Looking Back on PulpFest 2024 / FarmerCon XIX

Our friends at ThePulp.net have posted audio recordings and photos of last year's PulpFest 2024 and FarmerCon XIX, which took place Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 1-3, in Mars, Pa., just outside of Pittsburgh. 

Pulp Tales podcast’s links to the audio recordings of 13 sessions — over 10.5 hours — from PulpFest 2024.

Our FarmerCon presentation was entitled "Secrets, Crossovers, and the Full Account," a look at the latest projects from Philip José Farmer and Meteor House — Around the World in Eighty Days/The Other Log of Phileas Fogg: The Full Account by Jules Verne and Farmer; Crossovers Expanded 3 by Sean Lee Levin; and the Secrets of the Nine omnibus by Farmer. Keith Howell moderated this discussion of new projects in the works by Meteor House. On the panel were writers Paul Spiteri, Sean Lee Levin, and Win Scott Eckert. This presentation was recorded on Saturday, Aug. 3, in Pittsburgh.

 

Photo credit by William Lampkin

 

FarmerCon XX and Meteor House are very much looking forward to PulpFest 2025!

 

 

A summertime pulp tradition since 1972.

WHERE: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh – Cranberry, Pa.

WHEN: Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 7 - 10, 2025

REGISTER NOW

ASSOCIATES

 

 

 

 

 

The Chronologically Confounding Case of Korak the Killer

As I mentioned in a prior post, Sunday-style color comic strips are available on www.edgarriceburroughs.com.

I've read the Korak the Killer strip, written by well-known comic book scribe Ron Marz. This is a new, original tale in which Korak agrees to help Princess Nemu, whom he encounters in the jungle as she searches for Tarzan. Tarzan is away from Africa, and so Korak agrees to help her by returning with her to her hidden city of Memnon to free it from usurpers/slavers.

Memnon first appeared in Batman/Tarzan: Claws of the Cat-Woman (Dark Horse Comics /DC Comics, 2000), which took place in November 1939. Princess Khefretari of Memnon was the titular “Cat-Woman” of the title. I noted this crossover at http://www.pjfarmer.com/woldnewton/Chron7.htm and in my book Crossovers: A Secret Chronology of the World, Volume 1 (Black Coat Press, 2010). Batman/Tarzan was also written by Ron Marz.

The Korak tale reveals that Princess Nemu is the daughter of now-Queen Khefretari. Nemu appears to be about 16 or 17, although this is purely a guess based on how she is depicted (although she is surely not younger than 16 or 17). Confoundingly, the usurpers are led by a soldier of the Reich—presumably the Third Reich. Batman/Tarzan undisputedly takes place in November 1939. The Korak tale cannot take place in the time range 1939-1945. The very earliest Nemu could have been born would be Sept 1940 (there was no evidence that Khefretari was pregnant in the Batman/Tarzan tale). Nemu is absolutely not four or five years old in the Korak tale; in fact, she and Korak almost share a romantic kiss. (We’ll come back to that.)

A creatively mythographical explanation for the timing is that the usurpers are of a type seen frequently in stories, holdover Nazis trying to rekindle former glories and establish a new Reich. With this interpretation, the Korak story could take place in 1956, ’57, ’58, etc. (depending on whether we readers ever learn more definitively that Nemu’s age is).

Now, about that kiss. This story absolutely cannot take place before Korak met Meriem in The Son of Tarzan [Third Reich story elements]. If the story takes place in the mid- or late-1950s, is Meriem dead by this time? Have they divorced? Was Korak about to “step-out” on Meriem? (The kiss was not completed; however, the storyline is not complete, so who knows what Mr. Marz has in store for Korak and Nemu.) Perhaps injecting a potential romance between Korak and Nemu was a misstep on the part of Mr. Marz. I should say I’m a fan of his work, such as the Batman/Tarzan series and his run on Witchblade.

The really cool parts… in strip #26, there is a panel in which the prior adventure in Memnon is discussed, stating that a treasure hunter was defeated by Korak’s father, including an “aided by a man who dressed like a bat.” (Nemu states that this took place before she was born, reinforcing the chronological discussion above.) In strip #33, the prior events are again discussed; Khefretari tells Korak shat she knew his father “years ago,” when Tarzan came to Memnon with “…another hero, an American”; in this panel, a Batman shadow-silhouette is seen, just like in the ’40s Golden Age Batman comics.


Cool stuff indeed. Despite the chronological conundrums and the uncharacteristic romantic interlude, I recommend this strip and have great hopes that Mr. Marz will not leave us hanging.

Four Doc Ardan Tales

I received my contributor's copy of Black Coat Press' DOC ARDAN: THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN last week. This volume contains several French pulp tales by Guy d'Armen (translated and "retold" in English by editors Jean-Marc and Randy Lofficier), as well as newer stories by writers such as Jason Scott Aiken, Rick Lai, and John Peel.

I have four contributions:

• "Iron and Bronze" - cowritten with Christopher Paul Carey
• "The Eye of Oran"
• "Les Lèvres Rouges"
• "The Vanishing Devil"

The stories by latter-day writers utilize Ardan as a pastiche stand-in for Doc Savage. 

Those who are sharp-eyed or versed in popular fiction will pick up references from Jules Verne, Sax Rohmer, Ian Fleming, H. Rider Haggard, Walter Gibson, J.-H. Rosny Aine, Philip José Farmer, Pierre Benoit, Albert Camus, Harry Kumel, Leo Malat, Dave Stevens, Vladimir Volkoff, H. P. Lovecraft, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, among others.

The latter three tales listed above were among my first published stories. They were not rewritten for this volume. Be kind. :-)

Shreve Memorial Library's 2015 Author Fair / Comic Fest

The Shreve Memorial Library's 2015 Author Fair / Comic Fest was held on June 20, but this is the first time I've had a chance to post about it.

My pal Chuck Loridans and I shared a table. I hawked Meteor House books, Philip José Farmer books published by Titan, and my own books from various publishers. Chuck represented the Renzi Education and Art Center, where he tirelessly volunteers teaching kids the art of creating comics and movies.

It was a small event, but the traffic was very good and I got to meet some other local creators. Sold a decent number of books, too. The highlight was our panel presentation.

CREATIVE MYTHOGRAPHY:

Shared Universes from the Perspective of Pulp Fiction and Philip José Farmer's Wold Newton Family

Our panel was intended to run from 2 to 3 pm (3 pm being the end of the Author Fair), but by the end time we had only covered about 2/3 of the material. We took a vote and the audience very enthusiastically wanted to stay through the compete presentation, which was flattering. Chuck was great and charmed the audience, as always.

It occurred to me that our presentation serves as a good primer to Wold-Newtonry, as well as a brief overview of what Farmerian books are available today and from what publishers.

The PDF is huge, so I've uploaded it here.

I hope you enjoy.

Honey West & T.H.E. Cat - Front & Back Cover

Very pleased with the overall design of A Girl and Her Cat. A very handsome package, if I do say so!

• Signed, limited edition hardcover (available now!) - Direct Order from Moonstone
• Trade paperback (preorder - coming in June 2014) - Amazon

The Crossover Universe

Fans of my two-volume Crossovers: A Secret Chronology of the World, take note: I've passed the mantle to the talented Sean Levin, and he is posting over at our new site, The Crossover Universe. I'll be popping up from time to time, but its really his show now!

Bookmark The Crossover Universe to stay abreast of all the latest updates!

Honey West & T.H.E. Cat: A GIRL AND HER CAT - Now Available for Preorder!

Honey West and T.H.E. Cat in A GIRL AND HER CAT signed hardcover novel!
Previews Exclusive! 

Moonstone Books - Coming in January!

It's Honey West and T.H.E Cat-in the first new Honey West novel in over 40 years!
Signed by both authors, Win Scott Eckert and Matthew Baugh!

When an exotic green-eyed Asian doctor hires Honey to recover a stolen sample of a new influenza vaccine from a rival scientist, the blonde bombshell private eye-suspicious but bored-takes the case. But when she's attacked not once, but twice, on her way from Long Beach to San Francisco to track down her quarry, she knows there's more-much more-to her femme fatale client than meets the eye.

Along the way, Honey's one-time paramour Johnny Doom-ex-bounty hunter and current Company agent-reenters the picture, and the gorgeous doctor's insidious-and deadly-grandfather deals himself in. But when Honey questions whether Johnny's playing her game, or just playing her for a patsy, she joins forces-as only Honey can-with the one man in Frisco who can help her recover the stolen vaccine-cum-bioweapon and prevent a worldwide epidemic-former cat burglar-turned-bodyguard Thomas Hewitt Edward Cat: T.H.E Cat!

Join writers Win Scott Eckert and Matthew Baugh, and cover artist Douglas Klauba, for A Girl and Her Cat, a groovy, racy 1960s romp.

6 x 9, 152 pages, $26.95

A GIRL AND HER CAT is solicited in the November PREVIEWS (Available October 30).
The Diamond Item Code is NOV131140.

Honey West and T.H.E Cat, in A GIRL AND HER CAT!

It’s Honey West and T.H.E Cat, in the first new Honey West novel in over 40 years, A Girl and Her Cat!

Following on the heels of the first ever Honey West & T.H.E Cat crossover comic, Moonstone's "Death in the Desert," comes the Honey West & T.H.E Cat novel, A Girl and Her Cat.....

When an exotic green-eyed Asian doctor hires Honey to recover a stolen sample of a new Rubella vaccine from a rival scientist, the blonde bombshell private eye—suspicious but bored—takes the case. But after she’s attacked not once, but twice, on her way from Long Beach to San Francisco to track down her quarry, she knows there’s more—much more—to her femme fatale client than meets the eye.

Along the way, Honey’s one-time paramour Johnny Doom—ex-bounty hunter and current Company agent—reenters the picture, and the gorgeous doctor’s insidious—and deadly—grandfather deals himself in. But when Honey questions whether Johnny’s playing her game, or just playing her for a patsy, she joins forces—as only Honey can—with the one man in Frisco who can help her recover the stolen vaccine-cum-bioweapon and prevent worldwide genocide by germ-warfare—former cat burglar-turned-bodyguard Thomas Hewitt Edward Cat: T.H.E Cat! 

Join writers Win Scott Eckert and Matthew Baugh, and cover artist Douglas Klauba, for A Girl and Her Cat, a groovy, racy 1960s romp coming in 2013 from Moonstone!

(Promotional art - not actual cover)

• Win Scott Eckert (The Green Hornet, The Avenger, The Domino Lady, Zorro, The Phantom, Sherlock Holmes, Wold Newton Origins, etc.)
• Matthew Baugh (Zorro, The Avenger, The Green Hornet, Sherlock Holmes, Six-Guns Straight from Hell, The Phantom, the Cthulhu Mythos, etc.)
• Douglas Klauba (The Phantom, Zorro, The Green Hornet, The Spider, Kolchak, The Black Terror, The Green Lama, Philip Marlowe, Doc Savage, etc.)
• Moonstone: Classic & new heroes in thrilling tales of adventure, mystery, & horror!

Sherlock Holmes: The Crossovers Casebook

I am reliably informed by my pal Matthew Baugh that Sherlock Holmes: The Crossovers Casebook is now available. This was the last book edited by our friend Howard Hopkins before he passed away, and I can't wait to read it. The lineup of contributing writers is superb, and includes Baugh, Hopkins, Joe Gentile, Richard Dean Starr, Martin Gately, Will Murray, Don Roff, Chris Sequiera, Martin Powell, and Barbara Hambly.

My tale, "The Adventure of the Fallen Stone," involves Holmes with other detectives in the Sherlockian vein, Blake of Baker Street and Harry Dickson, as well as a Rohmerian femme fatale. Holmes' brother Mycroft has a significant role, and he sends the intrepid group off to the sleepy village of Wold Newton, where a certain meteor once fell.

The story also follows directly from the events of The Peerless Peer, which was edited for publication by Philip Jose Farmer, although you need not read Peer to enjoy and understand "The Fallen Stone."

Sherlock Holmes: The Crossovers Casebook is available from:
Amazon.com
B&N.com
Moonstone direct

Review of Crossovers

Forgive the Google translation, but I wanted to share this neat review of Crossovers Vols 1 & 2, which appeared in the Summer 2011 issue of the French-Canadian SF journal Solaris.

Review here.

Bonus pic o' the day--and an obscure Bond crossover

This one comes courtesy of David Foster over at the fine Permission to Kill blog:

"I picked up a book yesterday called In the Halls of Evil - 1967 Lancer Books - (apparently also known as The Shrewsbury Terror), and stumbled on the character of Sir Miles Messervy - AKA: M from the Bond series.

The book is set in America, however Sir Miles is still English, smokes a pipe etc., and is the head of FIRES (Facility Investigating Research Experimental Submarines) - does that acronym even make sense?"

No!

But it is quite amusing. Thanks David!

For more crossovers, well-known and obscure, like this one, check out my Crossovers 1 & 2: A Secret Chronology of the World, recently treated to an expansive review by Henry Zeo Covert at She Never Slept.com.

Sherlock Holmes: The Crossovers Casebook

I'm quite pleased to announce that "The Adventure of the Fallen Stone" by John H. Watson, M.D. (edited for publication by yours truly) will appear in Moonstone Books' forthcoming Sherlock Holmes: The Crossovers Casebook.

Other contributors include Matthew Baugh, Larry Engle, Martin Gately, Joe Gentile, Barbara Hambly, Kevin Van Hook, Howard Hopkins, Will Murray, Martin Powell, Don Roff, and Chris Sequeira.

Edited by Howard Hopkins, with a cover by Timothy Lantz.

Dr. Watson and I are in very good company.

The Game is Afoot!

Crossovers 2 review from Down Under!

Brad Mengel has kindly posted his thoughts about Crossovers 2: A Secret Chronology of the World, which was published a couple months back by Black Coat Press.

Check it out!

Sherlock Holmes: The Crossovers Casebook from Moonstone Books

This weekend I put some other projects aside, temporarily, to begin work in earnest on a short story for Moonstone Books' Sherlock Holmes: The Crossovers Casebook, edited by Howard Hopkins.

If you're a fan of my encyclopedic two-volume Crossovers: A Secret Chronology of the World, well, yes, this Holmes anthology is exactly what you think it is. :-)

My tale's working title is "The Dynamics of a Meteor," and the plan right now is to loosely tie it in to my regencypunk series of Wold Newton Origins stories "Is He in Hell?" (The Worlds of Philip José Farmer 1: Protean Dimensions, Meteor House, 2010) and "Nadine's Invitation" (Tales of the Shadowmen 7: Femmes Fatales, Black Coat Press, 2010), although of course the Holmes story takes place some one-hundred years after those stories, and will stand on its own. (It should be noted that "Nadine's Invitation" features a cameo by Holmes' great-grandfather.)

Intrigued yet?

Of course, the story will need to go through the usual processes and be accepted by Ye Merry Editor, Mr. Hopkins. Guess I'd better get writing! :-)

Crossovers gushing

T. Everett of Northern Michigan gushes about Crossovers: A Secret Chronology of the World Volumes 1 & 2.



Here and here.



Thanks T!

pic o' the day - Crossovers extra

Shamelessly promoting the fact that Crossovers 2: A Secret Chronology of the World is NOW AVAILABLE for order, I'm posting several weeks worth of crossover image goodness. Enjoy!

Order from:

• Black Coat Press direct
  
• Amazon.com
• Barnes and Noble.com

And you're crazy if you thought I was going to ignore my and Philip José Farmer's massive crossover novel, The Evil in Pemberley House, in this little image-fest. ;-)

• Subterranean Press direct
• Amazon.com
• Barnes and Noble.com

pic o' the day - Crossovers extra

Shamelessly promoting the fact that Crossovers 2: A Secret Chronology of the World is NOW AVAILABLE for order, I'm posting several weeks worth of crossover image goodness. Enjoy!

Order from:

• Black Coat Press direct
  
• Amazon.com
• Barnes and Noble.com

pic o' the day - Crossovers extra

Shamelessly promoting the fact that Crossovers 2: A Secret Chronology of the World is NOW AVAILABLE for order, I'm posting several weeks worth of crossover image goodness. Enjoy!

Order from:

• Black Coat Press direct
  
• Amazon.com
• Barnes and Noble.com

pic o' the day - Crossovers extra

Shamelessly promoting the fact that Crossovers 2: A Secret Chronology of the World is NOW AVAILABLE for order, I'm posting several weeks worth of crossover image goodness. Enjoy!

Order from:

• Black Coat Press direct
  
• Amazon.com
• Barnes and Noble.com

pic o' the day - Crossovers extra

Shamelessly promoting the fact that Crossovers 2: A Secret Chronology of the World is NOW AVAILABLE for order, I'm posting several weeks worth of crossover image goodness. Enjoy!

Order from:

• Black Coat Press direct
  
• Amazon.com
• Barnes and Noble.com