Created by filmmaker and actor Edward Burns (Saving Private Ryan, Brothers McMullen, 27 Dresses). New York City: It's the roaring 20s and America's great metropolis has become the nexus of high society culture, cutting edge industry and perhaps the most shocking crime wave in our country's history. Known for its sinister and treacherous underworld, there's a new power waking up the city that never sleeps. Its name... John 'The Hand' Smith. The Nickname is a given. An outcast and an orphan, Smith's massive right hand is nearly twice as large as his left, and when push comes to shove, you'd pity anyone that's gets in his way. Smith's only friends in the world are a fellow orphan and low-rent black gangster nicknamed Bootsy, and a Asian femme fatale known as Ring-a-Ling. In a world of crime, passion, and a touch of the fantastic, they will attempt to change organized crime... or die trying.

Outcast and orphan, John "The Hand" Smith has a massive right hand nearly twice as large as his left, and when push comes to shove, you'd pity anyone that gets in its way. With his friends, fellow orphan and low-rent black gangster nicknamed Bootsy and Asian femme fatale known as Ring-a-Ling, he will attempt to change organized crime or die trying.

Created by filmmaker and actor Edward Burns (Saving Private Ryan, Brothers McMullen, 27 Dresses). Diamond-tooth gangsters, deadly double crosses, stolen opium shipments, plenty of tommy guns, and of course the flirtatious and sexy girlfriend of the mob boss. This is the world of New York City in the Roaring Twenties. Known for its sinister and treacherous underworld, there's a new power waking up the city that never sleeps. His name...John "The Hand" Smith. An outcast and an orphan, Smith has a massive right hand nearly twice as large as his left, and when push comes to shove, you'd pity anyone that gets in its way. When a rumble at the docks lands Smith on the local mob boss's payroll, it could be the break he's been waiting for. Along with his quick-witted best friend Bootsy and the martial arts femme fatale Ring-A-Ling, Smith and his crew are taking a big bite outta the Big Apple. But with the gangs wanting him dead and the boss's girl wanting him in her bed, has Smith bitten off more than he can chew? Read the acclaimed comic book series of which Variety writes: "If you like Martin Scorsese's films, this is the comic for you."

Created by filmmaker and actor Edward Burns (Saving Private Ryan, Brothers McMullen, 27 Dresses). The entire New York City underworld has gone topsy-turvy. Mob boss Mad Dog Madden is in hiding now that his original made-man, Gentleman Jim, is in the dog house. But when the Irish Mobster posts a reward for anyone that can bring him the right hand of the Dock Walloper, the war that's been brewing in the great melting pot is about to boil over!

Created by filmmaker and actor Edward Burns (Saving Private Ryan, Brothers McMullen, 27 Dresses). John 'The Hand' Smith may have escaped the jeweled jaws of Diamond Jack, but his troubles only seem to multiply. Someone is hell bent on seeing Smith and his oversized northpaw dispatched to their maker. But what doesn't kill him only seems to make him stronger, and Smith convinces Boss Madden to undertake a dangerous plan to rob the Chinese gangs of their opium, only to sell it back at an enormous profit. But double-crossings and Tommy guns wreak havoc on the Madden Crime Organization and just as things go from bad to worse, Madden's girl, Cora, starts to wonder if what they say about men with big hands is really true.

Created by filmmaker and actor Edward Burns (Saving Private Ryan, Brothers McMullen, 27 Dresses). Diamond-tooth gangsters, deadly double crosses, stolen opium shipments, plenty of tommy guns, and of course the flirtatious and sexy girlfriend of the mob boss. This is the world of New York City in the Roaring Twenties. Known for its sinister and treacherous underworld, there's a new power waking up the city that never sleeps. His name...John "The Hand" Smith. An outcast and an orphan, Smith has a massive right hand nearly twice as large as his left, and when push comes to shove, you'd pity anyone that gets in its way. When a rumble at the docks lands Smith on the local mob boss's payroll, it could be the break he's been waiting for. Along with his quick-witted best friend Bootsy and the martial arts femme fatale Ring-A-Ling, Smith and his crew are taking a big bite outta the Big Apple. But with the gangs wanting him dead and the boss's girl wanting him in her bed, has Smith bitten off more than he can chew? Read the acclaimed comic book series of which Variety writes: "If you like Martin Scorsese's films, this is the comic for you."

Created by filmmaker and actor Edward Burns (Saving Private Ryan, Brothers McMullen, 27 Dresses). In spite of the several public attempts on his life, Smith charges ahead with his plan to steal an opium shipment to the Chinese and then sell it back to them for a song. But when Smith, Bootsy and Ring-a-Ling are surprised by the Italians on the roofs of Chinatown, the only way out is through a wall of Chinese gangsters, who don't need guns to do serious damage. Neither does Cora, boss Madden's moll, who's got Smith all hot under the collar. But are her advances simply those of a flirtatious flapper, or is there something else going on behind the heart-stopping allure of the boss' girl?

Acclaimed independent filmmaker Ed Burns shares the story of his remarkable career and offers a candid, instructive account of the ins-and-outs of making great movies without the backing of Hollywood. As the second of three children from a working-class Long Island family, Ed Burns thought a career in filmmaking was a pipe dream. When his first film, The Brothers McMullen, won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, he proved himself to be one of the most distinctive and tenacious filmmakers of our time. Since then he has gone on to star in major Hollywood films while remaining dedicated to his true passion: making small films that he believes in. Sharing the lengths he's gone to in order to write, direct, cast, produce, shoot, and edit films on a shoestring budget, Burns uses stories from his life and career to illustrate what it takes to make it as an indie filmmaker. His extreme focus and drive prove that passion and hard work can pay off, and he urges students and aspiring filmmakers to embrace and learn from their failures—and continue to pursue their goals. A gripping, inspirational story about forging your own path, Independent Ed is a must-read for casual movie fans, serious film students, and any creative person searching for a bit of inspiration.

Includes Part 1, Number 1: Books and Pamphlets, Including Serials and Contributions to Periodicals (January - June)