Greetings loyal airmen, it’s been
one hectic and crazy week around the Hangar and
I’ve got so many things to tell you this week,
I’m sure I’ll forget several. But stick with me
and let’s see how many I can share, without the
old brain-pan burning up.

First up, this coming Sunday is Father’s Day
and always a time when I reflect on what it truly means to be a dad. Mine was the greatest guy in the world and our family lost him way too soon. It’s been over thirty years since God called him home, and we all miss him every single day. I’ve always used him as my model and guidepost in being a father to Scott, Kevin and Heather, as well as Michelle and Alan. Seeing how they all turned out, and I take no
credit for that, I’m just so proud of all of them, it is an honor to be their father.
And I would be remiss if I didn’t wish Scott,
Alan and my son-in-law, Chris, a Happy Father’s Day. The three of them are great dads, all you have to do is meet my happy grand kids to know that. Finally, to all you Airmen Dads out there, God bless everyone of you, and keep up the good work. Being a parent is the most important job in the world.

Okay,now on to all this comics, pulps and writing stuff that has kept me hopping this past week. First up, artist Rob Davis has turned in
page 102 of our graphic novel, THE DAUGHTER OF DRACULA. He has only 6 more to go and it is finished!! The sketch above is something he did way back when starting this long running gig.
It is of Marya von Dracula, the protagonist.
Rob also wrapped up his spot illustration for
my Spider story, THE INVISIBLE GANG. Both the tale and his art will be seen in the forthcoming Spider Anthology from Moonstone. I’ll let you all know when it is available. Hopefully before the end of summer.

And while on the subject of vampires, I am so happy to report that New Hampshire filmmaker, Rob Fitz has had great reception with marketing our comic book tie-in, FRANK NG-HIRED GUN. So far Rob has given out 100 copies of the book to promote his movie, GOD OF VAMPIRES, and I’m told he’s just ordered another 100! He tells me people love it. Great news indeed.
Remember, you can still pick up a copy of this
black and white little thriller by going to the
Air Fare page and clicking on it.

As many of you will recall, back at the start of May, comic shops all around the country celebrated Free Comic Book Day. Lots of these shops invited local writers and artists to come in and meet their customers. Well, Craig
Shepard, the penciller on our Captain Hazzard comic book series, had a small sample comic made up of the first few pages of our book. These are called ashcans, and he had them printed up and
distributed to the folks who stopped by at his
local comic shop that day. He finally got around to sending me a copy and above I’ve opened it up to show you the covers. It came out super, what with our coloris, Bishop Bowie, taking those pages and removing the color, then adding grayscaling to a wonderful effect. Way to Craig and Bishop. This has been a long project, but all of us are committed to seeing
finished and out there.

And while speaking of Captain Hazzard, no sooner does my pulp rewrite, CAPTAIN HAZZARD –
Python Men of the Lost City, land at Amazon
on-line, then the sales skyrocket. This book
is really selling well and I’m getting all kinds
of feedback from happy readers who want more
Captain Hazzard adventures. Well, keep your hats on, airmen, because just this past week
I wrapped up the newest Hazzard novel, CITADEL OF FEAR. My co-writer on this book, Martin Powell, is adding a final epilogue and then it
gets shipped off to Wild Cat Books. I am very, very excited about this book. It will be the first new Captain Hazzard book in nearly 70 years. Now that’s say something.

Also, this past week, Martin finally convinced me to join an on-line group of pulp
fans called Flea Run. In only one short week I’ve met some of the nicest people ever who share my love and passion for pulps. Thanks, Martin, you were right all along.

Meanwhile, artist Tom Bonello has finished the pencils for BULLDOZER #1 (see the pictures in our gallery section). It looks great and
inker Kenny McFarlane is busy putting the finishing touches on it, while I have to get moving and crank out script #2. Don’t want my art team sitting idle, ha. Busy, busy, busy.

As if all the above wasn’t enough to keep any sane man happy, I’ve still got a few extra balls juggling over my head. One of these is a childrens book that I have written for my son, Alan. Alan and other community leaders in Ft.Collins, CO. are going to use the sale of the book to maintain a new childrens park currenlty under construction there. The book deals with a group of elves (see illo above) who come to the aid of the town in making the park accessible to handicap children. The real park is being contructed in such a fashion and will be a place of fun for all the kids of Ft.Collins. Artist
Gary Kato, myself and book designer, Matty Ryan,
are so proud to be a part of this effort. Note the sketch above is a preliminary piece, the actual book will of course be in full color.
And again, I’ll let you all know when it’s finished and available.

Finally..yes, there’s a littel bit more.
Two things really. First, I’ve finally had the
opportunity to see two of the summer blockbusters out there. THE DIVINCI CODE and
X-MEN – THE LAST STAND. As a practising Catholic, I found the former a very interesting
movie and enjoyed a lot. You see, I’m am one of those rebel church members who believes it was never Jesus’s intentions for the Chruch to be
a good-old-boys-club. Sooner or later that hypocrisy is going to be dealt with and women will be ordained as priest. This movie dealt with some of those issues rather well. As for
X-MEN 3, what can I say but tons of mindless, rollicking action fun. A popcorn movie that delivered on what it promised. What more can you ask for of any movie? Next on my list, CARS and SUPERMAN RETURNS. Sadly, I missed MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 3, but hey, that’s why they have DVDs.

And for real, my last thoughts of the week. Dear Theo Epstein of the Boston Red Sox, your bullpen SUCKS TO HIGH HEAVEN!!! And guys like Foulkes, Seanez and Tavarez need to be gotten rid of before they lose us any more games!! Watching them lose this past week was torture!

Take care airmen, I hope your summer is fun and way lots more relaxed tham mine thus far, ha. Till next week, Ron, over and out.