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Maximum Firepower: An ’80s Action Anthology
Maximum An ’80s Action Anthology is crammed with everything that made ’80s action/sci-fi movies fun. From cybernetic super soldiers, cops with vendettas, cities blasted by gang wars, mutated creatures from other worlds, and lone-wolf commandos eliminating entire armies, Slaughterhouse Press brings you back to the glory days of trash action films. With twelve stories packed inside, you’ll be smelling the blood coming off the pages.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2024
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23 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 11, 2024
All stories had that action pack nostalgic 80s theme that brought back memories that isn't really around in today's vibe.
July 14, 2024
With twelve stories of action and mayhem, all based around over-the-top 1980s action movie aesthetics, this promised to be a rousing anthology with a stellar list of authors.
The theme was immediately appealing because what am I if not an action junkie? Action with a touch of sci-fi was the longest shelf at the video store growing up and this collection brings back memories of old VHS movies with lurid titles and promises of ludicrous violence.
My top three stories from the set were:
Cyborg vs. Manimal 2: Arena of Death, by Steve Stark. This was a total romp, with quick and dirty world-building that presented a class-based, grimy future straight out of Rollerball or a Charles Band movie. Stark also managed to make us care about the character and root for his victory over the mutant threat pitted against him, which is no mean feat for an author who set his entire story in a single arena and in a single night. Absolutely fantastic. And with plenty of carnage to get the blood pumping!
Vigilante Ninja of Van Nuys, by Michael August. This was a hysterical and dementedly violent homage to the ninja craze of the 1980s, packed with references galore that somehow managed to never get into cringe or eyeroll territory. Michael August has a keen grasp of action and every time I thought the story had reached its thrilling climax he pulled the rug out by introducing a new villain and a whole new action scene that continued to dial the crazy up another notch.
Alien Swine Invasion, by Jack Rascal. This one plays out like a dirtier take on Hell Comes to Frogtown, with humanity doing battle with pigmen in a trashy wasteland. It keeps the action coming as our motley band of rebel heroes take the fight to the pigman base, with a delightful scene of carnage involving a flamethrower and sausage processing plant being one of several highlights.
There were other great stories as well, including an Andy Sidaris homage from J. Rocky Colavito, an ode to the super-soldier adventures of the VHS era from Keith Roysdon, and a Red Dawn scenario by Brian G. Berry with a creature feature twist.
Just a delightful anthology and worth the read for any fan of action.
The theme was immediately appealing because what am I if not an action junkie? Action with a touch of sci-fi was the longest shelf at the video store growing up and this collection brings back memories of old VHS movies with lurid titles and promises of ludicrous violence.
My top three stories from the set were:
Cyborg vs. Manimal 2: Arena of Death, by Steve Stark. This was a total romp, with quick and dirty world-building that presented a class-based, grimy future straight out of Rollerball or a Charles Band movie. Stark also managed to make us care about the character and root for his victory over the mutant threat pitted against him, which is no mean feat for an author who set his entire story in a single arena and in a single night. Absolutely fantastic. And with plenty of carnage to get the blood pumping!
Vigilante Ninja of Van Nuys, by Michael August. This was a hysterical and dementedly violent homage to the ninja craze of the 1980s, packed with references galore that somehow managed to never get into cringe or eyeroll territory. Michael August has a keen grasp of action and every time I thought the story had reached its thrilling climax he pulled the rug out by introducing a new villain and a whole new action scene that continued to dial the crazy up another notch.
Alien Swine Invasion, by Jack Rascal. This one plays out like a dirtier take on Hell Comes to Frogtown, with humanity doing battle with pigmen in a trashy wasteland. It keeps the action coming as our motley band of rebel heroes take the fight to the pigman base, with a delightful scene of carnage involving a flamethrower and sausage processing plant being one of several highlights.
There were other great stories as well, including an Andy Sidaris homage from J. Rocky Colavito, an ode to the super-soldier adventures of the VHS era from Keith Roysdon, and a Red Dawn scenario by Brian G. Berry with a creature feature twist.
Just a delightful anthology and worth the read for any fan of action.
June 4, 2024
I really enjoyed this, although I didn't expect the big dose of nostalgia it would bring! I'm old enough to remember the weekly visits to blockbusters video with my grandparents. I wasn't allowed to get horror, so I'd always pick action movies. The cheesier the better, the bigger the explosions, the better, and in the 80's, every action movie was like that.
