The Adventures of The Scarlet Shroud

"Let Evil Beware... The Scarlet Shroud!" ... He appears like a wraith, stalking the darkness. Emerging from mist to strike fear in the hearts of criminals, The Scarlet Shroud brings justice to New York's deadliest villains! Aided by inventor Miles Hawkins, and his other ally and pilot, Takeshi Harada, Assistant D.A. Alexander Holt wields various gas and smoke devices, along with a pair of blazing .45's, to battle the forces of evil... The creative team of Chris and William Carney bring you a new action hero in the tradition of The Shadow, The Spider and The Phantom Detective. This is the first-ever anthology of four stories starring The Scarlet Shroud, including three stories never before published!

The Adventures of The Scarlet Shroud (New Pulp Mystery)

By Chris & William Carney

Wild Cat Books www.wildcatbooks.com

ISBN #978-0981081706

Price $11.95

174 Pages

Rating 4-Stars

This book contains four stories: Dark Night of The Leaper, Bitter Night of The Dynamo, Day of The Vengeful Viper, and The Evening of Reflections. Both brothers contribute to the writing, Chris & William Carney, and the interior art is mostly by William, while the cover is by both, I believe. Plus, the interior art is all action, which is really pleasing to see.

         The first story, Dark Night of The Leaper features a crook dressed like the British crook of legend, Spring-Heeled Jack, who shows super-human strength and great leaping ability. He’s after money and jewels, and now one of his victims has died, so it’s time The Scarlet Shroud puts a stop to his robberies.

         Bitter Night of The Dynamo features a killer dressed like the Michelin Man with a machine that shoots lightening bolts at victims. He and his minions are trying to bring one of the richest men in the world down after what he did to the fiancé of his daughter.

         Next up is Day of The Vengeful Viper. Returning from prison, mob boss Luca Malatesta, known as The Viper, wants vengeance over the other mob bosses for their part in causing his imprisonment. He captures Miles Hawkins who had once served a prison term, and The Viper knew he was genius in chemistry and other sciences. He wants Miles to create a poisonous vapor that he can bring to a meeting of the mob and wipe them out, since no weapons will be allowed in the room. It’s up to The Shroud to find his aide before he’s murdered by the Viper.

         The final story, The Evening of Reflections, is merely a reflection of the past. Alexander Holt has Hannah Salem, the reporter up to his apartment for dinner and romance; Takeshi serves their wine; and Miles works on the contraption Spring-Heeled Jack used to enhance his strength and leaping ability. Meanwhile Detective Alphonse goes over all the reports filed on The Scarlet Shroud and comes up with a name.

         Over all the three regular stories were fun; the fourth just a look back more or less. The characters were interesting. Though advertised as a Shadow, Spider, and Phantom Detective clone, I thought it more loosely matched The Black Bat and Green Hornet. The interior art was filled with action, and well drawn by William Carney. The cover also was very nice, also drawn and colored by the Carney brothers. There was a bit too much profanity in the story, which wasn’t needed, but I enjoyed the characters and stories, and highly recommend it to New Pulp readers.

Tom Johnson

Author of GUNS OF THE BLACK GHOST

Snake: Nest of Vipers

In the last few years of World War II, a group of brave Germans who opposed Hitler and his Third Reich orchestrated an underground movement that worked from within to defeat the Nazis. These brave men and women were constantly at risk being hunted by the ruthless Gestapo. Their fate, if captured, was agonizing torture and death. Still they struggled on.

Six years later, in the back alleys of New York’s Bowery district, a mysterious masked avenger calling herself the Snake appears. She recruits denizens of the street to be her agents and begins a ruthless campaign against organized crime. Who is she and what is her connection to the events in Berlin prior to the collapse of the Third Reich?

Based on a six-page synopsis by legendary comics writer, Richard Hughes, author Michael Vance has woven a thrilling, fast-paced adventure that will keep readers guessing and on the edge of their seats from start to finish. You’ve never met a character like the Snake. She’s sexy. She may be crazy. But she is most of all, deadly!

Snake: Nest of Vipers (New Pulp Hero)

By Michael Vance

Airship 27 Productions

ISBN #978-0692406472

Price $16.99

168 Pages

Rating 5-Stars

“A Great Read, And Highly Recommended.”

During WWII, Greta Hoffmeyer was the top agent for Germany’s counter-espionage agency, Ballemsschlange, known as COBRA. She induced men to talk by seduction.  Because of her, people were tortured and died. But she disappeared before the war ended, eventually coming to America. But her past won’t leave her behind, and connecting with her one true love ends in tragedy.

Snake, a masked vigilante suddenly appears on the streets of New York, knowing where crime is going to happen. She foils the robbers, then takes their swag. The police and mob both want her, especially when a young police officer is killed during one of her actions. Snake gathers a team from the streets, a taxi driver, a blind black man, a fallen magician, a brothel madam and her police dispatcher daughter, plus a tough bartender, and a crippled Korean War veteran. With these, and others, Greta Hoffmeyer takes on the underworld, perhaps looking for redemption for her past sins.

The story was interesting, and the characters fun, and the Snake charming. Bases on a six page synopsis by comic book writer, Richard Hughes, the author spins a great yarn, looking back in her WWII past to her current mental problems. Yes, she may still have those moments of hatred for herself, and speaks in riddles to hide her feelings, but she’s a force to be feared. A great read, and highly recommended.

Tom Johnson

Author of THE NEW PULP HEROES

New Pulp Heroes

NEW PULP HEROES. Tom & Ginger Johnson compile 71 essays on new pulp characters, plus 3 essays on villains, and data on research books, listings of new and original pulp heroes, and fanzines. Also included are new pulp fiction stories: “The Mind Master” by Tom, and “The Origin of Mr. Minus” by Ginger. This is very likely the first of several books that will detail the history of new pulp heroes, and their creators. For fans of old pulp and new, this is a must have for all researchers and those looking for specific pulp characters. Available on Kindle for $3.99 at http://www.amazon.com/New-Pulp-Heroes-Tom-Johnson-ebook/dp/B00I6PO30Y/ref=la_B008MM81CM_1_23?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1433982126&sr=1-23&refinements=p_82%3AB008MM81CM

This is also available in paperback through FADING SHADOWS for $15.00 post paid, and is definitely the better format.

My Kindle Books Part One

NEW PULP HEROES: $3.99. Tom & Ginger Johnson compile 71 essays on new pulp characters, plus 3 essays on villains, and data on research books, listings of new and original pulp heroes, and fanzines. Also included are new pulp fiction stories: “The Mind Master” by Tom, and “The Origin of Mr. Minus” by Ginger. This will also be sold in paperback through FADING SHADOWS. This is very likely the first of several books that will detail the history of new pulp heroes, and their creators. For fans of old pulp and new, this is a must have for all researchers and those looking for specific pulp characters.

THE BLACK BAT’S WAR: $1.99. In the trenches of war-torn Germany, soldiers were dying from the medicines received for wounds. The Army generals blamed America for the bad drugs, yet nothing could be done until the source of the deadly medicine was uncovered and replaced with good drugs. While investigators are stymied, The Black Bat and his team of crime fighters take up the challenge in New York, uncovering a giant plot by a master criminal. But would they be in time to save brave young soldiers dying of their wounds in a far off No-Man’s Land?

CITY OF PHANTOMS: $0.99. When An Old Case Resurfaces, The World's Greatest Detective Is Pulled Back Into A New Battle With A Deadly Enemy, While Ex-Fighting District Attorney Tony Quinn's Lovely Secretary, Carol Baldwin Is Kidnapped By A Vicious Mob, Hoping To Force The Prosecution To Drop Its Case Against Their Boss. Two Champions Of Justice Meet In A Race Against Time!

LOST LAND OF JUR: $2.99. The third novel in the Jur series. Bush pilot, Jack Richards, steps through the time portal seeking adventure, taking him back a hundred and fifty million years to the Jurassic period encounters terrible dinosaurs, horrific beasts, and wild savages. After rescuing Mai Ling, another time traveler, she is captured and carried off to an ancient city. Jack must trail the savages and rescue the girl since he knows he has fallen in love with. Their quest is filled with many dangers as they search for the fabled domed city of the First Ones. If they can survive, the domed city offers a way home for Mai Ling, even though Jack Richards does not wish to leave Jur.

QUEEN OF JUR: $2.99. In this 4th novel in the Jur series, while lost in a prehistoric land that time forgot, a twentieth century couple must survive the dangers of savage beasts and dinosaurs. Jack Richards, captured by the flying birdmen, is a prisoner of She-la, the self-proclaimed queen of this unknown land. Far to the east, a strange rescue party consisting of wild men and half apes, led by the beautiful French girl, marches through wild, uncharted jungle searching for the lost city where Jack is held. Action and adventure at its best.

TREASURE OF JUR: $2.99. The 5th novel in the popular Jur saga. Nazi Germany has found a time portal giving them access to the treasures of a prehistoric land. But even with superior weapons, Hitler’s supermen may not win through to the ultimate prize. Jungle excitement and thrills await the reader in this current tale of greed and murder in a savage pre-dawn world.

DRUMS OF JUR: $2.99. The 6th novel in the Jur series. Jurak, the son of Aaron Jameson and Odette Aimee St. Claire, born on Jur, returns to his birthplace seeking adventure – and love. When the Queen of Kal-dar is kidnapped it brings an ape clan and wild men together to mount a rescue. Dinosaurs, danger, and thrills in the savage land of prehistoric Jur. Don’t miss this final tale in the series.

THE MIND MASTER: $0.99. 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!

GUNS OF THE BLACK GHOST: $3.99. 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!