Flight Log ‹ Airship27

Another Cancer Challenge

On 25 Apr | '2025

Greetings Loyal Airmen, this certainly isn’t a Flight Log the Air Chief ever hoped to write, but here goes. Several weeks ago, while taking a shower, we felt a hard lump under the skin just above our left breast. Having dealt with cancer twice before (and beat it both times) we immediately contacted our doctor. An ultra-sound was done and determined there were two separate lumps and they appeared suspicious. Next came the biopsy and last week, on Holy Thursday, we learned one of them was cancerous. From this point, our doctor immediately referred us to the people at the Fort Collins Cancer Center and made our appointment to see them about how soon a surgery could be scheduled to have both lumps removed. As of now we know we have Stage One breast cancer and it is completely treatable. Thank God we caught it in time. The surgery will take place within the next few weeks and we’re expected to make a full recovery. We initially debated whether to make any of this public, but being actively involved with half a dozen comic series projects, never mind our Airship 27 editorial duties, we felt we needed to get the word out so that folks would understand if we find fell behind with certain deadlines. So please bear with us and you can help…keep us in your prayers. They mean the world to us.

JIN & TONIK # 2

Speaking of those many projects, one especially dear to us is our spy thriller JIN & TONIK with Cesar Feliciano. Here are pages 15 & 16 from issue # 2 now in production. They will of course be colored by Matt Webb and pal Mike Belcher will add the lettering. We love how this issue is coming along.

THE CRIMSON NUN # 2

At the same time, artist Jesse Thomas continues to do great work on “The Crimson Nun” issue # 2. We are so blown away by his pencils, inks and colors. He just gets better and better with every page.

REST IN PEACE HOLY FATHER

THE BOSTON BOMBERS Vol 2

WHY WE LOVE WRITING COMICS

And as the week was speeding by, more beautiful artwork came in from both JIN & TONIK # 2 and THE CRIMSON NUN # 2. This is why the Air Chief, after all these years, still loves writing comics. The blessing of working with talented people like Cesar Feliciano, Matt Webb, Mike Belcher, Jesse Thomas, Rob Davis and Gary Kato…and so many others. Writing prose is fun, but comics remain magic to our soul.

KEEP US IN YOUR PRAYERS PLEASE

And there you go, Loyal Airmen, all the news, good, and so-so. Thanks for your continued support and more than ever, we truly wish for your kind thoughts and prayers in the weeks ahead. Know that we’ll keep you posted on the upcoming surgery and results. We’ve got lots of projects in the wings, and we believe God wants them wrapped up. See you back here next Friday. Ron – Over & Out!

THURSDAY FLIGHT LOG

On 17 Apr | '2025

Greetings Loyal Airmen, last weekend the Air Chief and Valerie were guest at this year’s Wicked West Comic Expo in nearby Loveland, Colorado. It was the fourth year of this show and it just gets better and better every year. Above are several shots of people loading in. You can see Val in the bottom pix talking with our con neighbors and dear friends Olivia & Zane DeGaine. Below you’ll find photos of other creators and such. Whereas tomorrow is Good Friday of this Holy Week, we opted to post this Flight Log on Thursday in deference to the death of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

VAL & THE AIR CHIEF

And here we are ready to rock and roll. The show had a great turn out both days, and those stacks of comics you see above dwindling considerably by the end of Sunday afternoon. Our heartfelt thanks to all those gracious fans who stopped by and bought both our comics and pulp titles.

TOP COMIC SALES

Our three best sellers comics wise were JIN & TONIK # 1 (which we do with artist Cesar Feliciano). THE CRIMSON NUN #1 (which we do with artist Jesse Thomas) and BEYOND THE STARS # 4 (which we do with artist Andrea Bormida). There were also assorted sales of various issues of MR. JIGSAW MAN OF A THOUAND PARTS and our graphic novels, DAUGHTER OF DRACULA and the BOSTON BOMBERS.

TALENTED LADIES

Among the many comics creators at the show were these two amazing writer/artists. At upper left is Gabriella Saenz, who we once had in our How To Write Comics class. And at upper right is Lorelei Shannon, who only few years ago came to this show as a fan. She’s just had her first comic book published. Both these young ladies are amazing talents and dear friends.

OLIVIA & ZANE DEGAINE

JEFF & JENNIFER CLEMENS

Also present were artist Jeff Clemens and his wife Jennifer. Jeff is an old friend of Zane and Olivia DeGaine having attended the Joe Kubert School of Graphic Art with them years ago. Jeff is a talented guy with his own imprint, Stick Ink Comics and you can find his work at (www.jeffclemens.com) where he has a great fun character named ROBOT GUY. Check it out. Tell him the Air Chief sent you.

OTHER GUESTS & OLD FRIENDS

And finally, we tip our hats to Shawn and Matthew Filbachs, on their return to Wicked West. They are two extremely talented comic creators and it was a pleasure to meet them. At the same time, Sunday afternoon our old pal, Brett Smith stopped by. Brett is one of the co-founders of the Colorado Festival of Horror going on its fifth year. It has become one of Denver’s premier media cons. Always great to see and chat with Brett. And that was this year’s Wicked West Comic Expo, Loyal Airmen. Val and the Air Chief had a blast and are already looking forward to next year.

THE CRIMSON NUN # 2

JIN & TONIK # 2

BLESS GOOD FRIDAY

Tomorrow we celebrate Good Friday. Even though the idea of our Lord and Savior being brutally murdered seems at odds with our calling it “Good Friday,” the action itself is what we celebrate. The fact that our creator loved us so much, He gave us his only son as a sacrifice for our sins. In that moment of his death on that ugly cross, Jesus Christ destroyed the devil’s hold on this world once and for all and reopened the gates of heaven for all who truly desire it. Death now is nothing more than a door to that paradise. Thank you Lord, never ever let us forget your amazing love and give us the faith to share it with one another always. HAPPY EASTER LOYAL AIRMEN, GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

Ron – Over & Out!

WINDY CITY PULP CON 2025

On 11 Apr | '2025

Greetings Loyal Airmen, this week we’re going to give you a wrap up of last weekend’s amazing Windy City Pulp & Paper Con which we attended. It was a blast hooking up with lots of old friends and new. Top pix is of our crew, Val & Air Chief with Chief Engineer Rob & Theresa Davis. At bottom slot, is writer Matthew Bieniek and his wife Stephanie. They are always so much fun.

From left to right above, writer Van Allen Plexico, writer Jonathan Sweet & son David and Brian K & Cookie Morris. Our super good friends and colleagues. This is a really fun bunch.

From right to left above. Writers George Tackes & Robert Mendenhall. Center, writers who have contributed to Robert’s Code Name Intrepid pulp series. And finally, per the Windy City New Pulp Writers tradition, our annual dinner get-together at nearby Portello’s which is always a blast.

Once back at the con hotel, it was time for the Pulp Factory Awards which yours truly and Chief Engineer Rob David had the fun of announcing and handing out. These of course the best in New Pulp from 2024 as voted by the 530 members of the Facebook Pulp Factory Group. Best Novel went to Bobby Nash for his book “Lance Star – Sky Ranger : Cold Snap.” Best Short Story went to I.A. Watson from “The Strand Magazine Murders” from Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective Vol 20. Best Interior Illustrations went to Rob for his wonderful work on Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective Vol 20. And lastly for Best Cover, the winner, for a second year in a row was Jeffrey Hayes, this time for his work on CNI Classified Vol 2. Congratulations to all our winners.

Of course one of the big surprises of the weekend was the awarding of the Pulp Factory Grandmaster Award to writer Van Allen Plexico, who by a strange twist of circumstances was not present at the award presentations and didn’t know what he had missed. Until the next day, that is, when he walked into the dealer’s room, and was greeted by all his friends and given his award. It was a warm, funny moment for a truly terrific guy. Congratulations Van, this was well deserved.

And here we are, the last event of the weekend, our New Pulp Sunday morning panel, which featured seven of the finest writers in New Pulp today with yours truly be the moderator. We discussed the state of New Pulp Fiction, where it started, how far it has come as a part of the entire Pulp Fandom Community and what its future looks like. It was a really lively discussion and our small audience seemed to really enjoy it. Afterwards, Mikki McGrath snapped this picture of all of us together. From left to right above you have Jonathan Sweet, Robert Mendenhall, the Air Chief, Brian K. Morris, Matthew Bieniek, Gordon Dymowski, George Tackes and Fred Adams Jr. We wish to thank them all for such a great hour.

ANOTHER WINDY CITY TRADITION

One of the joys of this trip to Val and the Air Chief is the opportunity to visit our daughter Heather, who just happens to live in Chicago. So after wrapping up at the con Sunday afternoon, and boxing all the books back into Rob’s rented van, the four of us headed into the city to join Heather a place called Moody’s Pub where he had a wonderful dinner and enjoyable two hour visit. We love our five children so much and as they are spread all over the place, chances like this one are precious to us. A big thanks to Rob for making the ride into the city possible. And there you have it Loyal Airmen, another Windy City Pulp & Paper Con is now filed away in the history books. It was a blast!!!

MEANWHILE ….BEYOND THE STARS # 5

So while we were having a great time in Chicago, our partner artist Andrea Bormida was busy coloring the new pages 12 & 13 from BEYOND THE STARS # 5. We think they look fantastic!!

MAN IN THE MASK # 3

These days our favorite comic book series is writer/artist Mike Belcher’s THE MANS IN THE MASK and we were thrilled at the release of issue # 3. This is a series Mike created a few years back and even debut it as a graphic novel. Then, as time passed, he began wanting to re-do it, to make it even better and so he took the plunge. And it has paid off big time. This is the story of a Kentucky based family, the Franklins, who by fateful events end up becoming vigilantes for local justice in their town. The story focuses on young Tommy Franklin wanting desperately to take up the mask handed down from his grandfather, Pops, to his own father, Jack Franklin. Belcher’s script is insightful, fun and deeply poignant. He has an ear for how people talk, how they live and more importantly how important families truly are. We recommend you head on over to (amkcomics.bigcartel.com) where you can find all the issues on sale. Tell them the Air Chief sent you.

FINALLY

And that’s it for this week, Loyal Airmen. As if it wasn’t enough. Ha. Thanks for stopping by and we wish all of you of faith a blessed Holy Week starting this weekend on Palm Sunday. God bless you all. Ron – Over and Out!

WHILE IN CHICAGO

On 4 Apr | '2025

Greetings Loyal Airmen, as you read this week’s Flight Log, the Air Chief, Valerie, and Rob & Theresa Davis are all in Lombard, Il attending the Windy City Pulp & Paper Con. Still, while gone, we wanted to share a few things with you Loyal Airmen who are kind enough to check in with us weekly.

THEY NEED YOUR HELP

We’ve been saddened in the past few weeks to learn that several wonderful comic book creators have fallen on severe hard times and are in desperate need of help. Aside from offering your well wishes and sincere prayers, know that even a few dollars, when added to others, go a long-long way. Thank you for remembering we are all brothers and sisters in this world.
For Mike Barr
(https://www.gofundme.com/…/rally-for-mike-w-barrs…)
For Peter David
(https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-peter-david)
For Thomas Tenney
(https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-artist-tom-tenney-and-family)

HAMLET’S END IN FULL COLOR?

Last week we displayed that black and white panel from our western comic “Hamlet’s End.” Artist Zane DeGaine and the Air Chief are hoping to gain another $500 in pledges for the issue so that we can do it in full color. As is evidence with the colored version above to the right. All you need do is go to the same Kickstarter Site to pledge. Thanks so much. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pulpfission/hamlets-end-1-vengeance-rides-on-the-horizon

MOVIE REVIEW “A WORKING MAN”

For the past few years one of our favorite action series has been Chuck Dixon’s terrific Levon Cade book. We have read all twelve and think they are great. So naturally the Air Chief was anxious to see the new movie adaptation with Jason Statham in the role and a script by Sylvester Stallone. Of course, we knew going in there were going to be major changes. Having the seen the trailer so we were a wee bit concerned. Now, just having seen it, we’re ecstatic with joy. You see not only is the movie a roller-coaster balls-to-the-wall actioner from start to finish, it kept intact what we’ve personally always considered the heart of the series. And that’s the relationship with widower Cade and his daughter Meredith. It is the reason the books have always worked for us, as they make his character something other than just another grunt muscle bound action hero. Levon Cade is a father and his priority is his daughter…always. And that is here, with the lovely young actress, Isla Gie, captivating in her six scenes to perfection. Really, amigos, “A Working Man” is a terrific flick. And we are totally ready for the sequels.

And that’s it for this week, Loyal Airmen. We’ll be back from Chicago next week with some pix of the con and a few tall tales. Till then be well and God bless.

Ron – Over & Out!

REFERENCE PICTURES

On 28 Mar | '2025

Greetings Loyal Airmen. Last week, after a month long writing journey, the Air Chief wrapped up the script to “JIN & TONIK” # 3, the spy thriller we are creating with artist Cesar Feliciano. On Friday afternoon we digitally sent him, and letterer Mike Belcher, the script which came it at 47 pages. Oh yeah, that’s gonna be a big comic book. Ha.

REMEMBER THE REFERENCE PICTURES

Of course one of the things about this particular series is that is jumps all over the globe and this issue was no different than the first two. So, after we’ve finished one particular scene, we hunt the internet for pictures of those locales and put them in folder. At the end of the script, we send them all to the artist, in this case Cesar, to assist them when it comes time to draw those specific scenes. It’s a practice we started long ago when becoming a comic book writer. In this case, we sent Cesar over 50 photo references highlighting certain place where the action takes place such as the two above. That’s Gorky Park, Moscow at upper left and Nickerson Lake in Maine to the right. Like we said, this story happens all over place.

JIN & TONIK # 2

And while on the subject of JIN & TONIK, issue number two is really coming along super thanks to artist co-creator Cesar Feliciano and the super-duper colorist Matt Webb. Above are the latest pages from these two fantastic talents. This issue is going to be spectacular.

NEW FROM SILVERLINE COMICS

Silverline Comics has a new comic just released and now at Fund My Comic. Written by publisher-managing editor Roland Mann, it featured his hero team Cat & Mouse in a brand new 3 issue adventure. And one of good buddies, artist Jose Fuentes did the inking Angelo Conception, a Kubert School graduate. (https://www.fundmycomic.com/campaign/738/cat-mouse-vipers-1) The campaign is a week old and already has reached over 50% of its goal. If you love independent comics, then check them out and as ever, heartfelt thanks.

WESTERN BEGS FOR COLOR

Now for a polite reminder. Though our Kickstarter campaign for the western comic “Hamlet’s End,” proved to be successful. It is our hope, artist Zane DeGaine, and yours truly, that we can raise another $500. Contributions are still allowed on the site. The extra money is to let Zane be able to do the comic in full color. Above is just one of his beautiful panels….that all but begs for color. He’s doing that now to a few and we’ll show them off here next week. In the meantime, any dollars you can throw our way will be greatly appreciated. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pulpfission/hamlets-end-1-vengeance-rides-on-the-horizon

BEYOND THE STARS ISSUE # 5

And finally, we end this week with the inked page # 12 from BEYOND THE STARS currently being drawn by artist Andrea Bormida. This being issue # 5 of a 6 issue mini-series. As ever Andrea’s work looks beautiful and we’re also hope to recruit a new colorist to help us wrap up these last two issues. Stay tuned Loyal Airmen.

Ron – Over & Out!

THE MAGIC OF SPACE

On 21 Mar | '2025

The Air Chief grew up reading science-fiction while in grade and high school. From Buck Rogers to Star Trek, we loved it all. Then NASA went a put a man on the moon and we were thrilled. It seemed like we were just on the cusp of exploring our Solar Sytem and taking mankind to the stars. But that never happened, as all you Loyal Airmen know because the government, that earth-bound organization unable to see beyond its own nose, shut them down. And with them our dreams. Well, its taken quite a few decades but now things are once again look up (pun intended) thanks to commercial interest in exploring the great unknown. Chief among those pioneers is Elon Musk. This past two weeks, he is responsible for sending up his Space Ex Dragon to rescue astronauts Sumita Williams and Barry Wilmore, left stranded on the space station for over seven months. Watching that rocket lift off from Cape Kennedy brought back so many glorious memories. Are we really going back to the stars? One can only hope and dream. In the meanwhile, welcome home astronauts and thank you, Elon Musk.

INSPIRED BY HAGGARD & DOYLE

Adventure 27 Production is thrilled to release a truly unique pulp adventure written by Thomas Kent Miller. Several years ago Kent wrote “Allan Quatermain and the Star of Wonder,” wherein H. Rider Haggard’s hero encountered evidence of alien incursions on our planet, specifically the African coast of Sierra Leone. This story takes place in 1873 and though Quatermain survives to tell the tale, it’s ending is not complete. Then, Kent changes course and offers up “Challenger and the Ancient Nova in Aquila,” which transpires 42 years after the Quatermain tale. In this adventure Conan Doyle’s eccentric Prof. George Challenger discovers, in the South American state of Ecuador a similar ruins whose origins and purposes he can only guess at. Both facilities, thought separated by an ocean, are identical in construction. Now, we’ve reprinted both back to back as Kent always intended in this new Kindle only edition. It contains the original interior illustrations by Clayton Hinkle and a new cover by Rob Davis.

THE SILVERLINE TUESDAY PODCAST

Every Tues night the Air Chief is a regular co-host of the Silverline Podcast where we talk about creating comics. The show is live streamed at 9 P.M. Mountain Time on both You Tube and Facebook. Above is an image from last Tuesday’s show. At upper left is moderator write Tim Thiessen, to his right artist Jose Fuentes, on bottom tier at right is colorist David Rios and the Air Chief is to his right. We really have a great time doing this one hour show.

DAVID DOES SOME COLORING

Lat Tuesday night we discussed when it was okay to leave panels empty of words. To showcase this, the Air Chief offered up a page of his black and white short western strip, “The Silent Gun,” by artist Madarro. What we didn’t know is, David, had downloaded that page and colored it for us, much to our delight while we talked about when to use “silent” panels. You can see both of above. And all you Loyal Airmen have an open invitation to tune us in every Tuesday night and ask whatever questions you might have concerning how to make comics.

And that’s it for this week, Loyal Airmen. As ever thanks for stopping by. See you here next Friday. God bless, Ron – Over & Out!

THANK YOU…THANK YOU!!!!

On 14 Mar | '2025

Greetings Loyal Airmen, we want to kick off this week’s Flight Log with thanking God for the success of our Hamlet’s End Kickstarter Campaign last week. The Air Chief went to bed on Thurs night with our campaign still being over $1,300 short of goal. When we woke up the next morning, less that 12 hours later, we’d not only reached that target, but exceeded by $200. In other words, Zane DeGaine and yours truly had been blessed with a miracle. Nothing less. And so we thank God, but also each and every one of you Loyal Airmen that He worked through to make this amazing thing happen. THANK YOU…THANK YOU…THANK YOU. Now, though the official campaign is finished, folks can still contribute for additional rewards…and most importantly, help get the issue done in full color, rather than simply black and white. Please, continue to spread the word about Hamlet’s End.

ANNIVERSARY POSTCARD

HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY ANTARCTIC PRESS

Tomorrow, 15th March 2025, the small independent comics publisher, Antarctic Press will celebrate its 40th birthday. To celebrate, publisher and founder, Ben Dunn is hosting a giant Birthday Bash at the Norris Conference Center in San Antonia, Texas. The slate of guest creators who will be hand is massive. We wanted to take a moment to congratulate Ben and Antarctic Press, 40 years for an independent outfit is no small achievement. So again congratulate my friend and here’s wishing you 40 more!!

THE AIRSHIP 27 PODCAT # 99

Earlier this week, the Air Chief, along with Chief Engineer Rob Davis, recorded our 99th episode of the Airship 27 Podcast. It is available now for all you Loyal Airmen to listen to on You Tube. We talk about what books we’ve released thus far this year and some big plans for the remainder of 2025. So if you want to take a listen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSkcYEvhoEk&t=144s)

JIN & TONIK # 2

Another panel from artist/creator Cesar Feliciano showcasing the members of the Amalgam, a super secret conclave of scientist and spiritualist who will determine the fate of Sammy Jin and Darya Tonikova. Once Matt Webb has colored it and the rest of the entire page, we’ll post here. Hang in there.

And that’s it for this week Loyal Airmen, save to say the Air Chief will once again be a guest at The Wicked West Comix Expo held in Loveland next month. More about that next week. As ever, thanks for stopping by and we’ll see you all here next Friday. God bless.

Ron – Over & Out!

PROF. CHALLENGER RETURNS

On 7 Mar | '2025

Greetings Loyal Airmen, we kick off this week’s Flight Log with the announcement of our latest Airship 27 Production pulp title, “The Challenger Chronicles,” Vol 2- This contains three new adventures of Sir Arthur Doyle’s character, Prof. George Challenger. Thomas Kent Miller has a novella length and the issue is rounded out by two shorts stories; one by Wayne Carey and the other by Kevin Findley. Artist Clayton Hinkle provides all the interior illustrations and that awesome color cover above.

BEYOND THE STARS # 4

THE CRIMSON NUN # 2

While over at “The Crimson Nun” book # 2, artist Jesse Thomas is doing such a powerful job with his pages. Above are 17 & 18 from this second issue. We truly love his work and can’t help but appreciate how it just gets better from issue to issue.

BEYOND THE STARS # 5

SOMETIMES YOU LOSE

The Air Chief went to sleep last night believing the Kickstarter Campaign was going to fail. We still needed over $1300 to reach our $3,000 goal. We even wrote a paragraph here rambling about how crowded the funding field is these days and thanking those people who had supported. The Air Chief has seen miracles in his life and last night God send us another one. Somehow, in the last six hours of the campaign, some very amazing people kicked in that $1300 dollars and put us over the top. WE ARE IN SHOCK AND SO DAMN GRATEFUL TO YOU ALL. Yeah, sometimes we lose….BUT GOD NEVER DOES.

AND SOMETIMES YOU WIN

This past Wednesday, March 5th was Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent for we Catholics. It also happened to be Valerie and the Air Chief’s 42nd wedding anniversary. She went and surprised us that morning by sending along the above pix to us via a text message attachment. God blesses us with the people he puts in our lives, knowing none us can get through this world on our own. Valerie has blessed us from day one and continues to be the light of our world. Thank you, Lord, for her.

And there you have it, Loyal Airmen, for this week. Things never slow down around the old Hangar 27. Thanks for stopping by. God bless, Ron – Over & Out!