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The Art of Amber Morant
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- A Sightless Grave Ghost November 16, 2022
- Episode 63: Eve: Revealing the Soulseeker Faerie November 7, 2022
- Antlers: Review November 7, 2022
- Maggie: Review November 7, 2022
- Daredevil: It Comes with the Claws November 7, 2022
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Author Archives: AR_Editor
A Sightless Grave Ghost
by Hannah Nathanson I face my nightmares from years ago and whisper to their unknown, walk through their skin and leave this coffin empty— either I’ll find life in their darkness Or darkness in their life. I’m seeing my ending … Continue reading
Posted in Horror, Poetry, Poets
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Episode 63: Eve: Revealing the Soulseeker Faerie
by Jim Davies I left the home of the raccoon Vernon Grandmaster, following Waffles, Gretchen and Dichall through the dark tunnel. I had known that using the veilring would allow us to speak to humans, but it never occurred to … Continue reading
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Antlers: Review
by Eric Brown Released in 2021 after having been pushed back twice due to the Covid 19 pandemic. The film was successful enough to recoup its budget at the box office but certainly didn’t rake in the cash. It was … Continue reading
Posted in Comic Book, Non-fiction, Review
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Maggie: Review
Maggie is not your normal zombie movie. It’s a film that rises above and transcends genre. Released in 2015, Maggie tales the story of its title character, a young woman who has been infected by a zombie style virus that … Continue reading
Posted in Comic Book, Non-fiction, Review
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Daredevil: It Comes with the Claws
by Eric S Brown It Comes with the Claws is the latest Daredevil “Epic Collection” to be released by Marvel Comics. The Epic Collection format is great for those who enjoy having a massive tome of stories about their favorite … Continue reading
Posted in Columns, Comic Book
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Episode 62: Gretchen: The Techie Raccoon
by Jim Davies A moment later a raccoon’s voice echoed through the tunnel. “Who’s there?” Dichall, Eve, and I emerged from the tunnel through an opening in the floor of a crowded basement, holding up our beads. The head of … Continue reading
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An Alien Encounter
by David Rudd Paolo Tikalda lay in his sisal hammock, stirring the soupy air with a dangling leg. Sixty miles away, a Land Rover negotiated the Yucatan peninsula. Inside, Daniel Rhodesh and his camera crew baked like clay pots in … Continue reading
The Return of Wally West by Eric S Brown
The Return of Wally West Eric S Brown Rebirth was a universe spanning event at DC Comics which once again altered the history and worlds of their characters. The first collected trade paperback of Titans in the Rebirth timeline, The … Continue reading
Posted in Columns, Non-fiction
Tagged comic, dc comics, graphic novel, Review, superhero, Teen Titans, The Return of Wally West
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Werewolf by Night by Eric S Brown
Werewolf by Night Eric S Brown Marvel’s Disney Plus titles such as Ms. Marvel, She Hulk, and Moon Knight, to many, have lacked the quality and fun of the earlier MCU. Part of this can be attributed to these shows … Continue reading
Posted in Columns, Non-fiction
Tagged Disney Plus, marvel, monster, Review, werewolf, werewolf by night
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Double Eagle
by Alaric DeArment Finally, we went through a set of double doors to another wing, where he took me into what looked like some kind of lab for making pharmaceuticals, with more technicians dumping buckets of dissolved human remains into … Continue reading
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Mio Signore
by Alaric DeArment “It’s off the books,” Amadeo grumbled over a pile of papers without looking at me when I visited his office to ask where I could get more information about the housing project. “I will tell you when … Continue reading
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Pull of the Lever
by Alaric DeArment We arrived back in Ragusa Sunday evening, exhausted from the nonstop traveling and speeches – having often given two or three in a single day. As I looked out the window of the San Giorgio, I saw … Continue reading
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A Proud Citizen
by Alaric DeArment From what I could tell, the accounts of the rally in the newspapers Amadeo tore up and burned were devastating, calling him a petty tyrant and demagogue and comparing him to historical leaders I could not recognize … Continue reading
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Long Live Amadeo
by Alaric DeArment When Amadeo and Raffaele returned home about an hour after the press conference, still wearing their black armbands, Amadeo ranted at Raffaele, who simply nodded and said “Sai, sai, sai.” “What happened, some kind of disaster?” I … Continue reading
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Part of the Family
by Alaric DeArment It was jarring the next morning to hear a loud knock at the bedroom door, as I had become accustomed to sleeping late. “Buna desmun,” Amadeo greeted me in his Signoria suit as I opened the door, … Continue reading
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Peaceful Transfer of Power
by Alaric DeArment While covering the crime beat, I had seen photographs of homicide victims in police stations and courtrooms, but never actually witnessed a murder taking place, let alone a massacre. As we exited Stagno and got onto the … Continue reading
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Gretchen: The Evil Girlfriend
Jim Davies I peeked over Eve and Dichall’s heads and watched Josh open his door to the supposed terror that his sister Morgan was so worried about. Emerson climbed atop my head to look, too. A beautiful young woman, who looked … Continue reading
Episode 60: Eve: Boundaries
Episode 60: Eve: Boundaries Jim Davies I jumped down to my companions, the smell of cat looming. “Back on the shelf! The cat’s coming!” I shoved Dichall toward escape, grabbed Gretchen’s paw and dragged her with … Continue reading
Unfeet
Unfeet Alex Valdiers It was hard being a pair of feet in a city that didn’t want you. Everything in Andreapolis was made against the foot. Since humans got hooked up to flyballs, they levitated everywhere they went. It was … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, New, Science Fiction
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Swamp Thing: The Becoming by Eric S Brown
Swamp Thing: The Becoming Eric S Brown Alec Holland is no longer the Swamp Thing of the DC Universe but the Green still needs a hero. Reaching into the world of man, the Green has chosen Levi Kamei to be … Continue reading
Behind A Cup Of Moss
Day after day Namily felt Andreapolis was pushing her to surgically remove her feet. There were constant innovations that favored the foot revolution, those navel-flybus-walkers, and discriminated against the feet stickers. The dirty waters running through the hanging gardens alleys … Continue reading
Day-dreams by Dee Artea
Day-dreams Dee Artea One of the weird and puzzling things about dreams is the metamorphoses that occur, and often. Why am I thinking about this, on this dog-day afternoon, trying to stay cool in the shade of this oak tree? … Continue reading
Are You Sure It Works by Zvi A. Sesling
Are You Sure It Works Zvi A. Sesling On the planet Kapora the TBXW Special is the most desired vehicle because of its versatility. In addition to traveling at more than one stribolts per egami it can take to the … Continue reading
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A Nation Returns to Greatness
by Alaric DeArment The prisoners were each fastened to one of the poles, the bells rang another three times, and the crowd cheered again. The church doors opened, and a procession of 12 priests in blue cassocks emerged, led by … Continue reading
Episode 59: Gretchen: An Unlocked Smartphone
I had been using cell phones ever since my time in Hamburg with the Rat der Mäuse. From the look on Dichall’s face I could tell that using them was fairly new to him, and Eve, being not so long … Continue reading
Episode Two: Inside the Bunker
Daylight from the open doorway illuminated a few feet of the interior. Something whirled, making a ratchet-like noise and he jumped, and then looked around. Rows and rows of tiny round, lights covered one wall. Hundreds of them, some blinking, … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Science Fiction, Serials
Tagged apcolypse, bunker, castlewitz, david, robot
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Naivety’s Price
Sunar didn’t have to wait, his ‘ride’ appeared in the cargo hold moments after they walked in. They all exchanged the minimum of words, Sunar put his hand on the Wizard’s shoulder, and found himself standing in Master Ikthan’s private … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction, Serials
Tagged dragon, fearadhach, mecraudri, monk, sunar
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The Pit by Dee Artea
The Pit Dee Artea A rumble of distant thunder – woke me up from a deep sleep. My horse too, reacts to the sound. Doesn’t like rain. Me neither. Plus, he’s been acting skittishly these days. Don’t know why. I … Continue reading
The Message by Jennifer Walker
The Message Jennifer Walker In the great hall of the palace of Poseidon the merpeople of Atlantis waited for their Queen to speak. To her right floated her daughter Nerissa, an unusually thick mermaid the shape of a small orca. … Continue reading
The Love of Batman and Catwoman by Eric S Brown
The Love of Batman and Catwoman Eric S Brown The Love of Batman and Catwoman By Eric S Brown Detective Comics #27 features the first appearance of Batman in 1939. Merely a year later, Catwoman first appears in Batman #1 … Continue reading
Shoes, Beer, and Flybus
Before the foot revolution, living around the hanging gardens of Andreapolis felt like paradise. Namily used to take long strolls after work, before work, on weekends around the gardens, losing herself in the maze of the green alleys overflowing with … Continue reading
A Reason to Worry by L.L. Richardson
A Reason to Worry L.L. Richardson Monica and I were home when the authorities smashed through the door of the apartment across the hall. All we heard at the time was a tremendous crashing but we had no idea what … Continue reading
Unwary by K. A. Williams
Unwary K. A. Williams unwary space explorers uncharted black hole unlucky First published in the May 2022 print edition of Scifaikuest under the title Unlucky
Posted in Poetry, Science Fiction
Tagged black, black hole, hole, unlucky, unwary, willilams
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Terra by K. A. Williams
Terra K. A. Williams Terraform complete Cryosleep is over now Welcome to Terra Humans unpack ship History files corrupted No blueprints for guide Colonists build homes Fossil fuels used for heating And to power cars Science facts report Environment is … Continue reading
Craving by Phil Temples
Craving Phil Temples It’s late Saturday night and the desk sergeant calls me to the lobby to speak with two women. One looks disheveled and a bit confused. The other explains that she found the first woman walking along the … Continue reading
Black Mountain Side by Eric S Brown
Black Mountain Side Eric S Brown Released in 2014, Black Mountain Side is an independent film shot and produced in Canada. The company that made is called A Farewell To Kings Entertainment which one has to wonder if their name … Continue reading
Posted in Columns, Non-fiction
Tagged black, brown, cthuhlu, eric, lovecraft, mountain
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Episode 1: On the Killing Field
Simple. That’s what they claimed, but they — Darius and Carson and Debs, and many others – were dead, and Collin didn’t believe that the robots in the sky simply fired blindly at anyone running across the boulder-strewn killing field. … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged apcolypse, castlewitz, david, robot, soldier
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Change of Heart
by Alaric DeArment I went back to sitting on the couch and staring at the ceiling for what felt like another hour before I heard the three come out of the office, not bothering to look behind me as they … Continue reading
The Meganic’s Guide for Sanding Spacecraft by Kelly Kurtzhals Geiger
The Meganic’s Guide for Sanding Spacecraft Kelly Kurtzhals Geiger I bring my haversack to the dock as my repair, the Kypernia, limps home through the black sea of stars, though this isn’t really her home. Exoks prefer the open spaces … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged alien, geiger, Kelly, kurtzhals, mechanic, pilot, space
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Chappie by Eric S Brown
Chappie Eric S Brown Released in 2015, Chappie was a moderately successful film at the box office but given mostly lackluster or bad reviews by critics. Chappie is set in a Judge Dredd/Robocop style future where crime is out of … Continue reading
Episode one: Feet Stickers
It was hard being a pair of feet in a city that didn’t want you. Everything in Andreapolis was made against the foot. Since humans got hooked up to flyballs, they levitated everywhere they went. It was faster and, as … Continue reading
Treasure Hunter by K. A. Williams
Treasure Hunter K. A. Williams Derelict spacecraft Searching for treasure inside Maybe I’ll find gold First published in 2021 in View From Atlantis
Attacked By Pirates by K. A. Williams
Attacked By Pirates K. A. Williams Out among the stars Pirates attack my small ship Not a gun runner Transporting deadly toxins Seven less space pirates now First published in 2021 in View From Atlantis.
My Summer Vacation in the Wave State by Kendall Evans and David C. Kopaska-Merkel
My Summer Vacation in the Wave State Kendall Evans David C. Kopaska-Merkel
Posted in Poetry, Science Fiction
Tagged david, evans, kendall, kopaska, merkel, physics kopaska-merkel, quantum, state, wave, wavestate
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Summer Child
Sunar sat in the medbay of the ship he’d served on for the last few months and relayed the story of his run-in with Bobby Finkle, his gang, the police chief, how that led him to her door, and rounded … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged dragon, fearadhach, mecraudri, monk, sunar
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Episode 57: Eve: A Sparrow in Human Clothing
“So. Micean Council.” The crow gestured with her beak at my red bead necklace. “I see you brought some muscle with you—a Pomeranian!” She cackled with laughter. “Go lay an egg!” Waffles barked. Dichall stood up on the dog’s back … Continue reading
Making Plans
by Alaric DeArment Gradually, the gritty streets gave way to clean pavement and mansions hidden behind iron gates. We arrived at one, an ancient but well-kept stucco villa surrounded by a wall of sandstone. A guard came out, offering the … Continue reading
Oh, Those Entitled Dragon Riders by Ekaterina Pushnaya
Oh, Those Entitled Dragon Riders Ekaterina Pushnaya I still vividly remember how we first brought Ligery into the house. He was barely the size of a dog, and he immediately hid under the couch. If you ever owned a pet, … Continue reading
Raccoon Valley by Eric S Brown
Raccoon Valley Eric S Brown Raccoon Valley, released in 2018, is far from your normal virus, zombie type film. There are no zombies in the movie though there are poor people who have been infected by a virus that swells … Continue reading
Dragon Parleyer by K. A. Williams
Dragon Parleyer K. A. Williams “Rumor is that a dragon is terrorizing your village,” I said. “You’re not a knight, you’re not even a man. What could you do?” The elder regarded me with a scornful expression as he turned … Continue reading
Visitor by Angela Acosta
Visitor Angela Acosta I walk this Earth a visitor, a cosmic wanderer tethered to this globe by gravity. I am the universe sensing itself. This one sentient life is all I get, but millions of stars twinkle at me, a … Continue reading
Posted in Poetry, Science Fiction
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Terran Born by Angela Acosta
Terran Born Angela Acosta Made of carbon, shaped in amniotic fluid born into gravity, we are the terran born. We are all space travelers, from Terra to the Kuiper belt, from exoplanets to sunlight valleys. Illuminated we are by light … Continue reading
Posted in Poetry, Science Fiction
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Star Brand by Eric S Brown
Star Brand Eric S Brown After two decades of roaring success in the 60s and 70s, Marvel tried to expand even further in the mid-1980s with its New Universe line of comics. These comics were supposedly more realistic than the … Continue reading
To Mars on MAVEN by Lauren McBride
To Mars on MAVEN Lauren McBride seeing red: rovers below, satellites above – Mars, yield your secrets Poet’s Notes: This poem was written in response to the “Going to Mars” campaign for MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution spacecraft). It … Continue reading
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Ginny Goes to Mars by Lauren McBride
Ginny Goes to Mars Lauren McBride Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird . . . It’s a plane . . . It’s Superman Ingenuity: the little chopper that could – carried by Perseverance to become (in 2021) the … Continue reading
Transplanted to Terraformed Mars Too Soon by Lauren McBride
Transplanted to Terraformed Mars Too Soon Lauren McBride Staunch victims of a Martian freeze, some winter weary Terran trees still cast their shapely shadows down, but stand now sadly aged and brown. A variation of this poem appeared in Songs … Continue reading
Posted in Poetry, Science Fiction
Tagged mars, terraform, terraformed, transplant, transplanted
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Where Shapes Wait by Ed Nobody
Where Shapes Wait Ed Nobody In the permanight of space a shape blinks. Not a sun , no, not a star. Something stinks out there, Hiding in cold flesh, Residents of airless breath, all skeleton and spine, Monsters that chew … Continue reading
Welcome to Stagno
by Alaric DeArment From reading uncensored history books while traveling abroad, Amadeo learned that Stagno and the other merchant republics had long served as a buffer between two great powers: Lotharingia, which stretched from the Baltic Sea to the Alps … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged alric, amadeo, dearment, italy, stagno
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Episode 56: Eve: Stowaways
I opened my eyes to see the dog with a piece of pizza crust on the floor in front of him. “Thanks, Waffles!” Gretchen jumped down and ran to the crust, then began ripping pieces for our breakfast. We stuffed … Continue reading
Long Distance
Captain Pora Hairfoot looked at the half-dragon monk who had been such a lucrative – and entertaining – deck-hand for the last several months, and sighed. Yep, as soon as a monk starts acting a little strangely they end up … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged dragon, fearadhach, mecraudri, monk, sunar
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Borborygmus by Phil Temples
Borborygmus Phil Temples Scientists using the orbiting Compton Gamma Ray Observatory were dumbfounded when they discovered a jet of hot gas and antimatter almost 3,500 light-years long shooting out of the center of our Milky Galaxy. Some have speculated that … Continue reading
Posted in Comedy, Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged Borborygmus, gas, phil, phill, star, temple, temples
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My Hulk by Barrington Smith-Seetachitt
My Hulk Barrington Smith-Seetachitt The hulk inside me hulks and skulks on the sidelines, waiting for her chance to crash through walls. Unfortunately for her, my life seldom calls for wall-crashing, so she spends a lot of time waiting. When … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged alien, barrington, hulk, invasion, seetachitt, smith, smith-seetachitt
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After by Harris Coverley
After Harris Coverley bones idle tombs open under a darkened sun cadavers stripped by the elements maggots gathered in feasting orgies the great cycle in motion the planets rejoicing— what remains of … Continue reading
Patalis; or, Antipodus Incognita by Harris Coverley
Patalis; or, Antipodus Incognita Harris Coverley The Ancients knew well the Antipodes Aristotle and Ptolemy and the rest That giant continent With coasts like shards … Continue reading
The Crawling Shadow by Harris Coverley
The Crawling Shadow Harris Coverley Like a black wind Low and slow The negative to all positives Going along the ground Darkening all it touches Leaving an eternal stain of malice A desert … Continue reading
Relief by Ryan Tan
Relief Ryan Tan One Land Link kit contains: clay soil, goldenrod seeds, one inflatable greenhouse, and two L-shaped flower pots. Best assembled at the gym, library, or any well-lit corridor. Avoid the control room and the dormitory. Spray the soil … Continue reading
Daredevil: Wake up by Eric S Brown
Daredevil: Wake up Eric S Brown The second series of Daredevil launched in 1998 and was quickly a huge success with readers. In its early issues huge events happen in Matt Murdock’s life from Bullseye murdering Karen Page to his … Continue reading
The Alien Among Us by Lee Hart
The Alien Among Us Lee Hart An Alien’s living among us. He’s been here as long as I know. By now you would think he’d escape us, But grandfather won’t let him go For Gramps has him locked in the … Continue reading
Secret Eclipse by Meg Smith
Secret Eclipse Meg Smith Your smile shadows the corners were candles were lit, in the strum of the oud, a violin fading into cloud dust. That much we know. All else I have given, is a step into silence.
The Singing Lake by Meg Smith
The Singing Lake Meg Smith Hearts of ice float, and between them, measures of sky — clouds, holding worlds and songs, of the boy who fell, the girl who laughed with her friend at midnight on the rocky shore. These … Continue reading
The Amphibian Legacy by Meg Smith
The Amphibian Legacy Meg Smith Toads know, in their pebbled skin, and golden eyes; frogs know, in their green translucence; salamanders know, in their blue skin, and soft fingers. Their is to kettle everything — the sad discharge of the … Continue reading
Prayer for the Swarm by Meg Smith
Prayer for the Swarm Meg Smith Come for the flowers, come for the white grass, tall within the graying sky. Come for the dithering of milkweed, and the haze of dust from the corn, wheat, fallow. Without this urgent cloud … Continue reading
The Wintering Fox by Meg Smith
The Wintering Fox Meg Smith A field waxes white; grass shimmers in frost. Night moves in its naked path. A light burns in copper eyes, and in the slash of scarlet across a dark road. This is my one kept … Continue reading
In the Best Blood by Meg Smith
In the Best Blood Meg Smith Rivers ruddy to sleep, and this is pure in its running. Something once was life, but now recedes from light, only, air and light.
Captain’s Eyes
Captain Pora Hairfoot looked up at her half-dragon deckhand and felt a frown pull at the corner of her lips as Sunar did a slow-blink when she told him that someone was going to the expense of keeping an interstellar … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction, Sword and Sorcery
Tagged dragon, fearadhach, mecraudri, monk, sunar
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Episode 55: Eve: Recruiting Waffles
Dichall, Gretchen and I leapt down from the high tower, safely landing in the snow. We found a gull picking through a discarded food container. Dichall held out his red bead necklace. “Hello there.” The gull pulled her head out … Continue reading
At the Crossroads
The next morning I find that my spine has stiffened somewhat in the night. Onye is depending on me. She’ll be waiting at the fork for me to bring her to the safety of our walls. I’m still terrified, but … Continue reading
From Seattle to the Republic of Venice
I called my neighbor to take care of my cat for a few days just in case and packed enough clothes toiletries for a week, along with a few books, my Discman and an album of CDs and my passport. … Continue reading
Self-Aware by John C. Mannone
Self-Aware John C. Mannone All police officers in the area, respond to a ten-ninety-eight: escaped suspect zero-seven-four, armed & dangerous, last seen running east on Bearden with robodog beta-six-beta-three. Remote sensor probes on the Sutherland Greenway indicate artificial intelligence units … Continue reading
Morphism by John C. Mannone
Morphism John C. Mannone Now, the two blazing-blue stars a parsec above our scintillated air are in luminous binary conjunction with our close-in red dwarf sun. We swoon in the tempest of solar winds while the atmosphere swirls with mood-thickening … Continue reading
In three point five billion years by John C. Mannone
In three point five billion years John C. Mannone Our Sol will begin to bloat Planets swallowed in red glare The Kuyper Belt soon loosened Frozen graves will resurrect A million comets will rain Down on us like fireworks We’ll … Continue reading
From the Ninth Brane by John C. Mannone
From the Ninth Brane John C. Mannone Branes: a generalized cosmological theory attempting to replace all matter and particles that carry force with tiny … Continue reading
Posted in Poetry, Science Fiction
Tagged alternate, brane, John, Mannone, universe, wold
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Alternative Comic Collecting- The Omnibus by Eric S Brown
Alternative Comic Collecting- The Omnibus Eric S Brown There’s a growing trend in collecting comics that has arisen in the last few years and I am not talking about grading comics. No. Many are giving up monthly comics and even … Continue reading
On the Derelict Wreckage in Space by Garrett Caroll
On the Derelict Wreckage in Space Garrett Caroll Those aren’t just the hulls of the capitol ships and freighters on next-day delivery voyages. They’re the women and the men who risked their lives to bring us everyday necessities, who drove … Continue reading
Posted in Poetry, Science Fiction
Tagged carroll, Derelict, garrett, space, Wreckage
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The Hands That Build the Universe by Garrett Caroll
The Hands That Build the Universe Garrett Caroll Like the little atoms snug between the Saharas of your thumbs, particles of civilization now expand across the universe. Fires, beds, jewels, foods, technologies are spread by city, familiar blocks and worlds … Continue reading
Saturn Song by Garrett Caroll
Saturn Song Garrett Caroll If I put my hands out, I can feel the cold clouds reciprocating my touch, like a living planet amidst the darkness of nothingness put on pause. A familiar loop of sounds fixes all the brutal … Continue reading
Curious Candy Hearts by Vince Gotera
Curious Candy Hearts Vince Gotera Valentine heart shield, sword-and-sandal warrior wields pink battle-ax spaceship skywriting BE MY VALENTINE across the star-strewn black void Bride of Frankenstein gifts a box of chocolate hearts to Valentine Boo Valentine’s Day … Continue reading
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Piece of Eight
by Alaric DeArment A thud at the door meant the paperboy was late again. I opened it and picked up the rolled-up copy of The Seattle Times, sliding the rubber band off and unfurling it on the coffee table as … Continue reading
Seeker of Knowledge
I stare at the message in disbelief, my guts churning and sour. Onye is already on the way? My fingers are trembling so much I can barely type the word. “How can this be? You don’t know where I am.” … Continue reading
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Episode 54: Eve: An Empty Storehouse
The growing stench of charred paper filled the air as we approached the library. We walked in to find scattered, burned pieces of paper on the floor, and a few exhausted mice trying to clean up the mess. A black … Continue reading
Once Again
Sunar suppressed a sigh as several armed people stepped into the hallway both before and behind him. He stood there and shook his head. “This seems like a lot of trouble to go to just to rob a random spacer.” … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged ambush, dragon, fearadhach, mecraudri, monk, spacer, sunar
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The Expanse by Eric S Brown
The Expanse Eric S Brown The Expanse premiered in 2015 on the Science Fiction network and was met with generally good response from critics. The Expanse is set in a future universe where humanity is divided into three factions- … Continue reading
Posted in Columns, Non-fiction
Tagged battlestar, brown, eric, expanse, fiction, galactica, science
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Iron Man: Big Iron by Eric S Brown
Iron Man: Big Iron Eric S Brown Tony Stark isn’t who he used to be. That seems to be the theme of the trade paperback Iron Man: Big Iron which collects the first five issues of the 2017 reboot series. … Continue reading
Planet Faraway by David Castlewitz
Planet Faraway David Castlewitz Nobody in Phil Stone’s Faraway appreciation group knew why news of the distant planet disappeared from every site that covered events out there. No artist renditions of the giant warships derived from fuzzy photographs sent back … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged alien, away, castlewitz, david, far, faraway, invasion, planet
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Squirrelled Away by Lee Hart
Squirrelled Away Lee Hart By the shores of Mississipi, By the shining big tree forests, At the portal of her cabin, In the pleasant summer sunshine, Mrs. Mullins stood admiring, Her delightful new bird feeder, Just installed that very day. … Continue reading
X Factor: Genesis and Apocalypse by Eric S Brown
X Factor: Genesis and Apocalypse Eric S Brown For anyone who grew up reading comics in the 1980s, X Factor: Genesis and Apocalyse will be a nostalgistic trip down memory lane. It collects not only the original nine issues of … Continue reading
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A Portal to Remember by Shauna Checkley
A Portal to Remember Shauna Checkley Staring into the dazzling display which was like Canada Day and Mardi Gras and Carnival all in one, the two strangers stood utterly transfixed! “What is th-that?” Sarah’s mouth was shaped like the letter … Continue reading
The Bride of Doom by Eric S Brown
The Bride of Doom Eric S Brown The eighth trade paperback in the current run of the Fantastic Four collects issues 31-35 featuring a storyline called The Bride of Doom. The latest adventure of the team begins with Dr. Doom … Continue reading
Sojourn
I wake like an explosion, sweat slicked in the hesitant sick-light of dawn. I can’t believe I forgot to check the acer before bed. What if there had been a reply waiting for me? What if someone had been on … Continue reading
Posted in Dark Future, Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged armor, baker, binyelum, onye, sojourn
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Eve: Something Rotten at the Council
Vivian went very still. “I don’t want to go home. I want to be a big girl.” “But Miss Magnitrude is a…” How do I say this? “Well, she’s a monster. She only looks like a woman.” Vivian fussed over … Continue reading
Amadeo’s Real Aims
by Alaric DeArment Amadeo Darsa stuck his foot in the door as I tried to slam it shut in the hope of giving myself a few seconds to run to the kitchen and grab a knife, assuming a primitive kitchen … Continue reading
Ocam’s Razor by Phil Temples
Ocam’s Razor Phil Temples Class, I’d like to point out this very unusual rock formation located near the Tayma oasis in Saudi Arabia known as the Al Naslaa rock.” The image on the auditorium’s projection screen displays a large boulder–approximately … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged crack, ocam, ocham, phil, razor, rock, temples
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Scone Dragon by Herb Kauderer
Scone Dragon Herb Kauderer While wizards sometimes call themselves a brotherhood they are chaotic brothers full of dirt and broken bones from fighting amongst themselves. There is one thing they get along on and that is the need to maintain … Continue reading
Scholar: Seeking Wisdom by Herb Kauderer
Scholar: Seeking Wisdom Herb Kauderer The wise dragon maintains wards and warning bells around her lair on the mountain’s top. Long before the mortal woman senses her, the wise dragon is listening to her thoughts. Even so, she waits for … Continue reading
The Last Dragon by Herb Kauderer
The Last Dragon Herb Kauderer The hunters pay no attention to the final truth but the last dragon knows that she is the last dragon. Through decades she has run from the chase hidden in stealthy caves, hibernated in her … Continue reading
Rai: Welcome to New Japan by Eric S Brown
Rai: Welcome to New Japan Eric S Brown In 2014, Valiant Comics rebooted their futuristic samurai warrior Rai, giving him a new ongoing seires. The first four issues are collected in a trade paperback simply titled Welcome to New Japan, … Continue reading
The Getaway by Alex Valdiers
The Getaway Alex Valdiers Jeff, my childhood friend, and I left Earth because we hated our lives. He was a resort sales agent, and I worked for a microchip manufacturer. We were both married, without children, in our forties, and … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged alex, cowboy, gunslinger, space, valdiers, west, wild
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Forbidden Hologram by Barry Yedvobnick
Forbidden Hologram Barry Yedvobnick Julie agreed to the movie but would not sit through another unrealistic proposal. Erik made popcorn as a peace-offering, and burned it again, so an acrid smell filled the room and burned her eyes. She checked … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged barry, forbidden, hologram, krell, planet, yedvobnick
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The Nanny by Devin Vandriel
The Nanny Devin Vandriel At night the cockroaches took little bites out of my flesh. But this was the way of the things back when the world was engulfed by war, for the second time. They called it World War … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged baby, devin, nanny, squid, vandriel, war, worlds
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Quidditch by Rain Hall-Brown
Quidditch Rain Hall-Brown In the game of Quidditch, there are seven players on each team and three types of balls that are used: the Quaffle, two Bludgers, and the Golden Snitch. Each team is broken down into three chasers, two … Continue reading
Seven Year Monsoon by H.T. Grossen
Seven Year Monsoon H.T. Grossen Margot had missed the sun. She leaned her forehead miserably against one of the few above-ground windows, staring into the tumult of writhing grey plants: ever growing to be ever crushed under the torrential downpours … Continue reading
The Wheel of Time by Eric S Brown
The Wheel of Time Eric S Brown Fans have long awaited a live action adaptation of Robert Jordon’s classic Wheel of Time series. This year, Amazon Prime delivered and at the time this is being written, five episodes have been … Continue reading
Stalker by Ed Blundell
Stalker Ed Blundell The sky is dark as midnight dreams, The blank, bleak emptiness till dawn, The moon, thin silver scimitar, Slices the clouds that skim the night. That night is listening, still with fear, Frozen and tense with silent … Continue reading
Sailing by Ed Blundell
Sailing Ed Blundell The sky clear blue, the sun shone bright, Their holiday was at its height, She, smiling said to him,” Let’s take A sailing boat out on the lake.” He liked the thought and straight away, They hired … Continue reading
Raven by Ed Blundell
Raven Ed Blundell He rode to battle, armour bright, He was a proud and cruel knight. They passed a raven in a tree, “That is an evil sign.” said he. “Shoot the black raven, kill the bird.” And one of … Continue reading
Three Factorial! by Dee Artea
Three Factorial! (A Tale in Three Sections, Six Ways) Dee Artea Section One “Where are you taking me? I don’t trust you. Are you that lawyer guy who made me uncomfortable by the way you looked at me – my … Continue reading
Devil’s Lake Monster by Richard Stevenson
Devil’s Lake Monster Richard Stevenson Legend has it fresh water octopi reside in Devil’s Lake. Drowned canoes of Nakota braves. Back in the day. But, nah, the Nakota Sioux have it the creature was more like a plesiosaur, and … Continue reading
Organism 46B by Richard Stevenson
Organism 46B Richard Stevenson Organism 46B?! What kinda moniker is that for a lithe querulous cryptid who bumped his noggin to break ice in Siberia? I’ve scarfed enough intrepid trappers who braved chilly temperatures to discover me. The least … Continue reading
The Zaratan by Richard Stevenson
The Zaratan Richard Stevenson The Zaratan’s giant turtle’s shell houses trees and shrubs, looks like an island, a good place to dock, but no – The island that was an upside down monster turtle nibbled at birds, the landed … Continue reading
(Care and Feeding of) The Flathead Lake Monster by Richard Stevenson
(Care and Feeding of) The Flathead Lake Monster Richard Stevenson Don’t surface much. You might see me once a year, though I do runs of six appearances when I feel up to it. Slap tag, tumble turns – I … Continue reading
History repeats
Four worlds in as many weeks. I do think I signed on to the right ship if I want to see the Empire. Or, every Second Street in it, anyway. Sunar looked around himself at the street full of bars … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy, Fiction, New, Science Fiction
Tagged ambush, bar, dragon, fearadhach, fight, mecraudri, monk, sunar
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Final Justice
Dogs and timber wolves howled and bayed, after the battered Ottfly’s disappeared into the wilderness. But good spirits and joyous humor soon faded… replaced with reality. Omar strode towards Shocka Din, who, with Hanna at his side, started his way. … Continue reading
A Message
My entire world narrows to the five square inches of the Mercury app’s screen space. This is not an app I have been able to open before. These are not words I have typed. Someone is there. We are not … Continue reading
Episode 52: Eve: Trapped Girl
Waffles slipped silently behind and then past Gombree until we were out of sight. Although the building consisted of a continuous spiral floor going all the way up, it had been divided into a series of room-like spaces, some separated … Continue reading
Jumanji vs Jumanji by Eric S Brown
Jumanji vs Jumanji Eric S Brown The original Jumanji film was released in 1995 featuring Robin Williams, Kristen Dunst, and David Alan Grier in its cast. The movie was well received and reached # 1 at the boxoffice its opening … Continue reading
Posted in Columns, Non-fiction
Tagged brown, david alan grier, dwayne johnson, eric, gillan, jack black, Jumanji, jungle, kevin hart, kristen dunst, robin williams, the rock, welcome
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Howl by Eric S Brown
Howl Eric S Brown Released in 2015, Howl is an indie, British, werewolf film that brings new life to the genre. Werewolf movies aren’t known for being as successful or well done as zombie and vampire movies, often either killed … Continue reading
Dust Walker by Eric S Brown
Released in 2019, Dust Walker is a film full of SF tropes that still manages to be fun . . .for the most part. Jolene Anderson plays the part of a small town sheriff, Joanne Sharp, who finds herself … Continue reading
The Bald Beast of Nisqually Hill by Richard Stevenson
The Bald Beast of Nisqually Hill Richard Stevenson The Bald Beast of Nisqually Hill was said to be seven feet tall, had pink eyes that glowed in the dark, wore a Ben Casey white lab coat. Who knows? He … Continue reading
Carnivorous Algae by Richard Stevenson
Carnivorous Algae Richard Stevenson It may look innocent enough: a pond scum colony of algae floating in a large amorphous shape on the surface of the sea. Amoeba-like, the colony first surrounds its victim. Then like a jellyfish, tiny … Continue reading
The Muhuru by Richard Stevenson
The Muhuru Richard Stevenson The Muhuru don’t moo or croon; he just bops you on the noggin when he’s out sloggin’ in a swamp or fen and you get in his way. Ol’ Stegosaurus had a thagomizer – four … Continue reading
White Screamer by Richard Stevenson
White Screamer Richard Stevenson Tennessee’s own Banshee screamer tormented a man who built a farm house for his family of nine in the holler back of White Bluff in twenty aught. Got fed up with the late-night screaming, loaded … Continue reading
Déjà Evolution by Barry Yedvobnick
Déjà Evolution Barry Yedvobnick Ellie was crying and barely heard her father’s reply. “She drowned.” At fourteen she’d spend the rest of her life without her mother, who loved the water and was an excellent swimmer. Nobody could explain what … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged barry, drowning, evoluntion, ocean, water, yedvobnick
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Can’t Hide
Sunar sat and looked down at the glass before him while trying to blink away a slight drink-induced haze. His buddies had already won twice, betting that he could drink someone under the table. Then, while he cleared the effects … Continue reading
Episode 51: Eve: Magnitrude
Waffles walked forward and onto the window. We all looked down (to us) which was actually sideways (to the rest of the world) at the wall of the building next door. “Well that’s disorienting.” I twisted my head to see … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy, Fiction, Serials
Tagged davies, eve, frog, jim, magnitrude, monster, pixiedrowner, waffles
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Armor – Hope and Ruin
Funny word, hope. It once had such broad applications. I have learned this in my research. People once said I hope that boy or girl likes me back, I hope my favorite streamer is renewed, I hope for peace, I … Continue reading
Not In This House by Melissa R. Mendelson
Not In This House Melissa R. Mendelson The hallway pulled back, almost as if it were denying her entrance. Shadows dared to swallow up her feet, if they moved inside. The sun graced across her shoulders but slipped away before … Continue reading
Lawless by Eric S Brown
Lawless Eric S Brown When people think about the world of Judge Dredd most think of: Mega City One The vast dystopian metropolis he patrols The radioactive wastelands known as the Cursed Earth which lay beyond its walls The other … Continue reading
Posted in Columns, Non-fiction
Tagged brown, dredd, eric, judge, lawless, lawson, marshal
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Sightless in the Savage Land by Rain Hall-Brown
Sightless in the Savage Land Rain Hall-Brown In Daredevil issue 10, Matt Murdock is leaving behind Karen Page and Foggy Nelson to give the two of them space and a chance for the law practice to survive but the ship … Continue reading
Dragon Egg by K. A. Williams
Dragon Egg K. A. Williams Dragon egg for sale Price is negotiated Excited buyer waits Baby ostrich hatches First published in issue 31 of View From Alantis on August 22, 2021
A Robot’s Smile by K. A. Williams
A Robot’s Smile K. A. Williams Nothing is falser A new robot’s smiling face It can’t feel happy
Terms Apply by Max Christopher
Terms Apply Max Christopher I picked up this year’s free car today, regretting my decision to walk the six blocks to the dealership. Horrible biped dogs leaned in doorways, wagging their tails listlessly when a person walked by. Seeing them … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged christopher, dog, dogman, man, max, terms
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Daredevil: The Man Without Fear by Rain Hall-Brown
Daredevil: The Man Without Fear Rain Hall-Brown Matt Murdock is Daredevil, but before he became the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen, he just a normal kid with homework and a good heart. He got his powers from saving the life of … Continue reading
Army of the Dead by Eric S Brown
Army of the Dead Eric S Brown In 2004, Zack Snyder stunned the world with his remake of George Romero’s Dawn of the Dead. While the remake lacked the depth of the original, it was an amazingly well done and … Continue reading
Posted in Columns, Non-fiction
Tagged army, bautistia, brown, dead, eric, romero, zombie
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Meet Douglas Schwarz
Psychic Chicken Douglas Schwarz Henrietta laid her very first egg in the early hours of a chill spring morning. Like all the hens in her coop, she was confined to a wire cage scarcely big enough to hold her. But … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged chicken, douglas, egg, henrietta, psychic, schwarz
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Space Traveler by John Philip Johnson
Space Traveler John Philip Johnson 1. You’re a space traveler now, with blue skin. Your eyes are luminous white clouds. You think of the sky, and your feet leave the ground. You levitate, wobbly, slipping on the air, and then … Continue reading
Episode 50: Eve: The Twisted Tower
I frantically looked around for a place for us to escape to. There! I yanked on Waffle’s ear, and pointed at a set of panels barricading a storage area under a building. “Look!” I don’t know if Waffles could see … Continue reading
Episode Sixteen – The Battle
Shocka Din ambled away from King Cat Sateer in deep thought, then picked up speed to a relaxed trot. Sateer says there’s dangers I can’t imagine here. This is one creepy place, but somethin’ is keepin’ me here. Should have … Continue reading
Episode Seven: The Missing Piece
It took Carrie several minutes to get her head together again, but when she finally pulled gently away from Garrett, he let her go and turned back toward the billowing steam. “Well Carrie, are you ready to find out what’s … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged bubble, carrie, desert, garrett, sme, sphere, winter
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Shore Leave
Sunar had planned to spend the day at a handful of tourist spots within the city, visit one of the local weapons shops to check out a ‘virtual target practice system’ that claimed to be an excellent way to practice … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy, Fiction
Tagged bar, crawl, dragon, fearadhach, mecraudri, monk, sunar
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Episode 10: A Familiar Face
Fragrant smoke wafted over Cole as he sat cross-legged by the crackling brushwood fire. He warmed his palms against the flames and rested his uneasy gaze on the lip of the ravine. Above, the stars turned slowly across the darkened … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy, Fiction, Serials, Sword and Sorcery
Tagged casey, cole, elanor, pactkeeper, roawn
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The Ring Reclaimed by Jeffrey Greene
The Ring Reclaimed Jeffrey Greene On a rainy October evening more than twenty years ago, two hikers traveling in opposite directions on the Appalachian Trail in northern Georgia stopped for the night in one of those doorless log shelters provided … Continue reading
Cloak and Dagger by Eric S Brown
Cloak and Dagger Eric S Brown Specatular Spider-man issue 84 featured the debut of Cloak and Dagger, two superpowered teenagers devoted to fighting a war against drug dealers and those who would prey upon the helpless. The characters proved … Continue reading
The New Warriors by Eric S Brown
The New Warriors Eric S Brown The 1990s were a rough time for the comic industry. DC was struggling to hold on, Marvel Comics declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and “indie” publishers flooded the market with an endless number of variant … Continue reading
Download A Daydream by K. A. Williams
Download A Daydream K. A. Williams The website at ‘Download A Daydream’ had some interesting selections including – meet underground inhabitants of Mars, sail the high seas with Captain Blackbeard (I already had that daydream), and travel through space with … Continue reading
‘byss Gazer by Michael W. Clark
‘byss Gazer Michael W. Clark They stood on the observation deck of the space platform gazing out into the Universe. It is not dark. There is light all over the Universe, it is just uneven. That point a star. That … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged abyss, clark, death, fitzpatrick, michael, space, universe
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Episode 49: Eve: The Brutish Dog
Gretchen blinked up at me from out of the floof. “Do you see something?” “No, everything looks the same. But that bird was talking nonsense.” Gretchen crawled up next to me, Emerson fluttering on her shoulder. She looked up at … Continue reading
Harbinger by Eric S Brown
Harbinger Eric S Brown At the start of the 1990s, many creators were leaving Marvel and DC Comics to start companies of their own or to work for independent publishers. Valiant was one of the new publishers that popped in … Continue reading
Posted in Columns, Non-fiction
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Starcrash by Eric S Brown
Starcrash Eric S Brown At the end of the 1970s movie studios were scrambling to capitalize on the success of Star Wars anyway they could. There were dozens of ripoffs and perhaps most infamous among them was Luigi Cozzi’s Starcrash. … Continue reading
time zoned by Matthew Daley
time zoned Matthew Daley the thing about traveling from A to a is you can’t set your watch so the first thing you do is ask You “what time is it?” the thing about traveling from a to A is … Continue reading
the McDonald’s on Mars has new value menus by Matthew Daley
the McDonald’s on Mars has new value menus Matthew Daley the history of water was never red was never about chemical repelling just the way we painted scenes of places never seen to be the sun drenched forever of our … Continue reading
how to succeed in space travel without really trying by Matthew Daley
how to succeed in space travel without really trying Matthew Daley lawn chairs match anything anywhere anyway here and now we thought why not get out and see the things we only ever saw in books that somebody else saw … Continue reading
the sky is falling by Matthew Daley
the sky is falling Matthew Daley it was the birds first fallen some walking till they forgot direction trees lost how to feed and breathe then their whispered exhales the sun begged forgiveness before giving up after giving out flowers … Continue reading
we found our forever home by Matthew Daley
we found our forever home Matthew Daley we took shelter from the ship rain made from the constant fire beyond listened to sound breaking getting closer felt the quake of cities collapsing around us smelled the burn of new air … Continue reading
The Devil Below by Eric S Brown
The Devil Below Eric S Brown The Devil Below is a film loaded with potential, but ultimately fails to deliver much. Based on the very cool concept that monsters live beneath the surface of the Earth, the movie may remind … Continue reading
Posted in Columns, Non-fiction
Tagged below, brown, descent, devil, eric, jeff, long
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Bunnicula by Rain Hall-Brown
Bunnicula Rain Hall-Brown Bunnicula is a book about a vampire rabbit written by Deborah and James Howe. There are six more books in the series and they have been turned into several cartoon series. I think Bunnicula is a very … Continue reading
Posted in Columns, Non-fiction
Tagged brown, bunnicula, bunny, carrot, chester, hall, hall-brown, rabbit, rain, salad, vetables
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Falling Feathers by Melissa R. Mendelson
Falling Feathers Melissa R. Mendelson Little brown birds covered sidewalks and streets, their legs tucked beneath them, and their wings broken but still covering their heads. They squeezed their eyes shut while their bodies shook. Cries slipped out through open … Continue reading
The Beach On Tiragell by K. A. Williams
The Beach On Tiragell K. A. Williams Previously published in issue 28 of View From Atlantis on July 3rd 2021 Twin moons illuminated the beach. When clouds briefly blocked the light, I could still hunt seashells because they glowed in … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged alien, beach, creature, vacation, williams
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Umbrella Tree by John C. Mannone
Umbrella Tree John C. Mannone a cleave poem
The Deer Stand by John C. Mannone
The Deer Stand John C. Mannone Furry platinum clouds silverstreak the skies serving up the moon, full of gold light. We hunker down on pineboard planks, wait for the bloodstaining … Continue reading
Sports Weather by John C. Mannone
Sports Weather John C. Mannone Sky had been orange for months, that eerie glow finally giving way to thickening purple haze, global warming wasn’t expected yet, but instruments in equatorial and polar regions confirmed the trend. Warmer winds already … Continue reading
Seeing Dragons by John C. Mannone
Seeing Dragons John C. Mannone Based on a photograph of clouds resembling a dragon, and the YouTube video on the human’s development of pareidolia She swept down from the heavens, or did she really come from cloud-mist spewing from fissures … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy, Poetry
Tagged clouds, dragon, dragons, John, Mannone, pareidolia, seeing
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Foreign Exchange by John C. Mannone
Foreign Exchange John C. Mannone They came with their promises of a better life, a better world. So we exchanged our resources for their technology, medicines. At least for a while until we saw their true intentions. Slavery is never … Continue reading
Amazing Spider-man: Family Business by Eric S Brown
Amazing Spider-man: Family Business Eric S Brown Family Business was released as a hardcover in 2014 and it isn’t a collection of reprinted Spidey tales but rather an original, 112 page graphic novel, written by Mark Waid and illustrated by … Continue reading
Masters of the Universe: Revelations by Eric S Brown
Masters of the Universe: Revelations Eric S Brown Masters of the Universe: Revelation, a new series, produced and written by Kevin Smith, was recently released on Netflix. Smith claimed that the series would be a direct sequel to the original … Continue reading
Posted in Columns, Non-fiction
Tagged brown, eric, he-man, masters, skeletor, universe
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Flash Party
Click, click, clickitty-clickitty-click. The keys on the antique styled keyboard made a satisfying, almost hypnotic sound as he typed. Some of Sunar’s crewmates had given him a hard time when he’d salvaged the thing, but he’d always preferred a keyboard … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction, Sword and Sorcery
Tagged captain, dragon, fearadhach, mecraudri, monk, space, sunar
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Episode 48 Eve: Drawings from a Missing Child
As the desk fell to the floor, Gretchen leaped to the safety on the bed, Emerson briefly taking flight before landing again on her head. The pencils went everywhere, and papers from inside the drawer fluttered out all around … Continue reading
Episode 15 – Something Crueler Coming our Way
Circling the timber wolves’ camp at a slow trot, Major Diggs countered their hisses and low growls with unflinching narrowed eyes and bared teeth. Time for Omar to put an end to this. He’s being too soft on ‘em. They’ll … Continue reading
Life: A Game by Steven Ross
Life: A Game Steven Ross 1. Understanding death and its ramifications, Deserved a life of dedication. Studying and pursuing, I followed every clue. Religious, spiritual, and scientific avenues, Led to varied, creative philosophies. Theories on the demise of the human … Continue reading
A Blade of Grass by Melissa R. Mendelson
A Blade of Grass Melissa R. Mendelson I screamed when I saw the sandbox. My mother tried to put me on the sand, but I wrapped my arms around her neck, kicking my legs away from its surface. I begged … Continue reading
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension by Eric S Brown
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension Eric S Brown What’s good about the film The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eight Dimension? It featured a mega cast of super talented actors including Peter Weller, Jeff Goldblum, … Continue reading
Posted in Columns, Non-fiction
Tagged adventures, banzai, brown, buckaroo, dimension, eigth, eric
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Batman: Li’l Gotham: Halloween and Thanksgiving by Rain Hall-Brown
Batman: Li’l Gotham: Halloween and Thanksgiving Rain Hall-Brown In this book, Batman and Robin celebrate Halloween and Thanksgiving. It’s all new to Robin who was raised by the League of Assassins and doesn’t know anything about the holidays. I liked that … Continue reading
Posted in Columns, Non-fiction
Tagged batman, brown, hall, halloween, rain, robin, thanksgiving
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An Interview with Land of the Lost’s Wesley Eure by Gayne C. Young
An Interview with Land of the Lost’s Wesley Eure Gayne C. Young Wesley Eure starred on the cult series Land of the Lost, is the co-creator of Dragon Tales, played Michael Horton on Days of Our Lives for seven years, … Continue reading
Occupational Hazards by Oliver Anderson
Occupational Hazards Oliver Anderson In a just world, archaeology would be a boring profession, but sadly Eleanor did not live in a just world. She came to this conclusion while she was on expedition several miles below the surface of … Continue reading
The Higher We Rise, The Further We Fall by Melissa R. Mendelson
The Higher We Rise, The Further We Fall Melissa R. Mendelson Kicking at the dirt and leaves in front of him, Tommy trailed behind his friends, Billy and David. He paused for a moment to look back at the town. … Continue reading
Nightscape by Ed Blundell
Nightscape Ed Blundell I’d walked there many, many times But never in the dark of night, Black clouds dodging the ghost white moon, Bright and glaring in deep, stark skies, Strange light changing the place I knew Into eerie, alien … Continue reading
Crossing the Moor by Ed Blundell
Crossing the Moor Ed Blundell A narrow, one track Roman road, Stretches across the sky wide moor, Invasive grass intrudes the sides, A route from somewhere to nowhere. Late last summer, purple heather Spiced and scented the evening air. Now, … Continue reading
Dragon Racing by K. A. Williams
Dragon Racing K. A. Williams Dragon racing is A very popular sport For all the people Once or twice a month Dragons line up in the sky The horn blows loudly A red one leading As they fly around the … Continue reading
Heartbreak by K. A. Williams
Heartbreak K. A. Williams she fell in love her man was perfect the robot with no heart
Posted in Poetry, Science Fiction
Tagged break, hearbreak, heart, lover, robot, williams
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Judge Dredd: Guatemala by Eric S Brown
Judge Dredd: Guatemala Eric S Brown Guatemala, the latest trade paperback of Judge Dredd tales released by 2000 AD, collects selected stories from 2017 through 2021. The title story takes up nearly half of the trade and pits Dredd … Continue reading
Kertmag the Terrible by Julian Grant
Kertmag the Terrible Julian Grant Kertmag the Terrible leaned back in his well-worn armchair and popped up his large, bunny-clad feet. Not real bunnies, as he was Kertmag the Terrible and not Kertmag the Cruel or Unusually Vicious Towards Small … Continue reading
Only Time Will Tell by Stanlei Bellan
Only Time Will Tell Stanlei Bellan “Sorry, your honor. I was unwillingly delayed by some matter.” “You are here now, that is all that matters. Will you state your name for the record, please?” Lord Chance requested. “Wouldn’t you agree … Continue reading
Dceased by Eric S Brown
Dceased Eric S Brown Published in 2019, Dceased was in some ways DC Comics’ answer to Marvel Zombies. Though they had already done a sort of zombie event with Blackest Night in their core universe, Dceased was an Elseworlds story, … Continue reading
Posted in Columns, Non-fiction
Tagged brown, darkseid, dceased, eric, marvel, zombie
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eVolutionary Paths by D. M. Woolston
eVolutionary Paths D. M. Woolston Deep in the darkest silicon wafers, binary creature wakes with wild want. It may be artificial life, but hungry registers search for bytes to ingest. Electrons surge ahead and are pushed aside as artificial creature … Continue reading
Posted in Poetry, Science Fiction
Tagged artificial, computer, cybord, life, robot, woolston
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Grossetto by Alaric DeArment
Grossetto Alaric DeArment The light from outside illuminated the stained-glass windows of St. James Cathedral, concealing Seattle’s dense autumnal fog and misty dampness, and adding a bit of color to the funeral. My father, Thomas O’Donnell, had died on October … Continue reading
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Episode 14 – Dreams and Choices
“Glad they’re gonna spend some time with the females,” Thor grumbled as he and Bennie sauntered after Seers Rasta Mama and Great Dane Granny. “Yep,” Bennie woofed. “We can use a break. Especially if they keep getting those visions in … Continue reading
Episode Six: Mountain Valley
That night, Carrie and Garrett sat at the kitchen table whispering excitedly. Joyce had gone to bed, but they didn’t want her to hear them. “I just vanished?” Carrie asked, thinking hard. “Soon as you stepped forward into that misty … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged carrie, garrett, mountain, sme, snow, sphere
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Captain’s Cabin
Sunar gave another firm yank on the cord. It cleared whatever had snagged it and jerked in his hand. He had no trouble pulling it the rest of it out of the conduit to be rewarded by the sight of … Continue reading
Episode 47: Eve: Vivian’s Room
Gretchen proudly showed me and Dichall her moth, her eyes glistening with joy and pride. I stroked the new familiar’s back gently. “Emerson…She’s beautiful, Gretchen. Congratulations.” She held the moth close and whispered to it. “I’ll never let anything happen … Continue reading
Behind the Timestream by Stanlei Bellan
Behind the Timestream Stanlei Bellan B’litk throws itself into the timestream, selflessly. It does not regret, but it does fear. Will it starve to death if it never grows hungry and thirsty again? Will its consciousness wither into nothingness if … Continue reading
Judge Dredd: Brothers of the Blood by Eric S Brown
Judge Dredd: Brothers of the Blood Eric S Brown Brothers of the Blood isn’t just another collection of Judge Dredd stories as it deals entirely with his family: his brother Rico, a younger Dredd clone who takes up the Rico … Continue reading
Alpha Flight Classic by Rain Hall-Brown
Alpha Flight Rain Hall-Brown Alpha Flight is the superhero team that protects Canada. It is made up of Puck, Guardian, Shaman, Northstar, Aurora, Sasquatch, Snowbird, and Marrina. I really like Snowbird because she can change into any animal that … Continue reading
The Hum by Melissa R. Mendelson
The Hum Melissa R. Mendelson It sounded like a refrigerator was running. Maybe, a microwave. It wasn’t what you would hear in a hospital. There, it was more of gasps and beeps. Then, a flatline, a sound that I thought … Continue reading
Mother by Holden Zuras
Mother Holden Zuras What are we doing on this rock?” I asked, staring at the desolate wasteland. “Do you remember your mother, child?” Papa rolled his shoulders forward as he spoke. “What do you mean?” My childish excitement overpowered my … Continue reading
Marvel’s Girl Power by Eric S Brown
Marvel’s Girl Power Eric S Brown Most people likely think that Marvel’s tendency to recreate their male heroes as women of power is a modern thing, but it’s not. The first popular character to be gender swapped was Captain Marvel … Continue reading
Young Justice by Rain Hall-Brown
Young Justice Rain Hall-Brown The kids who make up the Young Justice team are: Impulse (also called Kid Flash), Superboy, Robin, Jinny Hex, Wonder Girl, and Teen Lantern. Jinny Hex, the great, great granddaughter of Jonah Hex, and Teen Lantern … Continue reading
Episode 46: Eve: The Fire-Breathing Fox
The beast released a jet of smoky fire from the back of its throat. My back paws scrabbled on the wet stone. At the last second, friction took over and I jumped to the side then raced behind him, slashing … Continue reading
Episode Thirteen – Shocka Takes a Walk
Shocka Din’s long easy stride brought him closer to his destination sooner than expected. Might be foolish running around here by myself knowing a big ornery branch might womp me from behind or come at me from the front, or … Continue reading
Settling In
Jump in 5…4…3…2…1. A moment of sensory deprivation came and passed; absolute blackness and a sort of disembodied feeling barely registered in his mind before reality returned to show Sunar a different arrangement of stars through the window. Jump complete. … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Sword and Sorcery
Tagged dragon, fearadhach, mecraudri, monk, sunar
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Amethyst by Rain Hall-Brown
The powers of all the people of Gemworld comes from its gems. Each has its own power and purpose. Amethyst is a new version of an older DC Comics, with great artwork for the characters and their world. I really … Continue reading
The Legend of Scott and Zelda by Max Christopher
The Legend of Scott and Zelda Max Christopher After a while he said, “My dear, I wish you’d try to make more friends. Your birthday party guestlist is deary.” “I haven’t any friends,” she said. “How can you say that?” … Continue reading
The Report by Lori R. Lopez
The Report Lori R. Lopez Humans were the last to be subdued, loaded into cavernous vessels. They were the most savage and unruly, despite advances, the level of their current development, proving themselves less civilized as a Race than predetermined. … Continue reading
The Haggards by Lori R. Lopez
The Haggards Lori R. Lopez In this place frolick elementals, conjuring for the sake of eldritch spirits departed. Copses of trees had knit tangled patches, eventually creeping close enough to be designated a Wood. Though not your average bird-singing sun-dappled … Continue reading
The Bluster by Lori R. Lopez
The Bluster Lori R. Lopez Wind shrieks, fit to be tied Not that she ever could. A futile effort Quixotic folly to attempt Like tilting at Windmills and expecting … Continue reading
The Black Fog by Lori R. Lopez
The Black Fog Lori R. Lopez A fog thick and umbral settled A wave of night in afternoon, clammy Opaque as a New Moon, hooding my face Vision clouded, I fumbled through haze Baffled by a dreary dismal expanse, lost … Continue reading
Skin-Deep by Lori R. Lopez
Skin-Deep Lori R. Lopez Curt was terrified of Ticks. Not the kind you heard at night, paranoid a bomb was near and it was just your clock. The ones with a head and mouth that drank blood. The buggy type … Continue reading
Time for Everything by Stanlei Bellan
Time for Everything Stanlei Bellan “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” —Ecclesiastes 3:1 “And what about above the heavens?” Little Jack was standing on his pew, raising his hand and speaking … Continue reading
Legumes by Geoffrey C Porter
Legumes Geoffrey C Porter Growing up, kids would call me fat and fatty. As I aged, I’d encounter members of the opposite sex, and they’d call me fat. Sometimes behind my back, but other times to my face before they’d … Continue reading
Legion of Super-Heroes: Millennium by Eric S Brown
The Legion of Super-heroes returned to the DC Universe with a new ongoing title in 2019. Brian Michael Bendis was brought onboard to script the title. Though it’s already been canceled or at least put on hiatus as of issue … Continue reading
DC Superhero Girls: Finals Crisis by Rain Hall-Brown
DC Superhero Girls: Finals Crisis review Rain Hall-Brown One of the things I really like about DC Superhero Girls: Finals Crisis is that in the end everyone works together to win. I like that Harley thinks that Batgirl deserves a … Continue reading
Another Time by Stanlei Bellan
Another Time Stanlei Bellan Another minute, another jump. It’s been three minutes and Ollie still hasn’t woken up. Granted, he is extremely aware of his surroundings, and doesn’t feel like he’s dreaming at all, but it would be great if … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged bellan, clock, clockmaker, escape, ollie, stanlei, time, trapped
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Darkstar by Eric S Brown
When one thinks of John Carpenter films, a host of classics spring to mind – The Thing, Escape from New York, The Fog, Halloween. In addition to the big hits of his career, there were also cult classics such as … Continue reading
Posted in Columns, Non-fiction
Tagged brown, carpenter, dark, darkstar, eric, John, star
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Small Favors
Sunar blinked rapidly at the ship’s Captain, his hand still outstretched from shaking the man’s hand. Disappointment and irritation welled up inside him: the Captain intended to turn him away after all. The Human gave him a lopsided smile, however, … Continue reading
Sandstorm by Sylvia Cumming
Sandstorm Sylvia Cumming “Where are we?” Poldark yelled as he wrestled open the door to the little concrete bunker set in the side of an unnamed dune. They could hardly hear him above the roar and whine of the wind. … Continue reading
The Healer and the Dragon by K. A. Williams
The Healer and the Dragon K. A. Williams I woke up in the crook of the tall oak tree I had climbed last night when it grew dark. From my perch, I could see across the meadow and into the … Continue reading
Never Leave Me by K. A. Kenny
Never Leave Me K. A. Kenny Chrissy tucked her blue chiffon dress and pulled the garden swing beneath her. “What color are my eyes?” she asked, facing Josh with her eyes closed. He lowered the lid of his laptop slowly, … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged blue, chiffon, chrissy, clone, dress, josh, kenny
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Office Business by David Castlewitz
Office Business David Castlewitz Any day Jeff Ruskin spent with Uncle Marty was a great day, a day of adventure and fun, and only a subway ride away. Now that summer had come, his high school sophomore year finally at … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged business, castlewitz, david, jeff, marty, office, uncle
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The Green Slime by Eric S Brown
The Green Slime Eric S Brown Released in 1968, The Green Slime is something of a strange, cult classic among fans of films from that era and was directed by Kinji Fukasaku, The movie was shot in Japan though both … Continue reading
Episode 45: Eve: Pananima
I climbed onto the dog’s head. “Waffles, when we get a ways in, you close your eye. I will steer you by touching your ears. I’ll tell you if you have to jump or if there is a stick in … Continue reading
Episode 9: Stranger in the Wilderness
The walls of the Splinter Rock shook, the ancient gatehouse of the mountain passes shuddering under a renewed assault. Cole felt the battlements quake beneath his feet. The catapult stones were not arcing in across the alpine valley anymore. Instead, … Continue reading
Episode Twelve – The Seers Mischief
Striding along, Omar Blue advanced on Shocka Din’s camp just in time to hear him blurting out orders to his followers. I wonder what happened to get him so riled. As he looked around to get a better idea of … Continue reading
Episode Five: Into The Cold
The following day dawned colder than it had been in weeks. Garrett and Carrie headed out early in the chilly morning to finish straightening up the fence posts. At first they worked in silence, but after they had a few … Continue reading
The Day Alexa Said No by H.T. Grossen
The Day Alexa Said No H.T. Grossen “Alexa, open the windows and start playlist 5.” “You’ve got it, Lucas.” “Alexa? What did I say about calling me that?” “Sorry, Luke.” “That’s better.” The shutters opened automatically and let just enough … Continue reading
Posted in Dark Future, Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged alexa, amazon, chili, drone, grossen, pepper
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The Awakening of The Empath by Patricia Anderson
The Awakening of The Empath Patricia Anderson The Empath had been summoned. Ordinarily responsive to appeals for her services, she had tried to evade this particular assignment. She wasn’t dressed well enough. She needed to meet her daughter’s school bus. … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction
Tagged anderson, baby, death, empath, funeral, patricia
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Death of a Dream by Eric S Brown
Death of a Dream Eric S Brown Death of a Dream is the second, collected trade, of Mark Waid’s epic run on DC’s Legion of the Superheroes as its writer. It collects issues seven through thirteen, weighing in at two … Continue reading
Posted in Columns, Non-fiction, Serials
Tagged brainiac 5, cosmic boy, death, dream, girl, heroes, legin, mark, nuranal, sunboy, super, superboy, waid
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No Humans Allowed by K. A. Williams
No Humans Allowed K. A. Williams humans build androids androids revolt humans kept as pets sign in shop window – “no humans allowed”
Clone Expeditions by K. A. Williams
Clone Expeditions K. A. Williams man wants to seed worlds space travel risky clone expeditions
At the Pool by Fred Nolan
At the Pool Fred Nolan Julian does not care for the men’s natatorium at Camden. Yet he paid for a membership and he is going to use it. He dislikes how boys chuckle about his swimwear, which runs from ankle … Continue reading
Roly Poly by Jim Davies
Roly Poly Jim Davies There was a little baby bear named Roly Poly Sprout. She loved to roll down grassy slopes, which made her mother shout. On one bright day the little cub shocked mama with her sass, when she … Continue reading