Scratchings...

Had to add some color to this thing if I am going to be frequenting it as I intend to.

The studio that I helped to create has become kind of sleepy with all but one of the creators I assembled having been spirited away for this reason or that.

Every other project has been completed or fallen through.

So on to new things! I am currently working with an excellent publisher on a few projects. Three really. All are pretty awesome and I'll be expanding on them as each comes to completion. And likely before.

Today I reestablished contact with an indy publisher of cool comics in the vein similar to that which I grew up readin with Marvel comics. Very excited to jump on the art chore there.

So doors close and doors open and the creative mind never rests.

It does stop for a breather once in a while though.

Alive and Kickin'

This here blog has been sitting idle for far too long. It is my intention to change that. What have you missed? Well let's see...

I now have an Author's Page over on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/C.-William-Russette/e/B00J1SU1U6/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1396747780&sr=8-2

Why? Because I have a new book out! For fans of monsters from demonic to mortals obsessed this will deliver the goods!

http://www.amazon.com/Shamanskin-C-William-Russette-ebook/dp/B00IT58OWE/ref=la_B00J1SU1U6_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1396747787&sr=1-1

This is a bit older but still a great set of stories by all involved (of which I am one). This leans towards your masked mystery man genre.

http://www.amazon.com/Crimson-Mask-One-Terrence-McCauley-ebook/dp/B00G8PNF4O/ref=la_B00J1SU1U6_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1396747787&sr=1-2

Reviews on EITHER one would be much appreciated. Feel free to snatch anything else that suits your fancy on my authors page as well!

More later.

Until next time!

CWR April 2014

The Bad Tiger Studio returns!

Welcome to The Bad Tiger Studio presents!

THE BAD TIGER STUDIO is proud to present its third monthly release with action, thrills and tales of amazing adventure.

www.badtigerstudio.com

In this month's release we have Operator Zero , The Black Viper and Junior's World:

OPERATOR ZERO by Justin Ditzler and C. William Russette
The fate of the cyborg is revealed. What will Zero do when confronted with the law?
We wrap up this six page mini comic by answering some questions while posing new ones about our hero Zero!

THE BLACK VIPER by Justin Carmona and Steven Wilcox

The local news has collected enough eyewitness accounts on the mysterious Black Viper to string together a TV segment. Not all eyes that see the story are fearful of the vigilante.

JUNIOR'S WORLD by Frank Dawson Jr.

Junior and Uncle Dave go camping!

We promise an interesting ride. Do join us.
www.badtigerstudio.com

Mind the Tiger. He Bites.

Bad Tiger Studio Founders:
Justin Ditzer
C. William Russette

RUSSETTE'S REVIEWS #5

DRAGON KINGS OF THE ORIENT (Pulp Work Press)

Written by Percival Constantine

The second book in the Myth Hunter series: Dragon Kings of the Orient does not disappoint. I liked the first one and was quite interested in the idea of Elisa Hill, a myth hunter, and her allies heading east. I dig mythology, I do enjoy my martial arts movies and the like so if one adds a capable writer like Mr. Constantine and characters I'm interested in and familiar with this seemed a safe bet.

We get some interaction with the Masons this time out, specifically, a man named Shroud. In fact with the unusual Asami, a Japanese shapeshifter (introduced in the first Myth Hunter book), and Shroud making up half the cast we only have one person who we're relatively certain is on Elisa's side. Fifty percent solidarity in the pack is not great when having to go up against Chinese gods, dragons and of course Sun Wukong: the Monkey King.

Have I mentioned how much I dig mythology? I don't know a lot bout the Monkey King myth from China but from what I do know Mr. Constantine did a good job on characterization. I really liked Sun Wukong. The fleshing of Hill's mentor Max Finch was cool as well. I found myself wanting to learn more about him from back in his own myth hunting days. Elisa Hill was turned up a notch in the daring and bold category. We got more fights, action and new Asian weapon to help her cut down her foes. She took a more physical role in this book and I liked that quite a bit. She certainly rose to the otherworldly challenges she had no choice but to overcome. She did so in spades, too.

I was impressed with the amount of mythology and far east geography that pops up in this story. It was clear to me that Mr. Constantine didn't just guess. He did the leg work and researched. That counts with me.

I would certainly recommend reading the Myth Hunter series to anyone looking for modern day mythology and action in their literary diet. The epilogue absolutely hooked me and I better not have to wait long to read book three. I am not a patient man.

New Pulp. It Satisfies.

CWR

3/2013

RUSSETTE'S REVIEWS #4

SINBAD THE NEW VOYAGES (Airship27 Productions)

Lets start by quoting a press release from New Pulp:

“Writers Nancy Hansen, I.A. Watson and Derrick Ferguson offer up three classic Sinbad tales to rival those of legend while adding a familiar sensibility from the cult favorite Sinbad movies of FX master, Ray Harryhausen.”

