WarGate Books to Publish Blaine L. Pardoe & Mike Baron Vigilante Series TENURE.

New York Times bestseller Blaine L. Pardoe and Eisner winner Mike Baron have signed with WarGate Books to publish their forthcoming series, Tenure, a vigilante tale about a man pushed to his breaking point by modern-day political mobs. Book one is expected to release in late 2024.

Pardoe is the recipient of the Michigan History and Harriet Quimby Awards. Baron is best known for his writing on The Punisher, Flash, Star Wars, and his own creations, Nexus and Badger.

Both men have been targeted by cancel culture in the span of their careers.

Baron was the subject of a targeted harassment campaign that required lawsuits to settle. Pardoe, for 36 years, wrote for the BattleTech series until an online harassment mob instigated a permanent split. He now publishes his own mecha science-fiction, LAND&SEA, through WarGate Books.

WarGate Operator spoke with Blaine L. Pardoe about the project:

WG: How did the idea for Tenure come about?

BP: We connected when I interviewed Mike on Writers Fix Problems. There was a lot of mutual respect between the two of us and we decided to try and find the right vehicle for us to work together. It all began with a simple line: “What if we did The Punisher, but he went after the woke?”

WG: Tell us a little about the main character.

BP: Braxton Knox is a college professor who makes a simple mistake, not using a student’s pronoun, which cascades into his life being utterly ruined. He’s smart, has a little military training, but otherwise is an everyman—a good person who is pushed too far.

There are elements of Michael Douglas’s character from Falling Down, but the core of who he is comes from both The Punisher, which Mike has experience with, and Mack Bolan from the 1970s Executioner novel series.

We want to capture those vibes with this character. He’s a man who not only goes after his own vengeance, but like the Equalizer and Bolan, he helps those who cannot help themselves.

WG: You've developed a reputation for in-depth research, going so far as to experience Ranger School in preparation for writing in Galaxy's Edge. What sort of research is required to get a book like Tenure right?

BP: Our main character has an array of firearms. One of those weapons is a sniper rifle. I reached out to WarGate's own expert in that field, John “Doc” Spears. John trains military snipers, so he generously loaned me some of his expertise. PS — Go buy John's novels!  

In terms of firearms, I reached out to the Ruger people and got a lot of hands-on help from them. As it turns out, the sniper weapon we are using is made here in my hometown, so I have engaged with the manufacturer to get a look at their facilities and to get an orientation to the weapon—just so we keep this accurate. My neighbor is a Glock armorer and has been helping me beef up my Glock knowledge. It's all so that we can portray the scenes in the books accurately.  

WG: The premise of Tenure feels prescient given the rise of violent crime with seemingly no accountability in America. Repeat offenders are regularly let back out onto the streets at the peril of law-abiding citizens. How far is the United States from witnessing a real-life version of the events in your book?

BP: Most of what we have in this book, and set aside for future novels, is based on news taken from the real world. People are fed up with the cancel culture mob, Antifa, and self-proclaimed social justice warriors.

Our character, Braxton Knox, is a man pushed too far…and when you have nothing left to lose, you take actions that others might call radical, but the masses fully understand. Violence begets violence, and the time for good men to stand by and do nothing comes to an end with Tenure.

For more information about Mike Baron:

Website: (bloodyredbaron.com)

Weekly YouTube Show:(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuoSDaLXN3BNSkHI61jZRPg)

For more information about Blaine L. Pardoe:

Website: (www.blainepardoe.com)

Follow on X (formerly twitter) (www.twitter.com/bpardoe870)