What You Get: Occult Detective Quarterly Issue 1

What You Get: Occult Detective Quarterly #1

Background: As with a few successful publications (Skelos, Ravenwood Quarterly), Occult Detective Quarterly began as a kickstarter project. It is published through Electric Pentacle Press, a project headed by Travis Neisler which encompasses Ravenwood Quarterly, Occult Detective Quarterly and the publication of chapbooks and novels. It has given the much beloved subgenre a home, and serves as an exploration of the limits regarding the figure of the Occult Detective.

About the editorial team: I first became aware of Sam Gafford and John Linwood Grant through Ravenwood. Sam Gafford’s story “Ink Spots” (Ravenwood 1) is an absolute monster of a haunted house story and John Linwood Grant’s “Preacher’s Tale” captures the tragedy and lyricism of Victorian-era horror. It is evident through their intro that both editors are quite devoted to their new venture.

“Got My Mojo Working” by David T. Wilbanks and William Meikle Gus is a detective. Gus has been affected by the occult, endowing him with considerable Mojo. Gus is a gorilla. This story was not only fun, but written well enough to wink and nod at all of the tropes while still being distinctly different from them. Gus is a breakout character, and I hope to see more of him.

“When Soft Voices Die” by Amanda DeWees Sybil is a struggling actress living in New York. She is young, and she is engaged and is a medium. A very ‘classic’ feeling tale with a very original character, distinctly different from Carnacki and Silence. Sybil is headstrong, empathetic and very much a force unto her own.

“Don’t Say I Didn’t Warn You” by Adrian Cole I’ve encountered Nick Nightmare in issues of Weirdbook previously, and it was honestly kind of strange seeing him in another publication. Adrian Cole’s world is one of urban fantasy, horror and parallel dimensions. In this story, Nick’s past comes back when a collector of strange things comes to him. The murder of a federal agent soon follows. The climax of this story is hard to forget and demonstrates the incredible imagination and vision of the writer.

“Orbis Tertius” by Josh Reynolds I know St. Cyprian is the queen’s detective in this one, but I cannot get over Ebe Gallowglass. She is a sardonic, short-tempered and trigger-happy Watson to St. Cyprian’s Holmes. The character steals the show, though the weird and horrifying mystery is enough to sell the story in of itself.

“MonoChrome” by T. E. Grau T. E. Grau’s Los Angeles is that of the insider. It is a segmented city, sewn together with streets and shops bursting with life. It encompasses an expansive and even monstrous geography. The city is only horrifying when it is quiet…and the slow creep of the horror over Los Angeles pays off in an ending which speaks to the dark history of the city itself.

“Baron of Bourbon Street” by Aaron Vlek This is how I would imagine Baron Samedi acting. Show-boating, theatrical, vengeful and somewhat petty despite the fact that he is our protagonist. The mortal protagonist, Alfonse de Cartier, is a relatable in his confusion and frustration, and knows enough about the city of New Orleans to capture its familiar and soulful spirit.

“The Adventure of the Black Dog” by Oscar Dowson Now this is what I often think of when I think of the Occult Detective.  A man of mystery, known through reputation more than anything else. A weird, unexplainable occurrence. The nods to Holmes and Watson are appreciated in this story, and the ending sets up future stories. I am curious to see where these characters go from here.

“OCCULT LEGION: ‘THE NEST’”  by William Meikle The first chapter of a serialized story. The atmosphere in this story is one of a cosmic, Lovecraftian dread, peppered with a haunted house and Scottish fog. I cannot quite tell what is going on yet, and will hold off on commenting further until I see future entries. 

Relevant Links:

Ravenwood #1: http://electricpentaclepress.bigcartel.com/product/issue-one

Ravenwood #2: http://electricpentaclepress.bigcartel.com/product/preorder-ravenwood-2

Occult Detective Quarterly #1: http://electricpentaclepress.bigcartel.com/product/pre-order-occult-detectives-quarterly

Occult Detective Quarterly Submission Guidelines: http://greydogtales.com/blog/occult-detective-quarterly/odq/