This anthology is the first printed work of Kasey Pierce. More commonly known in the comic con and nerd arena as Kosmic Kasey. With the help of Rocket Ink Studio brings this collection of five short stories to life. With a prominent forward written by horror comic author Dirk Manning, he gives a intellectual look at what horror is. He also claims that Ms. Pierce's writing is in the same vein as Clive Barker, the genius behind Hellraiser (The Damnation Game) and Nightbreed (Cabal) to name a few. I will honestly say he is dead on. Some story it does seem like she is pulling from the Barker reservoir for ideas. While other stories have a Twilight Zone or Outer Limits feel to them. No matter how you look at it, or which story you read, it comes out to 'Pieces of Madness' is an amazing book that is a complete page turner. I have reviewed each of the stories as individual entries, and try (probably not the best at times) to hide any spoilers. But Ms. Pierce must be doing something right with this anthology. Being that at her first convention doing a signing, Gem City Comic Con, she sold out of her books within hours of the second day. And she is currently, at the time of me writing this, at C2E2 in Chicago doing another signing. And if you want to read the book you can always buy it on Amazon. The overall rating for the book is a 4.66(6) out of 5.
This story shows a unique look at the struggles of a devout priest. That unless you have read The Thorne Birds, or watched the mini-series that share the same name, you would not understand. This story differs from Thorne Birds with the introduction of the most famous of fallen angels Lucifer. But seriously when dealing with a rouge "Man in Black", as the story calls him, who better to confront him than Lucifer? This is a very interested and twisted story that will have to deep in the pages, and before you know it...it's over! I give this story a 4.7 out of 5. It is a very interesting and twisted story!!
This is the shortest of the five stories presented in this anthology. And in my humble opinion probably the best. If you are a fan of The Twilight Zone or The Outer Limits, this is the story you will gravitate to. Starts off one way just to have a giant plot twist at the end. This story gets the rarest of all grades from Dave the Nerd, this story gets a 5 out of 5!!!! You must read it to believe it!!
This being a two part story, that counts as one story in the anthology. I felt it was worth it to put both reviews in one post.
Part I This story is about a woman who's husband, a skilled Taxidermist, is comatose on the the couch watching the television. While she is reliving memories of their first date, their engagement, their wedding, and other major events in their joint life. In order for their kids to act as kids the main character Linda has an agreement with her mother-in-law to take the kids for the night. While on the way back she is haunted with voices saying her husband Richard had left her. And she comes up with an ingenious idea that will have him always by her side. Part II This continues the story of how Linda's idea to use her novice skills, with the advise of her dying husband (if only in her mind) to make him last forever by stuffing him. She does everything she can to keep the truth from coming out until the mother-in-law brings the kids back. But I do not want to spoil too much for you. Just know that this is probably tied for the creepiest story in this anthology. I give this book a 4.9 out of 5. It is a well written must read story! This story start off sorta in the same vein as Luke, in a psychiatric's office. Yet in this story we follow Tom Malcom, a recent ex-con, who is looking to start a new life with his lovely wife Becca. He is at the psychiatric's office to finger out why he is having such vivid nightmares. Maybe it is due to most everyone in the small town giving his the cold shoulder and doing everything within their power to outcast Tom. This all changes when he meets Father McLaughlin, who is the local priest. They start having a friendly conversation and when the two go their separate ways, the priest give him the advise to not drink the water. Later on that afternoon he has more nightmares. And days and nights merge to where he doesn't know what time it is. Without giving too much away the story ends in a major cliffhanger that leaves a few questions unanswered. I give the story a solid 4 out of 5. The open ending was slightly unsettling, yet understanding as the old adage say "Leave them wanting more!"
This is a review on the first of the five stories in Kasey Pierce's debut book Pieces of Madness. The title of the story is 'Luke'. I will say that this story is amazing! Without getting too much into it and giving out spoilers, this story is awesome! It shows a unique look at the power of an imaginary friend. The story starts and end in a psychiatrist's office. The story focuses on a young girl and her best friend, who come up with a detailed story about the future of a yet to be born Luke. Yet due to circumstances beyond anyone's control.
With this being the first outing for Kasey, outside her personal Kosmic Kasey persona. I give this story alone a 4.7 out of 5, and highly recommend anyone to read this. And in her first venture out to promote the book, which is put out by Rocket Ink Studio, she sold out! And by sell out I mean in the most awesome and positive way ever. I will be finishing the book this book this weekend. It is a quick read and I cannot wait to sink my teeth into the rest of this book. If you are looking are looking for this book you can find it on Amazon. And you can check out her science fiction writing on www.kosmickasey.com. This was the first outing for Mr. Travis McIntire. With help from other members of the Michigan Comics Collective and Source Point Press. This is just the first issue of a story that has potential to be one of the best indie horror comics of the decade! The story finds a group of individuals who are traveling 'Up the River', when they come upon a tree that is sprawled out across the river. When they finally moved the boat to get around the tree one of the crew get smacked by a tree branch and gets knocked into the water. But the crew quickly armed themselves right before a transformed creature comes out of the water. After the stuck the "creature" who fell back into the water, they pushed off and started traveling back to their intended destination. Once they get to a location they start to scout out the location to make sure everything is ok. And off in the woods the "creature" is following after them. Just as a wolf attempts to attack the "creature", of which they punched the the wolf and punched through the wolf's skull. This is where the story leaves us, a great cliff hanger.
This is an amazing story that I cannot wait to sink my teeth into more of the story. For a first outing Travis really knocked this one out of the park. He set the bar pretty high, but I am sure that he will easily meet this challenge. I give this book a 4.7 out of 5. The art work is amazing, the coloring adds another layer to the story's deep history. I would put an age restriction of NC17, unless a mature 15-16 year old is interested in reading it. While cruising around Facebook a friend was asking for reviews on his recent comic that he put out. His name is Jay Fosgitt, and he is the writer, artist, letterer, and the man who works the colours. The book is put out by Red 5 Comics. I will review this book in tiers. Starting with the story, the artwork, and finally the overall presentation. I will review it in the same regards as a Nerd Book Club entry.
The story line was a cute story. Bodie is trying to prove that he is a big scary troll. While everyone else just thinks he is a cute little guy. He starts by thinking that bunnies are scared of him just to be told that they were probably just playing tag. He is then challenged to a bet that he couldn't eat a living creature. And without giving too much away he does but it is with a twist. The artwork is amazing! The characters seem really lifelike. The colours were muted yet still vivid. It is amazing how the artwork can tell the story, almost as if you don't need dialogue at all. The pairing of the artwork and the story make this an amazing story. It is probably one of a few all ages books that I have read in the past few months. If I had to give it a rating it would easily be a 4.5 out of 5. This would easily be a comic book/series I would let my great nephew read, if he could read. But would totally read it to him. It is a very cute story and I am honoured to be asked to have read and get to review this book. So if you are looking for something to read, that will speak to your inner child. Or you are looking for a book to share with your child. Bodie Troll is totally the book you want to check out. |
AuthorDave the Nerd Archives
August 2015
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