Category Archives: Reviews

Reviews of Atomic Fez’s books by both ‘professionals’ and readers.

Twisthorn Bellow Makes Mignola Muse ‘Marvellous’

Announcements, Books, New Titles, Reviews

CLICK HERE to get more details and order copiesMike Mignola (creator of “Hellboy”) loves the latest novel from Rhys Hughes! Twisthorn Bellow is out in March of next year, and you can pre-​​order your copy today! Here’s what Mr. Mignola said:

Rhys Hughes is so completely his own creature that words fail when it comes to describing his work; ‘Rhys Hughesian?’ I don’t think that’s gonna fly. How about just ODD? But odd in the best possible way: the kind of odd that is, at times, goofy (I like the word ‘imbecilic’) and yet you are always keenly aware that he is a super genius, that he is toying with his reader like a madman (a genius madman having way too much fun) poking and prodding a little tiny octopus with a spoon. In a good way.

–Mike Mignola; creator of Hellboy

Plus, Mr. Hughes has received this wonderful praise from the highly-​​respected, Seattle-​​based literary commentator S.T. Joshi in a recent text-​​book:

Highly original and chimerical monsters

–S.T. Joshi

Needless to say, we’re right chuffed!

Twisthorn Receives PW Review

Announcements, Books, Business, New Titles, Reviews

While it’s hardly a rave, it’s at the very least more recognition than ever got before by some houses. And it’s all subjective, isn’t it?

CLICK THROUGH to read the post (new tab or window)Twisthorn Bellow Rhys Hughes. Atomic Fez (www.atomicfez.com), $24.99 paper (256p) ISBN 978−0−9811597−1−3

Hughes (Engelbrecht Again!) spins an absurdist tale of a supernatural defence agency protecting British interests at home and abroad from monstrous threats, the most monstrous being (of course) the French. Twisthorn Bellow is a bad-​​tempered golem accidentally soaked in nitroglycerin, assisted by a semi-​​vocal giant hand and a talking aborted fœtus named Miss Stake. Together, they recruit or eliminate other supernatural entities while fending off constant threats delivered unfailingly by a bicycle messenger who is also the president of France. Eventually, as narrated by the Eiffel Tower, they confront the chief villain in his subterranean lair beneath Strasbourg. Wordplay, fractured classical mythology, pop culture and homages to fellow authors, above all the late Philip Jose Farmer, are overwhelmed by heavy satire that turns the tone from gonzo to grim, delivering more temper tantrum than tomfoolery. (Sept.)

So there we are.