JamesSly45

The date is April 6th 2020, and I just finished "Day of Mourning" for the first time. However, I did possess the book during the 1980's and simply enjoyed the cover art. I think many Bolan fans have a broad range of books they never get to. This was mine until today! I've been looking forward to starting the first trilogy for months! I was by no means disappointed! Stephen Mertz did a highly competent job with this entry. The action is evenly paced. You almost forget that you're basically reading a chase novel. It would have been surreal to read this book in real time (1984) but I was only 11. I've managed to read the first 62 books in order. I have the slight advantage of looking at this series from a 2020 perspective. Post-Cold War; Post-911. Knowing that for the most part, the glory days of action adventure is over. No more printed Bolan books. Having read all 62 Executioner books plus Stony Man Doctrine, I would have to say that the overall character development of April Rose was the only disappointment. Don personally finessed the character well to start but literally nothing happens after that. I still highly enjoyed the story. Just felt that numerous opportunities were missed prior to April's death. Even with this entry, it's all Bolan blasting the bad guys which is fine especially since it is action adventure! April's character was barely addressed and given no real pages to develop her situation and life history. That's the only thing I would have changed about this entry. More pages for April's character prior to her death. I have this plot thread in my head where Bolan dies instead of April! Like that would ever happen - LOL!

Huhhhhh, "Invisible Assassins" the first entry by Alan Bomack which is obviously an anagram. However, there is an extra A in the name. Whatever the reasons for Alan's secrecy it's unnecessary. I disagree with most ratings related to this title as I'm giving it a 9. It was clearly a high water mark in the early Gold Eagle days. Maybe, I'm somewhat biased since I recently read Phoenix Force's "Tigers of Justice" but the throwback Ninja theme is clearly hitting me the right way. I didn't feel the narrative was slow but rather evenly paced. My only complaint is that the Japanese Ninjas seemed extremely inept in this storyline. With Bolan's first encounter in Shinoda's apartment, the Ninja's "fingers of steel" found a "vital pressure point" which knocked Bolan out but the Ninja apparently didn't have time to finish him - REALLY! However, after the first encounter Bolan just ASS kicked them all with no trouble! I think it would have been a tighter story if Bolan continued to struggle fighting against the ninjas throughout the story and was luckily able to survive the confrontation similar to his first encounter. I also didn't mind how the main villain Yamazaki was revealed towards the end of the book. It may be somewhat comic bookish but again; for some reason it hit me the right way.

Something just seemed off-kilter in regards to this Able Team entry. After researching behind the scenes noting that Cairo Countdown was written by Paul Hofrichter. His only contribution to the Bolan Universe. It made sense that pacing was different as well as personal ethics related to the characters. Not saying it's bad conceptually. I rather enjoyed this author's interpretation of characters and themes related to the Bolan Universe. As I type this, I wonder what Hofrichter was paid for this unique chapter in the Able Team narrative. It would have been nice to read additional books by this ballsy writer. Bringing the action as simply as torturing terrorists and not feeling bad about it. As Rambo states, "To survive war, you have to become war." Co-Bao: "That why they pick you?"

As a long time Bolan fan, of course reading Phoenix Force and Able Team goes along with that. I have read the first three Phoenix Force books so I kind of understand where the characters are going and must say this is definitely a break through moment in the series. *Spoiler Alert* The pervasive theme of atomic energy and industrial sabotage is a first mention in the Bolan universe. At least this directly and on a larger scale being related to a terrorist attack. Interesting to read this concept since Mohamed Atta desired to target nuclear facilities instead of the twin towers. Well written and really fits current events. May be slightly dated but still; the plane scene where the pilot bales out was well thought out and fascinating. Looking forward to continuing the series.