Showing posts with label Black Tao. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Black Tao. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Black Tao ™ short story E-book exclusive on Three J Productions, LLC Blog page

BLACK TAO ™ 
Three J Productions, LLC and 3JP Comics present an exclusive Black Tao short story written by Carl Herring Jr. in e-book format done in prose style with illustrations by artists Tod Smith and Ejay Russell.

Black Tao "From Within" special e-book edition published by Three J Productions, LLC.  Black Tao™ and copyright Property of Three J Productions, LLC 2020.  All Rights Reserved.

The events and characters in this e-book are entirely fictional.  Any similarities to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.  No portion of this e-book may be used or reproduced by any means (digital or print) without written permission from Three J Productions, LLC except for review purposes.

"From Within"
Page One
Act I


     Present day Hokkaido, Japan. Nestled in the mountainous region of the island sits a centuries old, secluded compound that is surrounded by an eight foot high wooden fence.  The compound consists of six wooden buildings. Located in the center of the compound is the largest building, a pagoda which stands three stories high. The pagoda is very majestic in appearance, while the five smaller buildings which surround the pagoda in a semi-circle look very utilitarian in their design. The five smaller buildings are the living quarters of the current inhabitants of the compound, while the pagoda serves as a monument to its original inhabitants, the founders of the Black Tao ninja clan.

Page Two

     The Black Tao ninja clan is considered by many to be the first and only true ninja clan. Created during Japan's Heian Period by its founding fathers, Hattori Hanzo, Kusunoki Masashige, Sanada Yukimura, Fujibayeshi Ito and Tokugawa Hayato. Together with a few of their followers they created the fighting style known as the art of Ninjutsu. But it became more than just a style of combat, it became a way of life.  Practitioners had to adhere to a strict code of physical and mental discipline, as well as a strict code of honor in how they used their abilities. 
     Through years of vigorous physical and mental training, the Black Tao ninjas were believe to have superhuman capabilities. During Japan's warring years, Black Tao ninjas successfully defended their lands from foreign invaders and stories of their superhuman exploits in defeating their enemies became legend and they were looked upon as heroes to the people of Japan.
     After the great wars were over, the Black Tao ninjas found that their skills were no longer needed. Many of them went back to their lives as farmers and laborers. Others found that they could make more money using their skills as ninjas to protect wealthy businessmen and their families from bandits while traveling.  The founding fathers now known as The Elders, were fearful of allowing their ninjas to use their skills in such a manner for fear that their actions could bring dishonor to The Black Tao legacy, so a set of rules were put in place for any ninjas that wanted to use their skills for hire. 1) The person who seeks protection must be of honest profession and of good character - this was a way to ensure that Black Tao ninjas did not work for warring crime lords.  2) Killing was not allowed, unless it was in defense of their lives or the lives of those under their protection - this was to ensure that there would be no jobs of paid assassinations. 3) Conduct must always be true to the teachings of the Black Tao ways.

Page Three

     The Black Tao ninjas were regarded as heroes of Japan after the great wars were over, but with the passage of time, stories of their heroism turned into stories of their viciousness as hired assassins. The Elder, Hattori Hanzo unbeknownst to his fellow Elders, deploys spies throughout the countryside to learn more about these stories of Black Tao ninjas performing hired assassinations, which was a violation of the Black Tao code of discipline. Hanzo's spies discover that these ninjas were not Black Tao, but another set of ninjas calling themselves  the Red Dragon ninja clan. Hanzo is informed by his spies that the Red Dragon ninjas are being trained and swear their allegiance to their master, Crimson Death, who is discovered to be Black Tao Elder, Tokugawa Hayato. The Elders confront Tokugawa about his betrayal and his dishonoring of the Black Tao ninja clan. He is found guilty of violating the clan's code of discipline and sentenced to death. Before his sentence can be carried out, Tokugawa with the help of some of his loyal ninja followers is able to escape...

End Of Act I
To Be Continued Next Month
BLACK TAO ™ and © 2020
Three J Productions, LLC 
To Purchase Black Tao Poster follow the link below




     

     

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Carl Herring Jr.'s Comic book creations, Black Tao, Jonas McCabe and Maddox Turner on display at UConn Stamford Campus

In honor of Black History month UConn Stamford Campus will be exhibiting works of art by African American Cartoon and Comic book creators, as well as showcase African American characters from the cartoon and comic book industry.

Among the exhibitors are  Mort Walker featuring Lt. Flap in Beetle Bailey, Ray Billingsley (Curtis), Prof. William Foster III (Comic book Historian) and Carl Herring Jr. featuring Black Tao, Jonas McCabe and Maddox Turner.  Plus the artwork of Tod Smith, Ejay Russell and Ed Coutts will be on display.

The exhibit runs from February 1 through March 5, 2016.  For more info go to UConn Stamford Campus website events page.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Carl Herring Jr. branches out from Comic book writer to Film Producer

Since the first day that I started Three J Productions, LLC my goal was to take 3JP's collection of comic book characters from the printed page and branch out into the animation and film industry.  My absence from the blog these past few months has been due to my desire to reach this goal.

I've been using my time away from the blog to network with some very talented filmmakers, which has allowed me the opportunity to invest financial and promotional support to several film projects.  These projects are not the property of Three J Productions nor do they feature the company's characters.  But the film projects do represent a move in the direction that I want to take for the company, which is to make it more than just a comic book company, but an entertainment media company that has Intellectual Properties that span all avenues of entertainment distribution, from Film, TV and Web.  My association with the projects and with the filmmakers has taught me some valuable lessons about the film making process.  I am confident that the lessons I've learned and the relationships I've made in the film community will help me reach my ultimate goal.

To learn more about the film projects that I've been attached to as a producer and associate producer you can go to my IMDB page by following the link below.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5033837/


 


As always, I thank all of you who have shown your support to Three J Productions, LLC and hope you will continue to support 3JP as the company moves towards bigger and better things in the coming years.  Also, check the blog for future updates about upcoming publications like the Black Tao graphic novel, Chase and Hunt(TM) in an all new adventure and the ongoing exploits of The Enforcers.  Three J Productions, LLC the first name in visual arts entertainment.(TM)   - Carl Herring Jr. President Three J Productions, LLC.

Monday, January 3, 2011

NEW YEAR MORE ACTION!

Another year has come and gone and I would like to take this moment to thank everyone who has shown their support for Three J Productions throughout the previous year and for their support during 2011.

To keep with the company's mission to being "the first name in visual arts entertainment(TM), 2011 promises to be a spectacular year. With the new year, comes new characters like Black Tao, a ninja superhero whose destiny is to save the world from the ultimate evil when the spirit of Crimson Death The Master Ninja is awakened and renews his quest for world domination.

Also with the new year comes more action as The Enforcers five part mini-series continues with the release of The Enforcers Part Two "The Countdown Begins". And CHASE AND HUNT(TM), return in Crime Wave Anthology vol. 2, plus some surprises that will be discussed at a later time.

Again, thank you for the continued support.
Best Wishes to all for the New Year! -

Carl Herring Jr. President
Three J Productions, LLC