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Sable
After poachers kill his family in Africa and a career as a mercenary, Joe Sable returns to the United States and is unexpectantly offered a second chance at happiness.
Hardcover
First published July 1, 2000
2 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Mike Grell
712 books82 followersMike Grell (born 1947) is a comic book writer and artist.
Grell studied at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, the Chicago Academy of Fine Art, and took the Famous Artists School correspondence course in cartooning. His entry into the comics industry was in 1972, as an assistant to Dale Messick on the Brenda Starr comic strip.
In 1973 Grell moved to New York, and began his long relationship with DC Comics. His first assignment at DC was on Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes, a high-profile assignment for an artist with no prior experience illustrating a monthly comic book. Grell says he got that job because he was walking in the editor's door to ask for work, literally, as the previous artist was walking out the door, having just quit. These stories were written by Cary Bates and Jim Shooter. The Bates/Grell/Shooter run on the title is very well-regarded today by Superboy/Legion fans, who consider it one of the high-water marks in the character/team's history. Grell's work on SATLOSH is widely thought to be some of the best beefcake/cheesecake ever committed to comic book pages, and is affectionately referred to as the 'disco Legion' in retrospect by fans of the title.
A writer as well as artist, Grell cemented his status as a fan-favorite with his best-known creation, The Warlord, one of the first sword and sorcery comics, and reportedly the best-selling title published by DC Comics in the late-1970s.
The character first appeared in 1st Issue Special #8 (Nov 1975) and was soon given his own ongoing title (The Warlord #1, Jan/Feb 1976). In this book, Air Force pilot Travis Morgan crash-lands in the prehistoric "hidden world" of Skartaris (a setting highly influenced by Jules Verne's A Journey to the Center of the Earth and Edgar Rice Burroughs' Pellucidar). For years thereafter, Morgan engages in adventures dressed only in a winged helmet, wristbands, boots, and breechclout, and armed with a sword and (years before Dirty Harry handled one) a .44 Auto Mag.
At DC, Grell also worked on titles such as Aquaman, Batman, and the Phantom Stranger, and with writer Dennis O'Neil on the re-launch of the Green Lantern/Green Arrow series in 1976.
[edit] Tarzan
Grell wrote and drew the Tarzan comic strip from July 19, 1981 to February 27, 1983 (except for one strip, February 13, 1983, by Thomas Yeates). These strips were rerun in newspapers in 2004 - 2005.
[edit] First Comics: Jon Sable Freelance and Starslayer
Cover to Jon Sable Freelance #7. Art by Mike Grell.Through the 1980s Grell developed creator-owned titles such Jon Sable Freelance and Starslayer. Jon Sable Freelance was published by the now-defunct First Comics. Starslayer, a space-born science fiction series, started at Pacific Comics, but shifted to First.
The titular character of Jon Sable Freelance was a former Olympic athlete, later a African big-game hunter, who became a mercenary. First appearing with a cover date of June 1983, Jon Sable Freelance was a successful non-super-hero comic book in an era when successful non-super-hero comic books were almost unheard of, and a graphically violent comic sold in mainstream comic book stores in an era when such was as rare. Jon Sable was a precursor to what would eventually be called, by some, "the Dark Age of Comics," when even long-established super-heroes would become increasingly grim and violent.
The character was heavily influenced by Ian Fleming's James Bond novels as well as drawing on pulp fiction crime stories. Also, many of the stories of Sable's hunting exploits in Africa were influenced by Peter Hathaway Capstick's novels. At a convention in the late 1980s, Grell stated that his idea for Sable was "something like a cross between James Bond and Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer."
Sable was adapted into a short-lived television series and the character's origin tale, "A Storm Over Eden," from the comic book, was expanded and novelized by Grell under the title Sable, which was publ
Grell studied at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, the Chicago Academy of Fine Art, and took the Famous Artists School correspondence course in cartooning. His entry into the comics industry was in 1972, as an assistant to Dale Messick on the Brenda Starr comic strip.
In 1973 Grell moved to New York, and began his long relationship with DC Comics. His first assignment at DC was on Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes, a high-profile assignment for an artist with no prior experience illustrating a monthly comic book. Grell says he got that job because he was walking in the editor's door to ask for work, literally, as the previous artist was walking out the door, having just quit. These stories were written by Cary Bates and Jim Shooter. The Bates/Grell/Shooter run on the title is very well-regarded today by Superboy/Legion fans, who consider it one of the high-water marks in the character/team's history. Grell's work on SATLOSH is widely thought to be some of the best beefcake/cheesecake ever committed to comic book pages, and is affectionately referred to as the 'disco Legion' in retrospect by fans of the title.
A writer as well as artist, Grell cemented his status as a fan-favorite with his best-known creation, The Warlord, one of the first sword and sorcery comics, and reportedly the best-selling title published by DC Comics in the late-1970s.
The character first appeared in 1st Issue Special #8 (Nov 1975) and was soon given his own ongoing title (The Warlord #1, Jan/Feb 1976). In this book, Air Force pilot Travis Morgan crash-lands in the prehistoric "hidden world" of Skartaris (a setting highly influenced by Jules Verne's A Journey to the Center of the Earth and Edgar Rice Burroughs' Pellucidar). For years thereafter, Morgan engages in adventures dressed only in a winged helmet, wristbands, boots, and breechclout, and armed with a sword and (years before Dirty Harry handled one) a .44 Auto Mag.
At DC, Grell also worked on titles such as Aquaman, Batman, and the Phantom Stranger, and with writer Dennis O'Neil on the re-launch of the Green Lantern/Green Arrow series in 1976.
[edit] Tarzan
Grell wrote and drew the Tarzan comic strip from July 19, 1981 to February 27, 1983 (except for one strip, February 13, 1983, by Thomas Yeates). These strips were rerun in newspapers in 2004 - 2005.
[edit] First Comics: Jon Sable Freelance and Starslayer
Cover to Jon Sable Freelance #7. Art by Mike Grell.Through the 1980s Grell developed creator-owned titles such Jon Sable Freelance and Starslayer. Jon Sable Freelance was published by the now-defunct First Comics. Starslayer, a space-born science fiction series, started at Pacific Comics, but shifted to First.
The titular character of Jon Sable Freelance was a former Olympic athlete, later a African big-game hunter, who became a mercenary. First appearing with a cover date of June 1983, Jon Sable Freelance was a successful non-super-hero comic book in an era when successful non-super-hero comic books were almost unheard of, and a graphically violent comic sold in mainstream comic book stores in an era when such was as rare. Jon Sable was a precursor to what would eventually be called, by some, "the Dark Age of Comics," when even long-established super-heroes would become increasingly grim and violent.
The character was heavily influenced by Ian Fleming's James Bond novels as well as drawing on pulp fiction crime stories. Also, many of the stories of Sable's hunting exploits in Africa were influenced by Peter Hathaway Capstick's novels. At a convention in the late 1980s, Grell stated that his idea for Sable was "something like a cross between James Bond and Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer."
Sable was adapted into a short-lived television series and the character's origin tale, "A Storm Over Eden," from the comic book, was expanded and novelized by Grell under the title Sable, which was publ
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 18, 2012
Yes, I gave this one 5 stars. I admit up front that this is an entirely subjective rating and reflects the fact that I really like this book. Are you looking for philosophical questions, a story filled with flowery prose a volume that will appeal to the most picky literary snob?
Well this "ain't" it.
This is pure action brain candy. Don't get me wrong there actually are emotional depths to the protagonist. The character, Jon Sable devastated and shattered goes for a bloody revenge and is almost destroyed by what he has experienced and what he does. We follow him from his life as an African rancher and hunter through his job as a game officer and on. The book is broken into parts that reflect the pieces of Jon's life. Avenger, mercenary, and more, this is a good read. My only regret is that there are no more novelizations of Jon Sable.
Mike Grell is a comic book writer (and artist) and the Sable stories go back to the '80s. There are more modern incarnations of the character in graphic (comic) form and on line. To follow the protagonist's adventures I will have to run those books down and buy them, this action will depend on price and my own solvency.
