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Re-Animated States of America
Re-Animated States of America is a collection of short fiction set in a post-apocalyptic world, beautifully crafted by lifelong H.P. Lovecraft aficionado, award winning film maker and author Craig Mullins. RSoA is twelve stories all featuring beloved mythos character Herbert West, Re-Animator and his human-headed dog companion, Jehovah. Each story contains an illustration brought to life by Mullins' long time artistic collaborator Andrew Ozkenel in striking black and white.
This collection includes:
Mind Over Madness: Herbert West comes face to face with the ultimate embodiment of mind-altering madness, while the world he left behind falls into ruin.
The Key to what the Locksmith Saw: A random encounter with a mysterious three-eyed mutant leads to a discovery that sends Herbert and Jehovah traveling across oceans of space and time.
Sheet Metal Apocalypse: Nature finds a way to reanimate the dead, and Herbert West wants the secret, but the newly-risen tyranny is hellbent on destroying Herbert and Jehovah before they can discover the truth.
Through Eyes of Rot: A tribe from a valley lost since the dawn of time revive their leader, a being older than creation; a being who can speak to the gods; a being whose rebirth means certain war.
Plus eight more mind-bending tales of post-apocalyptic landscapes and Lovecraftian monstrosities!
This collection includes:
Mind Over Madness: Herbert West comes face to face with the ultimate embodiment of mind-altering madness, while the world he left behind falls into ruin.
The Key to what the Locksmith Saw: A random encounter with a mysterious three-eyed mutant leads to a discovery that sends Herbert and Jehovah traveling across oceans of space and time.
Sheet Metal Apocalypse: Nature finds a way to reanimate the dead, and Herbert West wants the secret, but the newly-risen tyranny is hellbent on destroying Herbert and Jehovah before they can discover the truth.
Through Eyes of Rot: A tribe from a valley lost since the dawn of time revive their leader, a being older than creation; a being who can speak to the gods; a being whose rebirth means certain war.
Plus eight more mind-bending tales of post-apocalyptic landscapes and Lovecraftian monstrosities!
178 pages, Paperback
First published January 2, 2014
About the author
Craig Mullins
22 books119 followersAuthor (Re-Animated States of America), filmmaker (READ ME A STORY), snake wrangler, armchair archaeologist, Lovecraft disciple, Fortean, amateur ghostbuster, 80's horror & metal aficionado, truck driver and family man...
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 20, 2014
Re-Animated States of America is a beautiful, but grotesque, portrait of interconnected short stories that paints a post-apocalyptic dreamscape of America after the coming of the Old Ones. Herbert West, one of Lovecraft's most popular characters, and his human-headed, dog-bodied sidekick, Jehovah traverse the nation encountering some of the most elaborate and horrifying monsters imaginable--some pulled from Lovecraftian Mythos and some the writer's own innovative, yet horrific creations. The action never lets up and it's actually paced well, which is rare for a book dealing with violence and monsters so over the top.
Each story (or chapter) starts with gorgeous art by Andrew Ozkenel. There was no skimping on the art, the mosters and madmen depicted are intricately detailed and is a fun break between stories.
A few stories like The Key to What the Locksmith Saw is a direct hit, unforgettable Lovecraftian story that, I'm sure, will go down as a classic in the years to come. The last story, Through the Eyes of Rot is completely different from the others in the collection, and I detected a faint hint of W.H. Pugmire in the overall flow, and poetically rendered descriptions. There is something here for everyone, Lovecraftians will appreciate the style and pastiche and there's even something for the gore hounds as well.
I had the honor of sharing a Table of Contents with Craig Mullins in Strange Versus Lovecraft (an anthology from StrangeHouse Books), and read Vicious Jelly (Also in Re-Animated States...) and was floored by the vivid and almost psychedelic feel of the story so I *had* to read Re-Animated States of America and it did not disappoint.
From what I understand Craig Mullins is a relatively new writer and he is rising fast. Fans of David J. Schow, John Skipp, Carlton Mellick III, Brian McNaughton, and generally all things horror, Lovecraftian, and Bizarro will love this book.
I'm looking forward to seeing more out of Mullins. I had a blast with Re-Animated States of America
Each story (or chapter) starts with gorgeous art by Andrew Ozkenel. There was no skimping on the art, the mosters and madmen depicted are intricately detailed and is a fun break between stories.
A few stories like The Key to What the Locksmith Saw is a direct hit, unforgettable Lovecraftian story that, I'm sure, will go down as a classic in the years to come. The last story, Through the Eyes of Rot is completely different from the others in the collection, and I detected a faint hint of W.H. Pugmire in the overall flow, and poetically rendered descriptions. There is something here for everyone, Lovecraftians will appreciate the style and pastiche and there's even something for the gore hounds as well.
I had the honor of sharing a Table of Contents with Craig Mullins in Strange Versus Lovecraft (an anthology from StrangeHouse Books), and read Vicious Jelly (Also in Re-Animated States...) and was floored by the vivid and almost psychedelic feel of the story so I *had* to read Re-Animated States of America and it did not disappoint.
From what I understand Craig Mullins is a relatively new writer and he is rising fast. Fans of David J. Schow, John Skipp, Carlton Mellick III, Brian McNaughton, and generally all things horror, Lovecraftian, and Bizarro will love this book.
I'm looking forward to seeing more out of Mullins. I had a blast with Re-Animated States of America
January 26, 2014
"Trust me, I'm a doctor."
Some people can capture the voice and tone of an established character so seamlessly, you would think they were the ones responsible for their creation. Hats off, kudos, three cheers, etc. etc. to Craig Mullins. This guy KNOWS Herbert West. It's as if Lovecraft himself has infused Mullins very being with the ability to deliver a perfect fingerprint of Dr. West. What I love so much about this book is how spot on Mullin's delivery of the character of Dr. West is. From the dialogue, to his reactions to what's going on around him, to the snide arrogant clinical side of West, to the loveable straightforward scientific adventurous side, Craig doesn't miss a beat.
Re-Animated States of America opens with MIND OF MADNESS and we are witness to the experiments Dr. Herbert West is performing and are given a brief background of his history and standing at Miskatonic University. Although his past has been "forgiven" and his studies are now funded by the University, West has grown bored and feels he has learned all he can within the walls of Miskatonic. His boredom comes at a perfect time, because when he walks outside for some air, Dr. Herbert West is greeted with unimaginable horrors and unnameable things giving chase to the people of Arkham. As the people are running mad in the streets, while fire dances and burns the town to the ground, Dr. West, like any good scientist, looks on in awe at the sites around him trying to take it all in before deciding to head to Hangman's Hill where he encounters disturbing frog like cultists. Even more monsters are presented to Dr. West before he stumbles upon the second part of this book;
SECOND HAND FLESH picks up where we left off, except from the perception of Dr. West's new traveling companion Jehovah (aka David when he was...all put together). Jehovah's decaying human head is attached to an equally rotting dog body; a last minute attempt to salvage Jehovah's life. I love Jehovah and West's dynamic. The way Herbert interacts with his "experiment" is perfect. Although Jehovah clearly possesses his free will and human nature, West pretty much regards him as an oddity to be proud of rather than compassionate with in the beginning. Their friendship continues to evolve as their travels send them into increasingly dangerous situations.
The rest of the book finds our adventurers traveling land and sea, viscous jelly and monster plagued lands using and perfecting Dr. West's re-agent while testing it out in the field. Despite the world being laid waste to unexplainable monsters and the eruption of earth and falling of the skies, all this is perfect for West to see just how effective his life giving agent really is. Through the battles of the Old Ones and other various creatures, the New world just adds more questions rather than answers to the madness that is transpiring. The ending sends "oh crap" chills down your spine.
Craig Mullins really channeled Lovecraft on this one. The encounters of the Old Ones and other mythical horrors from the Lovecraft realm along with the mix of the author's own creations of monstrosities (Gabriel is the best!!!!) showcase how intune Mullins is with this world. The artwork of Andrew Ozkenel borders on Johnny the Homicidal Maniac and comic book sketch art. It's a perfect compliment to the stories with the warped angles and twisted pen work.
I have read Craig Mullins short, VISCOUS JELLY, in the anthology STRANGE VS. LOVECRAFT and that solidified him as one of my favorite writers just because he wrote Dr. West so well. I hope Craig plans on continuing the escapades of the good doctor and Jehovah, because I don't think anyone could write Dr. Herbert West better unless they were H.P. Lovecraft himself.
Some people can capture the voice and tone of an established character so seamlessly, you would think they were the ones responsible for their creation. Hats off, kudos, three cheers, etc. etc. to Craig Mullins. This guy KNOWS Herbert West. It's as if Lovecraft himself has infused Mullins very being with the ability to deliver a perfect fingerprint of Dr. West. What I love so much about this book is how spot on Mullin's delivery of the character of Dr. West is. From the dialogue, to his reactions to what's going on around him, to the snide arrogant clinical side of West, to the loveable straightforward scientific adventurous side, Craig doesn't miss a beat.
Re-Animated States of America opens with MIND OF MADNESS and we are witness to the experiments Dr. Herbert West is performing and are given a brief background of his history and standing at Miskatonic University. Although his past has been "forgiven" and his studies are now funded by the University, West has grown bored and feels he has learned all he can within the walls of Miskatonic. His boredom comes at a perfect time, because when he walks outside for some air, Dr. Herbert West is greeted with unimaginable horrors and unnameable things giving chase to the people of Arkham. As the people are running mad in the streets, while fire dances and burns the town to the ground, Dr. West, like any good scientist, looks on in awe at the sites around him trying to take it all in before deciding to head to Hangman's Hill where he encounters disturbing frog like cultists. Even more monsters are presented to Dr. West before he stumbles upon the second part of this book;
SECOND HAND FLESH picks up where we left off, except from the perception of Dr. West's new traveling companion Jehovah (aka David when he was...all put together). Jehovah's decaying human head is attached to an equally rotting dog body; a last minute attempt to salvage Jehovah's life. I love Jehovah and West's dynamic. The way Herbert interacts with his "experiment" is perfect. Although Jehovah clearly possesses his free will and human nature, West pretty much regards him as an oddity to be proud of rather than compassionate with in the beginning. Their friendship continues to evolve as their travels send them into increasingly dangerous situations.
