Dorkgasm Gonzo Is God

            When I first picked up Grotesque from my local library, I had no clue that I even wanted it. Truly, my wife decided that it looked like something I would like to read. I had never heard of the author, and by reading the dust jacket I thought that I was in for a slightly more feminist retread of any of the Ringu series by Koji Suzuki. As usual, if I would just calm down a little bit and think, I would not have these botched first impressions. This book is about jealousy, power, sexuality, and cultural differences. This review is about misconceptions and how they almost forced me to stop reading one of the most satisfying books I have read in a long time.

            If you aren’t familiar with The Dresden Files by now, maybe you have been living under a rock. Between a short-lived SCI-FI CHANNEL series, a graphic novel adaptation by industry licensing mavens The Dabble Brothers, and a forthcoming RPG, it is hard to ignore Jim Butcher’s ne’er-do-well wizard for hire. This newest installment in the series, Small Favor is a prime example of why Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden is at the top of his popularity with no signs of letting up.

            Everyone knows at least something about the Fall. As children and adults, we've all heard the tales of Lucifer and his war with God that resulted in all of the rebellious angels being cast down into the Abyss. Wayne Barlowe asks an exceptionally interesting question with his novel God's Demon. How long is long enough to be punished?

            The latest novel from A. Lee Martinez is not a laugh-a-minute riot, and that’s okay. When it came in the mail, I was looking forward to another row of dork in-jokes, pop-culture references, and a slew of witty banter, but this novel had surprises for me. His previous works have felt like a man who could channel the best parts of Robert Aspirin and Douglas Adams wrote them. This worked well, but looking back, sometimes the humor felt like it was covering up for a lack of heart. This new novel, Automatic Detective, changes that and ends up not as funny, but may have more to say.

            Let me start this review out in a typically sacrilegious fashion. Fuck Miracle On 34th Street. Fuck It’s A Wonderful Life. Hell, fuck even the venerated A Christmas Carol. These stories are imposters dressed in Santa-colored Glad bags. The Stupidest Angel, I say with no humor in my voice, is the Best. Christmas. Story. Ever. Period.

            Mike Mignola is best known as the creator, artist, and writer of the comic book Hellboy. Christopher Golden is best known for his work in fantasy, including Ghosts Of Albion an online series and book he created with Buffy star Amber Benson. Mignola and Golden have worked on a variety of Hellboy-related projects over the years. Their latest partnership, however, is far from, and at the same time, close to the supernatural detective’s realm of fantasy-horror.

Danger! Here there be spoilers!

            Demonic possession; even the mention tingles the nether parts of some people. Demonic possession is one of those time-honored themes that hold a special place in my heart as well as many others. The phrase itself brings to mind the greats, like The Exorcist, Night Of The Demons, Fallen, Frailty, and The Exorcism Of Emily Rose. Yes, sir, demonic possession has its own time and place. However, the newest book of the Dexter series should not be one of them.

            Most of you will know by now that I have talked with author James Moloney on a personal level. I have a lot of respect for him and his voyage into the American publishing nightmare. That said, I did not talk to him before I read The Book of Lies. I read the first book when I accidentally discovered it on Amazon.

            As part of my ever-continuing search for the heir apparent to the Harry Potter empire, I stumbled across this gem of a book. Derek Landy wrote Skullduggery Pleasant as a young adult work of fiction, but I think it works on more levels than that. Much like Harry Potter did.