Blowing the Dust Off...

Things have been rather quiet for me here lately since the announcement regarding "The Curse of Poseidon".  I'm currently making preparations to work on a short story for a forthcoming anthology, but I don't think I can discuss it too much right now.  It's going to be interesting to write about characters that aren't my own, though.  I'll keep you posted about that.


Meanwhile, I've also begun work on the third Challenger Storm novel.  As I've mentioned before, the title is "White Hell".  Basically, this story could also be called "Storm at the Mountains of Madness", so that should clue you in on what's going down in that tale.  The details are being ironed out, but I have a feeling once it starts, this thing is gonna snowball (pardon the pun).  It should be epic, and a blast to write.  After that, I have some ideas where Storm will be headed in the future: Egypt, some adventuring at home in Miami, off to the mysterious (and fictional) country of Altaveria... I have a list of story ideas that just keeps growing.  And then of course there's a few other projects that I want to get off the ground too...

In the meantime, I've been considering what I could do to keep this blog active as I continue to plod along at my snails-pace while writing.  I mentioned this on Facebook and got some suggestions back from a few friends:

-Behind-the-scenes details on Challenger Storm's gear, gadgets, tools, etc.

-A look at the MARDL compound: one friend even suggested a cut-away illustration of the compound's buildings, etc.  This would be great, but I don't think I could drum up the art for this.

-A file-type post dedicated to each member of the MARDL troubleshooters.

-I considered doing a few short-story type of entries showing how Storm met each member of his adventuring crew.

Finding the time to do stuff like this can be tricky, but dangit: I need something to give this place life.  I'd post every day if I could, but unfortunately I don't think I've got it in me.  And so, fans, friends, and casual readers: what do you think I could do to liven this place up a little bit?  I'm open to suggestions, and actually encourage them... this place gets a little dusty sometimes and it's nice to blow the dust off and do something with the ol' blog, y'know?

Lightning Strikes Twice!

The wheels are turning again, folks.  Enjoy this announcement from Airship 27's Facebook page:


"Don Gates' original pulp hero, Challenger Storm returns early next year in a brand new adventure, "The Curse of Poseidon," and along with this action ride once again is artist Michael Kaluta. Earlier this year, Kaluta become the first artist to win both the Pulp Factory Awards for Best Pulp Cover and Best Interior Illustrations for his work on the first Storm adventure, "Isle of Blood." Airship 27 is thrilled to bringing pulp this exciting new chapter in Gates' series."


So yes, it is official: lightning can strike twice.  The next Challenger Storm novel, "The Curse of Poseidon", will have art once again by legendary illustrator Michael Wm. Kaluta.  This is another dream come true... pinch me, I'm dreamin'!

On My Challenger Storm Wishlist...

If you've never read Derrick Ferguson's character Dillon, you are missing out on some of the best action-adventure and New Pulp tales today. In the latest post on the Dillon blog, Derrick talks about team-ups, and among the possibilities a certain scarred adventurer is mentioned, or at least his offspring. Can't say whether it would ever happen or not, but it certainly would be fun to see Dillon & Ulysses and/or Destiny Storm crossing over...

Another Interview...

Posted several days ago (sorry I didn't put it up before now, I've been a little busy), this interview with Sean Taylor at his "Bad Girls, Good Guys, and Two-Fisted Action" writing blog.  Interviews are always fun, and I thank Sean for the opportunity to talk a bit about "The Isle of Blood" and some upcoming stuff...

A Double-Win For Kaluta's Work On "The Isle of Blood"!

As officially announced today, Michael Wm. Kaluta's work for "Challenger Storm: The Isle of Blood" won both Best Cover Artwork and Best Interior Artwork awards from The Pulp Factory.  This is incredibly awesome!  Congratulations to Michael, and to the other winners... outstanding work, one and all!

The All Pulp Interview

I was planning on doing some posts that were more substantial for this blog, but recent health issues have set me back a little and I haven't felt much like it lately.  I'll be back to form (and wrapping up the second Challenger Storm novel) soon.  In the meantime, Black Centipede-scribe Chuck Miller interviewed me for All Pulp.  Check it out over here.

The Unofficial Challenger Storm Theme Song

Inspired by Chuck Miller's post today concerning a "theme song" for his character the Black Centipede, I decided to throw up my own here.  I've mentioned this to a few friends before, but if I could give Challenger Storm theme-music it would be this piece (and please: listen to the whole thing and try your hardest to separate this adventurous tune from the obvious connections we've all come to make with it).  There was many times while writing "The Isle of Blood" when I would turn to this music to give me a boost: