Greetings:

Years ago, I used this space to send occasional dispatches from the world of Blackjack—updates, adventures, news, and observations from a series that has been a part of my life for a very long time.

Now the mission resumes.

For those of you who are new to the world of Blackjack, allow me to introduce you to Aaron Day, better known as Blackjack.

Set against the backdrop of the turbulent 1930s, Blackjack is a soldier of fortune, an adventurer, an investigator, and a reluctant hero. His travels take him across continents and into the shadows of history, where spies, warlords, revolutionaries, criminals, explorers, and ordinary people all have a role to play.

But Blackjack was created for more than adventure alone.

Part of my goal in creating the series was to shine a light on the people, places, and stories that history often overlooks. I wanted to explore the real events, cultures, and individuals that helped shape the world while delivering the kind of high-adventure storytelling I grew up loving in films, radio dramas, comic books, and serials.

Here in the Blackjack Intelligence Files, you’ll find:

To Accept The Mission newsletters
Behind-the-scenes notes on the creation of the series
Historical inspirations and research
Character dossiers
Maps, documents, and bonus materials
News and updates on current Blackjack projects

Whether you’re a longtime reader or discovering Blackjack for the first time, I’m glad you’re here.

The files are open.

The mission is active.

And the adventure continues.

— Alex Simmons
Creator of Blackjack

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BLACKJACK: TO ACCEPT THE MISSION

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There are so many things that can go wrong when you go on a mission alone.

I did 30 years ago, in 1996, and despite the things that went right, there were so many things that did go wrong.

1996 was the year I began writing and publishing my Blackjack series.

Creating it started years earlier; about 10 years, but it took me all that time to begin to commence to start to get around to figuring out what it was going to be about.

At the height of the media’s fascination with psycho-serial killers, anti-heroes, and fantastic creatures, I chose to do a series about a black soldier of fortune in the 1930s.

No superpowers, no special scientific gadgets. No aliens. No secret base. Just a highly skilled specialist who fights other people’s battles, while the biggest battle of them all was his own.  Where did Arron “Blackjack” Day fit in as a black person in American society, let alone the world?

I call it a mission, not just as a nod to the whole high-adventure, soldiers-and-battle motif, but because the reason I set out to do it was personal. It was personal for the kid in me—the black kid who grew up wanting to see himself as a hero.

The justice-seeking cowboy, the crime-solving detective, and the globetrotting world-saving counter spy.  I watched them all, and for 13 years, 99% of those heroes were white men. While for the most part, people who look like me were servants or sidekicks.

So it was about creating images of black men and people of color, as well as of cultures and countries that could do those things. It was about acknowledging that, historically, we had done many of those things, either individually or as part of a team or group. 

Whatever we accomplished with Blackjack is to be celebrated. While the things we’ve continued to try have been challenged, even with interest from people in England, Holland, and America.

With help, many things have been accomplished.  But working solo I’ve dropped the ball a few times and paid the price for it.  And I expect there will be more to pay before the year is out.

But over the next 90 days, you’re going to have a chance to read about where I’ve succeeded and failed, and what I’m struggling with now. It won’t always be polished prose.

I’ll be as transparent as I possibly can be.

First on the agenda is to complete a six-part miniseries I left unfinished several months ago. Think I can get it right this time?

Maybe you’ll chime in with some offer of guidance.

Time will tell.

If you want to follow along on this adventure, I’ll provide a link shortly.

Until then.

Over and out.

Alex

PS.  It appears that a link to my email management service has been broken.  I have no access at this time.  I’ll let you know when it has been fixed. 

Meanwhile, in keeping with the spirit of the moment … the first pitfall has been sprung.  It’s going to be an interesting 90 days.