AIRSHIP 27'S BASS REEVES: MEL ODOM'S TALES

Author Mel Odom has contributed to each of the five, Airship 27 volumes on U.S. Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves. Now, Airship 27 compiles all of Odom's tales into one impressive release, entitled The Legend of Bass Reeves, which is accompanied by Rob Davis' exquisite illustrations and Adam Shaw's strong, stalwart cover.  

Odom's yarns cover many venturesome topics, including hex-casting; train robbery; a feisty, lady cowpoke; a dinosaur bone; and an avenging preacher. Odom also distinguishes his visions with credible dialogue that progresses his characters and their actions. 

All in all, The Legend of Bass Reeves is a mighty fine addition to Airship 27's other Reeves releases and a swell introduction for those interested in this real-life, heroic figure. 

Order at

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F6KXMGX9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_d_asin_title_351_o00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

AIRSHIP 27 PRESENTS BASS REEVES: FRONTIER MARSHAL, VOL 5

Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves rides again in Airship 27 Productions' fifth volume of fictional adventures for the real-life, Oklahoma-territory lawman.

Writers Michael Panush, Thomas McNulty, Gary Phillips and Mel Odom supply the new quartet for Reeves to engage. Their yarns include 1) Reeves' entanglement with "Elohim Elixir" salesman, Professor Ashe, his "boychick" nephew and a dead-set assassin; 2) Reeves' encounter with hot-head "Corbin the Orphan", seasoned by some vexing, gypsy interaction; 3) Reeve's recruitment by an eccentric collector to retrieve an Aztec "thingamabob" from a rogue Indian chief; and 4) Reeves's Poe-esque investigation of a hex-casting witch and a reputed zombie. (Rob Davis' dandy illustrations adorn each tale; and Warren Montgomery grants this volume's heroic cover, making Vol 5 a top-drawer collectible from front to back.)

It should be noted that each of Vol 5's well-written tales holds an air of mystery, as any quality lawman exploit should, but even more so, they're character-driven in the best salt-of-the-earth way imaginable: a commendable, common denominator that distinguishes every one of Airship 27's Bass Reeves adventures. 

Though Bass Reeves is an indisputable icon, he deserves far more recognition and respect than he's received over these many years. Thanks to Airship 27, he's receiving just that and with the most accurate depiction of the lawman that any medium has thus far rendered. Bass Reeves, Frontier Marshal, Vol 5 is yet another proof-in-the-pudding case in point:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B64TL27G/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2P1WBOORX7Y07&keywords=bass+reeves+vol+5&qid=1657404900&sprefix=bass+reeves+vol+5%2Caps%2C296&sr=8-1

MOONSTONE DOUBLE SHOT: GREEN HORNET & KATO/I.V. FROST & MORAY

Moonstone Books presents a new, Double Shot release, headlining those dynamic crime-fighters, the Green Hornet, Kato, I.V. Frost and Jean Moray in two sensational stories.

The Hornet novella springs from Mel Odom, and the Frost short story from Ron Fortier. The tales complement each other well, making this Moonstone submission a literary winner on both counts, abetted by a crackerjack cover from Malcolm McClinton and striking interiors from Sergio Ibanez.

For Odom's adventure, "The Hornet's Big Score", Britt Reid and Hayashi Kato face a killing spree from the crafty crime lord Kavieff and race forth to snuff the carnage. The Detroit escapade proves touchy, but our resilient duo fights on to right the great wrong in this sizzling exploit.  

In Fortier's Frost caper, "the Vanishing Train", our cool criminologist and his scrupulous, Harlow-ish confidant, Miss Moray, investigate a missing locomotive. How could an object so massive just disappear? That's the clever angle of this crisply written mystery, which will leave readers conjecturing to the hilt.  

Don't miss out on this momentous Moonstone Double Shot. Purchase it now at 

http://moonstonebooks.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=1240

BASS REEVES, FRONTIER MARSHAL RIDES AGAIN: VOL 3 ARRIVES!!!

"Bass Reeves: Frontier Marshal, Vols 1 and 2" continue to be huge sellers for Ron Fortier's Airship 27 Productions. Now, the long awaited Vol 3 joins their ranks and more than lives up to its adventurous predecessors, bristling of cunning action and good, old-fashioned morality.

For those who might be unaware, Reeves is an authentic, Old West, African-American hero, though due to poisonous prejudice, never got the widespread recognition he deserved. Some have erroneously claimed that he's the basis for John Reid, the Lone Ranger, but in truth, Reeves simply captures many of the fictional champion's laudable traits, having massed a long string of amazing accomplishments throughout his life. As such, Reeves deserves to be mentioned in the same awe-inspired breath as Bat Masterson, Pat Garrett and Wyatt Earp.   

For this latest release, Airship 27 gives us two, sensational short stories: Terry Alexander's "Death in the Nation", which depicts Reeves' pursuit of a murderer in Indian territory and Mel Odom's "Glass Devil", in which Reeves tackles a relentless, avenging preacher. These spirited tales are preceded by R.A. Jones' robust novella, "A Pound of Flesh", where our stalwart marshal comes to pugnacious terms with a steely adversary. The trilogy is seasoned with salty, supporting characters and intense scenarios, certain to satisfy Airship 27's readers. (BTW: The volume's vivacious cover and winsome, interior illustrations are by the remarkable Rob Davis.) 

I had tons of fun with Vol 3 and plan to re-read it the first chance I get. I also appreciate Ron Fortier keeping Reeves' legend alive. Though Hollywood continues to drag its butt in bringing Reeves' bio to the big screen, it's comforting to know that Airship 27 is willing to acknowledge the great lawman in the New Pulp way. 

Also, please note: You needn't be a western aficionado to relish Reeves' yarns. Each story is designed to seize your attention as any quality literature should. You'll applaud the good guys (especially Reeves and his staunch supporter, the Honorable Judge Parker), boo the bad guys and celebrate all the gutsy grit, thanks to the sturdy storytelling. 

Don't deprive yourself. Order a copy of "Bass Reeves: Frontier Marshal, Vol 3" at ...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1946183512/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. 

BASS REEVES RETURNS IN AIRSHIP 27'S FRONTIER MARSHAL, VOL 2!!!

Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves was the real deal, so much so that some have called him (albeit erroneously) the inspiration for the Lone Ranger. That such attribution has occurred isn’t so surprising, for Reeves was as persistent and clever as John Reid when it came to hunting and capturing bad guys. In fact, he rounded up thousands of them, sometimes accompanied by Indian Scouts and always equipped with a handy rifle and/or pistol to ensure his success. However, as an African American/ex-slave, Reeves faced the fierce, racial tensions of his time, but miraculously managed to maintain his dignity despite the bigotry. 

More than a year ago, Ron Fortier's Airship 27 Productions presented the first anthology of fictional adventures based on Reeves's legacy (see February '16 review), and--hallelujah!--another compilation has finally hit print.

“Bass Reeves: Frontier Marshal Vol 2” is as thrilling an anthology as its predecessor, with tales penned by Michael Black; Milton Davis; Derrick Ferguson; and Mel Odom. In addition, the second volume is graced by wonderful, interior illustrations by Rob Davis and an effectively brooding cover by Marco Turini.

The stories are full of gusto and grit, with Reeves protecting a gold shipment fraught by confounding circumstances; wrestling with the dastardly Pritchard gang; tracking down the robbers of the train he rode; and teaming with Quickshot Katy Calhoun in defense of black settlers, threatened by a callous colonel. 

Not only does Reeves deserve the same respect awarded to such characters as the Lone Ranger and Hopalong Cassidy, but real-life icons like Wyatt Earp and Wild Bill Hickok. It's for this reason that Fortier's Airship 27 is publishing these fine fables. This latest volume is yet another honorable way to extend Reeve's legacy further into the American and (fingers crossed) global consciousness. 

Can’t wait for Vol 3!  

(The current entry is available at...https://www.amazon.com/Bass-Reeves-Frontier-Marshal-2/dp/1946183199/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500841687&sr=8-1&keywords=bass+reeves+vol+2.)

Long live the legend of U.S. Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves!!!

AIRSHIP 27 PRESENTS...BASS REEVES: FRONTIER MARSHAL!!!

That a man born a slave, who lived and learned among the Indians, could rise to the status of Deputy Marshal and become one of the greatest (if not most unsung) Wild West legends is a remarkable feat: one might presume otherwise categorized exclusively to fiction.

However, Bass Reeves was a real person who during the late 1800s often entered the Five Civilized Tribes Territory (later to be known as Oklahoma) to capture bad men, per the official blessing of Judge Isaac Parker: a man open-minded enough to recognize Reeve’s exemplary attributes. Reeves was enormously deft at his job, engaging in shootouts with those who dared not be captured and reeling them in by the hundreds, coming away from his many melees amazingly unscathed.

Reeves has been compared to the John Reid, the Lone Ranger, for his conviction in bringing outlaws to justice. In fact, the comparison is further supported by Reeves having been generally accompanied by Native American lawmen (a series of Tontos, if you will) during his missions. 

Indeed, as is the case with any real-life legend (whether Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday or Wild Bill Hickok), the mythology often extends into other avenues. Now it’s Reeves’ turn, and in the latest Airship 27 anthology, “Bass Reeves: Frontier Marshal”, we get a quartet of lively, fictional yarns featuring the real-life hero. 

Airship 27 author/publisher, Ron Fortier also offers an intro to the tales, giving credibility to the central figure and the rough-and-ready means with which he’s able to unravel the various, perplexing scenarios in which he's tossed; the stories are written by Derrick Ferguson, Mel Odom, Gary Phillips, and Andrew Salmon (accompanied by excellent Rob Davis illustrations and dandy Marc Turini front/back cover images). The authors pit Reeves against a number of deceitful and beguiling villains. Reeves confronts them all with his keen eye and utmost cunning, sometimes disguising himself in Lone Ranger fashion to get to the truth and ultimately, his man. The stories are full of action, suspense and above all, quality character development. In essence, the authors weave their tales the way that writers of Western lore used to do, with dignity and atmospheric detail.  (Also, for you fans of televised cowboy adventures, you may very well find that the anthology’s installments play much like those of your beloved by-gone shows.)

Reeves is, whether occupying fact or fiction, as worthy and remarkable as any hero could hope to be: a gentleman and no-nonsense crusader, who's both rough-around-the-edges yet as suave as any super-sleuth. I give Fortier and his writers enormous credit for paying homage to this extraordinary man. For anyone with a cravin' for the cowboy adventurers of the past (whether via the pulp page, radio waves or movies), “Bass Reeves: Frontier Marshall” is an absolute must!!!