Interzone Issue 201:
Waiting with bated breath to be delivered.

I’ve also noticed people having a look at this page - I’ll review it once I get back to my snailmailbox. Can’t wait!

Well, I’m finally back, and am reading this (another) awesome issue of Interzone.

(In the meantime, you can check out earlier issues here).

Cover artwork by Fahrija Velic
Blimey, this artwork is the best I’ve seen yet in any issue of Interzone; vibrant colour, well drawn, a bit vague, it almost looks like a photograph. The artist does himself proud.

The issue itself looks the best so far too, never has an Interzone looked so sexy (I apologise, but I can’t think of any other word). Interzone has now grown from a small child, being a bit childish, not all colour, with a recycled paper feel - to a full colour, glossy, robust and beautiful to look at publication.

Novella:

After the Party by Richard Calder
Illustrated by David Senecal

Stories:

Harsh Oases by Paul Di Filippo
illustrated by Vincent Chong

Sheila by Lauren McLaughlin
illustrated by Kenn Brown

Boy Twelve by Jessica Reisman
illustrated by Stefan Olsen

Wax by Elizabeth Bear
Illustrated by Ian Simmons

Detective Crown Investigator Abigail Irene Garrett is an investigator who is based in New Amsterdam. She is a witch and carries her complimentary wand with her to do witchy things with. The story follows her as she investigates some nocturnal killings and disappearences. There is a suprise or two during the narration and I particularly liked the rich descriptions of a dark, almost turn of the century era. She has close liasons with two characters and there is some thigh blood sucking involved.

Wax is a good twist on a detective story and seems to be set (I would say) in current times, even though it appears to be the turn of the last century. I would hazard a guess that it’s because witches, wands and spells are present, that maybe scientists are a bit slower, i.e. no automobiles or anything like current technology.

This is one short story which I feel could be expanded into a full length novel, and as such seems to be a bit vague, leaving lots of questions - even so, it is a good read and one which has lingered in my mind (which is good).

There is also a complimentary story to be published in a future Interzone entitled Wane - of which I’ve been trying to work out exactly what will be in it, and I can’t. I hope it includes the same characters, in a similar environment, but expanded upon.

Features:

Interface
Editorial stuff
David Langford’s Ansible Link (news & gossip)

Interlocutions
Nick Lowe’s Mutant Popcorn (films)
Dave Mathew’s SF Magazine Round Up
John Clute’s Scores (on Brian Aldiss)
Book Reviews

A technicolor widescreen production, published outside america.