My review of Creeping Dawn: The Rise of the Black Centipede by Chuck Miller. A unique and rewarding tale of adventure.

 Creeping Dawn: The Rise of the Black Centipede is a 196 page novel, written by Chuck Miller, and published by Pro Se Press. The story details the origin and early adventures of a pulp style vigilante, known as the Black Centipede, and is set forth in the form of a memoir written by the titular character. The memoir has been written by the Black Centipede in an effort to cut through the decades of propaganda that has surrounded his adventures, and reveals the truth behind his origin and early adventures.


The tale begins in the 1920's, when the character is still a young boy, and details his fateful encounter with Lizzie Borden in the town of Fall River, describing the strange friendship that grows between the two of them. The secret behind the murders of Lizzie's family is ultimately revealed, and young William Lee Williams' feet are set on a new path, one which will see him become the masked vigilante known as the Black Centipede. The bloody night that begins his journey also introduces him to his greatest nemesis, lover, and friend, Bloody Mary Jane Gallows. Avowed enemies when they are apart, their relationship changes drastically when they are in close proximity, as they are inexorably drawn to each other in an almost mystical fashion.


After the events at Fall River, young William cuts all ties with his family, except for his corrupt Grandfather who is a backroom power broker residing in the metropolis of Zenith. Inserting himself into the old man's circles, he quickly becomes one of his Grandfather's most trusted agents, all the while building up his own network of contacts and sources of monetary funding. Eventually, having trained himself in any number of both esoteric and martial regimens (and having robbed his Grandfather of all his resources, along the way), William feels ready to finally complete his transformation into the Black Centipede. The time has come to wage war both more commonplace criminals, along with the ever-growing ranks of supervillains that are appearing in Zenith. Along the way, he might even be able to further piece together (and understand) the events that brought the Black Centipede, along with Bloody Mary, into being...


While the framework of the story is pure pulp, Miller takes the tale in a much stranger (and ultimately, more rewarding) direction, allowing his characters to move beyond the usual borders of the pulp style. Much of the overall narrative is hard-charging action, but the author combines interludes of humor, esoteric events, and off-the-wall character development to swing the entire story decidedly off-kilter. And that's a good thing. Certainly lacking a cut-and-dried sense of good versus evil, the story has much more to offer, with many of the characters being capable of actions that are both good and bad. The main character admits that he is drawn to the inherent violence that comes part-and-parcel with his occupation as a masked vigilante, and that many of the hoi polloi are absolutely beyond his comprehension, while still working towards their benefit. His nemesis/friend/lover, Bloody Mary Jane Gallows was birthed as a mindless construct of horrible vengeance, but still had the willpower to attempt to live as a normal human being for a number of years, and chooses to come to the rescue of her greatest enemy (and only friend and equal, their relationship is very complex) despite knowing that he is the only one capable of ending her existence. Allies and enemies are static, at best, and all of them seem to move through an ever-shifting world of shadows... Much like the one that we all exist in.


The author has a knack for blending in both authentic historical events, and actual characters from these time periods into the narrative, which work to reinforce and ground the story into pseudo-reality, adding a sheen of believability to the fictional narrative. Couple this with some of the character's more inexplicable actions, when faced with an utterly logical course of action, and you get a novel that explores the human condition, disguised as a retread of old pre-war pulp vigilante stylings. Make no mistake, I love the New Pulp genre to no end, but seeing an author take it in an inventive new direction is a decided pleasure, and an absolute revelation of where the genre can go from this point on. One last note, I love the way the author can allude to a number of no-doubt epic adventures, in a single aside from the main character. If Miller was held to filling in the backstory of his character, in an absolute sense, readers would be entertained for a number of decades, at the very least. All told, this is highly recommended reading.


With both fast-paced action sequences, esoteric interludes, and a realistic portrayal of human nature, this is a story that is a bit off-center, and all the better for it. Chuck Miller takes a tried-and-true genre in a totally unexpected direction, and stamps his name all over the genre of New Pulp fiction. A total mind-trip, this is a story that must be experienced firsthand. Highest compliments and best wishes for a vital, and truly unique, ongoing series!


Here's where you can pick up a copy of the release. Here's the publisher's site. Pop by and take a look around! Finally, here's a link to an interview that my friend Derrick Ferguson did with the author. It's a couple of years old, but check it out, nonetheless! With that, I'll be signing off... Zero-signal... Happy reading, all!

My review of TALL PULP from Pro Se Productions. Contains some really good adventures...

Wonderful cover art by Jeffrey Hayes.

Well, I finished reading Tall Pulp the other night, and I was quite impressed! Published by Pro Se Productions, and clocking in at 172 pages, this short story collection was definitely a fun read. I'm from Texas, and I've been thrilled with tall tales since I was a small child. The stories contain a mix of historical and fictitious characters, each with their own unique exploits in American folklore. Six heroes. Six authors. Six tales of derring do, and of standing up for what is right. Tall tales filtered through the fast paced, action-packed style of the pulp genre. What more could you ask for? Thrill to the adventures of Mike Fink, King of the River! Fall victim to the charms of Anne Bonny, the Pirate Queen! Marvel at the feats of Joe Magarac, the Man of Living Steel! For fans of the original characters, this is a must have. For those of you who are new to these exceptional characters, you're in for a treat. Sit back, relax, and lose yourself in the adventure(s). With that, let's get to my review. As usual, I'll concentrate on my three favorite stories from the collection. This isn't meant as a slight to the other authors involved, as they all have wonderful entries in this collection, and choosing a top three was rather problematic on my part. These are the three stories that touched me the most. Here's the synopsis of my favorite tales...




The collection hits the floor running, with the exciting tale Anne Bonny's Revenge, by D. Alan Lewis. Anyone who's not familiar with Anne, here's a link that contains her known history, and some speculation. You don't need to read it to enjoy the story, but it does add a bit of extra spice to the adventure, and gives you a clearer picture of her motivation. At the start of this tale, Anne has been incarcerated by the British, on charges of piracy. Her husband, Calico Jack Rackham, and most of the crew of the pirate sloop Revenge, have been sentenced to death, and the sentence has been carried out. Obviously, the pirates have been betrayed, and were rounded up while sleeping off a drunken revel. Only Anne and her friend Mary Read stood fast against the British, and were eventually overpowered. Both women escaped the hangman's noose by 'pleading their bellies', but Mary has since perished in this hellhole of a prison. Anne decides to fight her way clear, and picking a new guard as her prey, comes close to freedom, utilizing her unconventional fighting style. Unfortunately for our heroine, an officer arrives unexpectedly, and puts the kibosh on her escape attempt. Things aren't quite what they seem, as the two know each other in a rather intimate manner. Whisking Anne away to visit the Governor (of this particular hellhole), a new plan is hatched, which will bring the official a great deal of wealth, put an end to a threat to the British Empire, and gain Anne her freedom. Anne and her lover have a different plan in mind, and hope to win it all on one roll of the die. Fortune favors the bold, after all...



The second of my favorites is Crossing McCausland, by Gordon Dymowski. It features Joe Magarac, the steelworker's hero who has sprung, fully formed, from a pool of molten steel (here's a link for those who want to delve into the character's history). Ever since, Joe has been traveling the highways and byways of America, righting wrongs, and swiftly moving on to his next task. Along the way, he has instructed malcontents on becoming true supporters of the idea, the ideology behind this great country. Mainly, that everyone is free and equal, and that any who cross this principle are treated accordingly. Everyone has to contribute to the greater good, and as such, there are certain people that are inherently unsuited for this role. In this story, Joe has been drawn to the small town of Appleton, Missouri. He's saved a young child that has been trapped in the local sewer system. Approached by the Town Administrator of Appleton, who is very grateful for the legend's heroics. Joe is looking for nothing more than a bit of rest, before he moves on to where he is needed next, but things take an unexpected turn. Joe is confronted by Don and Seamus MacKelly, and accused of being a Soviet super-spy, who most likely engineered the event of the lost child himself, to bring publicity and fame to his heroics (and promote the Commie cause, apparently). The absurdity of the situation is evidently lost on the MacKelly brothers, but anything involving independent thought doesn't seem to be there strong suit. They are, of course, just mindless pawns in another man's game. Said mastermind is revealed as Robert McCausland, Mayor of the nearby town of Pitchford. He's got his fingers in quite a number of pies, and Joe's presence is throwing a monkey-wrench into his well thought out plans. McCausland isn't at all what he seems, and Joe needs to step lightly...




Last up is my absolute favorite of the collection, Mike Fink and the River Round Up, by Greg Daniels. Some of you may remember Mike appearing in the Davy Crockett miniseries by Disney, which is how I was first introduced to the character. Here's a link for those of you who want to know more about the character's history. Mike is the King of the River, a man who outfought, outworked, and pretty much outdid every man he came into contact with. Here's one of Mike's brags, which gives you lot of insight into the character (quote courtesy of Walter Blair and Franklin J. Meine, "Mike Fink, King of the Mississippi Keelboatmen" New York 1933).

"The redoubtable but semi-mythical Mike Fink, joker, fighter, and king of the boatmen, voiced the sentiments of his class when he bellowed his boast:

"Im a Salt River Roarer! Im a ring-tailed squealer! I'm a reg'lar screamer from the ol' Massassip'! WHOOP! I'm the very infant that refused his milk before its eyes were open, and called out for a bottle of old Rye! I love the women an' I'm chockful o' fight! I'm half wild horse and half cockeyed-alligator and the rest o' me is crooked snags an' red hot snappin' turtle. I can hit like fourth-proof lightnin' an' every lick I make in the woods lets in an acre o' sunshine. I can out-run, out-jump, out-shoot, out-brag, out-drink, an' out fight, rough-an'-tumble, no holts barred, ary man on both sides the river from Pittsburg to New Orleans an' back again to St. Louiee. Come on, you flatters, you bargers, you milk-white mechanics, an' see how tough I am to chaw! I ain't had a fight for two days an' I'm spilein' for exercise. Cock-a-doodle-doo!"

He has sometimes been portrayed as a bully and a blowhard, but my favorite stories show him as a good-hearted man, highly loyal, a friend to the end. His rough and tumble nature, and competitive streak lead him astray, now and then. But if you need a friend who will never forget you, Mike's your man. Greg Daniels begins the story in the 1960's in a small riverside town in Kentucky, with a bunch of locals sitting down to their usual poker game. One of the men's recent encounter with a local semi-legendary character (a man called Uncle Danny, remember the name) promppts them to start telling a number of their favorite tall tales. There's a stranger sitting in at the poker game (a man that is eerily familiar to some of the old-timers) and when the talk turns to the likes of Davy Crockett and Mike Fink, and Mike's apparent death, the man quietly objects. "That ain't the way it happened," he says. Not wanting to provoke the rather wild looking stranger, the men start talking about a more recent tale, one set at the beginning of WWII, in Memphis, where Mike apparently lives on... When we first lay eyes upon Mike Fink, he's a shell of his former self. Drunk, bedraggled, and homeless, the man is staggering down the streets of Memphis, apparently not knowing his own name. Until he accosted by four thugs, that is. After they try to teach the old bum a lesson, and knock Mike to the ground, the Salt River Roarer snaps back to his true self! Mike makes rather short work of the idiots, although with a great amount of style. After coming to his senses, and remembering that he is MIKE FINK, his first thought is to find his legendary keelboat, the Gullywumper. The problem is, after spending a hundred years or so not being himself (and that's an entirely different story, to be told at another time), Mike initially can't remember where he has left his beauty. After a bit of a hard think, he hits on it... Cave-in-Rock, the hideout favored by river pirates since America was young. Mike takes to the trail, and after many long days in the wilderness, stops at a tavern in Cairo, Illinois. Looking forward to a something hard to cut the trail dust, Mike stumbles upon a major meeting of the German American Bund (yes, we get to see Mike whip some Nazi butts). After being insulted by one of the Bund members, Mike, true to self, wipes the floor with the entire room full. After the brawl, he makes a couple of new friends that seem to be cut from the same cloth. They both deal themselves in, and the trio sets out on the trail once more. Finding the Gullywhumper is one of their goals, but they also must stop the Bund's sinister plot...




I want to say that I blazed through Tall Pulp, it was a release that I didn't want to end, but yearned to find out what came next. I really needed to find out what happened to the characters, and as a result, I finished it in record time. The only drawback is that I'm left wanting more. I've told you a bit about my favorites above, but the other stories contained within this collection are top notch. This is my first experience with all the authors involved, and they really impressed me with the quality of their stories, and their readily apparent love for the characters. Some of these characters I was already familiar with, others are brand new experiences for me. Kudos to all involved! D. Alan Lewis (Anne Bonny's Revenge) gives us a rousing tale of blood and fire, romance and ultimately, second chances. Skillfully weaving in Anne Bonny's history, while not letting off the throttle, what we are left with is an entirely satisfying adventure, on all levels. Nancy Hansen (Freedom's Road) gives us a story which speaks of inequality on many levels, and the lengths which racists and bigots of all stripes will go to both carry out, and justify their actions. The story both engaged me, and had me seething mad at many points, because of disgusting treatment of the two main characters by the general populace. There were good people in the story, but as in the real world, not enough of them. An excellent, thought provoking story, and I truly appreciated the end, and laughed long and hard at the plight of the main antagonist. Phillip Drayer Duncan (The Untold Legacy of the Bowie Knife) gives us an action packed tale chronicling the secret history of Jim Bowie, and the true reasons behind the legendary Sandbar Fight. A world that I would happily re-immerse myself in, if the author chose to revisit it. Paul Bunyan in the 23rd Century by David White is a love note to old science fiction epics, such as Buck Rogers and the Lensman series. Paul and his blue ox, Babe, are not actually in the story. Except they are, and on that highly contradictory note, all I have to say is read the story. You'll understand what I'm talking about after reading it. Salutations to David for coming up with such an outside the box re-imagining of Paul Bunyan! Gordon Dymowski definitely delivers with Crossing McCausland, and his story is a mix of heroics, old style crime buster stories, and the more poignant examination of a man who is truly different, an outsider by his very nature, who still uses his powers for good. A man who wants to have a life, a real home, but is drawn to where he is truly needed, and consequently, never attains the ideal kept deep within... to be normal, and have a family. Concurrently, it examines the type of people that can have just that, but worry more about gaining wealth, power, and control. A VERY interesting story. Finally, Greg Daniel's Mike Fink and the River Boat Round-Up was just pure, unadulterated FUN! I hung on every word, thrilled to every new adventure Mike and his friends stumbled into, and had a giant smile on my face throughout the story. Plus, Greg knows how to tell a story in style! The overall feel of the story is perfect. Highly recommended, and I absolutely love how he portrayed Mike, along with his two friends. The end of the story brought a tear to my eye, and also brought out a large burst of laughter. Friends to the end... To sum up, these are some great tales. Regardless of your tastes, this collection contains any number of well written, engaging, and action packed stories. Plus, they're FUN! Don't be surprised if you come away from them with a big goofy grin on your face. I know I did! Take a look, you won't regret it!


Here's a link to the publisher's site. Here's the Amazon page for Tall Pulp. Head on over, take a look around. I'm sure you'll find many great adventures to lose yourself in. With that, I'll sign off. Happy reading, all!

Here's my review of Derrick Ferguson's YOUNG DILLON IN THE HALLS OF SHAMBALLAH. A really great adventure.

I'll start out by saying that I absolutely love the character Dillon, and the adventure stories that he stars in. Derrick Ferguson has skillfully created a detailed mythology surrounding the character, and I have yet to be disappointed by any of his exploits. This holds true for Young Dillon in the Halls of Shamballah, a 100 page novella published by Pro Se Press and PulpWork Press. Although this is marketed under Pro Se's Young Pulp imprint (and it really is a good starting point for younger readers interested in the character, and the genre), don't let that stop all you adults from picking it up. I'm 38 years old and I thoroughly enjoyed this release. It's the type of story that has an appeal for all ages. I'll eagerly be awaiting any future Young Dillon entries. Along with The Vril Agenda (if you want to read my review of that story, here's the link), Young Dillon expands on the history of the character, chronicling events that have only been alluded to in other stories. Personally, I've been wanting a release such as this one since I began reading the Dillon series. If you've been wondering about the mysterious events of Dillon's past, this is what you should be reading. Well, let's get to my review...




The paths that lead to fabled Shamballah are shadowy and hidden. Only the most dedicated of seekers find their way to the legendary realm. Once found, the traveler is advised to stay in his new home. The land of Shamballah inexplicably shifts from location to location, you see. Therefore the paths leading to it are never the same. None that have left its confines have ever found their way back. Sentry outposts are still maintained at the gates into Shamballah, however; both to greet new seekers, and to give warning, should something evil ever find the path and try to force its way in. The occupants of the Second Outpost are about to witness something unprecedented. Namely, a former resident of Shamballah finding her way back to the land. She brings her son with her, seeking refuge. The woman is Dillon's mother Pamela, and the boy, of course, is a 12 year old Dillon. Heroically staying behind to hold off their pursuers, Dillon's mother is ultimately overcome by her adversaries. Dillon makes it to the other side of the gate, and promptly collapses. Awakening in the care of The Warmasters, Dillon is surprised to find that his mother not only was a resident of Shamballah, but a prominent Warmaster... possibly the greatest of all of them. He is also faced with a choice. Stay in this strange new land, or make his way back to the world he knows, and the enemies that have slaughtered his family. The story that follows is one of discovery, from which a new hero will ultimately be forged. Dillon must discern between those who are his true friends, and those who are merely using him as a pawn in their games. The Warmasters only wish to help, or do they? You'll have to read the book to find out, I'm not telling...




As I said above, this is a story that I've been waiting for Derrick to write ever since I had a couple of Dillon's adventures under my belt. This is not the usual Dillon story, but an origin story about how he started down the path that made him into the hero that he is today. While still having more than enough action to satisfy, the biggest enjoyment I had was from watching Dillon react, and then adapt to the strange new people and customs of this mysterious land... and, of course, meeting The Warmasters of Liguria that have been mentioned so many times. This young man certainly shows flashes of the hero I've come to know and love, and the character grows throughout the tale. Scaling things down to a more inward looking story might be a problem for some, but Derrick handles the task brilliantly. His visual and highly descriptive style of writing is still in top form, and as I read this story, it was like I was actually in Shamballah, sharing this adventure. Authors who can so totally immerse a reader in their world are rare, and should be sought out and treasured. Young Dillon is an excellent starting point for new readers interested in the Dillon series, since you get to see him in his formative years, before he became a legend. For returning fans, it's mandatory (in my opinion), for the simple reason that we get many of the questions answered that we've been wondering about over the years. I really need to work my way back through the older stories, and examine them in a new light. In my opinion, this is another top notch entry in a excellent series, and I really can't recommend it enough! Go out and pick this up, dive in and enjoy the adventure!


Here's Derrick's blog.  Here's the Amazon product page. You can find Pro Se Productions here.  Here's the PulpWork Press site. Go out and pick up the book, and take a look around on the publisher's pages. I'm sure you'll find some really good stories there. With that, I'll sign off... Happy reading, all!

Review of "The Corpse on Broadstreet" by Jim Beard, a Pro Se Productions Single Shot.

I'd like to say that I'm very impressed with Jim Beard's writing on his latest story. I really enjoyed his work in "Zeppelin Tales", but he has greatly expanded the scope of the environment with "The Corpse on Broadstreet". "Corpse" is a 42 page prequel introducing us to the characters and setting for a forthcoming longer work, entitled "The Corpse in the City". While his earlier story in "Tales" was more self-contained, we have multiple characters, sub-plots, and are introduced to a much larger locale with the release of "Corpse".

Helen Jonquil has the world at her feet. The undisputed Queen of Broadstreet, she is the toast of the town. The most admired leading lady in the city... and she is about to die a horrible death. The shock of her demise, and the strange and unknown method of her killing quickly reach city hall. Enter Lane Danner, head District Attorney. That is until he lost the most recent election. Now he's waiting for the changing of the guard. The killing falls in his lap, and his soon to be ex-boss, Mayor Patrick J. Battle wants it cleared up immediately. The situation is made more tense by the Mayor having won his re-election bid, and there is an undertone of resentment and betrayal between the two friends. After a council of war is called to debate the best possible response to the killing, Lane leaves to set about finding the murderer and bringing him to justice. One more service to the city before departing office... and then the matter escalates.

While making a visit to the scene of the crime, Lane is joined by his friend Lt. Markie St. Joseph. Mayor Battle's wife, Louisa, is also mysteriously at the scene. Out of nowhere a thick fog rolls in, Lt. St. Joseph is murdered, and the Mayor's wife is attacked, but survives thanks to Lane. The culprit is seen briefly, and his form is somehow... unnatural. A reporter from the local news happens to be nearby, and the press quickly dub the perpetrator 'The Corpse'. After receiving a communication from the villain, the Mayor refuses to capitulate. He declares that they are now at war. Little does he know what he is up against...

As far as I'm concerned, "Corpse" was a thrilling read. Mr. Beard fleshes out the setting and characters nicely, and the shadowy villain is VERY interesting. The underlying tension between the main characters is appreciated, and leaves many questions unanswered. This, of course, means that I will eagerly be waiting for the forthcoming release "The Corpse in the City". If you want a well written, fast-paced short with plenty of mystery and action, you can't really go wrong with "The Corpse on Broadstreet". The Kindle version, which I am basing my review upon, is only .99 cents! Why don't you take a gander, I'm sure you won't be disappointed! 5 out of 5 smoking guns...

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