Steven Schend's Blog, page 5

Review: Grants Pass

4 out of 5 stars, IMO.

A very well done anthology of stories about a modern apocalypse and the fabled safe haven of Grants Pass, Oregon. The world falls apart due to bioengineered plagues and the chaos that ensues from them. The stories here, like many anthologies, vary in terms of their ability to grab each reader, but they're all well written even if they're not one's cup of tea. Stories that stood out in my mind as the best or most intriguing were "Animal Husbandry" by Seanan McGuire; "Chatea

A.J. Soltare

"A.J. Soltare is one of our authors of whom we're very proud. He has worked with Bulwark under my father and my uncles Rupert and Sebastian. He claims I'm the easiest `boss' with whom he's ever had to work, but I suspect I let him get away with more as he's been around the offices for decades longer than I've been alive."

—Oscar Kharm, Bulwark publisher, in an interview on March 12, 1981

"What can I tell you about A.J.? Precious little, I'm afraid. Gentlemen's agreement, you see. I keep his secret

Boroughs of Fairgeth (3)

[Continued from posts on June 30, 2009 & July 5, 2009:]

Appleton: The smallest borough of Fairgeth is Appleton, tucked in between the Village and Sawgeth. Once the home of many farmers' markets, the neighborhood mysteriously attracted many spiritualists and psychics (and, according to some, many ghosts along with them) in the 19th century. More inexplicable happenings occur within Appleton than any other borough. Some claim that the curses that envelop Fairgeth originate from this area, which use

Boroughs of Fairgeth (2)

[Continued from Blog Post 06/30/09:]

The Pipes: While now the manufacturing and industrial area in which Fairgeth's water treatment plants reside, the Pipes got their name in the 19th century for the opium dens and tobacconists among the Oriental and Dutch settlers prevalent in this area. The neighborhood remains a crime-riddled area known for wars (over drugs, money, turf, or respect) among the smaller crime lords in this region.

First Appearance/Mention: "The Pipes Play Hokus Pokus," by Carson

Boroughs of Fairgeth

The fame of Fairgeth spread through the pages of GANGLAND THRILLS™ and OCCULT THRILLS™ magazine and the exploits of heroes like ACE BARRIGAN™, THE CHANTEUSE™, and MAX MEDIUM™ or villains like BOSS MACKAY™, DINO STILETTO™, and MATTHEW SLATE™. In all fairness, the city grew as a random patchwork of background details, buildings, street names, and gangs or supernatural menaces. It was editor Victor Northrup who pieced it together and demanded the generic cityscapes of his authors become one singula

Guardian Comics (Part II)

Guardian Comics (Part 2)

[For the complete history of Guardian Comics, start with the Guardian Comics post from May 31, 2009.:]

Electri-Comics (April 1940 to October 1958; 223 issues);

Since her premiere in Best Comics #35 (December 1938), FULMI-NANCY THE ELECTRI-GAL proved to be one of the biggest hits ever produced by Guardian Comics. In fact, nearly any and every character in her supporting cast likewise proved popular with fans; thus Electri-Comics began as a showcase book solely for the ELECTR

Guardian Comics (Part I)

Guardian Comics started in 1936 Toronto, Ontario solely as a medium that collected and republished comic strips in book form, like most early comic books. Terry Zuller, Guardian’s editor in chief, wanted to oversee a creative stable like the one he’d once marshaled on American pulps like Scarab Stories. Zuller commissioned six writers and artists to adapt six stories of his from the pulps and he interspersed these 6- to 8-page stories among the comic strip reprints. Two months later, he had the

The Von Baurs

The Von Baur Family: An Occult History

The Von Baurs rose along the Haldenaab in northeastern Bavaria. The tiny village of Baur came under attack in 1483 by “forces dark and overwhelming,” long postulated to be brigands or barbarians (though hidden histories mark the attackers as diabolic and certainly of fell origins). Only the defenses mustered by the brothers Baldric (a shepherd) and Corrado (a blacksmith) saved the village, albeit at the cost of Baldric’s life. In gratitude, the Holy Roman Em

Kharndam Guide: Brief History

Kharndam: The Ages of Reason

Consider how the day is long to a child awaiting a parent and that is how long history truly reveals a world. Consider how the day is short to a child reveling in play, and that too is how short history spans a world. To view a world through only the prism of one’s own race is a child’s view of life—one perspective, one view, one eye. Always look to every race to understand what has come before and what may yet occur—and look again, for life has as many perspectives a

Fairgeth: Introduction (Part I)

“Wassat? You ain’t never been here before? Dis is a town like no other, pal! Ya say yer prayers, don’tcha?”

—“Hack Harry” (cabbie played by Albert Sonarm) in ACE BARRIGAN™ and the Fairgeth Phantom (1941)

“From the first, Fairgeth was accursed, for Bartram Algeth’s founding of the town came from blood and hate and gold and greed. Over time, the settlement spread, almost despite itself. Its dark heart beat everywhere but in its now-ironic name of Fairgeth. Its citizens have seen its share of d