Attack of the Drones

In just a couple more days, we’ll have a double-stuffed special issue of Lovecrafty goodness for you to read. It’s the perfect thing to take on the long Fourth of July weekend. Forget the fireworks and hot dogs, nothing says mid-summer fun like insanity-inducing shadow deities from the edge of the cosmos.

While you wait to see what our writers have cooked up for you, be sure to check out our excellent June Issue. It sports one of our favorite covers, plus great fiction by Ricardo Angulo, Nick Depke, Ric Carter, Jon Wesick, Robert Buswell, and Isaac Boone Davis. And our first ever poem, by Helena Ainsworth.

Shotgun Shine

James Gandolfini, 1961-2013

In Jersey, we have deep affection for anyone who doesn’t run from their Jersey roots, let alone celebrates them. Bruce Springsteen. Kevin Smith. Fuck, even Bon Jovi. And, yes, even Tony Soprano, the man at the core of a show that became synonymous with the Garden State, while portraying it as a corrupt, stripper-obsessed backwater.

(Which, of course, is in no way true at all.)

As Kevin tweeted earlier tonight, James Gandolfini gave a soul to the monster at the heart of The Sopranos. The show changed television — and made people all around the world drive through a Jersey Turnpike tool booth each week during the opening credits.

There always will be a love-hate relationship between Jersey and The Sopranos; Jimmy Gandolfini was definitely part of the love. Rest in peace.

Don’t Shut Out the Light

Issue 43 is the runaway American dream. Less chrome-wheeled and fuel-injected, more disillusioned and dejected. We bookend our June installment with stories about addiction – one with killer drones, the other involves someone getting shot by a turkey. In between there’s war, PTSD, recession, and a bread van. That’s right, we said a bread van. Also, our first ever poem.

It’s a bit of a walk on the dark side, but we think you can handle it. The weather’s getting warmer and the writing’s always good. You’ll be okay if you don’t stray too far off the path.

In fact, Issue 43 needs you. Redeem the cynicism, heal the violated.

Hiho silver-o, deliver it from nowhere.