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Black Static
Black Static #80/#81 (Double Issue): Horror
New modern horror The Humdinger by Rhonda Pressley Veit (novella), Fish Scales by Steve Rasnic Tem, Adaptation by Claire Rudy Foster, Traps by Françoise Harvey, Elizabeth Frankenstein is the Saddest Girl on Earth by Jolie Toomajan, Stolen Property by Sarah Lamparelli, Pervert Blood by Mike O'Driscoll (novella). Cover art by Richard Wagner, with story illustrations by Jim Burns, Vincent Sammy, Ben Baldwin, Joachim Luetke and others. Book reviews, Christopher Golden interview by Gareth Jelley. Film reviews by Gary Couzens. The usual columns by Lynda E. Rucker and Ralph Robert Moore.
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
291 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 20, 2022
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23 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 28, 2022
This was my first time reading an issue of Black Static and I gotta say I'm so impressed. Every single story in this collection was incredible. I also enjoyed the columns at the beginning and end.
There are not a ton of fiction stories in this so I'll do a mini-review of each one!
The Humdinger by Rhonda Pressley Viet - This novella was simply incredible. The author does such a great job of building dread throughout, and I felt like the ending tied everything up nicely. I would love to read more from her!
Fish Scales by Steve Rasnic Tem - My first ever Tem, and I'm happy to have enjoyed this so much. This was a a very weird tale, and I maybe didn't understand it all, but I thought it was beautiful and sad. I can't wait to dive into more of his work.
Adaptation by Claire Rudy Foster - This one was very reminiscent of Shirley Jackson's work, specifically around having to entertain and deal with unwanted guests. I could feel the rage rising in my chest with each page, and the ending was oh-so satisfying!
Stole Property by Sarah Lamparelli - And this one seemed very clearly inspired by the King in Yellow, one of my all time favorite classics in cosmic horror. I loved the sense of hopelessness that I felt as I read this.
Traps by Françoise Harvey - This one was a pretty standard tale of a troubled couple moving into a troubled house, but I loved it all the same. This story had a lot of vibe and setting, more so than plot, which I was very okay with.
Elizabeth Frankenstein is the Saddest Girl on Earth by Jolie Toomajan - I'm not sure how she pulls it off so well, but Jolie manages to throw the reader around to different times in our MC's life, and it all reads so seamlessly. This story built up the dread so well, leading to a climax that was in many ways satisfying and heart-breaking.
Pervert Blood by Mike O'Driscoll - This grimy, dirty tale was so immersive and page-turning. I had a feeling I knew where this story was going, and I wasn't wrong, and it still hurt to read.
I highly recommend not only this magazine to folks, but also every single one of these authors. I'm so impressed by the quality here!
There are not a ton of fiction stories in this so I'll do a mini-review of each one!
The Humdinger by Rhonda Pressley Viet - This novella was simply incredible. The author does such a great job of building dread throughout, and I felt like the ending tied everything up nicely. I would love to read more from her!
Fish Scales by Steve Rasnic Tem - My first ever Tem, and I'm happy to have enjoyed this so much. This was a a very weird tale, and I maybe didn't understand it all, but I thought it was beautiful and sad. I can't wait to dive into more of his work.
Adaptation by Claire Rudy Foster - This one was very reminiscent of Shirley Jackson's work, specifically around having to entertain and deal with unwanted guests. I could feel the rage rising in my chest with each page, and the ending was oh-so satisfying!
Stole Property by Sarah Lamparelli - And this one seemed very clearly inspired by the King in Yellow, one of my all time favorite classics in cosmic horror. I loved the sense of hopelessness that I felt as I read this.
Traps by Françoise Harvey - This one was a pretty standard tale of a troubled couple moving into a troubled house, but I loved it all the same. This story had a lot of vibe and setting, more so than plot, which I was very okay with.
Elizabeth Frankenstein is the Saddest Girl on Earth by Jolie Toomajan - I'm not sure how she pulls it off so well, but Jolie manages to throw the reader around to different times in our MC's life, and it all reads so seamlessly. This story built up the dread so well, leading to a climax that was in many ways satisfying and heart-breaking.
Pervert Blood by Mike O'Driscoll - This grimy, dirty tale was so immersive and page-turning. I had a feeling I knew where this story was going, and I wasn't wrong, and it still hurt to read.
I highly recommend not only this magazine to folks, but also every single one of these authors. I'm so impressed by the quality here!
January 13, 2022
This double issue of long-running Black Static magazine has reverted to just that - a magazine - rather than the anthology format which it had transformed into the last issue. This means the columns & film and book reviews are back. Whilst all are excellent, I've realised I actually prefer the text-only version with its undistractable focus on the fiction, but that's just my preference. The artwork here is excellent, as always.
There are seven stories. The issue is bookended by two novellas. Out of these, I preferred Rhonda Pressley Veit's "The Humdinger", a focussed (yet meandering, in a good way) story about the true nature of an incoming storm. There's subtlety at play here, without the need for explanation, and it's a strong piece. Mike O'Driscoll's "Pervert Blood" is also well-written and engaging, but did feel more suited to TTA Press's sister magazine, Crimewave, as any fantastical elements were minimal. Not a criticism from me, just observation.
The other stories were a bit of a mix. The quality is high, but they felt less accomplished, more written by rote. Steve Rasnic Tem's story, "Fish Scales", was a highlight as it hit an emotional chord, but the others didn't engage in the same way with me and there was one (and I won't mention which) that I just couldn't finish as the style was at odds with me. Overall, this is well worth picking up for those who aren't already aware of the magazine, however it was more of a miss than a hit for me this time around.
There are seven stories. The issue is bookended by two novellas. Out of these, I preferred Rhonda Pressley Veit's "The Humdinger", a focussed (yet meandering, in a good way) story about the true nature of an incoming storm. There's subtlety at play here, without the need for explanation, and it's a strong piece. Mike O'Driscoll's "Pervert Blood" is also well-written and engaging, but did feel more suited to TTA Press's sister magazine, Crimewave, as any fantastical elements were minimal. Not a criticism from me, just observation.
The other stories were a bit of a mix. The quality is high, but they felt less accomplished, more written by rote. Steve Rasnic Tem's story, "Fish Scales", was a highlight as it hit an emotional chord, but the others didn't engage in the same way with me and there was one (and I won't mention which) that I just couldn't finish as the style was at odds with me. Overall, this is well worth picking up for those who aren't already aware of the magazine, however it was more of a miss than a hit for me this time around.
May 27, 2022
This was my second exploration of Black Static Magazine (double issue #80 and #81, February 2022) and, again, I really liked the quality of the dark fiction on offer.
The Humdinger by Rhonda Pressley Veit (novella)
Fish Scales by Steve Rasnic Tem
Adaptation by Claire Rudy Foster
Traps by Françoise Harvey
Elizabeth Frankenstein is the Saddest Girl on Earth by Jolie Toomajan
Stolen Property by Sarah Lamparelli
and Pervert Blood by Mike O'Driscoll (novella)
Like I said, good quality reads with a satisfying mix of creepy, weird and thought provoking stuff. I will continue with the next one!
Black Static is available on Scribd.
5 Stars
The Humdinger by Rhonda Pressley Veit (novella)
Fish Scales by Steve Rasnic Tem
Adaptation by Claire Rudy Foster
Traps by Françoise Harvey
Elizabeth Frankenstein is the Saddest Girl on Earth by Jolie Toomajan
Stolen Property by Sarah Lamparelli
and Pervert Blood by Mike O'Driscoll (novella)
Like I said, good quality reads with a satisfying mix of creepy, weird and thought provoking stuff. I will continue with the next one!
Black Static is available on Scribd.
5 Stars
January 10, 2022
Pretty great collection. Some standouts are Rhonda Pressley Veit’s “The Humdinger”, Jolie Toomajan’s “Elizabeth Frankenstein is the Saddest Girl on Earth,” and Steve Rasnic Tem’s “Fish Scales.”
This is my first foray into Black Static, but I’m quite looking forward to picking up more.
This is my first foray into Black Static, but I’m quite looking forward to picking up more.
January 24, 2022
Not Black Static's best offering. Most of these were duds.
February 3, 2022
The best magazine anthology I've ever read. Every story was a five-star. They all had great endings and as one, they chilled and thrilled. Examples of the finest up & coming horror writers today. I want more issues!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews