Kevin Tipple recently picked an interesting publication to review. Issue 1 of DARK YONDER is “a new literary journal that’s pushing the boundaries of neo noir. Issue 1 includes a killer cocktail recipe, commentary by editors and crime fiction authors Eryk Pruitt and Katy Munger, plus the best of dark fiction today.” According tot he summary, “This is not your grandfather’s noir. Forget middle-aged alcoholics in bad jackets roaming the mean streets of L.A. in search of redemption and a bonus roll in the hay with a duplicitous dame. The debut issue of DARK YONDER takes a look at the dark side of modern life, including sibling rivalry, the shelf life of marriage, our culture of greed, violence as entertainment, child soldiers, obsessive love gone wrong, and so much more.” I’m going to let Kevin say more.
Dark Yonder: Issue 1 opens with two introductions. The first is by editor Eryk Pruitt in which he pays homage to Thuglit. The second is by editor Katy Munger where she expresses her love for short stories, the of “idea neo noir,” and how it relates to what they are going to publish. Then, after a drink recipe, it is on to the stories.
Mike McHone starts things off with “Perforation Of A Moment.” Birch Run, Michigan, is not a favorite place for Josh Howard. He went back there to either finish his novel or commit suicide. Which it will be is a tossup. It is late October and the 49-year-old man is going through some things. He has not seen nothing yet.
In “The Twenty-One Foot Rule” by Mick Mamatas, one is reminded that bringing a gun to a knife fight is an interesting choice. Tracy and Robin are twins. They are in a constant battle for supremacy, one way or another.
“Dorothy” by Anna Elin Kristiansen is a tale of what happens after the slap. Her husband never should have slapped her. He did. Things had not been that great lately, but even he knows he should not have done that. Now he wants it all to blow over and to be easily forgotten.
Beni is being forced to be a child soldier in “Beni” by Greg Williard. His fate is grim, even if he survives the training. That same training might give the skills he needs to deal with those who killed his parents and changed his life forever.
Todd Pierce is working the bar as “Verna Maxwell” by Dana King begins. She came into the bar, started a tab, and likes Vodka Collins. Her walking into his bar is going to start a string of events that will ultimately lead to violence. The only question is what will happen and how bad it will be.
Reni knew somebody was in the house, but Teddy refused to get up and look. She used to be a cop, still has her K9 partner though he is up in years, and has the 1911 cold Teddy’s father used in WWII. She also has home field advantage in “Home Game” by Craig Faustus Buck.
After a string of short stories firmly grounded in noir style crime fiction, the next several stories are more science fiction or fantasy general tales. While enjoyable reads, they may not fit how you see the noir word, neo or otherwise.
“The Worst Game Of Baseball Ever Played” by Adam Breckenridge features a world gone mad. The unrest starts in the stands of a baseball stadium and soon spills over into the surrounding neighborhood. Extreme violence with no sign of law enforcement. Is our hero going mad? Is the world ending? Neither? Both? The answer is in the mind of the reader as this one is very much open to interpretation.
An incident at school means he is suspended and going home. Mom’s a bit worried about why he did what he did in “A Harvest Of Malice” by Matt McHugh. The story within the story is an ancient and powerful message– if he listens.
It is 1965 and King Booker has a plan in “The Entitled Life And Untimely Death Of King Booker” by P. M. Raymond. New Orleans. Voodoo. Need I say more?
The final story returns the reader to a more crime fiction noir style bent and without the paranormal in Johnny Shaw’s “Or Not To Be.” A poker game in a bar goes wrong. At least it did for the guy who got invited to the game, won big, and now has one heck of a problem staying alive and keeping his winnings.
Dark Yonder: Issue 1 is an interesting mixture of stories. All the tales are solidly good. Some are more clearly crime fiction rooted noir type tales than others. Science fiction and fantasy elements are present in three tales. More than anything or any label, these are dark tales and not ones that make you feel very good about anyone involved. As was the legendary Thuglit, this is not a read that makes you feel all warm and gooey about humanity. The overall result here is an interesting and enjoyable read as well as a new market to keep an eye on going forward.
My eBook reading copy was a gift from a friend.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2023
