Black Static #35

by | Aug 26, 2013 | Reviews

BLACK STATIC #35

For those who have read previous reviews on this site about BLACK STATIC, this might sound like a rerun or repeat.  However, when a press like TTA produces a fine, well-oiled machine such as this magazine, that’s bound to happen.  It’s more than the British equivalent of Cemetery Dance – it’s much more. Not to knock CD, which is still the gold standard for many, many years, but BLACK STATIC churns out regular issues at a steady clip – all with the same high quality.  I’ve compared it to a marriage between CD and Rue Morgue (a very good thing).

The stories are there (more on them soon), but the quality of the columns, reviews (plenty of book and film reviews which delve into the depths of both like many others fail to), and interviews and articles with authors, raise BS above the competition.

Now they are beyond being ignored. More folks outside of England are happening upon this treasure and the British Fantasy Awards regularly notice. This year alone, two short stories (Ray Cluley, Nina Allan), one non-fiction column (Stephen Volk), novella (Mike O’Driscoll), artist (Ben Baldwin), small press (TTA Press), and of course, magazine, are all short-listed.  Pretty impressive.

#35 continues with two of the best columnists in print, Volk and relative newcomber, Lynda E.Rucker. Both continually exceed the norm, often bringing a unique slant to the genre, both for fans and for authors. Peter Tennant and Tony Lee cover books and movies in detailed fashion with keen eyes for novelty and innovation. The month Tennant takes on ghost anthologies in the spotlight.

The short stories rival CD’s in quality and voice. Daniel Mills, Stephen J. Dines, Michael Griffin, Caspian Gray, Jason Gould, Carole Johnstone, and the always stellar Steve Rasnic Tem fill BLACK STATIC’s pages this time and there is not a dud in the bunch.

Once again, the task is simple: pick up a subscription to this fine magazine or if you’re across the pond, get yourself to the store grab a copy.

Here’s to hoping the fine folks at TTA Press and BLACK STATIC walk away from the British Fantasy Awards a few stone heavier.

About Dave Simms