Tagged: fantasy

REVIEW: Matthew Holness’ “The Reprisalizer” a sad mirror of Garth Marenghi

Matthew Holness first rose to notoriety with his character of  Garth Marenghi; author, dream-weaver, visionary, plus actor.  He’s a perfect creation, all the insufferable genre authors boiled down to one.  Holness has returned with another author and another genre, and takes the story in the opposite direction.  A Gun For George, available for viewing at Britain’s Film4 website, is a short film featuring a down on his luck author who’s angry at the world for the loss of his brother, and his popularity.

Terry Finch is the author of the (once) popular Reprizalizer series, a two-fisted vigilante, taking to the criminals of suburban England.  He’s self-deluded, down on his luck, and angry at the world about it.  While you laugh at garth and look forward to someday seeing his head trapped in farm equipment, Matthew makes you feel for Terry.  His books are clear Mary Sue fiction, but with the world of Men’s Adventure series as their base, series like the Mack Bolan books that emerge from Gold Eagle press with astonishing regularity.  Terry is hanging onto life by his nails, trying to sell his books door to door to make enough to repair his car, George, named after his brother.  But when an old fan bequeaths him the contents of his council flat, including a loaded revolver, the implication is that Terry may finally erase the line between reality and fantasy.

Holness is a contemporary and collaborator with the gang from The Mighty Boosh, as well as popular comedians Richard Ayoade ([[[The IT Crowd]]]) and Matt Berry ([[[Snuffbox]]]).  It’s a darker comedy than the Marenghi work, and features none of his past collaborators.  Marenghi is an ego-trip on two legs, while Finch is a poor and desperate man, unwilling to admit that his books are a thing of the past, if indeed they were ever much popular at all.  The film switches between modern day reality and Finch’s revenge fantasies, filmed in the style of a seventies “One man against crime” film trailers.  Terry’s past is only alluded to, but it can be easily inferred that his books are an impotent strike back against the real assault of his brother George, which is why they are so important to him.

Holness is representative of a lot of British humorists who don’t feel the need to crank out non-stop product of questionable quality, preferring to take their time a craft the work to perfection.  This short film is an example of why that can be a very successful process.  No news on if we’ll see any more of Terry Finch in the future, but what we have seen here was well worth the wait.

DARKNESS CALLS!

  • Uncategorized
  • January 14, 2013

Author Richard Lee Byers has announced that his latest sword-and-sorcery novel/Edgar Rice Burroughs homage, Pathfinder Tales: Called to Darkness is now in stock at Amazon.

About Pathfinder Tales: Called to Darkness–
Kagur is a warrior of the Blacklions, fierce and fearless hunters in the savage Realm of the Mammoth Lords. When her clan is slaughtered by a frost giant she considered her adopted brother, honor demands that she, the last surviving Blacklion, track down her old ally and take the tribe’s revenge. Yet this is no normal betrayal, for the murderous giant has followed the whispers of a dark god down into the depths of the earth, into a primeval cavern forgotten by time. There, he will unleash forces capable of wiping all humans from the region – unless Kagur can stop him first! From acclaimed author Richard Lee Byers comes a tale of bloody revenge and subterranean wonder, set in the award-winning world of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game.

GEEK’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY ON ADAPTING ROBERT E. HOWARD

Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy, the Science Fiction Podcast from Wired, has released episode 77 featuring a discussion on the movie adaptations of the works of Robert E. Howard, creator of Conan the Barbarian, and interview Brandon Sanderson about finishing Robert Jordan’s epic fantasy series The Wheel of Time.

You can listen to Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy Episode 77 here or on itunes.
Follow Geek’s Guide To The Galaxy on Facebook.

ARE YOU READY FOR MORE PERILS ON PLANET X?

  • News
  • January 9, 2013

Art: Gene Gonzales

In addition to announcing the relaunch of Gravedigger as a webcomic, Christoper Mills and Gene Gonzales announced that their series, Perils on Planet X will return as a webcomic beginning February 1st.

About Perils on Planet X:
For almost a decade, I’ve been working on a space fantasy called Perils On Planet X. Initially appearing as a weekly webcomic at the long defunct AdventureStrips.com, and drawn by Jon Plante, the project eventually evolved into comic book form, totally redrawn and expanded on by my talented partner-in-comics, Gene Gonzales. Now, it’s a webcomic again… but a print graphic novel edition lies in the near future.

Art: Burchett & Gonzales

Perils On Planet X is a swashbuckling adventure on a lost planet… join Colonel Donovan Hawke of Terra as he travels through time and space to the ancient emerald world of Xylos – home of vicious reptilian predators, ruthless strato-pirates, beautiful princesses, and innumerable fantastic dangers!

Perils On Planet X is high adventure on alien worlds – classic space opera in the Edgar Rice Burroughs and Alex Raymond traditions, revived for a new millennium!

The adventure begins on February 1st, 2013!

Learn more about Perils on Planet X at www.perilsonplanetx.com.

AIRSHIP 27 WRITERS AT WINDY CITY!

AIRSHIP 27 WRITERS AT WINDY CITY!

  • News
  • January 7, 2013

FROM AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTIONS-
Three of the finest New Pulp Writers will be appearing at this year’s Windy City Paper and Pulp Show to autograph their new Airship 27 Productions titles on Saturday, 13th April.
Each of the three is a professional writer of note and last year released their first novels for Airship 27 Productions which will be sponsoring their appearances at the con. 
DAVID C. SMITH – CALL OF SHADOWS – has written over twenty novels primarily in the sword and sorcery, fantasy and horror genres. He has written and co-authored eight pastiches featuring Robert E. Howard’s characters, including six starring Red Sonja with Richard L. Tierney. Smith, his wife, Janine, and daughter, Lily, live in Palatine, Ilinois.  CALL OF SHADOWS is the story of a modern day wizard living in Chicago today and his struggles against an evil warlock obsessed with destroying him.
JOE BONADONNA – THREE AGAINST THE STARS – has published many short stories and a novel.  He’s written several screenplays, one entitled “Magicians” is now in the hands of a director. He is a former member of the Chicago Screenwriters Network and has lectured on the history of science fiction, horror and fantasy in films. He recently sold a novella, “The Order of the Serpent,” to Weird Tales Magazine.  THREE AGAINST THE STARS is a fast paced military sci-fi actioner set against the landscape of an alien empire and mankind’s struggles to secure a foothold amongst the distant galaxies.
TERRENCE McCAULEY – PROHIBITION – a New York resident, he has sold dozens of short stories for various anthologies and is a devotee of noir films particularly those set in New York. His protagonist in PROHIBITION is former professional boxer Terry Quinn, now an enforcer for the Irish Mob in Hell’s Kitchen.  Later this year, a prequel story detailing Quinn’s fighting days will be featured in the highly popular New Pulp series, FIGHT CARD from editor/publisher Paul Bishop.
All signings will take place on Saturday April 13that the Airship 27 Productions tables.
The schedule is as follows –
David C. Smith – 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon.
Joe Bonadonna – 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Terrence McCauley –  3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Now in its 13th year, the Windy City Paper & Pulp Show is one of the premier gatherings of pulp, comics and paperback collectors in the country.  The show runs from April 12-14.  You can learn more about the con, its location and how to register at their on-line site.  (http://windycitypulpandpaper.com/home/)
Airship 27 Productions was created six years ago by writer Ron Fortier and artist Rob Davis to support pulp fandom by producing new pulp fiction starring classic and new pulp heroes in both novels and anthologies.  Since their beginning Airship 27 Productions has published over fifty titles featuring some of the finest professional writers and artists while at the same time providing a showcase for newer talent.  Today their titles are available at Amazon, many on Kindle and they offer audio recordings several books.  You can learn more about the company at their on-line site.
AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTIONS

PULP FICTION FOR A NEW GENERATION!

Gilbreath Announced as EMCEE OF PULP ARK 2013!

  • News
  • December 12, 2012


Pulp Ark 2013 is proud to announce that noted Author, Publisher, Actor and modern Renaissance man in general Allan Gilbreath will be Master of Ceremonies for the the third annual Pulp Convention and Creator’s Conference April 26-28, 2013 in Springdale, Arkansas.

Although he denies being raised by wolves, Allan Gilbreath still enjoys quiet moonlit evenings. He is an accomplished skeptic, cook, gardener, computer geek, martial artist, and avid student of arcane knowledge. Allan is also a nationally recognized and award-winning author, publisher, speaker, and instructor. He has appeared on television, stage, radio, web/podcast, and tours the country in live appearances. He enjoys serving on convention panels and can cover a wide range of topics from the serious to the outrageous. In his adult vampire novels, Galen and Dark Chances, he links sensual fantasy with danger and predation to excellent effect. His exceptional use of plot tension between the various characters sets a wonderful stage for the little details that bring it all to life. Allan’s Jack Lago supernatural mysteries are known for their attention to detail and suspense. His short stories have appeared in numerous anthologies and his collection, Allan Gilbreath: A Short Story Collection.

