Created by Henry Barajas & Rachel Merrill Set against the backdrop of June 1943 Los Angeles, Death to Pachuco is a five-issue comic mini-series (later a graphic novel) from Image worth investigating. The US has just entered World War II, but tensions — racial, political, cultural, economic — are ratcheting up back home, particularly in … Continue reading Ricardo “Ricky” Tellez (Death to Pachuco)
Tag: Southern California
Sammy & Ethel Abbott
Created by James R. Langham (1912-99) Yet another detecting couple, apparently married to it, SAMMY and ETHEL ABBOTT appeared in two clever, lightly humorous, noir-tinged novels, Sing a Song of Homicide (1940) and A Pocketful of Clues (1941). Sammy was a special investigator for the Santa Monica DA — a quasi-legal private eye who carries … Continue reading Sammy & Ethel Abbott
V. Daniel
Created by David M. Pierce Pseudonyms include Milton (1932--) " 'Voila,' I said. 'That's French for something' " — Write Me a Letter I always sorta thought of David M. Pierce's VIC DANIEL as a stretched-out Shell Scott for the nineties. Although he wore his big crazy heart on his sleeve, he shared an attitude … Continue reading V. Daniel
Ace Carpenter
Created by Hamilton T. Caine Pseudonym of Stephen Smoke (1949--) "Her spirits, as well as her tits and ass, were beginning to sag more than a little." -- Caine tries to do Chandler in Hollywood Heroes. ACE CARPENTER is a Southern California P. I. created by Hamilton T. Caine (actually Stephen Smoke, founder and editor … Continue reading Ace Carpenter
Justine Poole
Created by Thomas Perry In the 2024 standalone Hero, Thomas Perry, creator of Jane Whitfield, gives us another strong, resourceful female. But JUSTINE POOLE isn't a "guide," shepherding people into a new life under new identities. Nope, Justine—we eventually fid out—has already done that. Not that it matters—it's her present life, as a personal security … Continue reading Justine Poole
Leo Bloodworth & Serendipity Dahlquist
Created by Dick Lochte Call it tongue-in-cheek noir, I guess. SoCa gumshoe LEO BLOODWORTH talks tough and drinks hard, and the last thing in the world he thinks he wants is some smartass, roller-blading 14-year old girl for a partner. But when SERENDIPITY DAHLQUIST hires Leo to find her missing pitbull Groucho, that's exactly what … Continue reading Leo Bloodworth & Serendipity Dahlquist
Wil Hardesty
Created by Richard Barre It’s not all fun, fun, fun... Presenting the surfer dude as angst-ridden P.I., SoCal's WIL HARDESTY made an auspicious debut in 1995's The Innocents, scooping up a Shamus for Best First Novel, and praise from folks like Michael Collins, Stephen Greenleaf, James Crumley and Ross Thomas. Wil's a Vietnam vet still … Continue reading Wil Hardesty
Harvey Mapes
Created by Lee Goldberg Just what the world needs now: an over-educated and under-employed slacker twenty-something security guard with private eye wet dreams. HARVEY MAPES works for Bel Vista Estates, one of those ubitquious SoCal gated communities, working the night shift and not exactly setting the world on fire. Though having a stapler that works … Continue reading Harvey Mapes
Matt Singer & Jamal Wade
Created by Jack Polo "Sleuthin' ain't pretty." -- Matt warns a potential client Trouble may be their business, but it doesn't pay well enough for SoCal private detectives MATT SINGER and JAMAL WADE, so they come up with what they hope will be a slam dunk side hustle: real estate. But flogging McMansions in the … Continue reading Matt Singer & Jamal Wade
Pedro Gomez & Dennis “Hardball” Bakelenekoff (Grand Slam)
Created by Bill L. Norton In this extremely short-lived action/adventure series, comic Paul Rodriguez and John "Dukes of Hazzard" Schneider starred as PEDRO GOMEZ and DENNIS "HARDBALL" BAKELENEKOFF, bounty hunters for competing firms who eventually team up to nail a ruthless South American drug dealer, and end up going into business together, despite the fact they … Continue reading Pedro Gomez & Dennis “Hardball” Bakelenekoff (Grand Slam)