A BLIND DEAD CURATION: FURTHER DARK FICTION

Per CEO Raffaele Pezzella, Eighth Tower Publications' David Lynch/Twin Peaks, Dark Fiction anthology is set for a June release. In the interim, another curation is being staged, a tribute to Amando de Ossorio's Blind Dead quadrilogy (and the various sequels that followed it). 

My contribution references an altered print of Tombs of the Blind Dead, renamed for the drive-in circuit as Revenge from Planet Ape, a faux "sequel/prequel" to the Planet of the Apes franchise. My tale's lead is, in fact, ape-ish, a throwback of sorts, not quite Dave Prowse in Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell, mind you, but a subdued variant, who holds a Quasimodo relegation among the evil knights and later manifests into our modern world through alchemy. 

In the story, I acknowledge de Ossorio's franchise, just as in my Lynch story, "The Greater Goo," I acknowledge Twin Peaks. "The Templar Evolved" is presented in a Wes Craven's New Nightmare manner, but its core (its wretched soul) is sheer, bloodthirsty Blind Dead. 

I'll share more on my fable before long. Consider this post a friendly teaser, one that I hope has whet your morbid appetite.💀

PINUP TIME: RAQUEL WELCH

 

EIGHTH TOWER'S THE BLACK STONE RETURNS: SPECIAL EDITION COMING SOON

Raffaele Pezzella has given me the scoop! 

Eighth Tower's H.P. Lovecraft-inspired, Robert E. Howard-dashed The Black Stone: Stories For Lovecraftian Summonings is set for a revised printing. That's right. It's in the pipeline and coming soon.

There are many fine authors associated with the anthology, and they include Ramsey Campbell; Brian M. Sammons; Glynn Owen Barrass; Lucy A. Snyder; E.A. Black; Chris Kelso; Andrew Coulthard; Stephen Mark Rainey; Kevin Lewis; Richard Alan Scott; Russell Smeaton; J. Edwin Buja; Made in DNA; David Agranoff; Pete Rawlik; Brian C. Short; John Chadwick; David Voyles; Konstantine Paradias; Love Kolle; Edward Morris; Parry Milton; Phil Breach; Garret Cook; Andrew Freudenberg; Sarah Walker; and yours truly, Michael F. Housel.

Be prepared to be thrilled and chilled all over again with this exciting, special edition. More details are to follow. I, for one, can't wait to share!

WISE WORDS:

 

WHY NOT HATE (AGAIN)?

 

My recent denouncement of the despicable Marion Zimmer Bradley and Walter Breen (see 5/11/26 post) struck a chord with a few folks, at least a handful who approached me the other day outside the library. They, too, are tired of the excuses that certain individuals make regarding the evildoers who hide behind magnanimous facades. As a result of my library encounter, I decided to repost an earlier assessment on the matter (published about a year ago). I believe it stands as a worthy precursor to my most recent proclamation, and so, for those who missed it the first time around ...

I overheard some folks chatting at the gym. They remarked how it's sad that there isn't more acceptance, tolerance and love in the world these days. One mentioned that there's a YouTube video where this enlightened fellow explains that, in order eradicate hate, one needs to appreciate the opposition: Get inside the head of one's foes, see where they're coming from, understand their motivations, and eureka, just like that, the hatred will dissipate. 

I found the video. (It doesn't matter which one, since there's a horde of them along the same lines.) Anyway, this fellow did, indeed, express the aforementioned. And that was that. There were no bracketing examples or exceptions to the rule in his stance. His point was pure and simple, no more or less. 

I took offense to this. In my estimation, there are times when it's good to hate. I hate pedophiles. I hate rapists. I don't see a necessity of getting into their heads to understand their vile impulses. (I've no use for Marion Zimmer Bradley, in this respect, and the same goes for her fiendish husband, Walter Breen.) I don't see why I should purge my hatred for monsters that despicable. If anything, I'm inclined to let my hatred grow all the greater toward them.  

MEMORIAL DAY 2026, NJ PARADES: GROVEVILLE/YARDVILLE & NOTTINHAM WAY (5/26)

 

LARRY JOHNSON'S TALES OF THE BROKEN B #8: AIRSHIP VENGEANCE

  

Artist/writer Larry Johnson's Tales of the Broken B #8 is another imaginative winner, thanks to its high-flying, 36-page adventure, "The Airship." 

The entry depicts the time when good ol' Clyde Brittle, Ernie Malone, Sam Gladstone and medicine man Tadawa encounter an awe-inspiring aircraft. Though it appears to be celestial at first, it is, in fact, an experimental, military vessel called the Avenger. 

There's a catch to it, though. Its commander, Rexford Rothar, harbors an Ahab complex, and as such, wishes to use the ship as a means of vengeance on Tadawa's people. Clyde attempts to stop him but gets captured. What then ensues brims of full-fledged, unbridled suspense. 

Johnson's spirited installment reminds me of one of my favorite, Wild Wild West episodes, "The Night of the Flying Pie Plate," which deals with an insinuated U.F.O, but "The Airship" is much more "grounded," flowing like a chapter play, as filtered through Jules Verne. 

In a large and effective way, the story's strength comes from its antagonist. Rothar is a stubborn, hellbent son of a gun, but his angst (as conveyed by the commander's son in a poignant exchange with Clyde) bursts of contemptuous pathos. 

Johnson's artwork is amazing, too, perhaps his most vivid to date. He also enhances his fable with a fascinating article on Soloman Andrews, a Civil War, dirigible ("Aereon") designer, which gives "The Airship" an earnest, historical context. 

This is a terrific exploit (one definitely worth owning). Why not add it to your collection? It's easy enough to do. Just submit the Paypal sum of $8.00 to Mr. Johnson at Lewbrown1@verizon.net, and your issue will be promptly sent.