Heads up Reacher Creatures, the Puller Prowlers are here.

Is David Baldacci’s John Puller modelled on Jack Reacher?  If we look at the characters, there are many similarities.

• about 6-1/2 feet tall, broad, muscular and tough
• military brats who have (used to have) an elder brother
• highly decorated combat soldiers
• investigators with US Army
• know their way with weapons
• capable of killing with bare hands
• laconic and able to work alone
• watchful, observant, resourceful and highly intelligent
• in real life has a following with Reacher Creatures

But there are also differences, unlike Jack Reacher, Baldacci’s John Puller

• is still with the US Army
• is not a commissioned officer
• always carries - not one but 2 guns and a K-Bar knife
• is proficient with modern technology and computers
• has an elder brother who is not a lawman but a convict
• yet to get real life groupies like Puller Prowlers

and most glaringly,

• has a cat

8-0
Jokes apart, Puller can be confused for a ‘reloaded avatar’ of Jack Reacher.  Personally I think we have to enjoy both the characters for what they are - instead of comparing them or getting into a Reacher vs Puller argument.

Speaking for myself, when I recall that Puller has that all-inclusive Rucksack, from which he manages to pull out his uniforms, guns, a mini-crime scene investigation lab, photograph equipment, body armour (two?) and a bio-hazard suit (two?) to boot, I would guess Baldacci modelled Puller not on Reacher but on Predator and its arm contraption.

:-/

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