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Doc Vandal Adventures #1
Against the Eldest Flame
When Nazi gorillas try to crash a Zeppelin full of zombies into Doc Vandal’s 87th floor home, he knows he’s got trouble.
Doc and his team have to track their attackers to a lost city half way across the world to find the secret behind the aerial attack. It's not just a physical battle Doc has to win, it's a contest for his very soul.
On one side:
An enemy older than time;
Nazi aerial battleships;
Man-eating dinosaurs.
On the other:
Doc Vandal, a man raised by artificial intelligences, and the world’s foremost scientific adventurer;
Gus, a gorilla with a fistful of doctorates, and secrets bigger than he is;
Vic, an expatriate Russian countess and daredevil pilot with a predilection for playing solitaire with razor-edged cards.
Can Doc and friends save the world from the tyranny of the Eldest Flame? Can Vic kill a Tyrannosaur with a short sword?
Find out in the first Doc Vandal adventure: Against the Eldest Flame!
Doc and his team have to track their attackers to a lost city half way across the world to find the secret behind the aerial attack. It's not just a physical battle Doc has to win, it's a contest for his very soul.
On one side:
An enemy older than time;
Nazi aerial battleships;
Man-eating dinosaurs.
On the other:
Doc Vandal, a man raised by artificial intelligences, and the world’s foremost scientific adventurer;
Gus, a gorilla with a fistful of doctorates, and secrets bigger than he is;
Vic, an expatriate Russian countess and daredevil pilot with a predilection for playing solitaire with razor-edged cards.
Can Doc and friends save the world from the tyranny of the Eldest Flame? Can Vic kill a Tyrannosaur with a short sword?
Find out in the first Doc Vandal adventure: Against the Eldest Flame!
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2014
22 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Dave Robinson
15 books20 followersI’m Dave, and I write. I’m also a father, a reader, gamer, a comic fan, and a hockey fan.
Unfortunately, there is a problem with those terms; they don’t so much describe me as label me, and the map is not the territory. Calling me a father says nothing about my relationship with my daughter and how she thinks I’m silly. It ignores the essence of the relationship for convenience.
It’s the same with my love of books, comics, role-playing games, and hockey; labels only say what, not how or why. They miss all the good parts.
If you want more of a biography: I was born in the UK, grew up in Canada, and have spent time in the US. I’ve been freelancing for the last seven years. Before that, and in no particular order, I’ve managed a bookstore, worked in a pawnshop, been a telephone customer service rep, and even cleaned carpets for a living.
As a freelancer, I’ve done everything from simple web content, to ghostwritten novels. I’ve even written a course on trading forex online. I’ve also edited everything from whitepapers to a science fiction anthology.
Unfortunately, there is a problem with those terms; they don’t so much describe me as label me, and the map is not the territory. Calling me a father says nothing about my relationship with my daughter and how she thinks I’m silly. It ignores the essence of the relationship for convenience.
It’s the same with my love of books, comics, role-playing games, and hockey; labels only say what, not how or why. They miss all the good parts.
If you want more of a biography: I was born in the UK, grew up in Canada, and have spent time in the US. I’ve been freelancing for the last seven years. Before that, and in no particular order, I’ve managed a bookstore, worked in a pawnshop, been a telephone customer service rep, and even cleaned carpets for a living.
As a freelancer, I’ve done everything from simple web content, to ghostwritten novels. I’ve even written a course on trading forex online. I’ve also edited everything from whitepapers to a science fiction anthology.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 24, 2022
The story starts with nazi gorillas and zombies flying an airship on a collision course with a building in a city. And it doesn’t take long for dinosaurs to get added into the mix. So it’s safe to say realism gets thrown out of the window from the very first page.
This book is pretty much over the top action scenes from start to finish. The plot might be completely bonkers and over the top like everything else about this book, but it actually is quite solid. It’s well-written, gripping and even has the potential to be quite intense at times.
It’s hard to take the big bad enemy zombie seriously though. He’s constantly getting destroyed very easily by the larger than life heroes. Like when he has Doc’s friend Vic captured and tied up. She wakes up and easily rips her hand out of her bindings. And then she actually knocks the zombie’s head off with a single punch before she makes her escape. By making the antagonist look so incompetent, it’s very hard to consider him an actual threat to the protagonists. What it does do, is open the story up for a lot of comedic opportunities. But the story unfortunately doesn’t capitalize on these opportunities as it stays so serious in tone.