This book was the equivalent of walking into that video shop and picking movies. It brought it all back, how the carpet would stick to my feet, the sheer horror of my favourite not being in stock and the huge Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee display they had ( who wouldn't love that)
All of the stories were true 80's action style and I liked every single one. My personal favourites were Goliath 4579, Alien Swine Invasion, Battlefield Beach and Extinction Mankind. That's not to say the other tales weren't great, because they were. It's a fantastic collection. It really made me miss that era with the retro feel of it all. Excellent
This book was the equivalent of walking into that video shop and picking movies. It brought it all back, how the carpet would stick to my feet, the sheer horror of my favourite not being in stock and the huge Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee display they had ( who wouldn't love that)
All of the stories were true 80's action style and I liked every single one. My personal favourites were Goliath 4579, Alien Swine Invasion, Battlefield Beach and Extinction Mankind. That's not to say the other tales weren't great, because they were. It's a fantastic collection. It really made me miss that era with the retro feel of it all. Excellent
August 13, 2025
This anthology of 80s action-inspired stories will have you re-living the glory days of VHS. You’ll find mutants, rogue cops, ninjas, cyborgs, special ops commandos, mad scientists, alien pigmen, and much more, all served with a generous helping of action, blood-splatter, and wise-cracks. Reading this collection is like working your way along the shelves of your favourite video store. Great stories, great fun.
June 8, 2024
This is a rack of VHS action at your old video store in book form. What more could you ask for? Fast as a bullet, wicked as a blade, and all wrapped in battle-blasted chrome.
June 28, 2024
Time to dive fist-first into my most anticipated book of the year!
I will update this review as I decimate each story.
First up:
CYBORG VS. MANIMAL 2: ARENA OF DEATH by Steve Stark
I knew this one had the potential to jump straight into my all-time favorite list . . . and holy sh!t it did not disappoint! Steve Stark, my favorite badass horror author, went ahead and chucked Joe R. Lansdale's "The Pit"--my all-time favorite short story--into a meat blender with ALL my favorite '80s action, sci-fi, and horror influences, then used that f*cker as a cybernetic fist-weapon in cage fight to the death!
It's as if he wrote this one specifically for ME. The Running Man, Bloodsport, Rocky, Jaws, Predator, Alien, Full Metal Jacket, and quite possibly SLEDGE HIMSELF, all get their glorious homage in this epic tale of gladiatorial badassery. Sorry, I gotta go read this bad motherf*cker again! I'll be baaaaack!
LIVE LIKE A COP, DIE LIKE A MAN by David Irons
Damn this one was BRUTAL! I got strong That Yellow Bastard vibes. The snuff film our battered cop had to watch of his own family was one of the most disturbing things I've read in a long while. Wish this one had a full length novel follow up!
VIGILANTE NINJA OF VAN NUYS by Michael August
Oh hell yes. This one reminded me of the glorious Troma romps from the 80s. Over-the-top gore, silliness, midget biker gangs, and a Walmart ninja. What's not to love? An absolute blast from word one. August has a truly funny prose style that had me in stitches as the chucked saw blades decapitated asshole after asshole. Pitch perfect 80s shlock.
I will update this review as I decimate each story.
First up:
CYBORG VS. MANIMAL 2: ARENA OF DEATH by Steve Stark
I knew this one had the potential to jump straight into my all-time favorite list . . . and holy sh!t it did not disappoint! Steve Stark, my favorite badass horror author, went ahead and chucked Joe R. Lansdale's "The Pit"--my all-time favorite short story--into a meat blender with ALL my favorite '80s action, sci-fi, and horror influences, then used that f*cker as a cybernetic fist-weapon in cage fight to the death!
It's as if he wrote this one specifically for ME. The Running Man, Bloodsport, Rocky, Jaws, Predator, Alien, Full Metal Jacket, and quite possibly SLEDGE HIMSELF, all get their glorious homage in this epic tale of gladiatorial badassery. Sorry, I gotta go read this bad motherf*cker again! I'll be baaaaack!
LIVE LIKE A COP, DIE LIKE A MAN by David Irons
Damn this one was BRUTAL! I got strong That Yellow Bastard vibes. The snuff film our battered cop had to watch of his own family was one of the most disturbing things I've read in a long while. Wish this one had a full length novel follow up!
VIGILANTE NINJA OF VAN NUYS by Michael August
Oh hell yes. This one reminded me of the glorious Troma romps from the 80s. Over-the-top gore, silliness, midget biker gangs, and a Walmart ninja. What's not to love? An absolute blast from word one. August has a truly funny prose style that had me in stitches as the chucked saw blades decapitated asshole after asshole. Pitch perfect 80s shlock.
June 2, 2025
Very enjoyable anthology. Would have been a 5-star read if not for the first story.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews