Comic Book Review: The Darkness vs. Eva: Daughter of Dracula

Comic Book Review: The Darkness vs. Eva: Daughter of Dracula written by Leah Moore & John Reppion, art by Edgar Salazar Jackie Estacado was already a top hitman for the Franchetti mob when he discovered that he was the latest heir to the Darkness, a demonic force that grants the owner vast power, at the… Continue reading Comic Book Review: The Darkness vs. Eva: Daughter of Dracula

Movie Review: The Black Book (1949)

Robespierre and Fouche conspire.

Movie Review: The Black Book (1949) directed by Anthony Mann The French Revolution is eating its own. The corrupt monarchy was overthrown, yes, and many of the cruel aristocrats executed or exiled. But the temptations of power have turned the Citizens’ Committee against each other, and control of the mob requires ever-increasing sacrifices of the “enemies… Continue reading Movie Review: The Black Book (1949)

Magazine Review: The Masked Detective Spring 1942

This scene appears nowhere in the issue's stories.

Magazine Review: The Masked Detective Spring 1942 The Masked Detective is one of the lesser-known hero pulps, with a dozen quarterly issues between 1940 and 1943. The detective, usually just called “The Mask” in-story, was ace reporter Rex Parker for the New York Comet. He’d been persuaded by his girlfriend, society columnist Winnie Bligh, to… Continue reading Magazine Review: The Masked Detective Spring 1942

Webtoon Review: Trese

Alexandra's cases tend to be gruesome.

Webtoon Review: Trese Alexandra Trese is a detective of sorts who deals with supernatural cases in the Philippines, primarily operating in the city of Manila. Like her father before her, Alexandra stands between the community of humans and that of paranormal creatures, trying to uphold the “accords” that keep balance. She’s aided by twin bodyguards,… Continue reading Webtoon Review: Trese

Movie Review: Anatomy of a Psycho

Pat patches Chet up after a fight.

Movie Review: Anatomy of a Psycho (1961) directed by Boris Petroff Years ago, Duke Marco’s parents died suddenly, leaving him as sole support for his much younger siblings Chet (Darrell Howe) and Pat (Pamela Lincoln). He kept his remaining family together, but his only skill set was petty crime. Recently, Duke was condemned to the gas… Continue reading Movie Review: Anatomy of a Psycho

Magazine Review: Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine May/June 2021

Magazine Review: Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine May/June 2021 edited by Linda Landrigan In 1956, HSD Publications wanted to create a new mystery story magazine. To boost sales, they licensed the name of Alfred Hitchcock, a famous director who was then the host of a popular television show. While Mr. Hitchcock otherwise had nothing to do… Continue reading Magazine Review: Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine May/June 2021

Book Review: A Coffin for Dimitrios

Book Review: A Coffin for Dimitrios by Eric Ambler Latimer used to be a political economist at an English university, until contact with Nazi economical theory left him so out of sorts that he wrote a detective novel to relax. He turned out to be quite good at writing detective stories, and has become a… Continue reading Book Review: A Coffin for Dimitrios

Manga Review: Beast Complex I

Manga Review: Beast Complex I by Paru Itagaki As it happens, Paru Itagaki has loved drawing animals and animal-people since she was a child. So it’s no surprise that when she started professional manga creation, she chose to write about a world where various animal people lived together and tried to have a civilization. Before… Continue reading Manga Review: Beast Complex I

Webtoon Review: Invincible

Invincible and Allen the Alien discuss the future.

Webtoon Review: Invincible Markus “Mark” Grayson is, on the surface, a fairly typical teenager in his final year of high school. He studies, is interested in a girl, has a terrible part time job, and worries about living up to his father’s expectations. What makes this a bit more unusual is that Mark’s father Nolan… Continue reading Webtoon Review: Invincible

Book Review: The Man on the Balcony

Book Review: The Man on the Balcony by Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo It is June 2, 1967 in Stockholm, Sweden. A man stands on his balcony, smoking and watching the street as the sun rises. It’s going to be a scorcher today. A peaceful enough scene, but the calm of the city is going… Continue reading Book Review: The Man on the Balcony