Sunday, August 7, 2022

ZORRO'S EXPLOITS: NEW TALES OF MCCULLEY'S ICONIC CRUSADER

Zorro rides (and swipes his iconic "Z") again in the dynamic anthology, Zorro's Exploits (from Bold Venture Press, edited by Audrey Parente). The volume places Johnston McCulley's legendary vigilante in a new queue of soaring adventures, tipped by a dashing, Duncan Regher/Patrice Martinez-inspired cover by Francisco Silva, along with accompanying artwork by not only Silva, but Sora Almasay; Michael Grassia; Rick Celano; Phil Latter; Perego; Aleena Valentine-Lopez; Rich Harvey; Steve Shipley; and Rob Davis (the latter two familiar names among my posts). 

As for the anthology's stories, they truly do capture Don Diego de la Vega's courageous spirit and are composed by the aforementioned Silva (indeed, a man of varied talent); Tekla Cichocka; Aaron Rosenberg; Michael Kurland, Jim Beard; John L. French; Susan Kite; Scott Cranford; Bobby Nash; Patricia Crumpler, Teel James Glenn; James Mullaney; Keith R.A. DeCandido; Don Everett Smith Jr; Patrick Thomas; Bret Bouriseau; and my dear friend and mentor, Ron Fortier!

As Bizarrechats readers darn well know, in addition to publishing Airship 27's New Pulp offerings with Rob Davis, Fortier is the mastermind behind the Boston Bombers, Brother Bones, Black Lion, Mr. Jigsaw and Lady Action, in addition to having contributed stories to Popeye, Rambo, the Terminator, Peter Pan, the Green Hornet, the Purple Scar, the Black Bat and Athena Voltaire. 

Fortier's story, "The Road to Penance", is a dandy jaunt, in which Zorro and his stalwart pal, Bernardo, must retrieve the kidnapped Father Herrera from the merciless Texan Jack. The path to that rescue gallops with all the vivaciousness that one could except from the Californian crusader, and Fortier even inserts good ol' Sgt. Garcia along the way to give his exploit some old-school Disney flair.  

Check out Fortier's excellent entry and all the fine, illustrated tales in Zorro's Exploits. One can order the paperback and hardcover at

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B4S868N2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 

5 comments:

  1. Thanks for the kind words about Zorro's Exploits! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

    Bobby

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    1. You're welcome, Bobby. Your contribution is an inspiration. Bless you, my creative friend.

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    2. Thanks. This is such an incredibly cool character to write. I've been a Zorro fan for years. Definitely a dream gig.

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    3. Yes, a marvelous character: so full of honor and bravery.

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