Behind the Scenes
Albert Barker, born 1900, has written several reference books for young readers on topics such as the history of printing, the spice trade and town planning. Barker is also the author of the Hawk Macrae series for Curtis Books.
The Books
Both books were published by Award Books:
1. The Gift from Berlin, 156 pages, 1969
2. The Apollo Legacy, 156 pages, 1970
Revenger (Ben Martin)
Six books by Jon Messmann
Ben Martin lived a normal and peaceful life in New York until mobsters killed his family. Martin vowed revenge and began hunting the Mafia across America. Aided by his girlfriend, Martin blasted mobsters in New York and Chicago.
After his first two battles with the Mafia, Martin retreated to a small town outside of Indianapolis before Corbett, a hired killer, tracked him down and tried to eliminate him. Realizing that he could never return to a normal life, Martin returned to Mafia-hunting with a vengeance, wiping out the mob in Indianapolis and Pennsylvania.
Martin also foils the plot by gangster Johnny Lupo to kidnap the beautiful daughter of Judge Salvatore Cozzi. Judge Cozzi's hard-line stand against organized crime has been causing problems and it was hoped that his daughter would be the leverage to eliminate this problem. Martin eliminates Lupo after a fight on the Statue of Liberty. Martin, while capable of violent action, is more introspective than many of his fellow Mafia busters.
Behind the Scenes
Jon Messmann (1920-2004) initially worked as a writer for Fawcett Comics and worked on Captain Marvel Jr. and their western line of comics. Messmann then branched out to crime fiction and westerns. Under the name Jon Sharpe, he wrote several novels in the Trailsman and Canyon O'Grady western series. In the serial vigilante field, he wrote several Killmasters under the house name of Nick Carter and, under his own name, the Handyman series. This series should not be confused with the British Revenger series by Joseph Hedges, which was renamed Stark (see Revenger II/Stark) for American reprints.
The Books
All books were published by Signet Books:
1. Revenger, 136 pages, 1973
2. Fire in the Streets, 135 pages, 1974
3. Vendetta Contract, 158 pages, 1974
4. Stiletto Signature, 1974
5. City for Sale, 144 pages, 1975
6. Promise for Death, 176 pages, 1975
Revenger II/Stark (John Stark)
Twelve books by Joseph Hedges
John Stark was a low-level criminal working for the criminal organization known as the Company. He agreed to help with the payroll robbery of Danton Electronics but the robbery went bad and Stark was sent to jail. While he was in jail, the Company murdered the only woman that John Stark had ever loved.
On hearing the news, Stark escaped from jail and gained bloody retribution on the people who killed the only person who mattered to him and in the process disrupted a number of Company operations. Stark then became a man on the run with a price on his head, a thousand-pound reward from Danton Electronics for Stark's recapture and a twenty-thousand-pound open contract from the Company to kill him. Stark realized that he would be marked for life and his only action was to destroy as much of the Company and its operations before they eventually killed him. Stark began traveling the world, smashing the Company's operations where ever he found them. Stark is often assisted by people wronged by the Company.
Behind the Scenes
In Great Britain, Corgi Books was printing British editions of Don Pendleton's Executioner with great success and, as was the case in America, other publishers began to create their own characters in the same vein. The Sphere Books entry into this market was the Revenger. The silver covers even mimicked those of the Corgi Executioners.
The task of creating the series fell to Terry Harknett. Harknett, born in 1936, had served in the Royal Air Force (1955-57) before working a variety of newspaper jobs. During his newspaper career, Harknett wrote several novels. His first success was the novelization of the Clint Eastwood film A Fist Full of Dollars (1972) as Frank Chandler. Harknett created a series of spaghetti western novels with the Edge series, which told the exploits of Josiah Hedges (a likely source of the Joseph Hedges pen name) under the pseudonym of George G. Gilman. Under that same pen name, he created the Steele and Undertaker western series and wrote three books where Edge and Steele worked together.
