“Mystery Men (& Women), Volume 1” is the first of a new anthology series from Airship 27. This one has four New Pulp heroes and heroines. Most people may not know that pulp heroines were very rare. There are a couple of jungle girls and you have the Domino Lady, but that’s about it.
First up is B.C. Bell‘s “The Bagman.” The Bagman previously appeared in his own novel, “Tales of the Bagman,” from Airship 27, and this is a follow-up short story. Bell is apparently working on another Bagman novel as well.
The Bagman is a former petty mobster who turned against the mob when they asked him to do something he didn’t want to. Now he fights crime rather than commits it. His disguise is a simple burlap bag over his head.
Aaron Smith‘s “Red Veil” is next; she’s a pulp heroine. She is intended to be in the model of violent pulp heroes like The Shadow and The Spider. She’s motivated by the murder of her policeman husband. I think this was an original character, and it would be interesting to see more stories about her. It’s funny that the back cover calls her an Irish immigrant, but the story seems to indicate she came from England.
David Boop‘s “Gridiron” is next, and features more of a proto-comic-book hero then pure pulp, considering his origin. He’s a former football player who goes up against the mob. He gains a metal skeleton and skin (that’s him on the cover, by the way).
And finally Barry Reese‘s “Dusk.” Barry is best known for his long-running Rook character. The Dusk is a New Pulp heroine. The story is set in Atlanta. Her origin is not given, and there are some occult overtones. While there’s no mention of her in The Rook “universe” so far, Sovereign City is mentioned. (For those not aware, Sovereign City is a “shared city” created by Tommy Hancock of Pro Se Press that is the setting of several New Pulp characters.) This story is set in 1933, before The Rook comes to Atlanta. The Fourth Nail does appear in a later Rook story, so maybe it wasn’t destroyed (or can’t be).
All of these characters are interesting. I hope we see more of them. At this time a second and third volume of this series are out, with all new characters. Check it out.
