Airship 27 Productions' release of Mark Justice's "The Dead Sheriff" was (and still is) a big hit for the New Pulp company, but due to Justice's untimely passing, the completion of the author's sequel fell into Ron Fortier's capable hands, along with the blessing of Justice's dear widow, Norma Kay.
Fortier's writing style does, in fact, blend ideally with Justice's, as the Airship 27 author/publisher helps resurrect the saga of a young Indian called Sam (aka Cheveyo) who possesses the magical means to puppeteer a prodigious corpse to slay bad men and their demonic peers.
In the sensational sequel, "Cannibals and Bloodsuckers", we're introduced to the flesh-feasting Arlo and Billy Belcher and the nomadic, parasitic prostitutes of magnetic Madame Magdala. Along for the ride is gritty Thunderstorm Parker (my favorite of the supporting characters); the flashy, would-be avenger, Silver Paladin and his snippy sidekick, Bullet; the Zorro-like Sidewinder; the handsome but doomed Lariat Smith; the feisty Hattie Fields; the dark-shackled Labine; and Sam's awestruck partner, newsman Richard O'Malley, whose detailed accounts are certain to keep one gripped. However, none can compare to the eponymous, crusty protagonist, who more than rises to the crusading cause.
At its winsome heart, Fortier and Justice's story plays like a monster-rally epic, thanks its many eccentric characters. The strange (though often amusing) interactions recall strands of "Curse of the Undead", "The Living Coffin" (i.e., "El grito de la muerte"), "Bone Tomahawk", "The Hills Have Eyes" and "From Dusk till Dawn", but with an old-time, cowpoke slant that classic-western aficionados will be happy to suckle and devour.
The vivid text is enhanced by Art Cooper's ingenious illustrations, which add extra creepiness to the novel. There's also Zachary Brunner's lurid cover, which captures the bloody panache of the best Euroshock posters.
On all levels, this lively undead package is fated to exceed one's spookiest expectations.
Long live the Dead Sheriff!!!
Order "Cannibals and Bloodsuckers" at ... https://www.amazon.com/Mark-Justices-Sheriff-Cannibals-Bloodsuckers/dp/1946183520/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1545668523&sr=8-2&keywords=dead+sheriff.
No comments:
Post a Comment