Black Pulp

BLACK PULP is a collection of highly imaginative short fiction that captures the matinee style of the 1930-60s and the antique fantasies of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Each story, however, is the told from the perspective of African or African American heroes and heroines (though other races are featured). So, there are struggles not only against fantastic beings in often exotic situations, but against the very real obstacles of the segregated settings of most of the stories.The volume begins with a well-done East Texas noir called "Six Finger Jack." It is the graphic, first person account of a 60's bounty hunter and the murder-for-hire contract that takes a twisted turn or two. "Decimator Smith and the Fangs of the Fire Serpent" chronicles a 1930's L.A. boxer who moonlights as a private eye (in order to solve his sister’s murder). Also set in the '30s, "Mtimu" explores what a black Tarzan and Jane might be like. Pilot Enid Brown, called “the Black Amelia Earhart,” crashes while attempting the first non-stop flight across Africa. She is saved by the strapping Mtimu, but the pair soon find themselves the prey of the great white hunter Clive Bailey.  Derrick Ferguson's "Dillon and the Alchemist's Morning Coffee" feels like a cross between "The Expendables" and a 1940's comic strip adventure. The title character "Dillon" is a covert op who teams-up with the beautiful Captain Edna Hartless on a mission to save a secret invention and "The Sun Palace" of a young African prince. In D. Alan Lewis’s "Black Wolfe's Debt," a super hero-turned detective is hired by an aging former super heroine to solve what seems like an open-and-shut case. Of course, it isn't. Christopher Chambers's hero "Rocket Crockett" is a Top Gun-type Korean War pilot who (when not dogfighting enemy MiGs) fights to save the coveted "jade dragon." "Drums of the Ogbanje" features a former 19th century slave named Ngola who battles a ruthless Portuguese slave trader--both of whom are on a quest for treasure in a lost African city that is guarded by supernatural monsters. Kimberley Richardson's "Agnes Viridian" is a refreshing female occultist-private eye in 1920's Memphis, TN who uses her superpowers to help an Egyptian deity recover a stolen heirloom.  "Jaguar and the Jungleland Boogie" highlights hip-hop crime-fighters "Jaguar" (a Gulf War vet-turned club owner) and Shep as they scour 1980's Harlem for a missing singer, but encounter the sinister plot of a supersonic trumpet-toting villain called "Jazzmatazz."  While certainly vividly-told, it seems to be a token to those seeking a more modern tale mixed in with the predominantly older ones.And rounding things out, Shamus Award-winner Gar Anthony Haywood offers a surprisingly pedestrian poker heist tale that is made somewhat colorful by characters with names like Jimmy, Eddie, Izzy, and Frank. And Tommy Hancock's take on John Henry has the 19th century folk hero in an epic afterlife battle with Talori warriors that has a John Carter flavor.But out of all the stories, "The Lawman" is perhaps the most fascinating and potentially cinematic. The "Western" (though mostly centered around the Arkansas-Texas border region) details the 19th century exploits of the first African American U.S. deputy marshal, Bass Reeves. But unlike typical Wild West heroes, Reeves often uses his wits first and weapons last to rid the frontier of a variety of varmints. Interestingly enough, author Ron Fortier reveals that Reeves was a real person and that the story dramatizes portions of his life. Overall, BLACK PULP is a very entertaining and enlightening literary experiment that successfully injects the African American perspective into classic-styled pulp fiction. But, the writers still keep the characters engaging and their adventures fresh and exciting, so as to appeal to a wide audience that is in search of creative writing from a different perspective.

I admit I was waiting for this because I knew from one of the authors it was coming. Bought mine quick and it dint disappoint me. I was curious to see how modern writers would treat thus real "pulp fiction" from World War 2 Depression and 1950s. They did it well and this would be great for students of the era, right down to a fun beach read (if it ever gets warm). I wish it comes to Kindle. I had no idea there was a history of this type of American culture derived from pulp magazines, comic books and comic strips, corny movie shorts and dime novels all by African Americans decades ago. I like the distressed look given the cover art to convey that. I think everyone will like these stories whether you are hard core or just curious. Just FYI all of the stories are strong so far (haven't finished) and I love the retro feel. All of these writers are experts so I didnt expert anything else. The editor picked well. Walter Mosley's words set a very cool tone. He is a literary treasure.

Damn this is a fine anthology. Not surprisingly given the title the unifying link between the stories is that they must have black central character, either from Africa or be African- Americans.If you went into this expecting a dozen Shaft knock-offs expect to be disappointed, as this book is populated by pirates, cowboys, occult detectives, a hip hip dynamic duo, space adventurers, aviators, soldiers of fortune, jungle lords and criminal masterminds.This anthology is not just equal opportunity pulp but rather it is a collection of great pulp stories that have black characters. From the introduction by Walter Mosley to the last story The Hammer of Norgil each piece is really good. I found that Ron Fortier's The Lawman was especially moving considering that the main character Bass Reeves was a real Texas lawman who has been unsung by history just for the colour of his skin.The characters in this anthology deserve to be just as much a part of the public consciousness as Indiana Jones, Luke Skywalker, Wyatt Earp and Tarzan.This a collection of great new characters I'd love to see more of and great pulp stories that I will no doubt reread again.

These short stories feature Black heroes. They have diverse subjects. There is a variety of writing styles and some read easier than others. I recommend this book to serious readers who enjoy Walter Mosley .

Black Pulp gives you a series of action packed stories that really captures the feel of the early 20th century, while at the same time gives you the feeling that the heroes in the story don't have to be black, white or purple. Sure they are at times treated differently, but they are heroes and strive to do the right thing no matter how others may perceive them because of their race. Above all, the stories are fun, entertaining, and at times, thought provoking. I particularly enjoyed D. Alan Lewis' story, "Black Wolfe's Debt". It was more than I expected, and at times funny, even at it's grimmest moments. I felt I was reading Detective mystery with a little Watchmen thrown in. It left me wanting to know more about Port Victoria and it's inhabitants. I have a feeling this could be made into a series that could last a long, long time.

Book arrived fast & was exactly what I ordered.

Like any anthology, Black Pulp has its good stories and its bad stories. Unlike most though, I found only one story terribly difficult to read. Otherwise, this book is loaded with interesting and unique tales from voices both familiar and unfamiliar. Joe Lansdale and editor Gary Philips anchor the book, but new tales by Charles Saunders, Tommy Hancock, and Derrick Ferguson (among several others) also deliver. This is a great read, well worth a buy by any fan of great action and adventure.

dans le cadre du travail