Where Stories Come From: TIME LORDS & TRIBBLES, WINCHESTERS & MUGGLES

(Revised 03/09/2024)

I know what you're thinking...Gordon, why are you including something that looks so....academic? And what's the deal with calling it "Where Stories Come From" because they're scholarly papers?

My answer: my blog, my rules. 

I can't talk about my two essays in Time Lords & Tribbles, Winchesters, and Muggles without talking about Paul Booth. Paul and I met at Chicago TARDIS during 2012 (At least, I think it was 2012...either my memory is failing or I drank too much tequila last night) Having run a full-day conference focusing on Doctor Who earlier that year, Paul and I hit it off...of course, what he didn't know at the time was that my father was an alumnus of DePaul University.

(After 2013, I had received marketing certification from DePaul. Small world).

My involvement with DePaul's Pop Culture Conference continued - I sat on a panel on problematic tropes in Joss Whedon's work for Chicago Nerd Social Club, and the third year I sat on a panel on pulp themes in Supernatural. (To prep, I binge-watched eight out of ten seasons of Supernatural...which is seven seasons too many). My last Pop Culture Conference was three years ago, focusing on Star Trek (and running a panel on Deep Space Nine). 

When Paul requested papers for the Time Lords & Tribbles, Winchesters and Muggles collection, my first idea was obvious - a reexamination of Sisko as Star Trek captain. Unlike Kirk or Picard, Sisko was a realist who found himself making ethically challenging decisions in a very murky situation. (Plus, I think Avery Brooks is a very underrated actor). Plus, I already had my notes from the panel (assembled because I had also moderated a screening of Deep Space Nine's Trials and Tribble-ations), so it was easy for me to add that article to my (then) 2017 writing docket...

But then, as things like this tend to happen, Paul needed more articles, and I thought, "OK, there's no way I'm going to write about Supernatural...but do I have notes from the Joss Whedon celebration?"

Short answer: I didn't, but I had come across an old blog post claiming that Serenity/Firefly was better than Star Trek....and then an old idea came to mind.

In that post, I stated that "...Mal Reynolds probably shares more with Raymond Chandler's heroes than Louis L'Amour", and the idea popped in my head: comparing Mal Reynolds (as a character) to Raymond Chandler's "knight errant" as outlined in his essay The Simple Art of Murder....of course, there were two things that prevented me from performing an examination of the entire series.

Time (One ninety-minute and twelve forty-five-minute episodes don't watch themselves, especially with a quick deadline) and word count.

So in that spirit, I limited myself to the ninety-minute pilot and used Chandler's essay as a template. After running some trial titles on Facebook, I chose to name my essay "Neither Shiny Nor Afraid", which reflects the Chandlerian cliche of a hero being "neither tarnished nor afraid". It's one of the best essays I've written, and quite honestly, I enjoy writing the occasional scholarly article...

...especially since proceeds from book sales to Global Girl Media, which is "dedicated to empowering high school age girls from under-served communities around the world through media, leadership and journalistic training to have a voice in the global media universe and their own futures."

(As readers of this blog are also aware, I've contributed to a benefit book focused on creatives and depression, and have also promoted fundraising efforts for Puerto Rico).

If you can't find Time Lords & Tribbles, Winchesters & Muggles via my Amazon author page, you can order it directly via this link.

Where Stories Come From: LES VAMPS

(Revised 03/09/2024)http://

It's only recently that I realized that I've written Where Stories Come From posts for my other previously released stories....but never wrote one for Les Vamps (which is currently unavailable for download...although I might consider making it a perk for my Patreon subscribers). It's ironic because it was this publication that kicked off my "new" writing career. And it all started with a contest.

About three-ish years ago, artist Mark Wheatley (whose work on First Comics' Mars had impressed me) sponsored a contest on Facebook: write a story inspired by a particular piece of art (which became the cover of Les Vamps). If I remember correctly (and I'm not sure if I do), the main prize was publication.

Around this time, I was also working with someone who ran a web development organization for particular nonprofits. (I won't name him outright, because he stiffed me on work). This particular individual had outsourced his web development to India, meaning that he was spending late nights conversing with his team about client work.

That got me thinking, "Gee, telecommuting has made it easy to be a vampire. You can stay up late, not have to do anything during the day, and maintain a slightly healthy lifestyle."

(Yes, I know how ridiculous it sounds now...which is why, after an abortive attempt to make the vampire the lead, I made the thrall the main character of the story)

At the same time, I was going through some slight adjustments to living in Chicago...I missed several things about St. Louis. But what struck me was the idea that St. Louis, in many ways, is a backwards city: its focus on high school as a social determinant; the fact that people "stayed" rather than "lived" in the city...and it also made for a more realistic city for my story to take place.

So after a very haphazard, first-word-best-word draft, I submitted the story. (I cribbed the title from this relatively little-known song by The Only Ones, better known for Another Girl Another Planet. Yes, there's a shout-out to the former within the story). When a friend of mine was named as judge, I was concerned, but I found out later he chose to recuse himself from judging my story. After a period of waiting, I received a good news/bad news e-mail.

Bad news: I didn't win the contest. Good news: they liked my story enough to consider publishing it.

So in preparation, I rewrote the story (because that first draft, upon review, was awful), and then submitted it for several months of editing, pruning, and revising...

And the editing was good. Many authors will advise with great pride (and often, great smugness) that writers should "kill their darlings" in the revision process. Get rid of those moments of brilliance and tell the story.

Thanks to this particular editor, I adopted a different philosophy - writers should get rid of anything that doesn't make the story work. Many parts of that first draft were awkward, and embarrassed me....but getting rid of those and refining them gave me a stronger sense of how stories "work". I felt better because every time I chipped away an awkward phrase or streamlined a paragraph, my story became much sharper, much clearer, and much more alive. Focusing on character rather than the awkward moments of "building atmosphere".

So much so that when I read one of the first reviews of Les Vamps, I was flattered by the fact that I had written a story in the "lesbian vampire" genre. I never realized that there was a genre called "lesbian vampire", and had I known, I would have worked harder to make it an atypical "lesbian vampire" story.

(And of course, as a result, this post will trend high on Google for both Les Vamps and lesbian vampires)

Writing has been a significant part of my adult life - from columns for the Loyola Phoenix to various professional reports (including a policy white paper for Metropolis St. Louis) - so Out There in the Night from Les Vamps is a huge milestone. The first time that I saw my name in print.

And that is an incredibly big deal.

UP FROM WHERE WE'VE COME: A Must-Read

Musician Charles Wright is best known for his 1970 song, "Express Yourself"...and he's taken his own advice in writing his memoir, Up: From Where We've Come

Although I must disclose that I received a complimentary electronic copy for review, I'm glad I took on the assignment, because Up From Where We've Come is one of the best memoirs I've read in awhile.

First, I enjoy reading about the small, more personal takes on history, and this is where Up From Where We've Come shines. Wright structured his book as a series of small vignettes, but these vignettes craft a very intricate portrait. Starting from his experiences of something that happened before he was born to his family's move to California, Wright explores his experiences as a child in the deep South.

While discussing his youthful experiences, Wright doesn't pull punches. For those seeking a smaller, more intimate exploration of the African-American experience, Wright shares in a direct, honest way. Up From Where We've Come has several stories where heartbreak and pain are prevalent. (There's a scene involving Wright, his brother, and a turtle that will soften even the hardest of hearts). Even when describing experiencing racism in the South, Wright provides a matter-of-fact tone that neither condones nor condemns.

But much of Up From Where We've Come is a sheer joy to read. Wright gives his tale warmth, humor, and refreshing surprises. (Like an introduction by Little Richard). Up From Where We've Come is one of the best things I've read this year, and is definitely worth reading.

Up From Where We've Come is supposed to be the first volume in a series of memoirs by Charles Wright....and I'm looking forward to the next volume.

Where Stories Come From: "Crossing McCausland" - TALL PULP

(Revised 03/04/2024)

And now for a new, semi-occasional feature on the blog - since I'm now seeing my fiction published, I'll write some "how-this-story-came-together" essays. (At least one of my publishers had me do that; I'll be sure to write something cool so that you're not getting a blog version of a published essay). And for this inaugural edition of "Where Stories Come From", it's easy - my first published (for pay) short story, "Crossing McCausland", in Pro Se Productions' anthology Tall Pulp.

Ironically, "Crossing" was my second pitch to Pro Se - the first was....well, that's a tale for another time. But I was coming off the euphoria of writing my first professionally pitched story. ("Out There in the Night" from Les Vamps was submitted for a contest, and that original draft....hoo, boy, remind me to always rewrite after a first draft). So in looking at the then-available anthologies, I came across the blurb for Tall Pulp - a mixture of American folklore and pulp storytelling. And so, without further adieu, I went onto Wikipedia to try to find a local, Chicago-based figure like Pecos Bill, or Paul Bunyan...

....and I failed miserably. However, I came across another figure and began developing an idea. However, the research proved too great (after all, I was crafting a pitch and working freelance and seeking work), so I shifted gears and came across an entry for Joe Magarac. At first glance, learning about this "man of steel" was a revelation - he reminded me of my paternal grandparents, offspring of immigrants who held onto values that many may consider old-fashioned. (It also meant that I could easily empathize with the character). Thankfully, I never checked out images of Magarac - in many pictures, he's portrayed as human, but I decided to pursue a route similar to Kurt Busiek's approach in the Astro City: The Tarnished Angel miniseries.

In short, Magarac was a literal man of metal, with no specific origin - I had no intention of writing an "origin" story. (Let the reader sort that one out). Plus, it made much more sense if Magarac had no idea how he came to be, or even if he had a "normal" life. (You may think of it as clever....in reality, it was merely sloth on my part to not give him much of a past). Although I considered making him a Doc Savage-type...I kind of preferred the idea of the loner who traveled from town to town, helping hard-working people and....well, living up to the "legend".

So now, where (and when) would I set it? Although tempted to set it in the 1930s, I decided that I wanted to set it in a more "modern" era. Given that Magarac was Eastern European in origin, that meant that the most logical place was the early 1950s. (Yes, I went totally "Red Scare"). Placing him in St. Louis meant that I was sticking him in an already segregated area - municipalities in St. Louis county were growing at a fast rate due to state law. Since the Metropolitan Sewer District was founded in 1950....it just made a lot of sense. I even went so far as to consult my copy of E. Terrence Jones' Fragmented by Design (now available on Amazon for astronomically high amounts of money) to research the politics and policies. (Luckily, I also served as a volunteer stakeholder for Advance St. Louis, a short-lived attempt to revise the city charter and acquire home rule).

And for those who are wondering...yes, I integrated my love of dry, dusty public policy issues into a pulp story. Where's my cookie?

But after that, crafting a plot wasn't too hard - after all, it's a 1950s version of the classic "evil ranchers vs decent homesteaders" plot, complete with frequent references to Communists. Crafting a villain was easy - after all, I simply broke out a copy of classic Dark Shadows - then the original Rocky - and Thayer David was "cast" as McCausland. (And yes, there is a street named McCausland, which turns into Skinker when you move further north). As far as Rosalie, his companion in crime....well, she only became a companion in crime because I forgot to include an "enforcer", and it simply made sense to combine both characters. (As far as "casting", well....you can guess in the comments. Winners will receive a customized e-mail message from me.)

After that, it was submitted...I went on to a third pitch (which I'm proud of, but I will write about it when it's published), and another great opportunity arose. Once I heard about "McCausland" being published, it was simply a matter of waiting for the proofs, submitting my edits....and getting word via Facebook that the book had been released.

And I'll never get used to seeing my name in print. Never.

But now, the blatant plug - if you liked this essay, go ahead and buy Tall Pulp, either as a trade paperback or in Kindle form. Either way, once you read it, you can decide for yourself whether this essay justifies the care that went into the tale....or is wildly inaccurate. Either way, having a formal document on how this story came to be is always beneficial.

You can find this and other works I've written via my Amazon Author Page. Enjoy! 

I've Been Published! LEGENDS OF NEW PULP

Just in time for the holidays....my short story 'Pather has been published in the Legends of New Pulp anthology published by Airship 27 Productions.

I'm particularly proud because Legends is a benefit book - all proceeds go to help Tommy Hancock of Pro Se Productions. (Details below, and in light of my recent issues with Mom's health - and that's a post yet to be written - it takes on additional emotional weight).

Yes, there will be a Where Stories Come From post about 'Pather, but until then....here's the newly minted news

AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTIONS

Proudly Presents

LEGENDS OF NEW PULP FICTION

Earlier in the year we learned that New Pulp writer/editor/publisher Tommy Hancock was suffering from congestive heart-failure. A relatively young family man, this was a dangerous condition that threatened not only Tommy but his entire family. Almost immediately after this news was made public, several members of the New Pulp community began putting their heads together to see if anything could be done to help the Hancocks.

“Jaime Ramos proposed the idea of doing a benefit anthology,” says Airship 27 Productions Managing Editor, Ron Fortier. “It was such a great idea, I realized it needed to get done and we began planning such a project.” 

