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Book Review: Untold Horror by Dave Alexander

 

Untold Horror by Dave Alexander

Dark Horse Comics, 2021

ISBN-13: 9781506719023

Available: Paperback, Kindle, comiXology  ( Bookshop.org )

 

Untold Horror includes interviews by the former editor-in-chief of Rue Morgue, Dave Alexander,  about horror projects that never saw the light of day, with horror legends such as Joe Dante, John Landis, William Lustig, George A. Romero, and more.

 

Among the discussions in Untold Horror, I found quite a few that were more eye opening than others. An interview with film historian David J. Skal reveals historical information about early drafts of Dracula, Frankenstein, and a few other titles that never came to be. A discussion with Jared Rivet, John Goodwin, and Brandon Wyse regards Tobe Hooper’s vision for a remake of White Zombie. Joe Dante and Matty Simmons at one time wanted to create a National Lampoon version of Jaws. Interviews with William Lustig, Buddy Giovinazzo, and Stephen Romano reveals information on Lustig and Spinell’s Maniac sequels that never came to fruition. Particularly interesting is the revelation that George A. Romero “nearly kick-started the Marvel Cinematic Universe” (p. 67) in the 1980s with a project titled Copperhead. This chapter comes complete with preliminary sketches of characters and storyboards.  

 

There are so many other projects that I could mention, but I think anyone interested in film history should pick up Untold Horror. The book features scripts, sketches, photographs, and other material from unfinished projects. It is heartbreaking to see how many films were never made. Who knows? With the unearthed history, maybe some of these can be resurrected somehow…I can hold out hope anyway. Highly recommended

 

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

 

Posted on April 3, 2022 by , Reply

Book Review: The Lost Girls by Sonia Hartl

 

Cover art for The Lost

The Lost Girls: A Vampire Revenge Story by Sonia Hartl  

Page Street Publishing, 2022

ISBN: 9781645673149

Available: Hardcover, e-book, audiobook  ( Bookshop.org )

 

In this book, a group of young women who were turned by the same gaslighting vampire team up to take him down.   

 

Since 1987, Holly has been an eternal teenager, stuck with one of the era’s iconic fashion don’ts— crimped hair— after falling for pretty-boy vampire, Elton.  Hartl starts this tale after the ever-after, with Holly working at a Taco Bell to make ends meet once her sexy vampire boyfriend fails to make good on the promise of eternal love.  When Elton’s two other exes enter the scene, readers find out what they have in common, and the trio joins forces to try to break the alluring and totally predatory hold on his next victim— another teenage girl, Parker. 

 

Parker and Holly develop a fast physical attraction as they get to know each other. Turning the teen girl victim trope on its ear,  Hartl’s  updated vampire story takes on patriarchy with a humorous tone, lots of action, and a solid dose of queer romance. Characters’ bisexuality (and sexuality, in general) is handled quite comfortably, with the long view of an immortal. Who better than vampires to go up against the centuries-old problem of patriarchy? Folks seeking grim horror may be disappointed by some of the romantic elements, but readers looking for a contemporary paranormal tale will find a lot to enjoy in this quirky, laugh-out-loud YA vampire story.   The plot is fast-paced and unfolds to a satisfying conclusion. With a hearty dose of gory violence, this is likely to appeal to folks who enjoyed Lish McBride’s  Hold Me Closer, Necromancer, Adam Rex’s Fat Vampire, and other horror-humor mashups.  Recommended.  

 

A cure for the common sparkle.   

 

Reviewed by E. F. Schraeder

Posted on March 31, 2022 by , Reply

Graphic Novel Review: Lugosi: The Rise and Fall of Hollywood’s Dracula by Koren Shadmi

Cover art for Lugosi by Koren Shadmi

Lugosi: The Rise and Fall of Hollywood’s Dracula by Koren Shadmi

Life Drawn, 2021

ISBN-13: 978-1643376615

Available: Paperback, Kindle, comiXology ( Bookshop.org  |  Amazon.com )

 

 

Lugosi: The Rise and Fall of Hollywood’s Dracula is a graphic biography of one of the most recognizable men to portray Dracula, Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó, or simply Bela Lugosi. Shadmi tells the story of the young Bela fleeing Hungary after a failed Communist revolution in 1919. Upon coming to the United States, he “reinvents himself”, acting on stage and screen, eventually being cast as the titular vampire count in 1931’s Dracula. However, Lugosi’s constant vices and failed marriages haunted him throughout his career and beyond.

 

Shadmi did not hold back with Lugosi, opening with Lugosi in 1955 admitting himself to the Motion Picture and Country House Hospital in an attempt to defeat his heroin addiction. From there, we are taken to Lugos, Hungary in 1893 where a young Bela is acting in a field after becoming entranced by a traveling acting troupe that recently left. A group of bullies attack him, and then he returns home to his strict, banal parents. Soon after, Bela faces the death of his father and the hatred of his mother. At this point, he takes some of his possessions and leaves home. The story then switches back to Bela in the hospital where he is facing detox, hallucinations, and the physical and emotional pain that tortures him. The rest of the book follows in this manner, going from sepia colored modern day to crisp black and white telling of the past. More of Bela’s past is revealed, including affairs, drug addiction, arrival in the United States, struggles with Hollywood, his rivalry with Boris Karloff, acting for the notorious Ed Wood, Jr., and more, while Lugosi faces his demons in the hospital. It is a powerful biography fans of Lugosi should read.

 

Shadmi has become one of my favorite creators. Lugosi: The Rise and Fall of Hollywood’s Dracula will be another graphic biography on my bookshelf. Highly recommended.

 

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Posted on March 23, 2022 by , Reply
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