The Wraith novel. #1 in The Wraith Dread Avenger of the Underworld series

Hybrid Superhero Pulp Fun

"Are you a fan of classic pulp characters like the Shadow, the Spider and Doc Savage, as well as comic characters like the Batman and the Phantom? If the answer is yes, then you're going to love The Wraith. What works so well for me with this character is it borrows my favorite elements from the classic pulp characters that normally only work as period pieces, while blending elements of the comic-book fantasy elements (akin to the wonderful 1970s Batman stories). Throw in some James Bond gadget moments, and it somehow works in a contemporary setting. The story of the Wraith takes place in a fictional American metropolis called Metro City, described in the first page of the novel as " a hothouse of evil an corruption." There is only one man who stands a chance of saving this city from itself and delivering it's decent citizens from a gruesome fate: the Wraith, Dread Avenger of the Underworld! The novel is well paced and is split into two parts. The first time I read this novel was when it was originally released. After a few years, I found my way back to the character's website, ... , and saw that more adventures had been written. Remembering the first novel fondly, I placed the order for the remaining books and freshened up on the character by reading it a second time, and it holds up. I've already cracked open his second adventure, "Valley of Fear" (Amazon review to follow) and this novel seems like it may surpass the first." Jonathan Bunting - Wednesday, 11 December 2024

Love Letter to Classic Pulp Fiction

"The author clearly has an undying love for classic pulp fiction heroes like The Shadow or Doc Savage and has incorporated this into his own serial character, The Wraith. What I found really refreshing was that like his 1930s inspirations he is a character with a strong code that does not allow him to kill. When he catches villains he exposes them to The Eyes of Judgement, an amulet that makes everyone see and experience all their past crimes and misdemeanours and the pain and hurt those caused, an experience that leaves most psychologically shattered and unable to continue their life of crime. But aren't dark heroes more realistic, I hear you say? Well, they were at a time. Now, however, those psychotic (anti-)heroes have become a boring cliché that has overstayed its welcome for quite some time so I found this throwback to a more innocent kind of ethos a nice change of pace." Holger Haase - Wednesday, 11 December 2024