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B.C. Bell

Tales of the Bagman Paperback – September 3, 2010

by B. C. Bell (Author), Kelly Everaert (Illustrator), Laura Givens (Illustrator)

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Old Chicago has a new hero, the Bagman. Created by writer B.C. Bell, the Bagman is former gangster Frank McCullough who goes straight and becomes a crime buster to protect the good people of the Windy City. These stories mix fast paced action and humor in the finest pulp tradition. Designed by Rob Davis, this first volume features interior illustrations by Kelly Everaert and a gorgeous cover by Laura Givens. Produced by Airship 27 Productions.

Print length

164 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Cornerstone Book Publishers
Publication date

September 3, 2010
Dimensions

5.98 x 0.38 x 9.02 inches
ISBN-10

193493576X
ISBN-13

978-1934935767
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cornerstone Book Publishers (September 3, 2010)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 164 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 193493576X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1934935767
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.98 x 0.38 x 9.02 inches

Customer Reviews:
5 ratings

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B. C. Bell

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B. C. Bell writes Crime, Horror, Science, and Pulp Fiction. His short story "How Pappy Got Five Acres Back and Calvin Stayed on the Farm," is an SFReader.com Award Winner. His first novel, TALES OF THE BAGMAN is a roaring 1930's pulp thriller about a mobster forced to don a mask. His latest, BIPOLAR EXPRESS is the story of mentally ill men trying to survive, sometimes humorously, sometimes savagely, in a an abandoned city as the magnetic poles switch. Bell has written adventures for many pulp heroes, including The Avenger, Secret Agent X, and Dan Fowler G-Man. His work has ranged in influence from Dashiell Hammett and H. P. Lovecraft to Demons, Werewolves and Psychologists. He is currently awaiting release of the second Bagman novel, VERSUS THE WORLD, and, as always, working on his next novel, and another pulp novella featuring a character far too mysterious to name. Bell lives in Chicago (and occasionally shows up for readings). Look him up on Facebook [www.facebook.com/B.C.Bell.Writes] or his blog [www.chicagobagman.blogspot.com].

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Lokisgirl80

I really loved the relationship between Crankshaft

Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2016

Tales of the Bagman by B.C Bell is a book I listened to on audiobook.
Set in the 1930s Frank McCullough works for the mob but decides to protect the people of Chicago instead. Frank puts a bag over his head in order to hide his identity and calls himself 'The Bagman' evoking fear in his enemies which just happen to be the people he originally worked for after an incidence involving his uncle.
I really loved the relationship between Crankshaft, who is an auto salesman and Frank. In a way Crankshaft is his sidekick but also keeps him in check and grounded. Crankshaft is a father figure to Frank and is loyal to no end. I really enjoyed their humour.
I was glad I listened to Tales of the Bagman on audiobook rather than reading it. If I'm completely honest,if it wasn't for the narrator, Roberto Scarlato bringing the story to life and keeping me entertained with numerous character voices and his easy listening voice I don't know if I would have finished the book. Mr Scarlato has a way of bringing you into the world of 1930s Chicago with voices that I've only heard before from one of my all time favourite movies ever, The Untouchables. He brings all the characters to life that you will feel as if they are all real people existing today and forget that it's set over 80 years ago. You will be so enthralled by his voice that you won't want the story to end then you'll sigh and say 'now what'll I read/listen to?'
A great read for anyone who loves a good mob/ vigilante story laced with loyalty and humour.

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Joe Bonadonna

Crime in the streets of Depression Era Chicago

Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2012

Author B Chris Bell was born and raised in Texas, and now lives somewhere in Chicago. I was born and raised in Chicago, and still live here. But Bell writes about Chicago as if he were born and raised here. Heck, he knows more about 1930s Chicago than I do! And that's the period in which he's set his wonderful novel, Tales of the Bagman: 1933 Chicago, during the last days of Prohibition.

The Bagman is one Frank "Mac" McCullough, a one-time courier and thug for a crime family during the First Great Depression. At an early age Mac's life took a major turn when he became an orphan, spent time in a reformatory, and then later got involved in the rackets. But he's always had a core of decency and honesty buried in his heart. So when he chooses to help and old family friend who got in hock to the Mob, Mac turns his back on crime and his Boss, Slots Lurie, and suddenly finds himself taking another turn on the road of life. In a last-minute decision to conceal his identity from the wiseguys he's hunting, Mac dons a paper bag over his head, and soon he's known as the mysterious Bagman. (Later he acquires a mask more appropriate to being a man of mystery, crime-fighting avenger.) And then, in the first part of this origin story, he becomes a fugitive wanted by both the Mob and the police.

At the center of this nicely-plotted, well-written, and exciting novel is Mac's wonderful, endearing personality. He's a good guy to have at your back, a good friend. And unlike most characters of this sort, he doesn't always use his brains --- which makes him all the more human and believable. What sets this novel apart, besides Bell's ability to tell a good story and develop solid characters, is Mac's friendship with a black mechanic and garage owner named Antoine "Crankshaft" Jones, a WWI hero and winner of the French Medal of Honor. Crankshaft has known Mac since Mac was a kid, and while he may play the part of reluctant sidekick, his relationship with Mac is one of equals, and more than that, the WWI vet is Mac's father-figure -- and even more than that, Crankshaft is often the brains, the logic, the reason that keeps Mac from going off the deep end, literally, into the Chicago River, if ya gets my drift, y'know? Their relationship is tight: they're friends who go wining and dining and hanging out in public -- a rarity in stories set in this period, and a rarity in real-life 1930s. Their affection and loyalty to each other is shown through the many battles against the Mob they -- or rather Mac -- get them into. Their repartee is rapid-fire, and the humor explodes off the pages along with the action, danger, and gun shots. There's even time for a little romance for Crankshaft, in the form of one lovely lady named Coco.

This is hard-boiled crime fiction, pulp fiction at it's best, with a flavor of old Chicago that recalled to my mind all the stories my Mom and Dad used to tell me. It rings so vivid and true you can smell the bootlegged booze, the old Chicago stockyards, and feel the breeze of the Windy City coming in off of Lake Michigan. I know many of the streets and locations where this novel takes place, and it added an extra dimension to my enjoyment. Mac the Bagman and Crankshaft Jones are a 2-man team of Untouchables, fighting crime in a souped-up, 1933 Graham "Blue Streak" Eight that Mac stole from gangster Slots Lurie. But his "monthly" payments are quite heavy, though, as poor Mac takes a lot of beatings and comes thisclose to death during many a tussle with the wiseguys. But somehow he always manages to bounce back in time to bounce the heads of the bad guys off the sidewalk and a few innocent walls.

Trust me, this is an offer you can't refuse.

And yes, Chris Bell, I would be interested in reading how Mac would handle Dillinger at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair.

--- Joe Bonadonna, author of MAD SHADOWS: THE WEIRD TALES OF DORGO THE DOWSER

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Mighty Tom

Chicago Pulp Action!

Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2012

B.C. Bell's Tales of the Bagman is another great title from Airship 27, one of the pre-eminent publishers of New Pulp Fiction. Bell is a Chicago writer and this book is a real winner. Set in the mid 30s in Chicago, Frank "Mac" McCullough works for Chicago's mob and breaks legs for a living. But when he has to rough up his uncle he has second thoughts. He takes action of a different type as The Bagman - a vigilante with a bag over his face to conceal his identity. Now he's working for the underdog; guys like his uncle. Labeled "The Bagman" by the press, McCullough commences with a campaign to rid Chicago of lawlessness, and that's when this book really kicks into high gear. B.C. (Byron Christopher or "Chris" to his friends) Bell has written an incredibly entertaining novel. The setting, characters and plot all flow seamlessly. Bell is an imaginative, imagistic writer which is the style I've always favored. He slips in this deft characterizations and images with the slippery ease of a boxing pro: "Coco blew smoke out of perfect, cupid bow lips."(p.47). Indeed, Miss Coco Blue is but one of numerous characters that come alive with Bell's vivid prose. And there are Crankshaft, an auto salesman and suddenly willing ally for The Bagman; Slots Lurie, Wheezy, Sammy the Scar and many others. Also of note is Bell's knowledge and research about Chicago. The city plays a character, too, albeit as a stage setting, but vital nonetheless. This is Capone's town and its Capone's era, or at least the tail end of it. Those familiar with Chicago will recognize places like The Green Mill which during this period catered to an entirely different clientele. Tales of the Bagman is loaded with historical details and locations which made it all the more fun to read. I'm tagging B.C. Bell's Tales of the Bagman as one of the top New Pulp Fiction titles I read this past year. I suggest you put this title at the top of your Christmas shopping list. B.C. Bell's Tales of the Bagman is a keeper!

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Tales of the Bagman Paperback – September 3, 2010

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