In the spirit of legendary pulp fiction hero Doc Savage, Doc Vandal is completely over the top in all the right ways. It’s just enjoyable and action-packed pulp fiction. Nothing more, nothing less.
This book is pretty much over the top action scenes from start to finish. The plot might be completely bonkers and over the top like everything else about this book, but it actually is quite solid. It’s well-written, gripping and even has the potential to be quite intense at times.
It’s hard to take the big bad enemy zombie seriously though. He’s constantly getting destroyed very easily by the larger than life heroes. Like when he has Doc’s friend Vic captured and tied up. She wakes up and easily rips her hand out of her bindings. And then she actually knocks the zombie’s head off with a single punch before she makes her escape. By making the antagonist look so incompetent, it’s very hard to consider him an actual threat to the protagonists. What it does do, is open the story up for a lot of comedic opportunities. But the story unfortunately doesn’t capitalize on these opportunities as it stays so serious in tone.
In the spirit of legendary pulp fiction hero Doc Savage, Doc Vandal is completely over the top in all the right ways. It’s just enjoyable and action-packed pulp fiction. Nothing more, nothing less.
February 20, 2018
Decent neo-pulp about a Doc Savage Analogue against pseudo-scientific and Lovecraftian forces of evil.
It just seemed like the author was trying way too hard to be outlandish, and make Wold Newton type references.
It just seemed like the author was trying way too hard to be outlandish, and make Wold Newton type references.
October 1, 2021
Nice new age pulp story inspired by the Doc Savage books. entertaining read. Recommended
June 13, 2017
Modified human, Doc Vandal, grew up on a lunar colony attended by androids and other mechanica. Through his eyes, the world is messy, illogical and fascinating but certainly nothing to get emotional about. Together with his team - Vic, Gus and Gilly - Doc takes on specialized cases that require his particular expertise. When members of a secret society attack him in his home, Doc finds himself on quest for the truth. Together with his team, the trail leads them into a hidden city in Africa, where an enemy older than humanity itself, awaits them. Zombies, zeppelins, Nazi-Gorillas and space stations - it's all in a days work for Doc and the team. If they can escape alive that is...
This is classic pulp for a new era. Rider Haggard meets John W. Campbell in a fast paced and highly unusual adventure story. I was (perhaps oddly) put in mind of the Allan Quatermain series, as well as classic sci-fi. On the surface the premise may seem preposterous. I invite you to look closer. Many books that seem unlikely are often entertainment goldmines and this is one of them. Doc is a great character. The way he sees the world is amusing and poignant; very much in the world but not of it. Gilly, Gus and Vic provide hilarious banter while still getting job done. Not one of the crew is a walk on part and well, who wouldn't love a highly sophisticated Gorilla with classic elocution? This isn't a particularly long read but it is lots of fun and left me with a feel-good aftertaste. Such disparate elements as Zombies, space stations, Nazi-Gorillas and zeppelins probably shouldn't go together, and yet here they do and it works. Put some comfy slippers on, switch off the TV and the phone, pour a beverage of your choice and kick back and enjoy for a few hours, that's my advice.
This is classic pulp for a new era. Rider Haggard meets John W. Campbell in a fast paced and highly unusual adventure story. I was (perhaps oddly) put in mind of the Allan Quatermain series, as well as classic sci-fi. On the surface the premise may seem preposterous. I invite you to look closer. Many books that seem unlikely are often entertainment goldmines and this is one of them. Doc is a great character. The way he sees the world is amusing and poignant; very much in the world but not of it. Gilly, Gus and Vic provide hilarious banter while still getting job done. Not one of the crew is a walk on part and well, who wouldn't love a highly sophisticated Gorilla with classic elocution? This isn't a particularly long read but it is lots of fun and left me with a feel-good aftertaste. Such disparate elements as Zombies, space stations, Nazi-Gorillas and zeppelins probably shouldn't go together, and yet here they do and it works. Put some comfy slippers on, switch off the TV and the phone, pour a beverage of your choice and kick back and enjoy for a few hours, that's my advice.
December 31, 2021
The first of a series, this Doc Savage-inspired adventure novel is meant to be an over-the-top pulp yarn and homage to pulps of the past. Just imagine a parallel universe where humans are not the only sentient creatures; gorillas, dinosaurs, etc. are also part of the team.
Doc Vandal has many similarities to Doc Savage although there are also plenty of differences. Other pulp figures such as The Shadow have a clear influence on the prose as well. This novel was better than I expected and I do plan to read more Doc Vandal adventures, even if just for the "Holy Cow" factor.
Doc Vandal has many similarities to Doc Savage although there are also plenty of differences. Other pulp figures such as The Shadow have a clear influence on the prose as well. This novel was better than I expected and I do plan to read more Doc Vandal adventures, even if just for the "Holy Cow" factor.
September 24, 2020
Doc Vandal and his crew weren't EXPECTING Zombies, but, when a visitor to his 87th floor headquarters, coming with the dire warning "Beware the Eldest Flame!" suddenly turns into a one...and a NAZI Zombie at that...it get's his attention. The mystery soon leads them around the world to hidden cities...lost races...Dinosaurs...a "God" that threatens to return to the world...and...did I say Dinosaurs? Intelligent Dinosaurs!!!???
That's all part of the fun and excitement in this, the first book in the DOC VANDAL series crafted by author Dave Robinson. A very obvious pastiche of DOC SAVAGE and crew, Robinson, nevertheless manages to make this adventure fun and exciting, giving his characters their own unique skills and personalities that lets this story stand on its own. The incredible inventions, locations, and action capture the feel of those pulp heroes from long ago and would have undoubtedly stood on its own as a lead in a Street & Smith magazine that you would find on the news stand during that era.
One of the better changes to the story is Robinson including the character of Vic as the Pat Savage piece of the story. But...while Pat is continually shoved into the background or only acts impulsively then gets reined in, Vic will have none of that and forcefully demands her inclusion in the adventures and activities of the crew. Nice change!
As of this writing, Robinson has written 5 adventures for DOC VANDAL and his crew and , after having read this one, I immediately purchased the rest and am patiently awaiting their bubbling to the top of my TBR pile.
More to come...!!!
That's all part of the fun and excitement in this, the first book in the DOC VANDAL series crafted by author Dave Robinson. A very obvious pastiche of DOC SAVAGE and crew, Robinson, nevertheless manages to make this adventure fun and exciting, giving his characters their own unique skills and personalities that lets this story stand on its own. The incredible inventions, locations, and action capture the feel of those pulp heroes from long ago and would have undoubtedly stood on its own as a lead in a Street & Smith magazine that you would find on the news stand during that era.
One of the better changes to the story is Robinson including the character of Vic as the Pat Savage piece of the story. But...while Pat is continually shoved into the background or only acts impulsively then gets reined in, Vic will have none of that and forcefully demands her inclusion in the adventures and activities of the crew. Nice change!
As of this writing, Robinson has written 5 adventures for DOC VANDAL and his crew and , after having read this one, I immediately purchased the rest and am patiently awaiting their bubbling to the top of my TBR pile.
More to come...!!!
December 10, 2020
The best way to describe this book is from the official synopsis: “Nazi gorillas try to crash a zeppelin full of zombies into Doc Vandal’s home…” That pretty much tells you this series is pure “tongue in cheek” pulp goodness.
The book takes its weirdness very seriously. Doc Vandal is our hero. He is based upon Doc Savage, though I am not too familiar with Doc Savage’s history to know how much overlap they have. Vandal was born on the moon. Raised by a computer A.I. He is given great strength and has a brilliant intellect. Along with him is an engineer named Gilly, who appears to be the most normal. Vic is a female hot shot pilot. And finally, Gus is a talking gorilla.
With that setup, what is this book about? The Eldest Flame has taken over a Nazi commander who orchestrates the kidnapping of Vic. Doc and crew eventually make it to Africa where the land of talking gorillas exist. Doc and crew make allies with the talking gorillas and face off against the Eldest Flame.
At first I was not really feeling the story as the book throws you into an action scene right away without any kind of introduction to the world. Later on in the book, it does fill in some background material. However, in the edition that I have, a lot of background is found in the afterward. I am not sure why all this was placed at the end as I might have gotten into the story more if placed towards the beginning.
I enjoyed the constant action. This book rarely lets you breathe between action scenes. It is one crazy action scene after another. We really do get a feel for the characters as they work together and use their skills to pull themselves out of a nasty situation. Doc Vandal also makes a good leader. He surrounds himself with others that complements his limitations.
I am not sure where the series is going next. Hopefully, now that I have a good feel for it, things will be a little easier to follow.
