This won't mean much to those who haven't read the code, but I recently joined a team of authors who are working on a new line of anthologies based on classic Pulp heroes--'b' list heroes, but still a lot of fun. I was delighted to learn that one of the authors is Win Scott Eckert, the definitive expert on the Wold Newton Universe, which you may recall is that theoretical universe where ALL of the literary and comic book heroes meet and co-exist.

Win and his counterparts were the very first to propose a link between Delphi (Pacific Vortex) and the classic Pulp icon, Doc Savage(see chapter 4 TCCC.) I'm looking forward to chatting with him about some of the ideas we developed in The Code.

Nick-
Cool project, by "B" list do you mean not Doc? That would be sad, he's one of my favorites, and a clear CC influence.

As a big fan of all things Doc Savage, I saw that link in Pacific Vortex myself, and was happy to see you picked up on it.

I'm pretty sure we all are influenced by the characters, real and near real, that have great meaning for us. Often, I think, it is not a conscious choice.

OL Pete

I'm afraid that's exactly what I mean. Doc Savage, the Shadow and all the rest of the heroes you actually remember from the Golden Age of Adventure, are still licensed to big publishing conglomerates who continue to make money from reprints and merchandising, and who I suspect are waiting for just the right moment to trot out the revival with a new scribe and a high-tech movie franchise.

The heroes I'm working with aren't exactly household names: Secret Agent X, Ki-Gor the Jungle Lord, Doctor Satan, and who could forget, The Black Bat, and Moon Man. However, believe it or, not, these were pretty popular in their day, and some of the series' lasted more than a decade.

All of the guys working on this Pulp anthology are Doc fans like you, Pete, and the influence is definitely felt. A couple of the writers have even penned DS tribute novels--fan fic--which are available free if you know where to look. My latest project involves an unapologetic Doc clone named Jim Anthony, though I have a feeling he is also going to bear a striking resemblence to a certain maritime hero we all know and love.
I'll post updates on the General Forum, especially as my contributions make it to press. Meanwhile, feel free to check out our blog: The Pulp Factory

Nick-
I read the pulp factory blog, and some of the comments. What a good bunch, and a great idea!

I also printed the first chapter of The Devil You Know, to check it out, but will probably buy the Adventure Store version. Great, one more read to keep me from writing.

I have read Magic Mirror and Shroud of Heaven, and liked them both, Shroud probably more.

So pulp makes a big comeback in the internet age. What could be better? I actually came to Clive Cussler via Doc Savage. I worked in oceanography in the pre-computer era, and we spent hundreds of hours at sea reading everything in the ship's library, and Doc was there.

Best of luck with all your endeavors, and that little thing you do keeping the world safe.

OL Pete

It's very true that many things belie or beget our imaginations, going all the way back to the dime novels of the 19th Century. I was watching an episode of Justice League Unlimited and was reminded of another link to that age of pulp/comic fiction of the 30s and 40s with the fighting Blackhawk aviators, a comic book back then. Often when I am in secondhand bookstores I look at the westerns, sci-fi, fantasy, spy stories, mysteries, adventure tales and feel the staple plots as I pick one out and wonder if I should buy one. I often feel that if I do, I will be sucked into buying the entire series of books. The only series I have bought is the western novels by Dana Fuller Ross that are named after the states. I have nearly all the books. p: