Brain Child: A Collection of Artifacts
Brain Child: A Collection of Artifacts
Published by Omnibucket
2006
Funny how first glances can be deceiving. When I received this book, well more like an anthology, I opened it to a random page and found a drawing by Justin Mills, age 9, depicting s zombie-like character with a sickle in one hand, a knife in the other, a sword through its torso sideways and an apparent gun shot to its belly button. Lying next to it on the ground is the head of a decapitated person near its former body. Needless to say, I was a little disturbed….age 9!? I immediately put it down. Until last week.
Brain Child, as previously stated, is an anthology of artifacts from the survivors of the second wave. The artwork is edgy, disturbing and absolutely perfect for this work. Each “artifact” is able to be taken as a work on its own, offering the reader an insight into a memory from each survivor and, in the end, the collection has moved from the pure fear and horror at the events these survivors are living, to a resolve to live, grow and change to survive another day.
The various writers offer a nice blend of varied survivor stories. However, the work of Scott Lambridis and especially David Senecal were outstanding. The overall quality of “Brain Child” is superb and impressive, especially coming from an independent press. These factors far outweighed my initial concern with the young Mr. Mills’ artwork.
Fantasy Times rating: 8.1