The book takes its weirdness very seriously. Doc Vandal is our hero. He is based upon Doc Savage, though I am not too familiar with Doc Savage’s history to know how much overlap they have. Vandal was born on the moon. Raised by a computer A.I. He is given great strength and has a brilliant intellect. Along with him is an engineer named Gilly, who appears to be the most normal. Vic is a female hot shot pilot. And finally, Gus is a talking gorilla.
With that setup, what is this book about? The Eldest Flame has taken over a Nazi commander who orchestrates the kidnapping of Vic. Doc and crew eventually make it to Africa where the land of talking gorillas exist. Doc and crew make allies with the talking gorillas and face off against the Eldest Flame.
At first I was not really feeling the story as the book throws you into an action scene right away without any kind of introduction to the world. Later on in the book, it does fill in some background material. However, in the edition that I have, a lot of background is found in the afterward. I am not sure why all this was placed at the end as I might have gotten into the story more if placed towards the beginning.
I enjoyed the constant action. This book rarely lets you breathe between action scenes. It is one crazy action scene after another. We really do get a feel for the characters as they work together and use their skills to pull themselves out of a nasty situation. Doc Vandal also makes a good leader. He surrounds himself with others that complements his limitations.
I am not sure where the series is going next. Hopefully, now that I have a good feel for it, things will be a little easier to follow.
October 2, 2023
A Doc Savage pastiche with a generous dose of Captain Future (a pulp hero in the Doc Savage mold): Doc Vandal's parents died attempting to colonize the moon but the AI of an ancient alien lunar base raised their baby to adulthood. He's not well socialized but he sure can fight. And his 1930s includes zombies and talking gorillas.In this debut story, gorillas and zombies drag Doc to a lost city of intelligent dinosaurs in Africa where the sentient Eldest Flame wants him for reasons sinister.
This starts slow but the pace picks up as it goes along, making for a fun book. Like most Doc pastiches it's a long way from matching the original series but I did enjoy it.
This starts slow but the pace picks up as it goes along, making for a fun book. Like most Doc pastiches it's a long way from matching the original series but I did enjoy it.
September 5, 2025
Doc Vandal is another Doc Savage pastiche. His aides include a fiery redheaded tomboy pilot with a bloodthirsty streak, a fastidious super-genius silverback gorilla, and a master mechanic and driver. Early on, the question is asked, Why are talking gorillas in Nazi uniforms in control of an airship from the Belgian Congo piloted by zombies, apparently going to crash into the Republic State building? Before the adventure is over, Doc will have encountered not one, but two lost non-human civilizations in the jungles of Africa.
This is why I read New Pulp. Robinson describes what he's aiming for as "dieselpulp dialed to eleven."
Pure fun.
This is why I read New Pulp. Robinson describes what he's aiming for as "dieselpulp dialed to eleven."
Pure fun.
July 15, 2020
As pulp pastiches go ,this one is better than average, and the alternative history setting gives it a little flair. The Doc Savage analogue is close enough to be obvious but different enough to avoid being a clone, and the team is his own. The text is marred a bit by dropped words and typos, but that's to be expected in this type of book. For a self-published novel, as I suppose this is, it's superior. If you're expecting something in the league of Philip Jose Farmer, you'll be disappointed; but if you're looking for a quick, entertaining read, I'd recommend it.
April 8, 2020
A great old fashioned adventure with some real potential
A really good try at reinventing the pulp style
Doc Vandal is given an interesting back story and the supporting characters as well
a surprisingly good read
A really good try at reinventing the pulp style
Doc Vandal is given an interesting back story and the supporting characters as well
a surprisingly good read
June 30, 2020
Pulp pastiche at its finest.
The writer doesn't hide the DNA of Doc Savage in his work but like Alan Moore's Tom Strong, Doc Vandal is a bit more out there. Fun adventure, great characters and tons of pulpy goodness.
The writer doesn't hide the DNA of Doc Savage in his work but like Alan Moore's Tom Strong, Doc Vandal is a bit more out there. Fun adventure, great characters and tons of pulpy goodness.
September 20, 2017
Nothing special here for me. Really didnt get into it.
August 14, 2018
This is supposed to be a reinvention of Doc Savage style adventure.
I much prefer the originals
I much prefer the originals
November 7, 2019
Pulp Goodness
A fun silly engaging reading encompassing all the best vibes of the pulp era
Ready for the next serial adventure
A fun silly engaging reading encompassing all the best vibes of the pulp era
Ready for the next serial adventure
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews