1977 |
A little-known Challengers item, the Challengers had their own full-fledged novel that came out in 1977. It did NOT support a movie deal, as was sometimes reported. It was simply an attempt to cross-market some DC adventure characters. Blackhawk was a similar venture (see below). The story introduces some new elements - Rocky is a vegetarian, for instance. The Challs run to South America to investigate Zarpa, the Claw. In Creature of the Black Lagoon fashion, Zarpa has been tearing up locals and explorers. Bad guys stand in the way, of course, in this case Nazis in hiding. The opening has the Challs out on solo vacations, and each withstands an attempt on his life. Comparing notes, they rush to South America and smack into trouble: the monster, a booby-trapped fort, young Nazis with old tattoos (frozen and revived?). The action is fast and furious, the wisecracks fun, the characters in character. A fun read for a Challs adventure in a different format with a lovely painted cover - their only one. Ron Goulart was kind enough to explain more about the book's origin. |
[Ron writes] This is the first time I've heard about any movie deal. As I recall, Jim Frenkel, then an editor at Dell, wanted to do a couple of series based on DC properties. One was the Challs, the other Blackhawk. He asked me to do the Challengers. I wrote the one novel, but sales were apparently not impressive enough to inspire Dell to continue. Somebody else was to write the Blackhawk series, but I don't think that ever even got to one novel. [It did. See below.] Years back I mentioned in a fanzine interview that I was able to use experience gained in doing a dozen Avengers novels for Warner Books in putting together the Challs novel. This somehow led to a rumor that the Challs novel was the 13th Avengers book revised. Such was not the case. I had also done a half dozen Phantom novels, which made me at the time the expert on heroes in purple suits. Thanks for the interest. It's nice to see the cover on the Net. Best, |
Comment There was a BLACKHAWK novel by William Rotsler, though it didn't come out until 1982. The blurb says, "The Nazi War Eagle will not rule the skies as long as there is... Blackhawk." Fans recommend it as full of action and sparse on characterization. The book also gives logical explanations of the 'Hawks' funding, island, and more. |
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