When it comes to bizarro fiction, it seems as though Eraserhead Press has been attempting to corner the market from the underground up. The indie powerhouse of a publisher has a fascination with taking on new authors in the field and giving them a chance to get their feet in the door and start making a name for themselves. It’s a commendable approach that has brought us the short book Gigantic Death Worm, the first publihed work by author Vince Kramer (Death Machines of Death). Given his coloring book posts on Tumblr, as well as his photography line of action figures having sex, there’s no denying this is probably going to be a pretty twisted tale of giant worms hell bent on destruction senseless slaughter. But is it something you’ll want to read, or is this debut offering just a flop?
Stephen King, the great horror and suspense mastermind, has been terrifying readers for years through his many literary creations since 1974’s Carrie. Among his most recent works include Doctor Sleep (a sequel to his landmark tale The Shining), Under the Dome (which was picked up as a television series that, at the time of writing this, is currently in development with its second season), and the current three book series known as The Bill Hodges Trilogy. After the first entry into that latter example stood Revival, an overlooked novel about faith and fear of the unknown. But is this work of fiction one that shouldn’t be so quickly dismissed, or is it proof the legend is running out of ideas?
Ever since 2007’s Grindhouse theatrical release, this form of story telling has caught the attention of old-school movie goers everywhere once more. From cinema to games, right down to comic books and so many other artistic formats, this style has found its home once more. Among those venturing down the path is Dark Horse Comics with their recently released Grindhouse: Drive In, Bleed Out mini-series from writer Alex De Campi and artist R. M. Guera. But does this new entry into the world of grindhouse pay homage to the classic style, or is this a far less enthralling mini-series?
Dynamite Entertainment has recently unveiled a new endeavour called “Creators Unleashed” to their roster of fine comics. There have only been a few revealed at this time, but the first is the brand new seven issue mini-series about seven exorcists called upon to stop Satan’s invading armies titled The Devilers. But will this new tale written by Joshua Hale Fialkov (I, Vampire, The Bunker) and illustrated by Matt Triano (Joe Palooka, Shelock Holmes: The Liverpool Demon) set a standard for this brand, or will it end up the start of a line that is worth overlooking?
When it comes to Metal and alcohol, the two go hand in hand perfectly. With so many bands announcing alcoholic products for sale, most of them overseas or small runs available only on tour or at certain microbreweries, it’s rare that we in North America get to experience these in a wider distribution range. So when it was announced Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden was crafting a beer with the Robinson’s Brewery to represent their song “The Trooper,” fans everywhere knew it would only be a matter of time before we saw it in select bars throughout the United States. Thanks to distributor Artisanal Imports, we get the chance to taste this imported premium malt beverage. But is it worth what you might have to pay just to taste the golden, or is this nothing more cheap beer in a bottle better left a collectors item?
