More New Pulp From Tom

FADING SHADOWS Releases. In December 2004, the Fading Shadows line of magazines shut down due to Tom's health problems. We thought that was the end of it, but in 2012 we were back, better than ever. This time in paperback editions, and perfect binding.

“Shadowhawke” by K.G. McAbee & Tom Johnson. Deposed from her kingdom, the Spider Lady rules a new kingdom in America. Taking over the New York underworld, she operates from a hidden cavern beneath the ground. Those who oppose her are forced into her deadly web. But one man and his fighting team take up the trail to bring justice to the Queen of the underworld. The Shadowhawke! $7.00 paperback, plus postage, from the author.

DOUBLE DANGER TALES #64, containing “Murder Town” and “The Legend” by Tom Johnson. Compere had not been able to get Peggy away from the door leading to the stairwell, and he knew that danger lay in that direction. He increased his deadly fire, but had become a non-moving target himself. A bullet from one of the gangster’s guns clipped the little gas container on his belt, and suddenly two skull-faced apparitions appeared, one on each wrist of his hands. With a slight movement of his wrists, the gas-filled balloons were disconnected and flew from his outstretched arms with a loud hiss, each flying in opposite directions. The appearance of the banshees was so sudden, gangsters turned their fire on the two escaping gas balloons, and Compere accounted for another four hoodlums as their guns had been diverted from him. Unfortunately, his luck was running out. He heard a light sound from behind, a short sigh from Peggy, and then he felt the cold hard steel of the barrel of a revolver digging into his spine. A vicious voice grunted from behind, "Drop your cannons, friend, or this girl gets a bullet in the head!" $7.00 paperback, plus postage, from the author, or $.99 on Amazon Kindle.

“The Soul Stealers” by Tom Johnson. Angels have walked among mankind since the dawn of civilization. Although we may not recognize them, or even see their presence, they are always with us. Perhaps they whisper advice in our dreams, or guide our governments without their knowledge, angels are moving us towards a higher good. Some even protect us in our final day, when violent death reaches out for our very soul - these are the Soul Sealers! $12.00 paperback, plus postage, from the author, or $.99 from Amazon Kindle.

The Spider Lady

The Spider Lady

Creators: K.G. McAbee & Tom Johnson

Characters (Villains)

The Spider Lady

Scarface Bellows

Condom

Moe (minor crook)

Ham (minor crook)

A shapely dark haired woman was seated several rows down from the two men. She was petite, and sat with an aristocratic posture. Her shapely figure drew furtive glances from all of the male passengers. When she looked towards Scarface, he stared into the woman’s sea-blue eyes. She was maybe 30, hardly older. She was the heir to the throne of a minor Balkan country, but was cheated from her destiny by an evil relative, who had her finger—the finger whose print would prove her the real queen—cut off. She wears a fake finger now, one fitted with an instrument of death. It’s a small, deadly little plunger that injects spider venom into her victims.

Scarface Tony Bellows was a vicious killer, who had long outwitted the police force, until the night he had been left on the Precinct’s steps with a pair of broken wrists, courtesy of a mysterious vigilante who had recently started operating in the city.

An extremely tall and thin man was seated behind an array of radio and telephone equipment. “Condon,” she introduced the man. “He is my nerve center, staying in contact with all of my agents, either by radio or telephone.” Condon also raises the tiny venomous black widow spiders for their deadly venom she uses.

The group entered the mouth of a cave, darkened in the interior, but one of the men produced a flashlight and they walked deeper into the cavern without danger. Coming to a thick door, the Spider Lady opened it silently, and as they entered, she closed the portal once more, then touched a switch that turned on electric lights. They were in a second cavern within the cave, and another door could be seen at the other side of the empty chamber. Once more, the Spider Lady opened the door and they stepped inside. This time, they were in a tiny chamber, barely large enough for the four people in the group. Manipulating a couple of dials, the chamber began to move—downward. This chamber was an elevator, operated by the same electrical system that provided lights to the chambers.

The movement was short, and the group stepped out into a large chamber, well lighted on one end, but with numerous dark spots about the room. One of the men removed the blindfold from the eyes of Scarface, and he looked in amazement at the Spider Lady’s hidden headquarters.

Turning on another switch, one of the darkened areas burst into brilliant light. At that end of the room, Scarface saw what appeared to be a giant spider’s web blocking further passage in that direction. The Spider Lady saw Bellows’ fear in his eyes, and laughed. Walking forward, she stepped between the wall and the giant spider’s web, disappearing beyond.

A gasp escaped his trembling lips as he looked at the beautiful woman standing in front of the web now. She was terribly beautiful, yet danger was the aura she presented to all who looked upon her. Wearing a black swimsuit, a red hourglass was emblazoned over her stomach, evidently sewn into the cloth of the suit itself. A crown of diamonds was fitted over her head, the jewels sparkling in the dancing light of the cavern’s light system. Her arms and legs were bare, displaying creamy soft skin that would have attracted any man.

“A black widow,” he managed to whisper.

Sparks flashed from the web as electricity raced through the thick wire mesh that made up the netting of the spider’s web. Scarface tried to stop his forward motion, but found that his muscles were no match for the magnetic current pulsing through those wires, somehow pulling him towards its deadly center.

“Stop it!” he screamed. “Stop it! I’ll follow your orders!”

There has only been one story written so far. She was defeated at the end of the adventure, but escaped and vowed to return.

First Flight DOUBLE DANGER TALES #46

First Flight TALES OF MASKS & MAYHEM #2 (anthology)

First Flight FADING SHADOWS (paperback)

Shadowhawke

Shadowhawke

Creator: K.G. McAbee and Tom Johnson

Characters

Carlyle Alexander Tenebra

Gilian Mars

‘Bruiser’ Browser

Wees Lea Changa Do

Carlyle Alexander Tenebra is extremely rich. He had served as a pilot in the Great War, but in a crash had crushed both legs irreparably. While in the wilds of Australia Tenebra discovered “something”. Whatever it was, it allowed him to overcome his weakness and use of his legs for brief periods of time. The power was given to him only for use in benefiting humankind, and he chose to dedicate his life to fighting evil. When he becomes Shadowhawke, his deep blue-green eyes turn a bright emerald green, and his legs straighten and grow strong. When not the nemesis of evildoers, he walks with the use of two steel canes to support his huge body on useless legs. Handsome, he is tall and distinguished.

Gilian Mars is an actress Tenebra had hired once, but found her courage to his liking. Now she acts as his secretary until time for Shadowhawke to go into action. She is a pert brunette, with dark eyes, and fresh pretty looks. A sharp mind, she is a quick thinker.

‘Bruiser’ Browser had once been a noted boxer, and a contender for the heavyweight title before joining the service to fight in the Great War, and ended up as a flight mechanic with the RAF. He had met Tenebra during this time, and became his bodyguard after the war. He has a good-natured face, not the slightest marred by a nose that changed direction three ways. He is tall, and heavy, with huge fists. He doesn’t carry weapons, preferring to use his fists instead.

Wong Lei is a slender Chinaman who speaks in purest Oxford English, and has a dozen degrees in a dozen different subjects. He is also a master of jujitsu and hypnotism. He is employed as Tenebra’s chauffeur and houseman. He and Browser enjoy a constant banter, but are the best of friends. Wong also collects an assortment of violent weapons as a hobby. When he goes into action, he prefers a pair of .45 automatics in shoulder holsters.

Wees Lea Changa Do (he who hides in plain sight), better known as Weslie. He is an Australian aborigine, small, dark, and a vicious fighter. Raised in the Australian Outback, he is at home in the darkness, and is a spotter for Shadowhawke. His weapons of choice are knife and spear, and he moves without sound.

The town house is a brownstone mansion that takes up a half block on 5^th Avenue. It is a great size structure with an old ancestry. It contains his valuable art collection. There is a special room in the basement where only he goes, and it is here that he transforms into Shadowhawke.

There has only been one short novel so far.

First Flight     DOUBLE DANGER TALES #46   

First Flight     TALES OF MASKS & MAYHEM #2

First Flight     FADING SHADOWS (paperback)