The rest of the book finds our adventurers traveling land and sea, viscous jelly and monster plagued lands using and perfecting Dr. West's re-agent while testing it out in the field. Despite the world being laid waste to unexplainable monsters and the eruption of earth and falling of the skies, all this is perfect for West to see just how effective his life giving agent really is. Through the battles of the Old Ones and other various creatures, the New world just adds more questions rather than answers to the madness that is transpiring. The ending sends "oh crap" chills down your spine.
Craig Mullins really channeled Lovecraft on this one. The encounters of the Old Ones and other mythical horrors from the Lovecraft realm along with the mix of the author's own creations of monstrosities (Gabriel is the best!!!!) showcase how intune Mullins is with this world. The artwork of Andrew Ozkenel borders on Johnny the Homicidal Maniac and comic book sketch art. It's a perfect compliment to the stories with the warped angles and twisted pen work.
I have read Craig Mullins short, VISCOUS JELLY, in the anthology STRANGE VS. LOVECRAFT and that solidified him as one of my favorite writers just because he wrote Dr. West so well. I hope Craig plans on continuing the escapades of the good doctor and Jehovah, because I don't think anyone could write Dr. Herbert West better unless they were H.P. Lovecraft himself.
February 7, 2014
Like watching carrion birds feast on road-kill, there is a disturbing beauty to the grotesque prose of Craig Mullins. His take on Herbert West, in a twisted, post-apocalyptic, world fought over by the forces of the Great Old Ones is a compelling read. I've long been a fan of interconnected short stories to form a larger whole. Stephen King did it well with the Gunslinger, but Mullins hits it dead on with the Re-Animated States of America.
The flow from story to story is seamless, yet each is its own independent tale that can stand on its own. The stories merge together into a tapestry of rot, decay, and corruption that grabs hold of the reader for the duration. Macabre, grotesque, and a must read for any Lovecraft fan.
The flow from story to story is seamless, yet each is its own independent tale that can stand on its own. The stories merge together into a tapestry of rot, decay, and corruption that grabs hold of the reader for the duration. Macabre, grotesque, and a must read for any Lovecraft fan.
March 19, 2014
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: the Lovecraft imitators have watered down the style and material so much that I don't really care for any of it anymore. However, StrangeHouse has been doing some interesting and new things with the subgenre. First, they wowed me with STRANGE VERSUS LOVECRAFT, and now there's this book. Take Herbert West, probably Lovecraft's most recognizable creation, aside from Cthulhu himself. West is now back in favor and is working at Miskatonic University, doing wonderful, frightening things with science. Then, send the world to hell in a crazy Cthulhu-style apocalypse. Team West up with Jehovah, a dog with a human head, put them in an old El Camino, and send them on a road trip through the brave new monster-stricken world, and that's what you get with this book. It's great fun and absolutely crazy. If you love Lovecraft and StrangeHouse, this is the perfect combination for you.
May 12, 2017
Fun read full of strangeness
This book was not at all what I expected. I was thinking this was an anthology, only to be proven wrong. Many times I got distracted by outside influences unrelated to the book. When I came back, I wasn't sure what was going on. The power of this story lies in the prose itself. The descriptions, the action sequences, the dialog ; these elements keep me reading onward. I can tell the author had a lot of fun penning this tale, which is why I would read more from him.
Only downside is the last 20 percent of the book advertising other works. I am generally okay with the last 1 to 5 percent. But 20 seems a bit excessive and almost garnered 4 stars instead of 5. But as this is my one gripe, I can overlook this. Overall, a fun read.
This book was not at all what I expected. I was thinking this was an anthology, only to be proven wrong. Many times I got distracted by outside influences unrelated to the book. When I came back, I wasn't sure what was going on. The power of this story lies in the prose itself. The descriptions, the action sequences, the dialog ; these elements keep me reading onward. I can tell the author had a lot of fun penning this tale, which is why I would read more from him.
Only downside is the last 20 percent of the book advertising other works. I am generally okay with the last 1 to 5 percent. But 20 seems a bit excessive and almost garnered 4 stars instead of 5. But as this is my one gripe, I can overlook this. Overall, a fun read.
January 30, 2021
I was expecting this collection of short stories to be exactly that, but it is actually one long tale told in a linear fashion, with each intertwining story leading into the next. It is a tale of madness and chaos. A cosmic-fueled apocalypse rife with cultists, time-skewed shadow worlds, dimensional rifts, and horrific monstrosities.
This is a book that would make Lovecraft proud!
This is a book that would make Lovecraft proud!
January 16, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews