Cheat Week #5

Yes, it's another Cheat Week, but this one is intentional! In the spirit of the season, I wanted to share with you one of my very favorite horror stories, which just so happens to be a (completely free)

AUDIO DRAMA!!!

Darker Projects is a creative studio that produces audio dramas of all kinds, but focusses on the realms of science fiction and horror. They have several great productions that they offer for free on their website, but the one I'd like to call your attention to today is probably my favorite of the bunch.

Autumn is based on the first of several horror novels by British author, David Moody. It's set in the English countryside and follows the trials of a group of people who have survived a world-ending plague that kills and then reanimates the majority of the population. Yes, this is a zombie story, but not quite like any other zombie story I've seen or read. The twist is a relatively minor one, but for someone who has sampled the many variations of zombie fiction, it will make the story surprisingly suspenseful and unpredictable. And, of course, for those who have never had an interest in zombie fiction before, this story may change things up enough to draw you in.

It's wonderfully acted by Darker Projects' cast of volunteer actors, with atmospheric music that will stick with you long after its finished. I've listened to it three times and I fully intend on giving it another spin before Halloween.

All six episodes can be found on the above-linked Autumn page. Hope you enjoy it!

Geeks of Doom Article: A Game of Thrones vs. The Walking Dead

The article I wrote for Geeks of Doom about the upcoming A Game Of Thrones and The Walking Dead, from HBO and AMC respectively, just went up!

Geek shows have gotten more recognition in recent years than they ever did in the past. Once upon a time the height of genre television was the Star Trek franchise, which, while always intelligent and ambitious, was still shunted by society into that niche of fandom reserved for the obsessive and the dateless. Thankfully, with the success of shows like Lost, Battlestar Galactica, and True Blood (and we’ll just ignore the unjust deaths of shows like Firefly, Dollhouse, and The Sarah Connor Chronicles for the moment), genre television seems to have entered into a new golden age, much like comic book movies did ten years ago.

Two of the most recent — and, it could be argued, most anticipated — such shows share a unique mission statement, despite their vastly differing subject matter. Both are adaptations of decidedly adult material, from mediums often given the short shrift in live-action television. Both will attempt to subvert genres that come heavily burdened with the preconceived notions of the common audience. And both feature a surprising pedigree of creators who are dedicated to their success. Those two upcoming shows are AMC’s The Walking Dead and HBO’s A Game Of Thrones.

Read the full article HERE!