There is an important distinction there. Master Harryhausen's films are a big source of the tomes inspiration. I freakin' loved those films as a lad. To my pleasant surprise they still hold up today. I've never read Arabian Nights (1001 Nights) so this distinction was all I needed to know. I wanted to check out this book.

Admittedly I was reluctant to accept the idea of a supporting cast that had been cooked up to travel along with Sinbad: a female samurai, a viking berserker and an archer from Gaul. I think it must be the purist that bubbles up out of me periodically. I thought it was a horrible idea. I also thought Teenage Ninja Turtles was ridiculous and wouldn't go anywhere when it first broke. Even I can be wrong once or twice.

There are three tales woven in this book from names that are far from unknown to New Pulp audiences: Nancy Hansen, I.A. Watson and Derrick Ferguson. Each bring their 'A' game. I greatly enjoyed each and every story. I certainly wanted more after finishing the book. It was devoured, this collection! There is action a plenty, drama, the expected fantasy element with monsters to fight and magic deal with including a particularly wretched witch. I thought it was interesting that each writer told a different tale, but each had a voice that was unique and all were definitively Sinbad tales worthy to stand next to the Harryhausen films. Those three characters that joined Sinbad in all the tales were deftly handled and to me at least seemed to belong there. (I'd like a crack at writing solo tales for all three, frankly) It all worked quite well together and made for a wondrous read for this fantasy-adventure lover.

Not to be outdone by the tales is the impressive interior artwork handled by Ralf van der Hoeven with Bryan Fowler throwing down some cool cover art.

Props must go out to Ron Fortier for coming up with and organizing this idea into the finely polished treasure that pleased me to no end. I really can't wait for future volumes.

This is a Must-Have New Pulp Read!


C. William Russette

Pa.

2013

I'm Still Here

Geez, how long has it been since I updated this thing.

Let's see, the good news, I guess, is that I have stopped taking on new writing projects. Why because I have a freakin grocery list of things to write and they ain't writing themselves.

Doing a little fan fiction for my guilty pleasure writing. Check out Nightwing at Faux DC for all that goodness. Nightwing at FDC!

I'm half a scene away from finishing some High Fantasy that I hope to find a buyer for. It has already grown past what I wanted far as length goes. Once that is done I have a hefty 15k short story to start hammering out.

I've stopped drawing for the PUMMEL league over at Penciljack because I wasn't putting enough energy into it, got stomped every month and it was a stress point where no money could be made. So why do it? Right, boot.

Still part of DRAW OFF! on Facebook.

Been reading a ton of Star Wars novels and all of them are good. Shatterpoint is a Mace Windu book and just rocked. I do need to get at a review for the new Lazarus Gray novel soon...

Currently rereading The Bloody Crown of Conan by the amazing Robert E Howard. Ohhh... just cause. Maybe...

It's late and you have just been updated.

More later.

CWR 9.10.2012

RUSSETTE'S REVIEWS #3

THE ADVENTURES OF LAZARUS GRAY by Barry Reese delivers everything that I was hoping it would. There is plenty of action, occult, happenings, a quartet of interesting characters and even a guest star from Mr. Reese’s other, likely better known character, The Rook.


I have read elsewhere that this is a character that is a sort of homage to the classic pulp character The Avenger. I’ve never read anything of said character so I went in blind save for the knowledge that Mr. Reese knows how to spin a yarn.

There are seven stories to be found within this collection. Some have seen print before elsewhere but they were all new to me. I won’t say that I liked them all equally (or disliked ANY) but that is only because we all have preferences. I lean towards the supernatural side of things and those tales Mr. Reese wrote involving Mr. Gray and Assistance Unlimited were great fun and interesting to read.

The pacing in every story is breakneck and frankly it makes the book rather hard to put down. I won’t give away anything as far as the plot goes. Pertaining to the characters of Gray’s team I will say that I find each every bit as interesting as the lead in the tales. I particularly thing that Samantha could hold a story or two all by her lonesome.

As far as being worthy to be included among the great tales coming forth from the New Pulp movement, Lazarus Gray and his crew have their place of honor cemented.


C. William Russette

Pa.

2012

RUSSETTE'S REVIEWS #2

DRACULA LIVES! By Joshua Reynolds has been on my to-read list for some time. I am a fan of Mr. Reynolds work, have been for some time but I have been fond of the vampire mythos for much, much longer. I was not about to forgive any mucking about with my beast of legend.


The tale stars a man named Cream. He is an assassin and very good one. I must give points to Reynolds for writing not a show-boaty kind of action star of an assassin but rather a lean killer that does enough to come out on top,often using his brains before his other dangerous abilities. Not a layer of frosting here to make him seem cool. Cream is just cold, proficient and quite lethal. My expectations on the handling of a man in this sort of profession were exceeded.

