Black Static Issue 17

2/5 ( ratings)

This is a back issue of Black Static then in glorious full colour throughout! It contains Maura McHugh and Christopher Fowler's commentary on the 'Campaign For Real Fear' results and the first batch of winning entries plus new horror stories by John Shirley, Suzanne Palmer, Vylar Kaftan and Daniel Kaysen. Peter Tennant interviews John Connolly and reviews 22 books. Tony Lee reviews 29 DVDs/Blu-rays. Stephen Volk talks about angels long forgotten. And there's plenty of magnificent art by Ben Baldwin, Dave Senecal and Rik Rawling.
What really scares you? It’s a simple question that can no longer be answered by the usual clichés of vampires, werewolves and zombies. Maura McHugh and Christopher Fowler wanted to prove that horror writing didn’t have to be stuck in a rut. Launching the Campaign for Real Fear, they asked anyone to tell a scary story in just 500 words. “Leave behind the slasher staples,” they said, “and give us something real.” What they received back staggered them: a huge selection of entries from first-time writers to seasoned professionals. Not only were there many good stories, but they provide a core sample of what most disturbs. Here you can read the first set of winners and then, if you haven't already done so, buy or borrow issue #18 to read the rest.

Fiction this issue:
The Campaign For Real Fear, Ten 500 word terrifiers from;
Gemma Files, Kaaron Warren, Alan Morgan, Janos Honkonen, James Burt, Catherine McLeod, Christine Emmett, Jennifer Williams, Mary Elizabeth Burroughs, Katherine Hughes
plus
Zombie Cabana Boy by Suzanne Palmer
Three-Legged Bird by Vylar Kaftan
The Lady in the Tigris by Daniel Kaysen
Faces in Walls by John Shirley

Black Static is essentially a fiction magazine containing short stories in the horror and dark fantasy genres. But it covers other aspects of the genre via reviews of books, movies, DVDs and TV.

The issue's artists are Ben Baldwin Dave Senecal, Rik Rawling

Peter Tennant's Case Notes reviews this issue:
books by John Connolly plus some facts about him and a bibliography
California Screaming takes a look at Michael Shea,
Nasty, but Nice: looks at John Llewellyn Probert
Also under Pete's scrutiny are books from Joel Lane, Alison Moore, , Angeline Hawkes, David B. Silva, Michael Kelly, Richard Gavin, Eric Stener Carlson, Sarah Langan

Tony Lee's DVD reviews this issue:
Dolan's Cadillac, Stag Night, The Stepfather, Blood, Left Bank, Razor's Ring, Dorothy, Lockjaw, Phobia, High Lane, True Blood, City of the Living Dead, Van Diemen's Land, The Book of Eli, Daybreakers, The Graves, Harpoon, Satan's Baby Doll, Homecoming, Lizard in a Woman's Skin, RoboGeisha, The Wolfman, The Haunting of Molly Hartley, Bear, Resurrecting the Street Walker, Martin, Funny Games, The Crazies, Girl With the Dragon Tattoo