Seduction of the Innocent by Max Allan Collins
| 14 April, 2013 | Posted by Erik Carlson under Reviews |
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Seduction of the Innocent
Max Allan Collins
Hard Case Crime
I was working for a rare book dealer when I came across a volume of the 1955 U.S. Congress Committee on the Judiciary Volume of Juvenile Delinquency: Comic Books, Motion Pictures, Obscene and Pornographic Materials, and Television Programs. It was a volume (some 1,000 pages) of committee transcriptions dealing with how these monstrosities will infect American youth like some horrible drug. It sought to curb the temptation set up by the comic industry by making crime and evil so damn seductive. For impact, there are transcripts from purveyors, priests, parents, and victims.
My favorite bit comes from the Code of Comics Magazine Association of America (adopted 26 Oct. 1954):
“The comic-book medium, having come of age on the American cultural scene, must measure up to its responsibilities…
To make a positive contribution to contemporary life , the industry must seek new areas for developing sound, wholesome entertainment.”
Of course transcipts continue to allude to an American tradition of decency and fairness. Since most of these Senators are from Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, and Texas, and this is pre-60′s Civil Rights, I was never sure whose vision of American tradition they wanted preserved. I can make good solid guesses though.
Anyway, when I saw that Max Allan Collins was releasing his third Jack and Maggie Starr novel through Hard Case Crime I was pretty damned thrilled. When it was revealed that it would be a fictional attack on Dr. Frederick Wertham (the McCarthy of Comic Books) I was down-right ecstatic. Wertham firmly believed that he could save the world from the savagery of comic-books and did his best to see the industry crippled. He would save The Children by waging a war on a magazine stands of filth threatening to destroy a generation of adolescents. So, an imaginary comeuppence at the hands of master story teller Max Allan Collins seemed like the best possible way to spend a few hours.
And it was.
Collins’ original fiction is a blast and I cannot speak enough about my love of his work. Quarry and Ms Tree are two of my all time favorite characters. His CSI tie-in novels are better than the shows. Hell, I even read the novelization of Waterworld because his name was on it. But his historical fiction rises above ‘em all. I find them so in-depth, well researched, and well-crafted, that I wish history teachers took such care and love for the eras they talk about. Sure, I know that this is fiction. I’m not pretending much of this is real, but I know that he creates such a gorgeous overview of the time that it drips with realism.
The most shocking part though, is the care that Collins takes to create Dr. Werner Frederick (the fictionalized Wertham) as a victim. Collins recognizes that in order to have a true crime the reader must give at least one care about the victim’s untimely death: Otherwise, most of the comic community would probably cheer, applaud, and stop reading midway through. Collins’ job, to make a victim of an industry’s greatest nemesis (until Tipper Gore of course) is nigh impossible. Especially considering that whenever the Starrs are on the page all attention turns to them (I’m convinced he could write a Russian play with just these two bantering and I’d read it). Not only does Frederick’s death need to mean something, but it should also seem more important than the charisma of the protagonists. It is the moment when Dr. Frederick is in his inner-city office confronting a boy with a knife that Collins wields his power as an author. It is a moment which highlights the fact that as misguided and destructive as Wertham was, he was still human.
Seduction of the Innocent is an absolute must-read for a fan of comic history, wise-cracking investigators, and fans of historical fiction.
Fan Service # 5 – 1980
| 10 April, 2013 | Posted by Erik Carlson under podcast |
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No. 13 Baby – The Pixies
request for Brooke Hensley
Eye of Fatima (pt. 1) – Camper Van Beethoven
I have a soft spot for the Drugstore Cowboy-esq depravity of this song. There is a particularly brilliant storytelling moment when David Lowery sings about these mules being “a government experiment…to give some cowboys some acid” where the production dips into a psychedelic wave and recovers as if it was only the shadow of a hallucination. Brilliant songwriting.
I’ve always felt that The Mountain Goats track “Beat the Devil” was some sort of indirect sequel. There aren’t, to my knowledge, many songs about carting drugs across the US, so my thesis may be weak, but I think its valid. If there are other songs about drug trafficking that aren’t on the Miami Vice soundtrack, give me a message. I may have another show on my hands.
Other Voices – The Cure
request by Mark Brown
Nowhere Fast – The Smiths
Meat is Murder is The Smiths best album. I offer no supporting assertions, because none are needed. This is inarguable.
The cover is one of my top ten as well. Any argument? Bring it to the comment section.
(more…)
Hard Case Essentials Part II
| 6 April, 2013 | Posted by Erik Carlson under Books and Authors, Reviews |
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Long ago I started a list of some absolute must-owns from Hard Case Crime. With a bevy of great new novels coming out in the next six months, I thought I’d help you build a back catalogue.
5. Deadly Beloved by Max Allan Collins
I love Max Allan Collins and of his two greatest protagonists, the first is Ms Tree.
There aren’t enough Ms. Trees in the world. This is her only prose novel but you can ebay the comics. Its worth it.
4. Fright by Cornell Woolrich
Set in 1915, this ye olde crime noir is high on suspense and .. Fright. Here an ‘Everyman’s’ error leads to murder in this, one of Hard Case’s darkest and most compelling reprints.
3. The First Quarry by Max Allan Collins
Quarry is a hitman hunting hitman (and my absolut favorite Collins creation). What I love about this series is the pure ethos. We watch Quarry hunt and stalk his prey with the vigor of a African big game hunter and believe this is the life of a hitman. Don’t look for the ‘Heart of Gold’ part, Quarry is one of the biggest and most vicious bad-asses since Parker. I will say that I can’t help but grabbing a can of Coke and sandwich every time I pick up a Quarry book. Read it, you’ll see.
2. Memory by Donald Westlake
Not necessarily noir or hardboiled, this, Westlake’s last novel, is a moving tale about a man attempting to rebuild his life after a near death beating. Advertisers used to scream ‘not for the feint of heart’, but this one is for the tough guy with too much heart.
1. Somebody Owes Me Money by Donald Westlake
Life sucks for cabbie Chet Conway, but when a horse pays off he thinks he’s on easy street. Until his bookie ends up dead and life starts to suck even worse. This comic novel from Westlake is the book I give to people starting out in noir. It contains all of the elements of a great crime drama, but with an ability to laugh at the ridiculousness of the genre. Damn, I love this book. Plus, it has one of the sexiest covers of the Hard Case line…except this one…
I mean, who doesn’t love a paramilitary gal?
Bibliodiscoteque XXX Ep #4 – Tiki P.I. in Three Dead Dogs at Makapuu
| 28 March, 2013 | Posted by Erik Carlson under Comics, podcast |
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Bibliodiscoteque Presents: X’ploitation X’plosion X’perience #4
Come one, come all (above the age of 18) to another installment of Bibliodiscoteque XXX, a new show featuring soundtracks for films comics that don’t exist. The concept for this show began as a challenge to myself and good friend to create a fake movie with a soundtrack that reached beyond our typical setlists, but quickly evolved into this hour of purely fictional audible entertainment.
For this show, however, I present a Tiki P.I. – Hawaii’s Only Supernatural Detective. This is a real book, with real pages, and a real plot. I’ll have issues available soon, but you can catch me at Asbury Comic Con this coming weekend.
Rage well,
Tiki P.I. – Three Dead Dogs at Makapuu
The Man from ENIGMA – The Kilaueas – Professor Volcanova
Danger Man – Steve Ital – Wicked Roots
You’ve Got Your Troubles – Desmond Dekker – Rudy Got Soul
Caramba! – Speedball Jr. – U69
Big Wave Riders – Los Coronas – El Baile Final De Los Locos…
Walk Together, Surf Together – Hawaii Samurai – The Shape of Surf to Come
Lipstick Twang – Messer Chups – Surf Riders from the Swamp Lagoon
XXX (Horny & Kinky) – Dr. Frankenstein – …In the 4th Dimension
Out Tonight! –Dead Elvis and His One Man Grave – Dig ‘em Up
I Was a Teenage Werewolf – The Cramps – Songs the Lord Taught Us
Primeval – Dynamite Pussy Club – The Church of Yeah!
Night of the Face – Satan’s Pilgrims – Psychsploitation
Hawaiian Hound – Texas Northside Kings – Texas Northside
Werewolf Boogie- The Ripmen – From Punk to Rockabilly
Your Demons Will Be Running – King Sickabilly – Weird Sounds From the Underground
My Girlfriend is a Werewolf – Thee Gravemen – Noises from the Hideout
Killer Wolf – Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Plastic Fang
Tiki Please Me! – Los Tiki Phantoms – Y el Ejército de las Calaveras
Quick Note that the library will open again soon.
| 27 March, 2013 | Posted by Erik Carlson under podcast |
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I installed a new podcast generator and have to transfer the older shows to the feed.
I’m at Asbury Comic Con this weekend and hope to get to it soon.
Tiki PI this weekend
| 27 March, 2013 | Posted by Erik Carlson under Books and Authors, Comics |
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Co-creator and artist Bill Hewitt’s opening page
Hello Bibliodiscophiles!
Sorry I have been away so much recently, but I’m busy putting the finishing touches on the Tiki PI short story and special edition of X.X.X which you can get by picking up a copy of the book.
Who is Tiki PI and why should I care?
Tiki PI is Hawaii’s only supernatural detective. He’s a cross between Steve McGarrett and Dolemite.
Together with his partner, Hunter the Owl, they rid the islands of evildoers, ride the waves of justice, and bed the secretaries of the police dept. Bizarre Men for Bizarre Times.
Well, any way here are some shots from the book and pin-ups. If you happen to be in New Jersey this weekend swing by the table and say ‘hi’.
Johnny Destructo does the cover to the short story.
Limited Edition Tiki PI Fan Club Buttons
Designed by Bill Hewitt
Fan Service – Love and Hate
| 23 March, 2013 | Posted by Erik Carlson under podcast |
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I’m Your Man – Leonard Cohen – Cohen Live (for Brooke Hensley)
Picture In A Frame – Tom Waits – Mule Variations
In Spite Of Me - Morphine – Cure For Pain
Good Bye – Benny Goodman – Benny Goodman (for Vivian Raine)
Oh Oh I Love Her So - The Ramones – Leave Home
Ever Fallen In Love? - The Buzzcocks – These People Are Nuts!
Sweet – Tullycraft – Old Traditions, New Standards
Will Work For Food – The Halo Benders – God Don’t Make No Junk
Whole Wide World – Wreckless Eric – Greatest Stiffs
You Mean Nothing To Me – Jay Reatard - Single (for Roberto Milic)
I Don’t Like You – Stiff Little Fingers – Nobody’s Heroes
I Love You – Black Flag – My War (for Sam Cowan)
Some Kinda Hate – The Misfits – Box Set – Disc 2
Wish Me Well - The Bouncing Souls – Hopeless Romantic (for Johnny Destructo)
Shut Your Mouth – The Singing Loins -The Complete And Utter
You Make Me Sick – Satan’s Rats – Punk Rock Rarities Vol 2
Hate, Rain on Me – Andrew Jackson Jihad – Knife Man
I Don’t Like No One – The Peacocks – Angel
My Guitar Wants to Kill Your Mama – The Mothers of Invention -
Weasels Ripped My Flesh (For Tess)
The Hard Bounce – Todd Robinson
| 21 March, 2013 | Posted by Erik Carlson under Books and Authors, Reviews |
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The Hard Bounce
Todd Robinson
Tyrus Books
This book is begging for an all Boston punk/hardcore episode of Bibliodiscoteque
A young girl is missing. Her father, fearful the scandal will rock his mayoral bid, hires two bouncers to find her and bring her home. What ensues is a brass-knuckle tour of Boston through the eyes of men who know what rocks to look under.
Protagonist Boo Malone and partner Junior are chivalrous tough guys, hardcore knights defending their lands but never falling into the realm of unlikable brutes – even when they are slamming a fist into a drunk’s face in front of his kids. Their appeal, in that opening scene, is immediate and allows us to vicariously react to every drunken slob we’ve endured; Pure perfect projection.
This connection to Boo and Junior ‘s actions become frustrating when the case begins and we are forced to watch as they stumble violently about looking for clues. Boo’s quest reminded me of Westlake novels in which neophyte detectives make every effort to stay ahead of the con. The end result is an overwhelming desire to play armchair private-eye as Boo constantly make matters worse through assaults and repeated poor decisions. It is nerve-wracking and page-turning. I spent half the book wondering if Robinson would actually allow his protagonist to fail.
Boo and Junior are blue-collar heroes with torn up knuckles and faded blue jeans. Their world is filled with knocking heads, throttling junkies, and cleaning puke. They are men attempting to feed a future on a past fueled by brutality. They know they are being played but unsure of how to avoid it. The Hard Bounce feels all the more real for it. In a post-Spencer/Eddie Coyle world, Robinson puts Boston back on the map. I can only hope that this is the start of a brutal-ful new series.
Boston used to have places like The Hard Bounces’ Cellar. I saw many shows there, too.
Naked Raygun
| 18 March, 2013 | Posted by Erik Carlson under Uncategorized |
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I dig Naked Raygun.
But for some reason it never dawned on me that their name is a play on the Sex Pistols.
I feel foolish.
