#259

After months of delay, another issue at last.

Issues will now simply be numbered, distribution was changed, it'll be great, we are told.  We get a note from Mr. Eastman, describing the changes, thanking Dave Elliot for guest-editing, and directing our attention to the official web site for future updates.  Meanwhile, my favorite local bookstore never got this issue, so I got it, bagged, at a mainstream store.  The web site only shows this issue on the sales page, the 4 Horsemen still dominate the main page.

I think this is the most direct communication to the magazine's readers from Mr. Eastman in a couple years.  It's interesting that he is pictured with an apparent turtles sketch in front of him.  My impression is that his attentions have been, um, divided, and as such he hasn't given my favorite adult illustrated fantasy magazine the attention I think it deserves.

However, Mr. Eastman can do what he wants, and if the changes allow the print magazine's continued existence then I'm all for it.  We'll see what the future will bring.

For this issue, difficulties are apparent, and I think I'm lucky this one even made it.  Ad for SDCC events in July, page announcing back cover contest winners for the "three different front covers for this issue" (as far as I can tell there's only one), more 4 Horsemen stuff.  At least it says "Monster Massacre Special" and there are actually monsters in it.  The promotion of DeviantArt and inclusion of some prose work may be signs of good things coming.  I do miss a couple things, like Animal'z by Bilal and Metal Media, that I had hoped would continue.

Cover - 6 - It's ok, hope it sells.

The Weirding Willows:   Where Dwell Monsters - 6 - The Horley page was good, the rest of it was ok.  Too bad it was just a small part of the story.

The Empty Sisters - 6 - It tells such a horrible story in such a sparse way.  I like the idea of the occasional written piece with a picture or two, this one was a bit flat.

Ira Gershwin Monster Puncher - 7 - The monster fight is fun, the story is pretty funny, it's not exactly thought-provoking, but that's ok.

Odyssey - 6 - Tries to tell me something but I'm not quite getting it all.  This is an origin of a Captain America redux?  The art doesn't draw me into it.

The Weirding Willows: Russell's Son - 6 - Badgers and weasels and, what - irresponsibility?  oh my.  Too bad it's not a continuation of the first part of the story we saw.

The Meeting - 7 - I like black and white, I like the execution, it's a nice little story told with just one word.  It says Chapter One, it'd be nice if we actually saw the next ones, but I enjoyed this one just fine if we don't.

Cthulhu is still calling - 7 - Short but intriguing essay about this guy's view of fear of the "other" and how he thinks Lovecraft's character represents an example of a universal mythos.  Picture's pretty cool too.

El Zombo Fantasma - 5 - A couple moments of fun don't really make up for how little this appeals to me.

Pair of Rogues - 7 - Pretty good, looks ok with a bit of imagination and fun.  "I'll have my way with both your corpses!"  now there's a threat for ya.

Odyssey - 7- This one's a bit better, the art is more sketchy than I like but it does well to bring me to the story by the way it's shown to us.  Not needing to look realistic it can convey more immediate emotion.

Weirding Willows:  The Uninvited! - 6 - More uninteresting critters, the story told in the story was pretty good though.

Bandits - 7 - Nice to look at, pretty silly story. 

Back Cover - 5 - Not bad, not great.  I think I would have preferred one of the others.