Recently Read: Tarzan of the Apes, by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Edgar Rice Burroughs' 1912 tale of the son of a British aristocrat being born and raised by apes in Sub-Saharan Africa has been perennial for one reason: the author's expertise in inducing the reader to want to know what happens next. In this tale of heredity vs. environment, the protagonist, Tarzan, learns to read English and speak French before he can speak English, and can batter the largest creatures of the jungle in battle, but not know how to open a paper envelope. His slowly awakening knowledge of a civilization outside the primeval world he's steeped in is compelling. Tarzan of the Apes ends on a cliffhanger, making reading its sequel a must.

Tarzan of the Apes also, alas, suffers from sexism and racism, with castaway Jane Porter's professorial father telling her "...not to worry her pretty little head" about a matter of importance and Porter's family servant, Esmeralda, spouting cliched "mammy" dialect. Porter's father and his assistant are themselves cliched, absent-minded, bickering, doddering "men of the mind", used for (attempted) comic effect.

With plans to read the complete Burroughs, I purchased the first volume of the recent Burroughs Authorized Library but was disappointed in the presentation and most likely won't invest in the rest. The surface of the hardbound book is a weird, rubbery texture unpleasant to the touch (couldn't the publisher charge a higher price for a nicer cloth-bound book?). Although many historical documents are helpfully included, the actual text of the novel is the 1969 rewritten version, with many differences altered from the original for what, presumably, used to be called political correctness. More importantly, nowhere does it state the Authorized Library, edited and published by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc., is using altered text. For this reason, I turned to, for the main text, the 1963 Ballantine paperback. This series featured covers painted by Richard M. Powers. The Authorized hardcover reproduces Powers' cover inside but doesn't credit the artist. 

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Recently Read: The Crackpot, by John E. Stockman

Written in the '60s and '70s for obscure, self-published fanzines, these satirical tall tales by John E. Stockman were chosen and edited by author Dwight R. Decker, with some historical background provided for each story.

Those, like me, who live in the intersection of a Venn diagram consisting of old comic books, pulp magazines, fanzines and Edgar Rice Burroughs, will find these tales especially entertaining. Put simply, this is one of the funniest, craziest books I've read, consisting of (with the exception of one short and sweetly told aside) tales of obsessed, self-absorbed, untrustworthy, easily provoked fans downright desperate to print their next fanzine, grasp ERB first editions and own old copies of Tip Top Comics.

One particular story, about the near-ownership of a back-issue comic book shop almost enters the realm of pathos. Stockman, who probably wouldn't have guessed his stories would still be read in the year 2020, has created a world of fascinating greed and infantile avarice. If the figure of a desperate, chased thief trying to make his way home in the dead of night through back yards and alleys, while grasping onto a stack of old Argosy magazines, sounds intriguing, you must purchase this book. There are more Stockman short stories which haven't been collected; if they are, I'll buy them.

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Recently Read: A Dream Flying, by Dwight R. Decker

Good-natured whimsy isn't something you expect from much pop culture today, but Dwight R. Decker's A Dream Flying has it. Using Decker's youth in Mount Vernon (renamed New Romford), Ohio as an autobiographical setting, he tells a far-fetched but enjoyable and relatable tale of a teenager, Kyle Rhodebeck, who dreams of flying and then inadvertently finds a way to do it.

It's a charm of the novel that outlandish events (with the exception of the story's climax) are made believable. Kyle's attempts at elevation are detailed and, ultimately, exhilarating. I'd never considered what it might be like to fly - the physical dangers, the risks involved, the required secrecy - but after reading this book, I almost feel like I have flown!

Many adventures, flying-related and not, are told within. The fantastical elements of the book are woven into a tapestry of small town life, one which I could relate to, partly because I grew up and still live near where the story takes place (watching the same Chiller Theatre on Friday nights on Channel 10 and buying science fiction books at Northland Mall in Columbus as Kyle does), but also because I grew up in roughly the same time period, listening to Ventures LPs and reading Edgar Rice Burroughs paperbacks as Kyle does). 

My one big disappointment with A Dream Flying, even though it's nearly 300 pages long, is that it ends too soon. I'd love a sequel! 

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PulpFest 2012 Day II

A looong row of magazines, bookmarks, catalogs, fliers and other freebies.

The dealer's room is huge and spacious. No overcrowding here.

Stephen Haffner (right) talking with customers.

Tons of pulp goodies everywhere.

Master of ceremonies Mike Chomko.

FarmerCon panelists Paul Spiteri, Christopher Paul Carey and Win Scott Eckert on Lord Tyger, Time's Last Gift and The Gods of Opar.

Guest of Honor and Hugo-winner Mike Resnick.

Henry Franke, Garyn Roberts, Ed Hulse, Will Murray and Stephen Haffner on interpretations of Mars by Burroughs, Bradbury, Brackett and Kline.

David Saunders on the life and career of James Allen St. John.

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PulpFest 2012 Pics

John Locke discusses the rise and fall of pulps at the OSU Thompson Library.

Displays of the works of Robert E. Howard and Edgar Rice Burroughs from the OSU Rare Books and Manuscripts Library.

Ed Hulse and Garyn Roberts salute the 75th anniversary of John Campbell's arrival at Astounding Stories.

Henry Franke gives a presentation on Tarzan, a Hero for the Ages.

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Deathwalker, Written by R.A. Jones and Illustrated by Michael Neno, Out Now

From the official Airship 27 press release:

"TOUCHED BY DEATH While on his vision quest, the young Cheyenne brave High Bird encounters the sprit of Death. The powerful wraith recruits the boy as his new agent in the world and High Bird returns to his tribe altered forever as Deathwalker. When the Cheyenne become the target of a vengeful Pawnee Shaman, Stands Alone, only Deathwalker can stand between this evil sorcerer and the total destruction of his people. Featuring stunning cover art by Laura Givens with interior illustrations by Michael Neno, Airship 27 is proud to present R.A. Jones’ DEATHWALKER, another original and quality title in the New Pulp movement.


Writer R.A. Jones has woven a new and exciting fantasy set against a background authentic Native American lore and culture. He dares to imagine what this wild untamed land would have become had there been no conquests by outside civilizations beyond the great waters. Here is an old world re-envisioned in a bold new action packed adventure worthy of pulp writers such as Robert E. Howard and Edgar Rice Burroughs."

Order your copy here: http://indyplanet.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6681

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