Awesome Tales is a New Pulp magazine put out by Black Cat Media with Bold Venture Press. Black Cat Media is basically R. Allen Leider, who writes most of the material in these issues, with Bold Venture doing the layout, design, and publication.
So far we have two issues out, #1 in Fall 2014 and #2 in Fall 2015. Seems to be annually, but nothing is said about the frequency. Both are pretty good.
#1 (Fall 2014) kicks off with a cover with Domino Lady fighting against a German spy. This ties to the first story which has the Domino Lady teaming up with Leider’s Wicca Girl character. I am not familiar with Leider’s character, so this was my introduction. As I understand, she is a 350-year-old witch who now works as an agent of the British government. There is an additional Wicca Girl short story in this issue. There is also another short story by Jean Marie Ward. (Bold Venture has put out the first Wicca Girl book already, so if you like this character, check it out.)
#2 (Fall 2015) has their “Der Fuhrer Mabuse” as the cover feature. This story makes use of the classic pulp and film villain, Dr. Mabuse, who has the ability of telepathic hypnosis. Set when Dr. Mabuse is trapped in an insane asylum, things go array when someone wonders if Dr. Mabuse might fall into the hands of the Nazis. Or is it the other way around?
Rounding out the issue are three more stories. John L. French has a detective story with an occult twist. Another story from the late C.J. Henderson is next. And finally, another strange little story by KT Pinto.
Overall, I enjoyed both issues. The first issue makes some promises about what will appear in future issue, and I hope this hold true. I look forward to seeing what comes next. The third issue has recently come out and plan on getting it.
