I just discovered the Mack Bolan/Executioner site (thanks to Ben Boulden). The best thing about it is the complete list of the 343 MACK BOLAN titles (not counting the 114 SuperBolans and 89 Stony Man titles) and the names of the ghostwriters who actually wrote the books. Twenty-some years ago, when I was writing the .357 VIGILANTE books, I was approached to write an EXECUTIONER. They sent me a huge packet of material and I spoke to several authors about their experiences writing the books (I think I spoke to Raymond Obstfeld and Mike Newton), but after giving it some thought, I declined the offer. I ran into Mike last year at Boucheron (or was it Thrillerfest?) and it was great to catch up with him again. I wonder what ever happened to Raymond Obstfeld who, as I recall, was an English professor at some Southern California college (he also wrote the DIAMONDBACK westerns for Pinnacle, along with my buddy Paul Bishop).
Looking at this list of Bolan writers makes me appreciate even more how prolific Robert Randisi is …as "J.R. Roberts," he’s written the 312 GUNSMITH titles all by himself. And that’s not counting his many, many other books.
ok, what exactly is the difference between a regular mack bolan and a “super bolan?”
…and no, this isn’t a set up for a joke, i’m genuinely curious and google has yielded no answers!
I stopped reading the Bolan novels years ago when I realized one of their authors, Peter Leslie, was recycling his old Man From U.N.C.L.E. novels from the sixties as Executioners.
A regular Executioner novel is about 220-222 pages. There is a new one published each month. SuperBolan novels are longer, usually about 346 pages. They are published every other month, alternating with the StonyMan novels. StonyMan is a series of novels (approx. 346 pages) that feature two related covert government special forces, Phoenix Force and Able Team. Mack Bolan occasionally will make a guest appearance.
The monthly Executioner novels are typically 220-222 pages long. SuperBolans are published every other month and are longer, usually 346 pages. They alternate with the StonyMan novels which are the same length. StonyMan is a series featuring two covert special forces teams, Phoenix Force and Able Team, that are related to Mack Bolan. Occasionally Mack will make an appearance.
What’s great about the series is that it starts out as a total revenge series. With Bolan going after the mafia, then at some point his scope is broadend by the US goverment. To take out all kinds of scum. Just total mindless fun, which I need to read more of.
he’s still at Orange Coast College.