Die Laughing Richard Sala's more recent works have consisted of long, convoluted noirish plots that are still fun to read, but I have always had a preference for his shorter, more tightly plotted works of the sort found in this collection. Sala's stories work simultaneously as tributes to and satires of 1930s hard-boiled detective stories and horror movies, with dark and humourous mysteries involving strange trenchcoated characters, hunchbacks and mad scientists directly out of Bela Lugosi or Humphrey Bogart films. Sala's black and white artwork is also somewhat reminiscent of Edward Gorey and pulp illustrations, but completely unique.
If you are into psychotronic films, you will love Sala's work. One of the best stories in this collection was actually written by Tom DeHaven, the novelist of Freaks Amour, but all the stories are great and will bring childhood memories of secretly watching black and white midnight movies on your TV way past your bedtime. FUN!
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tony's Online Tips
Trevor