Angus Wells took over the pen name Joseph Hedges for the final two Revenger adventures when Harknett became too busy. Wells, along with Robert Holdstock, wrote the fantasy series Raven. Wells, born in 1943, also wrote a number of western series under a variety of pen names.
When Pyramid Books reprinted the books in America, they changed the series name to Stark to avoid confusion with Jon Messmanns the Revenger series, published by New American Library.
The Books
All books were published by Sphere Books:
(Books 1-10 were written by Terry Harknett; books 11-12 were written by Angus Wells.)
1. Funeral Rites, 173 pages, 1973
2. Arms for Oblivion, 189 pages, 1973
3. Chinese Coffin, 206 pages, 1974
4. Gold Plated Hearse, 188 pages, 1974
5. Rainbow Colored Shroud, 186 pages, 1974
6. Corpse on Ice, 188 pages, 1974
7. Mile Deep Grave, 158 pages, 1975
8. Mexican Mourning, 188 pages, 1975
9. Stainless Steel Wreath, 190 pages, 1976
10. Chauffeur Driven Pyre, 160 pages, 1976
11. Gates of Death, 143 pages, 1976
12. Angel of Destruction, 141 pages, 1977
Rig Warrior (Barry Rivers/Rivera)
Three books by William Johnstone
Barry Rivers was raised in the cabin of a truck in New Orleans. When he grew up, he joined the Army and was an A-Team commander in Vietnam. Later, in civilian life, he became a military consultant and arms dealer. Then, in 1987, Barry discovered that his father, Big Joe Rivers, was apparently being muscled by the Mafia. So he took a leave of absence from his company and uncovered a much larger scheme; Barry's partner in his company and his brother were involved in illicit scientific experiments on homeless veterans and illegal aliens and the pair had decided to eliminate him. Barry foiled their scheme and closed down their operation, but his new wife Kate was killed by a bomb blast meant for him. Barry was caught in the blast and left in a coma.
After much plastic surgery, Barry Rivers was given a new face and a new name Barry Rivera. Barry was then given a big, blue, armor-plated Kenworth truck and adopts the code name Dog, inspired by the Dog Team. Given the mandate to fight crime by the unnamed president (implicitly Ronald Reagan), Barry Rivera and his husky named Dog travel the highways of America fighting injustice and crime. In the mountains of Virginia, Rivera helps break the power of the degenerate Anson family over Dade County. Later after an unsuccessful hijacking of his rig, Rivera discovers and blows open a terrorist alliance.
Behind the Scenes
The series was created by William W. Johnstone, author of numerous horror, adventure and western novels. Johnstone was discharged from the French Foreign Legion for being underage, then worked in a carnival, became a deputy sheriff and did a stint in the army. He started writing in 1970 but did not make his first sale until 1979 with The Devil's Kiss. Johnstone is the author of Codename, Dog Team, and Invasion USA series. Johnstone died in 2004 in Shreveport, Louisiana.
The Books
All books were published by Kensington Books' Zebra Imprint and reprinted in 2000 under Kensingtons Pinnacle Books imprint:
1. Rig Warrior, 285 pages, 1987
2. Wheels of Death, 252 pages, 1988
3. Eighteen Wheel Avenger, 252 pages, 1988
Rogue Angel (Annja Creed )
Ongoing series by Alex Archer
Annja Creed was an orphan raised in New Orleans. She studied archaeology and eventually became a presenter for the cable show Chasing History 's Monsters. The show investig
ates various monsters throughout history and seeks to explain them. Annja frequently battles her producer Doug Morell over his constant desire to sensationalize her stories, fighting to keep the history accurate.
While researching the Beast of Gevaudan, Annja made an incredible discovery, a medallion that leads her to a secret order of monks and fighting for her life. Even more remarkable was the old man she met when she found the medallion. The old man was named Roux and he was over 500 years old. He eventually revealed that he and his apprentice Garin were present when Joan of Arc was burned at the stake and that the medallion was the final piece of her shattered sword.
When Annja came into the presence of the sword, the blade reformed and now Annja uses the sword to fight evil around the world. Sometimes she is helped by Roux. Garin, fearing that Annja's restoration of Joan's sword means the end to his immortality, has found himself working with and against Annja at various times. Annja struggles with the implications of her new role; is she merely to punish the guilty or defend the weak as well?
Since finding the sword, Annja has found that she has increased speed, strength and stamina. The sword is stored in another dimension, which Annja can mentally summon at any time. Annja has battled demons, renegade monks, spider gods, and otherworldly creatures as well as racing for various treasures and relics.
Behind the Scenes
This series has been described as Tomb Raider meets Witchblade and is an attempt to create a modern version of Joan of Arc. The series has been written by Mel Odom, Victor Milan and John Merz. Mel Odom is the author of a number of children's books, including the junior novelization of the first Tomb Raider movie as well as a number of books for the Executioner and its spinoff series. Victor Milan has co-written the War of Powers series with Robert R. Vardeman, as well as several Star Trek and Battletech novels.
The Books
All books were published by Gold Eagle Books:
1. Destiny, 346 pages, 2006 (Mel Odom)
2. Solomons Jar, 346 pages, 2006 (Victor Milan)
3. The Spider Stone, 346 pages, 2006 (Odom)
4. The Chosen, 347 pages, 2007 (Milan)
5. Forbidden City, 349 pages, 2007 (Odom)
6. The Lost Scrolls, 346 pages, 2007 (Milan)
7. God of Thunder, 348 pages, 2007 (Odom)
8. Secret of the Slaves, 348 pages, 2007 (Milan)
9. Warrior Spirit, 346 pages, 2007 (John Merz)
10. Serpents Kiss, 348 pages, 2008 (Odom)
11. Provenance, 348 pages, 2008 (Milan)
12. The Soul Stealer, 348 pages, 2008 (Merz)
13. Gabriel's Horn, 314 pages, 2008 (Odom)
14. The Golden Elephant, 320 pages, 2008 (Milan)
The Comic
In 2008, IDW comics produced the five-issue mini-series Rogue Angel: Teller of Tall Tales. Written by Barbara Randall Kesel and illustrated by Renae De Liz, it tells of Annja's hunt for a manuscript that influenced Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) in his writings.
Sabat (Mark Sabat)
Four books by Guy N. Smith
Mark Sabat, a young man with psychic abilities, trained and became a Catholic priest, but he found that he didn't belong in that role and frequently visited prostitutes. After leaving the priesthood, Sabat joined the SAS where he was trained to kill quickly and efficiently. After being caught in an affair with the dominatrix wife of his commanding officer, Sabat was forced to leave the service.
With that unique skill set, Sabat became an exorcist. In his quest to remove the devil's influence, Sabat discovered the true identity of a man so evil that he was hunted by half the law enforcement agencies of the world and known as "Satan's henchman." It was his own brother, Quentin Sabat, gifted with the same abilities as his brother but taking the left-hand path with evil.
Mark knew that the only way to stop his brother's evil was to kill him. Mark hunted his brother around the world, eventually tracking Quentin to a graveyard. Quentin, trained in voodoo, sought to resurrect all of his deceased followers as an immortal army of followers. Mark was able to kill his brother but was partially possessed by Quentin's evil spirit.
Sabat's quest had only just begun; his inner evil and psychic abilities made him sensitive to the evil in the world around him and Sabat dedicated himself to tackling evil in human form. For Sabat there was only one penalty for those who spread their evil on the world — death. In Sabat's law, the death penalty had never been revoked, allowing him to act swiftly and with finality.
Based in London, Sabat is often unofficially informed of potential threats by a former SAS buddy, Detective Sergeant Clive McKay of the London CIB. Sabat has battled numerous cults, including the Disciples of Lilith, a fascist group run by a man who believed that he was the reincarnation of Adolph Hitler, cannibals, druids and supernatural threats such as vampires.
