Mike Hammer Books In Order

Publication Order of Mike Hammer Books

Publication Order of's Mike Hammer Graphic Novels

Publication Order of Mike Hammer Audio Books

The Mike Hammer series is a novel series based on the life of the fictional character named Micheal Hammer, developed by the famous American author Mickey Spillane. There is a total of 20 novels in the series which are published from 1947 to 2014. Author Mickey Spillane has written the latter half of the series in collaboration with Max Allen Collins. The series is based on the crime-fiction and mystery genres in a plot set in New York. U.S.A where Mike Hammer works as a private Investigator. Author Spillane used the plot of the post World War I era to develop the first novel of the series. The series has been successful enough to be made into several movies as well as television series’. The first television series based on the novels was made in the year 1958 with the title ‘Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer’ starring actor Darren McGavin. Another television series based on the novels was made again in the year 1984, this time with actor Stacy Keach in the lead role. Stacy Keach continued to play the role of Mike Hammer in the next installments of the television series’ ‘The New Mike Hammer’ and ‘Mike Hammer, Private Eye’ from 1984 to 1998. A comic strip and several Audio-books and Radio series were also developed based on the novels of the series. The first few novels were also made into movies from 1953 to 2003 with noted actors of that time. The first novel of the series ‘I, The Jury’ was adapted into a movie twice, first time in 1953 with actor Biff Elliot as Mike Hammer and again in 1982 with actor Armand Assante in the lead role as private investigator Mike Hammer. Author Mickey Spillane had developed the character of Mike Hammer based on the life of a former New York police officer and ex-Marine, Jack Stang, and also wanted him to play the lead role in the movie adaptation of one of the novels of the series in 1963. However, he turned down the offer and author Mickey Spillane went on to play Mike Hammer himself. Even though, a number of actors have played the role of Mike Hammer in various films and television series’, actor Stacy Keach was the only who resembled the character closely. The character description of Mike Hammer as is given by author Mickey Spillane in the novels of the series is as follows:

MIKE HAMMER:
Mike Hammer was cynical about the tedious legal system of New York and often chose to enforce his own laws. He has a different approach to working unlike the pulp detectives, Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe. He is quite violent in his approach and often gets fueled against serious crimes by a genuine rage. He describes himself as a misanthrope to the bar girls in the series. Author Mickey Spillane has characterized Hammer based on the real life of the hard-boiled gunfighter and Texas Ranger, Frank Hammer. Hammer views the legal system as an impediment to justice, unlike the common hard-boiled investigators who tend to manipulate and bend the law. He has respect for the police department knowing that the officers have to carry out tough jobs in stopping the criminals, even though their hands are tied by the law very often. Mike is quite fierce and brutal against the criminals and carries a shoulder harness, with a 0.45 mm gun, under his left arm. He has a soft corner in his heart for his secretary Velda but seems more willing to kill the killers than spending time with her. He has a best friend in the form of Pat Chambers, who is the Captain of the Homicide, New York Police Department. Before serving as a private investigator, Mike was an army veteran of the second World War, spending a couple of years fighting against Japan in a jungle warfare. He is described as an anti-communist and a patriotic citizen of his country. Hammer supports the American troops in Vietnam and Korea through his remarks. He often reacts sarcastically to the propaganda of the communist leaders of New York. He relishes his violent encounters with the criminals and often leaves them vomiting with a hard blow to their stomach or groin.

The first novel of the Mike Hammer series was published under the title ‘I, The Jury’, in the year 1947 by E.P. Dutton. It was reissued in 1975 by the Signet publishing house. The novel is set in New York. United States and is based on mysterious gun battles involving Mike Hammer. The plot of the novel opens up with the ending and the introduces the killer in its first sentence. Dr. Charlotte Manning is introduced as a young and beautiful psychiatrist, who is involved in criminal activities in order to earn more profits. She makes her rich clients get more addicted to drugs instead of rehabilitating them. When a friend of Mike Hammer, Jack Williams comes to know about the criminal activities of Charlotte and Hal Kines, she secretly moves into his apartment and shoots him. Mike and Pat Chambers set out to investigate the murder. After seeing the body of his dear friend, Mike vows to find out the killer and punish him on his own. He suspects a number of people, including Jack’s fiancee Myrna Devlin, George Kaleci, Hal Kines and Charlotte. As Pat and Mike continue with the investigation of Jack’s murder, Charlotte keeps killing people who she fears would reveal her secrets. She also falls in love with Mike but does confront him as it could be harmful to her. Finally, when Myrna is shot dead, Hammer comes to know about the true identity of Charlotte Manning. He moves into her apartment and shoots her as she is about to shoot him. Author Mickey Spillane was able to sell more than 3.5 millions copies of the novel. The movies made on the novel also became huge hits grossing huge profits.

The second novel of the series was titled ‘My Gun is Quick’ and was published in the year 1950 by Signet Books. Based on the crime fiction and mystery genres, the novel is once again set in New York and depicts private investigator Mike Hammer. At the start of the novel, he meets a prostitute at dinner. She explains her fear of a man known to her and seems quite hassled. Mike calms her down swiftly and ensures her safety. He also gives her some money and asks her to get a decent job. However, she gets murdered in a hit-and-run accident. Enraged by the news, Mike sets out to hunt the murderer. In his quest of doing so, he uncovers a powerful and massive prostitution network in New York. The novel became successful just like the first novel of the series. It was also adapted into a movie of the same title in the year 1957, featuring actor Robert Bray as Mike Hammer. The film was also a huge hit like the novel and did excellent business all over the world. Mickey Spillane was praised for his unique character description of Mike Hammer as the ‘Mike Hammer’ series was very well received by the readers and the critics.