Come to think of it the entire tale is lean. Nothing frivolous or distracting about the story, characters or prose style. There’s very little backstory getting fed to you, the reader, bogging you down and slowing things up. It’s hit the ground running and you better move fast or it’s your life!

That is very much what Cream is up against. He is running for his life for the entire book. There are a multitude of factions working against him, all of which underestimate him again and again to their regret, that is for certain. Whether it is against man or monster, Cream holds his own quite well. A very impressive man by all accounts.

There is plot, action, horror and intrigue in spades in this cross-genre, well-spun tale. It is a bargain at full price and a book not to be missed.

I must find a way to get Mr. Reynolds to hammer out the damned sequel immediately!



C. William Russette
Pa.
2012

Some Great News!

Is what I got today involving a large piece of writing I've been hammering at for years.

I can't say much more at this time.

Stay tuned.

Novels and Notes

And the grind continues. But in a brilliant way. Writing is work to be sure but a gig that I would gladly do full time even if I just broke even. I know I ain't alone in this thinking so I shall just roll on. (did I just use 'ain't and 'shall' in the same sentence?)

I submitted my novel Shaman Skin to a pubisher and have my fingers crossed. I detest waiting.

Not waiting around I am hard at work retooling an old tale for an anthology book kinda thing that for now I am calling NEW MYTHOLOGY. When thats done I'll have... one story for it. So there's some work to do but I have ideas for the second and third stories bouncing around in plot and notes form. Very excited to finally be working on the first Dr. Alec Darrius stories.

Til next time.

RUSSETTE REVIEWS: The Myth Hunter

The MYTH HUNTER is the first book by Percival Constantine that I have read. Being a fan of things mythological I have been eagerly waiting to read this work. I was not disappointed.

The tale stars one Elisa Hill. She is a myth hunter or one that seeks out the validity and reality of what we know as mythology. She has some serious and well funded opposition in a mysterious organization called The Order. She also has allies and makes new ones along the way. (such as the fox spirit or kitsune) Basically it’s a beat the clock story wherein both the Order and Hill and her allies are trying to be the first to find the real Lemuria.

We are very much kept in the dark about the Order on many levels. One thing is certain and that is that they are more than human and more than they appear to be. Their aspirations must be stopped. Elisa does her best to do just that.

Overall all I liked the work. There are some great action scenes, the pace is brisk, there were no dull points. When I had to put it down I looked forward to being able to pick it up again. As Lemuria is not a subject I knew very much about I thought it was a great original idea for a tale. I was also impressed with Constantine’s research in regards to ancient weapons, history and geography.

On the downside it left me wanting more. I know, that was likely the goal of the writer but it burns me. I wanted to know more about everything! Hill, the Order, her parent’s past (they were also myth hunters) the kitsune did nothing but raise questions. There were some dialogue choices that felt a bit snarky and out of character to me.
This is a solid romp that I tore through and would very much like to read the sequel to.

Fortunately I believe I won’t have long to wait.

Some Art and an Award

Couple bits of art
The first was an experiment in style and color with The Crimson Mask.

2nd was a draw off involving the creator Akira.

Now regardng the award The Pulp Ark awards have been announced:

Tommy Hancock, Editor in Chief of Pro Se Productions and Pulp Ark Coordinator, announces that voting has closed for the 2012 Pulp Ark Awards, the first awards given in association with this inaugural Pulp creators' conference/convention.
The Winners of the 2012 Pulp Ark Awards are-
BEST NOVEL-Yesteryear by Tommy Hancock (Pro Se Productions)
BEST COLLECTION/ANTHOLOGY-Four Bullets for Dillon (Pulpwork Press)
BEST SHORT STORY- The Devil’s Workmen by Barry Reese-The Avenger: The Justice Inc Files (Moonstone)
BEST COVER ART-Hugh Monn, Private Detective-by David Russell (Pro Se Productions)
BEST INTERIOR ART-The Adventures of Lazarus Gray-George Sellas (Pro Se Productions)
BEST PULP RELATED COMIC-All Star Pulp Comics #1 (Airship 27 Productions)
BEST PULP MAGAZINE-Pro Se Presents (Pro Se Productions)
BEST PULP REVIVAL-The Wild Adventures of Doc Savage by Will Murray (Altus Press)
BEST NEW PULP CHARACTER- John Blackthorn Created by Van Allen Plexico (White Rocket Books)
BEST AUTHOR-Teel James Glenn
BEST NEW WRITER-TIE Sean Taylor And Chuck Miller
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD-Howard Hopkins

My little Black Bat tale is in ALL STAR PULP COMICS so I contributed a bit to the award.

