Book Review: Swords Against Wizardry

Cover art by Jeff Jones

Book Review: Swords Against Wizardry by Fritz Leiber We return, gentle readers, to the fabled world of Nehwon, home of those bold rogues, Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser. But they are not in their favorite city, Lankhmar, but in Fafhrd’s home territory of the Cold Wastes to the north. For they have learned of fabled… Continue reading Book Review: Swords Against Wizardry

Book Review: Twelve

Book Review: Twelve by Joan Marie Verba Once upon a time, there was a soldier named Alden. He had traveled far and wide, and fought in many battles, though he avoided fighting when possible. War has a way of eating at a man, stealing his composure and making him less than he was. So when… Continue reading Book Review: Twelve

Book Review: The Pocket Companion

Book Review: The Pocket Companion edited by Philip Van Doren Stern This 1942 paperback anthology was designed for people who wanted a lot of reading in a pocket-sized book, so has a novel, short stories, articles, poetry and trivia. The closest thing to a theme is the connection between the British and Americans, now allies… Continue reading Book Review: The Pocket Companion

Comic Book Review: Fleetway Picture Library Classics Presents: Rick Random

Comic Book Review: Fleetway Picture Library Classics Presents: Rick Random art by Ron Turner In the far future of the 2040s, Earth belongs to the Interplanetary Board, a coalition of worlds both in the Sol System and beyond. As it just so happens, it’s headquartered in what used to be the country of Great Britain.… Continue reading Comic Book Review: Fleetway Picture Library Classics Presents: Rick Random

Manga Review: Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible 1

Manga Review: Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible 1 by Nene Yukimori Some people are extroverts, who project themselves out into the world. Others are introverts, who tend to withdraw from the world. And then there’s Junta Shiraishi. His lack of presence makes him effectively invisible. Ordinary folks don’t notice him unless he directly calls… Continue reading Manga Review: Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible 1

Comic Book Review: The Chill

Comic Book Review: The Chill story by Jason Starr, art by Mick Bertilorenzi It’s 2009 in New York City and a series of bizarre ritual killings has hit the city. The obvious suspect is a woman named Ariana who’s been seen with more than one of the victims, but no one can agree on a… Continue reading Comic Book Review: The Chill

Book Review: New Tales of Space and Time

Cover by Charles Frank

Book Review: New Tales of Space and Time edited by Raymond J. Healy This 1951 anthology opens with an introduction by Anthony Boucher. In it he notes the proliferation of science fiction anthologies at the time, most of which were reprints of magazine stories. Often the same stories, over and over–not bad because they are… Continue reading Book Review: New Tales of Space and Time

Movie Review: The Incredibles

Family Reunion

Movie Review: The Incredibles (2004) directed by Brad Bird Once, there were superheroes. Brightly costumed beings with amazing inborn powers who fought crime and saved the world. But a series of lawsuits brought on by Mr. Incredible saving someone who didn’t want to be saved, plus having to clean up the mess caused by would-be sidekick… Continue reading Movie Review: The Incredibles

Movie Review: The Amazing Transparent Man

The joke is that our title character isn't even in this shot!

Movie Review: The Amazing Transparent Man (1960) directed by Edgar G. Ulmer We open with the daring escape of notorious safecracker Joey Faust (Douglas Kennedy) from prison. We swiftly learn that his release has been sponsored by Major Paul Krenner (James Griffith), who received a medical discharge due to a shrapnel wound. (Joey snarks that it… Continue reading Movie Review: The Amazing Transparent Man

Book Review: The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror Volume 16

Book Review: The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror Volume 16 edited by Stephen Jones Let’s go back to 2004 for what at least one editor considered excellent short horror fiction. As with the later volume I have reviewed, there’s a lot of ancillary material. It opens with an extended look at horror and horror-adjacent… Continue reading Book Review: The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror Volume 16