HEROES – Reading & Writing

On 16 Oct | '2026

Greetings Loyal Airmen, we’re going to kick this week off with a little talk about heroes past and present. A few days ago on Facebook, and enterprising soul, using AI no doubt, put together this team image of the classic heroes of the 1940s. Most of them were born on the radio, in the newspapers and eventually in comics before jumping to the giant silver screen…and ultimately the small TV monitor. Having been born in 1946, the Air Chief grew up at towards the end of this truly Golden Era of Heroes. Never before, in the cultural and literary history of our country, has there been a decade so rich in imagination to give us this amazing group of stellar guys and gals. Here’s your map starting at the very top with The Shadow, then next row down (from left to right) we have Batman, Flash, Captain Marvel and Superman. Next level down (left to right) we have the Green Hornet, Commando Cody, Captain America, Blackhawk and Spy Smasher. And finally seated (left to right) we have Dick Tracy, the Phantom, Sheena and Brenda Star Reporter.

Of course growing up influenced by those great characters, it shouldn’t be any great surprsie that the Air Chief grew up wanting to be a comic book writer. Above you’ll note we actually did to get to write a few of those classic heroes ala the Green Hornet, while at the same time creating our own ala Mr. Jigsaw, Black Lion, Brother Bones and Captain Jain Space Smuggler…and we are far from finished. Still a tip of the fedora to all those who came before us.

TERMINATOR – BURNING EARTH – A MOVIE?THE MOVIE???

Recently we were approached out of the blue by a literary IP agent totally enraptured by our old comic book series, “Terminator – Burning Earth” which we wrote for the late Now Comics at the start of our career and were lucky enough to have a young Alex Ross as the artist. It was his first professional comic gig. Anyway, lots and lots of years under bridge. Now this literary agent informs us that in the past two years the website “Screen Rant” has done two in-dept articles centered on this particular series.

Back in 2024 they examined the series with the perspective on it being Ross’ first work and reflecting on his memories of having done. From the article, it’s clear to see it was not overly much a labor of love. More toil and sweat. All well and good. But then in 2025, just last year, comic book writer Nicola Aya did a piece for “Screen Rant” where he strongly suggested that were the film studio looking to re-energize that franchise, they would be wise to look no further than Burning Earth. Aya says the narrative, with its focus on the climatic final battle between mankind and Skynet in the future, would be a perfect setting for a streaming-service mini-series. Wow.

Obviously, we couldn’t agree more. Hell, we were even surprised to find both these pieces and to know there is still some serious interest in the comic. Could a film version ever happen? Who knows. We’ll just have to wait and see. Should you be interested in reading Aya’s complete article from 2025, here’s the link. (https://screenrant.com/new-terminator-tv-show-best-story-burning-earth-comic/)

BEYOND THE STARS # 6

This new page from our sci-fi mini-series, BEYOND THE STARS Issue # 6. As drawn by the amazing Andrea Bormida, this is page 20 of that final issue. Only two more to be completed and the book goes off to our letterer Mike Belcher. Then to the funding campaign. This has been a three year journey for Andrea and the Air Chief and it is going to be so great to see it finished at long last. Stay tuned Loyal Airmen, there is a graphic collection in the future.

And that, dear Loyal Airmen, is it for this week. Really a busy one looking back at it now. Anyway, thanks for stopping by as ever and hope to see you here next Friday. Ron – Over & Out!

A SOMEWHAT QUIET WEEK
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