Intense Device: A Journey through Lust, Murder & the Fires of Hell

by Simon Whitechapel

Dildos through the ages, the life and crimes of the Marquis de Sade, the literary twilight that is the TV & movie tie-in, the Christian Crusader comics of Jack T Chick, visions of End Times-these are just some of the subjects found in this tour of a wholly unique and contemporary Hell. "Intense Device "plunges the reader into a real-life Divine Comedy, with fresh and thought-provoking observations on some familiar and not-so-familiar cultural artifacts.

Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[S. Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this collection of articles written for the '90s zine Headpress, the most likely pseudonymous Simon Whitechapel explores a variety of esoteric topics ranging from Nazi-inspired underground music and film novelizations to deviant Roman emperors and... farts. Reminiscent of John Marr's seminal zine Murder Can Be Fun, Whitechapel's essays are researched to an almost academic level, yet remain grounded in a down-to-earth voice that reflects the passion and bemusement that undoubtedly inspires the majority of his work. Even topics he seemingly knows little about are pulled off with authority; his article on film novelizations by saying "I'm not particularly interested in moving pictures," you don't expect the amount of depth or preoccupation with the subject that is in store. But he pulls it off easily.

The articles in this collection focus primarily on historical deviants and apocalyptic visions, with the Marquis de Sade and Jack Chick earning equal time among visions of Hell and tales of the Luftwaffe, and approach their subjects with a playful darkness that may not appeal to everyone. But to those who revel in the dark corners of culture and religion, this is a collection you do not want to miss.

[TWA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex- this was the book that really disturbed me. You should read it.