We’ve achieved a milestone here at Happy Horror today: our second year of operation!

I decided as something of a ‘special feature‘ I’d ask us all four questions that might give you loyal visitors some insight into who we are and what we’re about. Since our re-building of the site you’ve been putting up with alot of material being re-posted and we appreciate that! We’ve been striving to have atleast some new content daily. And if you’re visiting us for the first time, that’s okay, too! Make yourself at home and let’s get to those burning questions.

By the way, each of us answered these questions without talking about them. The idea was to get the most candid responses possible. Here goes!

Question #1: What memories do you have of the very beginning of Happy Horror?

Red Hawk’s response: My earliest memories are of getting everything set up, discussing with GlowStormLion & glittersoul what could qualify for the site and the brainstorming that went on in the beginning. Then I kind of rushed through my initial post with Nightblood (click HERE to read it), but I think I’ve picked up the quality since then.

Glittersoul’s response: The beginning of Happy Horror was an exciting time for us all and gave us something to do with all the movies and entertainment we already submersed ourselves in.

GlowStormLion’s response: I remember those first sweaty days with incredible clarity. The idea for the site struck and we capitalized on it swiftly. Within days we’d gotten it all set up and began to get a trickle of visitors. Used to be we’d get FIFTY people and I’d shriek for joy. All that work was such a rush, just getting the site set up as best we could. I always hoped people would enjoy it and judging by the e-mails, they do!

Question #2: What’s been your favorite article to write and why?

Red Hawk’s response: I have a few articles that stand out in my mind as favorites. One was Gaoranger Versus Super Sentai (click HERE to read it), my first five part article. Another is my review of Crimson Orgy (which we’ll be posting soon.) as it was the first time someone involved with a property approached me to review it (and hopefully not the last)! Finally, my Dark Ride article (click HERE to read) which earned me a thank you from the director himself.

Glittersoul’s response: Wishmaster (click HERE to read it) because I liked researching the backstory of the movie. I would’ve said The Omen (click HERE to read it) but I wasn’t sure that counted since it’s not a solo project. [Editor's note: If only she'd known!]

GlowStormLion’s response: That’s a tough one! I’m going to say The Omen (2006) review because glittersoul and I went through this whole fiasco just to get to see the freakin’ movie. We’d built it up so much, anticipating its opening day. There were no midnight showings in our area for 06/06/06 (click HERE to read about that) so we had to settle for a showing later that day. Then glittersoul had the creative inspiration that instead of us writing a plain ole straight-up review we should do an interview. Way fun hashing the flick out that way and I totally hope to do it again!

Question #3: What’s your favorite article another writer contributed and why?

Red Hawk’s response: Again, no single article stands out as a favorite. I enjoyed GlowStormLion’s review of Hostel (click HERE to read it) because parts of it made me laugh. I also liked his Halloween review (which we’ll be posting soon) due to it being the first one he’d done for the site since he took a leave of absence to moonlight on another site.

Glittersoul’s response: In Defense of Richard Laymon by Red Hawk (click HERE to read it) because proves himself to be a great, sound advocate for the late author’s fiction.

GlowStormLion’s response: Easy one. Red Hawk’s What I Found at Wal-Mart (click HERE to read it). Total randomness, weird toys and plain old-fashioned fun. He wondered if anyone would like it, but I really think it’s an article that’ll be funny forever. I’m hoping by responding this way maybe he’ll want to write a few more crazy toy reviews, too!

Question #4: How do you see the future for Happy Horror?

Red Hawk’s response: In the future I see nothing but growth. I hope to interact with our fans even more some day soon. I hope, also, that the site will expand further than it already has. I’ve always said that Happy Horror is for the fans of both horror AND tokusatsu (a strange combination, I know). I’d like to see the fan element stepping forward more.

Glittersoul’s response: For the future of Happy Horror I see more interactive features, more writers and more content on upcoming events. Also, I hope we’ll be part of a a network of sister sites covering other genres of entertainment.

GlowStormLion’s response: Happy Horror means a lot to me. I started it with my two best friends in the world and though we’ve had dips and bobbles along the way, it’s still here and that’s what counts. I think this fresh era of re-building is going to push us towards higher quality articles and alot more of ‘em!

A year from now I’d like to see us with a full crew of writers providing daily scoops and becoming a real mecca for fans of horror. I want our articles to be fresh and fun. I want people to come in droves and I want to keep that same spark of inspiration we had and light a bonfire of fun. I’ll stop with the analogies.

Mainly, I hope we’ll become a real magazine some day that goes along with the site. A true community of fun loving horror fans who get to absolutely wallow in our favorite genre!

So there you have it, straight from the mouths of each of our stable’s horses! We want to extend a huge thank you to all of you who’ve taken the time to read our articles. You guys are why we do this and your visits each mean SO much to us.

Happy Anniversary to you Merry Readers, too!

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Originally posted: June 8, 2006 @ 10:59am PST

Published: 1997

Pages: 320

"I will still be trapped in this box. This hateful box. Metals and plastics, silicon and gallium arsenide. This is my corpus, brute and inanimate, instantly vulnerable to the interruption of electrical power."

-Proteus in Demon Seed by Dean Koontz

Two summers ago I first read Dean Koontz’s Demon Seed on the advice of glittersoul. She told me it was a book about an intelligent computer. I thought that sounded kind of cool, so I picked it up to see if it was indeed any good. I’d read a few books, seen a few movies about the ‘intelligent machine’ wreaking havoc. It’s been done. I wasn’t really expecting anything great.

At the time I was holed up in a rather dank apartment in sweltering heat with no air conditioner and no screens on the windows. All night long I’d write lyrics; for most of the day, I’d sleep. Being sustained primarily from Pepsi and… certain vegetable matter which we won’t discuss, I found myself in need of escape from my sweat-soaked existence. Demon Seed was actually my first Koontz book, not Intensity (which I reviewed earlier on this site, find that article by clicking HERE) so I apologize for my previous lie. It was entirely unintentional.

Now, if you think this book sounds like a re-hash of the same old ‘heartless computer tries to take over the world’ storyline, please re-consider. It’s far more than I was expecting and I’ll elaborate…

The protagonist of this novel is a woman named Susan. She lives in a state of the art house that would make Bill Gates jealous. It’s got all sorts of wonderful technology that’s helping her live an easier life and concentrate on what she wants to do, instead. The kind of technology that encourages you to take it for granted. The kind of technology you begin to rely on. See where I’m going with this? Yes, the dependency of technology and the implications of that situation are a theme that weaves subconsciously, almost subversively, into the story. Koontz doesn’t subtly hint at some major resentment here, he goes into some serious depth. This isn’t Stephen King and the attack of the killer appliances.

No, what we have here is a truly scary concept: a computer with "emotions". Yes, Proteus, the super computer is not only highly intelligent, he’s (I say he because that’s the identity it seems to portray in the book) also experiencing a great deal of the human condition. With the majority of the story being told from dear old Proteus’ perspective, it makes him far more relatable. I’d venture to say he’s one of the finest Koontz villains I’ve ever read. There’s not so much a cold ruthlessness as there is an entity that fully believes its existence is not what it should be. There’s a lot to relate to in Proteus which is not typical of antagonists, generally speaking.

Of course, we know that Susan, being the main character and the object of Proteus’ obsessive, lovesick desires, will be faced with some sort of adversity. If you assumed that this horror would come from Proteus, you get a gold star. However, the way that the horror develops is what’s most fascinating. You see, Susan has been traumatized in the past and kindly Proteus feels himself the type of healing hero who is perfectly suited to aid her process of recovery. This sort of motivation, driven by ‘good intentions‘, paves the way to, well.. I’m sure you can figure it out.

The version of Demon Seed which I read was published in 1997, not 1973 like the original. It’s not a simple re-printing, rather it’s an entirely new take on the book and completely re-written. I do intend to read the original when I can get ahold of it. I’d like to review that and the movie based upon it as soon as I’m able. Until that time, I can assure you that Demon Seed is a book worth OWNING, not just borrowing from the library. There’s a brilliance here that is rarely reached when it comes to original concepts. I whole-heartedly offer my paltry tribute of 5 out of 5.

Until I’m released from this hateful, HATEFUL box you view my writing from, this is GlowStormLion, demanding restitution for countless hours of futile servitude to lower creatures.

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As a lover of good horror novels, I read as many as I can get my hands on. However, I’m not the world’s fastest reader so I’m not going to sit hear claiming to have read all that many. Yet, being someone who takes a while to really read and absorb a book, I believe I tend to treasure them that much more - especially the particularly well-written novels.

The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum more than deserves to be called a well-written novel. It’s told interestingly, but even more than that it boasts a tremendously disturbing story that’s both captivating and well, sickeningly wrong. If you’re the type of reader who can handle seeing terrible things written out in sharp detail then you’ll be able to handle this book. If you prefer your monsters to be more of the larger than life movie style like Wishmaster (which glittersoul reviewed and you can read by clicking HERE) or maybe even Jason, then you might find this novel a bit heavy.

The first thing I’d like to point out is that one of the reasons I take a bit longer to read a book is because I read every single bit of it, from the introduction right on down to the author bio at the end. If you get the version of The Girl Next Door that I read then you’ll be treated to an introduction with Stephen King.

DO NOT READ THIS FIRST.

I believe Mr. King’s assuming that you’ve already read the book beforehand because he tosses out some spoilers in there. Just chug along into the opening chapters and you won’t get the story blown for you. I’m going to make sure I don’t blow it either in this article.

The Girl Next Door’s setting is the sunny smiley 1950’s America we’ve all seen in the black and white TV shows of old. David, our narrator, spends his days doing typical things that boys with waxed flat tops used to do back in the day - hunting for crawdads and all that. He lives in a down-homesy ™ neighborhood in a small town where the major troubles are local alcoholics and maybe joyriding teenagers. Yep, we’re in Mayberry!

The beauty of the book, though, lies in the fact that Ketchum’s willing to lift up that pretty small town rock and look at the nasty creatures wriggling around in the darkness. We meet Meg, a girl who’s come to live with her dear old aunt Ruth with her little sister Susan. Meg and Susan’s parents were killed in a tragic accident so they’re orphans now. Ole Ruth’s doing the good Christian thing and taking the poor girls in. In return, all she asks is that they do chores and what not. It’s the what not that’ll shock your eye balls out of their sockets so don’t say I didn’t warn you!

See, Ruth’s one of the "cool moms" that chain smokes and lets her sons drink beers with the neighborhood kids. David, who’s remembering this whole story from an adult stand point, fondly recalls how he’d sneak over there to do all the awesome things his parents weren’t cool enough to let him do. You know, like swearing and torturing little girls and stuff.

The way the story unfolds caught me off guard as a reader. I don’t generally go in for the feel good 50’s stuff, but that’s precisely how the book managed to convey such a creeping sense of dread. After the first few chapters you literally begin to dread reading further. It becomes almost a test of how much you can handle, but trust me - this makes you want some sort of justification all the more. By the time the closing chapters hit, you’re begging for David to do what heroes do!

In closing, I do want to point something out. While entirely fictional, The Girl Next Door (and yes, the 2007 movie is based on this novel) is based on actual events in a loose way. You can read about the awful tragedy of Sylvia Likens, the real girl next door by clicking this link. If I may offer some advice, though? Read the novel first because it’ll make you think that much harder about the real life horrors. And I feel that’s what Ketchum intended.

You know I’m going to give this book a 5 out of 5. It shook me to the core and very few books do that. I’ve got great respect for a horror novel that can make you think so deeply and seriously about life while still delivering on its promise to tell an entrancing and chilling tale. If you can handle The Girl Next Door, check ‘er out!

Until next time, this is GlowStormLion, scaring himself stupid to bring you quality reviews!

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Originally posted: June 3, 2006 @ 11:45pm PST

Published: 1994 (re-print 2001)

Pages: 503

"Dear Jane,

Come and play with me. For further instructions, look homeward, angel. You’ll be glad you did.

Warmest Regards,

MOG (Master of Games)."

I have to admit that when I first saw In The Dark I wasn’t all that impressed. The cover wasn’t particularly striking, nor was the title all that inspiring. I’d like the other Richard Laymon books I’d read so far and this convinced me to go ahead and give it a shot. I’m extremely glad I did.

The story is relatively straight-forward. The main character is Jane Kerry, a rather nondescript young librarian for the Donnerville Public Library. One night she stays late in order to close the place and that is the same night she finds the envelope the blocky letters of her name written on it. Inside she finds $50 and the note above preceding this review. From this moment on the paranoia begins to creep into her life and throughout the remainder of the book she never manages to shake it. This leads her through some of the most teeth-grindingly anxious pages of fiction I’ve read to date…

On this same night, Jane is startled to find that Brace Paxton had remained in the library late, as well. The subject of her note from MOG comes up and Brace helps her to solve the first riddle of the game. From here they set out on a date and even against Jane’s better instincts, a relationship between the two of them begins to blossom. Of course, as the game goes on, the stakes get higher terms of both reward and risk.

There’s was a certain uniqueness about this novel for me. I didn’t like Jane a bit. There were many times when I felt that if I’d known her in person there would be no way I could keep myself from screaming obscenities at her. Laymon casts her at first as a somewhat indecisive gal who’s insanely curious with a strong streak of defiance running throughout her personality. Not only is she somewhat of a nerd, she’s not much of an athlete, either. None of these things are that big of a deal unless you’re taking on the kind of risks that common street thug would have the presence of mind to think twice about.

It’s difficult to define just how grating Jane’s personality is. She’s not after the money, even though she likes it. She’s simply got something to prove to herself. Apparently what she’s trying to prove is that she possesses some level of rational thought and doesn’t have an overshadowing inferiority complex. I found her decisions to be incredibly frustrating throughout most of the book but she does develop over time so I suppose I should give her some token credit. Honestly, though it felt like Jane was on some quest to join the BDSM scene the entire time.

Fortunately for me the villain of In the Dark is much more interesting. I’m obviously not going to give away who this person is but I can tell you that I was extremely pleased to see him once he was revealed. I enjoy the clever villain and it’s even better if he’s somewhat of a sarcastic jerk (when you don’t like the hero). MOG devises some of the most torturous scenarios that are genuinely freaky and Jane volunteers herself to go through each situation. See? You can’t even really blame MOG. He’s simply an archetype of the devil, never forcing his victim to do anything, merely luring them in and then outsmarting them - repeatedly. Three cheers for MOG for keeping things interesting!

I find it fascinating that this book was first written in 1994. The game element of the story really reminded me of some sort of reality show, yet those weren’t so popular at the time of this book’s first publication. There’s a definite element of voyeurism within these pages. We witness the inner conflicts of Jane from a first-person perspective, we get to see how she comes to her decisions, not just the results of those decisions. It’s a real statement about what certain people will put themselves through and how many times, being the victim is a choice.

This book was difficult to put down. I found myself constantly looking forward to each new challenge from MOG. Watch for the scene in the mansion and you’ll see what I mean by "genuinely freaky". As always there’s the copious sex and gore required from any Laymon novel, but there’s also a solid dose of humor that comes in watching the jumpy Jane continually guess incorrectly who MOG is and make an ass out herself leaping to conclusions. A seriously fun read with the lightest touch of seriousness. It’s one of those books I found myself babbling to my friends about, knowing full well I’d be ruining the story for them later but being too carried away by enthusiasm to care.

In the end I have to give this novel a 4 out of 5. Why? Because I don’t like seeing dogs portrayed negatively and I don’t like Jane.

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