Zoe Busiek (Wild Card)

Created by Lynn Latham and Bernard Lechowick "Nobody's ever accused me of being an adult before." -- Zoe reveals she’s no SuperMomThe American TV channel Lifetime isn’t exactly known for its hard-boiled fare, but they did make it a watered-down go back in 2003, when they premiered Wild Card, folding some occasionally gritty and often … Continue reading Zoe Busiek (Wild Card)

Nick Archer (Liar’s Kiss)

Created by Eric Skillman & Jhomar Soriano “I don’t even know what the hell I’m doing! I follow people around and take pictures for Christ’s sake! I’m no detective!" Private eye NICK ARCHER isn't much of a private eye, but he sure can be a dick in Liar's Kiss, a 2011 graphic novel by writer … Continue reading Nick Archer (Liar’s Kiss)

Noah Braddock

Created by Jeff Shelby “Marilyn Crier peered in the window and I knew the past was about to kick me in the ass.” — the opening line of Killer Swell Talk about yer Californification! San Diego gumshoe NOAH BRADDOCK has carved a real niche for himself-- as far as I can tell, he's one of … Continue reading Noah Braddock

Lola Wicks

Created by Gwen Florio Cranky, sharp-tongued Baltimore Express foreign correspondent LOLA WICKS goes where the action is, be it Afghanistan, where she's just gone through more than enough crap to last a lifetime, or Montana, where she's planning to just chill for a while (and consider her career options) at her friend's remote mountain cabin, … Continue reading Lola Wicks

Jon Sable

Created by Mike Grell "Jon Sable--big game hunter on the concrete jungle--I wish I was him." -- Gene Simmons, KISS Gee, Dr. Suess never carried a gun... Mike Grell's JON SABLE was a gun-for-hire who lived in New York City and seemingly had little problem kicking ass or blowing away the bad guys. Oh, and … Continue reading Jon Sable

Truck Turner

Created by Jerry Wilkes Pseudonym of Leigh Chapman "Just follow the bouncing ball, nigger.” —Truck explains the plot "Anybody thinkin' about leavin' here is gonna find my left foot square up their ass, do you understand it?! Those two bitches that left, they better learn to sell pussy in Iceland because if I ever see … Continue reading Truck Turner

Johnny Killain

Created by Dan J. Marlowe (1914-87) JOHNNY KILLAIN is a "tough, but not inhuman" hotel dick/bell captain/night porter/bouncer and part-time detective working out of the Hotel Duarte in New York City who appeared in a spate of hard-charging Avon paperback originals by Dan J. Marlowe in the late fifties/early sixties. According to Josef Hoffmann in … Continue reading Johnny Killain

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

Jasmine Frame

Created by P.R. Ellis Pseudonym of Peter/Peggy Ellis She used to be Jim Frame, a cop (a detective constable, in fact, for the Thames Valley Police), she used to be married, she used to be a man. Now she’s JASMINE FRAME, she’s single, she’s working freelance. And she’s on her way to becoming a woman. … Continue reading Jasmine Frame

Vivian Marlow

Created by Lori Armstrong Pseudonyms include Lorelei James In 2023, it may seem a little odd to come across a short story  referring to private investigation as "No Place for a Dame,” since we’re not exactly bereft of female gumshoes these days, but since the story’s set in 1942, so I guess we can cut it … Continue reading Vivian Marlow