MAQ # 14

 

MEN’S ADVENTURE QUARTERLY Issue # 14

The Bigfoot Issue!

Edited by Robert Deis & Bill Cunningham

Subtropic Productions, LLC.

151 pgs

 

Editors Bod Deis and Bill Cunningham are at it again in this truly wonderful, wonky and fun edition of their series highlighting the gems of past Men’s Adventure Magazines (MAMS). In this issue, these intrepid cultural historians take on one of the most popular urban myths of the past decades, the supposed “missing link” in the evolution of man known throughout the world by such names as the Yet, Sasquatch and Bigfoot. Each article, story and interview collected within the pages of this colorful issue are both fun and oddly intriguing. Even for a skeptic such as this reviewer. 

Of all the pieces, our favorite is easily the in-depth look into role the myth was revealed in a popular sci-fi TV series of the sixties called “The Six-Million Dollar Man,” starring Lee Majors. His encounter with a Bigfoot in forest wilds proved to be one of the most exciting and well received episodes ever produced. Enough so that the creature, portrayed by the late pro-wrestler Andre Giant, would return for several sequel story lines, all to the delight of the viewers. Reusing comic artist Earl Norem’s was also a smart move. 

Comic pro Stephen Bissette was a bit long-in-the-tooth discussing all the movies on this theme. Though we are sure cinefiles will appreciate that greatly. We enjoyed his interview with fellow writer Steve Niles. As for stories, “I Sighted the Yeti Monster That Terrorized Illinois” was a hoot. We’d never heard of this so-called Big-Muddy Bigfoot before. Proven, as ever, each issue of this series always has something for everyone. You really should give it a try.

THE BLACK SEAM

 

THE BLACK SEAM

A George “Magpie” Collins Mystery

By Len Driscoll

Glowing Eyes Media

110 pages

 

In this second Magpie Collins novel, the post-World War II gumshoe is hired by a psychiatrist named Eleanor Whitman who is being blackmailed. Whitman, in treating the son of a wealthy mining tycoon, Charles Ashford, is employing experimental techniques that might be considered both unorthodox and illegal. Her patient, young Robert Ashford had been dealing with severe post-traumatic syndrome after a mining operation he was supervising collapsed and killed five men. Enough so that he committed suicide unable to live with his part in the tragedy. 

Collins, in the course of his investigation, learns that Robert, while under Whitman’s care, had begun to suspect the actual cave-in had been orchestrated by his own father to silence those miners complaining about the lack of safety features in particular tunnels. To that end, Ashford senior, concerned his son’s accusation might become public, coerced Whitman to alter the lad’s mental health and derail his suspicions. 

It’s a tangled web woven by a soulless man unwilling to relinquish his power and prestige, even at the cost of his own son’s life. Once again, Collins wonderfully displays the Australian settings to perfection, dramatizing the frontier atmosphere of the outlying hills away from metropolitan cities such as Sydney. The story is suspenseful, well plotted with some truly memorable characters. At the heart of which is Magpie’s own obsession with truth and justice daring to challenge the powerful regardless of the cost. Once again Len Driscoll has given us a really good tale well worth your attention and support.

DUST AND SHADOW

 

DUST AND SHADOW

By Lyndsay Faye

Simon & Schuster Paperbacks

322 pages

 

This is another one of those Sherlock Holmes versus Jack the Ripper what-if adventures of which there have been several. Several were actual developed as films. Lyndsay Faye does a really great job with this fantastical plot in that her interpretation of Holmes and Watson is spot on. It’s obvious she knows the Doyle characters well and is comfortable putting them through the paces. We particularly liked watching the Great Detective in a more active hunter’s role aside from his strict detective process. Then there is Watson’s own daring exploits while an injured Holmes is incapacitated giving us a new slant on this veteran old war horse. 

Add to this Mary Ann Monk, an independent young woman employed at one of the dingy workhouses well versed in the ways of the Whitechapel community. Holmes, in recognizing her intelligence and daring, quickly recruits her much to the delight of this reviewer. She is a bold, fresh character. One we certainly wouldn’t mind seeing again. 

“Dust and Shadow” is an excellent Holmes adventure and we keep our fingers crossed Ms. Faye has a few more on the way.