Goal

This Site is for essays on The New Pulp Heroes. It’s about time we catalog new characters appearing in books and anthologies. Since I do not have time to read everything being published, I will offer space here for legitimate creators of new pulp characters to send me their data, and I will post their essays. It is not my place to say what is, or what is not a new pulp hero, and the only changes I will make to essays will be editing and format. If you wish, include a jpeg of a book cover or b&w illustration if you have permission from the artist. By sending me your essays, you are giving me permission to promote and showcase this data. Essays should be up to 500 words, and include information on MC and back up characters, creator, title of books, and where the stories can be found. A paperback edition is now available for $12.00, plus $3.99 postage (US). The book will only be sold through us: Tom Johnson, 204 W. Custer St., Seymour, TX 76380. Send questions or data to fadingshadows40@gmail.com

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Tom's New Pulp Creations


Tom’s New Pulp Creations


Guns of The Black Ghost: This is my tribute to Walter Gibson and The Shadow. Set in contemporary times, Jimmy Malone dons a black hood and cape sending fear into the hearts of evildoers, as he battles the underworld in the tradition of a modern day Shadow or Spider. Burning eyes, a mocking laugh, and blazing automatics announce his entrance into an affray. Gangsters cringe when they come up against the guns of the Black Ghost!


Crime’s Last Stand: In this debut adventure of the masked hero, will evil win out? Blood covers the streets as gangsters kill indiscriminately. As a little boy lies helpless in the hospital, a new paladin takes up arms to bring the killers to justice. Can even the great Masked Avenger survive the final battle with the city's underworld when crime makes its last stand?


The Mind Master: New York has a new hero. In a contemporary setting, thieves knock over an art gallery, stealing famous and valuable paintings, and at the same time hit a museum displaying a necklace once belonging to Queen Bathsheba given to her by King Solomon, its value beyond price. From the chaos rises a new hero, The Mind Master!


Crime’s Dark Streets: Dark streets that lead to ebony alleys in the city’s immigrant district culminate in a spider’s web of fear when emissaries of evil abduct homeless children. When The Masked Avenger promises protection to the city’s unwanted children, can he keep that promise? Follow our paladin as he embarks on his second dangerous mission!


The Black Shadow: Chu Chul, the evil Chinese mastermind, thought to be long dead is back to win the throne of China. But first he vows to kill his mortal enemy, Dorus Noel. After Chu Chul robs a Korean temple of valuable treasures to finance his army, a mysterious assassin appears in New York’s Chinatown to assist Noel in his battle with the evil Chinaman. Could The Black Shadow be Dorus Noel’s new houseboy? Go with Noel and Kim Young Ju, as they search for the mastermind’s opium den while the black cloak of The Black Shadow watches over the dark streets of Chinatown.


Crime’s Death Plague: The trail begins in a Chicago orphanage, but when a boy is kidnapped, it takes The Masked Avenger to New York City where he must uncover the identity of a German scientist and stop him from releasing a deadly virus and killing everyone in New York. Can one man, even such as The Masked Avenger, succeed when America looks to be doomed?


In The Silence of Death, Colonel Jeremiah Custer's Wild West Show comes across murder in a small Texas town. A mystifying murder mystery ensnares the famous criminologist and sharpshooter, Colonel Jeremiah Custer when his
team encounters a young boy accused of mayhem. The lad cannot deny the
charges for he can neither hear nor speak. The scientific brain of the
greatest man hunter is put to task as he attempts to unravel this new crime! The ex intelligence officer puts his scientific brain to work to
prove that the deaf mute boy is not the killer. Follow Colonel Custer and
his aides as they unravel this deep mystery, and bring to justice this evil
murderer.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Tom's Altus Press Hardbacks


Tom’s Altus Press Hardbacks

It’s time to advertise my hardback books from Altus Press this week. I have two short story collections, and five research books available. I only have a few of the hardback editions, so check with Altus Press on the availability of these, and confirm the prices. What I have listed may be incorrect.


The Pulp Detectives: For the first time, nine all-new stories starring the classic pulp heroes of the 1930s, featuring characters such as The Phantom Detective, The Black Bat, The Lone Eagle, The Masked Detective, Secret Agent X and Nightwind. Paperback $22.46. Written by pulp scholar Tom Johnson, it's nearly 400 pages of excitement! Hardback is $34.95 from Altus Press www.altuspress.com


The Phantom Detective Companion: The longest-running hero of the pulp era! For the first time, the history of the Phantom Detective is bought under one volume, completely updated! Includes an index to nearly 175 stories, 100s of pages of articles, two unused Phantom story plots from the mid-1930s and nearly all of the Phantom's comic book appearances. Paperback is $26.96. It's 400 pages of must-own information for any pulp fan to enjoy. The hardback is $39.95 from Altus Press www.altuspress.com


The Secret Agent X Companion: The classic investigation of SECRET AGENT "X," revised and updated by the original writers, Tom Johnson and Will Murray, including new chapters, images and information! It's the last word on this classic character! Paperback edition is $13.46. I’m not sure if this one is in hardback yet, check with Altus Press www.altuspress.com


G-Man Companion: For nearly 20 years, Dan Fowler and his G-men battled crimedom in the pages of G-Men Detective. Now, author Tom Johnson has indexed each issue, listing everything you need to know about the series. Also included are complete reprints of the two best Dan Fowler stories as chosen by Johnson and pulp historian Will Murray: "Give 'Em Hell" by Norvell W. Page and "Bullet Justice" by Charles Greenberg. And reprinted in its entirety for the first time: "I Cover the Murder Front," the lost, rejected Dan Fowler story. Paperback is 31.46. Featuring additional articles by Johnson and Murray, this is the ultimate history of the series. The hardback is $44.95 from Altus Press www.altuspress.com


Exciting Pulp Tales: The exciting sequel to Tom Johnson's 2010 anthology, PULP DETECTIVES, EXCITING PULP TALES brings you ten more all-new stories featuring classic pulp heroes such as The Angel, The Green Ghost, The Cobra, The Crimson Mask, Gentle Jones, The Purple Scar, Funny Face, Mr. Death, The Jungle Queen, and Ki-Gor. Paperback is $22.46. The hardback is $34.95 from Altus Press www.altuspress.com


Operator #5: The entire history of the The Purple Invasion, the War and Peace of the pulps which ran for over a year in the pages of Operator #5! Loaded with illustrations from the original pulps. Paperback edition is $13.46. The hardback is $24.95. I think the hardback is still available. Check with Altus Press www.altuspress.com


The Black Bat Companion: This one is not in hardback yet, but I wanted to list it anyway. One of the most beloved pulp characters, The Black Bat, is finally celebrated with this 340 page deluxe retrospective. Author Tom Johnson has indexed each issue, listing everything you need to know about the series, along with the following highlights: - A complete reprint of the rejected Black Bat adventure, "The Lady's Out for Blood" - A breakdown of the newly-discovered final Black Bat story, "The Celebrity Murders" - All 800 German Black Bat stories newly identified for the English audience - Nine complete reprints of the Black Bat's golden Age comic book stories - An interview with series creator Norman Daniels as well as his complete payment records... available here for the first time Featuring additional articles by Will Murray, this is the ultimate history of the series. Paperback edition $26.96 from Altus Press www.altuspress.com


Sunday, March 9, 2014

The Voice


THE VOICE

Creator: Erwin K. Roberts (Robert E. Kennedy)
Characters
Jim Smith (Alias)
George Sanchez
Inez Sanchez
Bill Morris (KQCQ TV)
Lt. Meyers (police)
Sgt. Black (police)
Dr. Charles Gustov/Gibson (scientist)
Dr. Tanaka (scientist)
Mr. Moore (NRC Field Man)
Agent Slatter (Secret Service)
Dr. Samuel Sorenson (Governor’s Office)
Mr. Wu (Chinatown boss)
Mr. & Mrs. Adams (parents of The Voice)
Inspector Ralph Hannz (Reserves. EOD expert)
The Coral Snake (master mind)

The Voice is fourth generation Independent  Operator. At first he was called The Veil, because of the mask he wore when he showed himself in public. Later, he was given the name of The Voice because of a small gadget in his throat that changes his voice. No one knows who he is, except his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Adams (and their names are probably false).
George and Inez Sanchez are connected to The Voice. George is crippled, but has other talents that The Voice needs. George’s father also assisted The Voice.
Dr. Charles Gustov (now goes by Charles Gibson) is a German scientist. Russians captured his wife to force him to work for them, but the previous Voice (his father) rescued her, and now the doctor owes The Voice a favor.
The Coral Snake is the villain that confronts The Voice in PLUTONIUM NIGHTMARE. A case that involves the theft of plutonium from the Hardin Power Plant.
There have been several stories featuring The Voice.
Voice of Pain Double Danger Tales #52
Snowy Nights Tales of The Voice Double Danger Tales #55
Grand Opening – Under Fire Double Danger Tales #57        
Plutonium Nightmare Double Danger Tales #60, 61 & 62               
The Voice’s Origin  Pulp Spirit #1
Grand Opening – Under Fire Pulp Spirit #5
Last Son of Thor* Pulp Spirit #15
Plutonium Nightmare (paperback) Modern Knights Press
(Note: *Was published in the back of paperback of Plutonium Nightmare.)


Sunday, March 2, 2014

Tom's Hardbacks From NTD


Hardbacks From NTD


The Spider’s Web by Tom Johnson. In 1980, a treacherous Chinaman created a web of events that culminated thirty years later in a reign of terror and death. As the streets of his city run red with blood, The Black Ghost searches for the mysterious killer, who is motivated by revenge, and this time the city's paladin may be faced by his greatest foe, the Spider! An evil mastermind, trained in the deadly mysteries of the Ninja, and a desire to kill! Published through Lulu by NTD, I have copies available for $22.76, plus $5.00 postage. Contact me at fadingshadows40@gmail.com


Cold War Heroes by Tom Johnson. Pulp goes Top Secret in this military comedy drama set in Europe during the height of the Cold War. A group of misfit MPs must confront spies and the black market while dealing with a boxing tournament on Post! Not since M*A*S*H* and Soldier In The Rain have we been treated to an inside look at military life with a touch of humor by a soldier who actually experienced it. COLD WAR HEROES by Tom Johnson is loosely based on the author’s experience with the 202nd Military Police Company in France during the 1960s. Published through Lulu by NTD, I have copies available for $23.90, plus $5.00 postage. Contact me at fadingshadows40@gmail.com


Three Go Back by Tom Johnson. When their teleport vehicle malfunctions, becoming a time machine, it sends three young girls back in time on a journey of discovery they never expected. From the Ice Age through the Cretaceous, Permian, Carboniferous, and finally to the beginning of the Earth's evolution of life, they experience their world's prehistoric past in all its splendor and terror, coming away with the joy of knowledge and adventure! Published through Lulu by NTD, I have copies available for $24.95, plus $5.00 postage. Contact me at fadingshadows40@gmail.com


Jur: A Story of Pre Dawn Earth by Tom Johnson & James Reasoner. A young French archeologist disappears without a trace in the jungles of Africa. An American adventurer with time on his hands volunteers to go find her. Through the high thrills of adventure and the adrenalin-pumping lows of terror, these two must unite in their fight to survive the jungle as they attempt to find their way back to the world they left behind and discover a love like no other. Will they succeed? Only time will tell…. Published through Lulu by NTD, I have copies available for $26.44, plus $5.00. Contact me at fadingshadows40@gmail.com


Savage Land of Jur by Tom Johnson. Trapped in the Jurassic age, Ron and Odette seek the time portals that will return them to the 20th Century, but must face the dangers of pre-dawn dinosaurs and wild beasts. When discovered by an Ancient One, the old man brings another danger to them … Published through Lulu by NTD, I have copies available for $25.70, plus $5.00 postage. Contact me at fadingshadows40@gmail.com