Wingman Books In Order

Publication Order of Wingman Books

The American author hailing from Boston, Brian Kelleher was to be a highly influential and successful writer of fantasy and science-fiction novels. Creating in-depth and immersive worlds, he is a master of genre fiction, knowing the form, as well as how to entertain and keep his audience engaged. Writing a number of series during the course of his career, he’d set-up leading protagonists that were exciting and enthralling to read. One such series was that of his ongoing ‘Wingman’ franchise of novels that followed an ace fighter jet pilot as he took to the skies in a post-apocalyptic world. Taking place in the aftermath of World War 3 it manages to see him fight all sorts of villains, as well as having all sorts of adventures too. Allowing the reader to become heavily invested in his character it would become an extremely immersive character for the reader to become invested in.

Lasting for approximately sixteen novels right up until the year of 1999, this was a series that was a testament to its genre. Showing a lot of potential to continually expand on the franchise indefinitely, it was a great example of world-building for an author. With his iconic character at the center as well, it really traveled along at a brisk pace as well, thus ensuring that it was accessible for all readers.

Wingman

Initially published on first of March in 1987, this was to be the first in the series of ‘Wingman’ novels, being set in the war-torn future. First brought out through the ‘Zebra’ publishing label it was a book very much of its time and genre, following in a similar vein to the ‘Mad Max’ franchise that preceded it. Setting up the world and the characters that inhabit it, author Mack Maloney manages to create both the style and the tone of the series overall.

Creating much of the world that the Wingman himself is set to inhabit, Maloney works at painting it all in vivid and in-depth detail. This then allows the reader to dive in feeling as it they’re really there, which is also helped through the realistic characterizations as well. Getting a first-hand taste of the action, they able to witness the narrative almost as if they were able to see it for themselves. The world it takes place within is also something that’s to be especially noted here, as its scope is enormous. Maloney has really worked at giving a sense of size and scale here, as he allows the reader to become heavily involved. Feeling like they can explore it themselves, it really shows that he’s put a lot of attention to detail here in the descriptions. The characters are also worth noting too, as it would be so easy for them all to fall into two-dimensional comic roles in a genre novel such as this, but Maloney elevates them to something else. With a strong interplay between them all it manages to give them a realistic sense of grounding, as the reader find them easier to relate to. The central character of the Wingman is also a finely draw one as well, as the audience feels they can root for him along the way.

With America having been ravaged by the spoils of war, as it follows in the aftermath of World War 3, this takes place in a radioactive wasteland. Taking to the skies in his jet plane fighter, the fearless pilot will fight back in the way he knows best and bring down the enemy. Filled with adventure and excitement he will try to bring order back to the war ravaged lands and fight for the side of justice and good. Will he save the day? Can he stay alive long enough to see tomorrow? What will become of the Wingman?

The Circle War

Originally published in 1987 again, this time in July, this title was released not long after the first one came out. Carrying on from where the previous novel left off it manages to continue in much the same vein as before, whilst adding to the franchise as a whole. Developing the world a little further, it builds upon the premise of a post-apocalyptic world, allowing his character of Wingman to discover it a little deeper this time.

Exploring the world in even greater detail this time, Maloney manages to paint an even more detailed picture than he did before. With the reader already being somewhat aware of what’s in store, this allows them to get a more refined idea of the universe as a whole. It also brings in some of Maloney’s major themes and ideas too, giving it a greater sense of weight, as well as scope. Taking the adventure to a wider stage it manages to build upon the world-building that came previously taking it even further in the process. Exploring it in even greater detail it gives Hawk Hunter aka the Wingman, an even bigger stage to fight his battles on.

Still set in the aftermath of World War Three, the ace fighter pilot Hawk Hunter, also known as the Wingman, continues to fight for what’s right. Immersed deep within the Bad Lands there’s stories of a vast army all equipped with Russian SAMs hidden out there. It is with this information that the Wingman decides to head out there and tackle the enemy head on, seeing if he can take them down. Will he be able to succeed? Can he stay alive long enough to prevail? Who will win ‘The Circle War’?

The Wingman Series

This is a series that has managed to build a lot of traction over the year, largely due to its fast past and exciting narrative tone throughout. Creating a lot of tension and action it’s a highly successful example of its form as, whilst it may adhere to the conventions of its genre, it also takes enough liberties to stand on its own two feet. With more and more discovering this series every day it appears that it isn’t stopping anytime soon either, as there’s still plenty of potential to expand upon it.