Skip to content

DARK SHADOWS: LOVE LIVES ON

Written By:

James Evans
dark-shadows-love-lives-on

Four more tales from the Dark Shadows universe arrive from Big Finish in this release. Love Lives On focuses on some more minor characters – there’s no Quentin or Barnabas et el. It’s one of the great things about the range in so far as taking characters who briefly appeared in the original series and then giving us the opportunity to spend a little more time with them. That kicks off here with the psychic medium Janet Findley, played briefly but vividly by Cavada Humphrey in the series. How she came to meet Professor Stokes is explained in Cody Schell’s Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The Velvet Room by Antonio Rastelli follows Gerard Stiles and Hallie Stokes in New Orleans for a gothic horror tale. Behind Closed Doors by Paul Phipps lets us in on the sad history of Jessica Griffin. Finally in this collection The Suitcase by Alan Flanagan tells of a guest that checks in at the Collinsport Inn to cause more than a little problem for Cyrus and Sabrina Longsworth.

 

The first story is a relatively short blast of unusual fun for the range. It’s a kind of oddball buddy-cop origin story meeting the usual supernatural mystery of Dark Shadows and works well. Matthew Waterhouse does a great job with the reading and it’s a pleasingly light intro. Velvet is a story of sinister deals set in its New Orleans location and features a classic horror dilemma. Gerard wants a body, to be something recognisably human again, and the room he finds in the city that offers the heart’s desire seems like it’s probably too good to be true. It is of course, and events play out in an old school tale reminiscent of many a classic of earlier horror cinema that is brought to life in exciting fashion by first-time series reader James Storm.

Behind Closed Doors is a similarly classic-referencing version of the stories in which a should-be-gone-for-good dark presence from the past seems to be determined to not let those still here have a shot at new happiness. It’s well done and Marie Wallace gives it a sense of the urgency Jessica feels. The last story of the truth behind a suitcase that has murderous intent for those around it is not as silly as that sounds, though arguably it’s the weakest in the set despite Lisa Richards giving it her best. Overall however, these four tales are atmospheric and entertaining and it’s the best of these Dark Shadows sets for some time now, and therefore for fans of the range comes warmly recommended.

 

DARK SHADOWS: LOVE LIVES ON / DIRECTORS: DARREN GROSS, JOSEPH LIDSTER, JIM PIERSON / WRITERS: CODY SCHELL, ANTONI RASTELLI, PAUL PHIPPS, ALAN FLANAGAN / PUBLISHER: BIG FINISH / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW


James Evans

You May Also Like...

chinese remake of anaconda drops trailer

ANACONDA Trailer Grants First Look At Remake Of 1997 Horror Flick

Three sequels and a spinoff-crossover film wasn’t enough for the 1997 creature feature Anaconda, which not only has a new movie in development, but is getting a Chinese remake! From
Read More
black widow star scarlett johansson in talks to lead new universal jurassic world film

Scarlett Johansson In Talks To Join JURASSIC WORLD Film

Another MCU star appears to be taking up the reins for Universal’s new Jurassic World movie: two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in talks to lead the franchise that
Read More

Exclusive Reveal! Titan Comics to Deliver Prehistoric Hysterics in First 2 DUMB DINOS Collection

Titan Comics have exclusively revealed to STARBURST that they’re gearing up to publish the first-ever collection of the hilarious cult digital comic strip 2 Dumb Dinos, and we’re not the
Read More

New Dates For Lovecraftian Key of Dreams

Key of Dreams has announced new spaces for its titular immersive luxury horror event. The critically acclaimed company is known for its overnight experiences that dunk you into a strange
Read More

FAB Café to Host Free Film Screening of New Indie Comedy SECRETS OF A WALLABY BOY

We’re well known for our championing of truly independent filmmakers here at STARBURST, so it’s doubly exciting to be writing about one of our own! After joining the crew in
Read More
colin farrell returns as oswald cobblepot in the penguin series trailer

Colin Farrell Returns In THE PENGUIN Trailer

Colin Farrell returns as Gotham City’s answer to Tony Soprano in the first trailer for Max series The Penguin, which spins out of the world of the 2022 DC film
Read More