The Adventures of Jack Ransom

The Adventures of Jack Ransom
Publication information
Publisher Altman Publishing
Schedule Monthly
Publication date May 1985 - April 1986
Number of issues 12
Main character(s) Jack Ransom
Curtis
Pyro Girl
Boom Boom Raven
Creative team
Writer(s) Billy Hughes
Artist(s) Dave Osenni
Creator(s) Billy Hughes
Dave Osenni

Created by writer Billy Hughes and coloured by artist of little renown Dave Osenni, The Adventures of Jack Ransom was 12 issue comic book series based around the titular adventures of fictional character Jack Ransom.[1] The series, published by Altman Publishing, debuted in May 1985, and was retired in April of the following year, after very low sales forced the publishing house to cease all production of the comic book.

Plot synopsis

The story takes place in the fictional universe of Megawhamville, a city much to the style of Aldershot in Hampshire, UK. In this setting, we are introduced to the hero of the story, Jack Ransom, a man unlike any other with a very special set of skills. These skills include the art of international subterfuge, otherwise known as the skills of a secret spy. His missions were often predictable in nature, but not easy: saving the world was everyday's business, as he would often say during his adventures. During the series, several recurring antagonists make the cut, most notably his nemesis Boom Boom Raven, an African-American villain with a crazy hairdo and a powerful scream. Following the adventures of this international super hero often took the reader into the most far-fetched locations, like the top of the Eiffel Tower, the lost city of Atlantis, or even all the way down to the Earth's very core.

Because of the short span of the series and its abrupt cancellation, the ending has forever remained in a cliffhanger involving the fate of Jack Ransom and Boom Boom Raven, where the latter ensnares Ransom in a deadly 'Fro Trap, a mutated extension of his nemesis's hair. The jarring screams of Ransom's love interest and former villain, Pyro Girl, cover the last few pages of the 12th issue, as she struggles to free herself from one of Boom Boom Raven's traps.

Ever since the cancellation of the series, there have been rumors about a long-lost 13th issue. However, chances of ever seeing the finale of the adventures are extremely slim. It is believed that the sketches and script of this last adventure have long been lost to a terrible fire at creator Billy Hughes' humble abode in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Characters

Jack Ransom

First appearance: "Ransom'd" (Issue #1). Published May, 1985.[2]

Jack Ransom is the eponymous hero of the series and the best agent in SCD'7. Though he takes risks, he always manages to improvise some solution to the crisis at hand.

Curtis

First appearance: "Ransom'd" (Issue #1). Published May, 1985. [3]

Curtis is Jack Ransom's new partner, serving as a comedic foil to the usually serious protagonist. Though he is responsible for several of Ransom's plans going awry, he does save Ransom from a shark pit at the end of the Pyro Girl arc.[4]

Dr. Frasier, a.k.a. Boom Boom Raven

First appearance: "Ransom'd" (Issue #1). Published May, 1985.[5]

Dr. Frasier, Jack Ransom's arch-villain, was a brilliant scientist until one of his experiments transformed him into the villainous Boom Boom Raven. Blaming the world for his failure, Dr. Frasier seeks revenge on SCD'7 for pulling his funding.

Kerri Cowley, a.k.a. Pyro Girl

First appearance: "Burn! The Fury of Pyro Girl" (Issue #4). Published August, 1985.[6]

Pyro Girl, the villain in the second arc of the story, serves as Ransom's love interest and a damsel in distress for the remainder of the series.

Issues[1]

References

  1. 1 2 The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #38. p. 94. ISBN 978-0-375-72239-4.
  2. ↑ Billy Hughes (w), Dave Osenni (a). "Ransom'd" The Adventures of Jack Ransom 1: 1/5 (May, 1985), Altman Publishing
  3. ↑ Billy Hughes (w), Dave Osenni (a). "Ransom'd" The Adventures of Jack Ransom 1: 15/2 (May, 1985), Altman Publishing
  4. ↑ Billy Hughes (w), Dave Osenni (a). "Ransom'd" The Adventures of Jack Ransom 6: 18/4 (October 1985), Altman Publishing
  5. ↑ Billy Hughes (w), Dave Osenni (a). "Ransom'd" The Adventures of Jack Ransom 1: 4/1 (May, 1985), Altman Publishing
  6. ↑ Billy Hughes (w), Dave Osenni (a). "Burn! The Fury of Pyro Girl" The Adventures of Jack Ransom 4: 2/3 (December, 1985), Altman Publishing
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