Steven Hawklin grew up in the shadow of his father, Thomas Hawklin, a proud shipbuilder and the latest in a long line of craftsmen constructing vessels for the United States government. Thomas hoped Steven would follow in his footsteps and continue the family tradition. However, Steven had other aspirations—he was passionate about aviation. This led to a significant rift between father and son, with Thomas dismissing aviation as a foolish pursuit. At the age of 20, Steven left home to follow his dream.
While stationed in Europe, Steven formed a lasting friendship with Hardy Miller, a skilled mechanic working on combat planes. After the war, Steven and Hardy embarked on a series of adventures, traveling the globe in search of fortune and excitement. Their travels took them to Egypt, where they worked on an archaeological dig led by Professor Lucas Gray and met Oz Lyman, who would become another trusted ally.
Returning to Crown City, Steven leveraged his wealth and experience to establish Hawklin Aviation. He built the world’s largest flight school, where he trained the Crusaders, a privately funded air force. With the support of President Roosevelt, Steven also developed the Silver Avengers, a fleet of advanced warplanes patrolling America’s western shores.
The 1930s brought challenges of their own, from the Great Depression to the looming threat of global conflict. With Hardy and Oz by his side, Steven faced a host of adversaries—men and organizations bent on world domination or exploiting the misfortunes of others.
In 1941, Steven married Desa Wintergreen, adding a new chapter to his life as an aviator and adventurer. Four years later, in 1945, Steven and Desa adopted a son, Lankard, an orphan from London who had lost his home during the Blitz. Together, they provided Lankard with a new home and a future full of hope.
Steven Hawklin’s legacy as a hero of his time continues through his dedication to family, friends, and the ongoing fight against tyranny and injustice.
Name: Hardy Regan Miller
Date of Birth: January 10, 1890
Place of Origin: Ohio
Hardy Regan Miller was a born mechanic, growing up in Ohio and working on engines alongside his grandfather, who was a personal friend of Henry Ford. A natural talent, Hardy’s mechanical skills evolved with advancements in engine technology. By the age of 18, he was collaborating with Henry Ford, contributing to innovations in combustible engine design.
In 1911, Hardy had the fortune of meeting the Wright Brothers. He studied aviation under their guidance and became close friends with Wilbur Wright until Wilbur’s untimely death in 1912. This apprenticeship with the Wrights ignited Hardy’s lifelong obsession with flying and the mechanics behind aviation.
When the United States entered World War I in 1917, Hardy, then 27, joined the Air Service. There, he met Steven Hawklin, a brash, young pilot. Despite their differences, the two men formed a friendship that would endure for decades.
After the war, Hardy and Steven traveled the globe throughout the 1920s, seeking adventure and fortune. Their travels brought them face-to-face with numerous challenges and mysteries, strengthening their bond and preparing them for the trials ahead.
Returning to Crown City, California, Hardy joined Steven in founding Hawklin Aviation. Hardy’s mechanical expertise played a critical role in building the world’s largest flight school and developing the “Silver Avenger,” the advanced warplanes flown by Hawklin’s Crusaders, a privately funded air force.
During the turbulent 1930s, Hardy and Steven faced countless threats, from foreign adversaries to domestic profiteers, as the world edged closer to a second global war. Hardy’s mechanical genius and steadfast loyalty proved essential in these battles, solidifying his place as Steven’s most trusted ally.
In 1939, Hardy married Anna Janovsky, bringing stability and joy into his life amidst the chaos of the times. Together, they faced the challenges of a world on the brink of conflict, adding a new chapter to Hardy’s legacy as a cornerstone of the Hawklin story.
Oscar “Oz” Lyman grew up in the bustling streets of Chicago, where his teenage years were shaped by his involvement with the Eastman Gang, an organized group primarily composed of Irish and Italian Catholics. During this time, Oz worked as a courier, delivering packages for the gang without asking questions.
At the age of 17, Oz met Bruno Cossa, a mechanic with no ties to the gang’s criminal activities. Bruno recognized Oz’s potential and took him under his wing, teaching him the intricacies of working on combustion engines. Oz quickly developed a natural talent for mechanics. However, tragedy struck when Bruno was murdered by the Eastman Gang, prompting Oz to flee Chicago at 19, leaving behind the world of organized crime.
Over the next few years, Oz traveled across the United States, working in garages and offering mechanical assistance in areas without reliable mechanics. When the United States entered World War I, Oz enlisted in the Army. He served in the trenches of France and was assigned to the 77th Division in June 1918. In October of that year, he became one of the 554 men trapped in the Argonne Forest during the harrowing ordeal later known as the Lost Battalion.
The traumatic experience left a lasting impact on Oz, who took a vow of non-aggression, becoming a pacifist and swearing never to take another human life.
After the war, Oz set out on solo travels around the globe. In 1926, his journey led him to Cairo, Egypt, where he met Steven Hawklin and Hardy Miller. Together, they uncovered an ancient tomb guarded by a living mummy, an event that set the stage for a decade of thrilling adventures.
Following the events in Egypt, Oz worked with legendary big-game hunter Frank Buck for four years before reuniting with Steven and Hardy on the infamous Monster Island. The shared adventures solidified their friendship and established Oz as an integral part of their team.
Eventually, Oz settled in Crown City, California, where he became the chief mechanic and inventor for Captain Steven Hawklin. His expertise and creativity were instrumental in their efforts to tackle the challenges of the turbulent 1930s.
Throughout the first part of the 20th century he delivered, “packages” from one location to another. It wasn’t until he was 17 that Oz met, Bruno Cossa, a mechanic who wanted nothing to do with the Eastman Gang. He took Oz under his wing and taught him how to work on automobiles, and Oz found he had a knack for combustion engines. When Bruno was murdered by the Eastman gang, Oz ran away from Chicago at 19 leaving the idea of organized crime behind him.
For the next several years Oz traveled the United states working in garages or in areas that had no mechanics. When the United States entered the First World War, Oz joined the army, seeing combat in the trenches of France.
He was assigned to the 77th division in June of 1918 where he was among the 554 men lost in the Argonne Forest in October of the same year. It became known as the Lost Battalion. From that experience Oz took a vow of non-aggression becoming a pacifist, swearing to never take another human life.
After the war, Oz traveled the world alone, where he met Steven Hawklin and Hardy Miller, in 1926 Cairo, where they encountered an ancient tomb guarded by a living mummy and set the events for the group over the next decade.
Soon after the events in Egypt, Oz found employment with the Legendary Big Game Hunter, Frank Buck, who he worked with for four years, until crossing paths again with Steven and Hardy on the infamous Monster Island.
Oz settled into his life in Crown City, after returning from the South China Sea, becoming chief mechanic and tinkerer for Captain Steven Hawklin.
Name: Desa Lynn Gabel Wintergreen Hawklin
Date of Birth: September 9, 1895
Place of Origin: London, England
Desa Lynn Gabel was born into British nobility as the daughter of Lord Vinton Gabel. Raised with the expectation of marrying into one of the noble houses of Great Britain, her future seemed assured until her father became embroiled in a scandal that shattered her family’s standing. With her prospects for an advantageous match erased, Desa faced a life of ridicule and disdain.
Refusing to wallow in pity, Desa sought to chart her own course. She enrolled in school, enduring the condescension of her peers and society’s rigid expectations for women of her status. Despite the obstacles, she remained steadfast in her resolve to redefine herself beyond the disgrace of her father’s actions.
In 1915, Desa met Oman Wintergreen, a prominent and confident businessman who dismissed the scandal surrounding her father as irrelevant. Three weeks after their first meeting, Oman proposed, and Desa accepted, hoping to restore her family’s honor through their union. Their marriage brought a sense of stability to Desa’s life, though she would soon realize it was not the kind of happiness she had always dreamed of.
In 1921, Desa encountered Steven Hawklin during a business trip he undertook to England with his father, Thomas Hawklin. Close in age, the two formed a fast friendship. Unspoken feelings developed between them, but out of respect for Oman, Steven never acted on his emotions, and Desa remained loyal to her husband.
Tragedy struck in 1934 when Oman Wintergreen was murdered for in his involvement in a dubious affair, leaving Desa a widow. While she grieved deeply, the loss also freed her to rediscover herself and explore new opportunities. In 1936, Desa joined the Shadow Men, a covert spy organization operating under the British Government. As an operative, she used her intellect, charm, and resourcefulness to undertake dangerous missions, serving her country in the growing shadow of global conflict.
Her work as a spy brought Desa into contact with Steven Hawklin once again, as their paths crossed in the turbulent years leading up to World War II. Their bond grew stronger, and the love that had long simmered beneath the surface finally came to fruition. In 1941, Desa and Steven married, beginning a partnership defined by adventure, resilience, and mutual respect.
As Steven’s wife, Desa became an indispensable part of his life, contributing her sharp mind and unyielding determination to his daring exploits. Together, they forged a legacy of courage and perseverance, navigating the challenges of a world on the brink of chaos.
Name: Zane Holden Carrington
Date of Birth: May 4, 1905
Zane Holden Carrington was born into a privileged life in New York City as the son of Walter Carrington, a renowned lawyer celebrated for his success in high-profile cases. Growing up, Zane idolized his father and aspired to follow in his footsteps, pursuing a career in law. A true All-American boy, Zane was a star athlete, excelling as a football player in high school, where he was voted "Most Likely to Succeed."
In his freshman year of college, Zane met Diana Burtok, a bright and captivating young woman who quickly stole his heart. Their love blossomed, but their happiness was overshadowed by the relentless pursuit of Jessep Winthrop. Jessep, a peer of Zane’s, shared his social circle, attended the same college, and played on the same sports teams. Despite these commonalities, the two were rivals in every sense—competing in athletics, social standing, and even matters of the heart. Diana rejected Jessep’s advances, but his obsession with her only intensified, ignoring Zane’s warnings to leave her alone.
Tragedy struck on the night of October 18, 1928, when Jessep, consumed by rage, murdered Diana and left her lifeless body on the steps of her parents’ home in West Village. Devastated and enraged, Zane tracked Jessep to his family's cabin in the Catskills, where he confronted him. Overcome with grief and fury, Zane shot Jessep dead.
Arrested at the scene, with the weapon still in his hand and Jessep’s body at his feet, Zane faced a grim future. Even his father, Walter, feared he could not save his son from the death penalty. At the desperate pleas of Zane’s mother, Wanda, Walter made a bold and dangerous decision: he smuggled Zane out of the country to the Orient, sparing him from the electric chair.
A wanted man with a bounty placed on his head by the powerful Winthrop family, Zane took refuge at sea. He found work aboard the tramp steamer Algiers, a humble start that allowed him to keep moving and avoid detection. Life at sea proved both a refuge and a challenge, as Zane constantly evaded bounty hunters lured by the substantial reward for his capture—even Zane himself once joked about turning himself in for the money.
By 1933, Zane had risen to become the owner and captain of the Algiers. He reinvented himself as an adventurer for hire, navigating treacherous waters while maintaining a low profile. Despite his best efforts to remain inconspicuous, Zane often found himself swept up in the thrilling and dangerous exploits of Captain Steven Hawklin. These adventures, while exhilarating, frequently led Zane into even greater trouble.
Zane Holden Carrington’s first chronological appearance was in Captain Hawklin and the Secrets of Monster Island, where he quickly became a fan favorite. His charisma and resourcefulness earned him recurring roles in Captain Hawklin and the Underwater Menace and Captain Hawklin and the Ghost Army. Zane’s solo adventures began in the story Testament of a Forgotten God, featured in PULP REALITY #1. His next story, The Stowaway, appears as a backup tale in Captain Hawklin and the Invisible Enemy. Currently Zane Carrington adventures are appearing in the anthology series Stormgate Press Quick Read Books, a short story series featuring other creations by Charles F. Millhouse.
who he grew to dispise. Though his hatred for Captain Hawklin remained his secret to the very end, Skyhook took it upon himself to destroy everything Steven Hawklin stood for. Even after the truth of his identity was revealed, Skyhook’s presence continued to haunt the captain for years to come.
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