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Down Highways in the Dark...By Demons Driven
Legends and old wives tales hold a truth–but we've forgotten the chaos that lies behind them.
Strange worlds and creatures lie all around us. Humanity was once a slave, and is still the prey of creatures no one dreamed existed. The universe is much darker and stranger than we can ever imagine.
Our world borders a multiverse and the walls are dangerously thin. Now, it is collapsing, a seething abyss is swarming in, and nothing will ever be the same again.
Some children are adepts–mutants that have developed powers even they don't understand. But there is precious little time for them to learn the truth.
No one is your friend, there is no help and there is no way out.
Heavily edited, expanded, and re-released with additional stories and illustrations in 2023.
Strange worlds and creatures lie all around us. Humanity was once a slave, and is still the prey of creatures no one dreamed existed. The universe is much darker and stranger than we can ever imagine.
Our world borders a multiverse and the walls are dangerously thin. Now, it is collapsing, a seething abyss is swarming in, and nothing will ever be the same again.
Some children are adepts–mutants that have developed powers even they don't understand. But there is precious little time for them to learn the truth.
No one is your friend, there is no help and there is no way out.
Heavily edited, expanded, and re-released with additional stories and illustrations in 2023.
372 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2015
2 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Dan Henk
11 books38 followersDan’s early career included a year-and-a-half stint drawing political cartoons for Madcap Magazine and Maximum Rock and Roll.
In 1997, after a violent car crash and a knife fight with a crackhead that severed the tendon on his left thumb, he attended art school. Receiving commercial and gallery acclaim for his artwork locally, he moved to New York City.
Immersing himself in the local hardcore scene, he produced artwork for the bands Shai Hulud, Indecision, Coalesce, Locked in a Vacancy, Beyond Reason, Zombie Apocalypse, Unsound, Kid Gorgeous, Neck, Lariat, The End, Compression, Koshari, and Proof of Purchase. In 2000, he started tattooing. A year later, in September 2001, he was stricken with brain cancer and underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
Three months after the surgery, he married fellow tattoo artist Monica Castillo. After a brief trip down south, which included owning a short-lived tattoo shop with the infamous Joe Truck, he returned to Manhattan. His work started appearing in a growing number of tattoo magazines and more fine art-influenced outlets such as Infected by Art, Aphrodisia, Cranial Visions, Eight Arms of Inspiration, Pint Sized Paintings, Excavate, Visions of the Virgin Mary, and The Tarot Project. Tattoo-related books such as No Regrets: The Best, Worst, & Most #$%*ing Ridiculous Tattoos Ever, Pandemonium, Tattoo Prodigies 1 , Tattoo Prodigies 2, Black and White Tattoos, and Inside the Tattoo Circus: A Journey Through the Modern World of Tattoos also included features. Tragedy struck again in 2007, as his wife of 6 years, Monica Henk, was killed by a hit-and-run driver. Despite extensive coverage in the local media and vigorous campaigns by both the tattoo and motorcycle communities, the culprit was never found. He moved to Austin, Texas, for three years and started doing the comic strip “Rollo & Me” for Tattoo Artist Magazine. Illustrations for Black Static Magazine and This is Horror followed suit. His first novel, The Black Seas of Infinity, was published by Anarchy Books in 2011. Deadite Press released the first book with a cover by Dan, a novel entitled “The Sopaths” by author Piers Anthony. A limited-edition chapbook, “Christmas Is Cancelled,” came out courtesy of Splatterpunk in 2013, and in 2014, he started columns for Tattoo Revue and Skin Art. A reissue of his debut novel was released by Permuted Press in April 2015, as well as a collection of his short stories, “Down Highways In The Dark…By Demons Driven”.
Continuing his work for independent magazines, he created illustrations for Black Static Magazine, Red Door Magazine, The Horror Zine, Litro Magazine, a slew of books by the imprint Out Of Step, and every issue so far of the British horror zine Splatterpunk. The books “Splatterpunks Not Dead “, “Splatterpunk Fighting Back“, “Past Indiscretions-The Very Best of Splatterpunk“, Insatiable, Bloodstains, Tales for Dark Hours, and a joint series by Marc Anthony May entitled “The Red Death” and “The Flood” all featured his covers.
His third book, “The End of the World,” debuted in March of 2018, followed in 2023 by the heavily illustrated anthology (courtesy of Dan Henk) “The Never Dead.
The 2024 and 2025 anthologies “Head Blown Off Too” and “Tumble Bleed” included his work, and 2025 saw the debut of his latest anthology “The Joke is on Mankind”.
Join his email list on https://danhenk.com/newsletter/ if you want to be notified when he releases new work
"Life is indeed comic, but the joke is on mankind."
-HP Lovecraft
In 1997, after a violent car crash and a knife fight with a crackhead that severed the tendon on his left thumb, he attended art school. Receiving commercial and gallery acclaim for his artwork locally, he moved to New York City.
Immersing himself in the local hardcore scene, he produced artwork for the bands Shai Hulud, Indecision, Coalesce, Locked in a Vacancy, Beyond Reason, Zombie Apocalypse, Unsound, Kid Gorgeous, Neck, Lariat, The End, Compression, Koshari, and Proof of Purchase. In 2000, he started tattooing. A year later, in September 2001, he was stricken with brain cancer and underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
Three months after the surgery, he married fellow tattoo artist Monica Castillo. After a brief trip down south, which included owning a short-lived tattoo shop with the infamous Joe Truck, he returned to Manhattan. His work started appearing in a growing number of tattoo magazines and more fine art-influenced outlets such as Infected by Art, Aphrodisia, Cranial Visions, Eight Arms of Inspiration, Pint Sized Paintings, Excavate, Visions of the Virgin Mary, and The Tarot Project. Tattoo-related books such as No Regrets: The Best, Worst, & Most #$%*ing Ridiculous Tattoos Ever, Pandemonium, Tattoo Prodigies 1 , Tattoo Prodigies 2, Black and White Tattoos, and Inside the Tattoo Circus: A Journey Through the Modern World of Tattoos also included features. Tragedy struck again in 2007, as his wife of 6 years, Monica Henk, was killed by a hit-and-run driver. Despite extensive coverage in the local media and vigorous campaigns by both the tattoo and motorcycle communities, the culprit was never found. He moved to Austin, Texas, for three years and started doing the comic strip “Rollo & Me” for Tattoo Artist Magazine. Illustrations for Black Static Magazine and This is Horror followed suit. His first novel, The Black Seas of Infinity, was published by Anarchy Books in 2011. Deadite Press released the first book with a cover by Dan, a novel entitled “The Sopaths” by author Piers Anthony. A limited-edition chapbook, “Christmas Is Cancelled,” came out courtesy of Splatterpunk in 2013, and in 2014, he started columns for Tattoo Revue and Skin Art. A reissue of his debut novel was released by Permuted Press in April 2015, as well as a collection of his short stories, “Down Highways In The Dark…By Demons Driven”.
Continuing his work for independent magazines, he created illustrations for Black Static Magazine, Red Door Magazine, The Horror Zine, Litro Magazine, a slew of books by the imprint Out Of Step, and every issue so far of the British horror zine Splatterpunk. The books “Splatterpunks Not Dead “, “Splatterpunk Fighting Back“, “Past Indiscretions-The Very Best of Splatterpunk“, Insatiable, Bloodstains, Tales for Dark Hours, and a joint series by Marc Anthony May entitled “The Red Death” and “The Flood” all featured his covers.
His third book, “The End of the World,” debuted in March of 2018, followed in 2023 by the heavily illustrated anthology (courtesy of Dan Henk) “The Never Dead.
The 2024 and 2025 anthologies “Head Blown Off Too” and “Tumble Bleed” included his work, and 2025 saw the debut of his latest anthology “The Joke is on Mankind”.
Join his email list on https://danhenk.com/newsletter/ if you want to be notified when he releases new work
"Life is indeed comic, but the joke is on mankind."
-HP Lovecraft
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 31, 2015
This captivating book held me enthralled through the end. The beautiful but horrific imagery was what I loved most about it, Henk, once again, not failing to disappoint in his unique ability to terrify and entrance his audience. His somewhat abstract writing keeps me guessing as to where the story is going and I'm never bored because of it. The only reason this book didn't receive five stars was because perhaps in his still young career, the small aberrations I noticed went undetected by the author. Things such as using the same word or phrase several times throughout the book. Normally I wouldn't have taken notice of it, however, these were such unusual and uncommon words or phrases that I couldn't help but notice. There were also several editing errors, which were mostly missing words from sentences. A few of the times I could see how maybe it was done on purpose, but then it happened too many times for it to be the author's intent. These were small and insignificant inconsistencies compared to the wonderful suspense that is this book. Overall if you're in the mood for something dark and striking, I'd recommend this read.
March 11, 2024
Bibliophilia Templum Review
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2024/03/11/down-highways-in-the-dark-by-demons-driven/
Down Highways in the Dark … By Demons Driven is an intense collection of enthralling and horrifying stories by author and artist Dan Henk. This latest re-edited edition has 9 stories in all with cover and interior art by Dan himself. And in these stories, as the tagline on the cover states, the collapse of your whole world is just the beginning.
The title story is the complex and driving tale of a boy tormented by a supernatural gift and the horrifying journey it takes him on as it grows stronger and all he knows begins to unravel. The next story, “Eye Deep in Hell,” is a profound and unexpected short tale about a special kind of hell one man finds himself in during the war. It’s followed by “The Beauty of Ignorance,” a brilliant and compelling Lovecraftian story of mystery and horror.
Then there’s “Christmas is Cancelled,” and if you haven’t read “Christmas is Cancelled,” you need to, no matter what time of year it is; it’s a whole other level of Christmas horror.
“The Small Spaces in Time” is a twisted, very Twilight Zone type of horror story. “Dr. Seuss Died” is a chilling cosmic horror tale of terror. Next is “Fort Bragg,” an extremely dark story of a boy going adventuring and stumbling upon and unimaginably horrifying secret. It’s followed by “Watching the World Burn,” a surreal and nightmarish tale.
The final story, “The Horror … Oh, the Horror,” is a personal favorite. It’s an engrossing and vivid Lovecraftian novella written in Lovecraftian style and flowing with suspense, intrigue, and terror.
Down Highways in the Dark … By Demons Driven is a phenomenal collection of short stories, novellas, and brilliant illustrations. It’s an intense reading experience, a shelf-worthy addition to your library or collection, and a highly recommended 5-star read.
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2024/03/11/down-highways-in-the-dark-by-demons-driven/
Down Highways in the Dark … By Demons Driven is an intense collection of enthralling and horrifying stories by author and artist Dan Henk. This latest re-edited edition has 9 stories in all with cover and interior art by Dan himself. And in these stories, as the tagline on the cover states, the collapse of your whole world is just the beginning.
The title story is the complex and driving tale of a boy tormented by a supernatural gift and the horrifying journey it takes him on as it grows stronger and all he knows begins to unravel. The next story, “Eye Deep in Hell,” is a profound and unexpected short tale about a special kind of hell one man finds himself in during the war. It’s followed by “The Beauty of Ignorance,” a brilliant and compelling Lovecraftian story of mystery and horror.
Then there’s “Christmas is Cancelled,” and if you haven’t read “Christmas is Cancelled,” you need to, no matter what time of year it is; it’s a whole other level of Christmas horror.
“The Small Spaces in Time” is a twisted, very Twilight Zone type of horror story. “Dr. Seuss Died” is a chilling cosmic horror tale of terror. Next is “Fort Bragg,” an extremely dark story of a boy going adventuring and stumbling upon and unimaginably horrifying secret. It’s followed by “Watching the World Burn,” a surreal and nightmarish tale.
The final story, “The Horror … Oh, the Horror,” is a personal favorite. It’s an engrossing and vivid Lovecraftian novella written in Lovecraftian style and flowing with suspense, intrigue, and terror.
Down Highways in the Dark … By Demons Driven is a phenomenal collection of short stories, novellas, and brilliant illustrations. It’s an intense reading experience, a shelf-worthy addition to your library or collection, and a highly recommended 5-star read.
June 25, 2017
A collection of insanely vivid stories with a common theme of wrongness etched across their faces.
Dan Henk has crafted a grand look at another world, one just outside our own, where many familiar fears and trials (as in the things we humans have nightmares about) lurk.
My favorite stories were "Small Spaces In Time" and "Christmas is Cancelled."
The former dealt with getting lost in a moment of time with something that seems familiar but is anything but.
The latter was, obviously, a gruesome take on the tale of Santa Claus and as I'm a sucker for anything wholesome being turned terrible (in the best way possible), this one stuck with me.
I have Dan Henk's novel Black Seas of Infinity and if it's anything like this collection, I won't be able to put it down.
Dan Henk has crafted a grand look at another world, one just outside our own, where many familiar fears and trials (as in the things we humans have nightmares about) lurk.
My favorite stories were "Small Spaces In Time" and "Christmas is Cancelled."
The former dealt with getting lost in a moment of time with something that seems familiar but is anything but.
The latter was, obviously, a gruesome take on the tale of Santa Claus and as I'm a sucker for anything wholesome being turned terrible (in the best way possible), this one stuck with me.
I have Dan Henk's novel Black Seas of Infinity and if it's anything like this collection, I won't be able to put it down.
March 26, 2019
Dan Henk has a unique way of telling a story which paints a vivid picture of everything, you feel as if you are traveling right along with the main character in this amazing world where anything can happen. I love his descriptive style and encourage anyone who enjoys science fiction to read his books.
November 12, 2015
Great read. The pacing and descriptions are great throughout this series of short stories. If you love Lovecraft you will want to read this.
November 25, 2025
A Collection by Dan Henk
This collection is a mix of tales of multiple subjects. Henk is an artist and has incorporated his own art into the collection showing illustrations of parts of the stories. I found that an enhancement to how my imagination was dreaming up the characters as I read.
Here are a few of my favorites that stood out. “By Demons Driven” is a story about a runaway who is trying to get to New York City to start fresh. In his adventure, he sees more than he bargained for.
“Eye Deep in Hell” is told from the perspective of a WW1 soldier who spends a lot of time in trenches and constant fear.
“Fort Bragg” is the story about a military brat who knows to stay away from the woods at the edge of the base. His curiosity takes him on an adventure he didn’t see coming.
I really enjoyed reading through this collection and especially admiring the art that came with it. Check it out!
This collection is a mix of tales of multiple subjects. Henk is an artist and has incorporated his own art into the collection showing illustrations of parts of the stories. I found that an enhancement to how my imagination was dreaming up the characters as I read.
Here are a few of my favorites that stood out. “By Demons Driven” is a story about a runaway who is trying to get to New York City to start fresh. In his adventure, he sees more than he bargained for.
“Eye Deep in Hell” is told from the perspective of a WW1 soldier who spends a lot of time in trenches and constant fear.
“Fort Bragg” is the story about a military brat who knows to stay away from the woods at the edge of the base. His curiosity takes him on an adventure he didn’t see coming.
I really enjoyed reading through this collection and especially admiring the art that came with it. Check it out!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews