Survival Street

 - Survival Street. 4 issues. James Asmus, Jim Festante, et al.

In the very near future, assorted companies have gained more and more ground and 'rights' --now they control all politics. Every state belongs to a particular corporation. Entertainment is pure open propaganda. Edutainment for children is dead --but not their actors! There are still children to save --literally and figuratively. There are so many bad guys to not just bring down but whose public image needs to be carefully dismantled. And there are a few sellouts to deal with, too...

What could have easily become yet another example of embarassingly puerile takes on famous children's media instead is revealed to be a surprisingly smart comic --and yes, smart is the word. The over-the-top covers parodying famous Sesame St. characters do not remotely do justice to the world within --a world in which immigrant children are forced to fight out-of-control wildfires in California; where the governor of Texas wants to implement a law that will allow toddlers to carry weapons; where out-of-control celebrities and internet personalities have fully bought into their self-made hype. 

The comic is not without a couple misses here and there -- the analogy about colonization somewhat falls flat on its face due to the insistence of making it the island where puppets apparently come from. The climax can seem just a touch too convenient...

...but all in all the moments of hope amidst the despair of so-real-it's-hardly-satire feel earned. On the whole a comic more than worth checking out.

*

Midnighter and Apollo.

 

- Midnighter and Apollo. Steve Orlando, Fernando Blanco, et. al.

Midnighter: the killing machine on the side of the good. His boyfriend Apollo, a sun god. A vengeful criminal willing to make deals with demons. And a long-forgotten pioneering gay sorcerer... These elements will collide in an explosive, exciting --and surprisingly touching action yarn.

Extraordinarily fun comic that manages to mix the wide-screen gory violence of the characters' early Image / Wildstorm days with long-running DC history. From the excellent use of criminally underrated characters like Extraño and the Tasmanian Devil (the one of the Global Guardians, mind!), to a final page that doesn't just reference but challenges Alan Moore's infamous "Whatever happened to the man of tomorrow?" --the result is the kind of explosive, unforgiving gay superhero fantasy we've so long waited for.

Quite recommended. 

 

*

My heart is a chainsaw

 

- My heart is a chainsaw. Stephen Graham Jones.

Jade Daniels, half Blackfoot, desperately seeks an escape from her stiffling, lonely life. She finds solace in pranks --and especially in her open vice: Slasher films. She's even written several lenghty essays on the matter. Thus, it is perhaps fitting when she starts noticing unmistable signs that an horror tale of the kind is about to unfold on her sleepy Idaho town. But Jade is about to learn that sometimes reality can be far, far harsher than the most brutal films...

Extraordinay novel from Graham Jones, described as his third slasher (after "Demon theory" and "The last final girl"). As is often the case with Jones' fiction it is at once a gleefully wicked pulp yarn --and underneath that bloody mask, a complex, thoughtful meditation on loneliness, abuse, and the historical consequences of racism, segregation and genocide. Like the best writers of the style, Jones plants subtle clues in plain sight --the resulting gut punch as they unfurl and reveal themselves all the more effective because of that.

Quite recommended all in all --and hopefully used to start several fascinating discussions.

*

Trigger Warning

 

- Trigger Warning: Short fictions and disturbances. Neil Gaiman. 

Gaiman’s third short story collection, after “Smoke and mirrors” and “Fragile things” offers another mix of fantasy, horror, humor —with some sci-fi even, plus poetry, short-shorts and even a novella! All dealing with sudden changes in the world, as noted by both title and introduction. Even Gaiman’s traditional short story hidden in the Introduction!

Far less shocking than a title like “trigger warning” would suggest, yet it’s a very good, very enjoyable collection. often more memorable than the previous “Fragile things”. There is a recurrent theme of fairytales, folklore and rituals. Some brought to modern times, others essentially taking place in all eras and none. All sort of familiar faces show up, from assorted folk characters to tv personalities like Dr. Who and even Gaiman’s own Shadow (of the novel “American Gods” and others). Also famous fairytale and literary characters here and there. 

On the whole, accessible both to longtime Gaiman fans and to newcomers. While not entirely on par with his 90’s work, certainly the pinnacle of his creativity, it’s still very much a kind of book downright needed nowadays. Both stimulating and thought-provoking. 

*

November 2022 Extras

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Also read / watched in the month: 

TV SHOWS

LIVE ACTION

- The midnight club. 

Inspired by assorted books from 90’s YA horror author Christopher Pike (not just the titular one). Good companion to other recent adaptations of YA / Children’s horror —like the "Fear Street" and "Goosebumps" movies (all drawn from R. L. Stine), or “Scary tales to tell in the dark” —and one would be tempted to include the tv series “I know what you did last summer”, had that one not been a disappointment. 

In any case, The midnight club is a fairly entertaining thriller that, like the Fear Street movie trilogy, brings the diversity (in particular the Queerness) that was barely present in the original books. 

- Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of curiosities. 

Fairly entertaining horror anthology. Though at times it’s little more than a new season of “Masters of Horror”, rather than the Twilight Zone vibe it seems to be aiming for, it’s nevertheless worth a look for horror aficionados. 

- The boys (season 1). 

Media satire disguised as a bad-taste superhero parody. Better than one would expect from the trailers, if still more clever than intelligent. Still, worth a look —definitely not for everyone, however. 

ANIMATED

- Dead end: Paranormal park. (season 2)

Extraordinary dark fantasy for children, notable both for the queer elements (that are here an integral part of the story) and for becoming an apologia for rebellion against God. Quite recommended. 

- Zootopia+. 

Shorts derived from the famous movie. Nicely animated and amusing, if short enough to count almost as deleted scenes. Still, pretty entertaining. 

- Sailor Moon Crystal. (Seasons 1 - 2)

The much maligned second anime adaptation of the world-famous manga —I found it to hold up surprisingly well. Perhaps it works much better completely ignoring the Fandom Discourse around it, both positive and negative, and simply watching this one on its own merits. 

WEBCOMIC

- Some other animal’s meat. Emily Carroll. 

Excellently creepy horror comic from a master of the genre. The basis for a Cabinet of curiosities episode that truly did not do justice to the original. 

MOVIES

- Sailor Moon R: The movie. 

- Sailor Moon S: The movie. 

- Sailor Moon SuperS: The movie. 

The movies spun off from the original anime all hold up nicely, each with their own themes and aesthetic.

- Sing.

So-so animated musical. While entertaining and nice to look at, something is missing and overall is fairly unmemorable. 

*

Spooky comics.

 *

Read the following comic book anthologies: 

- Archie Halloween Spectacular. 

- Archie & Friends Thrills and Chills. 

- Jinx: Grim fairy tales. 

- Weirder mysteries. 

From Archie comics; the first two all-ages, the latter rated Teen. Somewhat slim, but pretty fun, suitably spooky. 

- Infinite Halloween. 

- The multiverse who laughs.

From DC comics. Scary tales set in the DC Universe, often to its detriment —the first volume is 13 tales that feel like they would be much better without the superhero element (not to mention as a stand-alone). The second is possibly the apotheosis of fandom obsession with things they ultimately dislike —familiar DC stories, diving deep into decades of continuity, but all re-told as something of a gross-out contest. 

- Tales from the darkside. 

IDW adaptation of a failed tv revival from Joe Hill. As is typical of Hill a little too weird for Horror, yet firmly unwilling to let his tales be anything BUT horror, and thus too cynical for Fantasy. 

- Creepshow.

Image revival of the famous anthology movies —much better, and the most successful anthology of this list, after the Archie ones —very much for adults in this case. 

Fun little bunch for the end of the spooky season. 

*

Something wicked this way comes

 

- Something wicked this way comes. Ray Bradbury. 

To the quaint Green Town, Illinois, a strange carnival has come, bringing Halloween with it at least a week earlier. For most of the residents, it means something delightful… perhaps even tempting —it offers certain things they badly desire. For two boys, it is a nightmare come true. And for one of the boys’ weary father, it may well come to represent something else…

Seminal dark fantasy novel by Bradbury; a book whose influence is writ large in so much latter fiction. From latter 20th century classic horror / fantasy authors (ranging as diverse as Stephen King, R. L. Stine and Richard Matheson) to more general fiction for children. A mix of horrific, sentimental and even subtly erotic. 

However, the novel itself is undeniably dated. The sentimental parts now and then feel corny, to say nothing of eyebrow-raising (that last chapter in particular…). The characters’ motivations can often feel unpleasantly moralistic. And to top it off, it’s a rare case in which Bradbury’s ornamental prose sometimes gets in the way of his own tale, often obscuring rather than emphasizing. 

Sometimes it even feels like other books closely tied to this one —such as the short story collection “The illustrated man” —hold up much better. 

Still, a classic that is worth a look for both historical value (genre history especially) and as part of Bradbury’s multi-faceted world. 

*

Menace from the deep

- Killer Species #1: Menace from the deep. Michael P. Spradlin.

Emmet Doyle, the son of a famous wildlife expert, has just moved against his will to the Florida Everglades swamps. But the reason his father has been summoned is nothing ordinary. There is a new predator species it seems —something that looks alarming man-made. Something that is preying on snakes and boas... and might well soon hunger for something else... When Emmet and and another scientist’s son, Calvin Geaux, run afoul of one of the new beasts, they will learn just how dangerous a new invasive species can be. Particularly when driven by human arrogance…

Very entertaining 2013 sci-fi yarn for children, the first in a four-book series about genetically engineered monsters. Drawing cues from famous sci-fi thrillers a la Michael Crichton or Arthur Herzog, it quite surpasses Crichton and about matches Herzog —with bonus point for this being a book for children that in many ways is far better written than too many thrillers for adults. The good handling of influences results in both convincing scientific mumbo-jargon and fairly believable characters. 

While the suspense and creature attack scenes can be somewhat lacking it’s nevertheless a breezy, entertaining read. Recommended overall. 

*

Into the pit

 - Fazbear Frights #1: Into the pit. Scott Cawthon & Elley Cooper. 

A collection of three short stories: Into the pit, To be beautiful, and Count the ways, plus an epilogue. The first in a twelve (and a bonus 13) book series in the vein of Goosebumps and imitators (horror books for children), and presented as spun off the infamous video game franchise “Five nights at Freddy’s”. All twelve books are linked by the epilogues which form the story of the Stitchwraith. 

The entire Franchise has been and remains heavily criticized due to creator Cawthon’s repugnant morals and political actions. Beyond that, where the game has been often mocked for its bare-bones story and structure (even considering that it’s intended for children), this book series presents the curiosity of being intended for children yet featuring an unusually high level of gore, dismemberment and other similar violent actions. While also thorough omitting the very notion of queer people, to better fit said repugnant morals. 

In themselves the stories are formulaic or rather typical of the genre: All child characters express a certain wish (to have a fun summer, to be conventionally pretty, to be left alone) and all are punished in extreme ways for it. 

“Into the pit” has the protagonist discovering a portal to 1985, then paying the prize of his father being replaced with a supposedly murderous animatronic. But as the rabbit character doesn’t actually do anything menacing in the entire story, the fact that our protagonist eventually hangs him to death feels less like a valiant action than to hinting that we are following a budding sociopath. 

“To be beautiful” has, as far too many tales of the ilk, a young female character who is both relentless mocked by the very narration for her appearance (the very first words in this tale are “fat and flat”), and then punished for wanting to be different —complete with a lovely description of body bags filled with severed human parts. Moral tales at their most annoying. 

“Count the ways” likewise mocks our young female protagonist for dressing in the Goth style and daring to have a romantic idea of death (the story entirely glosses over the idea of goth boys), leading her to be dismissed as judgmental for not having friends and then ambiguously killed by a surprisingly chatty animatronic. 

In sort —delivers what it promises but for this particular genre (horror for children)… believe me, there are better options out there. 

*

August 2022 extra.

 *

Also watched / read: 

ANIMATED TV SHOWS

- Dead End: Paranormal Park. 

Terrific all-ages mystery with horror touches, notable also for a trans gay boy being one of the leads. Based on a webcomic (that is, shall we say, intended for an older audience). Good atmosphere and intriguing plot.

- The legend of the three caballeros. 

Something of a cult show, or perhaps a bridge between 90’s Disney cartoons (off-the-wall approaches to classic characters) and their current-day counterparts (a more cynical humor and a teensy bit of envelope-pushing). Very entertaining. 

COMICS

- DC Pride 2022.

- DC Pride: Tim Drake Special. 

- Marvel Voices:  Pride (2022).

- Marvel Voices: Indigenous Voices. 

- Marvel Voices: Heritage.

- Marvel Voices: Comunidades. 

Assorted anthologies from the ‘big two’ (re: mainstream American superhero comics) centered on minorities —three about queer characters, two about Native American characters, one about Latino characters. All offer a welcome variety in their approaches to themes and representation. All feel like they could have gone much farther, but it is very much a step in the right direction.

MOVIES

- Black Panther. (Re-watched)

Holds up remarkably well less as representative of the by now bloated genre of live action superhero movies —than as the film that brought Afrofuturism to the mainstream. Still worth at least one watch. 

*

The bad seed

 

- The Bad Seed. William March. 

During a long summer while her husband is away, Christine Penmark finds herself puzzled by the behavior of daughter Rhoda. The eight year old is so clever, charming, smart —maybe a touch too much for her age. And then there is her innate capability to charm adults around her, though other children seem to dislike and fear her. And of course, all those strange incidents that sometimes happen around Rhoda, all those mysterious deaths… But it’s not until Christine starts a careful research that she discovers just how deeply evil runs in the family…

Classy psycho-thriller from 1954, the quintessential evil child story —this specific sub-genre was not invented by The Bad Seed, but it is the most classic, essential example of it. Rhoda in that sense is the grande dame of a venerable line of murderous tykes. But the novel is less interested in detailing her often shocking exploits as it is in the chilling, slowly unraveling obsession that consumes distraught Christine as the danger she and everybody around them is in becomes increasingly impossible to deny. 

A slow-paced novel peopled with convincingly realistic characters and spiced with the occasional lurid twist. Quite recommended. 

*

Batman: The world.

 

- Batman: The world. (Various) 

I’ve been reading several DC and Marvel anthologies this month —was planning to simply make a general overview of them at the end. This one, though, is curious enough to merit an individual blurb. 

“The world” is an anthology featuring 14 tales, each set in a different country and made by writers and artists from the country in question —herein the curiosity. Assorted cultures’ take on the iconic comic book superhero (sometimes guest-starring other famous DC characters). 

At worst this kind of international anthology but focused on a US property can feel somewhat like a tourist travel brochure —like a  continuation of Disney’s “Saludos, Amigos” and “The three caballeros” (I’ve ALSO been watching more media inspired by those two films. To be sure, there is something at once fascinating and puzzling about the very existence of the characters Jose Carioca and Panchito Pistoles —their actual impact on Latino culture, both good and bad, say). 

At best, these can serve as an invitation for readers to seek more of other cultures’ output, to expand one’s repertoire. 

Did this anthology accomplish the second? Or did people just plain saw a curiosity and moved on? That, to be honest, is up to each person. I’m more interested in what kind of stories this little experiment produced. 

So let’s go by nations: 

- An intro from the US that compares Gotham City to a wife. So-so start, but with lovely art. 

- Europe —the largest section, encompassing eight countries (France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, Russia, Turkey, Poland). To different degrees they feel like their statement is “Well, THIS is what we have that you in America don’t have”. Which is not to say they are of bad quality. Some propose rather unique concepts —some are happy to just be “Batman visits X tourist town”. 

- Latin-America (Mexico and Brazil) —these are much more interested in social ills (unchecked, highly violent crime fueled by political corruption —and the way US intervention only serves to exacerbate those problems), with a certain spattering of… shall we call it ‘Magical Realism’ or just plain ‘Fantasy elements’?

- Asia (South Korea, China, Japan) —and these are much more interested in just plain having fun. Interestingly they feel almost like a response to all the previous stories: There’s social ills, discussions of technological use for criminology, and talks about censorship. But all take a rather tongue-in-cheek approach to it, peppered with a certain mix of humor and action. 

On the whole, a comic that can well serve as an introduction to… the world, as the title says. 

Not bad!

*

The Snagglepuss Chronicles

 

- Exit stage left: The Snaglepuss chronicles. By Mark Russell, Mike Feehan, et at. 

In 1953, famous playwright Snaglepuss is enjoying a hugely successful life as an American Cultural Icon. Even a preliminary hearing from the deranged House of Un-American Activities Committee could not do much to soil his reputation. But evil does not rest easily —and it has already hit so many of his personal friends and colleagues. It has claimed the life of his best friend. Now he must engage in a final battle not for himself but for dignity of gays all across the world…

What at first seems a bizarre attempt to bring famous cartoon characters to a world frighteningly resembling ours soon reveals itself as one of the best comics in years. The most memorable examinations of past eras are not only about the period being examined but about the era in which they are written. As Miller writes “The Crucible” ostensibly about the witch-hunts in Salem —but truly to critique the many crimes of McCarthysm, then this comic examines 50’s cold war paranoia to staunchly expose several contemporary (this comic was collected in 2018) attitudes. Say, the anti-kink discourse demanding that gays present a squeaky-clean image for ‘respectability’, not unlike a 50’s senator deflecting her guilt in causing the suicide of an important literary figure. “I never intended… if he had just kept it private…”. Cowards always blame everyone but themselves. 

In this study of 50’s gay life, Snaglepuss is almost an answer to that other legendary furry comic about the 50’s — Blacksad. And as Blacksad’s one flaw was its timid portrayal of gay and generally queer issues, then Snaglepuss corrects that one grave omission. That it uses a famous pink panther character (one of a few, you could argue) in contrast to the also famous black cat is remarkably fitting —a cherry on top, if you will. 

And there is so much more to discuss about this comic —about the alternate history of a world where humans and furries exist side by side (the author kindly includes a few historical notes at the ending). Or about the meta-textual presentation of theater, television, and eventually cartoons (in a comic). But all are best served by you reading and discussing this comic. 

In sort, quite recommended. 

*

Pride 1: Cheat(er) Code.

- Cheat(er) Code. S. A. Foxe, et al

Kennedy has just been dumped by boyfriend of many years —and is not entirely accepting it. Seeking solace he first turns to dating apps, then to Video Games. Until a freak storm transports him to the actual world of VGs! Peopled with many of his favorite characters, who seem quite interested in him. But there is another layer to this world, a layer in which Kennedy will have to face a few things he kept refusing to see…

Extraordinary fantasy for adults, running several recognizable VG franchises and porn parodies through a blender, and adding a good deal of self-exploration, care and healing. By turns naughty and poignant, this comic is more than worth a few looks. 

In many ways it’s an updating of common Fantasy archetypes, from the quest for personal identity to the use of familiar character types. Herein, presented for gay 21st century sensibilities, aiming at late twenty somethings and older. A delight from start to finish. 

*

Beastars, vol. 19

 **

- Beastars, vol. 19. Paru Itagaki. 

C. 161

- The ideological clash between Kyuu and Legosi: The first tries to assault and provoke him to make him react, but the second is only interested in his ideas about fragility. 

162 

- The origin of Melon, his story with his mother. At first glance it is an horrific tale straight out of a slasher or a serial killer thriller. But certain details suggest Melon’s narration is not entirely accurate. For example, the fact that his mother does not react at all when he attacks her. As Melon himself describes it, it is dreamlike at times. Or nightmare-like. 

163 

- Indeed, Agata wonders if Melo’s story was real or invented. 

- Next we’re shown Agata’s origin, wherein it becomes clear that his entire life he’s been lead by what others expect of him, even if he himself doesn’t believe in it. Be it because of his species, his fur color, or his position in a hierarchy. 

- Even at the end he ends up doing as ordered by what is almost a revenant, a zombie: Dolph, back from the dead seemingly and urging Melon to attack him with a hacksaw or a chainsaw. “I can take it!” he claims. 

164 

- Yafya and Gosha: A meeting between old friends, close to a reconciliation. But old friends involved in very dangerous things, from Melon to poison that bleed clean through four stories. 

165 

- Death of Oguma, who in the end was an extremely pitiful man. His every relationship was determined by how much money were they worth, and he never held his adoptive son until the very last moment. 

166 

- More world-building: This herbivore festival. But under Louis and Haru’s skeptical gaze, there is little spirituality and a lot of commercialism here. It’s attended due to social custom and family traditions. 

- It’s also a meeting between Louis and Haru, each carrying their own obsessions and traumas. 

167 

- A transitional chapter: From Louis and Haru reconnecting to the strange competition between Melon and Legosi. 

168 

- A bizarre duel that parodies Japanese game shows. But it also illustrates the difference between these two: Melon has hard data, but Legosi better understands the ways in which different species may relate to each other. 

169

- Finally, we see the deep resentment Kyuu houses. She can’t stand not being Gouhin’s only disciple and then tries to attack a stranger based solely on a wound he has that she takes a sign of sexual conquest. 

**

*

Come Closer.

- Come Closer. Sara Gran. 

Amanda has the perfect life, or so she believes: A six-year marriage, a loft, a good job as an architect, about everything a thirty-something might want. Despite the inexplicable bursts of violence, like the time she smashed a cigarette into her husband’s bare knee. Or that strange tap-tap that seems to follow her now and then. She is openminded, despite her views on minorities —but surely she can’t really be possessed! Surely it’s just coincidence that she’s been dreaming of that imaginary friend she used to have as a child, the one who sometimes felt all too real, all too physical…

An intriguing horror short novel (about 196 pages long) that draws from the subtler examples of classic horror. Charlotte Perkins Gilman (The yellow wallpaper) and Ira Levin (Rosemary’s baby) first and foremost. A dab of Henry James (The turn of the screw) and Shirley Jackson (The haunting of Hill house) as well, perhaps even a very lite bit of Richard Matheson (Hell house) or Daphne du Maurier (Don’t look now). Draws from those venerable sources and delivers a story that is only simple at first glance, with so much suggested rather than being delivered in-your-face. 

Much has been made about if the haunting here is literal or psychological. Is the demon Naamah, second wife of Adam between Lilith and Eve real or is it Amanda’s heavily repressed hate bubbling to the surface? The supposed spiritual experts Amanda visits feel more like charlatans —even if they DO recognize Something besides her, as a child does. Some of Amanda’s acts of violence seem that they would require more strength than she could possibly have… Except, Amanda is in blackout for the most extreme of them. And when she is conscious she details perfectly plausible cruelties (near-drowning a child and in such a way that nobody would believe said child if she told about it. Throwing homophobic slurs at her boss in a way that can easily be blamed on a faulty photocopy). 

Except, even before the possession, Amanda’s life is anything but perfect. She tells of her mother dying when she was three, her stepmother being a woman who never wanted children, herself keeping an imaginary friend based on a sexually liberated neighbor —and keeping this friend until Amanda was nine, and then father and stepmother dying and leaving her with nothing at all. She talks of her husband, who lifted her up… while also demanding she do things exactly as he likes it and to get rid of any habit he dislikes. She gushes about her beautiful loft… that is placed in an area so desolate even thieves don’t bother with it. 

And then there is Amanda’s casual bigotry, up to classifying a middle Eastern man as a woman-hater (and possibly murdering him) or her description of a Brazilian salesman as a “flaming homosexual” —balanced with her dislike of husband Ed’s posh friends. Pointed details for a 2003 novel. 

…and on the other side there is the disturbing intimacy that several people around her —physician, psychologist, colleagues, strangers, Ed’s possible mistress —all are already possessed themselves. And all, we are told, invited and indeed welcomed demons. Why not? Somebody who says they love you and will never leave you alone —who will let you do whatever you want. 

An intriguing, thought-provoking short novel that is slightly marred by its reputation as a “Super scary novel” or a “Surprisingly literate possession tale” (no doubt from critics quite unfamiliar with horror history proper). A better method is —read and decide for yourself. 

*

Golden Kamuy, vol. 17

 

- Golden Kamuy, vol. 17. Satoru Noda. 

Entering Russia brings a tremendous change for both our protagonist groups. It’s no longer just the unmerciful nature or the cruelty of human adversaries; now there is the weight of history and politics. Sometimes, the sins of the past catch up not to the individual,  but to entire nations…

A somewhat odd volume of GK because it has less of its unusual characteristics: There’s less spectacular moments and less homoeroticism, which in theory would bring this closet to so many other generic adventure tales. But none of it went away. Check out the story of the virginal standard bearer seduced by his lieutenant and by another soldier. Or the gender non-conforming character Sofia Golden Hand. Or the method for separating flesh and metal in extreme cold…

This volume sets up the historical and political context for upcoming tales —a study of ethnic minorities in the Russian-Japanese border. It’s not that the quality was lowered or that it tried to appeal to the Mainstream -it’s that the story takes a slight pause to carefully set the next action stage. 

*