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WESTERN TALES OF TERROR #1-3 by various

($3.50 each, Hoarse & Buggy Productions)

Reviewed by Matt Dembicki

I love good ol’ fashion horror comics. For me, the gold standard for horror anthologies remains the EC Comics line — Tales from the Crypt, Vault of Horror, Haunt of Fear. So when I get a horror anthology in my hands, I automatically compare it to those golden oldies. These days, rarely anything comes close — but once in a while something rears its ugly little head that gets my attention. Western Tales of Terror stays true to the EC form, capturing the feel, quality and fun of the previously mentioned titles, and also adds a new twist with a Wild West motif. (I especially get a kick out of the Cryptkeeper-like deceased gunslinger named Pete who wryly introduces each tale.) The folks at Hoarse & Buggy were able to rope some well-known talent (like Steve Niles) as well as folks who you just know will make a name for themselves soon enough. Most of the stories are short vignettes, but there is a longer story (by H&B editor-in-chief Joshua Hale Fialkov) that is split over the first three issues; that longer piece really pulls the series together. (There’s a prequel to Fialkov’s story available at the H&B Web site.) The covers for all three issues are masterfully rendered and draw you into the book. I especially liked Tony Moore’s Corben-like illustration for #1, which depicts an Indian zombie emerging from the shadows, preparing to snatch an unsuspecting two-bit whore. And once these stories get their hooks in you, pardner, there’s no escape!

- posted by Ricko at 9:30 AM

24 - Hour 21

Wow. How goofy is this show? They only have one doctor, the Chinese Premier needs 3 hours to decide to allow the US Government interogate a man THEY KNOW IS A TERRORIST, the faux president orders Jack to attack a consulate? And yet I can't stop watching.

It's a helluva lot better than Seasons 2 and 3.

Deadwood: Season 1

So, spurred on by Jason and Greg's unending pestering about catching up on the show (I've been watching season 2 as it airs), and this glowing Ed Brubaker column about it, I'm finally diving into the Deadwood Season 1 DVD's. Just made it through the pilot, and am starting episode 2. It's pretty excellent. I still have issues with the pacing and narrative shape of the show. I think that it feels like work when you're watching it (which Brubaker says is what he likes about it), but, for me, I need something slightly more easy flowing.

Still highly recommended.

Chud Says…

From http://chud.com/thor/2743

Eerie and Atmospheric “Elk’s Run” is Tailor Made For Stephen King Fans

By Sean Fahey

What is it about small towns that make them inherently creepy? Is it the isolation and the loneliness? The quiet, sleepy streets that seem all but abandoned after the sun goes down. Maybe it’s the people. Overly protective and weary of outsiders but in that polite kind of way that suggests “stop for a slice of pie, come out for our annual Autumn Fair, but don’t even think about staying for more than a weekend.” What ever “it” is, the new series Elk’s Run certainly taps into it.

As I was reading Elk’s Run # 1, I couldn’t help but think how much a fan of Stephen King’s older works would love this series. In many ways, Elk’s Run could just as easily be called Castle Rock or Jerusalem’s Lot. There’s a chilling atmosphere to the small town that suggests depression, loss and secrecy. Once a booming mining town in the West Virginia mountains, Elk’s Run is now a shadow of its former self. All is not what it seems though. Work is scarce, and yet everyone seems to be provided for. There’s nothing to do in Elk’s Run, nothing to pursue, and yet no one has left the town. But then again, no one can leave the town. Exactly why remains to be seen.

Writer Joshua Fialkov and the visual team of Noel Tuazon and Scott Keating – whose depressed color palette adds a lot to this book – combine to create an intriguing and incredibly moody reading experience. It’s very real, the characters are very convincing, and the decision to begin the series (each issue will be told from the perspective of a different character) from the perspective of a disgruntled local teen goes a long way toward demonstrating how claustrophobic, constricting and downright inexplicable life in Elk’s Run is. The young always challenge the old, and always challenge the status quo. But when things in Elk’s Run have been unchanged for so long, is the “status quo” too horrifying to challenge? I cannot wait to find out what the mystery of this town is.

Most comic book stores should carry Elk’s Run, but if you are having trouble finding it, or would like to learn more about the book, check out http://www.hoarseandbuggy.com. Rating: 5/5

Going It Alone

This week's BrokenFrontier article is up. It's about the challenges of being a small fish in a big pond, and all sort of other cliches. Here's the first paragraph...

Being in the small press can be lonely. Really. Marvel and DC have a combined output that represents a good chunk of what’s read. So, they have a loyalty both from retailers and from readers that no individual can match. Yet, most of the small press folk keep their companies to themselves, and go at it alone, trying to eek out a market share and build a fanbase. At the end of the day, though, it’s nearly impossible. My company is essentially three people, each of us giving our time (and money) for no real income. It’s a labor of love in many respects, but, at the end of the day, it’s about getting people to read our books.

Read the rest here.

Comments

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IF YOU DARE.

Lizzie Borden

Just watched a documentary about Lizzie Borden on Biography. I wonder why there hasn't been a really good movie about it. It's pretty dramatic stuff.

The Serpent & The Rainbow

I really wish Bill Pullman was a better actor. He really ruins the movie. It could have been so fucking outstanding, but he's just so goofy.

Live Baby/Dead Mother

Been doing some research into this... there's a technical term for it, but damned if i can find it. BBC News | HEALTH | Baby born to dead mother

A baby boy has been born after being kept alive in the womb of his dead mother.

Doctors at Cabuenes hospital in Gijon, northern Spain delivered the baby on New Year's Eve after battling to keep it alive in the womb of a woman who has been clinically dead since mid-November. Click the link for the rest.

If anyone knows the technical term, I'd be greatly appreciative.

Ah, thanks to Greg and Ben of the Bendis Board for help. It's called "Coffin Birth." Here's an article about it.

Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

HHGTTG was my Star Wars. As a child, I spent hours on end reading, rereading, re-rereading the books, and even longer listening to my crappy tapes made from when the local NPR played the radio series. I wore out my video tape of the TV series after about a year of ownership. Hell, I even played the video game non-stop, despite it being pretty far over my head, as a 6 or 7 year old. I never made it past getting onto the Heart of Gold, and even that was a feat. This world, this creative vision of one genius man is responsible for a good amount of who I am. My sense of humor, my love of Sci-Fi, and my love of the absurd is pretty solidly wrested from that body of work. So the movie... well, I woke up last week realizing that, in a way, this is the movie I've been waiting for all my life. And, well, it's quite good. It's not genius. It's not the radio series or books, but it's on par with the TV Show, and it brings some interesting new concepts to the universe. The biggest sticking points are Zaphod's low IQ (which while explained, doesn't really jive with me, especially as there's seemingly no conspiracy or anything to put him in charge, at least not in this film,) and the ending, which just doesn't jive with the characters.

I suppose when any piece of art has such a massive meaning to you, any reiteration of it will ultimately fail. The movie is probably about the best it can be.

Fortune Cookie for Osborne Delivered to Fialkov

If you don't know who Rob Osborne is, you're missing out. Visit him at www.absolutetyrant.com and buy his book 1000 Steps to World Domination from AIT/PlanetLar on Khepri.com. You won't be sorry.

Vodou

Just fucking around with some of Marco's concept art, and a logo. I'm supremely psyched for this book. Here's hoping all goes as planned.

Conditional Writing

I've always been a fan of conditional writing. Conceptually, you pick a set of circumstances by which you must execute, and no matter what, all that's written is done under those rules. So, in favor of that. I'm going to write a novel, I've decided. The rules of the book are as follows. It must be written outside, on my laptop, and I have to write as long as my battery lasts. That means 50 minute chunks of thick prose. No genre requirements, although something slighly less self-involved then my usual prose is probably a worthwhile endeavor.

I wrote a few screenplays this way back in the day. One's rules were as follows.

1) Something my parents would like. 2) Must be written in under two weeks. 3) Must have an actual story.

The screenplay turned out as one of those BBC-style movies from the 90's. The Full Monty, Waking Ned Devine, etc. Not really a great piece of art, but a cute story with enough edge that 20 somethings wouldn't be horrified by it (Billy Elliot anyone?)

Anyways, I think that finding sort of unique ways to force yourself to write outside the normal genres and literary ticks of your standard style is just about the best thing you can do as a writer. Shit, if it wasn't for exercises like this, I'd still be writing my self-indulgent surrealist genre stuff. Now I'm writing Zombies and Russian mobsters.

Oh how far I've come.

New Project Fun

I just wrote my first castration scene. Woo hoo!

I've got two new books in the works. First, is a Russian Mob story about an enforcer forced to turn on his boss. Looks like the ever talented Scott Keating is going to be handling the art chores. I'm psyched for this.

The second book is a supernatural thriller about New Orleans which Marco Magallanes is on board for.

Hopefully, we'll be able to announce the publishing plans soon, we're getting there. I need to finish these synopses and scripts first though.

Here's to my first castration.

That didn't sound right.

I Think I’m Done Answering the Phone at Night

I sort of wrap up all work stuff at around 9pm now, so that I can unwind, and then get into bed and actually sleep. I got a phone call tonight at about 9:30, and against my better judgement answered it. It was a business thing, and it opened up a whole can of stressful worms, that while it could wait till tomorrow, I just can't deal with things like that. I'm Mr. Direct. So, It's now 1:30am, and I'm still up, and still thinking and worrying about it. And then I felt my ulcer... grow... three... sizes... bigger.

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Sin City

Well. It gives me faith. It gives me faith that the industry can execute comics material in a true and viable way, without comprmise. Having one of the top directors in the industry go to bat for you helps, I'm sure, but still. This is a story that wouldn't have worked unless executed the way it was. Highly, highly recommended.

The New West

by Jimmy Palmiotti and Phil Noto. Came out last week. It's pretty cool. The concept is fucking top notch (an EMP was detonated that blacked out all of LA, and it's a year later) mixed with some decent noiry private eye things, and you have a great comic. And Phil Noto is like a god as far as his art goes. I don't know him, so I can't vouch for any other godlike features.

Highly recommended.

Unemployment Day 2

Let me tell you, spending all of your waking hours working on things that you care about, and that will have a directly positive effect on your life is hellaciously rewarding. I've been working around 12 hours a day, and literally need to peel myself away from my desk. That's in direct contrast to just a few weeks ago where it seemed I needed a leg cuff attached to the desk and my ankle in order to keep me here beyond the absolute bare minimum of what needed done. I've done some great work on Elk's Run and am really starting to get everything set up for the future.

Here's to happy days ahead!

The Day of the Unemployed

So I quit my job. I've given it up to take a few months to work on my writing. I have a bunch of really exciting irons in the fire, and they really need my full attention, at leat for a few weeks. I'm going to try and start doing some morning writing warmups which'll live here. We'll see, I suppose. Here's to new beginnings.