jonmhansen's review against another edition
4.0
Stories based on one of Lovecraft's lesser stories, From Beyond, with pretty good results overall. My favorites were Edward Morris's "The Happiness Machine" and Christine Morgan's "Ninesight." YMMV.
jdhacker's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
As much, if not more, inspired by "From Beyond" the much beloved cult horror film than by the Lovecraft story of the same name, "Resonator" is one of the overall most solid collections put together by Scott R. Jones and Martian Migraine Press I've yet read. There is not a shred of fat to be lost here.
Those familiar with Martian Migraine may know of the editor's fondness for playing with concepts and themes for their collections in ways other publisher might not, as well as for an openness to more sex and eros integrated into the stories than we might normally see in short literary horror. A collection based on the concepts and technology in the film "From Beyond" lend themselves perfectly to this mindset.
As is frequently the case with Martian Migraine, the collection opens with a reprinting of the Lovecraft story that inspired it all after a not to be skipped Introduction/analysis by Scott Jones. I won't do an exhaustive list/summary at this time, but let's hit a few high points. "The Wizard of OK" is not a only a standout in this collection, but ranks as one of my favorite pieces by genre favourite Scott Nicolay so far. "Machine Will Start When You Start" is a super fun piece by Matthew Bartlett, and is wildly divergent from his usual Leeds fair, something I think fans will really enjoy. "IPO", "Film Maudit", "Bug Zappers", and "Turbulence" all play in different ways with the idea of the Tillinghast technology getting out in a more widespread way into the world. As does Orrin Grey's, "Programmed To Receive", albeit in a more tragic and personal way. For lovers of cats and children, there's a particularly sad entry by the name of "Ninesight" not to be missed.
Those familiar with Martian Migraine may know of the editor's fondness for playing with concepts and themes for their collections in ways other publisher might not, as well as for an openness to more sex and eros integrated into the stories than we might normally see in short literary horror. A collection based on the concepts and technology in the film "From Beyond" lend themselves perfectly to this mindset.
As is frequently the case with Martian Migraine, the collection opens with a reprinting of the Lovecraft story that inspired it all after a not to be skipped Introduction/analysis by Scott Jones. I won't do an exhaustive list/summary at this time, but let's hit a few high points. "The Wizard of OK" is not a only a standout in this collection, but ranks as one of my favorite pieces by genre favourite Scott Nicolay so far. "Machine Will Start When You Start" is a super fun piece by Matthew Bartlett, and is wildly divergent from his usual Leeds fair, something I think fans will really enjoy. "IPO", "Film Maudit", "Bug Zappers", and "Turbulence" all play in different ways with the idea of the Tillinghast technology getting out in a more widespread way into the world. As does Orrin Grey's, "Programmed To Receive", albeit in a more tragic and personal way. For lovers of cats and children, there's a particularly sad entry by the name of "Ninesight" not to be missed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
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