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The Excavator
With outstanding illustrations by Vassilis Gogtzilas, J.M. DeMatteis’s remarkable supernatural novella is a mind-warping voyage into terror and redemption.
Sandra Rosen awakens to find a mysterious boy standing at the foot of her bed. It is, she soon discovers, her son Henry. But she has no memory of his existence. A mind-hacker has excavated her psyche with surgical precision and now demands a ransom to replace the priceless memories he’s stolen.
This traumatic event is just the beginning of a journey that finds Sandra caught between two supernatural the invader who defiled her mind and the FBI psychic who claims he can save her. But in the end, it’s Sandra herself who holds the key not just to her own salvation, but the Excavator’s as well.
About the author
Eisner Award winner J. M. DeMatteis was a professional musician and rock music, before launching a long career writing comic books, novels, television, and film.
About the illustrator
Vassilis Gogtzilas is a comic book artist, painter and illustrator, who is best known for The Bigger Bang, which he illustrated and co-created with scriptwriter D.J. Kirkbride, and The Adventures of Augusta Wind, written by J.M. DeMatteis.
Sandra Rosen awakens to find a mysterious boy standing at the foot of her bed. It is, she soon discovers, her son Henry. But she has no memory of his existence. A mind-hacker has excavated her psyche with surgical precision and now demands a ransom to replace the priceless memories he’s stolen.
This traumatic event is just the beginning of a journey that finds Sandra caught between two supernatural the invader who defiled her mind and the FBI psychic who claims he can save her. But in the end, it’s Sandra herself who holds the key not just to her own salvation, but the Excavator’s as well.
About the author
Eisner Award winner J. M. DeMatteis was a professional musician and rock music, before launching a long career writing comic books, novels, television, and film.
About the illustrator
Vassilis Gogtzilas is a comic book artist, painter and illustrator, who is best known for The Bigger Bang, which he illustrated and co-created with scriptwriter D.J. Kirkbride, and The Adventures of Augusta Wind, written by J.M. DeMatteis.
134 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2022
3 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
J.M. DeMatteis
1,912 books233 followersAlso Credited As:
DeMatteis, John Marc
Ellis, Michael
Lombego, Wally
Bio:
J.M. DeMatteis was a professional musician/singer and rock music journalist before entering comics in the late 70's.
Credits include Spider-Man, Moonshadow, Brooklyn Dreams, Justice League, Abadazad, Hero Squared, the Life and Times of Savior 28.
Created I, Vampire , Creature Commandos, Moonshadow, Hero Squared (co-creator), Abadazad, Stardust Kid, Savior 28 and more.
DeMatteis, John Marc
Ellis, Michael
Lombego, Wally
Bio:
J.M. DeMatteis was a professional musician/singer and rock music journalist before entering comics in the late 70's.
Credits include Spider-Man, Moonshadow, Brooklyn Dreams, Justice League, Abadazad, Hero Squared, the Life and Times of Savior 28.
Created I, Vampire , Creature Commandos, Moonshadow, Hero Squared (co-creator), Abadazad, Stardust Kid, Savior 28 and more.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 27, 2022
Packs a Punch
I have known J.M. DeMatteis 42 years this summer and he never ceases to impress me with his talent and skill.
This novella is packed with a lot of action and characterization, but the real strength is his ability to draw you in through the emotions of the players. A psychic, psychological drama, it also has some nice twists, keeping you engrossed.
I have known J.M. DeMatteis 42 years this summer and he never ceases to impress me with his talent and skill.
This novella is packed with a lot of action and characterization, but the real strength is his ability to draw you in through the emotions of the players. A psychic, psychological drama, it also has some nice twists, keeping you engrossed.
January 8, 2023
An intriguing setup (what if someone could hold selected memories hostage?) that leads to a couple of game-changing reveals (that I won’t spoil) and a potential franchise. Good stuff. The atmospheric illustrations were the icing on the cake.
Of course, I have to rate it on the DeMatteis Curve, where everything is ultimately compared to Amazing Spider-Man #400.
Of course, I have to rate it on the DeMatteis Curve, where everything is ultimately compared to Amazing Spider-Man #400.
December 22, 2023
An excellent and moving read. I wasn't sure what to expect at first, but as a big fan of JMD's writing, I has faith I would enjoy it. The premise is intriguing, and there are more twists and turns far beyond where I thought it would go. I'm not sure if there will be more books returning to or advancing this world, but if so, I am interested!
July 9, 2022
Memories, delicious memories
I often say that I have a terrible memory.
This book made me wonder if, when I say that, I am talking about how terrible I am in remembering (or forgetting) things or if I am saying that my memories, if eaten, would have a terrible taste.
What a great story Mr. DeMatteis conceived! Again. (Check Spider-Man's Kraven's Last Hunt and Moonshadow)
The Excavator is someone who extracts people's memories out of them and asks for a small fortune to return them. Then the FBI, with the help of another psychic, tries to find him after he rapes a mother's memory of her son and asks $250 thousand dollars to give it back to her.
As with many stories these days, we can clearly see how awesome this simple plot line can be just the beginning of a series of incursions in the minds and psyches of everyone that the excavator can touch.
A story of faith, love and also of how delicious memories are once we realize how important it is for us to have them in store!
P.s.: the wonderful illustrations (from Vassilis Gogtzillas) that are included in the book at the start of some key chapters are powerful and drawn as if from the mind of a person who is seeing the story from a dreamlike perspective.
I often say that I have a terrible memory.
This book made me wonder if, when I say that, I am talking about how terrible I am in remembering (or forgetting) things or if I am saying that my memories, if eaten, would have a terrible taste.
What a great story Mr. DeMatteis conceived! Again. (Check Spider-Man's Kraven's Last Hunt and Moonshadow)
The Excavator is someone who extracts people's memories out of them and asks for a small fortune to return them. Then the FBI, with the help of another psychic, tries to find him after he rapes a mother's memory of her son and asks $250 thousand dollars to give it back to her.
As with many stories these days, we can clearly see how awesome this simple plot line can be just the beginning of a series of incursions in the minds and psyches of everyone that the excavator can touch.
A story of faith, love and also of how delicious memories are once we realize how important it is for us to have them in store!
P.s.: the wonderful illustrations (from Vassilis Gogtzillas) that are included in the book at the start of some key chapters are powerful and drawn as if from the mind of a person who is seeing the story from a dreamlike perspective.
October 23, 2022
An interesting novella that about half way through seemed like it was going to have a pretty traditional, but then it satisfyingly shifts. Fun. Not as scary as it could be, but otherwise a strong, interesting novella.
May 28, 2024
Fabulous take on ‘taking someone’s data for ransom’ with the sense of hope and, dare I say it, spirituality I’ve come to expect from JM DeMatteis.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews