My Favorite Things to Eat: A Former New Yorker Talks About Food
A guest post by David Hicks What are my favorite things to eat? Good question. Thanks for asking. Bagels. Mozzarella. And what are the two foods I loved most in New York that I can’t
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
A guest post by David Hicks “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” has for a long time been my favorite “ghost story,” not solely because of how well it is told, but also because it is,
A Brief Discussion About Cults in the 1970s
In the 1970s satanic cults were everywhere. Or at least that’s what popular culture would have you believe. In apartment complexes, suburban planned communities, quiet rural towns – somewhere lurking beneath the all-too-normal exterior was
I Remember Magic
I am driving home from work in the rain. The traffic is heavy and I am upset. Not at anything in particular, just a strange combination of angry-sad, non-focused malaise. I have a feeling of
Fruit Flavored Terror: Monster Memories
As a kid I loved monsters. Not the ones that hid under the bed or lived in the closet obviously - those were terrifying and nightmare inducing if one actually managed to get to
Notes from the Dreaming: A Shape in the Darkness
In the darkness you were dreaming. Dreaming and that is all. You did not see what you thought you saw. You did not experience what you thought you thought was so real. There was not
All Hallows’ Eve Month is Here! A Month of Classic Horror
October has arrived - the most wonderful time of the year. There is a nip in the air, the leaves are changing and the smell of pumpkin pie surrounds us. It’s time to wear flannel
A Funny Story Involving a Portable TV in the 1970s
Do you want to hear a funny story? Not exactly but something like this. When I was a youngster way back in the 1970s my family owned a portable TV. It was bulky
What’s in a Name? The Story of DaddyElk
Since I started DaddyElk I've been asked several times just what the heck the name means. Well, I wish there was some deep, symbolic meaning behind it but it comes from a very simple source.
Episode 23: Nexus of All Realities: Giant-Size Man-Thing #1
Welcome everyone to the Nexus of All Realities – A Man-Thing podcast! Today on the program...the big one...the grand euphemism...the greatest double entendre in all comic book history: Giant-Size Man-Thing So yes, there will be jokes
What You Reading? Invisible Woman #1
by Mark Waid & Mattia De Iulis I typically do not write about first issues of a comic book because – for me – I find the first issue to be the least
What You reading? Children of Blood and Bone
by Tomi Adeyemi I am a lover of genre fiction – specifically scifi and fantasy. And in the case of fantasy I feel that it gets a bad rap. I understand that when
I Can Hear the Fireworks Up & Down the Line: 4th of July Memories
It is Independence Day. There is red, white and blue bunting hung from porches and windows. The air has the scent of smoke; it’s there in the background but always present. You almost don’t notice it...
Quick Thought: Is Ralph Bakshi’s The Lord of the Rings Brilliant or Bad?
I recently re-watched Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings (and mean really recently – like 10 minutes ago) and as I sat blinking at my screen as the credits rolled I thought to
Fearful Symmetry: William Blake’s The Tyger
On the most recent episode of the Collected Edition I and my co-host Brian Reese discuss the classic Spider-Man story Kraven's Last Hunt also known as "Fearful Symmetry" the title of which comes from
What You Watching? Man-Thing (2005)
In 2005 a film adaptation of the comic book character Man-Thing was released from Lions Gate Films. And I can say with full confidence that of all the films released in 2005 –
What You reading? There, There
by Tommy Orange Set in Oakland, California Tommy Orange's debut novel follows several characters creating a multi-generational examination of Native American life in a modem Urban landscape. As the novel progresses we meet
On the Beach with Mars: NASA Image of the Day
Look at that. Look how beautiful. Such a majestic site to behold. It just fills one with wonder and awe. I mean seriously, what an amazing looking dog. Good boy! Oh, and that sky is
Thoughts on Turning 50
I woke up this morning and found myself 50 years old. It is a significant moment, a momentous occasion, a milestone worthy of celebration and revelry. Except that it isn’t. You see I don’t feel
What You Reading? The Philosophy of Horror
by Noel Carroll This book takes a serious look into the aesthetics of horror. Carroll is a philosopher so comes at the material with a philosophical view (obviously) but he is also a
What You Reading? In the Dust of This Planet: Horror of Philosophy (v1)
by Eugene Thacker This is the first of Thacker’s trilogy of the philosophy of horror. It is a fascinating read that seamlessly veers from classical philosophy to modern to occult and mysticism. But