You know that feeling when you find a show that’s just... comfy? It’s like a favorite pair of boots. That’s exactly what happens when people stumble upon Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry. It’s been over five decades since the show first aired, yet the world of Alias Smith and Jones fan fiction is weirdly, wonderfully alive.
Most people think of 1970s TV Westerns and picture dusty trails or stiff acting. This show was different. It had that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid DNA—sarcasm, chemistry, and two guys trying to go straight in a world that wouldn't let them. When the show ended, the fans didn’t just walk away. They started writing. They never stopped.
Honestly, the sheer volume of stories out there is staggering. You’ve got everything from short "missing scenes" to massive, multi-novel epics that fix the show’s tragic history. It’s a subculture built on loyalty.
The Tragedy That Changed Everything
We have to talk about Peter Duel. It’s impossible to discuss the show or its fan-written legacy without acknowledging the elephant in the room. On New Year’s Eve in 1971, Duel, who played the charismatic Hannibal Heyes, took his own life. It was a massive shock. The show tried to continue with Roger Davis, but for many, the "magic" had shifted.
This is where the Alias Smith and Jones fan fiction community really found its purpose. In the early days of zines—those hand-stapled, photocopied booklets sold at conventions—writers were basically performing a collective act of grief counseling. They wrote stories where Heyes lived. They wrote stories where the duo finally got their long-promised amnesty.
Fanfic became a way to reclaim a narrative that felt cut short. It wasn't just about "shipping" or adventures; it was about healing.
The Transition From Zines to the Archive of Our Own
Before the internet, you had to mail a check to a stranger to get a copy of a fanzine like The Devil's Hole Gang. It was a dedicated, underground operation. Today, most of that history has been digitized. If you head over to AO3 (Archive of Our Own) or FanFiction.net, you’ll see the torch is still being carried.
Interestingly, the tone hasn't changed much. The writers still capture that specific "Heyes and Curry" banter. It's fast. It's witty. It’s often very, very funny.
🔗 Read more: A Simple Favor Blake Lively: Why Emily Nelson Is Still the Ultimate Screen Mystery
Why These Characters Hook Writers So Hard
What makes a character "fic-able"? For Heyes and Curry, it’s the stakes. They are outlaws with a "provisional amnesty." Basically, they have to stay out of trouble for a year, but they can’t tell anyone they’re seeking amnesty. It’s a perfect setup for drama.
Every time they help a widow or stop a bank robbery, they risk getting arrested. Writers love that tension.
- Hannibal Heyes: The brains. A bit of a con man. He's always got a plan that's about 10% too complicated.
- Jed "Kid" Curry: The fastest gun in the West. He’s the moral compass, often rolling his eyes at Heyes’ latest scheme.
The relationship is the engine. It’s a "ride or die" friendship. In modern fanfic terms, it’s the gold standard for "found family."
Common Tropes You’ll Run Into
You’re going to see a lot of "hurt/comfort." It’s a staple. Because the show was an action-adventure series, the characters were constantly getting shot at, jumped, or thrown off horses. Fan fiction writers take those moments and expand on them. They explore the emotional aftermath that 1970s television didn't have time for.
There's also a massive sub-genre focused on the "Amnesty." In the show, we never actually see them get it. In the fiction, they often do. These stories feel like a long-awaited exhale.
The Impact of the 1970s Aesthetic
Writing for this fandom requires a specific "voice." You can't just throw modern slang into 1890s Wyoming. Well, you can, but the readers will call you out on it.
The best Alias Smith and Jones fan fiction feels like a lost script. It uses the vernacular of the time—"mighty fine," "reckon," "straight and narrow"—without sounding like a parody. It’s a delicate balance.
💡 You might also like: The A Wrinkle in Time Cast: Why This Massive Star Power Didn't Save the Movie
Long-time authors like Sandy on various fan archives have mastered this. They understand the rhythm of the dialogue. It’s snappy. It’s rhythmic. It’s very much a product of its era, and that’s part of the charm.
Facing the "Replacement" Issue
A lot of fan fiction ignores the Roger Davis episodes entirely. Not out of spite for Davis, who was a talented actor, but because the chemistry changed. Some writers, however, have created "AU" (Alternative Universe) stories where Davis’s version of Heyes is a different character entirely, perhaps a cousin or a long-lost associate.
It’s a fascinating way to handle a casting change through creative writing. Instead of deleting the history, they expand the lore.
Where to Find the Good Stuff Today
If you're looking to dive in, don't just search randomly. You'll get lost in the weeds.
- The Archive of Our Own (AO3): Use the filters. Search for "Hannibal Heyes/Jed 'Kid' Curry" if you want romance, or use the "&" symbol for platonic friendship stories.
- The AS&J Fanfic Archive: There are older, dedicated sites that have been preserved for decades. These often contain the "classics" of the fandom.
- Facebook Groups: Surprisingly, there are several active groups where writers still share prompts and snippets.
The community is small but incredibly welcoming. If you post a story today, someone will read it. That's rare for a show this old.
The "Amnesty" That Never Ends
It’s kind of poetic. The characters spent the whole series looking for a way to be free and start over. In a way, the fan fiction gave it to them. Every time a writer hits "publish" on a new story, Heyes and Curry get another chance to outrun the law.
People often ask why anyone would write for a show that's been off the air since 1973. Honestly? Because the themes are universal. We all want a friend who has our back when things go south. We all want a second chance to fix our mistakes.
📖 Related: Cuba Gooding Jr OJ: Why the Performance Everyone Hated Was Actually Genius
Actionable Steps for Aspiring Writers and Readers
If you're feeling the itch to revisit the Devil's Hole Gang or want to contribute to the legacy, here’s how to do it right.
Watch the pilot episode first. It’s the blueprint. Pay attention to how Heyes talks—he uses big words to hide his nerves. Watch Curry’s eyes—he’s always scanning the room.
Research the history. You don’t need a PhD in the Old West, but knowing the difference between a Colt .45 and a Winchester rifle adds a layer of "human-quality" depth to your writing.
Join the conversation. Check out the Alias Smith and Jones forums. Acknowledge the work of the authors who came before you. Many of the women who started writing these stories in the 70s are still around, and they are the keepers of the lore.
Focus on the banter. If the dialogue isn't fast, it isn't AS&J. Practice writing scenes where the characters argue about something trivial—like how to cook a rabbit or which way the map is pointing—while something dangerous is happening in the background. That’s the "secret sauce" of the show.
Respect the legacy of Peter Duel. Whether you're writing a "fix-it" fic or a standard adventure, the love for Duel's performance is the heartbeat of this fandom. Write with that heart in mind.
There is no "end" to this story. As long as there’s someone who remembers two outlaws trying to be good, the ink will keep flowing. Go find a story. Better yet, write one.
Next Steps for You
- Visit Archive of Our Own (AO3) and use the "Alias Smith and Jones" tag to sort by "Kudos" to find the most-loved stories in the community.
- Check out YouTube for the original series promos and the pilot movie to get the character voices stuck in your head before you start reading or writing.
- Look for "Zine" archives online to see the hand-drawn art and typed stories from the 1970s and 80s, which offer a unique window into the early days of media fandom.