Crossover Success! A Glance At Dark Discoveries Issue 23

In today’s economy, magazines, especially distinct indigenous types, are fast becoming extinct due to the overall publishing and associated costs and that is why it is rather refreshing to find Dark Discoveries, a cut above the rest magazine that explores the dark side of both horror and fantasy. Recently, I was fortunate to receive a complimentary copy of issue 23 and I must say, impressed is too lenient a word.

This issue was a Dark Fantasy special that explored the likes of Robert E. Howard (Conan), Boris Vallejo, an informative in depth piece on the characters of HBO’s hit series Game of Thrones, a superb tale by Steve Rasnic Tem and fantastic lists of sword and sorcery recommended reading along with a definitive cinema overview and filmography for movie buffs.

Although Dark Discoveries is primarily aimed at the horror fan, even in this special issue they haven’t lost focus and offer plenty of fear too. Tales from horror icon Karl Edward Wagner (Years Best Horror Stories), Joe McKinney, Weston Ochse, Jonathan Maberry and more will leave any fright fan pleasantly scared. Coincidently, proceeding Maberry’s enthralling and creepy Like Part of the Family tale is also an incisive and detailed interview with the writer where he discusses past, present and future projects.

But wait, there’s more…

Amy Shane looks at YA Horror, Yvonne Navarro discusses Why I Hate Women In Horror, Robert Moorish wonders What the Hell Happened to…?, Joel B. Kirkpatrick’s Picasso bone protrudes in a piece detailing the art of Andy Golub, who uses the human body as an easel, an informative list of Bram Stoker Award nominees and winners and the usual collage of reviews round out this issue, keeping me up half the night needing to turn the pages.

Therefore, the magazine that Dean Koontz calls a very handsome publication has, in the span of one single issue, become an absolute favorite of mine and I’m already looking forward to getting my hands on another. For both horror and fantasy fans alike, this is NOT one to miss.

Stay Scared,

Thomas