WHEN THE SHADOW SEES THE SUN: CREATIVES SURVIVING DEPRESSION"Each addition to When the Shadow Sees the Sun, is its own personal journey filled with raw emotion. The themes explored in each are similar in nature: you are not alone; don’t give up; find your outlet; find your support system; choose life over death. Yet each author has a different experience, one that helps others truly learn what it means to be depressed. Each tells their journey is a way comfortable for them. For some that is through poetry, others through memories, but each is a reflection on their life and how being a ‘creative,’ has helped them to live another day. Words possess so much power, and each contributor to this collection has discovered that power in one form or another. The overpowering message is to reach out to others in similar situations, to help them find their creative outlet, whatever it may be, and to let them know that they are not the only one and that they can be helped." -- Jessica Bucci (Amazon)
"The success of this book, to me, lies in the variety of voices and experiences expressed within the collection. Some of the authors approach the topic with humor, others with deeply personal stories, and still others with essays on the relation between (and myths regarding) creativity and mental illness. All broach the subject with sensitivity and relatability. I found my empathy strengthened for all artists who suffer from mental health issues, or just bouts of self-doubt. I would recommend this book to anyone who considers themselves a “creative,” even if they haven’t personally dealt with depression." -- Amy Owings (Amazon)
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"DEATH IMITATES ART"THE BACCHANAL AND
OTHER HORRIFIC TALES
Sometimes macabre, sometimes morbidly humorous and other times down-right creepy, this lovely collection of horror stories sends shivers down the spine and dares the reader to return for more. ... The stories are as different as night and day, and cover a broad span of horror. Many of them deal more with the negative side of the human condition and demonstrate not only goose bump raising but also intriguing twists. Several of the stories follow a bit more of a traditional scare where others are more of a clever play on the dark side of reality. In other words, there's a type of horror for everyone. Summed up, this is a wonderful collection of very well written stories that are sure to send chills down the spine. Not all have the purpose to terrify, making this more of a horror which seeps in and spreads it's dark fingers days after the book is put down.
-- Tonja Drecker (Amazon)
I admit that I don’t usually read short stories, usually because you might get one or two good stories but the rest don’t really catch my attention. But since I love horror and thrillers I was excited to review The Bacchanal: And Other Horrific Tales. There are twelve tales that will thrill you with supernatural creatures and the depravity of human nature. ... If you like good horror stories look no further. This collection will be one that you keep.
-- J. Bronder (Amazon)
I don't normally like horror stories, but I just couldn't put this book down. While not overly scary, the writing was absolutely incredible and I found myself having to sit back and digest everything that had happened after almost every story. There was also a good variety of both the supernatural and psychological, though I definitely tended to prefer the latter.
-- Nicolette (via Amazon)
I'd like to preface this review by saying that I love all things horror-whether its movies or books. The Bacchanal was definitely no exception. I must admit I first had doubts when I saw that it was a collection of short stories (and the only short stories I have ever really enjoyed reading were written by D.H. Lawrence.) I was pleasantly surprised how sucked in I got when I started reading. I thought the story selection was fantastic and had a really good blend of horror and paranormal stories. It was one of the most entertaining reads I've read in a while.
-- Magdalena (Amazon)
There was a variety of genres mixed in here, which I certainly wasn't expecting; I'm a newcomer to the horror genre and I expected it to be rife with zombies and monsters. There is a fair share of monsters, though in most cases the monstrosity is seen more in the humanity of the characters, rather than something supernatural.
-- Connor (Amazon)
A truly enjoyable read, The Bacchanal is both incredibly entertaining, frightening, and even morbidly funny at times. In collections of this type, it is typical that one or two of the stories is easily forgettable when compared to others. However, in this collection this simply does not happen. Each and every one of these stories is both spine-tingling and captivating in its own way. The authors’ creativity is honestly laudable and their ability to twist and elaborate on tropes such as a babysitter or zombies or a mysterious disappearance in the mountains keeps the reader on their toes and fascinated by the story. The stories are all incredibly different and call on different horrific aspects in order to terrify the reader, further cementing its status as a masterful collection of fiction.
-- Alexandra Barber (Amazon)
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REEL DARK: TWISTED PROJECTIONS ONTO THE FLICKERING PAGE
The stories in here are excellent tidbits of thrilling dark narrative. -- Jude Marie Green (Amazon)
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"THE BLOOD OF GORDON PRUETT"THE BLACK BAT RETURNS
A solid take on a nostalgic hero. -- From J. Rabe (Amazon)
"The nine stories themselves are very enjoyable. Some stories include other pulp era character and they're blended in nicely. Domino Lady and The Green Lama are named on the cover but The Golden Amazon and Doctor Satan also appear. There is plenty of crazy pulp-style action but I also enjoyed some of the methodology debates between the Bat and a couple of his guests. The writers clearly have a good grasp on what makes these characters' personalities and what makes appealing." -- Jean-François Fournier (Amazon)
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"THE FACE OF THE YUAN GUI"
ASIAN PULP
"...Asian Pulp is a satisfyingly hefty tome with a lot of good stuff in it." -- Comic Book Resources
A winning concept, this collection varies in quality but usually fires on all cylinders. Between the digital covers are hard boiled private eyes, struggling detectives, spies, and adventure of every sort all with an Asian cast.It really was a kick to read these familiar tales from an entirely different perspective. Most of the stories have neat little twists. Imagine the fiction of Raymond Chandler if his last name had been Chang. There is also a nifty spy pastiche that is quite vivid and plays before the inner eye like your favorite spy movie or television show. James Bond as and Asian American with an alluring mixed race, and spectacularly beautiful assistant. There is something for every taste, from zombie westerns to creation fantasy. Why didn't someone come up with this idea years ago? That is the question I kept asking myself as I read. Needless to say you don't have to be Asian to enjoy these stories, good fiction is good fiction no matter the skin tone of the protagonists or their creators. -- James Elfers (Amazon)
Mere words cannot express the sheer awesomeness of this book, but I shall nonetheless endeavor to do so. As a fan of the pulps this anthology is refreshing, interesting, exhilarating, and above all a good read. Together with its sister publication, Black Pulp (which I also recommend), these marvels of literature seek to make the world of the pulps a much more inclusive and by extension a much more interesting place. There are layers added to the stories and their protagonists/antagonists that simply wouldn't be there in a more traditional pulp story. By being more inclusive, it brings the pulps into the 21st century and improves them for the better, that we may continue to enjoy this genre of storytelling for many years to come. Highly recommended! -- From Zad Nordstrom (Amazon)
“The cool part about this collection is the stories aren’t detective noir. Asian Pulp features western, mysteries, action and adventure and more.” -- Major Spoilers
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"RETURN OF THE MONSTERS"
OF MONSTERS AND MEN
"This is an interesting new pulp anthology of nine short illustrated prose stories. The theme pits pulp heroes (some pretty obscure) against some classic literary monsters.... Although most of the stories in this book are quite short, they are each accompanied by an average of a half-dozen full page illustrations, using a different artist for each story. That makes this anthology more of a visual treat (along with the reprinted comic book format stories included exclusively in the hardcover edition of the book) than is typically the case for new pulp story collections.... The prose stories themselves are, due to their brevity, somewhat less detailed in plot development and descriptive passages than was the case with the original pulp stories featuring these characters, but overall, I’d recommend this anthology for the variety of characters included and the novelty of the theme, especially if you appreciate illustration art. It’s a pleasure to see the artists’ visual conceptions of the heroes and villains in key action scenes from the stories, especially since the original pulp stories were often sparsely illustrated." -- Dennis M. Roy (Amazon)
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TALES OF THE ROOK VOLUME 2
"Next, the reader will encounter Emma Davies as the Rook in “Come and Get Your Love” by Sean Taylor. The Rook’s lady love Kayla Kaslov has been kidnapped. Fighting a dreadful woman and her monsters, Emma goes to Kayla’s rescue. A seven out of ten story." -- Ravenblack (Amazon)
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DREAMS OF STEAM 3: GADGETS
"Another great anthology of Steampunk short stories. My favorites in this were Steampunk Alchemy, Heart of Steel, A Steam Bunny Adventure, The Brass Peregrine, The Constance of Memory and The Clockwork Gin. All the authors did great jobs and Ms Richardson did a great job putting this together. I'd recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the Steampunk genre."
-- Capot (Amazon)
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"ANOTHER PLEASANT VALLEY SUNDAY" THE BIG BAD
(originally collected in Show Me A Hero)
This is a fantastic collection of stories told from the viewpoint of the villains. The style and voice of the stories are quite varied, and where as I can't say I loved every one of them, I really enjoyed them as a whole. Some anthologies really let you down, having one main anchor story that is great, and many more midling stories that are nice... but not really comparable. These are all well written and stand together beautifully. I can't wait for the next volume. -- Calandra Usher (Amazon)
"This is a great collection of monster stories, some with a twist on the whole good vs. evil theme. If you are a fan of the genre, buy this book: you won't be disappointed. I highly recommend it. Five stars." -- chilepepper99 (B&N)
"I really do recommend the anthology for the following:
The Wicked Witch and the White Knight, by Emily Lavin Leverett
Anne of a Thousand Years, by Manny Frishberg
God of Gods, by Sarah Adams
Drifter, by Nico Serene
Anabiosis, by James Isaac
Fair Play, by John G. Hartness
The Last Time You Were Here, by Terry Sanville
Lowlife, by Bobby Nash
The Con, by Kelli A. Wilkins
A Demon's Guide to Getting into Heaven, by Cassandra Mortimer
The Way Gregory Tasted, by Angela Bodine
An Essay for Mrs. Krimson, by Val Muller
Another Pleasant Valley Sunday, by Sean Taylor
Huh... I suppose I appreciated "The Big Bad" more than I thought." -- SUKApun (Amazon)
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"TO GNAW THE BONES OF WOLF-MOTHER" THE OLD WEIRD SOUTH
"Sean Taylor (above), whom you’ve met before at this site via my review of his short story “The Fairest of Them All” in Required Reading Remixed Vol. 2, makes a fine showing in QW Publishers’ OLD WEIRD SOUTH compilation. The title says it all. Taylor’s version of “Old Weird South” is presented in his curious, singular tale, TO GNAW THE BONES OF THE WOLF-MOTHER, a dark, quiet thing, first person folk-horror storytelling. It wields claws and clamps with teeth but it is subtle horror, even when the climax yields violence. This story of a young American Indian sent into the deep, dark woods, alone except for the things his father did his best to teach the boy bravely trying to build his metamorphic cocoon through a test of strength and endurance - physical, mental and spiritual. The present tense narrative - a risky proposition in the best of cases (unless you’re Chuck Palahniuk, et. al.) - works in TO GNAW THE BONES OF THE WOLF-MOTHER, bringing the reader into the inner circle of solitude where a young boy/man awaits danger and destiny. His solitude eventually is solitude no more when the shadows veritably breathe evil into his presence - the Wendigo, foul spirit and possessor of those who eat their own. TO GNAW … is about the darkness of the soul, and facing up to it. It is one of the most horrifying things a person will do and most never find the courage. Seems Sean Taylor has. Lucky us (again), he has the yarn-spinning knack, backed by brains, to keep us locked in fear, at least until the final punctuation, the last period, the ultimate dot, the metaphoric fat lady belting it out. But I bet you’ll keep thinking about it after you’re finished reading. Other adventures abound in this eclectic collection of short fiction that fits, one way or another, under the banner titular idea - OLD WEIRD SOUTH." -- Kristofer Upjohn (The Book Devil)
"This is the book to throw in your purse when you have a doctor's appointment or delay at an airport. Filled with great little short stories to enjoy as you wait and wait. I live in the south...Mississippi actually...so fit into the shorts quite comfortably... Talented writers sharing some very nice reads with all of us. I have enjoyed this little jewel of a book." -- J. Bell (Amazon)
"If you're into ghost stories or southern lit, I suggest picking this title up. It is a great addition to any library and good for a quick read or to just pick up when the mood for something odd or spooky strikes. This book would be a perfect book to leave for guests in the many rental cabins that dot the Southern Appalachian area." -- April N. Loebick (Amazon)
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"THERE'S ALWAYS A WOMAN INVOLVED"BLOOD-PRICE OF THE MISSIONARY'S GOLD -- THE NEW ADVENTURES OF ARMLESS O'NEIL VOLUME ONE
"There's Always a Woman Involved" by Sean Taylor: Armless O'Neil has a young acquaintance, since friend seems too strong a word, named Tommy Huston. Tommy always has grand plans for treasure hunting, and he falls for women the way Sonny Listen fell for Muhammad Ali. That is full length and out cold.
Now Tommy's involvement with his latest crush has brought himself and O'Neil into the clutches of the Nazis. Taylor serves up some great smash-bang action! I'll grant it five out of five stars. -- Raven (Amazon)
"I was pleased to see this book, new adventures for the hook-armed, not-so-heroic-at-all-times Armless O'Neil. Once again we dive into the unexplored darkness of the African continent to search for lost treasure, surrounded by death and disease, always being betrayed by those who hire O'Neil, suffering from heat, hunger, and wounds. Great fast-paced action that is a welcome addition to the two volumes of original Armless O'Neil stories. Great show, guys!" -- Darkendale (Amazon)
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"DIE GIFTIG LILIE"
THE RUBY FILES VOLUME ONE
THE RUBY FILES VOLUME ONE
"I would back up that assertion up by saying there's a celluloid cool about the gumshoe and he makes a seedy den of smoky, sultry jazz his home. Along with that, Ruby is also one sardonic shamus who is always cracking wise; as opposed to a PI like Mike Hammer, who broods and has an ultra violent temper. Being the true slewfoot he is, Ruby never resorts to vengeance or vigilantism, which would also separate him from Hammer and pull him closer to Marlowe or Spade. But like Hammer, he is very much on the side of right and has a keen affection for his lady friends; that includes a fierce loyalty to Edie, his voluptious, but, very religious receptionist,-- not unlike the famous Velda who is the one that keeps Mike Hammer grounded. What I also like about this collection of stories is that while the setting is the pitiless streets of 1930's New York, and there is some blood and gore, the mood is breezy and the dialogue droll. Again, very much like Blake Edwards. The style of prose ranges from purple and dramatic, to very spare. Hard boiled slang abounds and that is fine by this afficionado of the "roughie". With that said, the creators employed the leathery pidgin with a deft hand and light touch. 'Every story a gem...' is what the tagline reads--and you will find much truth in that shibboleth." -- Whit Howland (Huey Dusk's Lounge and Clown Room)
"Rick Ruby crashes onto the scene with bits and pieces of Marlowe,spade, and even a little Richard Diamond. But make no mistake the stories composed by several gifted writers create a unique character unto himself. I enjoyed the book thoroughly, some more than others as is usually the case, but didn't find a bad story in the bunch, if you like Detective stuff, or even just action pulp as it should be, I highly recommend reading this." -- Doctor Panic (Amazon)
"The blurb above the title reads, "Every story a gem!" Man, they weren't kidding! ... Created by writers Bobby Nash and Sean Taylor, The Ruby Files, starring Rick Ruby, Private Eye, adheres and pays tribute to guys like Sam Spade, Philip Marlowe, Mike Hammer, Peter Gunn, and Richard Diamond. But they've set Ruby apart from the others by giving him more of a wicked sense of humor (which is something I find makes a character that much more real), easing back on the cynicism, making him a little more nasty when it comes to the rough stuff, and making him a shade more fallible: he doesn't always think before he acts, and he sometimes makes the wrong decision. I like that about him. Oh, and unusual for a series set in the 1930s, Rick is romantically involved with Evelyn Johnson, a black nightclub singer. Four novellas by four different writers comprise this excellent volume, and I'll give you a brief summary on each of them. ... The fourth and final tale is the dark Die Gifttige Lilie, by co-creator Sean Taylor. When a German national, Gerta Stein, a very unusual femme fatale, hires Ruby to help her Uncle Oscar. See, he's a German scientist hoping to escape the Nazis traveling with him and defect to pre-WWII United States. Gerta fears that the Nazis have gotten wind of her Uncle's wish to become a citizen, and she believes they may kill him, or beat and force him to return to Germany. Ah, but things are not quite what they seem, and they soon turn into a deadly game full of surprises and plot twists you won't see coming. This is a great addition to Airship27's growing brand of "new pulp fiction for a new generation." What I like about this one is that we really get to know Rick Ruby and see his arc over the course of these great stories. Check it out!" -- Joe Bonadonna (The Dowser's Delusions)
"Sean's storytelling voice oozes cool and he had me glued to the page for the entire tale." -- Mat Nastos (Amazon)
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"FARM FRESH"
ZOMBIES VS. ROBOTS: THIS MEANS WAR
"Love this anthology! Cool concept - just as the name implies - a collection of stories pitting zombies against robots. Violent and thoughtful, gruesome and funny, this collection of stories provides a wide-range of possibilities in the near-future in which technology aids our ceaseless struggle against the undead. The book itself is beautifully formatted with color illustrations to accompany each story. And what stories! The authors bring in some of the best short fiction I've read in a while." -- Eric J. Guignard (Amazon)
"There are four factors for this collection that I must really gloat about. The first being the gorgeous art by Fabio Listrani. He has created some great pieces into the world of Zombies vs. Robots and a few interesting parodies of already famous art but under the scope of zombies and robots.
"The second factor is the talent that is inside the web of authors. Norman Prentiss, Rachel Swirsky, Nancy A. Collins, Nicholas Kaufmann, Sean Taylor and Brea Grant just to name a few. The third great thing about this anthology is how you need not have read the original series Zombies vs. Robots to understand the stories. You also don't have to read any of the other stories to get the one that you've decided to read. But the thing about this collection that gets me excited is located on the spine of the book where it says "#1."
"This I can only hope means we've got more war coming to us." -- Spencer Perry (Shock Till You Drop)
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"CITY OF RELICS"
BLACKTHORN: THUNDER ON MARS
"Their further adventures are chronicled by a half dozen of the finest writers in new pulp today. Mark Bousquet, Joe Crowe, Bobby Nash, James Palmer, Sean Taylor and I.A. Watson spin exciting, fast moving adventures that pit Blackthorn and his allies against lizard men, battling robots and an ocean wide haunted valley from which no one has ever returned to name a few. Each story is a well crafted pearl in a thematic necklace of classical pulp sci-fi and brings Plexico’s dream to vibrant life before our eyes." -- Ron Fortier (Pulp Fiction Reviews)
"This is the equivalent to a SyFy Channel movie brought to paper. If you don't mind the obvious homages, then you'll love the rip-roaring adventures of Blackthorn. My favorite stories were by Plexico (leader of the bunch), Sean Taylor and Bobby Nash, but all of the stories were decent. No stinkers in this bunch." -- Mat Nastos (Amazon)
"Blackthorn: Thunder on Mars is an anthology containing seven entertaining stories about a new pulp hero. The concept is drawn from traditional archetypes - Van Allen Plexico unashamedly admits to influence from Thundarr the Barbarian, John Carter of Mars, a text from the Maya and many more in the introduction - and uses this to its advantage rather than detriment, adding just enough new material to just enough older ideas to create an exciting, innovative and yet reassuringly familiar world." -- Rose (Amazon)
"The next two stories showcased, to me, the varying types and tones of story that can be told in this setting with these characters. While 'City of Relics' (Sean Taylor) reminded me of an original-series Star Trek episode, even with its fantasy trappings, 'Indistinguishable From Magic' (James Palmer) felt more like a more adult version of a Saturday morning cartoon, in the best possible way. -- Eric Troup (Amazon)
"I won't attempt to review each individual author and story here, but I will enter a personal note: I spend a certain amount of time each day on the treadmill. I began reading Blackthorn when I got on the treadmill and found myself spending more time thereon because I didn't want to stop reading the stories - or delay starting another one - and then couldn't stop reading this. So this book has proved good for my health. A unexpected benefit to this New Pulp volume." -- Larry Davis (Amazon)
"It’s one of those novels you can sit back and forget about the world outside your door by becoming immersed in the book in your hands. Highly recommended- Five Stars." -- Ralphie Angelo (Ralph's Rants)
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SHOW ME A HERO
“Sean Taylor’s stories focus less on the obvious trappings of the genre, instead homing in on the conflicted, flawed human beings for whom greater-than-mortal powers don’t convey greater-than-mortal morality.” -- Tom Brevoort, Executive Editor, Marvel Comics
“Show Me a Hero delivers a series of stories that are dangerous, intriguing, fun and lathered with that sense of character readers will be sure to love. Once you’re done reading, you’ll know you read a well-crafted, fully rounded piece of work.” -- Dan Jurgens, author of Superman, Teen Titans, The Death of Superman
“Hitting a heavy beat on the ’human’ in superhuman, Taylor’s stories pulse with a visceral reality. The biggest villains his heroes face might be their own bad habits; their greatest challenges are working through relationships—not surviving the battle. Show Me a Hero lives in the place where modern fiction meets mythology.” -- Barbara Randall Kesel, author of Alien vs. Predator, WildC.A.T.s, Rogue Angel: Teller of Tall Tales
“’Show me a hero and I will write you a tragedy.’ Sean Taylor takes F. Scott Fitzgerald to heart in a selection of stories that reveal the high price even super heroes often pay to do the right thing. If there are any tears in these riveting tales— and, I’m afraid, there are—they do not diminish the courage of Taylor’s champions or the power of his writing. These are the quiet pains that stay with the readers and, hopefully, help them appreciate the heroes in their own lives.” -- Tony Isabella, author of 1000 Comic Books You Must Read, Star Trek: The Case of the Colonist’s Corpse
“I’ll sum it up as simply as I can: you’re going to care. That’s what Sean does with his characters and the stories they inhabit. He makes you care.” -- Erik Burnham, author of A-Team: War Stories, Ghostbusters, Splinter
“Show Me a Hero is not about powers, costumes or catchy code names. It’s about heart and soul, and the choices that make heroes out of ordinary lives.” -- Bryan J.L. Glass, author of Mice Templar, Thor: First Thunder
“A lot of writers talk about trying to introduce superheroes into the real world, but Sean Taylor does it better than most. Perhaps because his stories don't just have plot, they have a point. They're not about a series of circumstances and events, but about how those circumstances and events make the people living through them feel. You may not like every story in Show Me A Hero, but I defy you to finish one and be indifferent. You may love them or hate them, be inspired or unsettled, but they're going to get inside your head and gut and make you think and feel.” -- Paul Storrie, author of Gotham Girls, Justice League Unlimited, Captain America: Red, White & Blue
“Sean Taylor’s work is gripping, sincere and relevant.” -- Dwight MacPherson, author of The Surreal Adventures of Edgar Allan Poo, American McGee’s Grim
“Full of dynamic action and a range of intriguing characters, Sean Taylor gracefully delivers moments of dimension and depth in his stories that explore what being heroic is truly about.” -- Stephen Zimmer, author of the Rising Dawn Saga and Fires in Eden Series
“What will certainly surprise new readers of Sean Taylor’s work is how mature and entertaining the story lines are, not to mention the amount of realism he injects into each and every one of his characters. If you’re on the fence about super hero fiction—if you think it’s just kid stuff—then pick up Show Me A Hero and find out how glad you’ll be to learn you were wrong.” -- Tom Waltz, Editor, IDW Publishing; author of Silent Hill: Sinners Reward, Gene Simmons Zipper, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, KISS
“Instead of the all-powerful visitor from another planet or the millionaire with crimefighting devices that cost more than my house, Taylor shows us a more human hero—and more often than not, a less than perfect one. Show Me A Hero reminds us that heroes come in all shapes and sizes as it takes us down the less traveled path to see just what defines a hero. -- Bobby Nash, author of Evil Ways, Lance Star: Sky Ranger, Fuzzy Bunnies From Hell
“Guaranteed to pull at your emotions—a must read!” -- Shane Moore, author of the Abyss Walker series
“Show Me a Hero is a great mix of super hero stories that appeal to every reader—dark, sweet, strong and funny, each story has a unique take on the super hero setting. Taylor has done a fantastic job, enticing me every step along the way to draw me into the worlds and become passionate about the characters.” -- Christina Barber, author of Seely’s Pond and Spirits of Georgia’s Southern Crescent
"Sean Taylor’s stories are in-your-face, emotional, and immediate. In this collection, he examines from all angles the odd yet undeniable impulse that drives some people to put on a costume and fight crime in the streets. No kid stuff here—this is serious, intelligent drama and deep, human introspection spiced with plenty of action and intensity (and often a nice twist along the way). Well worth your time." -- Van Allen Plexico, author of Assembled! and the Sentinals series
"I just read about them and others in a real page-turning collection of short stories, news releases, and essays published by New Babel that was written by Sean Taylor. "Show Me A Hero" was the title of what has to be 514 pages of non-fiction. Yes, each had an exaggerated gift -- one was little more than a collection of light `bubbles'-- but they were so human, so flawed, so fragile in many ways despite their enhanced powers. They suffered heartbreak and celebrated joy. They gained lovers and lost to death. They cried. Laughed. All of that human stuff. ... So, I'm left with only two conclusions. They live somewhere, on some level. And, if the principal purposes of any book are entertainment, enlightenment, or education, then "Show Me A Hero" is entertainment at its best." -- Michael Vance (Amazon)
"Sean Taylor, however, is a writer that can really make superhero prose work. And, like any of the best comic book writers, he focuses on the human nature of heroes, making them genuinely relatable which makes it easy to get attached to them in each story, and by the time you finally say goodbye, you feel like you've known them forever." -- Cam Crowder (Good Reads)
"Taylor's writing is well-crafted and he handles the tragic, joyful, and surreal all with the swift grace of a seasoned writer. The story that lingered with me the longest is "Sin and Error Pining" and the tragic Ms. Future, the superhero who never was. From the opening line, "The man who killed me wore a tattoo of Santa Claus across his chest." I was hooked. Ms. Futura's view is strong and steady and the story follows a countdown of the final moments of a life. The tragedy of the superhero that never was lingered with me for hours after I had put the book back down. It's something I've never read or even thought about before ... Show Me a Hero is a unique addition to my collection of superhero readings and I know that I will read and re-read it. The variety of stories and characters available will hold my interest for years to come. Most of all what I enjoyed in this collection is that these are more than just tales of heroes, and villains fighting it out; these are stories about people that aren't always good, aren't always bad, but are always searching, fighting and aching just like us." -- Judy Black (Good Reads)
ZOMBIES VS. ROBOTS: THIS MEANS WAR
"Love this anthology! Cool concept - just as the name implies - a collection of stories pitting zombies against robots. Violent and thoughtful, gruesome and funny, this collection of stories provides a wide-range of possibilities in the near-future in which technology aids our ceaseless struggle against the undead. The book itself is beautifully formatted with color illustrations to accompany each story. And what stories! The authors bring in some of the best short fiction I've read in a while." -- Eric J. Guignard (Amazon)
"There are four factors for this collection that I must really gloat about. The first being the gorgeous art by Fabio Listrani. He has created some great pieces into the world of Zombies vs. Robots and a few interesting parodies of already famous art but under the scope of zombies and robots.
"The second factor is the talent that is inside the web of authors. Norman Prentiss, Rachel Swirsky, Nancy A. Collins, Nicholas Kaufmann, Sean Taylor and Brea Grant just to name a few. The third great thing about this anthology is how you need not have read the original series Zombies vs. Robots to understand the stories. You also don't have to read any of the other stories to get the one that you've decided to read. But the thing about this collection that gets me excited is located on the spine of the book where it says "#1."
"This I can only hope means we've got more war coming to us." -- Spencer Perry (Shock Till You Drop)
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"CITY OF RELICS" BLACKTHORN: THUNDER ON MARS
"Their further adventures are chronicled by a half dozen of the finest writers in new pulp today. Mark Bousquet, Joe Crowe, Bobby Nash, James Palmer, Sean Taylor and I.A. Watson spin exciting, fast moving adventures that pit Blackthorn and his allies against lizard men, battling robots and an ocean wide haunted valley from which no one has ever returned to name a few. Each story is a well crafted pearl in a thematic necklace of classical pulp sci-fi and brings Plexico’s dream to vibrant life before our eyes." -- Ron Fortier (Pulp Fiction Reviews)
"This is the equivalent to a SyFy Channel movie brought to paper. If you don't mind the obvious homages, then you'll love the rip-roaring adventures of Blackthorn. My favorite stories were by Plexico (leader of the bunch), Sean Taylor and Bobby Nash, but all of the stories were decent. No stinkers in this bunch." -- Mat Nastos (Amazon)
"Blackthorn: Thunder on Mars is an anthology containing seven entertaining stories about a new pulp hero. The concept is drawn from traditional archetypes - Van Allen Plexico unashamedly admits to influence from Thundarr the Barbarian, John Carter of Mars, a text from the Maya and many more in the introduction - and uses this to its advantage rather than detriment, adding just enough new material to just enough older ideas to create an exciting, innovative and yet reassuringly familiar world." -- Rose (Amazon)
"The next two stories showcased, to me, the varying types and tones of story that can be told in this setting with these characters. While 'City of Relics' (Sean Taylor) reminded me of an original-series Star Trek episode, even with its fantasy trappings, 'Indistinguishable From Magic' (James Palmer) felt more like a more adult version of a Saturday morning cartoon, in the best possible way. -- Eric Troup (Amazon)
"I won't attempt to review each individual author and story here, but I will enter a personal note: I spend a certain amount of time each day on the treadmill. I began reading Blackthorn when I got on the treadmill and found myself spending more time thereon because I didn't want to stop reading the stories - or delay starting another one - and then couldn't stop reading this. So this book has proved good for my health. A unexpected benefit to this New Pulp volume." -- Larry Davis (Amazon)
"It’s one of those novels you can sit back and forget about the world outside your door by becoming immersed in the book in your hands. Highly recommended- Five Stars." -- Ralphie Angelo (Ralph's Rants)
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SHOW ME A HERO“Sean Taylor’s stories focus less on the obvious trappings of the genre, instead homing in on the conflicted, flawed human beings for whom greater-than-mortal powers don’t convey greater-than-mortal morality.” -- Tom Brevoort, Executive Editor, Marvel Comics
“Show Me a Hero delivers a series of stories that are dangerous, intriguing, fun and lathered with that sense of character readers will be sure to love. Once you’re done reading, you’ll know you read a well-crafted, fully rounded piece of work.” -- Dan Jurgens, author of Superman, Teen Titans, The Death of Superman
“Hitting a heavy beat on the ’human’ in superhuman, Taylor’s stories pulse with a visceral reality. The biggest villains his heroes face might be their own bad habits; their greatest challenges are working through relationships—not surviving the battle. Show Me a Hero lives in the place where modern fiction meets mythology.” -- Barbara Randall Kesel, author of Alien vs. Predator, WildC.A.T.s, Rogue Angel: Teller of Tall Tales
“’Show me a hero and I will write you a tragedy.’ Sean Taylor takes F. Scott Fitzgerald to heart in a selection of stories that reveal the high price even super heroes often pay to do the right thing. If there are any tears in these riveting tales— and, I’m afraid, there are—they do not diminish the courage of Taylor’s champions or the power of his writing. These are the quiet pains that stay with the readers and, hopefully, help them appreciate the heroes in their own lives.” -- Tony Isabella, author of 1000 Comic Books You Must Read, Star Trek: The Case of the Colonist’s Corpse
“I’ll sum it up as simply as I can: you’re going to care. That’s what Sean does with his characters and the stories they inhabit. He makes you care.” -- Erik Burnham, author of A-Team: War Stories, Ghostbusters, Splinter
“Show Me a Hero is not about powers, costumes or catchy code names. It’s about heart and soul, and the choices that make heroes out of ordinary lives.” -- Bryan J.L. Glass, author of Mice Templar, Thor: First Thunder
“A lot of writers talk about trying to introduce superheroes into the real world, but Sean Taylor does it better than most. Perhaps because his stories don't just have plot, they have a point. They're not about a series of circumstances and events, but about how those circumstances and events make the people living through them feel. You may not like every story in Show Me A Hero, but I defy you to finish one and be indifferent. You may love them or hate them, be inspired or unsettled, but they're going to get inside your head and gut and make you think and feel.” -- Paul Storrie, author of Gotham Girls, Justice League Unlimited, Captain America: Red, White & Blue
“Sean Taylor’s work is gripping, sincere and relevant.” -- Dwight MacPherson, author of The Surreal Adventures of Edgar Allan Poo, American McGee’s Grim
“Full of dynamic action and a range of intriguing characters, Sean Taylor gracefully delivers moments of dimension and depth in his stories that explore what being heroic is truly about.” -- Stephen Zimmer, author of the Rising Dawn Saga and Fires in Eden Series
“What will certainly surprise new readers of Sean Taylor’s work is how mature and entertaining the story lines are, not to mention the amount of realism he injects into each and every one of his characters. If you’re on the fence about super hero fiction—if you think it’s just kid stuff—then pick up Show Me A Hero and find out how glad you’ll be to learn you were wrong.” -- Tom Waltz, Editor, IDW Publishing; author of Silent Hill: Sinners Reward, Gene Simmons Zipper, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, KISS
“Instead of the all-powerful visitor from another planet or the millionaire with crimefighting devices that cost more than my house, Taylor shows us a more human hero—and more often than not, a less than perfect one. Show Me A Hero reminds us that heroes come in all shapes and sizes as it takes us down the less traveled path to see just what defines a hero. -- Bobby Nash, author of Evil Ways, Lance Star: Sky Ranger, Fuzzy Bunnies From Hell
“Guaranteed to pull at your emotions—a must read!” -- Shane Moore, author of the Abyss Walker series
“Show Me a Hero is a great mix of super hero stories that appeal to every reader—dark, sweet, strong and funny, each story has a unique take on the super hero setting. Taylor has done a fantastic job, enticing me every step along the way to draw me into the worlds and become passionate about the characters.” -- Christina Barber, author of Seely’s Pond and Spirits of Georgia’s Southern Crescent
"Sean Taylor’s stories are in-your-face, emotional, and immediate. In this collection, he examines from all angles the odd yet undeniable impulse that drives some people to put on a costume and fight crime in the streets. No kid stuff here—this is serious, intelligent drama and deep, human introspection spiced with plenty of action and intensity (and often a nice twist along the way). Well worth your time." -- Van Allen Plexico, author of Assembled! and the Sentinals series
"I just read about them and others in a real page-turning collection of short stories, news releases, and essays published by New Babel that was written by Sean Taylor. "Show Me A Hero" was the title of what has to be 514 pages of non-fiction. Yes, each had an exaggerated gift -- one was little more than a collection of light `bubbles'-- but they were so human, so flawed, so fragile in many ways despite their enhanced powers. They suffered heartbreak and celebrated joy. They gained lovers and lost to death. They cried. Laughed. All of that human stuff. ... So, I'm left with only two conclusions. They live somewhere, on some level. And, if the principal purposes of any book are entertainment, enlightenment, or education, then "Show Me A Hero" is entertainment at its best." -- Michael Vance (Amazon)
"Sean Taylor, however, is a writer that can really make superhero prose work. And, like any of the best comic book writers, he focuses on the human nature of heroes, making them genuinely relatable which makes it easy to get attached to them in each story, and by the time you finally say goodbye, you feel like you've known them forever." -- Cam Crowder (Good Reads)
"Taylor's writing is well-crafted and he handles the tragic, joyful, and surreal all with the swift grace of a seasoned writer. The story that lingered with me the longest is "Sin and Error Pining" and the tragic Ms. Future, the superhero who never was. From the opening line, "The man who killed me wore a tattoo of Santa Claus across his chest." I was hooked. Ms. Futura's view is strong and steady and the story follows a countdown of the final moments of a life. The tragedy of the superhero that never was lingered with me for hours after I had put the book back down. It's something I've never read or even thought about before ... Show Me a Hero is a unique addition to my collection of superhero readings and I know that I will read and re-read it. The variety of stories and characters available will hold my interest for years to come. Most of all what I enjoyed in this collection is that these are more than just tales of heroes, and villains fighting it out; these are stories about people that aren't always good, aren't always bad, but are always searching, fighting and aching just like us." -- Judy Black (Good Reads)
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"ART IMITATES DEATH"
PRO SE PRESENTS #1
"The first issue of Pro Se Presents gets off to a great start. Sean Taylor's 'Art Imitates Death', a story of love that transcends the grave and madness, is a chilling page turner." -- Bittergreen (Amazon)
"There is a new pulp movement afoot to revive the genre, and I like what I've read so far. Sean Taylor and Don Thomas have good, stand alone stories and I would like to see more from each author." -- Lee Houston, Jr. (Amazon)
"After reading the sample from Sean Taylor's creepy story, I had to find out what happened next. Absolutely worth every penny. If you like horror, the weird, and the wonderful, you will not be disappointed with this magazine." -- K.M. Indovina (Smashwords)
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"DEATH WITH A GLINT OF BRONZE" BRASS AND BOLTS: DREAMS OF STEAM II
"This is a great short story collection. All the authors did an excellent job developing their stories and really show casing the time period." -- Swashbuckler (Amazon)
"I picked this up after reading the first one ( which was good read) expecting the same . Wow .was I wrong. This blows the original out of the water. This one is a little darker more murder / mystery some time travel and historical fiction. Loved Lady Helvetica and Jumping the Rails. All the stories are solid, well thought out and move well..." -- Elementaleyes (Barnes & Noble)
"Dreams of Steam II: Brass and Bolts is consistently exciting and adventurous. Editor Kimberly Richardson did an excellent job of choosing the best that Steampunk has to offer. I recommend this book not only to fans of the genre, but to newcomers as well who want to try something different. It’s like that old saying: Try it, you’ll like it." -- Jeani Rector (The Horror Zine)
"If you love steampunk, or creative short stories in general, then DOS2 would be a solid addition to your library. The only negative is that some of the stories create worlds that beg to be revisited. Perhaps a future DOS3 will help address that problem." -- Dwayne DeBardelaben (Steampunk Chronicle)
"Another great anthology of Steampunk stories. I liked them all however Death With A Glint Of Bronze; The Third Eye; Commander Tesla Versus The Holy Roman Empire; The Perfect Woman; Grass Elephant; Chilled Meat; The Boys In The Boiler Room; The Island Sojourn were my favorites. I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading Steampunk stories."
-- Capot (Amazon)
-- Capot (Amazon)
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"POSTHUMOUS" ZOMBIESQUE
"Sean Taylor proves that writing as a zombie is even more difficult than writing from the point of view of a zombie in "Posthumous." -- Donald J. Bingle (Amazon)
"My favorites were: ... Posthumous: Sean Taylor -- No explanation for how the Zombie thing happened, but it's all about a writer who came back after her death and how she copes ... or fails to cope ... with her existence and her distant, selfish husband and his methods of coping with a wife he can see use for only one way now." -- Indigo (Good Reads)
"This collection of short pieces, all written from the zombie perspective, was a surprisingly good read, and offered a staggering array of styles and storylines." -- Jeannette Westlake (Amazon)
"Some of them I loved, and some of them I really despised. But only because they made me uncomfortable as hell."-- Steffanie (Good Reads)
"The horror market is currently oversaturated with zombies. One needs to really put an original spin on a story in order to make it stand out. This anthology succeeds at that shockingly well, considering that it contains works from mostly not famous writers." -- Bandit (Good Reads)
"Every second book these days says it's a "fresh take on zombies", but this one actually delivers." -- Ruby Tombstone (Good Reads)
"The sixteen original tales comprising Zombiesque are all, without exception, highly entertaining, and run the full range of cross-genres from humour, to horror, to romance, drama, and everything in between. ... In short, Zombiesque is a rather brilliant little anthology showcasing some brilliant authors, some of whom will be familiar to fans of the genre, others not. This is definitely a publication to be read and cherished by zomfans of all stripes." -- Chuck McKenzie (NecroScope)
"There wasn’t a bad story in the book! Whether you like your zombies eating entrails and brains, or if you like to see a softer side of the undead, there’s a story for you in Zombiesque!" -- Kelly (Book Equals)
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"THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL" CLASSICS MUTILATED/REQUIRED READING REMIXED VOLUME 2
I am *so bad* about ruining my book reviews with spoilers, but I'll risk it to say that this is one of my favorite literary adaptations of Alice in Wonderland. I've often wondered what the effects of prolonged exposure to Wonderland might be, and Sean did an impressive job here of weaving Alice's and Snow White's stories together.
All the "Required Reading" stories were enjoyable, but this one was definitely my favorite, and with Alice featured on the cover this book is a natural fit with the rest of my collection. -- Rachel, Rachel, Quite Contrary
"REQUIRED READING REMIXED VOL. 2 is an eclectic, esoteric, etc., compilation of stories that tweak some ideas we’ve all gotten a little comfortable with over the years. I found out about this volume at the recent Comic and Fantasy Convention in Memphis, which I attended in celebration of my 40th birthday. Manning one of the booths, by which I mean a table stacked neatly with books - a sure way for a table to snag my attention - was a very pleasant man named Sean Taylor. A writer, you see, hence the table laden with books. Books of prose, comic books. Books. One of these books was the above-mentioned REQUIRED READING REMIXED, Volume the Second, whose lead story was penned by Sean, and what a story it is. I have to say, it’s a zippy-neato way to kick off a volume of what-you-thought-you-know-you-know-no-more. Sean writes and has written for a admirably diverse range of media, contributing short stories to paperback comps, writing tales for comic book illustrators to bring to life, lending his pen to magazines, and composing novels. His chosen genres also point to an artist with a broad scope. He’s done sci-fi and fantasy, including such subgenres as superheroes and steampunk. Sean has written for young adults as well as the grownups. His writing has led him through all sorts of pulp adventuring. Of those adventurings is “The Fairest of Them All”, which rests upon the fulcrum of a brilliant idea: What if the magic mirror in Snow White’s tale - the one the vain witch was always using to fish for compliments - was the same as Alice’s famed “Looking Glass”? THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL offers one possible way that might have unfolded. It’s armed with a sharp satirical edge and is darker, more Grimm than Disney. It has ways of touching deep, ugly things with utmost grace and feigned innocence. It’s a parable of ego. THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL posits Alice as the voice within the mirror, trapped there, unaging, with nothing better to do than have beauty conversations with a mean ol’ witch. Time passes, it would seem, and the treasure-seeking dwarves who live with Snow White and seem conflicted about it, while out seeking treasure, find the old mirror. They decide to bring it back to Snow White since she likes pretty things and - as the interior dwarf dialog reminds us repeatedly - they love her, never mind the fact they seem disturbed by her presence and apparently driven by a sense of obligation. Snow White’s feelings are no less complicated. And thus is set up this magical mash-up of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” and “Through the Looking Glass”, which goes directions you don’t expect, exhibits a certain cynical Tolkienesque flavor, posits a Jabberwocky with Elder God connections (demonstrating a clear, if minor, Lovecraftian influence here), and just generally leaves you with your mouth open, mouthing “wow.” Wonderful fantasy. Read it (and the rest of the book)." -- Kristofer Upjohn (The Book Devil)
"The Fairest of Them All' by Sean Taylor is a nicely effective tale of two worlds linked by mirrors and two half-sisters with a nicely complicated connection. Taylor writes evocative prose, and the women in the story have a nice heft. It's grim with an undercurrent of humor, and a good way to star the collection, as it sets an entertaining but substantive tone. -- Agony Column
"Thanks to its creative mashup of ideas and styles, CLASSICS MUTILATED is never dull. After finishing this anthology, readers will soon find themselves searching for the original tales from which these revisions ingeniously sprung. Each story in the collection flows as a major fun read." -- Fangoria
"The Fairest of Them All" by Sean Taylor: Answers the age old question; who would win in a grudge fight between Alice and Snow White? Evokes both Tanith Lee and Angela Carter in its psychological manhandling of the classic fairly tales even if Alice is more Tim Burton than Lewis Carroll. Four stars." -- Marvin (Good Reads)
" Classics Mutilated is overwhelmingly well done." -- Bill (Good Reads)
"Fairest of Them All by Sean Taylor- This story was very well written, and I loved the fact that he combined all of the classic females into one story and even made them "sisters". Outstanding story." -- Ray (Good Reads)
"A couple of authors I didn't know, particulary, Sean Taylor, and his "Fairest Of Them All" where Alice in Wonderland and Snow White face the wicked Queen with a guest appearance by some of H.P. Lovecraft's "friends", is also memorable and a lot of fun." -- Michael Fierce (Good Reads)
"...if you aren’t anal about the premise, every story is enjoyable for the horror fan." -- Anthony Servante (The Black Glove)
""Fairest of Them All" by Sean Taylor is a very strange mashup of Snow White and Alice in Wonderland. This story was just cool." -- Nathan Filizzi (Yoyogod's Reviews)
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THE INVISIBLE MANGRAPHIC NOVEL
"This graphic novel is a very good adaptation of the original story - staying close to the original story, but using great illustration work to bring it alive. This is a great introduction to book, and is sure to please the young reader. I highly recommend it!" -- Kurt A. Johnson (Amazon)
"...a great book I recommend it if you can find it." -- The Mystery Theater (To Have a Curse)
"Little Kid Reaction: The dark cover caught our daughter's attention, and the quick pace of the story kept her reading. She turned to the end early but then came back to read it through. She spent lots of time looking at the details of the picture, regularly asking us to read so she could look at them. ... Big Kid Reaction: The Invisible Man is a perfect story for this format. The text stays true to Wells' original, but the dialogue allows it to move more quickly. Being able to see the invisibility and consequences also makes this more accessible to younger kids. ... Great graphic details and lots of action bring this classic to a new audience, including dormant readers." -- The Reading Tub
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GENE SIMMONS DOMINATRIX
"Gene Simmons is more than just a tongue and a pretty face for the legendary rock group Kiss. He's also a gifted creator of a fiction/fantasy genre as evidenced by his coming up with the idea of Dominique Stern, a young woman with no family, few friends, a past, and makes a profitable (albeit unusual) career in the sex industry as a professional dominatrix. A woman who inflicts pain and humiliation on her clients at their request -- and expense! It's while servicing a client that Dominique finds herself having to become a superhero and dealing with government arrogance, a diabolical cabal, and dangers to herself, her friends, and her country! Engagingly written by Sean Taylor, superbly illustrated by the team of Flavio Hoffe and Esteve Polls, colored by Debora Carita, and with a superb staff of cover artists, letterers, and editors, "Dominatrix: You Want Me" first appeared as a mini-series of individual comics from IDW Publishing that has now been collected together into a magnificent graphic novel format that is highly recommended for mature readers." -- Midwest Book Review
"Color me impressed: Dominatrix consistently surprises, shattering all expectations (or complete lack thereof) by putting forth entertaining issue after entertaining issue. There’s nothing extraordinary here, nothing boundary-breaking though it can be occasionally be thought-provoking, but what writer Sean Taylor and artist Esteve Polls truly succeed at is penning an unpredictable and disarmingly charming comic book pulp adventure, the likes of which hasn’t, honestly, been seen in quite a while. The innocence of its flavor mixed with a constant salvo of severe themes (death, sex, conspiracy, derring-do) makes Dominatrix the pulpiest pulp on the stands today, capturing, oddly, the authentic sensibilities of that old-school style." -- Broken Frontiers
"I know this isn’t going to win me any fans, but normally I hate comics featuring, um, “strong female characters.” Not because I have anything against strong women, for the most part, but mostly because they are always written by guys who have no idea how to write women – they replace “courage” with a ball-bustering, unlikable attitude, all wrapped in a bosom-heaving package, delivered in the name of faux-feminism. And while at first glance this is exactly what DOMINATRIX is, the difference is that this is all done without pretension. It knows it’s a goofy book, acting as a satirical take on those big-breasted mythos without any apologies. Add to this the fact that Dominique who, while being a dominatrix, is actually a sweet and likable character in between the action, and you have a book that demands a second look. Appearances, in this case especially, can really be deceiving." -- Bookgasm
"Nevertheless, four issues have come and gone and…I’m…my god, but I think I’m hooked on a comic called “Dominatrix.”... So a series that far surpassed my (I confess) rock bottom expectations, but did so in such a stellar way that I think I’m onboard for the foreseeable future." -- Broken Frontiers
"...a surprisingly sensitive comic. I was surprised that the book held out on the T&A until issue three, but the wait paid off in a fun sequence where the Dominatrix takes on a dozen mercs and distracts them with her ample assets." -- Ain't It Cool News
"I feel like I ought to admit up front that Dominatrix is not my normal thing. After all, Mr. Simmons described his book as “T&A meets the CIA” in IDW’s promo literature, whereas I tend to go for more of the pseudo-intellectual stuff—and Danger Girl. But I’ll say this about Dominatrix: it’s a Hell of a lot smarter than I thought it would be. I was expecting a nonsensical Brian Pulido-esque boobathon, but in fact, this is a story that’s entirely sensible, well-crafted, and basically a heck of a lot of fun right from the start... And this is a cool story, sort of reminiscent of the movie They Live but with a hot chick in the Rowdy Roddy Piper role, and I’m intrigued to see what happens next. Honestly, the number of comics that I actually buy based on review copies that I’m sent is very, very close to zero percent, but in this case I think I’m gonna make an exception just because I happened to enjoy this book a whole bunch. I really want to know what’s going on. And hey, if that’s not a ringing endorsement, then I don’t know what is." -- Paperback Reader
"Now, let’s be honest here…part of the appeal of this comic is a dominatrix superhero. This first issue does suffer from the perils of many a first issue, such as too much foreshadowing, but not enough action. There’s a bit of action and plenty of character development, but I can excuse it here because it’s a story of political intrigue. As Gene Simmons says, “it’s T&A meets CIA”. Hoffe’s art is fast, dynamic, and sexy supporting the concept of a dominatrix superhero. Alex Garner's cover is beautiful and eye catching. Sean Taylor has already created a character we find interesting and care about, and plenty of mystery and intrigue. I would have, admittedly, preferred a longer first issue to get to know Dominique a little better, but we have a decent first issue here." -- The Blog Monster
"Dominatrix is not so much a commitment as it is a guilty pleasure. Dominique Stern is an average girl who has a pretty boring life until she dons the leather, the whips and the attitude of a dominatrix. Typical yes, but what happens when she uncovers a plot that the United States is in grave danger? She gets involved as any red blooded American girl wearing a leather hood would do... SHE FIGHTS BACK! Writer Sean Taylor tells a story you would expect from Gene Simmons! Tantalizing and witty with a touch of family values (if this family is incredibly dysfunctional). Flavio Hoffe is an artistic star on the rise! He blends pin up beauty with butt kicking action and um... adult relations involving handcuffs. As a longtime Kiss fan and a student (but not a follower) of Gene Simmons philosophy, there is no reason you won't enjoy this comic. It's fun and doesn't take itself too serious. Comics aren't supposed to change the world, just give it something to read!" -- Secret Identity News
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"NYMPH"
GENE SIMMONS HOUSE OF HORRORS
"Sean Taylor’s story, “Nymph”, was a classic horror story with a twist, in which an environmentalist comes face to face with a spirit of the Earth while searching for her missing husband. Creative and fun, it delivers." -- Dan Grendell (Comics Pants)
"In “Nymph,” it’s Man versus Nature — and Nature fights dirty. This story pleasantly surprised me, as it developed and resolved itself opposite of the way one would expect in the contemporary fiction world." - J. W. DeBolt Jr. (ComicCritique.com)
"All the stories are short and sweet, with writers and artwork that is actually beautifully varied and fitting. But here’s the catch: Besides the fact that many people can’t stand Simmons, the book also has a cover price of $9.99. It’s kind of fitting, considering the Simmons Comics Group logo is a bag of money, but you know what? ... It’s totally worth it. At least he knows how to at least pack a book with value. The ends certainly justify the means in this case." -- Louis Fowler (Bookgasm)
GENE SIMMONS HOUSE OF HORRORS
"Sean Taylor’s story, “Nymph”, was a classic horror story with a twist, in which an environmentalist comes face to face with a spirit of the Earth while searching for her missing husband. Creative and fun, it delivers." -- Dan Grendell (Comics Pants)
"In “Nymph,” it’s Man versus Nature — and Nature fights dirty. This story pleasantly surprised me, as it developed and resolved itself opposite of the way one would expect in the contemporary fiction world." - J. W. DeBolt Jr. (ComicCritique.com)
"All the stories are short and sweet, with writers and artwork that is actually beautifully varied and fitting. But here’s the catch: Besides the fact that many people can’t stand Simmons, the book also has a cover price of $9.99. It’s kind of fitting, considering the Simmons Comics Group logo is a bag of money, but you know what? ... It’s totally worth it. At least he knows how to at least pack a book with value. The ends certainly justify the means in this case." -- Louis Fowler (Bookgasm)
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FISHNET ANGEL: JANE DOE"In the hands of a less able writer the multi levels going on here would prove to be too much and so it is a tribute to the writing abilities of Sean Taylor that the story develops and works as well as it does. The pace is perfect and the character/reader confusion is well maintained. It borders on, but is always prevented from, becoming too bewildering. ... As I have already said this is a masterful piece of story telling, original, creative and controlled. The fact that we actually identify with Mark and the rest of the characters who inhabit his female body is a testimony to how well written this tale is." -- Steve Saville (Silver Bullet Comics)
"I have to give writer Sean [Taylor] credit; he injects a lot of personality into the characters. The narration, in the memory-less hero/heroine's "voice," conveys the main character's confidence quite clearly. I'm also intrigued by the secrecy among the hospital staff when it comes to their unusual patient's treatment and education about who she is... I'll give Sean Taylor credit for one thing: this is an accessible read. This first issue reads like the first chapter in the latest limited series featuring this character, not the character's first appearance altogether. Despite the over-the-top nature of the character's background, it' easy to delve into the story." -- Don MacPherson (Critiques on Infinite Earths)
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SHOOTING STAR COMICS ANTHOLOGY
"Sean Taylor & JP Dupras' '38 Hours' has strong inflections of ASTRO CITY." -- Steven Grant (Permanent Damage)
"With 'Passing in the Night', I was completely shocked to see the unique female superheroics in this story, that fell into a more human drama that touches upon a couple who break up, try to make each other jealous with their so-called dates and when the couple are apart, there is still love in the air and there is also loneliness. Sort of a sad story that most readers are able to relate to. Very well done." -- Paul Dale Roberts (Silver Bullet Comics)
"The editors of Shooting Star are smart, though, in opening and closing the book with their strongest stories. "38 Days" by Sean Taylor and J.P. Dupras is a story that reads not unlike an Astro City tale, about a super-criminal who breaks out 38 days before his release to chase down some mysterious goal. It's not a completely unpredictable ending, nor a story structure I've never seen before, but Taylor makes Strongarm, his lead sympathetic, and Dupras' artwork is very effective, with a sort of sketchy stylized background style that I quite liked. Of all the creators in this book, these are the two guys who look like they could become polished mainstream creators." -- Randy Lander (Snap Judgments)
"The anthology ends on up notes, though, with Sean Taylor, Loraine Sammy & Luis Alonso's "Passing In The Night," a superhero comic that transforms into a romance tearjerker, with the sort of romantic twist Stan [Lee] used to put in his comics..." -- Steven Grant (Permanent Damage)
"Also enjoyable were Scott Rogers' "Bedbug" -- a Tick-esque super-hero piece -- and writer Sean Taylor and artist J.P. Dupras's "38 Days," which puts one in mind of Kurt Busiek's Astro City." -- Don MacPherson (Critiques on Infinite Earths)
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"A Private Little Corner of the Universe is edited by Sean Taylor and includes stories by Tom Waltz, Bill Purcell, and Sean Taylor. We are introduced to heroes who must deal with some of the scariest villains ever to exist -- the inhuman concepts of drug abuse, rape, failure, and death. These villains don’t have capes and boots and doomsday devices, but they are as sinister and pervasive as a foe could be.
"But the book isn’t all grimness and gloom. The accidental transsexual, tagged with the moniker Fishnet [Angel] by a reporter, makes for an amusing look at what can happen when one is in the wrong place at the wrong time, and how the press can be as exasperating as a rash. The book is also about love, and the story 'Once Upon a Time' in which the superheroine Starlight must face any parent’s worst fear, stands out to me as a piece that is at once chilling and emotional." -- Christine Morgan (Saddledrake Magazine)
