Showing posts with label
Kincaid's House of Altered Cats.
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Showing posts with label
Kincaid's House of Altered Cats.
Show all posts
Some folks have been quick to identify influences in my "Ravenwood Vol 4" story, "Kincaid's House of Altered Cats", while others wonder what the bloody heck led to its lurid content.
For those in the loop and those not, I thought it might be fun to confirm the influences (obvious and not so) in a post.
There's no doubt that "Cat People '42" and "Cat People '82" made huge impacts on my Stepson of Mystery tale. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that Ed Catto's illustrated renderings of my character, Lily exudes a Natassja Kinski quality.
H.G. Wells' "The Island of Dr. Moreau" also helped shape my story, as well as the variants, "Terror is a Man" (aka "Blood Creature") and its "Blood Island" companion pieces.
A dash of "Konga" enters the story's later part. "The Reptile" slithers through, too. With that said, any number of similar monster movies should be given the nod, including "The Wasp Woman", "The Leech Woman", "She Demons" and "The Manster".
Above all, my Ravenwood jaunt is a gift to my cat, Cody, who departed some years ago due to unexpected circumstances. I've long struggled with her passing and was inspired by my dad's suggestion to grant her homage in a story. When Ron Fortier asked me to contribute to a new volume of tales based on Frederick C. Davis's occult detective, I had my chance.
Anyway, there you have the basic influences that helped mold "Kincaid's House of Altered Cats".
For those who haven't yet read my story (and wish to graze the aforementioned references), it can be purchased (along with three other swell Ravenwood yarns) at
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1946183792/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ravenwood-stepson-of-mystery-volume-4-dewayne-dowers/1136929648?ean=9781946183798.
"Ravenwood, Stepson of Mystery Vol 4" has arrived, and like those Airship 27 volumes that preceded it, it's filled with thrilling chills.
The stories include Lance Stahlberg's "The Case of the Hellbent Thief"; Dewayne Dowers' "The Rabbi's Scourge"; Michael Black's "Voice in the Darkness"; and from yours truly, "Kincaid's House of Altered Cats".
The haunting cover was rendered by Adam Shaw (who gives the crystal-balled detective a nifty, George Sanders look), and the spellbinding, interior illustrations were fashioned by Ed "Captain Action" Catto.
As a result of this latest volume, Frederick C. Davis' occult investigator continues his popular ascent, with more Ravenwood tales having sprung within current times than during the '30s.
I'm honored that Ron Fortier asked me to add to Ravenwood's paranormal activities, and it sure feels great to be among the Stepson of Mystery's remarkable raconteurs.
"Ravenwood, Stepson of Mystery Vol 4" can be purchased at
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1946183792/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1.
During the time Ron Fortier was completing his initial read of my "Persona, Vol 2" draft, he suggested that I might take a stab at a "Ravenwood, Stepson of Mystery" adventure.
I agreed to the task, but had to familiarize myself first with Frederick C. Davis' 1930s occult detective: not only absorbing the original, five stories (supplements of "Secret Agent X" magazine), but those adventures written thereafter by Airship 27's assigned authors.
(Incidentally, Ravenwood, who never goes by a first name, has psychic abilities, but is otherwise like Carl Kolchak, Fox Mulder and Dana Scully in the way he investigates his peculiar cases.)
I sure had a blast delving into the Ravenwood tales (whether in printed form or via Radio Archives' audio books) and in the process, conceived a yarn entitled, "Kincaid's House of Altered Cats".
I can't reveal the story's content yet, and it'll be a spell before it hits print (Ron must first assign an artist to illustrate the next edition), but as of Vol 4, I'll be an official part of Ravenwood's legacy! Hot damn!
As with "Persona, Vol 2", I'll keep you posted on developments. To say the least, I'm quite excited and proud to be part of this imaginative franchise!!!
