The Tarantula

The Tarantula

Creator: Steve Mitchell

Characters

Paul Tremaine

Laura Devon

Batu Khan

Robert Fizwaren

Mike O’Bannion

Jeff Devon

Epperson

Charlotte Pearce

            Modeled slightly after The Spider, The Tarantula wears a hooded robe, long and black, with flexible black gloves. Upon his head is a ghastly midnight-hued face and cap – the arachnidan mask. A ripple of mirth escaped his lips. A pair of automatic pistols blazed their leaden death as he challenged the underworld.

            Paul Tremaine is tall, strongly built, fair-haired, late thirties. He was a hero in the Great War, once a member of the Secret Seven. He is rich and powerful, and among the influential of the city.

            Laura Devon is a nurse, and the fiancé of Tremaine. She resides with her brother, a doctor in the tenement area.

            Batu Khan is a fierce Mongol warrior. Tremaine had assisted him in defending against bandits in the mountains of Kulun Shen, and the warrior lived to fight at his side.

            Robert Fizwaren is the commissioner of police, and a friend of Tremaine. Though he suspects his friend is The Tarantula, he does not pursue the matter.

            Jeff Devon, brother of Laura, he and his sister had once saved The Tarantula when he staggered wounded into their tenement. They became his allies, rendering medical assistance when needed.

            Epperson is Tremaine’s house servant. He is 60 years old.

            Mike O’Bannion is six feet tall, husky build, with red hair and blue eyes. He fought in the Great War, and his courage was unquestionable. He became a aide to The Tarantula in the only story published.

            Charlotte Pearce was looking for the judge that sent her sister to prison, where she committed suicide. She planned to kill him for the deed. She finds Tremaine instead, as he is disguised as the judge. She also becomes an aide in this story.

            Full throttle action as bodies pile up, and the city crumbles as the mastermind plans its destruction along with all its citizens. Only the blazing guns of The Tarantula and his fierce companions can hold back the tide as the city cringes in fear. Everything The Spider brought to the readers, except the emotion that Page brought to the persona.

            There has only been one story to-date:

Monarch of Madness DOUBLE DANGER TALES #14 & 15*

(*Reprinted in TALES OF MASKS & MAYHEM #1

The Scorpion

The Scorpion

Creator: Warren Stockholm

Characters

Kurt Reinhardt

Suzaku

Captain Richard D. Barracks

Benny Herzog

Miz Emily

Olga

Dr. Nobody (Walter “Tex” Grayson)

Spike

In this alternate universe, Germany won WWII. But after forty years of occupation they’ve finally been driven from America, leaving us to rebuild our cities. Five years later, we are now living in a world of Internet, email, fax machines and speakeasies, machine guns, and mob rule. While the Lone Ranger plays on the radio, MTV is on TV. Out of the chaos rises a paladin to battle the criminal element that the underworld knew only as The Scorpion. But the past has come back to challenge this defender of the city. This is Steeltown, Penssylvania!

The Scorpion is a tall, black-clad figure who resembles the Angel of Death. His features are hidden by a black veil that has been sewn to the brim of his fedora, falling to the level of his chin. His features are obscured and only his breath stirring the fabric. If anyone had possessed the power to look beyond such simple disguises, they would most certainly have looked away at the cold, blazing sight of the Scorpion’s face and eyes. There was little of humanity there. And little of life. Beneath the heavy German coat cold blue metal flashed; black gloves are leather gauntlets, his black leather coat emblazoned with the images of the Deathstalker scorpions. His gun is a Luger, called the Sting.

Kurt Reinhardt is one of the richest men in Steeltown. He owns the largest newspaper, The Inquisitor. He has Nordic features, is six and a half foot tall, with long blonde hair, and drives a sleek black Mercedes roadster (black Silver Ghost). He carries a gentlemanly silver-headed cane. As a child he had been German born, and raised as a superman (#7101). He was one of the many clones of Dr. Reinhardt, who used the genes of his dead son to create monsters for the Fuhrer. And the evil that he must face is one of his own twins, a brother. Although a superman like himself, this one is pure evil. The genetic experiments had given the children many abilities. They healed quickly, and bullets were pushed from their bodies. Kurt’s saliva contains the poison of a deadly scorpion. He had eventually escaped and worked his way across Europe into China, then to America where he was able to amass a fortune.

Suzaku is tiny, almost child-like in statue and delicate like a well-painted Dresden doll. She is gifted with a yard of blue-black hair that she wore down like that of a young unmarried woman. A mysterious Asian, she served Kurt Reinhardt and The Scorpion. They had met in a Chinese temple, The Golden Dog, where she became his sensei. She has high cheekbones and almond-shaped eyes. Susaku appears to float in the air. She calls him, K-Chan, and he calls her, kami sama.

Captain Richard D. Barracks is Captain of the 27^th Precinct, and is a head shorter than Kurt, but grew up a street fighter in Steeltown. He is lean and mean.

The Clock Tower is a graceful old building with a clock face built in the tower – the only one in the whole city! – with a wild, Bavarian design. The Inquisitor newspaper is located in the building. Kurt owns half of Clock Tower. Japanese investors own the other half.

Benny Herzog is chief editor of the Inquisitor, and does the lion share of the work for the boss. Has bulging muscles, drinks too much coffee, and there is always an overfilled ashtray on his desk, and cans of Red Bull crumpled in the wastepaper basket. Mobsters had broken his kneecaps, and Benny was begging on the streets when Kurt found him. Benny is totally dedicated to his boss.

Miz Emily is the Staff Advice Columnist for The Inquisitor. She is also totally dedicated to the boss.

Olga is Kurt’s secretary. Like his other employees, she is totally dedicated to her boss.

Dr. Nobody was once Walter “Tex” Grayson. The Scorpion had stopped him from leaping off Jump Bridge to commit suicide, and then saw to it that he was eventually employed in the lab of the city morgue, where he is often of assistance to The Scorpion. Dedicated to The Scorpion, and knows his true identity.

Spike is the 12-year old leader of a street gang who often supplies information to The Scorpion. He has the habit of calling Scorpion, Spook.

Conceived as a possible new pulp magazine in 2006, titled SCORPION. This first story, The Sting of The Scorpion was powerful, the concept fantastic, and the action moved at a furious pace. The writing was intelligent, but the syntax was awkward. A second novel was advertised, The City of The Living Dead, and should appear soon. The author pays homage to the old pulps. There is an intersection named Robeson & Gibson Streets, another street is named Stockbridge. A Fortress of Solitude is mentioned, etc.

Warren Stockholm is the pseudonym of Karen Koehler.

The Sting of The Scorpion SCORPION MAGAZINE #1 (KHP Industries)

The City of The Living Dead (Promised)

The Shape

The Shape

Creator: Steve Mitchell

Characters

Stephen Roberts

Barton Roberts

Lt. Brooks Nolan

Vicky Culrane

            Stephen Roberts is the vigilante known as The Scorpion. He is in a war with the underworld until the night the mob ambushed him on the waterfront. He was killed and tossed into the water to sink to the bottom. But something gives him life, or at least some semblance of it. Eventually climbing up from the deep, he is gray and horrible to look upon. A living dead man, he Dons a gray coat and weapons, and then he goes after those who killed him.

            With his murderers dead, he was wondering in the dark one night when he found the body of a young girl dying from a beating at the hands of criminals. He knows there is nothing he can do for her, so sits with her and holds her hand as she tell him the sad story of how she was taken to a house upon arrival to town, and forced into prostitution. When she tried to escape, they made an example out of her to the other girls. She mentioned names that night and he promised he would revenge her. After she passed, he went after the mob responsible for her death.

            Barton Roberts, Stephen’s brother had not heard from his brother is a month and came to town looking into his disappearance. Barton, almost a twin to Stephen is tall, with a lean build, and has piercing steel eyes.

            Vicki Culrane is Stephen’s secretary, whom Barton meets upon his arrival, and they go to his brother’s apartment, where they discover his disguise of The Scorpion.

            In the end, Barton does see his brother, but hardly recognizes the gray shape as that of Stephen, but knows that his brother is dead, and has become The Shape, a fierce being who trails evil.

            Lt. Brooks Nolan is the policeman in the stories.

There have only been a couple stories so far.

The Shape of Fear DOUBLE DANGER TALES #29

Brothers in Arms* DOUBLE DANGER TALES #30

(*Costars The Hooded Hunter.)

The Scarecrow

The Scarescrow

Creator: Derbra DeLorme

Characters

Karas Tengu (Patches)

Christopher Grant (alter ego)

John Munmulmara “Deacon”

Sarah Chapman

Michael Rourke “Torch”

Accepting the offer of rehabilitation for the crimes he had committed, an international jewel thief went from prisoner to law enforcer, serving his time in what his government refers to as the Shadowguard program.  These carefully selected men and women undergo intensive psychological testing before training to become skilled combatants against the growing threat of the Corona, a multinational crime cartel.  The Scarecrow has proven time and again to be the most successful of their prospects, focused on serving his time and bringing justice to those who would harm the innocent.  He is also known as Karas Tengu - the Crow Demon – and 'the Old Man' as he's the oldest member of the Shadowguard.  His first appearance was in the story, “Enter the Scarecrow”. 

The Scarecrow has operated in Charleston, SC and Charlotte, NC, presently calling the metropolis of Braxton, NC, his home, though he will travel to other locales, such as Orlando, FL in pursuit of the members of the Corona (“Trouble Times Three”).  His base is in the sub-basement of a renovated 1901 textile mill presently used as apartments. 

Forbidden to use guns, the Scarecrow is far from defenseless.  His major weapon is his bo staff, or as he refers to it, a neurostaff.  It's an unusual weapon as it responds to certain voice commands, can deliver a potent neurological shock capable of incapacitating whoever comes in contact with it, and will operate only for the person it's programmed for and no other.  His other weapons include caltrops, throwing spikes, sai, nunchuks, blowgun, and other weapons, primarily those used by martial artists such as the ninja or samurai.  He is a master in ninjutsu, bojitsu, karate, savate, and more. 

Christopher Grant is tall, muscular and lean, with dark hair and dark blue eyes. He is one of the Scarecrow's many alter egos.  Working part time as an instructor at the White Tiger Dojo.

Patches is another of the Scarecrow's disguises, Patches is a homeless derelict, well known in the streets of Braxton because of the distinctive malformation on his mouth and the worn, patch-riddled coat that he wears.  This particular disguise is very useful as it allows him to walk in the seamy side of the city without being noticed.

The Scarecrow dresses in black garb like a ninja; his various weapons are hidden in the uniform.  His eyes glow crimson thanks to the contacts that not only change eye color, but enhances his night vision.  His voice is cold and gravelly with little emotion, and he uses a wild high-pitched laugh to catch his enemies off guard. 

Deacon is actually John Munmulmara an aborigine from Queensland, Australia, the grandson of a shaman.  Deacon isn't so much a nickname as it is a title – he's the Scarecrow's 'warden', making certain his charge stays on the straight and narrow, as well as help him where necessary, whether as a driver, computer hacker or what not. 

Though not part of the Shadowguard program, Michael Rourke, known as Torch, is also serving a sentence.  The nickname fits him well as he's an arsonist and an expert with explosives.  He works as a bouncer at an Irish pub in Braxton, and is doing “community service” as a volunteer fireman.  His first appearance was in “Sidewinder”.

Sarah Chapman is a reporter for the Braxton Bugle, and is trying to work her way up in the publishing industry. The Scarecrow has become her pet project, and she makes herself a nuisance by trying to dig up dirt on him to propel her career forward.  Blond and rather pretty, she is quite capable of protecting herself, as well as being an excellent shot.

Enter The Scarecrow CLASSIC PULP FICTION STORIES #5

For The Life of A Child*     CLASSIC PULP FICTION STORIES #15

Enter The Scarecrow SECRET SANCTUM #5

Sidewinder    DOUBLE DANGER TALES #3

Trouble Times Three DOUBLE DANGER TALES #18 & 19 w/Marilyn Morey Hunter’s Moon**           DOUBLE DANGER TALES #20  w/Tom Johnson

For The Life of A Child TALES OF MASKS & MAYHEM #2

Sidewinder    TALES OF MASKS & MAYHEM #3

(Note: * For The Life of A Child mis-titled in Contents. It should have been For The Love of A Child.))

(Note: **Hunter’s Moon reprinted in TALES OF MASKS & MAYHEM #1

Madame 13

Madame 13

Creator: Steve Mitchell

Characters

Valerie Fleming Stanton

Michael Stanton

Douglas Stanton

Roy Hunter (DA)

Dr. Maxwell Mattson (City M.E.)

Police Lt. George Schoeneberg

         In 1933, just eight days after their honeymoon, Michael and Valerie Stanton are flying back to Rain City, where he works as Assistant D.A. He was anxious to get back to work on his investigation of mobster, Thomas Creel. But the plane explodes in flight, and of the 13 people aboard, only Valerie Stanton survives; given her life back by a mysterious woman named Megaera.

         Megaera not only gave her new life, but new strength and speed, and she decides to go after the mobster, Thomas Creek and bring true justice to the killer of those 12 victims of the plane crash. Using the alias of Jane Smith at first, at the end of the first story, she takes the identity of Madame 13, joining the ranks of the super heroes.

Woman In Fury DOUBLE DANGER TALES #5

Nemesis In Black DOUBLE DANGER TALES #11

Legacy of Fury DOUBLE DANGER TATLES #29 *

(* Like most of the heroes during the 1930s and ‘40s, Valerie Stanton died in 1945 after a fierce gun battle with spies and Japanese who had infiltrated America.  Now in this modern day, a new woman rises to take the name. Emma Stephens is grabbed by muggers planning on raping her, and drag her into the cemetery, unaware that the original Madame 13 is buried in one the crypts. When Emma breaks lose and tries to escape she accidentally crashes into the crypt, smearing blood across Valerie’s name. As the muggers catch up to Emma once more, she sees the vision of Valerie and another woman – perhaps Megaera – and they tell her to live and fight, and she finds new strength and skills within her.)