Daniel Ransom is the pseudonym of crime writer Ed Gorman. These two covers absofuckinglutely rule, classic horror fiction cover art goodies in effect.
Another pseudonym - one might begin to get the idea some writers didn't wanna be known as pulp horror writers! - Jack MacLane is really Bill Crider. Goodnight Moon is still on my to-read shelf, so I don't quite get the "moom" reference. Blood Dreams is one of those nicely reductive horror titles that really crack me up in their dunder-headed obviousness.
Author Joseph Citro is a well-respected regional writer; I've got one of his early '90s horror novels that has lots of critical blurbs - and not the generic "couldn't put it down" kind either - but I haven't read him.
Wow did Stephen Gresham get the Zebra red carpet when it came to cover art!
And *record scratch* these two are too unfocused and too overdone, respectively, to warrant much interest. I mean, gimme a little subtlety, right? Just a little now and then. I mean I don't ask for much do I?
Great covers! I've always thought that "Deadly Nature" cover was one of the most awkward things ever.
ReplyDeleteJack Maclane is Bill Crider?! Cool! I remember liking Maclane's books. Haven't read 'em in, jeez, like 30 years, but I should re-visit them. I remember Goodnight Moom being one of the most twisted things I'd read at the time... it's kind of a really sick joke, almost. I need to re-read that one, for sure.
Love these covers, I have copies of Playtime and The Doll.
ReplyDeleteI'm biased because I'm a Vermonter, but I'd recommend checking out Joe Citro. His books are good stuff...though that cover art is just plain bogus! That harp-playing skeleton is so goofy looking. His novels were later re-released by Hardscrabble Books with more dignified, but sort've bland, covers. The design of his folklore books has been consistently better.
ReplyDeleteThe cover for The Unblessed would make a great tattoo.
ReplyDeleteAm I normal if I say I want to own each and everyone of these titles?
ReplyDeleteI love that Goodnight, Moon cover!
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