A Girl Named Salem

What did I do to become so feared and maligned
A guiltless woman puritanical men apprehended
Was I really so threatening to Christendom’s kind

My persecution caused by a child’s troubled mind
Baseless accusations zealots eagerly defended
What did I do to become so feared and maligned

To coerce a confession I was tortured and confined
But their every allegation I stubbornly contended
Was I really so threatening to Christendom’s kind

My life posed no threat to the belief they enshrined
Yet my death was a cause a priest commended
What did I do to become so feared and maligned

Final appeals for leniency and reason were declined
There was no escape from the stake I was appended
Was I really so threatening to Christendom’s kind

Only echoes of screams and ashes were left behind
Of this life hypocrites and fanatics required ended
What did I do to become so feared and maligned
Was I really so threatening to Christendom’s kind

I,Dracula: Part Two by Jason Zapata

I ruthlessly sought to end Wallachia’s state of unrest
By enslaving the Boyars who could not escape guilt
Traitors who labored until Poenari’s walls were rebuilt
Because they dared to aid the Ottomans in their conquest
Those slaves who survived were impaled on my behest
On the shores of the Raul Roameni their blood was spilt
Where I had recovered Elisabeta’s body from the silt
With my power secure I began the campaign in Bucharest

Within the region’s woods my forces were concealed
My countrymen attacked what enemies we could beat
Striking their flanks hard and then quick to retreat
For fear that our location to the enemy be revealed
But Sultan Mehmed’s soldiers refused to yield
Forced into a pitched battle we could not compete
The proud sons of Wallachia eventually knew defeat
My army and ambitions lay slain on the battlefield

News of my loss and capture was warmly received
As I was dragged through the Turkish army helplessly
Jeering faces laughed and refuse was hurled at me
Victory over their most hated foe was finally achieved
The headsman ensured my pilloried neck was cleaved
My severed head was displayed for the enemy to see
Until a gyspy man would rob the turks of their trophy
From Constantinople’s walls my head was retrieved

The gypsy carried my remains to cursed scholomance
Where the Solomonari toiled to have my body restored
In exchange I became a disciple of their dark lord
With black magic and vampiric unlife I was enhanced
I would master the dark arts in this haunted expanse
In the defense of His Kingdom I had wielded a sword
But my battles, my prayers were ultimately ignored
So at God’s expense I would see my power advance




Part Three
Click here to read: Part One

"Drink Bzrk" By Loopy Dave + "How much of a movie nerd are you?" Test

This artist does a wonderful job with this piece. It celebrates and pokes fun at fan boys of fantasy and science fiction alike. Loopy Dave is an Australian illustrator who specializes in satire.

Now on to the fun stuff. Your "how much of a movie nerd are you?" Test.

Having looked at this piece, how many items did you recognize surrounding the well endowed woman? The more items you recognized before focusing solely on the barbarian babe determines your level of geek-hood.

Bye the Bye - I will not be divulging my score.





A. Klingon bat'leth (star trek)
B. Spear of Destiny/Spear of Longinus features in the first Hellboy movie, 'Constantine' as well as a host of others
C. Holy Grenade of Antioch from 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'
D. Obiwan's light sabre (star wars)
E. Xenas' throwing chakram (Xena, Princess Warrior)
F. Mr. Pointy, from 'Buffy the Vampire slayer' - be careful - Buffy's stake may not be the only thing you see if you google 'Mr. Pointy' - don't say I didn't warn you.
G. Davy Jones's key from 'Pirates of the Caribbean'
H. Batarang
I. The one ring to rule them all from 'Lord of the Rings'
J. Idol from 'Raiders of the Lost Ark'
K. Necronomicon from 'Army of Darkness'
L. Samwise Gamgees sword from 'Lord of the Rings'
M. Flagon with the dragon (has the pellet with the poison) from 'The Court Jester'
N. Asterix's Helmet
O. Not from a movie - just my little shout out to Serge Birault
P. Buffy's Sythe from the End of Days episode (yes, I am THAT nerdy)
Q. Hagar the Horrible
R. Necklace reads 'LOOPY', but probably too hard to see at this size

You Noticed:
0-1: Obviously you were distracted by the naked woman.
3-6: Impressive - not a true nerd, but you obviously knows a thing or two about pointless movie props
7-12: Let your Nerd Flag fly - a truly monumental achievement in movie trivia recognition. People may write poems about you, throw you parades and mention your name in hushed reverent tones. Then again, probably not.
13-18: Okay, now its getting a little scary - you obviously have god like knowledge of the topic at hand and us mere mortals tremble at your very presence. Unfortunately it also may indicate that you need to stop watching so much TV/movies and do something else with your life - you know, like your mother is always telling you.

"Salem Brownstone" By John Harris Dunning & Nikhil Singh

“Salem Brownstone” by John Harris Dunning & Nikhil Singh is a stylized graphic novel. The tale centers on Salem Brownstone, a young man who has adopted a mansion from his deceased father. Salem begins to explore the mansion and gradually uncovers the truth about his father. Jedediah Brownstone struggled against The Dark Elders of Mu’brick: a race of shadowy beings seeking a magic artifact now in Salem’s possession.

The story is fairly short and very stylized. The ink pen drawings of the characters are eye catching, especially Jynx Monkey Girl, a direct homage to Theodore Seuss Geissel (Dr. Seuess) in terms of art style. The use of ink pen also creates a dark and mysterious atmosphere, complementing the story.

Salem Brownstone is a bit too brief. Readers would have benefited from a better understanding/origin story of Mu’brick or the mysterious Lola Q. Though Salem Brownstone is meant to be a short, art driven piece. I definitely felt a little content starved and thought the story too short.

Review of "Rex Mundi: The Guardian of the Temple"

“Rex Mundi: The Guardian of the Temple” written by Arvid Nelson and illustrated by Eric J is an impressive graphic novel. The story takes place in Paris. The year is 1933, but with the backdrop of a revisionist past. Avrid Nelson’s France along with all of Europe is still ruled by monarchies. The Ottoman and Holy Roman empires still exist. Guilds and knightly orders exert influence on society, while sorcery is very real and policed by the Church. All these themes are flawlessly interwoven. Despite the factual and historical differences, the tale feels like it takes place in 1930’s Paris.

The story’s protagonist is Dr. Julien Sauniere. The intrigue begins when Father Marin asks him to investigate the theft of a medieval scroll from his church. During the course of Juelien’s investigation, he discovers a series or ritual killings tied to a secret society. But as he digs deeper into the mystery of the missing scroll, he catches the attention of those who don’t want their secrets revealed…

Eric J makes this world come to life. The visual design of the cloths, furniture, and architecture is historically accurate. Using full-page spreads of newspaper stories to give the readers a sense of the time and players in this altered world is a stroke of genius. Eric’s illustrations work well with Nelson’s story to immerse the reader in a tale of conspiracy and magic. I haven’t read anything this good since The Sandman Series.

"Elements - Fire" - By Cathrine Langwagen

Cathrine Langwagen is a digital artist who specializes in fantasy and natural element themed works. A resident of Cardiff, Wales - her inspirations come from nature, myths, and fairy tales. In creating her art, Cathrine primarily uses a Wacom Tablet and Adobe Photoshop.

Ms. Langwagen's work has been awarded the Daily Deviation multiple times. I highly recommend visiting her gallery.Prints of her work are available on her website: http://www.cassiopeiaart.com

I, Dracula: Part One by Jason Zapata

By the Order of The Dragon I was knighted
To defend Wallachia and faithfully support
His holiness Pope Pius II's crusade to thwart
The Turks who left Constantinople blighted
Crescent moons marked that land as benighted
Many prayed for the fall of the Ottoman Court
I never possessed a tongue for such a resort
Battle was the only psalm I wished recited

The Sultan’s claim of sovereignty I would refute
Treating his demands and envoys with disrespect
Turbans nailed to their heads had the desired effect
Of showing I held Mehmed’s authoring in disrepute
Denying him the men and gold he took as tribute
The riches of Wallachia were no longer his to collect
My beautiful wife and kingdom I swore to protect
Against my hated adversaries that were en route

Safe from danger I intended Elizabeta to be kept
But Poenari’s Castle’s walls could not withhold
The army of Romanian Janissaries that did enfold
Life in captivity was something she could not accept
So from the heights of her besieged tower she leapt
...She fell into the Raul Doamnei that ran so cold
The sodden remains of my wife I would behold
Tears shed mourning her were the last I ever wept

In blood soaked butchery I avenged the lover I failed
Word of my excessive barbarity became widespread
One act in particular filled Sultan Mehmed with dread
My forests of flesh made from Turks I had impaled
For days these dying soldiers screamed and wailed
As I gathered their blood in bowls to dip my bread
A mad king who surrounded himself with the dead
Giving no rest or quarter to the enemies I assailed



Click here to read: Part Two