BLACK LEGION

 

Karl Dunston, a recent move from the south to the Motor City, feels he has finally made a chance for himself and his family. A good job in one of the auto factories, a bustling city verging on major growth, and a city that promised more houses available than any in the nation.

Detroit in the 1930’s seemed to hold incredible promise for Karl as well as many others in a country that was plagued by the Great Depression. Karl knew it was due to his relatives in the new labor unions that were forming that gave him the opportunity and kept him out of the food lines.

` When the auto companies looked for even cheaper labor from the south which was primarily blacks coming to the "utopia black city" of Inkster, Michigan...Karl had no problem joining organized groups that would fight the action.

And slowly, he became immersed in a group known as The Black Legion.

With the symbol of the Skulls and Crossbones, the Black Legion was the northern version of the KKK. But instead of forming vigilante groups, they relied on political power with the unions, with the police and judicial leaders of the city. Detroit, more than any other city, was infected with this new disease of misplaced brotherhood.

Karl benefits too much from the group to complain or even to question...but when the Black Legion takes to violence, Karl finds himself facing a line that he doesn’t want to cross.

With neighbors being beat up and a young friend killed, Karl realizes that nothing is worth this cost. He decides to turn against the group.

But who can he turn to? The police and the judges are involved as seemingly are all of the officials of the city.

When the district attorney puts feelers out to find someone to work with, Karl knows this is a chance for him to do the right thing....even though it could cost him everything he’s worked for.

Brief Description: A story of a man who infiltrates and betrays the notorious Black Legion that was powerful in the Midwest during the 1930’s.

Key Elements: Intrigue, suspense, betrayal, and an exploratory look at an once powerful group that has seemingly been lost to antiquity.

Association: Can be similarity compared to other undercover works such as Serpico, Donnie Brasco, and others.

Format: Caliber Entertainment property derived from the Tome Press historical look at Black Legion in development.