Monday 26 May 2014

Under London

I’ve been reading a bit lately (and because of the way I think) I have come to a conclusion that there is a conspiracy to hide that fact that London is a portal to another dimension (as opposed to Cardiff as per Torchwood) There seems to be a long history and tradition of books regarding this subject by the great English fantasy writers and novelists.
There is a history that leads me to this conclusion.
After reading China Mieville’s Un Lun Dun I was struck by the influence from Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere which reminded me of one of my favourite Clive Barker books WeaveWorld and this in turn – thanks to my son – can be linked back to the marvelous CS  Lewis  and his classic the Magician’s Nephew.
Another bit of information linking these tales is the inclusion of art to tell the tales. Melville and Barker are both accomplished artists who illustrate their own work, Gaiman has been associated with comic and noted illustrators all his career and Lewis’ work has always been accompanied by the beautiful line drawings of 
Pauline Baynes.
Invisibles S01E02
Even Grant Morrison hints at it on the comic "Invisibles" All very Secret Squirrel.


Is this some sort of literary road map or prophecy?
Does anyone else have any other books to add to my theory?


Thursday 1 May 2014

Review-HOME BREW VAMPIRE BULLETS Number Two

Review HOME BREW VAMPIRE BULLETS Number Two
Contributors: Various, Edited by Garth Jones

Then
 In the tradition of Alan Moore's Dodgem Logic, Tales from the Crypt, 2000AD, Oz Magazine and Metal Hurlant, Home Brew Vampire Bullets is an anthology of 75% R-rated (but not necessarily adult), uniquely Aussie myth spinning, prose, politics and pulp soundtracked by Rose Tatts, soaked in Melbourne Bitter and dyed defiantly navy blue.

Now
Home Brew Vampire Bullets is an Australian pulp narrative anthology showcasing comics, gonzo journalism, scathing political polemics and MORE.

Available as Digital download and Print On Demand Details Here

 HOME BREW VAMPIRE BULLETS Number Two was delivered on time as promised and with it a few surprises. As an anthology it is still finding its feet,, experimenting with content and styles.
 A direction I’m quite pleased with,
This issue is more reminiscent of Dodgem Logic and Oz than the first which was heavy with sequential and satire pieces. Slightly larger than issue One it features Aussie comedian heavyweights Tony Martin and Justin Hamilton and top of their game comic contributors such as Sacha Bryning, Dean Rankine, Scott Fraser, Matthew Huynh and Matthew Dunn amongst others. This issue sees the first issue sequentials tucked away (with the exception of Scott Fraser’s Melbourne based supernatural turf war piece, SHADOW RUMBLE) the vacant pages have been jammed packed with essays, prose and pictorials which take nothing way from the original anthology concept but totally enhance it. Respected scribes Emma Beddows, Emmet O’Cuana, John Harrison and Laura Crawford provide informative and entertaining pieces as interesting as they are insightful and Kellie Gollings’ ABANDO photography is gorgeously reproduced and is a great argument for the procurement of the printed version. With the he addition of Turd Circus’ Tony Lewis we are also privy to some of the funniest satire you’ll see in Australia at the moment. The thing HBVB has going for it that I admire is that it has real “I’m a bastard, so what? “ attitude,   (just check out the provocative cover for proof) and wants to push the boundaries of safe traditional magazines. Who knows? Maybe the time is right to bundle everybody’s differing ideas into one package and fuck the niche markets. HBVB has a massive potential as a new outlet for established and new talent and its bold graphic design and content is loud enough to be noticed within the mainstream and hopefully scare it enough to take notice.
Issue Three promises the return of the sequential pieces BOLT, MARALINGA, HEAVY ANGEL, BABALON SHOKK and HOLT which were a large part of the promotion of Issue One,
BRING ON ISSUE THREE.