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. 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. Featuring stunning cover art by Laura Givens with interior illustrations by Michael Neno. Airship27 is proud to present R.A. Jones’ DEATHWALKER, another original and quality title in the New Pulp movement.
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By Barry Reese
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I've read a number of things by R.A. Jones before, mainly his comics-based reporting and a handful of his actual comics but I wasn't 100% sure what to expect from Deathwalker. I'd heard quite a few comparisons of the book to Robert E. Howard's Conan but I don't that comparison is very fair to the novel. Both Deathwalker and Conan are big blokes with dark hair who stab things but beyond that, there's not much in common. This is a story heavily steeped in Native American (Cheyenne) lore and that gives it a really unique flavor. The opening scene where we see our hero meet Death and become much more (and, in some ways, much less) than he was before was brilliantly written. From there we get to see Deathwalker's family and friends introduced and all of them (particularly his lover, Crow Woman) are very well depicted. It only takes a page or two before you feel like you know and understand them. The action flows freely and Jones shows a distinct flair for keeping the story moving while not skimping on the characterization.
The cover is by Laura Givins, who is kind of hit or miss with me. I've seen some of the covers she's done for Bill Craig's books and really been impressed but other covers haven't resonated with me. This one is kind of in the middle -- I like her depiction of Deathwalker but the cover looks almost like it's a detail from a larger work -- I'm sure it's not but it felt like I was looking at something that was cut out from a cooler image. The interior art is by Michael Neno and while I do like the work itself, I don't think it's really suited for this novel. It looked too "comic book" for such a serious tale.
The cover proclaims that a new fantasy legend is born and I admit that I'm curious to see where R.A. Jones could carry the character in future tales. This was a definite change of pace from most fantasy that I've read.
The cover is by Laura Givins, who is kind of hit or miss with me. I've seen some of the covers she's done for Bill Craig's books and really been impressed but other covers haven't resonated with me. This one is kind of in the middle -- I like her depiction of Deathwalker but the cover looks almost like it's a detail from a larger work -- I'm sure it's not but it felt like I was looking at something that was cut out from a cooler image. The interior art is by Michael Neno and while I do like the work itself, I don't think it's really suited for this novel. It looked too "comic book" for such a serious tale.
The cover proclaims that a new fantasy legend is born and I admit that I'm curious to see where R.A. Jones could carry the character in future tales. This was a definite change of pace from most fantasy that I've read.
As a fan of Sword and Sorcery, action based fantasy, and anything new and unique, I was caught by the write up I read about Deathwalker. But I was also a little worried. Comparisons to Howard and Burroughs have fallen flat before.
So it was with a little trepidation that I purchased this book.
Was I wrong to worry!!!
Deathwalker is an excellent story that has everything that I look for in an action fantasy story. The main character has depth that one does not usually expect in such a story. The setting is one that was based on a real knowledge of the beliefs and myths of the Cheyenne people. and there is, imo, the perfect mix of action and explaination. All in all I have to say that R. A. Jones has created the first volume of a hopeful series that I will be happy to follow over the years.
So it was with a little trepidation that I purchased this book.
Was I wrong to worry!!!
Deathwalker is an excellent story that has everything that I look for in an action fantasy story. The main character has depth that one does not usually expect in such a story. The setting is one that was based on a real knowledge of the beliefs and myths of the Cheyenne people. and there is, imo, the perfect mix of action and explaination. All in all I have to say that R. A. Jones has created the first volume of a hopeful series that I will be happy to follow over the years.
TIPPIN' HANCOCK'S HAT- Reviews of All Things Pulp by Tommy Hancock
It is always exciting when a New Pulp character debuts. It's also a great thing when writers, especially those known in other mediums, make their way into the New Pulp field. In the instance of this Airship 27 release, DEATHWALKER, both of these events have occurred. Deathwalker, the central character of the book, is the creation of R. A. Jones, a writer known largely for his comic work. This is one of two New Pulp works that Jones has had debut in the month of February.
But there's a third neat occurrence that I like to see happen as well that DEATHWALKER also takes advantage of.
In DEATHWALKER, Jones mines a field of inspiration and creativity that I think we as New Pulp writers all too often either completely overlook or just steal bits and pieces from intend of wrapping ourselves in it whole cloth. That is, the rich tapestry that so many ancient civilizations, religions, and mythologies offer to creators to draw stories and new adventures from. Why more New Pulpsters aren't stepping off into the catastrophic cacophony of myths and the screwed up creatures that inhabit them is a mystery to me. Jones does not shy away from that at all, setting his entire tale squarely in Native American mythology, particularly that of the Cheyenne, Deathwalker's tribe.
The story centers around the title character who, when he was known as High Bird, experienced a rite of passage common to many aboriginal races world wide, that of the vision quest. In his fevered quest, High Bird is visited by Death itself and marked forever more to be a Hero, but also a Bringer of Death. It will follow him, He will cause it, He will be surrounded by it, respected because of it, and feared for it even by those who love him. Taking the name Deathwalker, he becomes the leader of the Dog Soldiers, a band of warriors within his tribe and serves in many ways as the protector of his people.
The action of the story erupts when a band of young Cheyenne braves steal ponies from a nearby Pawnee tribe. The shaman of the Pawnees, Stands Alone, takes great offense to this and begins a quest to wreak his revenge on the Cheyenne. Never one to back down, Deathwalker confronts the shaman, heaps a few insults on to the old man himself, and thus begins a war between the two men that involves wolf men, centaurs, flying pestilence, snake women, and so many more concepts and characters drawn straight from Native American beliefs. Not only that, but Jones insures that his characters authentically use rituals and observe customs common to the featured tribes, even so much so that one such custom plays a pivotal role in the story's resolution.
DEATHWALKER has a lot to offer. It is peopled with realistic characters while also being filled with fantastic magic and awesomely conceived mythical beasts. Although the story telling is ponderous toward the beginning, it quickly gets beyond that and rolls fairly nonstop until the last page. Also, there's a device used toward the end of the book that sort of distracted me, took me out of the flow. But overall, it was a solid read and fantastic story.
The interior art by Neno (that I was able to see in the PDF copy I had) stood out and was a fantastic rendition of the action in the book. The Laura Givens cover was a mixed bag for me. The central figure of Deathwalker was striking, but the surroundings and whatever lay in front of him seemed muddled and less clearly defined. The overall design of the book, however, is top notch and makes a great package.
DEATHWALKER has been called 'a Native American Conan'. I don't think that's what I read. The central character here had a code of honor and a direction much more specific and inherent than Robert E. Howard's barbarian. This struck me more as a Native American Hercules or Perseus and the story flowed with a more traditional Greek or Roman mythological pacing as well. But, that is no way a negative at all. I actually find the depth that Jones worked into this tale its strongest point.
FOUR OUT OF FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT-DEATHWALKER runs the gamut of well told, fast paced, great mythological fun! Well worth the read!
It is always exciting when a New Pulp character debuts. It's also a great thing when writers, especially those known in other mediums, make their way into the New Pulp field. In the instance of this Airship 27 release, DEATHWALKER, both of these events have occurred. Deathwalker, the central character of the book, is the creation of R. A. Jones, a writer known largely for his comic work. This is one of two New Pulp works that Jones has had debut in the month of February.
But there's a third neat occurrence that I like to see happen as well that DEATHWALKER also takes advantage of.
In DEATHWALKER, Jones mines a field of inspiration and creativity that I think we as New Pulp writers all too often either completely overlook or just steal bits and pieces from intend of wrapping ourselves in it whole cloth. That is, the rich tapestry that so many ancient civilizations, religions, and mythologies offer to creators to draw stories and new adventures from. Why more New Pulpsters aren't stepping off into the catastrophic cacophony of myths and the screwed up creatures that inhabit them is a mystery to me. Jones does not shy away from that at all, setting his entire tale squarely in Native American mythology, particularly that of the Cheyenne, Deathwalker's tribe.
The story centers around the title character who, when he was known as High Bird, experienced a rite of passage common to many aboriginal races world wide, that of the vision quest. In his fevered quest, High Bird is visited by Death itself and marked forever more to be a Hero, but also a Bringer of Death. It will follow him, He will cause it, He will be surrounded by it, respected because of it, and feared for it even by those who love him. Taking the name Deathwalker, he becomes the leader of the Dog Soldiers, a band of warriors within his tribe and serves in many ways as the protector of his people.
The action of the story erupts when a band of young Cheyenne braves steal ponies from a nearby Pawnee tribe. The shaman of the Pawnees, Stands Alone, takes great offense to this and begins a quest to wreak his revenge on the Cheyenne. Never one to back down, Deathwalker confronts the shaman, heaps a few insults on to the old man himself, and thus begins a war between the two men that involves wolf men, centaurs, flying pestilence, snake women, and so many more concepts and characters drawn straight from Native American beliefs. Not only that, but Jones insures that his characters authentically use rituals and observe customs common to the featured tribes, even so much so that one such custom plays a pivotal role in the story's resolution.
DEATHWALKER has a lot to offer. It is peopled with realistic characters while also being filled with fantastic magic and awesomely conceived mythical beasts. Although the story telling is ponderous toward the beginning, it quickly gets beyond that and rolls fairly nonstop until the last page. Also, there's a device used toward the end of the book that sort of distracted me, took me out of the flow. But overall, it was a solid read and fantastic story.
The interior art by Neno (that I was able to see in the PDF copy I had) stood out and was a fantastic rendition of the action in the book. The Laura Givens cover was a mixed bag for me. The central figure of Deathwalker was striking, but the surroundings and whatever lay in front of him seemed muddled and less clearly defined. The overall design of the book, however, is top notch and makes a great package.
DEATHWALKER has been called 'a Native American Conan'. I don't think that's what I read. The central character here had a code of honor and a direction much more specific and inherent than Robert E. Howard's barbarian. This struck me more as a Native American Hercules or Perseus and the story flowed with a more traditional Greek or Roman mythological pacing as well. But, that is no way a negative at all. I actually find the depth that Jones worked into this tale its strongest point.
FOUR OUT OF FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT-DEATHWALKER runs the gamut of well told, fast paced, great mythological fun! Well worth the read!
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