The book opens as noted in Africa and I suppose that one reason I like these books is that I'm a fan this type tale. From true to life African safari accounts (as in Horn of the Hunter) to the sometimes factual sometimes fictionalized stories of Peter (Hathaway) Capstick. Capstick was "also" a game control officer in Africa and wrote some books about the experience (some factual some reportedly more fictionalized). He also wrote books of collected stories about other professional hunters and of Africa including a detailed account of the Tsavo maneaters. These are the lions depicted in the (again highly fictionalized) movie, The Ghost and the Darkness. I'm also a fan of Robert Ruark. His books and articles of the outdoors and his experiences on safari are remarkable. Grell mentions that his inspiration for the Sable character came from sort of a cross between Flemming's James Bond and Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer. The parts of the book concerning the African adventures he says were inspired by Capstick.
There is very little about this book that I can complain about and being a firearms enthusiast :) I'm impressed with most of the accuracy in the descriptions of the arms mentioned. Like some details?
No I didn't think so. But if you'd like to discuss it, ask. I'll be happy to write more about that.
As I said, I like this and I suspect most action fans will to. 5 stars and a recommendation.
Well this "ain't" it.
This is pure action brain candy. Don't get me wrong there actually are emotional depths to the protagonist. The character, Jon Sable devastated and shattered goes for a bloody revenge and is almost destroyed by what he has experienced and what he does. We follow him from his life as an African rancher and hunter through his job as a game officer and on. The book is broken into parts that reflect the pieces of Jon's life. Avenger, mercenary, and more, this is a good read. My only regret is that there are no more novelizations of Jon Sable.
Mike Grell is a comic book writer (and artist) and the Sable stories go back to the '80s. There are more modern incarnations of the character in graphic (comic) form and on line. To follow the protagonist's adventures I will have to run those books down and buy them, this action will depend on price and my own solvency.
The book opens as noted in Africa and I suppose that one reason I like these books is that I'm a fan this type tale. From true to life African safari accounts (as in Horn of the Hunter) to the sometimes factual sometimes fictionalized stories of Peter (Hathaway) Capstick. Capstick was "also" a game control officer in Africa and wrote some books about the experience (some factual some reportedly more fictionalized). He also wrote books of collected stories about other professional hunters and of Africa including a detailed account of the Tsavo maneaters. These are the lions depicted in the (again highly fictionalized) movie, The Ghost and the Darkness. I'm also a fan of Robert Ruark. His books and articles of the outdoors and his experiences on safari are remarkable. Grell mentions that his inspiration for the Sable character came from sort of a cross between Flemming's James Bond and Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer. The parts of the book concerning the African adventures he says were inspired by Capstick.
There is very little about this book that I can complain about and being a firearms enthusiast :) I'm impressed with most of the accuracy in the descriptions of the arms mentioned. Like some details?
No I didn't think so. But if you'd like to discuss it, ask. I'll be happy to write more about that.
As I said, I like this and I suspect most action fans will to. 5 stars and a recommendation.
March 1, 2015
The book started off in the "ago" when Jon was living with is family in Africa. Even knowing what was going to happen, I had to read it.
His research was exemplary (I learned new words!). The emotion was heart-rending, because I knew how it would end. I made sure when I approached that part that I had a box of Kleenex handy.
BUT having a more detailed insight into Jon's mind made the story better.
SO, I have the comics (even the new mini-series), the novel and even the (extremely) short-lived TV show.
What now Grell?
His research was exemplary (I learned new words!). The emotion was heart-rending, because I knew how it would end. I made sure when I approached that part that I had a box of Kleenex handy.
BUT having a more detailed insight into Jon's mind made the story better.
SO, I have the comics (even the new mini-series), the novel and even the (extremely) short-lived TV show.
What now Grell?
July 27, 2019
This book was not what I expected. It was gritty, grim and violent, not the comic book adventure I was expecting. I have had no exposure to the Sable comic so I thought it might be something lighter in tone and not so serious. Don’t get me wrong; I liked it a lot. The safari hunting scenes rang true and the hunting weapons/military arms seemed accurate in description. The action scenes were very brutal and bloody-very well done. Some of the POV shifts were a little abrupt, and much of the New York/publishing angle of the story felt out of place and slowed things down without adding much to the story. Maybe it works better in comic book format. Overall, one hell of a kick-ass adventure novel! Recommended.
May 17, 2024
Back to old style physical books, as this sadly isn’t available on Kindle. I read the original Image Comics series and loved it, so when the book version came out, in 2000 no less, I bought it and immediately read it over the space of a few days.