The first thing Fortier did was bring aboard his partner in Airship 27, Art Director Rob Davis. “There was no way this was going to fly without Rob handling the book’s overall artwork and design.” 
 Fortier then went to Hancock and informed him of their plans. With Hancock’s blessings, he then posted an ad on Facebook explaining the project and seeking submissions from both writers and artists. “It was always our intention to do this as a traditional pulp tome and thus artwork would be a major element in the final product.”
Much to Fortier’s surprise, and delight, the first creator to volunteer his assistance was Douglas Klauba, one of the finest artists in the field. Klauba volunteered to paint the anthology’s cover once the book was assembled. “Honestly,” Fortier confesses, “I was in shock. Doug is an amazing artist and his offering to do the cover was very much an omen that we were about to put together something truly unique.”

Within 48 hours after posting his recruiting ad, Fortier had received 57 commitments by New Pulp writers while 36 artists in the field signed on to do the illustrations. Amongst these creators were some of the most popular New Pulp writers and artists in the field. In fact, getting so many promised stories in just two days, Fortier begrudgingly realized he and his associates were being handed a giant book and he publicly closed the admission call. “It was crazy,” he recalls. “Fifty-seven stories in just two days! Of course there were naysayers who warned me we’d never get all of them. They were right, we got 62 instead.”

And so the project began with Fortier reading each entry and then assigning it to an artist to illustrate. Each tale features one black and white illustration. Ramos acted as his assistant editor proofing teach story after Fortier with them. Then, months into the project, Ramos, who suffers from diabetes, found his own health in jeopardy and after having handled half the stories, was forced to sideline himself. What looked to be a major set-back was averted with writer/editor Todd Jones, a protégé of Fortier’s, volunteered to take on the task of finishing the proofing.

And so, after months of ups and downs. Airship 27 Productions is extremely proudly to present LEGENDS OF NEW PULP FICTION. A giant treasure chest of some of the finest New Pulp fiction ever produced in an 830 page collection. Representing the varied genres of pulp tradition, this volume features tales of horror, mystery, horror, suspense, pirates, fantasy, private eyes, crime-busting avengers and westerns to name a few.

“Rob and I kidded during the long months of production that we had everything pulp save for a romance story,” quips Fortier. “Then in the final days of story submissions, we were sent a romance. No lie!”

LEGENDS OF NEW PULP FICTION is now available at Amazon.com in both hard copy and on Kindle. All profits earned by this amazing book are going to Tommy Hancock and his family. Sure to become a valued collector’s item, LEGENDS OF NEW PULP FICTION is a one of a kind title pulp fans young and old, will cherish in years to come.

AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTIONS – PULP FICTION FOR A NEW GENERATION!

Catching Up From the Past Month

I have to admit, I'm only now starting to recover from the past month's activities. I'm proud to say that last weekend's charity auction at Chicago TARDIS raised over $2,400 - despite lower attendance than previous years, that is a really impressive number. I couldn't have done it without the help of many of my fellow staffers, and the generosity of so many people...

...and it's something that keeps me from being totally cynical about the current political situation. Thankfully, I'm doing some small scale work and have a couple of potential clients in the pipeline. Running my own personal crowdfunding/fundraising site has been on the back burner for a bit. but knowing that most people are basically good, decent, and caring really makes me feel confident moving forward.

(And at some point, when it looks like I have enough to maintain a healthy lifestyle, it will go down....but right now, I'm only just crawling out of survival mode).

Thanksgiving with Mom went very well - ended up spending Wednesday night with her, and left for CT straight from her place. Even though things are rough, I'm grateful for so much, including not having to board a plane for Chicago from St. Louis.

In terms of other happenings, two great things happened this past month - mostly, unexpected kudos. Colony of the Black Bat highlighted a probably never-to-be-published Black Bat story (which I will revamp and hopefully get published), and my comments about the Replacements were featured in the Skyway's 100th issue (available for download as PDF).

Finally, I'm also being published as part of a benefit anthology, but that press release (and requisite Where Stories Come From post) will come this week.

Where Stories Come From: THE JOY OF JOE

(Revised 03/09/2024)

Now I know what you're thinking, and yes...I have been away. Freelance work has been pretty steady, my life is...well, it's there. I've been getting back into the swing of a semi-regular life, and have focused more time on the other blog, discussing comedy stars and free speech issues as well as recent celebrity passing.

But sometimes, I get so busy with the work/writing grind that I forget that I write things that will later be published...and they usually come from the most innocuous of sources.

For example, Jim Beard - he's the editor of Sequart Publishing's Gotham City 14 Miles; he's also put out a ton of great stories. He also looks like Bill Mumy and acts like Jonathan Harris.

(I kid, I kid).

Anyway, Jim reached out to fellow writers via Facebook; he was looking for people who played with G.I. Joe as a kid. Not just any G.I. Joe, mind you, but the classic large, 12-inch action figure; not the 4-inch monstrosities from the 1980s. He was also interested in having people write essays about their experience for The Joy of Joe, celebrating the classic toy line.

Although yes, I owned a GI Joe...I had no idea what to write about. It wasn't the centerpiece of my collection (my Mego Planet of the Apes, Star Trek, and DC Comics figures were my main focus of play), nor could I write about how I owned all the equipment. And I wasn't going to write about how my father would scold me for playing with dolls...

Oh, [expletive], I thought, I'm not going to have to...aw, [another expletive]. I have to, don't I...

See, one of the things about my childhood...was that I was an atypical male. I played with a baby doll at three years old. I was more sensitive than other kids. And I sewed GI Joe a sleeping bag.  That was the memory that I chose to focus on, and how that memory led to me becoming more than just a manly man who does manly things...

(Of course, I am still a manly man who does manly things; I'm just much more open and flexible about being a man).

Writing my essay "The Ultimate Accessory" for The Joy of Joe also allowed me to reconcile some of my feelings for my late father. My dad and I rarely, if ever, got along - Dad was a heady mix of Ken Titus, Ron Swanson, and your local neighborhood douchebag. Look up toxic masculinity in the dictionary, and you'll see my dad's picture...

(As you can guess, June is a rough month for me since Dad was born in early June and...well, Father's Day...and for those without a dictionary, just picture me with a mustache.)

But my essay allowed me, on some level, to embrace some of the more unique aspects of growing up male. It also allowed me to look back with some nostalgia, viewing the past through half-rimmed rose-colored glasses. Yet it also allowed me to let go of my upbringing and continue the cycle of self-assessment and self-acceptance that I have been experiencing since...well, since I moved to care for Mom after last year's health issues.

Although it may seem trivial, writing my essay for The Joy of Joe was a bit of a release for me. It's a bit more self-revelatory than most of my other writing (including my blogs), but it's a great next step before my latest pulp fiction is published...

But check out The Joy of Joe, available in softcover and Kindle: you won't be disappointed.

Where Stories Come From: PULPTERNATIVE - Cowboy of the Dakotas

(Revised 03/05/2024)

I'm a sucker for alternative history stories - everything from Harry Turtledove's How Few Remain to What If? series. Maybe it's all the Doctor Who I watched throughout my life, so when the chance came to write my own alternative history story for Pro Se's Pulpternative anthology, well...

...this was during my dark night of the soul in 2013. Any effort I could make to escape my existence - even through writing - would be worth it. (It also helped that this was only the third story I pitched for Pro Se Productions - the first was for Moose & Skwirl and the second was for Tall Pulp - so I felt I had a little something to prove).

So my initial inspiration was to team up with Theodore Roosevelt (who had inspired me as a boy, so much that I was then rereading his collection of essays called The Strenuous Life) with Wyatt Earp (inspired by a recent viewing of BBC's Wild West miniseries) in a mystery set in 1892. However, something curious happened...

...in my research, I discovered that Theodore Roosevelt, after losing his wife and mother on Valentine's Day in 1885, decided to leave his political career and spent time in Medora, North Dakota as a cowboy.

No, I'm not making that up.

Abandoning the first Roosevelt/Earp idea (which is still mine, and which I'm planning to pitch to Airship 27, so don't get any ideas), I decided to go on a different path: what if Roosevelt lost his entire family in 1885, and decided to become a bounty hunter rather than a politician?

Taking a cue from That Wacky Redhead (an alternative history where Lucille Ball chooses not to sell Desilu to Paramount in 1996), I decided that this would "butterfly" Earp's history. Before the Tombstone Incident, Earp led a very....colorful life. (Much of his "heroic" image came from a highly sanitized biography in the 1930s). Earp's past included such activities as trying to enter the Army during the Civil War at age 16, as well as owning several casinos and brothels.

During this time, I was also reading Chris Kyle's American Gun: A History of the U.S. in Ten Firearms, which focused on firearms in American history. (You can read pal Ron's review here; suffice it to say, I agree with him and encourage everyone to read it). Reading about Civil War armaments, another idea occurred to me:

What if Wyatt Earp couldn't be a gunslinger? What kind of person would he be?

Given his colorful past, it made sense that a man like Wyatt Earp - living by his wits - might turn to a life of crime. Possibly....a con artist. And also became a great knife man.

So with those factors in play, I began writing my Pulpternative story in earnest.

There were a few glitches - I had to remove and revise some references to a character's native tribe because I used the wrong tribal designation. (Would anyone else notice? No, but I would. So changing it was a necessity). Working on a second draft, I realized that an ending "tag" was not only unnecessary....but despite sounding too good to be true, would be inadvertently based on real life.

Plus, the story's revised ending packed a wallop.

As I wrote and rewrote the story, something remarkable happened....as cliché as this sounds, I felt I had found my writer's "voice". If Moose and Skwirl provided me the opportunity to write in someone else's sandbox, and Tall Pulp allowed me to "create" a character, then Pulpternative allowed me to mix a little of both into a new creation. For the first time, writing felt more instinctive than intellectual...and it also went very smoothly.

So "Cowboy of the Dakotas" from Pulpternative is a very special story for me - it's not just the weaving together of speculation and fact, or even the willingness to indulge my interests....but it's the first story that made me feel the "flow" and pull of creative writing, perhaps for the first time in a long time.

And much like Dreamers Syndrome: New World Navigation, I'm more than happy - and want - to revisit the world of Theodore Roosevelt, Bounty Hunter.

(Trust me, it's Theodore - Roosevelt never liked being called "Teddy". And I won't argue with him)

Check out this and other works via my Amazon author page!

Where Stories Come From: LEGENDS OF NEW PULP FICTION

(Revised 03/05/2024)

You've probably all read the news about my appearance in the Legends of New Pulp benefit anthology....and the story behind the story is one that's very complicated. A bit "writey-whitey, typey-wipey", in Doctor Who terms.

(OK, forget I just said all that...but this story has a very interesting pedigree...and this is going to be a really long post)

It all started with news from pal Tommy of Pro Se Productions about his health, and some of the measures he would need to take to move forward. Soon afterward, pal Ron of Airship 27 Productions announced their plans to do a benefit anthology just before a Zone 4 podcast recording.

(Editor's note - Zone 4 is no longer active as a podcast as of 03/05/2024. Just in case you had questions) 

It was easy for me to say "yes", but since I didn't quite have a new idea for a story...I decided to do what any other author would: rewrite something I wrote years earlier. To organize my files, I came across multiple stories that I had written in college on a portable typewriter. (And which resulted in a vast collection of rejection slips).

One of these stories - 'Pather - was the kind of cyberpunk/superhero pastiche that many young wannabe writers like myself wrote. (It's the kind of story where I chose to write something just because rather than figure out a way to integrate it into my storytelling). Although it was an ambitious tale (with actual "real-time" telepathic readings) with a simple premise (a lawman hunts down a criminal in a dense urban landscape), 'Pather was a case of my youthful ambition far exceeding my talent.

The other story - a military/war tale entitled Mars Is Hell - had many red correction marks on it. At some point, I had plans to rewrite and resubmit; however, other plans (including possibly writing a column for the Loyola Phoenix) had gotten in the way. Although much of it I couldn't use, some of the details - focusing on life on an alien planet - could easily be integrated into a page one rewrite of 'Pather.

But what changed the younger version of 'Pather to its newer, more anthology-ready version was a change in tone. Thanks to the Chicago Public Library's Interlibrary loan system, I had binge-watched the final seasons of Justified. Rather than a straightforward science fiction police procedural, I had a more Western-influenced tale. It was no longer just lawman versus genetically enhanced criminal; there were elements of conspiracy and a down-to-earth element...despite it taking place on Mars.

(That was the other thing I took from Mars is Hell: the location. Thanks to research for that story and a Doctor Who/Indiana Jones fanfiction round-robin, I had the details to establish my setting. Most science fiction stories about colonies are about empires - either establishing an outpost on a distant world or the fall of an empire through colonial independence. 'Pather would look at Burroughs Urbplex - the most established colony - as just another city that happened to live in outer space).

So now came the important part - "casting" the main characters in my short story. Given my interest in Native American culture (in light of a then-recent story about a walk-off from an Adam Sandler film), I chose to make my leading man an Apache....and a rerun of Law & Order: SVU gave me the idea "candidate" for what he looked like. (And yes, I did some research into Apache culture...because too often, writers focusing on external cultures tend to write towards the stereotype; I wanted to be sure my efforts gave Natan Bodaway - my lead character - a slightly more detailed cultural life. I'm not sure I quite got it). Our main antagonist was...well, I pulled him straight from Justified. Other characters had their basis in both actors and people I had known...

...and the other major change was in the story's plot. Initially, 'Pather focused on creating genetically enhanced warriors. Since that plot was a bit cliché by current standards, I chose to focus on another aspect. A misheard name led me to the phrase "tear in the sky"....and the reason why someone was given telepathic powers led me to a greater, more malevolent purpose. It also gave me a greater puzzle to work within the context of the greater story.

(No spoilers, though - if you want to learn more, purchase and read it in Legends of New Pulp Fiction)

Despite a then-heavy work and writing schedule, I managed to breeze through the writing/editing/ rewriting of 'Pather, fueled by enthusiasm and copious amounts of coffee. (Only the first few paragraphs were kept; the rest of the story is a page-two rewrite, so to speak). Thankfully, I was able to beat the deadline by a few weeks, mostly by design (I hate riding the edge of deadlines). And when Ron sent me the illustration that would accompany 'Pather, I was blown away...so much that I asked him if my story was that good...

....but see for yourself. All proceeds benefit Tommy in handling medical expenses. (With my mother's recent health issues, I am more than empathetic). You can purchase it via the link above in softcover; it will soon be available on Kindle, and you can also order a PDF version of Legends of New Pulp Fiction via this link.

Consider it my very public thank you - for Tommy Hancock, for his encouragement and support; for Ron Fortier, for suggesting that I consider writing; for Chuck, John, and Brant at Comic Related for their first roll of the dice....and younger me for allowing current me to pay tribute.

Check out this and other written works via my Amazon author page! 

I've Been Published: PULPTERNATIVE

(My short story, "Cowboy of the Dakotas", has been published by Pro Se Productions, and yes, there will be a "Where Stories Come From" post shortly....but for now, here's the press release)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HISTORY THROUGH A PULP LENS! 

“PULPTERNATIVE” DEBUTS FROM PRO SE PRODUCTIONS!

An innovative publisher of Genre Fiction, Pro Se Productions announces the release of a unique anthology. Three authors tackle the concept of Alternative History, the Alternative being cast in a rather pulpish light.
 PULPTERNATIVE is now available from Pro Se Productions, featuring the work of Gordon Dymowski, Frank Sonderborg, and Dragan Stajic, in print and digital formats.

“History,” says Tommy Hancock, Editor in Chief of Pro Se Productions, “is fun for writers. One of the more engaging aspects is the ability to take what has happened and tweak it, rewrite it, or even scrap it and start over. PULPTERNATIVE gives three authors the opportunity to look at actual history and essentially recreate it into something that would be more likely to appear in a Classic Pulp magazine than a textbook. These stories go full on with no limits into the past and history will never be the same!”

History is full of Wonderful Stories and Fantastic Mysteries. And One Question can make History so much more…. What If…? PULPTERNATIVE asks that question, giving three authors the imaginative task of answering it. Putting a Pulpy spin on history makes anything possible. Explore what might have been in PULPTERNATIVE. From Pro Se Productions.

Featuring a absurdly terrific cover by Larry Nadolsky and print formatting and book design by Antonino Lo Iacono, PULPTERNATIVE is available now at Amazon at Pulpternative - Softcover Edition and Pro Se’s own store at www.prose-press.com for 10.00.

The alternative history collection is also available as an Ebook, designed and formatted by Lo Iacono and available for only $2.99 for the Kindle at Pulpternative - Ebook Edition… and for most digital formats via Smashwords at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/647491.

For more information on this title, interviews with the author, or digital copies to review this book, contact Pro Se Productions’ Director of Corporate Operations, Kristi King-Morgan at directorofcorporateoperations@prose-press.com.

To learn more about Pro Se Productions, go to www.prose-press.com. Like Pro Se on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProSeProductions.

Where Stories Come From: "Publish or Perish" - MARTY QUADE

(Revised 03/04/2024)

(If you want more essays and other exclusive content, please consider becoming a Patreon sponsor!)

I've always believed that most young men (or, more specifically, most young white men) tend to gravitate and get their philosophies from one of two authors: Ayn Rand or Raymond Chandler.

I'm grateful I chose the latter since I spent my college and graduate school years poring over hardboiled detective novels. It started with Robert B. Parker's Spenser, with his unconventional morality (see Early Autumn, Ceremony, A Savage Place, and Taming a Sea Horse for details). That led to Raymond Chandler, Mickey Spillane, Jim Thompson, and Sara Paretsky...yes, I was a moody young man, wasn't I?

But all of them wrote about men with their own codes of honor, who could aim wisecracks as well as their guns...and I was hooked.

So when Ron Fortier of Airship 27 asked me to contribute to this anthology shortly after the publication of "The Magnificent Anderson" in Black Bat Mystery - Volume 3,  I jumped at the opportunity.  Thanks to a recent reading of The Pulp Jungle by Frank Gruber (motivated by one of my mother's coworkers who claimed to be the writer's daughter-in-law) that helped me develop my writing/work ethic...both spurred me to write a tale set in the pulp-writing industry.

(No, I didn't know about William Bogart's Hell on Friday, which is now in my to-read pile).

Shortly after being commissioned, I served on a panel for the DePaul Pop Culture Conference Celebration of Joss Whedon. Much of the "fuel" for the story came from a conversation with a fellow Chicago Nerd Social Club board member (who I thought was full of themselves at the time; we've since reconciled) and meeting a fellow CNSC member (who subconsciously served as the model for one of the lead characters).

As I explain in the essay that accompanies "Publish or Perish" in Marty Quade, Volume One, writing the story was not easy...but once I got the hang of it, prose came out almost lightning fast. It also helped that I could download and read various Quade stories (which  I've linked to in this sponsor-only Patreon update).

But it's one of the first stories where I "hit my stride" in terms of writing; there was a comfort level there (I had invented my own "hardboiled" character - a social worker who was a cop's son - in college), and I felt like I was "in my territory."

Honestly, I want to return to the world of Marty Quade...and I have a corker of an idea. The title alone tells the story...but one step at a time.

So please buy Marty Quade, Volume One...if only to justify Airship 27 commissioning Volume Two. You can find that and other things I've written via my Amazon author page. 

I've Been Published: AKA THE SINNER - COVER OF NIGHT

Last month, I was working on a novella....and now, it's a Kindle-only release via Pro Se Productions. Don't worry - there will be an installment of Where Stories Come From on this shortly....

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRO SE THRILLER OF THE WEEK THIRD SERIES DEBUTS! ‘AKA THE SINNER: COVER OF NIGHT’ AVAILABLE FOR $1.49

Pro Se Productions presents the debut of its third series in the Future of Digital Storytelling-THE PRO SE THRILLER OF THE WEEK.

Each week, a new 'episode' of one of four rotating series will be released as a digital ebook for your reading pleasure. From Espionage to Supernatural, From Crime To Suspense, each week readers can find what they need in the PRO SE THRILLER OF THE WEEK.

AKA THE SINNER: Episode One - COVER OF NIGHT BY GORDON DYMOWSKI

Nathaniel (Never Nathan, that gets you a polite warning. Never Nate, that gets your life threatened. Never ever Nat, that gets you injured in some noticeable fashion) Brigand, his actual true surname, cursed from birth it would seem, is a man out to save the world after doing all he could to destroy it.

There isn’t a crime that Brigand hasn’t committed, save anything sexual or any crimes directly against children. There are reasons for that particular line not being crossed that are buried in his past, one that not even the best of detectives or even those highest in the ranks of espionage can uncover beyond his criminal history. This Brigand wears as a badge of honor, even though he is no longer a career criminal. Now he only commits crimes for the betterment of others when necessary. And he often finds it necessary.

It started when someone spray-painted swastikas and slurs on Amy Hirado’s door. She learned enough about those symbols from her grandfather, who was interred during World War II. As a defense attorney, she works in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood – she even lives across the street from a synagogue. Given the increased violence, she takes the advice of one of her (now deceased) clients and asks Nathaniel Brigand – aka the Sinner – for help! Little did Amy know...that sometimes the cure for a social ill is worse than the disease itself...especially when The Sinner is that cure.

AKA THE SINNER: COVER OF NIGHT by Gordon Dymowski. Concept created by Tommy Hancock.

Featuring an atmospheric cover, logo design, and digital formatting by Antonino Lo Iacono and Marzia Marina, AKA THE SINNER: COVER OF NIGHT is available now for the Kindle at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077NLSV27/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511305976&sr=8-1&keywords=aka+the+sinner for only $1.49. This ebook is also available for free via Kindle Unlimited for members.

For more information on this title, interviews with the author, or digital copies to review this book, contact Pro Se Productions’ Director of Corporate Operations, Kristi King-Morgan at directorofcorporateoperations@prose-press.com.

To learn more about Pro Se Productions, go to www.prose-press.com. Like Pro Se on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProSeProductions.

Where Stories Come From: COVER OF NIGHT (AKA THE SINNER)

(Revised 03/04/2024)

Sometimes, writing can be therapeutic. And AKA The Sinner: Cover Of Night, which serves as the debut of Nathaniel Brigand in Pro Se Productions' Thriller of the Week series, is a great example.

Events and themes were percolating in my head: recent arguments in "support" of white supremacy groups in Charlottesville, a hashtag reacting to a news item about casting Asian actors, and some nostalgia for my "good old days..."

...and then Tommy had proposed a new series of novellas: a "Thriller of the Week" series of Kindle-only novellas based on the old NBC Mystery Movie series...and I had a way to channel some of these issues into my writing.

At this time, the #ExpressiveAsians hashtag popped up on my Twitter feed thanks to two of my friends' efforts. (They know who they are, and I don't need to call them out). When thinking of an entry-point character, I realized that I could write about the impact of racism without falling into the usual tropes by making her a third-generation Japanese-American female. (Of course, I ended up falling into a trap that a fellow writer to lived in Japan once made about limiting my stories to three areas of interest). If I needed background info, I knew many lawyers, and one of my female friends trained as a boxer. Rather than use AKA The Sinner's suggested setting, I used Rogers Park on Chicago's Northside since I knew the area, and I prefer writing fish-out-of-water stories.

Photo by Gordon Dymowski

And if you were to look at my search history for research...hoo, boy. Reading first-person accounts of families dealing with the implications of growing up in American internment camps during World War Two; female heads of white supremacist groups...and I even did fieldwork. One scene took place in the same meeting room where the Chicago Doctor Who Meetup holds its Third Coast Comics meetups. And yes, Terry gave me a strange look....but hey, I do the damn research).

Cover of Night was also a story that went through several changes from the initial outline to the final draft. Unable to formulate a compelling (non-cliche) antagonist, I realized that the "big bad" wasn't a man...it was a woman. One particular scene in chapter five went through several rewrites. And the reason for all this...

I wanted to get it right. Yes, I'm one of many authors who believe that representation matters, and my past writing (especially female characters) has been weak. Or worse, that I've had the "token" woman. Granted, it was a short story with a shorter turnaround time, but I had to back my advocacy with action.

Did I get it right? Probably not. But what matters is that I made the effort. No "just-use-generic-insert-types-here" strategies that other writers have advocated. Writing diverse characters means putting in the effort and making the characters real enough. If I want more than the usual pulp-reading crowd to read my work, I have to make the effort to attract them.

But all in all, AKA The Sinner: Cover of Night should read like a heady mix of Law & Order and Leslie Charteris' The Saint. (And yes, I am planning on checking those books out, why do you ask?) But it's not just a great read (although it's Kindle-only, you can use Amazon's online Kindle reader) at a great price...it's also, in a small way, a huge accomplishment on my part.

And you can find it - with other written works - via my Amazon author page. 

Where Stories Come From: 1950s WESTERN ROUNDUP - Knights of the Silver Cross

(Revised 03/05/2024)

You would think that for a pulp writer, I would work well when writing Westerns. After all, they're merely historical fiction...with a heck of a lot of tropes. Many of which are...well, tricky and possibly problematic. Plus, there's tons of research...and anyone who tells you "too much research can ruin storytelling" hasn't ever really told a story worth telling.

But I managed it once with "Cowboy of the Dakotas" for Pulpternative - creating an alternate history for a well-known historical figure. And much like my last Pro Se story, Hollywood Mystery's "In the Frame", this latest Western tale was at Tommy Hancock's request to help fill out an anthology. The premise of the 1950s Western Roundup anthology was simple: take a well-known Western outlaw and turn him into a hero.

So I embarked on a one-man mission to find several and one of them was Deacon Jim Miller, an infamous hired assassin. He had it all - a dark cloak, a wide-brimmed hat, and a metal chest plate. The story pretty much told itself.

So the next day at Windy City Pulp, my conversation with Tommy goes something like this:

ME: (Gives pitch on the first person I selected)
TOMMY: I think that might be a little too obvious...
ME: How about Deacon Miller as a two-gun avenger?
TOMMY: You mean to give him the Green Hornet treatment?
ME: Precisely!
TOMMY: Write it up, and I'll publish it! 

I wasn't taking notes at the time so I may be exaggerating the details just a bit...

But developing the story was more complicated - I didn't want to do a simple "cowboys and bandits" story but wanted to move towards something a little more complicated. For example, the real Deacon Jim Miller often went to Methodist celebrations on Sunday; I had worked with several Methodist churches in St. Louis and knew about their Social Principles. So giving him a spiritual and moral motivation (with an accompanying Bible quote) felt perfect...especially since I was tired of the "corrupt preacher" trope.

Plotwise, however...well, let me just say this: I was watching a lot of The Wild, Wild West. One of the things that engage me about The Wild, Wild West is how it balances Western and modern (for the 1960s) storytelling tropes - many of the third and fourth season episodes were about corrupt governors taking over territories. However, I opted to mix that with the first season's straightforward pulp pastiches and focused on one man's use of a KKK-like organization to drive people away from...

Well, that would be telling, but suffice it to say, it is historically accurate...and a bit clever. And I based the villain on a man who...well, he was making one particular freelance assignment hell. Gaslighting me to get me to violate my contract. Although the assignment ended (and he was later fired for attempting to undermine the CEO), I had my revenge...that's right, people, mess with me and I will write you into a villain.

(One of my current projects is writing a novella where...um...I'm writing street heroes based on my friends. This means that if you're a Close, Personal Friend of mine, you may be flattered...or insulted).

Writing Westerns is tough, especially since there are so many well-worn clichés and tropes that it's easy to do it wrong. But in every way possible, I think that Knights of the Silver Cross in 1950s Western Roundup does it right. So much so that when Ron Fortier of Airship 27 Productions asked me to expand my short story idea into a novella...

...but that's a story for another time.

And you can find more stories via my Amazon author page. 

Where Stories Come From - DREAMERS SYNDROME:NEW WORLD NAVIGATION

(Revised 03/04/2024)

When you've experienced a prolonged period of unemployment like I have, you gain a thick skin...because most people aren't as sensitive as you are.

(And when I say "you are", I mean "I am.").

Comments about how people don't "work hard enough" to get work, or even well-meaning comments that seem to cut to the bone...it's hard to deal with a tough, hard-boiled world when my character is anything but.

That inspired my story When Angels Fall in Space Buggy Press' anthology Dreamer's Syndrome: New World Navigation. Having met Mark Bousquet (my editor) via the Better in the Dark Facebook group and his blog, I loved the premise of Dreamer's Syndrome: what happens if you wake up dressed like your childhood dream job? So my idea was simple: what if someone who read Sherlock Holmes as a ten-year-old found himself dressed up as a Victorian consulting detective?

One snag - the guidelines made no mention of England, but suggested a psychic geography for the United States. (The East Coast featured superheroes, the Pacific Northwest was a fantasy forest, etc). Noticing that Los Angeles (a city I had visited twice in my youth) was a 1940s-style landscape, and reading Robert Leslie Bellem's Dan Turner, Hollywood Detective stories at the time, it became much easier to flip the premise to a hard-boiled detective.

It was also a great opportunity to flesh out the Los Angeles of the Dreamer's Syndrome universe. Angels became the cops - inscrutable, hidden, and mistrusted by the general populace. (With a bonus of misunderstanding humans: angels consider themselves "divine constructs" whose enforcement arm is called the "Celestial Brigade"). An early draft featured a faded child beauty pageant queen as a librarian; remembering past consulting work with local quinceanera stores, she became a former actress who gained personal satisfaction working as a librarian.

Aspects of my personal life influenced the book....including my lead character's name. A friend served as a model for Shawn, the former junkie turned cartoon bear who serves as an informant. (And yes, you read that last sentence correctly). My Jesuit education allowed me to permeate the story with some subtle (and not-so-subtle) nods....but in naming my lead character, I wanted something that sounded appropriately hard-boiled in tone.  

Thus was born John Brant, aka Ianek Bronotok, a private detective. And yes, I'm more than happy to write more stories - I love hardboiled mysteries. I would love to reenter that world....because there are always more stories to tell.

As of 03/04/2024,  Dreamer's Syndrome: New World Navigation is out of print in both softcover and Kindle. If you can hunt this down, find it. There are some great stories in it, and I'm proud to have been part of this collection. 

You can find this and other works I've written via my Amazon Author Page. Enjoy! 

The DIY Doctor Who DVD Guide

(Updated 06/23/2019) 

Once geek-du-jour, now it is considered one of the greatest franchises in current popular culture. It has left the back streets of PBS late night to the relatively mainstream Sci-Fi Channel. It's also the mainstay of British popular culture, weaving its way into the cultural fabric in a similar way that Star Trek has integrated itself into American pop culture.

I'm talking, of course, about Doctor Who, which is one of the few "franchises" (and I hate that word) which is surviving - and flourishing - well in the early 21st century. But for many, it's difficult to know where to start - after all, the show is equal parts H.G. Wells' The Time Machine and adventure story, meaning that it has a very flexible format. This means any type of story can be told - from space opera to alien invasion, from historical drama to fantasy. (By later introducing the concept of regeneration, the lead role could be recast, often resulting in different personalities driving the storylines). In fact, the only American counterpart I can think of is the 1960's soap opera Dark Shadows...but that's not the focus of this post.

In an attempt to help smooth the transition, this is a quick-and-dirty-but-not-comprehensive guide to Doctor Who DVDs to watch. (earlier, I linked to an infographic that discusses Who in depth, and is worth a quick look) It's not meant to be the final word - certainly, key episodes will be accidentally omitted - but it's a great starting point. (The best entry point for those who are completely new would be, ironically, the 2005 series with Christopher Eccleston. It can be seen on many local PBS stations - including Channel 11 in Chicago - and introduces all of the key concepts of the Doctor Who "mythology" in an easy-to-digest manner). (Plus, fellow blogger Siskoid has assembled this handy guide to the series, and Atomic Anxiety provides a great alternative list for Who).

But in terms of "classic" Who, here are some key discs/sets to consider - at the very least, consider using Netflix to "try before you buy" (and if you order from this page, I get a small percentage to offset domain and other blog-related costs):

William Hartnell, the First Doctor - the Doctor as a crotchety, misanthropic old man. The series was initially meant to be for children only, so many of these stories reflect that.

• In The Beginning - a three-disc boxed set that contains Hartnell's first three stories, including the first Dalek story
• The Aztecs - a prescient tale about cultural acceptance and interfering in history
• Dalek Invasion of Earth - a "sequel" to the first Dalek story and a gritty tale of invasion
• The Time Meddler - the first attempt to meld historical and science fiction....and a harbinger of things to come
• The War Machines - although not perfect, it's a good "contemporary" story that signposts the later UNIT era; more details can be found in this review

Patrick Troughton, the Second Doctor - the Doctor as "cosmic hobo", and often under-appreciated by Who fans (including myself). Like Hartnell, many of his stories are "missing" from the BBC Vaults, (see "The Missing Years" documentary in the Lost In Time collection. However, most Troughton stories on DVD are worth watching, including

• Power of The Daleks - an animated reconstruction from a "lost" episode using the original soundtrack. 
• Tomb of the Cybermen - a formerly "lost" story that lives up to its reputation
• The Ice Warriors - a surprisingly effective "base under siege" story
• The Web of Fear - recently rediscovered; available only via iTunes
• The Invasion - a blueprint for times to come (with two missing episodes animated in Flash).  
• The War Games - Troughton's swan song, and the most "epic" DW story (in my not so humble opinion) 

Jon Pertwee, the Third Doctor - the Doctor as James Bond. Initially starting in exile on Earth, the series began moving towards a "golden age". However, many stories are equally cheesy, so discretion is advised.

• Spearhead from Space - the best post-regeneration/alien invasion story (and available in Blu-Ray July 2013
• The Silurians - an excellent morality tale, and also included in the Beneath the Surface boxed set
• Inferno- a great mix of technothriller, parallel universes (a first for DW), and green ape men.
• Terror of the Autons - the introduction of the Master, the first full-on UNIT story, and a personal favorite
• Day of the Daleks - Now in "special edition" form, it's included only because it was my first ever Who story. A sentimental favorite.
• The Three Doctors - the first multi-Doctor story
• Carnival of Monsters - Robert Holmes' first "great" script
• The Green Death - an eco-friendly tale that, remarkably, improves with age (having rewatched it after this initial post, I have to say...my opinion of this episode has improved) 
• Invasion of the Dinosaurs - Don't let the title or special effects fool you - this is one of the sharpest, most socially-minded stories of the classic era.
  
  
  

Tom Baker, the Fourth Doctor - the Doctor as moody, bohemian eccentric, and much like William Shatner and Star Trek, the actor most identified with the role. His first three years are considered classic; his final four not so much.

• Genesis of the Daleks - a classic about morality and ethics - and possibly the best Dalek story ever
• Pyramids of Mars - A heady brew of Hammer-style horror and science fiction
• The Deadly Assassin- Part political thriller, part science fiction adventure, a major game-changer in Who
• Robots of Death - Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None with robots
• Talons of Weng-Chiang - Robert Holmes' finest hour, and the closest we'll get to the Doctor meeting Sherlock Holmes. It's also my personal favorite Who story.
• Image of the Fendahl - With its overtones of both Quatermass & the Pit and H.P. Lovecraft, this is one of the creepiest Who stories ever made.
• City of Death - maybe the best Doctor Who - classic or modern - ever made (more specific comments can be found here) Plus, a cameo from John Cleese
• Shada - although the story might not be the best, the 3-DVD set is worth owning for the great 1993 documentary More Than 30 Years In the TARDIS
• Logopolis - a multi-layered swan song for Baker's Doctor; part of the New Beginnings boxed set

Peter Davison, the Fifth Doctor - the Doctor as vulnerable, nice guy who made mistakes. Here's where the writing gets somewhat spottier, but there are some choice nuggets.

• Castrovalva - A pretty good regeneration story and part of the New Beginnings set
• The Visitation- It's a mix of science fiction and history (typical DW fare), but done with a little bit of a kick
• Earthshock - an excellent reboot/revamp of an old enemy
• Kinda/Snakedance - both of these stories, written by Christopher Bailey, have strong metaphorical themes and are a bit challenging to watch, but definitely worth the time.
• The Five Doctors - Created for the show's 20th anniversary, this double-disc set (with both the televised and 'special editions" are as close to continuity porn as Doctor Who ever got. 
  

Colin Baker, the Sixth Doctor - the Doctor as a belligerent-yet-lovable blowhard. Due to BBC politics at the time, as well as spotty writing, Colin Baker had way too short a season, but fortunately, Big Finish has some audio productions that utilize the character well.

• Vengeance on Varos - A sharply written satire, and the best-written Colin Baker story (and that is said with very mixed feelings)
• Attack of the Cybermen- Although a little continuity-heavy, the first 45 minutes are really strong. A very underrated story.
• The Two Doctors - a swan song for both Robert Holmes (as screenwriter) and Patrick Troughton (who passed soon after the making of this story) 
• Trial of a Time Lord - A little too politically (at least, in BBC terms) allegorical, but worth a revisit.

Sylvester McCoy, the Seventh Doctor - the Doctor as a dark-hearted, manipulative clown. Just as the stories were beginning to get better, the show was canceled. Don't let that stop you. 

• Remembrance of the Daleks - a great anniversary story, bringing back the mystery of the Doctor...and has just been released in a special edition
• Battlefield - Nicholas Courtney's final outing as Brigadier Alastair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, and will be highlighted in a future Comic Related column.
• Survival - the "final" classic Doctor Who story, which helps the series go out with a bang (albeit a slightly melancholy bang)

Paul McGann, the Eighth Doctor - the Doctor as Byronic hero. Although my initial opinion left much to be desired, I was surprised that the recent DVD has encouraged me to reconsider my position slightly, especially since the special edition DVD has really great special features. I also suggest checking out Big Finish, who has done superb audios featuring the 8th Doctor.

Christopher Eccleston, the Ninth Doctor - the Doctor as PTSD survivor. His only season is available on DVD and is a great jumping-on point for new fans...and a nice, gentle reminder for older fans.

David Tennant - the Tenth Doctor - the Davy-Jones-on-espresso Doctor: All of Tennant's episodes, including the "gap year" specials, are available on DVD

Matt Smith - the Eleventh Doctor: All of Matt Smith's seasons and specials are available on DVD and Blu-Ray.

Peter Capaldi - the Twelfth Doctor: All three of Capaldi's seasons are available on DVD.

Jodie Whittaker - the current Doctor whose first season is available on DVD and Blu-Ray.

Want to purchase any of these fine products? Click one of the links below, or use the search widget below to find your preferred item. You can also find various classic and new series stories available via streaming services like Amazon Prime, Britbox, and Pluto TV.  Various seasons are available on Blu-Ray.

Thanks for visiting, dear readers, and always remember - a "sonic screwdriver" is not Seven-Up and orange juice.