By D. K. Latta Superhero movies and TV shows are big box office these days, with their roots in comic books. While comic book superheroes were inspired by the pulp magazine mystery men that preceded them. The themes and tropes and archetypes relating to superheroes and masked mystery men are Read More
Flaxman Low was one of the first “periodical” occult detectives. By that, I mean, a psychic investigator who was featured in a magazine as a recurring character. Low wasn’t the first. That honor belongs to Sherlock Holmes, who though he didn’t always chase the unknown, did on occasion face such Read More
GW: What’s your all-time favorite space opera novel? JM: You know, that’s a tough one. I love several space opera series, but the kinds that I like best are the ones that have the full package for me. That includes spaceships, galactic travel, aliens, robots, etc. I love current series Read More
This letter was written seven years later. The reason for it was to check on the copyright issues that might come from my selling an RPG article based on Manly Wade Wellman’s Silver John stories. The article never sold but I did get a great glimpse into Karl and Francis Read More
Ghosts, as a monster of interest to horror fans, have fallen on hard times. Films, cartoons and comic books like Casper the Friendly Ghost and Ghostbusters play up the comedic angles of ethereal spirits. The Ring (2003) was a huge success as a horror film because its creator remembered something Read More
I want to look at two stories that could argue either side of this debate: can occult detective stories actually be frightening? Ultimately, each reader must decide for themselves. Do you feel cheated when the culprit turns out to be Principal Dingwall in a rubber mask? Here’s a couple of Read More
M. R. James, undoubtedly the finest ghost story writer in the English language, disparaged the occult detective story. This is very odd for James was inspired by, promoted the works of, and virtually single-handedly resurrected the fame of J. Sheridan Le Fanu, the man who invented the occult detective (even Read More
In 2006 I wrote a story called “Black God’s Burden” which eventually appeared in Flashing Swords #11 (November 2008). The editorial comments on the piece got me thinking about Sword & Sorcery plots for some of the committee members (a pox on editing by committee!) felt the story was too Read More
The term “Space Opera”, used to define a certain branch of Science Fiction, was coined by Wilson Tucker in 1941. It was not meant to be a compliment. The term “Soap Opera” has found its way into the larger public domain of common phrases, but it too came from this Read More
GW: How did you ever decide to become a novelist? Certainly there are easier ways to express yourself. Finger painting. Interpretive dance? Jack: Well, as much as I love interpretive dance as a medium for expression (and, honestly you should se my “Dying Swan” It brings people to tears.), my Read More
Why write horror? Why not the socially more accepted Science Fiction or Fantasy, in which the reader experiences wonder and the heights of imagination? Why not the even safer Mystery or Western? Literary forms so conventionalized you don’t have to worry about stepping on toes. Go to even greater lengths Read More
I think all Doc Savage fans dream of becoming Kenneth Robeson some day. Or you can be like Jack Mackenzie and try to create a Pulp character with all the fun of Doc Savage but with a more modern sensibility. And he succeeds in his upcoming book, Wild Incorporated. The Read More