Here’s a small selection of the horror and genre news that caught our eye during the last week …
Award-winning authors Lisa Kröger and Melanie R. Anderson combine forces again to delve into the history and the future of women in the occult. U.S. history is rich with accounts of witchcraft and the occult, most of it springing from mystical women and nonbinary people in history, many of whom are still forging the path today. From Salem to Marie Laveau, Joan Quigley (Nancy Reagan’s personal psychic), Bri Luna the Hoodwitch, and even Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, you’ll meet women who used magic and the occult for political gain, and financial success. From the debunkers to Satanic Panic, this volume examines the social and political issues of today through the lens of the women who pioneered the occult in America. Available for pre-order now, Toil and Trouble: A Women’s History of the Occult releases 25 October 2022.
Library of America releases Ray Bradbury: The Illustrated Man, The October Country & Other Stories (LOA #360)
Ray Bradbury was a master of science-fiction, fantasy, and horror, often blending all three genres into something that could only spring from his fertile imagination. For the first time, the Library of America is combining two of Bradbury’s most famous collections, The Illustrated Man, and The October Country, along with twenty-seven other stories, including seven stories recently restored to print. Stories include ‘The Veldt’, ‘The Rocket Man’, ‘The Visitor’, ‘Homecoming’, ‘I Sing the Body Electric’, ‘The Next in Line’, and ‘Touched with Fire’ among others. Releasing 4 October 2022, Ray Bradbury: The Illustrated Man, The October Country & Other Stories (LOA #360) is available for pre-order now.
Mike Mignola returns to the world of Hellboy with Sword of Hyperborea
Cowritten by Rob Williams and featuring the art of Mignolaverse veteran Laurence Campbell, Hellboy creator Mike Mignola gives us a new tale from the world of Hellboy, presenting four fascinating glimpses through time in this all-new stunning hardcover collection. From ancient warrior Gall Dennar, to Sir Edward Grey, to the B.P.R.D.’s Agent Howards, the iconic world of Hellboy Hyperborean sword has been by many influential hands. This is no mere accident, and now we trace the sword’s path through the very encounters that finally brought it to the end of the world at Ragna Rok. This volume collects The Sword of Hyperborea #1–#4, releases 18 October 2022, and is available to order now.
With UK premiers, archive screenings, and live music, the Mayhem Film Festival returns to Broadway Cinema, Nottingham this October. Beginning 13 October, films slated are: Wolf Manor (with Q&A with director Dominic Brunt and star Rupert Proctor), and Dario Argento’s giallo Dark Glasses. Other films include The Appointment (1982), the third (and final) installment of the Birdemic franchise Birdemic 3: Sea Eagle, Incredible But True, Mexican body horror film Huesera, Unicorn Wars, Vesper, and the BFI Film Audience Network supported theme, “Night of the Cat” featuring screenings of Kaneto Shindo’s Kuroneko, and a 30th-anniversary screening of Stephen King’s Sleepwalkers. The final day screens UK premier Jethica and Andy Mitton’s (The Witch in the Window) latest, The Harbinger. And closing out the festival is the stylish Watcher starring Maika Monroe (It Follows). Visit the official website to find out more and book your passes now.
BOB PASTORELLA