SLAUGHTERHOUSE FARM Comic Has a Sequel on Kickstarter

slaughterhouse kickstarter

The comic book series STARBURST described as ‘a must-have for any longtime horror hounds’ and ‘pitch perfect and delightfully demented’, is coming back for it’s fifth splatter-soaked instalment, and it needs your help.

 

The four-part indie comic Slaughterhouse Farm, described as ‘The Hills Have Eyes set in Snowdonia’, and given 9/10 by STARBURST, featured a group of troubled teenagers on a team-building trip, being chased by the monstrous Pigf**ker. Now the series continues with Slaughterhouse Z, which sees hulking serial killer ‘Porker X’ carving a swathe of terror throughout the Welsh countryside, and promising as much blood and guts per frame than is (in)humanly possible – as well as a pair of new heroines, brides-to-be Roxy and Serenity, caught up in the carnage.

Produced by the UK-based small press comic production team, Hellbound Media, and the brain child of Matt Warner and his friend A. J. Ballard, Slaughterhouse Z represents their own gloriously gruesome take on the grindhouse horror aesthetic.

To get the comic into print, Hellbound Media have launched a Kickstarter campaign, where Slaughterhouse fans can support the project and get their mitts on a whole heap of merchandise including t-shirts, stickers and postcards, superb original artwork and ultra-limited edition alternative covers. The campaign runs until June 26th, 2019, with the comic due in August this year if the target is reached. So get pledging – or they’ll send Porker X round, and trust us, you really don’t want that to happen!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hellboundmedia/slaughterhousez/description

 

Bradley Cooper in Talks for del Toro’s NIGHTMARE ALLEY

Bradley Cooper

With the utterly brilliant Guillermo del Toro directing Nightmare Alley for Fox Searchlight, now comes word on who may be headlining the picture.

If you remember back, Leonardo DiCaprio was at one point lined up to star in the film before ultimately turning down the gig. And now, Variety is reporting that Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper is in talks for the role originally pegged for DiCaprio. In fact, the outlet claims that Cooper has already been offered the starring role, with talks currently ongoing.

Written by del Toro and Kim Morgan, Nightmare Alley will be del Toro’s take on William Lindsay Graham’s 1946 novel of the same name. The source material – not to mention the 1947 movie adaptation – centres on a conman who teams with a female psychiatrist to trick some poor saps out of their money.

As ever, expect more on del Toro’s Nightmare Alley as it continues to develop.

TITANS Adds Drew Van Acker as Aqualad

Drew Van Acker

With Titans currently amassing quite the impressive set of new additions ahead of its second season, the DC Universe series has now added yet another famed superhero to its ranks.

As first reported by TV Insider, Pretty Little Liars’ Drew Van Acker has joined the show as longtime Aquaman sidekick, Aqualad. This comes hot on the heels of Natalie Gumede being announced as playing Mercy Graves in Titans, not to mention the previous additions of Esai Morales as Deathstroke, Chella Man as Jericho, Chelsea T. Zhang as Ravager and Iain Glen as Bruce Wayne.

In terms of his comic book roots, Aqualad debuted in 1960’s Adventure Comics #269 as a creation of writer Robert Bernstein and artist Ramona Fradon. Also known as Garth, the young Atlantean hero would often accompany Aquaman on his various adventures before becoming a founding member of the Teen Titans in 1964.

For more recent comic book fans, you’ll be well aware that 2010 saw a second version of Aqualad created. Known as Jackson Hyde or Kaldur’ahm, this incarnation of the character was created for the brilliant Young Justice animated series.

Titans is expected to premiere its second season towards the end of the year or possibly in early 2020.

Blumhouse Carving Up a New BLACK CHRISTMAS Remake

Black Christmas

With a new remake, reboot, redo or reimagining always just around the corner, now comes word on another serving of Black Christmas being carved up.

As officially announced by Blumhouse, a new take on Black Christmas has been booked in for a December 13th big-screen release.

The early word on the film has it pegged as:

Hawthorne College is quieting down the holidays. One by one, sorority girls on campus are being killed by an unknown stalker. But the killer is about to discover that this generation’s young women aren’t willing to become hapless victims as they mount a fight to the finish.

Not just that, but we have some details on who’ll be starring in and handling the picture. In terms of the cast, it’s been announced that Green Room’s Imogen Poots, Charmed’s Aleyse Shannon, Star’s Brittany O’Grady, The Goldbergs’s Lily Donoghue and Choir Boy’s Caleb Eberhardt will feature in the film.

Always Shine’s Sophia Takal is on directing duties for this incarnation of Black Christmas, with Takal working on the screenplay with Widower’s April Wolfe. Jason Blum is on producing duties through the Blumhouse banner, along with Cam’s Adam Hendricks and Rumor Has It’s Ben Cosgrove.

From the early synopsis details, it appears that Black Christmas will largely follow the same narrative as the original 1974 movie. Starring the likes of Olivia Hussey, Margot Kidder and John Saxon, that Bob Clark-helmed offering is largely viewed, along with John Carpenter’s Halloween, as starting the slasher craze. A so-so remake was then released in 2006, with the gore amped up for that new spin on the property.

As ever, expect more on Black Christmas as we get it.

Natalie Gumede is TITANS’ Mercy Graves

Natalie Gumede Mercy Graves

Having impressed many with its debut season, the second season of Titans is shaping up rather nicely. And now, we have word on another famed DC Comics character set to join the action in Season 2.

Via Deadline, Doctor Who’s Natalie Gumede has been brought in to play the nefarious Mercy Graves in Titans. Comic book fans will be well familiar with Mercy, for she is the righthand woman of Lex Luthor. Not just that, but she’s a truly ruthless, tough-as-nails sort who can hold her own against some of the very best the DC world has to offer.

In addition to her plentiful animated and comic book appearances, Mercy Graves has also already appeared made her live-action bow. First up, Cassidy Freeman played a pseudo Mercy in Smallville; Freeman’s character of Tess Mercer being a mixture of Mercy Graves, Lena Luthor and Eve Tessmacher. Following that, Tao Okamoto played Mercy in 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and more recently we’ve been treated to Rhona Mitra as the character in Supergirl’s excellent fourth season.

Gumede as Mercy is just the latest new addition for Titans, with the show having previously added Esai Morales as Deathstroke, Chella Man as Jericho, Chelsea T. Zhang as Ravager, Joshua Orpin as Superboy, and Iain Glen as Bruce Wayne.

Season 2 of Titans is expected to premiere towards the end of the year, with the series housed on DC Universe in North America and on Netflix in international markets.

COCO Co-Writer to Develop Netflix’s NARNIA Projects

The Chronicles of Narnia

With Netflix currently making plans for movie and series takes on The Chronicles of Narnia, now comes an update on who’ll be developing these projects for the on-demand streaming service.

Courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter, Coco co-writer Matthew Aldrich has been brought in to head-up the creative side of things for all things Narnia.

If you remember, last year saw Netflix pick up the rights to the seven-novel world created by C.S. Lewis. At that point, it was confirmed that the streaming juggernaut had plans to develop both films and a TV series based around the property.

For those of you who saw Coco, you’ll certainly agree that the family-friendly Disney Pixar offering was an utterly beautiful film full of emotion, humour and plenty of undead action. In fact, the feature would nab an Oscar for Best Animated Picture in addition to taking home an impressive $800 million at the box office.

This will be far from the first time that The Chronicles of Narnia have been brought to life, of course. C.S. Lewis’ written adventures began life back in 1950 with the beloved The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, and six further novels would follow. Plentiful live-action, animated and radio adaptations have happened over the subsequent decades, with the BBC’s late ‘80s series and the movie franchise of the 2000s likely the best known.

Set in the mystical, magical realm of Narnia, The Chronicles of Narnia’s seven books comprise all kinds of fantastical, wonderous and outright evil characters and creatures, with children from our very real world being thrust into the delights and dangers of Narnia.

As ever, expect more on Netflix’s Narnia plans as they continue to develop.

LOBO Spin-off Series in Development

Emmett Scanlon Lobo

Ahead of the character debuting in Krypton’s second season, now comes word that Syfy is already making plans for a Lobo spin-off series.

Courtesy of Variety, the fan favourite bounty hunter will be getting his own show, with it presumed that Emmett J. Scanlan will reprise the role he’ll be playing in Krypton.

For those unfamiliar with the Lobo character, he began life back in 1984 as a creation of Roger Slifer and Keith Giffen. An intergalactic Czarnian bounty hunter who rides through the stars on his badass motorcycle, Lobo has battled and bested some of the most powerful superheroes on DC’s roster, including Superman, Green Lantern, and the Martian Manhunter.

For years now a Lobo movie has been mooted, with the latest on that project coming last year when Michael Bay was eying a big-screen outing for this no-nonsense sort. Whether that still happens, we’ll have to wait and see. We do know, however, that this massively popular character will be heading to Krypton, though, and then he’ll be getting his own solo series.

Season 2 of Krypton premiered in the US last night, and, as ever, expect more on Lobo as it develops.

STARBURST’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2019 Picks

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe has been going strong since 1947 and every year features thousands of acts.  We’ve trawled through the very long list to pick out shows that will appeal to fans of cult entertainment from all walks of life.

Questing Time
1 to 11 & 13 to 25 August. 10:50pm (60 mins) – Venue 23 Pleasance Dome

Join comedian Paul Foxcroft as he takes a team of the Fringe’s best performers through their paces via a game of Dungeons & Dragons. See what happens when one of the UK’s highly lauded improv talents decides to take us all on a ridiculous adventure. Brilliant stuff and an instant cult classic. See it before it gets famous.

Quintessence
12 to13, 15-20 & 22 to 25 August. 1:20pm (45 mins) – Venue 188 Sweet Novotel

Emily Carding is a staggeringly talented actor, with her one-woman version of Richard III being quite rightly praised for its power and performance. Her latest work, Quintessence, is an interesting blend of sci-fi and classic theatre.  Inspired by Shelley’s Frankenstein, it’s the tale of AI who has been left to rebuild the entire human race. With only the complete works of Shakespeare as a guide, can it recreate the human spirit?

John Robertson The Dark Room
1 to 24 August.  9:15pm  (60 minds) – Venue 14 Gilded Ballon Teviot

The Dark Room has become something of a cult. A mix of improv comedy, nostalgia, video game pastiche and creepy vibes, it’s a thing many return to again and again.  The premise of the show is that you, the audience, are trapped in some twisted 80’s style computer game. Solve the puzzle and escape the Dark Room and win big, but if you don’t, well, death is certain. But first you must find the light switch. If you haven’t experienced it yet, do make the effort.

JRR Tolkien’s Leaf by Niggle
1st, 2nd & 3rd August.  4:00pm (75 mins) – Venue 30 Scottish Storytelling Centre

How do you improve Tolkien? Why with puppets, of course. The Puppet State Theatre Company’s brings us a splendid take on JRR Tolkien’s classic short story.Niggle is an artist, struggling to complete a curious painting of a tree but plagued by constant interruptions. Unluckily for Niggle, the world has other plans in mind and he has a very reluctant journey to take. Gorgeous, haunting stuff.

We Apologise for the Inconvenience
9 to 16 August. 11:30am  (45 mins) – Venue 277  PQA Venues Riddle’s Court

It is the summer of 1984. Douglas Adams is struggling to write his next novel, the latest in the Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy series. Douglas, having already heard the whoosing noise as he missed his deadline, has been locked away in a London hotel room in order to get the thing finished. But they are so many distractions. Including a talking plastic duck. An absolute must for sci-fi fans.

Jollyboat – Bards Against Humanity
3 to 25 August. 5pm (50 mins) – Venue 276 Liquid Room Annexe/Warehouse

Bards against Humanity is jukebox of Jollyboat’s funniest songs.  Laugh along as the two pirate-themed brothers perform outrageously funny songs which are sure to appeal to fans of Cult Entertainment. A must for those who like Fannish Filk and geeky parody songs.

Boar
31 July & 1 to 11 & 13 to 25 August. 10:45pm (60 mins) – Venue 33 Pleasance Courtyard

We love a bit of fantasy over in Starburst Towers, and Boar sounds like a lovely mix of classic fringe theatre and folklore. Set in the Kingdom of Skadi, this one man show tells a tale of an epic quest. When a king’s daughter is captured by an evil dragon, then the call to adventure must be answered. Lewis Doherty is always a delight, this should be legendary.

Father of Lies
2 to 4, 6 to 11, 13 to 18 & 22 to 25 August. 1:20pm (45 mins) – Venue 188 Sweet Novotel

When horror hits the right note, it can make for stunning theatre. Father of Lies tells the chilling tale of a mysterious, unsolved murder in West Germany, 1973. This tale of woe features haunted priests, jealous widowers and satanic cults.

In Space…
12 to13, 15-20 & 22 to 25 August. 1:20pm (45 mins) – Venue 236  Greenside @ Infirmary Street

Apparently, In Space No One Can Hear Sing. Fortunately this show is in Scotland. This musical comedy is set on StarShip Unsinkable II.  Alas, the crew have woken up to find themselves stranded in space. A fun show produced by the Napier University Drama Society.

Fright Bus Service
1 to 25 August. Times Vary (60 mins) – Venue 115  Necrobus Stop

Sightseeing bus tours are a famous part of the Edinburgh experience, so of course they’ve joined in with the fringe.  Come aboard this theatrical sightseeing tour and take a 1960s Routemaster bus into the darker side. Learn the history of the city whilst being scared witless by professionals. Sounds fun.

Moon: We Cannot Get Out
31 July & 1 to 11 & 13 to 25 August. 9:30pm (60 mins) – Venue 33 Pleasance Courtyard

Two comedians who should know better, trapped in their own venue. Are supernatural forces involved? Is it a rogue AI? An ancient curse? Incompetence? A hackneyed plot device? We have no idea. What we do know is that comedy duo  Moon are always worth a chuckle or two.

This article has been edited to remove dead links.
You may want to check out our previous guides from 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

FrightFest & FAB Press Get Hairy With the Werewolf Guide

frightfest werewolf

After the hugely successful previous volumes, FrightFest and FAB Press have teamed up again to bring you another FrightFest Guide – this time under the spotlight is Werewolf Movies.

Committed to exploring the Dark Heart of Cinema, author Gavin Baddeley has written the latest in the series of guides, which – like the predecessors – will be launched at Arrow Video FrightFest in August.

From the press release:

For more than a century, a diverse pack of lycanthropes have memorably manifested onto our screens, in many hair-raising shapes and sizes. Within these colourful pages we will encounter reluctant wolfmen, shapeshifting sadists, Nazi werewolves, werewolf nuns, big bad fairytale wolves and lycanthropic nymphomaniacs.

Acclaimed author, broadcaster and occult historian, Gavin Baddeley, finds fresh perspectives on established classics, uncovers neglected gems, and even examines a few howlers among the two hundred-odd werewolf movies reviewed. In the process Baddeley shows how the myth has transformed; whereby werewolves become analogies for alcoholism or adolescence, or ciphers for sexual awakening or serial murder.

Gavin said today: “I was flattered to be asked – I’m among pretty distinguished company with the other FrightFest Guide authors and contributors – and it seemed an ideal opportunity to explore why I’ve been so fascinated by werewolves since childhood, As a lifelong lycanthropy obsessive, an excuse to watch hundreds of werewolf films under the pretext of work was always going to be impossible to resist!

Renowned director, writer and producer Neil Marshall – whose brilliant debut Dog Soldiers reinvigorated the werewolf for the 21st Century – contributes the foreword.

The official launch of the book is at Arrow Video FrightFest, with official signings taking place at Cineworld, Leicester Square (22 to 27 August). Both Gavin and Neil will be in attendance. The FrightFest exclusive hardcover will be on sale for just £20 from www.fabpress.com

The book’s international street date is October 1st, 2019. Paperback price: UK £17.99 / US $26.95

Greater Manchester Fringe Festival 2019 Preview

Manchester Fringe

Manchester is a city filled with invention and creativity, so it makes sense that The Greater Manchester Fringe is filled with new talent and experimental acts. It’s a city where you get to see the next big thing first. Now in its seventh year, The GM Fringe always has new delights to offer.

While you’re enjoying the Manchester International Festival, try not to forget the fringe runs throughout July and tickets are usually less than a tenner.  Let’s take a look at some of the cult entertainment style shows on offer in 2019.

And don’t forget to visit STARBURST’s favourite bar, Fab Café, for some pre-show drinks beforehand.

Mistress To The Midnight

19th, 20th and 21st July 2019. 7:30 pm (60 mins) – The Kings Arms: Theatre

Join the Sinema Society for a live stage comedy homage to the classic British horror movie.  This loving swipe at Hammer Horror style flicks takes us to a mysterious foreign land. There, the strange Madame Zozanov lures an unsuspecting lawyer into her lair. But all is not as it seems as every cliché in the horror movie handbook seems to be involved here.  Written and performed by award winning comedians and purveyors of terror – Jack Robertson, Jacob Lovick and Chazz Redhead. An evening of hilarious horror is pretty much guaranteed.

The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen

6th and 7th July 2019. 3:00Pm (60 mins) – Frog and Bucket Comedy Club

The Baron and his tall tales are a gift to talented improvisers and comedians. After all, we all know the Baron has never knowingly told a lie and every single thing he says is true. Including the story about the elephant and that thing about the castle made of cheese.   Utterly engaging and fantastic stuff. Award winning fringe theatre aimed firmly at children but just as likely to delight the young at heart.

Kasterborous in Bolton

9th, 10th and 11th July 2019.  9:00 pm (70 mins) – The Kings Arms: Theatre

It’s 1999. Doctor Who is just another cancelled TV show, but the fans are still going strong. Kasterborous is their chance to meet their heroes, even though the stars in question might not feel terribly special.  Two fans, a faded actress and a writer who’s glory days have long since passed make a recipe for nostalgia and adventure.  Created by 2018 fringe award winning writer Jonathan Hall.

What Remains

29th & 30th July 2019. 7:30 pm (75 mins) –  Salford Arts Theatre

Speculative fiction in a world very close to our own. What Remains is set on an Earth that has ran out of naturally harvestable materials.  Introducing Regenerate Waste Systems, an organisation that intends to save the planet by recycling the 90% of waste that can be recycled.  All it needs is you. And lots of other people. As many people as they can recruit, anyway they can. Thrilling new writing that showcases the sort of thing fringe theatre is all about

Tomorrow

15th and 16th July 2019. 8:00pm (45 mins) –  The Kings Arms: Studio 1

DMT Theatre presents a journey through time and space, exploring the intricate connections that make up the human experience and the power of the individual. Join Adam as he leads us through history and into the future, from VE Day to the distant shores of 2389. Learn the value of time and human meaning in this 45 minute show.

Scottish Falsetto Socks: Roll Up!

12th July 2019. 9:00 pm (60 mins) – The Kings Arms: Theatre

The award-winning Socks are a staple of the International Fringe scene and it’s always a joy when they come to Manchester. Essentially one man with a variety of squeaky voices, a very small tent and a pair of socks, it’s a totally amazing show and absolutely a must see.  This year’s show promises to be filled with extraordinary circus-themed stunts and we can well believe that a sock can walk a tightrope.  Brilliant stuff.

Isa Bonachera: The Great Emptiness

14th July 2019. 6:00pm (60 mins) – The Kings Arms: Studio 1

Isa wants to be an astronaut. Isa is obsessed with outer space. Isa has dreamed of going to space her entire life. Is she any closer to her goal? Will she ever touch the void?  Let Isa Bonachera take you on a tour of the cosmos without actually leaving the pub.  A hilarious routine of wild ambition and broken dreams from one of the most exciting comedians in the UK today.

Gary Starr Conquers Troy

27th, 28th and 29th June. 7:30pm (60 mins) – The Kings Arms Theatre

Though technically not part of the Greater Manchester Fringe, it’s worth an honourable mention. Gary Starr is a one man show that pokes fun at the whole idea of theatre with incredible energy and joy.  Quick, clever and frantic, the performer goes all in to skewer audience expectations and create a brilliant and unforgettable experience.  You will laugh very hard and smile an awful lot, whilst being constantly surprised by the inventiveness of this show. Oh, and it’s Greek themed this year.