March 18, 2004

The Darkness

Posted by Ted

When Jim Treacher linked to the homepage of the imaginary horror writer Garth Marenghi, he found a real gem. Garth Marenghi is wonderfully done narcissistic hack, the page is hilarious, and the internet is a beautiful thing for hosting it. (Oh, the internet. How can I stay mad at you?)

From one of the interviews:

What, scientifically speaking, is the most frightening thing ever? Garth: I’m not a scientist. I’m a fabulist, a shaman, a ferryman, a dreamweaver. But that’s not to say I don’t put forward scientific propositions. In Black Fang, I dared to suggest that if pollution kept progressing at its current rate, rats would soon be able to drive buses. This week, as I sauntered through Soho, I witnessed a rodent sniffing curiously round a discarded rollerskate. Are we really so far away from my apocalyptic vision? I fear not friend.

A description of one of his books, Afterbirth:

It’s the year 2050 and everyone can choose the perfect baby. Blue eyes, blond hair, and calcium-rich blood. Everyone, that is, who can pay. (Many people can’t pay). The West Country’s most beautiful woman, Silvie Mink, is certain her newborn will be as drop dead gorgeous as her. But when her baby drops dead, knifed by her own placenta, she knows her DNA modification program has gone too far… TAGLINE: After birth, comes Afterbirth

(On a related note, happy Day-Before-Zombie-Movie, everyone.)

Posted on March 18, 2004 08:44 PM UTC
Comments

If you’ve got Bittorrent, try to download the episodes. They’re hilarious.

Posted by Jim Treacher · March 18, 2004 09:49 PM

Definitely recommend “Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace” which has just finished on Channel 4 in the UK. The attention to detail is quite impressive, I particularly like the colour palette of the title sequence, very Quincy-esque.

Posted by Simstim · March 19, 2004 09:36 AM

Never before had there been a book about a flying knife, and, although Marenghi would ink three sequels, Slasher, R.I.P.P.E.R., and Slicer IV: The Blade is Back, Slicer is our first novel-length taste of the Marenghian terrors to come.

Are you sure this isn’t a joke?

Posted by neil · March 19, 2004 10:09 PM

Oh.. in fact, you’re sure it is a joke. Seemed all too plausible at first.

Posted by neil · March 19, 2004 10:16 PM
Followups

→ Literary links.
Excerpt: Maud Newton links to John Leary's very funny "The Seven Basic Plots." More on education in Georgia (see previous entry):...Read more at scribblingwoman

This discussion has been closed. Thanks to everyone who contributed.