So, still on jury service, I hoicked it down from the bookcase to re-read. And it was every bit as good as the first time, a masterful story of loss, revenge and redemption. How it’s never been optioned for a tv series is beyond me - yes, there was one, but it didn’t do justice to the material at all!
Had quite forgotten the twist at the end!
So, still on jury service, I hoicked it down from the bookcase to re-read. And it was every bit as good as the first time, a masterful story of loss, revenge and redemption. How it’s never been optioned for a tv series is beyond me - yes, there was one, but it didn’t do justice to the material at all!
Had quite forgotten the twist at the end!
dnf
December 10, 2020DNF page 150. I tried, I really did. I love Grell's run on Green Arrow. It's a contender for my favorite comic series of all time. But this...
Having never read the John Sable Freelancer comics, I may have been at a slight disadvantage here, but ultimately it was too focused on gun descriptions and unrelenting violence. The interesting elements--John's psyche, politics in late-90s Africa, the relationship between big game and their hunters--got sidelined too frequently.
Sorry, Mr. Grell. Maybe I'll try the comics so I can at least enjoy your gorgeous art.
Having never read the John Sable Freelancer comics, I may have been at a slight disadvantage here, but ultimately it was too focused on gun descriptions and unrelenting violence. The interesting elements--John's psyche, politics in late-90s Africa, the relationship between big game and their hunters--got sidelined too frequently.
Sorry, Mr. Grell. Maybe I'll try the comics so I can at least enjoy your gorgeous art.
May 8, 2013
As a fan of the original comic series,I had to pick this one up the other day when I saw it on the shelf at the book store (actually,I ordered it online for 1/2 the price a day later).
Knowing Jon Sables background story already I would have liked something new story wise at first,but once starting the book I welcomed the extra insights elaborated on in the novel.And since I rarely read comics these days it's nice to read a good novel centered around one of my favorite comics characters.
Perhaps not on an intellectual par with some of the other writers I like (Camus,W.S.Burroughs,Huysmans,etc..),but right in line with some of my other favorites (Spillane,Fleming,Chandler,and other 'pulps").Mike Grell captures the mood,knows his guns,and sets a the pace for a good action adventure story with a great emotional back story to make Sables extreme behavior beleivable and commendable.
I recommend it for a good escapist read.I just wish there was a follow up.
Knowing Jon Sables background story already I would have liked something new story wise at first,but once starting the book I welcomed the extra insights elaborated on in the novel.And since I rarely read comics these days it's nice to read a good novel centered around one of my favorite comics characters.
Perhaps not on an intellectual par with some of the other writers I like (Camus,W.S.Burroughs,Huysmans,etc..),but right in line with some of my other favorites (Spillane,Fleming,Chandler,and other 'pulps").Mike Grell captures the mood,knows his guns,and sets a the pace for a good action adventure story with a great emotional back story to make Sables extreme behavior beleivable and commendable.
I recommend it for a good escapist read.I just wish there was a follow up.
April 24, 2008
I started reading JSF back in the first days of it's creation. I have the original series from # 1 on to where Mike Grell left the book. This series was one of the best comic stories I ever read, bar none. The book, as written by Mike Grell met my expectations and more. Thanks Mike, for a work well done.
September 6, 2016
OK, I gotta admit this was a guilty pleasure on my part as I have all the original comics from the series. It ain't Heminway or Steinbeck, folks. But if you're into a bit of escapism once in a while, this one does the trick.
September 12, 2014
I picked up a mint copy of the First Comics trade of this series at St. Vinnie's for seventy-nine cents! It's one of those great comics I missed back when, but I am glad I caught up. I enjoyed the circuitous timeline because it kept me guessing about all the details.
September 30, 2011
I really have fond memories of the Jon Sable stories. Those were some of the first "non-superhero" comics I ever read and just loved them.
Currently reading
October 5, 2013135 pages into this action packed, fun read, and I love it. I wish there were more! Kind of like "The Punisher" but in Africa and he's a game warden. Updates to come :-)
October 23, 2015
Very good novel featuring one of me favorite comic book characters of all time. Longer review here: http://eyesandearsblog.blogspot.com/2...
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews