Thomas Edison's Frankenstein

Frankenstein, a young student, is seen bidding his sweetheart and father goodbye, as he is leaving home to enter a college in order to study the sciences. Shortly after his arrival at college he becomes absorbed in the mysteries of life and death to the extent of forgetting practically everything else. His great ambition is to create a human being, and finally one night his dream is realized. He is convinced that he has found a way to create a most perfect human being that the world has ever seen. We see his experiment commence and the development of it. The formation of the hideous monster from the blazing chemicals of a huge cauldron in Frankenstein's laboratory is probably the most weird, mystifying and fascinating scene ever shown on a film. To Frankenstein's horror, instead of creating a marvel of physical beauty and grace, there is unfolded before his eyes and before the audience an awful, ghastly, abhorrent monster. As he realizes what he has done Frankenstein rushes from the room, only to have the misshapen monster peer at him through the curtains of his bed. He falls fainting to the floor, where he is found by his servant, who revives him. After a few weeks' illness, he returns home, a broken, weary man, but under the loving care of father and sweetheart he regains his health and strength and begins to take a less morbid view of life. In other words, the story of the film brings out the fact that the creation of the monster was only possible because Frankenstein had allowed his normal mind to be overcome by evil and unnatural thoughts. His marriage is soon to take place. But one evening, while sitting in his library, he chances to glance in the mirror before him and sees the reflection of the monster which has just opened the door of his room. All the terror of the past comes over him and, fearing lest his sweetheart should learn the truth, he bids the monster conceal himself behind the curtain while he hurriedly induces his sweetheart, who then comes in, to stay only a moment. Then follows a strong, dramatic scene. The monster, who is following his creator with the devotion of a dog, is insanely jealous of anyone else. He snatches from Frankenstein's coat the rose which his sweetheart has given him, and in the struggle throws Frankenstein to the floor, here the monster looks up and for the first time confronts his own reflection in the mirror. Appalled and horrified at his own image he flees in terror from the room. Not being able, howevers to live apart from his creator, he again comes to the house on the wedding night and, searching for the cause of his jealousy, goes into the bride's room. Frankenstein coming into the main room hears a shriek of terror, which is followed a moment after by his bride rushing in and falling in a faint at his feet. The monster then enters and after overpowering Frankenstein's feeble efforts by a slight exercise of his gigantic strength leaves the house. Here comes the point which we have endeavored to bring out, namely: That when Frankenstein's love for his bride shall have attained full strength and freedom from impurity it will have such an effect upon his mind that the monster cannot exist. This theory is clearly demonstrated in the next and closing scene, which has probably never been surpassed in anything shown on the moving picture screen. The monster, broken down by his unsuccessful attempts to be with his creator, enters the room, stands before a large mirror and holds out his arms entreatingly. Gradually, the real monster fades away, leaving only the image in the mirror. A moment later Frankenstein himself enters. As he stands directly before the mirror we are amazed to see the image of the monster reflected instead of Frankenstein's own. Gradually, however, under the effect of love and his better nature, the monster's image fades and Frankenstein sees himself in his young manhood in the mirror. His bride joins him, and the film ends with their embrace, Frankenstein's mind now being relieved of the awful horror and weight it has been laboring under for so long.

- Written by The Edison Kinetogram

The Statement of Randolph Carter

Mike Bennett Recently contacted me for another cover image for one of his podcasts. This time It was a superb reading of H.P. Lovecrafts 'The Statement of Randolph Carter' Check it out here 

Herbert West

Mike Bennett's latest podcast is now uploaded and live, and in it he reads, From the Dark, the first part of H.P. Lovecraft's classic tale of horror, Herbert West: Reanimator.

Mike Says:

'I think it's one of the best things I've ever done, I'm really pleased with it.

I also reveal a little of my first homemade audio books from way back in the 1980s, and share some news about the ongoing process of writing the next chapters in the Underwood and Flinch Chronicles.'

The cover art is by your truly. Please visit Mikes page here to listen to some of his work, you won't regret it

Sun, Sea & Sanguine Fluid

The long awaited return of the multi award winning saga by Mike Bennett, is finally over with the return of the Underwood and Flinch chronicles, Volume 3 Blood and smoke.

"Blood & Smoke" is a great new audio novel from Mike Bennett. Though I highly recommend the podcast to all fans of horror and suspense, this does come with the warning that the subject matter is extremely graphic and intense in content. It is never gratuitous, however, for to hold back anything depicted in its chapters would betray the premise and the story would suffer for it.

   “Blood & Smoke” proves that not only has Bennett grown as an artist over his last few novels, he is also brave enough to follow a story where it leads. Stephen King stated that once he finished “Pet Sematary” he put it away in a drawer thinking it too extreme for publication. The shock and awe of this high adrenaline narrative has much the same effect of that King novel or “The Exorcist.”

   If you can endure the extreme horror of writers like Edward Lee, I highly recommend this venture by Mike Bennett. He takes the listener into the bleak darkness of addiction and obsession, but rather than relying on gore and shock, it is his emotionally charged depictions of the damned characters at its core that keep you hooked.

Do yourself a favour and pop over to iTunes and subscribe, you wont regret it

Underwood & Flinch Chronicles

As you all are aware, I have Produced a lot of artwork relating to the Vampire Podcast Underwood & Flinch. Well I have news Ladies and Gentlemen, The Podcast has gone to Electronic print. Thats right, if you enjoy the podcast, why not pop over to Amazon and get a copy of the first 2 volumes.

These books are a must for those of you who prefer a more mature vampire story, unlike the Recent stories and Films aimed at Hormonal teenagers. I can Guarantee, you will be by the end of the second book crying out for the third novel which is currently been written by the award winning Mike Bennett

Bill Tutte Memorial Fund Update

Tutte tribute could be in place by Christmas

The Bill Tutte Memorial working group was set up last year after Journal news editor, Alison Hayes, got the backing of the town council for the newspaper’s campaign for public recognition for Tutte’s code-breaking efforts – which were described by Winston Churchill as the “greatest intellectual feat of the Second World War” and were said to have shortened the conflict by at least two years, saving millions of lives.

The working group set out to establish a memorial to the man whose genius enabled him to break the Lorenz cipher which was being used by the Nazi high command to send coded messages to its commanders in the field.  Read the full story HERE 

The Bill Tutte Memorial Fund

A memorial fund has been set up to raise funds to provide a memorial to one of Newmarket's unsung heroes.

Interest has been expressed in the project from around the country and from as far afield as Canada, where Bill Tutte lived and died after the war.

"Who was Bill Tutte?"

Bill Tutte was born in Newmarket in 1917. He was educated locally and in Cambridge before going up to Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1935. In 1941 he was invited to join the so-called Government Codes and Cipher School at Bletchley Park, where he was responsible for cracking the German Lorenz code (called Tunny by the British). 

Due to continuing Cold War security reasons, he received no official recognition or public acclaim for his achievement and it was not until the mid 1990s, some 50 years later, that details were released; even now some aspects of his work remain classified.

It is widely believed that the Russians used captured Lorenz machines for their own purposes for some years after the end of World War Two without realising that the British security services had cracked the code; to recognise Tutte's achievement would have given the game away.

In 2012, following a campaign by The Newmarket Journal, the Prime Minister wrote to Tutte’s remaining family in Newmarket to acknowledge the debt we owe him and Newmarket Town Council resolved to honour him with a memorial on Rutland Hill in the town centre.

"What can I do to help?"

In the First Instance, you could click the banner below, read more about this amazing mans achievements  follow the Memorial Trust on Twitter, or like them in Facebook. Links are on the official page

Lovecraft Phase

I Am currently going though a phase where my artwork is been inspired by H.P. Lovecraft. This is probably due to my good chum Mike Bennett recently recording the Shadow over Innsmouth. If you haven't heard Mike narration of this yet, them pop over to YouTube or Mikes Website and have a listen

Gillman House

Zardock Allen

New Camera!

Well folks, it has been a while, work has kept me oh so busy, but this week in invested in a new camera, the little lady pictured below is my first snap

Untitled

Around, all around, the dark memories gather.

My dread grows as the angry hand of Heaven falls against my heart.

It severs me, and darkly my

essence drips

to the broken ground.

In numbness I hang my head

while oblivion looms.

Now alone, my essence falls upon uncaring eyes.

This is my salvation

Underwood and Flinch Goes to Print

When the opportunity to listen to Underwood & Flinch was presented I found myself debating whether I could stomach yet another story of the undead. Between CM’s The Vampire Diaries television series and a slew of recent books and movies, I feared that my taste for vampires was waning. Fortunately, your tale has left be hungry for more.

The story is full of underlying themes, well beyond the dark, toe-curling horror parts of the novel. The main theme is that of the life of a minority, much in the way Bram Stoker’s Dracula focuses on women as a minority. Aside from that, Mike also talks of history, crime, psychology and morality. He uses his main character as a vessel to portray what might even be human existence. He is without a doubt a very powerful writer. He has managed to intricately weave together a story that touches your emotions, without ever actually letting it on. You listen to the podcast, entranced by the plot and the horror, and when you finally put your iPod down and think back, you realize it was much more than just that!