“Pulp Fiction,” Tommy Hancock, Founder and Organizer of Pulp Ark said, “began as a medium, a means by which stories were told.  It has since grown far beyond that and can be considered a style, a methodology, some would even say a field or something else. Even in its heyday, though, as now, one thing could definitely be said about Pulp.  It covered many areas and appealed to all sorts of people.  For that reason, Allan Gilbreath is the ideal creator to lead this year’s Convention and Creator’s Conference.   Not only does he have multiple skills and talents, Allan is the type who enjoys all aspects of conventions, who walks through multiple genres like most people walk down the street-with ease and comfort.  He knows what it takes to make fans and guests alike feel like a show is more than that, that it’s an event.  And best of all, the biggest fan at a convention Allan is at is Allan.”


Concerning acting as Master of Ceremonies, Gilbreath said, “The genre known as Pulp Fiction hold a dear place in most people’s hearts. Chances are that a “Pulp” style book was one the first books that you read just for fun and then had to read more. I am very excited to acting as the emcee for Pulp Ark 2013. I can’t wait to entertain and introduce the public to the new and growing world of Pulp Fiction. This convention will offer everyone a chance to come out and meet some of the actors, writers, and other celebrities from the Pulp Fiction world on a personal level. We will be available to sign autographs and answer questions. I hope to see lots of old and new fans at Pulp Ark 2013.”

Pulp Ark 2013 will be held in Springdale, Arkansas April 26-28, 2013 at 
the Holiday Inn Springdale Hotel and Convention Center in 
Springdale, Arkansas, 1500 South 48th Street, 
phone number- 1-479-751-8300.  For a peek at the venue, click below!



SPECIAL PRICES UNTIL JANUARY 1ST, 2013!  Any and all who
plan to attend Pulp Ark 2013 and want to get the Discounted Room Rate 
MUST reserve a room or rooms by January 1st, 2013 to take advantage 
of the Special Pulp Ark rate of $84.00 a night.  To reserve your room 
online, please click HERE!  

Check www.pulpark.blogspot.com DAILY for more information, announcements,
and guest and vendor registration for PULP ARK 2013!

Martha Thomases: Where Are Our New Nerds?

In last Monday’s New York Times Media Watch columns, they ran a list of the ten films released this year that had the highest box office ion their opening weekends. What’s amazing to me is that the top five (Marvel’s The Avengers, The Dark Knight Rises, Hunger Games, Amazing Spider-Man and Twilight: Breaking Dawn: Part 2) can all be classified in the fantasy genre, or, as I like to call it, nerd stuff.

Of the next five (Skyfall, Brave, Ted, Madagascar 3 and Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax), three are aimed primarily at children, and one is a James Bond film, which has its own separate but overlapping geek audience. Only Ted could be considered a movie aimed at what was once the wide, mainstream audience, and even then, because it is an R-rated comedy, that limits the wideness.

When did our beloved nerd culture become so dominant? I was certainly the only girl in my high school (which was all girls) who read superhero comics, and if anyone else read science fiction or fantasy, they were in the closet about it.

Even in the 1980s, when Frank Miller and Alan Moore and Art Spiegelman were publishing work that attracted mainstream media attention, there wasn’t much spillover to the medium of graphic storytelling.

When I first went to work for DC, the most common reaction I encountered when people learned what I did was, “Do they still publish those?”

For that matter, even today, the success of the movies listed above doesn’t do much for comics. There’s a history of tie-in films boosting the sale of books (for example, Gone With the Wind), but that doesn’t always overlap to your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, or comic book store.

Still, I don’t think fans like us can claim to be outsiders anymore. We might not be the cool kids, but we aren’t unwanted loners, either. What are today’s nerds about?

Is it Steampunk? Is it libertarian politics? Are there still obscure rock bands to follow, or has everything been American Idol’d to a bland pap. What distinguishes the kids getting beat up and/or ostracized today?

Besides being queer, I mean.

SATURDAY: Marc Alan Fishman and This Week’s New DC

 

NEW CTHULHU: RECENT WEIRD NAMED “BEST” BY LIBRARY JOURNAL

  • Uncategorized
  • November 22, 2012

Prime Books’ New Cthulhu: Recent Weird anthology selected by Library Journal as one of the best science fiction/fantasy titles of 2012.

On the Prime Books site, they posted about the honor. “We are pleased and rather gobsmacked—if delightedly so—that New Cthulhu: The Recent Weird has been selected by Library Journal as one of the best sf/f titles of the year. Congrats to all the authors whose outstanding work made it such.” Plus, they couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share some news. “We suppose this gives us a fine opportunity to announce we will be publishing Spawn of Cthulhu: New Stories Inspired by H.P. Lovecraft—an all-original anthology—edited by Paula Guran in 2014. (And no, I have not started soliciting yet.)”

About New Cthulhu: The Recent Weird-
For more than eighty years H.P. Lovecraft has inspired writers of supernatural fiction, artists, musicians, filmmakers, and gaming. His themes of cosmic indifference, the utter insignificance of humankind, minds invaded by the alien, and the horrors of history — written with a pervasive atmosphere of unexplainable dread — today remain not only viable motifs, but are more relevant than ever as we explore the mysteries of a universe in which our planet is infinitesimal and climatic change is overwhelming it.

In the first decade of the twenty-first century the best supernatural writers no longer imitate Lovecraft, but they are profoundly influenced by the genre and the mythos he created. New Cthulhu: The Recent Weird presents some of the best of this new Lovecraftian fiction — bizarre, subtle, atmospheric, metaphysical, psychological, filled with strange creatures and stranger characters — eldritch, unsettling, evocative, and darkly appealing . . .

Contributors in Alphabetical Order:
The Crevasse, Dale Bailey & Nathan Ballingrud
Old Virginia, Laird Barron
Shoggoths in Bloom, Elizabeth Bear
Mongoose, Elizabeth Bear & Sarah Monette
The Oram County Whoosit, Steve Duffy
Study in Emerald, Neil Gaiman
Grinding Rock, Cody Goodfellow
Pickman’s Other Model (1929), Caitlin Kiernan
The Disciple, David Barr Kirtley
The Vicar of R’lyeh, Marc Laidlaw
Mr Gaunt, John Langan
Take Me to the River, Paul McAuley
The Dude Who Collected Lovecraft, Nick Mamatas & Tim Pratt
Details, China Mieville
Bringing Helena Back, Sarah Monette
Another Fish Story, Kim Newman
Lesser Demons, Norm Partridge
Cold Water Survival, Holly Phillips
Head Music, Lon Prater
Bad Sushi, Cherie Priest
The Fungal Stain, W.H. Pugmire
Tsathoggua, Michael Shea
Buried in the Sky, John Shirley
Fair Exchange, Michael Marshall Smith
The Essayist in the Wilderness, William Browning Spencer
A Colder War, Charles Stross
The Great White Bed, Don Webb

New Cthulhu: The Recent Weird
Edited by Paula Guran
Type: Trade Paperback
Pages: 528
Size: 6″ X 9″
ISBN: 9781607012894
Publication Date: November 23, 2011
Price: $15.95

Learn more about Prime Books at www.prime-books.com.

FORTIER TAKES ON ‘THE BAT STAFFEL’ WITH G-8!

  • News
  • November 17, 2012

ALL PULP REVIEWS- by Ron Fortier
G-8 And His BATTLE ACES
THE BAT STAFFEL
By Robert J. Hogan
A Berkley Medallion Book
Cover by Jim Steranko
Dated 1969
142 pages
As most pulp fans know, back in the late 1960s and early 70s, many paperback publishers began reprinting the old classic pulp magazines.  The most popular of these reprint series were the Doc Savage books with the stylized James Bama covers and the Conan adventures as defined by master artist, Frank Frazetta.  Of course many other pulp heroes also received the paperback treatment as the fad caught on for several years introducing a whole new generation of readers to these classic figures.  Among some of the other heroes to find new life in the small softcover market were the Avenger, the Shadow, Operator 5 and the man known as the Flying Master Spy, G-8 And His Battle Aces.
Put out by Popular Publications, G-8 was one of many aviation heroes of the time to include Bill Barnes and Dusty Ayres amongst others.  Yet his magazine was the one with the longest run.  Debuting in October of 1933 it went to produce a whopping 110 issues; all of them written by Robert J. Hogan.  Another uniqueness with this title was the fact that Popular allowed Hogan’s name to be used. The habit of the pulps was to create a bogus house-name for a monthly series so that they could employ multiple writers, as most of them did, without the fans being any the wiser.  Not so with Hogan, who at the height of his career was writing three monthly books and numerous short stories to compile a staggering average of 200,000 words a month; a feat no other American writer has ever equaled. 
Robert Jasper Hogan was the son of a Dutch Reformer minister born in 1897 and raised in Buskirk, NY.  A graduate of St. Lawrence University, before turning to writing full time, he was a cowboy, a boxer, piano player, pilot and airplane salesman.  Thus his realistic descriptions of G-8’s aerial combats have a ring of authenticity to them.  Hogan became friends with many veteran airmen who had fought in World War One and he based a great deal of his adventures on them and their exploits while at the same adding a heavy dose of the macabre.  Each of his G-8 adventures were an efficient blend of spy thriller, aviation adventure and horror fantasy.
Although aware of the character, I’d never read a G-8 story before and decided to correct that while attending this year’s Pulp Fest in Columbus, Ohio.  Luckily, with the help of pulp fan David Walker, I managed to find three of those Berkley paperback reprints including the very first G-8 novel, THE BAT STAFFEL.  It is a solid, rousing debut of the series introducing us not only to the mysterious G-8, whose true identity we are never to learn, but his colorful supporting cast to include his British valet, Battle and his soon to be arch nemesis, Herr Doktor Krueger, the Kairser’s number one mad scientist.  Krueger has developed a deadly poison gas that, when inhaled, turns its victims into piles of ashes.  The German air corps has built half a dozen flying machines resembling giant bats and fitted them with tanks to carry the deadly fumes.
No sooner does G-8 discover this plot then the Bat Staffel attacks a small French town and completely decimates it.  Infuriated by this merciless savagery, G-8 flies off to combat these bat-planes single handedly and is almost done in.  Fortunately he is saved by two American pilots who come to his aid.  The first is the small, happy-go-lucky Nippy Weston who has a penchant for magic tricks and practical jokes and then there is the former college All American Half Back, Bull Martin is a giant of fellow with a granite-like jaw and the heart of a kitten.
Loyal to a fault, Nippy and Weston, upon discovering they have just saved the famous spy, G-8, enthusiastically sign on to be his wingmen in his campaign to foil the Bat Staffel.  From that point on the three of them escape one dangerous death-trap after another, each using his flying skills and other abilities to stay alive and defeat their enemies.  THE BAT STAFFEL is a fast paced, truly imaginative glimpse back into the heyday of the pulps and a fantastic introduction to one of pulpdom’s all time greatest heroes.  Next time you’re at a pulp convention, follow my lead and hunt up copies of G-8  And His Battle Aces.  You won’t be disappointed.

REVIEW: The Princess Bride – 25th Anniversary Edition

Hard to believe it’s been a quarter of a century since The Princess Bride was released to theaters. By then, I had adored William Goldman’s novel which was its basis and over time, as it hit cable then home video, it was watched repeatedly in my house. As a result, the kids grew up with it a part of their lives and they came to adore it with equal ardor. Sadly, when I tried to interest my eighth graders in seeing it recently, they stared blankly.

The conceit in the novel is that Goldman was giving us the “good parts” version of S. Morgenstern’s fantasy tale and that is adapted to the film as a grandfather (Peter Falk) reads the book to his sick grandson (Fred Savage). The rest of the fable involves the romance between beautiful Buttercup (Robin Wright) and dashing Westley (Cary Elwes) and the trials and tribulations that kept them apart – until the end when they finally kissed, one of the five greatest kisses ever recorded in history (or so we’re told). Between meeting and kissing, there are swordfights aplenty, death, resurrection, magic, cowardice, giants, tricksters, weird locales, and much more. Girls can love the romance, the boys can adore the action and both can laugh at the comical performances and clever dialogue.

Rob Reiner’s casting was pitch perfect as was his deft direction so all the elements came together to make an instant, enduring classic. With Wallace Shawn, Mandy Patinkin, Billy Crystal, Christopher Guest, and Andre the Giant, what could possibly go wrong? Nothing as it turns out and it’s a joy to see it one more time, in the 125th anniversary Blu-ray release from Warner Home Video. Reiner could have gone overboard with the humor but he reaches the edge of slapstick and pulls back time after time.

Given how often this has been previously released on DVD and Blu-ray, it’s comforting to see most of the extra features carried over here including both audio commentaries (Reiner and Goldman), The Art of Fencing (7:00), Cary Elwes’ Video Diary (4:00), a look at the Dread Pirate Roberts (12:00), twin pieces on the fantasy roots (26:00), a Makeup (11:00) piece; and “Untold Tales” (9:00). New to this edition is a 25th Anniversary Chat with Cary Elwes, Robin Wright and Rob Reiner (15:00) and Entering the Zeitgeist (15:00), examining the film’s role in today’s pop culture.

If you own one of the earlier versions, you may not need this but if you don’t have this on the shelf, this is well worth you (and your children’s) attention.

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