Songs of the Black Würm Gism: the Starry Wisdom volume 2

By various, edited by DM Mitchell (Creation Oneiros)
ISBN: 978-902197-28-9

Although (somewhat aptly) borderline to my usual reviewing fare this intriguing and disturbingly adult collection of words and pictures is worth a brief mention, not only because of the stellar crew of contributors but also for the simple reason that it creatively honours the legacy of an author whose works shaped twentieth century horror writing and consequently greatly informed the comicbook continuities of many a publishing giant.

The Starry Wisdom was first published in1995 (with a revised edition in 2003, ISBN: 978-1-84068-087-4) and contained a number of tales inspired by the terrifying visions of H.P. Lovecraft. It included works by Ramsey Campbell, J.G. Ballard, Alan Moore, Brian Lumley and an unholy host of others. Now a second chilling and disturbing volume has been compiled featuring contributions from some of the world’s most individual horror writers and artists.

Enclosed within this tome are 22 features, essays, photo-spreads and stories from Grant Morrison, Aishling Morgan, Herzan Chimera & James Havoc, David Britton & Mike Butterworth, Jacques Dengue, Ian Miller, John Beal, DM Mitchell, Hank Kirton, Jacques Bertrand Houpinière, Frater Erich Zann, Alexandria D. Douros, David Conway, Kenji Siratori, The Reverend Paul Stevens, Claudia Bellocq, Joshua Hayes, Wakamatsu Yukio, Reza Negarestani, Alan Moore and even Lovecraft himself (!).

As you’d expect this is a chilling surreal exploration of the nastiest places in reality – and beyond – so it’s strictly one for grown-up and those minors so debauched and twisted that they are beyond the salvation of good and rational souls. Does that sound like anybody you know?

© 2009 DM Mitchell and individual creators. All rights reserved.