Now, Mike is intending to publish this book in the near future but requires your help, he is hosting a fundraising campaign over at Indiegogo.com and need donations.

The Good thing is, if you donate as little as $10, you will not only get some great perks, But also your name will appear in his book as a patron. How cool is that, you become an immortal in a book about an immortal in Mikes award winning story.

So please follow the link below and if you can, donate what you can

The Fortune Teller

Cross my palm with silver

And I shall tell you

Your future

Thank you kindly

Now let us see

What lurks

I see a woman

So plump and brash

This here woman

Is after your cash

Ahhh

The crystal ball

Is getting murky

Cross my palm

With another thirty

Mmmmmm

Now the mist does clear

I see you

With money in hand

Betting on a horse

That wins you a grand

Mmmmmm

Now I see a young lady

She looks as if she’s in her late twenty’s

Ahhh

Now the crystal balls gone murky

Thank you kindly for another thirty

The lady I see

Is someone new to you

You will meet her really soon

Thank you kindly

Now this reading ends

So may fortune smile upon you

My….. Dear

Friend.

The Gatekeeper

What heartless creature from beyond would lead me to this seemingly dismal path, alone, cold, wet and confused?

I call to you in the pitch black room with no end nor beginning
I can hear you laughing in the corners of my mind
You see everything as I see nothing
I plead for forgiveness for the sins I will soon commit as this sin fills my insides.
I have fallen victim without warning; without cause
I want to believe in righteousness, but fear it is too late

Bulletin!

As some of you may have noticed, I have made a few additions to my site. The ones of note are the Mike Bennett page - giving you a short bio of the author and a short list of his works.

Also I have added a page called Die Chronik von Elum. This is about a friends new website dedicated to his pen and paper RPG.

The reason for these additions is quite simple, I have and im in the process of creating artwork for them both

FINALLY..

You will notice to the left of this page under the link banners, a small adchoices banner, I would greatly appreciate it if you all click on it as it will help provide funding for future updates to this site as I shall soon be moving to a private domain which isn't cheap, and after all, its not much to ask as I provide images for your viewing pleasure for free. The good news is, clicking the link cost you nothing at all so I thank you all in advance. Just to be random, I would also like to say HPZF8YUYSK68

Underwood leaves Almacena

This was more of an experiment into creating a smoky image effect in photoshop. The background was made in hexagon then rendered in Vue. For the bat i used a standard stock image. I desaturated the bat,  used a soft eraser brush to blend in some of the harsh edges on the picture left from cutting it out then placed it onto a new layer and set the opacity to 70% and set the blending mode to screen.

I also added some smoke with a brush pack I downloaded but before that, I  added some smoke by just using the brush tool for its wings.

I made another  new layer, set its opacity to about 70% and then use the soft eraser brush to blend the smoke in with the bat and background layer.

Finally I made yet another new layer, filled it with a light blue then set its blending mode to overlay and dropped the opacity to around 30%

From Beyond Still

Whilst rooting around my artwork drive, I came across this still of Crawford Tillinghast. It is the first frame from they story where our protagonist describes the dishevelled figure with candle in hand at the entrance to his house.

Theft at the Imaginarium!!!

Well the title says it all! A friend of mine has alerted me to 2 certain websites that have taken my artwork and posted them as their own work the scoundrels!! Now while I don't mind people using my artwork, indeed some of you already have and this I am quite happy with this, what I do mind is people claiming it is their work.

What this means for you the readers on my insane mind is unfortunately, I shall in future be adding a watermark which is IMHO somewhat intrusive to your viewing pleasure, I shall however have copies of the same work without watermark for those of you who wish a copy, but for that, you will have to ask for it. I'm sorry that I am forced to do this but I really have no choice.

Die Chronik von Elum

I have added a new page to my blog dedicated to Die Chronik von Elum.  An RPG by my good friend Jens Maskus, who late last year approached me to create some concept art for his game, Click the image above or the link on the top left of this page

Innsmouth Revisited

A second view of the notorious Innsmouth, I have slightly altered the lighting and water textures here,

Night on the Tiles

People have told me I should get out more, BAD IDEA! Why? because when i have a night on the tiles, there's nothing more I like than a bottle of Type-'o' Negative and a bucket of Kentucky Fried Cat Nom Nom Nom