At the risk of this feature becoming “ADDTF’s Dark But Shining Watch,” there’s a lot of good stuff going on over Chez Costello/Geerling/Melrose these days.
First, ther’s Sam Costello’s review of Uzumaki, one of the two best horror comics I’ve ever read (and one of the best comics of any kind I’ve ever read, for that matter). I think this is pretty close to essential reading for horror fans.
Second, here’s guest-blogger Aaron Weisbrod’s assertion that zombies aren’t scary. As someone who’s been scared by at least four zombie movies, I don’t know what I can say besides “nuh-uh.” But Aaron doesn’t do much to back up his assertion–he doesn’t even go so far as to say why, or even if, he’s never been scared by them. Mostly he focuses on how zombies are a surefire route to lousy storytelling in the hands of lazy writers. Well, yeah, but what isn’t? The comment thread is full of interesting and impassioned rebuttals; by all means read and make your own decision.
Third, here’s links to all their October horror-fest posts so far. Go nuts!
Moving on, Phoebe Gloeckner, one of the Greatest Living Cartoonists (and a big-time Uzumaki fan, btw), has been blogging again. This would be unalloyed good news were it not for the fact that in the September 17th entry (if there’s a permalink I can’t find it, so just scroll down) she reveals that she was alternately condescended to and excoriated during an appearance on NPR, by the show’s conservative and “liberal” co-hosts alike. Having your harrowing portrayal of childhood sexual abuse called “pornographic” by bluenosed nitwit Michael Medved is one thing, but he wasn’t alone, apparently. Now that’s scary.
On a more traditionally monstrous note, today’s installment of “Meet the Horror Blogosphere” brings us to the aptly named Giant Monster Blog. Who could say no to a blog whose subhead reads “My thoughts on everything from Angilas to Zigra?” If you dig the Kong or the kaiju, you should make this one a regular stop.
Clive Barker to collaborate with Frank Quitely? It could happen, if Barker has his way–Jonathan Encarnacion’s interview with Quitely, the best artist in genre comics today, at Silver Bullet Comics reveals that Barker is a big fan and has made an offer to collaborate on something, anything. Oh please oh please oh please. (Hat tip to Jim Dougan for the link.)
Finally, One Louder links to the video for “Give Me Every Little Thing,” a terrific P-Funk-meets-Pet-Shop-Boys track by the fun DFA-produced dance outfit The Juan Maclean. It’s kind of like a visual mash-up between 2001, Midnight Cowboy, and ’70s smut. NSFW, but delightful in nearly every other way. And while you’re at the Waverly Films directorial group’s site, be sure to check out the video for Jason Forrest’s “Steppin’ Off”, which is the most note-perfect recreation of ’70s arena-rock faux-Tolkienisms since Spinal Tap‘s “Stonehenge” sequence–or The Song Remains the Same for that matter…