 27

Published by Cornerstone Book Publishers

Release date: 31 Dec. 2010

The Bagman is in Mystery Men (and Women)

Wow! Would you believe there's already another Bagman adventure out? So, without any further ado (whatever that is) here's the official press release. DAWN
Of The
MYSTERY MEN
(& Women)

Airship 27 Productions & Cornerstone Book Publishers are thrilled to present the next wave in all out action pulp avengers as created by today’s finest pulp writers. During the golden days of American pulps hundreds of masked avengers were created to battle evildoers around the globe. The Black Bat, Moon Man, Domino Lady, and the Purple Scar to name only a few of these amazing pulp heroes. Now Airship 27 Productions introduces pulp readers to brand new pulp heroes cast in the mold of their 1930s counterparts. Get ready for high octane thrills and adventure with…

THE BAGMAN by B.C. Bell - A former street thug, Frank “Mac” MaCullough now fights the very gang bosses her grew up admiring in defense of the poor and helpless in his Chicago neighborhood. RED VEIL by Aaron Smith - When her beloved cop husband is gunned down and the police refuse to investigate, Irish immigrant Alice Carter downs red widow’s garb and dishes out her own brand of justice. GRIDIRON by David Boop - Crippled by the mob for not throwing a game, star football player Gordon “Gory” Burrell is tragically transformed into a bizarre metal man. Accepting his fate, he vows to destroy those who prey on the weak. DUSK by Barry Reese - Haunted by a brutal past, Sue Timlin dons a mask and becomes judge, jury and executioner to those villains the law cannot touch, all the while maintaining a unique secret that gives her the upper hand in her war on crime.

Here are four brand new action-packed pulp thrillers starring bizarre, original heroes to thrill and excite pulps fans everywhere. Features a cover by the amazing Ingrid Hardy, with interior illos and design by Rob Davis and edited by Ron Fortier. All brought to you by Airship 27 Productions – Pulps for a new generation!


ISBN: 1-934935-79-4
ISBN 13: 978-1-934935-79-8
Produced by Airship 27
Published by Cornerstone Book Publishers

Release date: 11-12-10
Retail Price: $21.95
Available at on-line store (http://www.airship27.com/)

Ten Reasons The Bagman is not Batman

Recently a reviewer (who missed a few details about the book to begin with) said Mac was "just like Batman." Needless to say we were worried about this, but luckily Mac couldn't purchase a time machine to exact his revenge. So, instead, I figured I'd let him answer that accusation.

TEN REASONS I AIN'T BATMAN
by Mac McCullough

1. "I shoot people."

2. "I commit crimes, and steal money from the mob."

3. "I'm not a millionaire, I work for a living."

4. "Batman has no sense of humor."

5. "I don't wear women's clothing.(1937, we're talking leotards here.)I don't play dress up, and capes are for the opera."

6. "In my neighborhood, Bruce Wayne would be killed and fed to the weak."

7. "Ten bucks says I have a better arm and batting average on the sandlot."

8. "Bats? Get real! Who's afraid of bats? You ever seen a fruit bat eat? They're like adorable little kids with skin under their arms, cute li'l fuzzy critters. Bullets, now that's something to be scared of."

9. "I must've missed that episode where Batman dropped 300 bucks betting on a horse."

10. "Costumes? C'mon... A mask, maybe. But
costumes...? I think it was Raymond Chandler, said something to the effect of, "Men don't worry about their looks, just pansies." Mind you, I'm paraphrasing there, but... Batman? Jeez! Did you even read the book?"

[And since #10 was a lot like #5, we leave you with:]
11. "Butler? A butler? Bwahahahahahaha..." [Mac exits, laughing.]

Who is The Bagman? or He Used to Steal for the Mob, Now He Steals FROM Them

The simplest answer is that he’s Frank “Mac” McCullough, a masked vigilante—but that’s like saying the sun is a likely source of heat. A vigilante is someone who takes it upon themselves, without authorization, to pursue criminals and offenders. In The Bagman’s case, make that simply offenders. Yes, his morals are as elastic as they come, but what offends him more than anything is those who would prey upon the weak and helpless. It’s 1933, times are tough and the law’s not always on their side, but Mac is. The Bagman is more about saving the neighborhood than the world, but things change. Anything can, and, just might happen. And the combination of action, suspense, plans that work, harebrained schemes that don’t, and the end results are all far from predictable—kind of like life.

All this, because Mac is simply not that predictable either. He’s the kind of guy that doesn’t root for the good guy or the bad guy, because he’s too busy rooting for everybody —except the really bad guys. Sound confusing? It could be except for one thing—a justice so simple that only a mind like Mac’s could come up with it—when people do well, that’s justice. And those who would rob that opportunity from them, those that would manipulate, scheme, and steal, those that would use power to hurt, willfully—or even worse, unthinkingly—will be subject to the same. From City Hall to Skid Row, from the back alley to the boardroom, evil will face the wrath of The Bagman.

So, take one part one part pulp detective, one part gentleman burglar, two parts hired muscle, an athlete, half a torpedo, a jigger of confidence man, a twist of armed robber, cross breed with the Lone Ranger and Mac’s favorite pulp heroes of 1933, and you’ve got the beginnings of THE BAGMAN.
“Sometimes weird is just genius wrapped too tight.”

The Official Press Release (Lulu has it for $16.50 right now, not up on Amazon yet)

TALES OF THE BAGMAN  

(A New Hero in Old Chicago)

Airship 27 Productions & Cornerstone Book Publishers are happy to announce the release of their thirtieth title, TALES OF THE BAGMAN by B.C. Bell.   This book features the debut of a brand new pulp hero, the Bagman, and he’s unlike any other crime buster you’ve ever seen before.

In the 1930s, Chicago was one of the fastest growing metropolises in the country.  Situated on mighty Lake Michigan, it was the home to millions of hard working Americans looking to a better themselves.  The Windy City was also shackled by its bootleg history, a time of violent gang wars that had permanently established a brutal underworld empire second to none.  Corruption was the order of the day and both the police and government were in the pay of the mob bosses.

Frank “Mac” McCullough was a foot-soldier in one of the city’s toughest families until he was ordered to rough up his uncle; a decent man with a gambling problem.  The innate decency in Mac rebelled and suddenly he found himself up against the very men he had once admired and followed.  Determined to put an end to their lawlessness, he put a bag over his head as a crude disguise only to become labeled the Bagman by the press. 

Now writer B.C. Bells tells the amazing stories of old Chicago’s most unique hero.  Aided solely by a tough, black WW I veteran named Crankshaft, Mac wages war against the mobs in these fast pace, non-stop action tales pulp fans will cheer. “Bell’s writing is a terrific mix of pulp action and wry humor,” applauds Airship 27 Productions’ Ron Fortier.  “It’s really a breath of fresh air in the pulp genre and we know our fans are going to love the Bagman.” Designed by Rob Davis, the book features nine illustrations by Kelly Everaert and a gorgeous cover by Laura Givens.  Airship 27 Productions is thrilled to present pulpdom’s newest avenger, THE BAGMAN.

AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTIONS – PULP FICTION FOR A NEW GENERATION!

ISBN:  1-934935-76-X

ISBN 13:  978-1-934935-76-7

Produced by Airship 27

Published by Cornerstone Book Publishers

Release date: 09/03/2010

Retail Price: $21.95

Available now at on-line store (http://www.gopulp.info/)