Let’s hear it for Gort Power

Well, it’s upon us: The weekend that the bigger, louder, flashier revamp of the “Day the Earth Stood Still” lands in theaters. Can’t say I’ll be standing in line to see Keanu Reeves woodenly recite his lines amid periodic explosions and CGI effects.

Not when the 1951 original, for all its technical limitations, remains a fine film in no need of “reimagining.” To celebrate the clunky, earnest charm of the original, I’m posting a link to my buddy Mike Fisher’s great comic extoling the wonders of “Gort Power.” Mike’s comic appeared in the S.F. zine Strange Horizons.

Remembering James Cawthorn

 

cawthpeakeI learned this week that James Cawthorn, the sf/fantasy artist known for his illustrations of Michael Moorock’s Elric of Melnibone, has died.

Moorcock’s Elric series was one of the works that ushered myself and myriad other readers beyond the relatively safe worlds of Tolkien and Heinlein and into the shadowy realm of dark fantasy. Along with Michael Whelan’s cover paintings of Elric, Cawthorn’s moody black-and-white illustrations of the doomed albino swordsman helped define the image of one of fantasy’s first and most memorable antiheroes.

Both John Picacio and John Coulthart have written pieces eloquently remembering Cawthorn and his contribution to sf/fantasy art. A talent who will be sadly missed.

“Shop Talk” in December Niteblade

The December issue of Niteblade Horror and Fantasy Magazine is out, and it features my short story “Shop Talk” alongside some other creepy tales. Props to cover artist Marge Simon for her sick, sick, sick illustration of the head-doffing Christmas tree.

The magazine is available as a free PDF download or as an ad-free version that will set you back a mere $2. Why not give yourself a holiday treat?