Good superhero fiction is hard to come by. Last year, two anthologies of do-gooder short stories both underwhelmed, as did full novels by the likes of Austin Grossman the year before. Like an underdog — or perhaps Underdog — A THOUSAND FACES: THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF SUPERHUMAN FICTION is better than all of them, coming out of nowhere.
Edited by Frank Byrns, the ninth issue contains 13 stories and, like many indie-fiction “magazines” these days, comes packaged as a trade paperback, rather than stapled paper. Among the highlights is the first tale, “Mister Brass and the Red Horror of Frankenstein,” by Joshua M. Reynolds. It reminded me of the TALES OF THE SHADOWMEN anthologies, where established characters of others’ creations intermingle — in this case, Victor Frankenstein, Dr. Moreau and groups from the pen of H.P. Lovecraft and Sax Rohmer.
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Wildside Press’ SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY MAGAZINE is many things — fun, nice-looking, great value for your money — but not regular. Yet issue #3 arrived alongside Hollywood’s blockbuster take, just as the public appetite for all things Holmes is whetted, so hopefully it may attract more readers. It deserves to.
As with previous issues, the periodical — actually a sturdy paperback — opens with nonfiction features that make the mag feel like a club. Lenny Picker provides a terrific article on some Holmes screen adaptations, with particular attention paid to BBC’s MURDER ROOMS series, which was added to my wish list immediately.
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Every issue of OUT OF THE GUTTER reaches your mailbox in a plain brown wrapper, but #6 — being “the sexploitation issue” — is the one that certainly deserves it. This one’s absolutely filthy, kids, meaning if you’re a regular reader of the indie-fic rag, you’re going to love it.
In the journal of “pulp fiction and degenerate literature,” the upfront section of flash fiction is my favorite, and that’s no different this go-round. How could it not be, given stories dedicated to a hostage situation on a toilet, purveyors of pornographic jigsaw puzzles, the trouble with lactose intolerance during sex, a woman who gets paid $25K to get beat up, and another woman who cuts off men’s parts so that she can … well, you’ll just have to see for yourself.
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Another long-awaited zine calls it quits — at least in physical, hold-it-in-your-hands form — with THE HUNGOVER GOURMET #11, but editor Dan Taylor sees to it that his food-and-drink publication goes out with a bang. Or that should be a hit of caffeine?
This super-sized final issue takes its focus from the magic bean known as coffee. Contained within are pieces both pro and con, which warms the heart of someone like me who loves the jolt of jitters, but detests — detests — the taste of the brew. To that end, whoever this Dara Bujon and Tim Hinley are, they become instant pals for their brave essays, “Juan Valdez Is No Friend of Mine” and “Coffee Hell: I’m in the Wrong Place!”
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WOLVERINE MAGAZINE #2 offers another four stories, all but one featuring at least one of the X-Men. I’m assuming that the two-issue WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN MAGAZINE has been absorbed into this perodical, since the titular, metal-clawed hero is absent for half of its contents.
First up is a WOLVERINE: FIRST CLASS story in which all Logan wants to do is kick back at the X-Mansion and watch the Stanley Cup finals on TV. His night of R&R, however, is upended by Kitty Pryde and two other girls bickering, not to mention activating some robot villains in the Danger Room that get loose.
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