City Slab Magazine Review (Issue 11)
Editor – Dave Lindschmidt
City Slab is a horror magazine that also specializes in fiction stories. This glossy mag totaled almost 80 pages with mostly color except for the fiction tales, which didn’t need it anyway.
The usual sections include Editorial Slabbering, City Slab Sound (Music Review), Notes from the Underground (Book Reviews), Game Reviews, Film Reviews (only 1!), 4 original stories by different writers, and no news. There are a few small pieces thrown in that resemble some of Rue Morgue’s material like Is There a Doctor In the House? (Morbid Facts), City Slab Special Report (locations), and City Slab Shakedown (products).
The fiction is clearly the strong point of the magazine. Poisoned Love by Blaise Bienvenue (uhh, fake much?) was my favorite. Here a lonely boy wanders into an abandoned apartment to play with himself, ignore his neglectful girlfriend, and become the face of darkness. It was more interested in the disintegration of a relationship. Doxology is about a drug dealer that needs to make a choice to save his special daughter before its too late. Caramula is about a Mexican folktale where a cabby sells out women to pay his way across the border. Mathematician’s Desire is about a stripper graduating from college with the help of an abusive professor.
Also, the nonfiction articles by Lisa Agnew kick some ass. Frankenstein’s Genesis details the background of Mary Shelley’s life and the possible influences on her novel. Bedlam Lobotomies gives the brief history of psychosurgery including lobotomies and touching on ECT. Marilyn Manson: Disturbing the Peace reviews his Eat Me, Drink Me CD while providing background info on his personal and work life. There is an interview with Sheri Moon Zombie, but anyone who has heard her speak before will know not much is going on here.
Unfortunately, what holds the magazine back is the lack of reviews. City Slab Sounds only covered Coil, Game Reviews only covered Vampire: Prince of the City (a board game, NOT video). But lucky for them Tim Janson saves their asses with his great book reviews covering zombie tale Dying to Live, Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse, Cemetery Dance’s Midnight Premiere, Better the Devil, and McFarland’s Horror Films of 1980s.
The only Movie Review covered was VACANCY. But what I wanted to point out was that Kate Beckinsale’s name was in bold print at the top of the front cover as though she was somehow featured or interviewed in the article. But she wasn’t at all. Also, I happened to check out the upcoming Issue 12 and it lists Jessica Alba in bold print at the top of the cover. I will take a wild guess and say they didn’t interview her either. I understand the “Why” behind this, but it’s still misleading. I would suggest at least providing a mini Bio or horror filmography for the actresses to make up for it.
Cost: $6 per issue or $20 for 4-issue subscription ($5 each). There are other deals online and you can find this at some bookstore stands.
Bottom Line: A decent enough read for the fiction & nonfiction pieces. But for those wanting more well-rounded and detailed horror reviews should stick with Rue Morgue.
Rating: 6/10
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