Greetings Loyal Airmen.  Several times in the past we've used the Flight Log to show all of you how we came up with the ideas for some of our pulp covers and the executions, in various stages, of those cover images.  Last week we announced the release of our Dr.Watson novel, SEASON OF MADNESS.  Today we'll show you how that dramatic cover came together.

We are always on the look out for classic pulp covers that, for whatever reasons, strike us as dramatic and with potential to be adapted for various scenarios.  Above is the cover an old Saucy Romantic Adventure that we found on the net months ago and saved in our Pulp Illos file.  Upon reading through writer Aaron Smith's tale of Dr.Watson, we came upon a scene in which the good doctor is in a dark, cellar maze hunting a mysterious, white skinned, bald fellow who has kidnapped a young lady.  As Watson moves through these ill-lit corridors, he is on guard, aware his prey may be waiting to pounce on him at any moment.  When reading that passage, we recalled that Saucy cover and pulled it up.  Sure enough, there was the composition we were after.  An unsuspecting figure walking into a deadly attack.  But of course ours would need to be altered by our ace art director, Rob Davis.

Since the character of the villain reminded us of the old film vampire, Nosferartu, we dug up this picture of him and sent it along, with the Saucy cover to Rob.  We explained how we needed that composition to be put into a cellar setting and the lovely Spanish lady turned into the robe wearing, bald fiend.  And of course we needed to change the dashing, sword wielding soldier into the cautious, gun carrying Dr. Watson.  It was time to strike a pose.

         
                  The Air Chief as Dr. Watson

So we hastily threw on a tie and jacket, grabbed an trusty toy-pistol and began stalking the hallway as Valerie snapped the picture above.  With these three images, it was time for Rob to do his magic and draw our cover sketch with the elements combined.

Within days, Rob delivered the stunning pencils you see here.  That was exactly the scene from Aaron's novel and the perfect choice for our cover.  Now it was time to whipped it off digitally to digital painter, Shane Evans in New Zealand.

And as always, Shane delivered above and beyond, turning Rob's sketch into a truly dynamic piece of art, ready for the final stages.  Back to Rob it went for design, logo and cover text.

And there you have the finished cover, as we debut it to the world last week upon the book's official release.  We hope you've enjoyed this glimpse into how a cover is put together from idea to conception and finally realization.  Working with artist like Rob and Shane is a pure joy for ye old Air Chief.  We hope you Loyal Airmen will give the book a try.  It really is a great pulp adventure.

Finally, we turned 63 years old today, 5th November.  Family and friends have been flooding us with such wonderful birthday greetings all day, both in our private e-mail box and over on Facebook.  Earlier this afternoon, Christopher Chance of Images 2 Icons sent along the picture of a truly perfect pulp birthday cake.

So, all you Loyal Airmen, imagine yourselves here in Hangar 27, sharing this yummy looking cake with the Air Chief, all of us having a grand old time.  Thanks to all of you who helped make this a truly wonderful day.

Ron – Over & Out!!