Customer Reviews

The Magazine of Bizarro Fiction (Issue One)

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Reading the Magazine of Bizarro Fiction feels more like reading a scholarly journal that only comes out four times a year. Oddly enough, the Magazine of Bizarro Fiction does just that! In addition, it feels and looks less like a magazine and more like an actual book; think BIZARRO STARTER KITS except more wide with fewer pages.

When I first got it, I was expecting a regular old magazine a-la "OK" or "TIME" but hullabugallo, I was surprised to see that it was practically an entire book! It begins with Carlton Mellick III's cover art, which is fantastic. It's sharp, poignant, and very appropriate for the stories contained within. There are six works of fiction, two comics, five works of nonfiction and three regular features!!! That's a lot of stuff to read but bizarre fiction itself is so captivating and fun to read that getting to page 92 will only take a mere couple of hours.

With all this being said now, what did it feel like? Well, it felt like I took a 12-hour journey to the sun engulfed in a dual-layered suit of everlasting ice cubes whilst sporting a tireless smile. Every single story is absolutely great. Bruce Taylor writes about justice-wielding judges, Prunty about pornographers a-la Scooby Doo but with much MUCH more sex, Gibbs about a man attempting to solve a Sudoku, Krall delivers a brilliantly-told narrative that serves as the prequel to his forthcoming novel FISTFUL OF FEET, Ship brings us a gory tale reminiscent of Takashi Miike films, and Cook recounts the tale of a stuffed animal detective.

I hadn't read any Jordan Krall until THE PISTOL BURPS but after that, I was sold. There are a couple of typos strewn throughout the volume but nothing jarring. Special kudos go to Krall and Prunty. Now, where can I get my lifetime membership?

Reading this magazine, which was bound and presented more like a lit. journal, was pure enjoyment. It had most of my personal faves: Garrett Cook, Jordan Krall, Anderson Prunty, Jeremy Shipp - they all have stories in this first issue. Plus reviews on several books, a report on BizarroCon 2008 and a well-done interview with super-cool writer Gina Ranalli. HIGHLY REC'D!!

Fiction

Justice in Amerry-Ka by Bruce Taylor
You're on trial by two giant spiders. Then things get bad.

The Sex Beast of Scurvy Island by Andersen Prunty
What if Scooby and the gang were traveling pornographers?

Puzzles by Michael James Gibbs
Sudoku is much harder without eyes.

The Pistol Burps by Jordan Krall
A surreal and violent prequel to Krall's forthcoming Spaghetti Western collection, Fistful of Feet.

Victim: A Story Inspired by Takashi Miike by Jeremy C. Shipp
A severed penis head and clowns await you.

Mr. Plush Detective by Garrett Cook
A Teddy Bear detective in a world of furries.


Comics

Four Scenes by Jeremy Kemp
Scenes of joy, decay, and the surreal.

Power Flower by Andrew Goldfarb
Man versus flower!


Nonfiction

Punk Rock and Mother Punching: Author Spotlight on Gina Ranalli by Jeff Burk
A career overview and analysis of bizarro figurehead Gina Ranalli

My Bear Will Kick Your A##: Reflections on Bizarro Book Promotion by Mykle Hansen
The trials and joys of a DIY bizarro book tour.

How to Write a Short Story! By Bradley Sands
English Grads, listen up!

The Squishiest Place on Earth: Report on BizarroCon 2008 by Jeff Burk
The sights, sounds, smell, and quotes from the first BizarroCon.

The 2008 Wonderland Awards
Book Roundup


Regular Features

A Rant from the Editor by Jeff Burk
Welcome and "What is Bizarro?"

Bizarro Book Reviews by Jeff Burk, Cameron Pierce, and Forrest Armstrong
Reviews of The Faggiest Vampire by Carlton Mellick III, The Caterer: Issue #3 by Steve Aylett, Shark Hunting in Paradise Garden by Cameron Pierce, House of Houses by Kevin L. Donihe, Piecemeal June by Jordan Krall, Discouraging at Best by John Edward Lawson, 13 Thorns by Gus Fink and Gina Ranalli, This City is Alive by Forrest Armstrong, Every Sigh, The End by Jason Hornsby, and The Menstruating Mall by Carlton Mellick III

The Bizarro Books that Never Were: Omega Flappy by Kevin L. Donihe
Kevin L. Donihe talks about The Flappy Parts.


Cover Art by Carlton Mellick III
Interior Story Illustrations by Angie Molinar

The amazing collection of material in this issue are refuge to some of my favorite authors today, check it out ... you will not be disappointed... these and the starter kits are amazing ways to explore an up and coming genre and lifestyle of writing... get it!

Excellent collection of short and shorter fiction and nonfiction from authors of the Bizarro genre. It reads less like a magazine and more like a collection or literary journal and I love it! The featured novella is "The Sex Beast of Scurvy Island" by Andersen Prunty, which simultaneously induces projectile vomiting and gut-busting laughter. I'm amazed that this story was conceived in the same mind that produced "Zerostrata." Thumbs way up! I also enjoyed Mykle Hansen's piece about promoting "Help a Bear is Eating Me!" Overall, this magazine gives the reader a fantastic bizarro fiction and some behind-the-scenes insight into the production and publishing of the genre. Highly recommended

Not a bad first issue. I enjoyed the longer stories (especially the ones by Garrett Cook and Andersen Prunty) and the piece by Mykle Hansen.