Whispers from the OUTER SHADOWS, Issue 2
Outer Shadows is Outland Entertainment’s horror imprint, featuring work created by and curated by Cullen Bunn.
It’s an exciting week here in the old Outer Shadows lighthouse. The baleful glow of our lanterns sweeps out across the turbulent seas. The ghosts of long-dead whales are singing mournfully from the depths. It’s mating season for the Fiji mermaids that nest upon the rocky shores of our little island.
And… of course… another issue of this newsletter is always grounds to celebrate!
My name is Cullen Bunn, your host in the Outer Shadows, and I’m thrilled that you’re here. This issue, we’ve got new short fiction, new thoughts on the horror genre, and an incredibly exciting announcement!
SWORDS IN THE SHADOWS is NOW LIVE!
This is the first publication under my Outer Shadows imprint, a collection of twenty-two stories with a bloody stake driven into the heart of both the horror and fantasy camps. Herein, you will find fantasy worlds, brave warriors, fabulous creatures, wondrous magic. But you will also uncover bloodcurdling chills, spine-tingling horror, and an examination of those things that truly terrify.
And the campaign for its publication is currently running on Kickstarter!
And not only SWORDS IN THE SHADOWS!
In addition to the anthology, Outer Shadows is releasing RAZE: MOTHER, MAIDEN, AND CRONE, a dark fantasy/horror novella written by yours truly! It’s the perfect companion piece to SWORDS IN THE SHADOWS!
This is the chance to get in on the first horrific floor of this publishing endeavor with our first two publications!
We have loads of options for getting digital or physical copies of the book, but I would like to point out that for $45, you can get both books—signed by me! I’ll drive to Outland Entertainment’s offices and personally sign them all!
And… let’s say you want an original horror short short… just for you.
For a limited number of backers, we’re also offering a one-of-a-kind handwritten short. I’ll pen the story—just for you—on the back of a RAZE postcard. It’s literally something no one else will have. With the two books, that level is just $70.
But there are support levels for every taste and budget!
This is your chance, horror fans! Show your support for this new horror imprint and get some great stories!
In case you missed it last time, check out this amazing line-up of talent:
SWORDS IN THE SHADOWS TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE ATOLL OF SYRASH, Wile E. Young
THE SHADOW IN THE SWAMP, Brian Keene
RED ROSE REIGN, Glen Parris
THE PRINCE OF DUST AND SHADOWS, Jonathan Maberry
WOLFEN DIVINE, Hailey Piper
THE SEVENTH QUEEN, Heath Amodio
THE 19th LEGION, Josh Roberts
PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN, Allison Pang
DOBROGOST, Jonathan Janz
THE SUTURE KINGS, Mary SanGiovanni
THE CASTLE CAUCHEMAR, L.C. Mortimer
THE BEAST OF BEL’HAMI, Mike Oliveri
SHADES OF RUIN, Scott Schmidt
BONES AND ALL, JimmyZ Johnston
THE DOG IN THE CORNER, Stephen Graham Jones
OSANOBUA’S GARDEN, Justin C. Key
THE SHADOW FROM THE VAULTS, Charles R. Rutledge
THE GOD OF ROT, James A. Moore
THE WAYFARING STRANGER, Steven L. Shrewsbury
TIGER CLAWS AND CROCODILE JAWS, Rena Mason
THE SCORPION AND THE CROW, Aaron Conaway
WRENCH AND SORCERY, Joe R. Lansdale
You can check out more about this exciting campaign HERE!
I also sat down with Oliver from So, I’m Writing a Novel to talk about SWORDS IN THE SHADOWS and Outer Shadows. You can give it a listen HERE.
This is also an exciting week because I’ll be attending Planet Comicon in Kansas City! If you’re at the convention, please stop by and say hello! I’m at booth 422!
Outland Entertainment will also be at the show, so make sure to swing by their booth! They can be found at booth 1827!
AXEBONE: THE GOD SLAYER by Vincent P. Macabre
Gather, young ones and hear the sagas of a mighty warrior. For this is the time he saved a village from a cruel god.
Bones were in various mounds all over the path, some randomly strewn about with bits of decaying flesh still on them. Skin was stretched out on racks drying like leather and giant vats were oozing from boiling marrow in fat. The entire temple reeked with the stench of death.
In the main chamber there sat the cannibal god on a throne. He gnawed upon the bones of villagers. From a dark hallway emerged a figure. The deity stopped chewing and looked down at the man and said, “Who are you and why are you here?”
The barbarian threw a net full of severed heads down at the feet of the god. “I’ve dispatched all of your followers, priests, and guards. You sit here alone.”
The deity smiled and said, “I could use a servant of your talents.”
The barbarian replied, “I kneel before no man and no god.”
“Then you’ll make a fine meal.” The vile creature smiled, revealing a mouth full of pointed, blood-stained teeth.
“You are as arrogant as they say.” The man smirked. “I won't be a meal today.”
The mad god began to laugh hysterically. “What is your name, you feebleminded mortal?”
The man said, “I'm here to kill you, so we can skip the pleasantries.”
“So you think you can kill me?” The mad god grinned. “You’re not the first to attempt such a feat. Many great heroes have fallen before me. I feasted upon their flesh and used their bones to clean my teeth. Just as I’ll do with you. So, before you die, I’ll ask you once again for your name, lest you be forgotten for all time.”
The man sighed. “If you insist on this pointless banter, I am Bjorn Axebone, son of Sven Skullhammer, Freer of Shackles, Bane of Frost Giants, Slayer of the Undead, Scourge to the Dwellers in Darkness… the Annihilator.”
The mad god flashed a look of enthusiasm. “So, you are the infamous Axebone! The mightiest warrior of the North. Songs of your triumphs have been sung as far as these lands. Tell me, are you not from a tribe of the Krull?”
Axebone replied, “I am. My victories have been many over the undead.”
The mad god chuckled. “But I am no vampire. I am Anthropophaus, Eater of Flesh, Collector of Bones, Bringer of Madness, the Cannibal God!”
Axebone smirked. “Man, vampire, god. It makes no difference. You’ll die all the same.”
“How do you propose to end me, Northman?” asked the mad god. “No mortal weapon can harm me. I certainly cannot die by that of your namesake, a pitiful ax made of bone.”
Axebone laughed. “That’s the part of the songs that are always wrong. Only the handle is bone. The blade is made of Goibhniu forged steel.”
A look of panic washed over the fiend’s face.
Without warning, the mad god lept from this throne with his claws outstretched, like an eagle swooping down on its prey. In a flash, Axebone had readied his ax, but before he could swing, the mad god’s claws had sliced into his right side, tearing the flesh from his rib cage. Axebone let out an agonizing scream which only fueled his rage. This was a misstep on the mad god’s part, for the Son of the Skullhammer’s ability to channel his anger in a fight was truly his greatest weapon. The mad god readied for another attack with his massive talons, but Axebone had already calculated the creature’s next move. As the beast positioned for another attack, the barbarian stepped back and swung his mighty ax. Swiftly cutting off one of the hands of the deific cannibal.
The now maimed deity let out a howl that caused the entire temple to shake.
“I will flay the flesh from your bones while you are still living! And the screams of your agony will be music to my ears!”
Axebone picked up a skull from the ground and hurled it at the face of the god. The skull exploded into an array of dust and bits.
“You talk too much!”
Unable to see, the mad god slashed frantically with his one remaining hand. The frenzied attack struck Axebone in the face. Narrowly missing his eyes.
With blood running down his cheeks and into his mouth, Axebone proclaimed, “Fool! You will suffer for that! I’ll cleave you in two!”
Raising the ax and preparing to fulfill is his promise, Axebone paused. The mad god reared back with a deep breath. With a roaring exhalation, he unleashed a wretched stream of bile. Quickly the barbarian shielded his face with the massive ax. The vile green liquid splashed against the blade. It smelled of rot and sickness. Spatter landed on Axebone’s arms. It burned where it touched his skin. However the celestial forged weapon was unscathed.
Axebone knew he could not withstand many more bile blasts. A distraction was needed. Without delay, he hurled his ax at the chains holding one of the cauldrons of boiling human remains. The blade sliced through the links as if they were nothing. The cauldron’s contents spilled onto the fire, causing it to rage out of control. The massive flare up caused the cannibal to shield his eyes.
In that instant, Axebone charged, ramming into the beast, sending it flying backward. Impaled on a pile of sharp bones, weakened and bleeding, Anthropophaus cursed Axebone.
“My kin will not stand for this… Bjorn Axebone! They will know your name! They wi…”
“Ha!” laughed the barbarian. “I do not fear your kin. I have killed far more powerful gods than you, and I can assure you, they already know my name.”
The mad god asked,” How can you know this?”
The Annihilator replied,” I always take the heads.”
Vincent P. Macabre is a freelance boogeyman, Kansas City’s Worst Horror Host, hack comedian, novice writer, semi professional race car driver, and amateur tattoo artist.
Here’s what OUTER SHADOWS has in store for you… SO FAR!
SWORDS IN THE SHADOW, a Sword and Sorcery and Horror anthology edited by Cullen Bunn
RAZE, a horror/fantasy novella written by Cullen Bunn
CROOKED HILLS, a middle grade horror novel written by Cullen Bunn
I’LL KILL YOU LAST, a horror anthology fusing 80s action movies with pure terror, edited by Cullen Bunn
CROOKED HILLS II, a middle grade horror novel written by Cullen Bunn
And much, much more…
Is the zombie craze over? I mean, how did that even happen? Of all the monsters out there, somehow rotting, flesh-eating, walking corpses have managed to dominate the horror scene for nearly two decades now. But it looks like the tides are turning. At an even slower rate. Move over zombies. It’s time for the old folks to be scary! I can’t believe I said that. But it’s happening. Senior citizens are shuffling with walkers and riding scooters to the forefront of the genre. We’ve had geriatric slashers in the latest version of Halloween and Texas Chainsaw. We had those old decrepit weirdos in X. It’s only a matter of time before we get Elderlynado on the big screen!
Mr. Macabre is a freelance boogeyman, Kansas City’s Worst Horror Host, hack comedian, novice writer, semi professional race car driver, and amateur tattoo artist.
You can visit the Outer Shadows imprint page here.
Visit Outland Entertainment here.
Join the Outland Entertainment Discord Channel here.
Is it shameful for me to like this one? Naw I didn’t think so.