RON FORTIER'S BROTHER BONES ORIGIN #1

Ah, at long last, I've received my copy of Brother Bones (Origin) #1, and man, is it ever grand! That means it's dark, mean and full of depth, thanks of course, to its creator/author Ron Fortier, who's abetted by Joseph Arnold's awesome artwork and Mike Belcher's intricate lettering; plus (hold on to your seats), the issue carries a bonus, Fortier tale, equipped with amazing artwork and lettering by none other than Rob Davis.

For this gritty, mature-audience origin, readers experience the earliest phases of how the cruel and conflicting twins, Jack and Tommy Bonello, set the stage for Brother Bones' frightful advent. 

As such, we witness the Bonello Twins assault a brothel, resulting in enough carnage to make even the likes of Sam Peckinpah and George Romero recoil. However, though the moment proves unsettling, the fearsome consequences harbor a hint of grace, for Tommy's remorse for a slain prostitute pulls him into a redemptive journey, one that will ultimately create Cape Noire's fabled antihero.

For the bonus tale, "Nowhere to Run," Brother Bones confronts gangsters who are intent on taking the Dead Avenger down, but the fools soon learn, dead men can't be killed. 

Beyond debate, Brother Bones #1 establishes an engrossing double feature, which possesses all the fierce zest that the character's ardent fans have come to expect, while securing many more in the process. 

I salute the creators for a job well done and anxiously await the next, thrilling installment.

HAPPY TWIN PEAKS DAY 2026 (2/24)

 

R.I.P. TOM NOONAN

You made an outstanding, Karloffian Creature in The Monster Squad, a cruel (and ultimately mechanical) Cain in RoboCop 2, a revengeful Ripper in The Last Action Hero and a chilling Francis Dollarhyde in the breakout, "Hannibal" picture, Manhunter. 

You also penetrated through other indelible roles, which include F/X, Wolfen, Eight Legged Freaks, The House of the Devil, The Roost, The Alphabet Killer, The Astronaut's Wife, The Pledge, Collison Course, Kickaround Guys, What Happened Was ..., Heaven's Gate, The Ten Million Dollar Getaway, The Man With One Red Shoe 1985, Gloria 1980, Ragel, Best Defense, Eddie Macon's Run, Easy Money, Mystery Train, Heat, Phoenix, The Photographer, The Opportunist, The Egoists, Hair High, Seraphin Heights, Synecdoche New York, Follow the Prophet, Rage!, The Roost, Heaven and Hell: North and South Part II, Late Phases, Wonderstruck, Snow Angels, Anomalisa, The Rendezvous (as writer), The Shape of Something Squashed (as writer/director), Red Wind (as writer/producer) and The Wife (as writer/director/editor/composer).  

On the episodic side, you struck an anxious chord with your contributions to Monsters, starring in "The Moving Finger," and even writing/directing the episodes "Where's the Rest of Me?" and "The Bargain." In addition, you visited the series' predecessor, Tales from the Darkside, as well as The X-Files, Dimension 404, The Cape, The (original) Equalizer, The Blacklist, Bar Karma, The Leftovers, Animals, Johnny Zero, Louie, Horace and Pete, Quarry, The Jury, Kidnapped, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and (for those enduring, series hauls), Hell on Wheels, as Reverend Nathaniel Cole; 12 Monkeys, as the Pallid Man; The Beat, as Howard Schmidt; and Damages, as Victor Huntley. However, my favorite of all your small-screen ventures is in the Twilight Zone-ish Early Edition, where, for the episode, "Pilot," you portrayed Frank Price, a beleaguered man facing a dangerous and consequential crisis (indeed, a profound performance that's hard to shake).

Time and again, Mr. Noonan, you won your audience over with identifiable expression, everyman appeal and more than often, a fearsome edge. Like so many of your ubiquitous breed, you deserved more accolades than you received, but among those who discovered your remarkable skills, you'll always stand tall among the character-actor ascendency.  

FLASH FICTION AT EIGHTH TOWER MAGAZINE

Raffaele Pezzella asked me to contribute a little, fictional filler for his Eighth Tower Magazine, and so I composed some monster-oriented flash fiction.

The story, "Bride of the Swamp Beast," is a roundabout companion piece to my old "Bog Demon" tale, though this one is played for sheer laughs. In truth, it's a spoof of social media and the great, pretentious vapidness that has come to symbolize it. 

As soon as Pezzella tells me the story is set, I'll share the link. Stay tuned. 

PINUP TIME: ALLISON HAYES AT 50 FT

 

FAREWELL, DOCTOR MADBLOOD (JERRY F. HARRELL)

Tidewater, Virginia embraced you as their emblematic, horror host and for good reason. 

You entered the WAVY-TV airwaves on a frightful bang way back in 1975. From there, you never let go, bringing the best and (sometimes) the worst in imagi-movies, buffering both sides of the coin with fun vignettes that kept your viewers wide awake with smiles, giggles and above all, crazy, good cheer.

It's important to note that, in addition to being an impassioned, Beatles-maniac (who stockpiled trivia on the Fab Four like no other), you made an important impression on several horror hosts who came in your wake, including Sally the Zombie Cheerleader, aka Nicole M. King, Penny Dreadful, aka Danielle Gelehrter, and the inimitable Mr. (Erik) Lobo, which speaks volumes, considering their renowned stature.   

For those who experienced your benefaction, Mr. Harrell, you'll never be forgotten, living on through your fans' memories, and indeed, you've given them a ton to treasure. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FREDDY (2026), FROM UNCLE MIKE