With six-guns blazing and tentacles flailing, this nifty all-original anthology delivers impressively on the "pure storytelling" promise Lansdale (Flaming London
) makes in his intro. The dozen authors manage to address serious issues while remaining true to their roots and the book's theme. Particular standouts are Al Sarrantonio's deliberately and successfully Bradburyesque "Summer"; Chet Williamson's "From the Back Pages," a delightful trail of breadcrumb hints leading to a sly and satisfactory end; and F. Paul Wilson's "Sex Slaves of the Dragon Tong," which more than any other story captures the real essence of the pulps. Tim Lebbon's "The Body Lies," a dark tale of a man who finds a giant buried in his cellar, is a great read but not at all pulpy. Other contributors include Kim Newman, Alex Irvine and Melissa Mia Hall. (May)
