Greetings Loyal Airmen, this week we are talk about a personal favorite comic book series of ours and a recent movie release that got us thinking about a new action queen. 

Ms. Tree was created by award winning mystery writer Max Allan Collins and artist Terry Beatty.  For over the past three decades she has starred in dozen of comics from various publishers.  Collins was inspired by Mickey Spillane's tough guy private eye, Mike Hammer, but wondered what would happen if he put a new spin on that popular genre and made his hero a tough-as-nails female.  Thus, on the night of her wedding to the owner of the Tree Investigation outfit, Michael Tree (her father wanted a boy) becomes a widow as someone guns down her husband.  She assumes the ownership of the agency and then proceeds to hunt her husband's killer and bring him to gun-blasting justice.  Ms. Tree was a hit from her first issue and today has a huge following of loyal fans.  Ironically over the years, Hollywood has tried several times to adapt the series to either the big screen or television and for some truly mysterious reasons, can't seem to get the job done.  Totally insane.

         
                        GINA CARANO
Now a few years ago there was a television show on the air called American Gladiators.  The idea was to pit average contestants against trained professional athletes for cash prizes. One of the show's regular was the beautiful Gina Carano known on the series as Crush.  Recently some Hollywood folks thought it might be a very good idea to turn Carano into the next screen action queen ala Angelina Jolie and they put together a short 90 minute action piece entitled HAYWIRE.

Earlier in the week the Air Chief attended a screening of this terrific film and was simply blown away by both this young woman's beauty and physical prowess. Surrounding her with an all male cast of some of the most recognizable names in movies, the producers wisely allowed Carano to shine in the role of an ex-Marine spy who has been framed for the murder of a political Chinese dissident.  Single handedly she goes after these conspirators and survives one attempt after another to silence her forever.  Why?  Because in the end she is both smarter and tougher than all of them.  If you haven't seen HAYWIRE yet, do so.  You will not be disappointed.

            SKETCH BY TERRY BEATTY
Still coming out of the theater after seeing HAYWIRE, the Air Chief couldn't help but think of another stunningly beautiful and tough brunette, Ms. Tree.  And we couldn't help but think, Gina Carano would be perfect to bring Collins & Beatty's gun-toting P.I. to cinematic life.  Honestly, she IS Ms. Tree.  Don't believe me us, look at this next picture from the movie HAYWIRE.

       
                                                    BEAUTIFUL AND DEADLY
After getting home from the movie theater, the Air Chief posted over on Facebook how much we enjoyed this movie and also expressed our belief that this actress should be playing Ms. Tree.  Artist Terry Beatty chimed in agreeing with us immediately.  So if there is anyone at all connected with Hollywood reading these words, WAKE UP..and get this done.  We comic fans have waited long enough for a blockbuster Ms. Tree movie.  Now we have the ultimate person to play her.  Hollywood, what the hell are you waiting for!!

And finally a few days ago THE PULP FACTORY nominations were announced publicly. These are four awards given for the best pulp novel, short story, cover and interior artwork from the previous year.  The Air Chief was thrilled to find himself as one of the nominees for Best Pulp Short Story for “Vengeance Is Mine,” our Avenger story which appeared in Moonstone Books “The Avenger – The Justice Inc. Files.” See cover above.  The book is still available at Amazon and other book distributors if you'd like to pick up a copy.  Only members of the Yahoo Pulp Factory Group can vote in these awards and winners will be announced at this year's Windy City Paper & Pulp Convention beginning April 27th.  This will be the third year the awards are given out.  Wish us luck Loyal Airmen.

And that's it for another week at Hangar 27.  As ever thanks for stopping by and stay warm.

Ron – Over & Out!