The Hackers Source

The Hacker's Source no.11

On discovering earlier issues of 'The Hacker's Source' (see below) one thing that immediately jumped out at me was just how refreshingly exciting and impressive this genre magazine is...sure we have all those mags like Fangoria and the Dark Side or even countless genre movie websites (like our own here at SGM) but 'The Hacker's Source' does something that no one else seems to be doing well anymore - covering many different aspects of the genre scene, whether it be fiction, films, games or whatever but here there's one key element, all involved are newcomers to the scene and how many publications are daring enough to take the chance to promote the new writer or film maker? Not many but publisher Eve Blaack and her team not only support the newcomer but manage to deliver the goods with each and every edition.

But enough of my applause, what of this latest issue (no.11)? Well, the diverse content is of prime example in this issue...one of the first pieces that hooked me was JP's article on the tragic demise of Forry Ackerman's massive genre collection (why the hell aren't his so-called movie pals in power not stepping in to save this collection?) and along with the many regular movie reviews there's some fascinating interviews from Eve Blaack in the form of 'Rachel's Attic' director David Tybor (his S&M snuff flick sounds a cracker) and controversial serial killer artist/modelmaker David Johnson. Fiction scribe Gene Mazza skips his duties this edition to deliver a fun and insightful look into his venture into effects work for the new low budget anthology horror flick 'Tenement' and Anthony Pepe is on board with a travelogue with a difference as he reports (with a ghoul fans view) on his trip to gloomy old London which I personally found fascinating seeing through a tourists eyes (and not my own downbeat view of that city). Poor old JP must have been on a downer submitting for this edition as after breaking out on his Forry Ackerman piece he reminisces about the late Milton Subotsky with a touching and heartfelt tribute to the great man.

And it is with this heartfelt attitude that 'The Hacker's Source' truly does shine, you see everyone contributing here really does come across as pretty much saying exactly how they see it and this doesn't mean they go for the cop out venomous prose many would opt for but utilise their talents to bringing you a ensemble collection of impressive reading...and so it is to the fiction side of the magazine that you will really see this attitude shine - as ever there's a vast variation of styles in writing for you to savour (with Thanksgiving, zombies, serial thrillers - they're all here!) but this edition my tip of the hat has to go to Josh Haney's 'Meeting the Greys', a hilarious 'honest this is true' tale of one couple's encounter with alien abduction - sure it's not pure horror but it made me laugh out loud.

There is indeed stacks of great atmospheric reading to keep anyone entertained and considering I'm not even the biggest fan of kicking back with a book I always find 'The Hacker's Source' a thoroughly gratifying read, damn they've even got me reading poetry again and who would ever have thought they would look at that sorta stuff since leaving school (but then satan, necrophilia and oral sex were never part of my English poetry curriculum!) Sure 'The Hacker's Source' isn't filled with glossy pics and posters but it is a damn good read, broaden your genre loving horizons and make sure to check this ghoulishly brilliant magazine out - buy it now!

Have you ever got that strange feeling when you've strayed into a small local pub and felt you were intruding into a private club where you're just not welcome (nee our hapless friends in 'American Werewolf in London'). Well, 'The Hackers Source' is the magazine equivalent, except here you're made more than welcome into this fascinating society of the underground horror scene!

Eve Blaack's genre consuming magazine truly delivers what it says on the label and is a fascinating 'gateway to independent horror'. Every type of creative horror is covered here and is full of talented contributors showcasing their work for you to discover. Whether it be short story fiction, poetry, comic strips or movies - this all-encompassing magazine covers it all to perfection making engrossing and fun reading.

I'd imagine that many of our readers will have mainly stuck to the horror movie path but should take the chance by discovering some of the horrifically talented writers that are covered here. I'm the first to confess that I'd lost interest in horror fiction (well until Lucifer Fulci's stunning 'Siki City' came along) but like Fulci's work most new horror writers seem to be beating the same drum when it comes to truly visceral and shocking horror. The ideal factor also being that much of what is offered here is in the short story format making these delightful yarns very accessible to the casual reader. But supported with some great comic strips (Steven Vincent's strips are lovely) and some hot new independent movie coverage (the issues I read contained interviews with Jim Van Bebber, Meat Market's Brian Clements as well as other rising movie makers) 'Hackers Source' is indeed your one stop guide to the new generation of horror.

The editions perused here at SGM (issues 7 & 8) stuck closely to the diverse template of the magazines sub-culture and it looks to be maintaining this high standard in every edition. A very welcome change of pace from the usual review/interview format and a brave move to specifically promote mainly unknown newcomers to the scene. The film coverage is fascinating and the horror fiction is fearful - one of the best genre publications to appear in quite some time. Discover the future stars of the horror scene - go pick up a copy of 'The Hackers Source' now, highly recommended!

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