The illustration above is one of six done by the talented Rob Davis for the stories featured in my first pulp book, BROTHER GRIM. The book is selling well, both at the publishers and via Amazon.com, where it’s picked up several really gracious reviews. If you’ve been thinking of picking up a copy, please do. Aside from my own humble piggy bank, I’d very much like to be able to give both Rob and cover artist, Tom Floyd, a decent profit check for their fantastic efforts on this project.

Please know, I am always happy to autograph any of my books, or comics you have or will soon purchase. If you would like me to sign something, simply drop me an e-mail with that request and I will in return give you my mailing address. As long as you send your book with a self-stamped envelope for me to return it, then we’re all set.

Note, I purposely put my e-mail address in the back of BROTHER GRIM in hopes readers would send me letters in regards to the book. Feedback is always a valuable commodity in the writing game. While at recent conventions, I personally made that same plea as I gave out copies of the book. Yet in all that time, nada.
Come on folks, I sincerely do not bite. Ha. So if you’ve read either BROTHER GRIM or THE HOUNDS OF HELL, and have a few minutes, please, drop me a line and let me know your thoughts. Would you like to see more of these kind of books, or should I try other venues? I do listen to your suggestions and appreciate them greatly.

Finally, the Hollywood rumor mill has it that both Steven Spielberg and George Lucas have agreed on a script for Indiana Jones 4. Cool. Same folks say they are creating a young sidekick to play off Ford, who is obviously now a Senior Jones. All well and good, but my take on all this is, why bother? Why not go the James Bond route and simply get another young, virile actor to take on the role and keep the franchise alive. Who says that only Harrison Ford can play Indiana Jones? Think about it.

And that’s it for this week, amigos. Over and out, Ron.

Sometimes it’s the little things that escape you. When son Scott, the family PC guru, set up this site, he made a point of including the Contact button whereby any of you reading this
could easily write me, should the urge to do so overcome you in a moment of weakness. Last week, a fellow I’d met at the Newington con, wrote saying he had tried to reach me via the site only to have his e-mail returned undeliverable. Upon checking the address on the contact button with my business card, he found the error. The contact had my e-mail address as (Airship27@comcast.com) That is wrong. The suffix is dot-net…not dot.com! I immediately buzzed Scott and he corrected it promptly. Now it makes me wonder how many others have tried in vain to say hi via this bogus route. My deepest apologies, if you are one of those. Again, the link is hitched to my proper address, so drop me a line. I’d really love to hear from you.

With Spring having been cancelled this year
(I’m not kidding, if you live in New England,
you know what I’m talking about.) June has brought honest-to-goodness sunshine and warm weather. And the jungle growth that is my backward was finally mowed down yesterday. Took over 90 minutes and wiped me out. Hey, I’m pushing 59. Give me a break. But Val says it looks great and hopefully I’ll be able to get a bi-weekly routine going. We’re even talking about hitting the local nursery for some flowers over the weekend. A really good sign.

Writing-wise, I’ve been working on two new comics projects this past week. One is for a special one-shot beind done with my pal, Chris Mills, while the other is for a mini-series called THE GOD BOX. The chap who commissioned the latter wanted a script ASAP which was out of the question, as I’m way overloaded with projects right now. Still, not wanting to dissappoint people, I offered to write the scripts Marvel style and when the art comes in, let him do the dialogue scripting. I generally prefer to work full-script, but doing page-plotting is a whole lot faster for sure. Will keep you posted as to how it all comes out.

Finally, Tom Floyd has just started Chapter Two of his excellent on-line adventure strip,
CAPTAIN SPECTRE. This is such a classy, old
fashion strip, it reminds me of the greats like
FLASH GORDON and PRINCE VALIANT. Tom is doing a bang-up job with Cap. Do yourselves a favor
and check it out..over on my links page.

And that’s all she wrote for this week, amigos. Catch you in seven. Over and out,
Ron. ,/p>

I, and every other living soul in New England is fed up with this lousy weather. Here comes Memorial Day and most of us will be spending it, like every day for the past two weeks, inside. Enough is enough. If any of you know any Stop-The-Rain Dances, I would beg you to start dancing them..now!

I mentioned two weeks ago that my second pulp
novel, THE HOUNDS OF HELL, was finally out and
available from Wild Cat Books. It has been posted, along with my other books for sale, over in our Air Fare section, along with the appropriate link to help you good folks in buying a copy. And as always, thank you so much for your support in this new phase of my career.
From comics to pulps, it’s been an amazing ride and one most of you seem happy about. Trust me,
these two titles are only the beginning. I’ve several new, major pulp projects in the works that I hope you’ll be excited about when they
are announced.

And despite the awful, wet weather, I had a really great time last weekend, primarily because of two events. One being I finally made it to a local theater and saw Star Wars III –
Revenge of the Sith. And loved it!! Major thumbs up, here, friends. The movie delivered on all counts, both in action and drama and delivered an emotional punch at the end that had me wiping my eyes. I most likely will be seeing it several times. Thank you, George Lucas, for
getting it right, again.

The other fun thing was the Sunday comic book show at the Red Hook Brewerey in the Pease Tradeport in nearby, Newington,NH. Some 500 fans turned out and everyone had a blast. I got reacquainted with my old artist pal, Scot Eaton, he of the current SPIDERMAN fame. It had been over twenty-years since Scot and I hooked up and it felt like only a few days had elapsed.
He’s still the same great guy. And to all the kind folks who stopped my table and bought some comics, thanks. A special such to the several
fans who came to pick up a copy of BROTHER GRIM
because they’d read about it right here. Wow, but real site-visitor-fans. I was delighted to meet you all. Also saw old friend Randy Buccini and Digital Webbing’s own Ed Dukeshire, a guy I’ve wanted to meet for some time. A tip of the hat to the Paperback Bazaar’s Ralph DiBernardo who put on the show. Great job all around. Geez,let’s have more of these.

Now if we can only get some sunshine. Till next week, amigos, take care, Ron.

It is NOT cancer! That was the final diagnosis made by the vascular surgeon earlier this week, after comparing my latest CATscan with that taken back in March. The two anomalies on my lungs are static and have not grown. Meaning, no cancer. And a new lease on life for yours truly. As I’d mentioned previously, now we enter monitoring mode, wherein I’ll be going back every so often to
have scans done and to keep a watchful eye on those mysterious spots. But my gut tells me we are out of the woods, folks. Thank you, every single one of you, for all your prayers on my behalf. From your lips to God’s ears. I owe you all.

Likewise, was talking with son Scott, my web-designer, and he was telling me the site is
getting an average of 25 visitors a day. That is really wonderful news, and even more importantly, the average stay is 10 minutes!
Awesome. So I want to take this opportunity to
thank all of you who stop by on a regular basis
and actually read through our pages. Really nice to know you are there, and obviously enjoying what we have here. And there will be more in the near future. We are going to have an art gallery page where I’ll be posting both pin-ups and actual pages from the various comic book projects I’m currently working on. Lots of really great visuals for you to enjoy. Give us a few weeks, we want to keep you coming back on a regular basis.

This next section should be called BEER AND COMICS. Ha. Those of you who live in the New England area, pay close attention. There will be a one day comic book blow-out at the Red Hook
Brewery Convention Center at the nearby Pease
Tradeport Center in Newington, a little town
connected to Portsmouth, this Sunday, 22nd May. Peter Laird and his Mirage Studio Crew will be on hand to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles debut at a Portsmouth one day show all those many years ago. 25 seems to be this week’s lucky number. Scot Eaton from Marvel will be on hand, including the JOHNNY RAYGUN team, writer Christopher Golden and of course, yours truly. I’m told it’s going to be a rainy day, so why not drive on down and join the fun.
Looks to be a really fun show.

Finally, believe it or not, I haven’t seen
STAR WARS III – REVENGE OF THE SITH …yet!
Something I hope to correct this very afternoon, ha. From what I’m hearing on the web-vine, from bonafide SW nerds, this one is really good. Or
as cartoonist Scott Kurtz put it, “It does not
suck!” Ha.

My latest pulp THE HOUNDS OF HELL, is selling
extremely well. Look for a link in our AIR FARE column within the next few days. For those of you who’ve already ordered a copy, thanks.
Please drop me a line a line and let me know what you thought of my pulp cross-over pastiche.
It was much fun to write. I pray it is as much fun to read. And lots more of that on the way.
What with the good medical news, I’m totally
charged up with new ideas and eager to get busy.

Have a great week, over and out, Ron.

Woke up this morning, Friday 13th, to learn that my newest pulp novel, THE HOUNDS OF HELL, is now officially on sale at Lulu.com, the same fine folks who brought you BROTHER GRIM a few months ago. All, of course through Ron Hanna’s marvelous Wild Cat Books. Check it out, HOH is, to the best of my knowledge, the first ever pulp crossover novel. Meaning, the story brings together characters who appeared regularly in two different pulp magazines of the 1930s. The Moon Man, a sort of Robin Hood figure, starred in TEN DETECTIVE ACES, whereas the villainous Dr.Satan was featured in a half dozen stories that appeared in WEIRD TALES. Now, their paths cross, as the Moon Man is all that stands between the evil madman and his latest attack on mankind. Like GRIM, it will also be sold through Barnes & Nobles online and Amazon.com, in a couple of weeks.

I had a great time visiting the folks at the Paperback Bazaar last week on Free Comic Book Day, both personally and professionally. You see that visit landed me two new writing
jobs; one for a graphic novel and the other for a regular on-going series. I’m not at liberty to spill the beans here, amigos, but as soon as
things are ready for public notices, you’ll read them here. Promise.

Lately, thanks in part to my review column,
PULP FICTION, I’ve been reading some really great books. Not just good, but truly exceptional stuff that entertained me a great deal. Please, do check out that column if you’re looking for good books to take to the lake or beach this summer. Again, the logo to
PF is above this column, click on it and dig in.
You’ll be glad you did.

Finally, only six more days for STAR WARS III-REVENGE OF THE SITH. Am really looking forward to this last, and most likely the darkest entry to date of George Lukas’s mega-saga. Annakin’s corruption to the Dark Side is a tragic story in the classic myth sense, but knowing that it will ultimately lead to his resurrection in RETURN OF THE JEDI, makes it palatable. For in the end,
the entire six part epic is truly about him;
his beginnings, temptations, fall from grace and in the end, glorious salvation via his son’s abiding love. And it’s also a grand, space opera too boot! Get the popcorn ready, I’m
ready for to blast off!

You all take care and have a great weekend,
over and out..Ron

The picture above is of Kate Morgan, an American spy during World War II and my latest
comic book hero. She is featured in a new 16 pg. story called LA FEMME LIBERTE and all the artwork on the project, including this pin-up, is being done by an amazing newcomer named John Polacek. Believe me, you are going to be hearing a lot more from this dude.

Since this is Free Comic Book Day across the country and in a few minutes I’m heading out to visit my good friends over at the Paperback Bazaar here in town, I figured I’d use this week’s log entry to tell you about a few comic projects I’ve in the works. I didn’t want folks to think, since the debut of my first pulp novel, that I’d left the world of graphics. No way, no how! I’ve quite a few cool comics in the works.

Besides the LA FEMME LIBERTE, I’ve also got
a 48 pg crime drama that revolves around an oriental jewel thief called SATIN’S WAYS. The first half of the book has been pencilled by Gonzalo Martinez, a brilliant South American artist who is a joy to work with. Inks are being handled by another new kid on the scene,
Terry Staats. We are now shopping around for a publisher. Wish us luck.

This past week I finished a five page EC type sci-fi horror story called ROBOT LOVE which is
being drawn by a Mexican wonder named Jesus
Hernandez. Are you getting an international feel here? God Bless the internet, it truly has made our comics community an intimate world neighborhood where creators from all over can join together to do what they love. This particular story will pop up in an anthology to
appear later in the year by my good friend,
Stacie Ponder.

My 98 pg graphic novel DAUGHTER OF DRACULA is now half way completed, the art chorse on this one being handled by the amazing Rob Davis. Again, when done, this one will blow you away.
And if any of you Hollywood types are reading this, let it be known I have a film script version of this self-same drama, so give me a call.

And last but not least, Ed Dukeshire over at
Digital Webbing Presents was so happy to be
presenting MASK OF THE GARGOYLE to the world in
his June issue #24, he asked for more. So, to
answer that request, artist Dario Carrasco and I have put together two more Gargoyle adventures for the next couple of issues of DWP..ergo #25 & #25. All of which, like the first one in June, will be in full color. You do NOT want to miss these, its pure old comics action the way they use to do’em!

So there you go, Airship 27 fans, lots of comic goodies on the way. Keep stopping by the Hangar not to miss anything. Till then,
over and out..Ron.

The contractors wrapped up there work on my den last weekend and for the past couple of days Valerie and I have been busy PUTTING all my books, DVDs and toys back. The new room is spacious, open and a true joy to work in. Happily the new 50″ Panasonic TV was all wired up when I received my Errol Flynn boxed set of movies, part of the new WB Signature collection. This afternoon I popped in the 1939 DODGE CITY and watched it in all its glorious Technicolor. The set also includes CAPTAIN BLOOD, THE SEA HAWK, ELIZABETH & ESSEX and THEY DIED WITH THEIR BOOTS ON. The films have been marvelously cleaned up and restored to their original, theatrical lengths. I’ve been a Flynn fanatic since a teenager and watching these remastered gems is like seeing them for the first time.
If you like old classics, I can’t recommend this set enough.

Kudos to editor/publisher, Charles Ardai, and all the good folks over at Hard Case Crime. It was announced today that three of their first releases have either won or been nominated for
prestigious awards. The Mystery Writers of America gave their Edgar to Dominic Stansberry’s
THE CONFESSION, while the Private Eye Writers
have nominated both FADE TO BLOND by Max Phillip and LITTLE GIRL LOST by Richard Aleas for their coveted Shamus Award. Not bad for a
little outfit that’s not even a year old. I’ve
had the pleasure of reviewing several HCC titles
in my Pulp Fiction column and have several more
waiting in the wings. If you enjoy good,
solid, crime fiction, Hard Case Crime is your
cup of joe. Check them out and tell them, Ron
sent you.

Several visitors to the Airship 27 Hangar have questioned why I don’t have a forum like
lots of other similar sites operated by various
comic writers. My answer is simple, I sincerely
don’t have the time and most of the real work
maintaining this operation is done graciously by my son, Scott. Whereas, I spent all my socializing on my pal Chris Mills’s
wonderful boards. So, if you’d like to talk with me, that’s usually where I hang out. It’s a really friendly corner of the internet populated by a great bunch of folks. So stop on by, if you’ve a hankering. Simply go
to (http://AtomicPulp.com) hit the forums button
and sign on.

That’s it for April, amigos. Be back next
week when hopefully I’ll have some news on my
latest pulp book. Till then, stay happy.
Ron..over and out.

Several weeks ago I was invited by the good folks at Blinding Force Pulps to create a new series character for a project they were putting together. The idea was to produce stories of people who live in a place called Federal City circa the early 1940s. What I came up with is a Catholic priest named Michael Ryan, home from a two year stint in the South Pacific as a chaplain for the Marines. How he adapts to peace time and
the mean streets of Federal City are the themes of his stories. MESSENGER 13, the first of these, is now up at the BFP site. Go on over to my links page and click their icon. While there be sure to read the Knuckles stories too. You’ll be glad you did.

A while back I also mentioned my latest comic venture being a Gargoyle story appearing in the
July issue of Digital Webbing Presents. Well, that particular issue is now being solicited in the Diamond Previews catalogue. Please take note, there are two covers to this one issue.
One is by Dario Carrasco and features his rendition of the Gargoyle in all his glory. The other is for something else. So, if you want the Gargoyle cover, be sure to specify that when
ordering. And according to the latest from Dario, there will be other Gargoyle appearances in future issues of DWP. Now that’s cool.

Finally, on a somber note, a friend of my died this week, he was 90 years young. He was a retired psychiatrist and he lived one truly amazing life. I’d known him for just about two years now and his friendship taught me a whole lot about life and aging with dignity. I know he’s now with his beloved wife, with whom he shared 52 years and for that I’m happy. But I’m also going to miss him..a lot. God Bless, Dr.Bill.

Over and out, Ron.

Last Friday, as part of my ongoing medical condition, I had a PETscan taken. Monday Valerie and I met with the lung specialist and learned he was not happy with the results. Now a quick of update for those of you just coming on board here.

In Jan I had pneumonia. My doctor sent me to have X-rays, the X-rays founds two spots on my lungs, one on the right and one on the left. I was then sent for a CATscan, which enhanced the anomaly and thus got me sent to the lung specialist. He had me undergo a bronchoscopy whereby he took a sample from one of these so-called lesions. It proved to be absent of cancer. Still, he wasn’t satisfied that the results were conclusive and scheduled the PETscan. Which is now showing cancerous activity. Ergo he sends me to a surgeaon. Oh yeah.

I just came back from my first visit with the surgeon and he was a mystified as everyone else has been from the start. And he tells me he is uncomfortable performing a very invasive
surgery on something he is not 100% sure is the
big C. Duh. So what now? After an hour of back and forth, we agreed to schedule another
CATscan sometime at the start of May. Why? Because we can then compare it with the one take in March and pray we find a difference in size.
Smaller, will indicate its some kind of virus or
whatever and is going away. Larger, even by a miniscule, will add to the evidence it is cancer, and then he’ll talk surgery. So, it’s the old hurry up and wait. I’ll keep you all
posted. Please keep those prayers coming, they do make this bareable.

Spent last Sunday at the Chelmsford show with the Johnny Raygun crew of Matt Talbot and Rich Woodall, and we all had a ball. Larry Dougherty, who put on the show, is an old friend from way back, and all the local fans who stopped by to get books autographed were great. I really like one day shows like this.

I’ve a new review column up, click on to the PULP FICTION banner above and check it out.

Lastly, am getting antsy for the season wrap up of LOST on TV. It’s the one show that nailed me from the start and I confess to being addictd. Loads of fun.

All for this week, gang, take care one all,
Ron.

Looks like Spring has sprung at long last. We’ve had an amazing week of wonderful, sunny weather. Always good for the spirit. Yesterday,
the world saw an amazing event, the burial of our beloved Pope John Paul II. Now 117 cardinals of the church have the daunting task of electing a man to follow in his footsteps. I don’t envy them. But I do trust in the Holy Spirit to guide their votes and send us the right man for the job. That’s what faith is all about, folks.

Went back to the hospital yesterday for a follow-up PETscan. Was a long, slow process, but painless. Will have results by start of the week and hopefully can put finis to this chapter of my life. If not…

And while I was being radiated, our contractor arrived at the house and began the renovation of my basement den. Going to paint the walls, tear down the ceiling, add more lighting and built wall-to-wall bookcases for my library, both of books and DVD movies. Amidst these will be built a new entertainment center for my new 50″ Panasonic LCD High Def TV and across the room, a customed made writing table. Oh yeah, the Batcave is getting its very first face-lift. Meanwhile, I am pecking away at this in the small guest-bedroom like the Prisoner of Zenda. But with the work begun, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

And tomorrow, April 9th, I’m off to my first
con of the new year, down in Chelmsford, Ma. to be hosted by an old amigo, Larry Dougherty. Howard Porter of DC will be the big guest, with yours truly and the gang from Johnny Raygun adding local spice. Looking to be a great show. So if any of you reading will be in the Chelmsford area tomorrow, come on down and say hi. I’ve got a huge stack of BROTHER GRIM novels to move.

Finally, the Red Sox, after losing the first two games of the season, are on a winning track.
They took the third from the Yankees, thanks to
Tim Wakefield on the mound and the Sox bats finally coming to life. While last night Bronson Arroyo was really terrific in his first pitching start of 2005. Our only grouse was how closer Keith Foulkes nearly blew a 3 run lead in the bottom of the 9th! I have never seen him looked so rattled. Man, that was just plain scary!

Airship 27 Over & out! Ron.