Behind the Scenes
Guy N. Smith (b. 1939) was first published at age twelve with an article in the local paper. He followed this by numerous short stories before gaining success with horror novels such as the Werewolf and Crabs series.
The Books
All books were published by New English Library:
1. The Graveyard Vultures, 160 pages, 1982
2. The Blood Merchants, 160 pages, 1982
3. Cannibal Cult, 154 pages, 1982
4. The Druid Connection, 148 pages, 1983
The four novels were reprinted in an omnibus edition, Dead Meat: The Complete Books of Sabat (443 pages, 1996), by Creation Books with two unpublished Sabat adventures, Vampire Village and Hellbeat, being printed for the first time.
Satan Sleuth (Philip St. George)
Three books by Michael Avallone
Philip St. George was a wealthy man about town and researcher of the paranormal. He had it all — money, the beautiful house and the beautiful wife. During a research trip to investigate the Bermuda Triangle, St. George was called back by the news that his wife had been killed back at their Tudor-style house on the shores of Lake Placid.
Dorothea St. George was a former Miss America and aspiring actress, and her satanic ritual murder was so horrific that it was described as worse than the mutilation of Sharon Tate by Charles Manson and his "family."
Philip mourned his wife for a month and then emerged determined to prevent those who worship Satan from causing any more pain. No longer a dabbler in psychic research, St. George became the Satan Sleuth, hunting down and killing the Satanic forces in the world. After avenging the death of his wife and tackling the cult that murdered her, St. George traveled around America, investigating werewolves, voodoo priests, vampires and witches.
Behind the Scenes
Michael Avallone is most famous as author of the private eye Ed Noon as well as writing tie-in novels for the Man from U.N.C.L.E., I-Spy and the Partridge Family television series. Avallone also wrote several Killmaster novels as Nick Carter and for the Butcher as Stuart Jason.
The Books
All books were published by Warner Books:
1. Fallen Angel, 175 pages, 1974
2. Werewolf Walks, 158 pages, 1974
3. Devil, Devil, 174 pages, 1974
Unpublished
1. Vampires Wild, 1975
2. Zombie Depot, 1976
S-Com
Six books by Steve White
S-Com is short for Strategic Commando, a five-member team formed in 1977 that can be hired for half a million, payable to a bank in Zurich, or in cash, to tackle the threats too big, too tough for anyone else. The team consists of:
• Stone Williams: team leader, mercenary and computer-games designer
• Leah Aviv: former Israeli Secret Service member drummed out for investigating the death of her husband in Lebanon
• Rod Turnbull: Australian outback wild man, brawler and survival expert
• Myles Benet: Haitian-born, Bronx-reared weapons expert and Vietnam veteran
• Gabriel "Lucky" Lopez Guerrero: Cuban explosives expert, his father was injured in the failed Bay of Pigs invasion an
d Lucky got his start in several anti-Castro groups.
Each member of the team joined because they felt that in S-Com they could achieve more than they could have in their other careers, both military and civilian. The team tackles terrorist groups, quells riots in Ireland, tackles neo-Nazis and fights wars in Africa.
Behind the Scenes
Steve White is the pseudonym used by Robert McGarvey. McGarvey was born on December 13, 1948, in Linden, NJ, son of Robert (a journalist) and Laura McGarvey; and married to Elise Caitlin (an actress, writer, and playwright). He is the author of several guides to e-business and numerous magazine articles for magazines such as Playboy, Boy's Life and Oui.
McGarvey points, out, "Although solidly within the 'mens adventure' genre of blood-and-guts and sex, the White books proceeded with scant editorial interference. Anything could go — and anything did. The King of Kingston, for instance, turned into a parable about the decay of Western civilization" (Contemporary Authors Online, 2002). McGarvey views the books as existential, in the truest sense, where the members of S-Com create the meaning and essence of their own lives.
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