Those interested can buy the book here http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.robmdavis.com%2FRedbudStudio%2Findex.html&h=kAQFJzev4AQFtj6uJYHwcJoby2ZpnQG6g3wJLLoId4t5Agg

That'll do for now.

Man...

I really need to update this more.







This should hold you until I do.

I'll shoot for tomorrow. I HAVE been workin on a thing or two after all...

NEW SUPER HERO

I have been fiddling with the idea of a new super hero along the lines of a street level sort for some time.

I would tinker with an idea here, change the boots or the gloves and what have you. I don't draw regularly but I do enjoy sketching.

This is the result. THE NIGHT HUNTER.

I think rather straddles the sub-generes of pulp crime buster as well as the super hero.

He isin't like all the but that is a twist I cannot go on about. It will be revealed within the context of the short stories that are definitely coming.

CWR

Priest (SPOLIERS here)

I finally watched the film PRIEST. I do try to grab any vampire flick that comes out of the one trick pony Hollywood has become.

I was rather disappointed. The action was okay far as choreography goes. There was some of that lazy wirework and cgi stuff. Guess you need that when the action involves actors learning martial arts instead of the other way around. It just bores me. I think Tony Jaa and Jackie chan have just ruined me for action scenes.

Story wasn't bad. Future world where man had to throw down with the vampire nation. Sure, fine. The strongest idea here was the modern showing of the battle-priest idea. These are our last defence against the vampire threat. I didn't even care that it was bonded to the Catholics. I can buy Catholic priest-warriors.

What I don't buy, and this just turned me off from the rest of the movie, was the idea that vampires are just a separate species that evolved alongside man. I like my vampires cursed and having been kicked down power from the darkness. The sun turns them to cinders? They need a few weaknesses, come on. Plus they had no eyes and offered no explanation for how they got around either.

Karl Urban is the only solid thing in this film. His lines were good and well delivered as usual. Almost like they wrote the movie around him.

It was weak writing all in all with a bunch of special effects used to try and hide that.

I almost want the time back I spent watching it.

Almost.

Anyone watch Terra Nova?

Rollin...

I am almost 2k into my big ol' semi-secret short story. It is proving to be difficult to crawl into for some reason. The more I write it the easier it gets though. Perhaps my mind is just out of shape having not done the 1k a day grind for so long.

Fella on the left is Dr. Xander Wrath. Still learning about him but I wanted to draw some. I will be writing him in about 2 or 3 gigs. Can't wait.

That covers it for this week.

For This Week...

Watched DYLAN DOG last night starring Brandon Routh and based on the popular Italian comic book. I've never read the comic but it sounded appealing so I watched the film. I think they could have chosen a better actor than Routh for Dylan. He's just a bit too clean cut for me. There were some interesting ideas as far as this addition to the field of Occult Fiction goes. Great looking monster at the end. It was worth the rental fee but nothing stellar.

I'm currently reading COMEBACK by Richard Stark. It is was one the few Parker books that my library had. I am loving it. I've been meaning to read a Parker book ever since I learned there was a series of books that the character Porter from PAYBACK was based on.

Pro Se Productions has shown some interest in my paranormal thriller novel. More as that comes to me.

I've got two shorts out there in the aether of the internet that I am waiting to hear back about. I detest waiting.

Far as work in progress goes I am doing my background research for a large short story that I won't go into right now. It is most assuredly something different though.

It's all about the Game

Took one on he chin with that first story. It was immediately sent back out.

Polished up a slightly older tale and that is "out there" as well. I am hoping to start a new short tonight with what could easily be a serial character if he garners any interest. More of a sci fi feel but still in the horror catagory. Horror-mystery?

Guess I'll just keep throwing out tales til something sticks. I've accumulated quite a few scraps of stories in a number of genres. Time to walk the walk.

More as it occurs to me.

CWR

Rollin' the Dice

Just submitted a short story. We'll see if they buy it.

Been a while since I tried my hand at this.

What's New

I am back at the keyboard. Given my last six month slump it is an achievement in itself.

I am working on a short story at the moment. It is the second in the series of feudal Japan fantasy stories involing my ronin Ichiro Yamada. The first one (Children of Yomi) was published in one of Pro Se Productions magazines. Pro Se stopped making them for a while but I hear the mags are coming back.

A friend of mine suggested I write of series of Ichiro tales as there isn't much going on out there when it comes to samurai fantasy in the English reading market. Might as well do something with the lore I've stuffed into my melon, right?

I've found a few target mags to fire this thing off to once it's done. I'm in the home stretch far as a sub to one mag goes as they have a ceiling of 4k. We'll see how long Ichiro #2 turns out to be.

Til next time.

CWR