WISE WORDS:

THE BLACK STONE: TENTACLED ORIGINS

Some of my followers have asked for more details on my submission to Raffaele Pezzella/Eighth Tower Publishing's the Black Stone: Stories for Lovecraftian Summonings; so I'll oblige. 

My story, "Tentacled", has its roots in a Magical, Literary Elixirs volume, but the story's gist has been polished and refined. 

The original version, entitled "Space Monster", is essentially what "Tentacled" encompasses, but where the former is weighed by matters of  ambiguity, the latter has been cleared (for the most part) of such baggage. 

In the original story, policeman Kelton Wyndham is reputedly infected by an alien. As a result of his perceived symbiotic relationship, he comes to fancy tentacled women (at least within his reveries), but is uncertain about which way he swings among humans. That initial conceptualization clashed in a contradictory way, and so I diminished the terrestrial concern. 

As the revised story plays, Wyndham knows where he stands with his sexual preference. He likes women, whether earthbound or otherworldly. Because of his parasite, Wyndham simply has trouble adjusting in a basic fashion and wants to trek to a place where he can be himself without hassle or restraint, no more or less. If tentacled women should occupy that place, all the better. 

Because of its other-dimensional aspects, my story holds an obvious Lovecraftian influence, but it surfaces like Lovecraft filtered through the Outer Limits. That's nothing radical. Most of that television series (the original version, that is) rides on such a vibe. 

Anyhow, I do like "Tentacled" a whole lot more than I ever did "Space Monster". Perhaps you'll read the new version and enjoy it, too. 

The Black Stone: Stories for Lovecraftian Summonings can be purchased at 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XY44MT6?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

TERRIFIC TEAM-UP IMAGE: KIRK & SPOCK/SHATNER & NIMOY

FEMFORCE #192: YANKEE GIRL RETURNS

Right on the heels of AC's spectacular Superbabes #6, the fantastic Femforce #192 arrives as Yankee Girl returns to action in a "Whatever Happened To...?" segment, guest-starring Ms. Victory. (Now ain't that an apt rivalry?)

And for the exciting lead-in feature, Stardust manifests from out Nightveil's Cloak of Darkness, transformed and powerful enough to topple Alizarin Crimson and her pasty pal, Latimer, but will the heroine's new-fangled guise result in right or wrong? Check out "Starlight of Doom" to find out.

The incredible talents of Bobby Ragland, Bill Black, W. Paisly, Eric Coile Josh Rodriguez and Mark and Stephanie Heike bring it all together, making #192 yet another outstanding entry in Femforce's sexy lineage. 

Purchase a copy of Femforce #192 today at your favorite comic shop or online source. (Comic Relief of Quakerbridge Road in Lawrenceville, NJ supplied my copy, and for that I'm most grateful.) 

And it appears (fingers crossed) that Femforce #193 is right around the vivacious bend! Yep, from the contentious cover, it looks like big-time trouble's gonna strike!

MAIN ENTERPRISES PRESENTS PPFSZT! #47

It's been a long while, but at long last, Main Enterprises' PPFSZT! #47 is here!

This issue is as eclectic and unique as those that have come before it, with the spotlight falling on such absorbing entries as "Escape", an exciting short story by Will Murray, illustrated by Kevin Duncan; Barry Southworth's poignant "Sorrow"; Simon Mackie's super-cute "Tookie Gets a Cuddle"; Alan Groening's sprightly "A Life in Comics"; and Part 1 of the moody "Before the Rain" by Jim Main and Tony Lorenz.

Additional wonders are contributed by Kurt Erichsen; Kel Crum; Doc Boucher; Jack Bertram; John Lambert; Brad Foster; Gary Barker; Troy Boyle; Jim Larter; and Jim Ordolis, who supplies the sultry/spacey cover. It's quite a who's who of small-press talent, with tributes and rumblings juxtaposed to make one smile and above all, think.  

Get in on Main Enterprises' vast and varied fun by ordering your very own copy of PPFSZT! #47. Just send a check of $6.50 (shipping included) to Jim Main at 130 Wellsville Av, Back of House, New Milford, CT 06776, and you'll receive your volume of eccentric ebullience in a USPS hop and a skip.  

PIN-UP TIME JAYNE MANSFIELD (KING-SIZE CURVES)

 

Collection Recommendation: Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomnia (Mark of the Damned)

Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomnia returns with a new Alpha DVD/oldies.com release, expanding our horror host's already impressive, collectible queue. On this occasion we get the "amplified" in stupendous black-and-white, Lucha libre homage from 2006, Mark of the Damned! 

Directed by Eric (Taste the Blood of Frankenstein) Miller and written by both Miller and Joshua (House of the Gorgon) Kennedy, Mark of the Damned has it all: a superheroic, El Santo-styled avenger named King Silver; a prophesy-plagued damsel in distress named Diane; a creepy yet beautiful vampire queen; a combative robot; goofy interlopers; awkward-on-purpose dubbing; and even a few surprise guest spots. In other words, it has all the ingredients to be hailed as a "misunderstood" masterpiece. (Fans of Ed D. Wood Jr. and Ted V. Mikels, in particular, will really get into this one's eclectic groove.)

In addition, Mr. Lobo's behind-the-scenes footage and silly, Halloween inserts (check out the cool, cooking segment with Slob Zombie) further establish Mark of the Damned as a cult-movie connoisseur's dream come true. 

Treat yourself to Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomnia Presents Mark of the Damned by ordering at 

https://www.oldies.com/product-view/1153D.html