Comments on: Pseudopod 94: The Skull-Faced Boy http://pseudopod.org/2008/06/13/pseudopod-94-the-skull-faced-boy/ The Sound of Horror. Pseudopod is the world\'s first audio horror magazine. We deliver bone-chilling stories from today\'s most talented authors straight to your computer or MP3 player. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:16:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Kevin Anderson http://pseudopod.org/2008/06/13/pseudopod-94-the-skull-faced-boy/#comment-139164 Kevin Anderson Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:28:38 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/?p=143#comment-139164 <p>I missed this one when it came out, but great zombie story. One of the best episodes of 2008.</p> I missed this one when it came out, but great zombie story. One of the best episodes of 2008.

]]> By: David Barr Kirtley : Blog : Sketches for My Short Story “The Skull-Faced Boy” http://pseudopod.org/2008/06/13/pseudopod-94-the-skull-faced-boy/#comment-118047 David Barr Kirtley : Blog : Sketches for My Short Story “The Skull-Faced Boy” Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:53:26 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/?p=143#comment-118047 <p>[...] “The Skull-Faced Boy” went up on Pseudopod, at least one listener complained that it wasn’t plausible for a skull-faced boy without lips [...]</p> [...] “The Skull-Faced Boy” went up on Pseudopod, at least one listener complained that it wasn’t plausible for a skull-faced boy without lips [...]

]]> By: Quentin http://pseudopod.org/2008/06/13/pseudopod-94-the-skull-faced-boy/#comment-104744 Quentin Thu, 11 Sep 2008 07:04:08 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/?p=143#comment-104744 <p>I did not care for the person who read.</p> <p>Generally, I like zombies and so wanted to love this but I could not.</p> I did not care for the person who read.

Generally, I like zombies and so wanted to love this but I could not.

]]> By: David Barr Kirtley : Blog : Tuesday October 7th is night of The Living Dead at South Street Seaport http://pseudopod.org/2008/06/13/pseudopod-94-the-skull-faced-boy/#comment-92882 David Barr Kirtley : Blog : Tuesday October 7th is night of The Living Dead at South Street Seaport Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:49:30 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/?p=143#comment-92882 <p>[...] * “The Skull-Faced Boy” by David Barr Kirtley at the Pseudopod horror podcast [...]</p> [...] * “The Skull-Faced Boy” by David Barr Kirtley at the Pseudopod horror podcast [...]

]]> By: The Fix | From the Podosphere: June 2008 http://pseudopod.org/2008/06/13/pseudopod-94-the-skull-faced-boy/#comment-29124 The Fix | From the Podosphere: June 2008 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:32:52 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/?p=143#comment-29124 <p>[...] “The Skull-Faced Boy” by David Barr Kirtley, read by Ralph Walters, Jack and Dustin are driving in the dark, but [...]</p> [...] “The Skull-Faced Boy” by David Barr Kirtley, read by Ralph Walters, Jack and Dustin are driving in the dark, but [...]

]]> By: Sgarre1 http://pseudopod.org/2008/06/13/pseudopod-94-the-skull-faced-boy/#comment-29103 Sgarre1 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:47:11 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/?p=143#comment-29103 <p>This didn't work for me. Intelligent zombies, check. Short-handing the start (they're killed and turned into zombies and understand that they're zombies quick, so we can get to how this is different). I don't know, just didn't click for me. As others have said, maybe if we knew more about them before they turned (is the friend a potential megalomaniac?).</p> <p>I did think the very last scene was nice, if I perceived it right (the brainy good guy zombie has to act dumb so as not to let onto zombie ex-girlfriend about his betrayal, right?).</p> <p>Thanks for listening “The face of the dead man was concealed, of course, our customs not being those of the south, where corpses are carried to the grave in open coffins, that they might – one last time before slipping into the pit – be warmed by the light of the sun.” Jan Neruda, “Doctor Spoiler”</p> This didn’t work for me. Intelligent zombies, check. Short-handing the start (they’re killed and turned into zombies and understand that they’re zombies quick, so we can get to how this is different). I don’t know, just didn’t click for me. As others have said, maybe if we knew more about them before they turned (is the friend a potential megalomaniac?).

I did think the very last scene was nice, if I perceived it right (the brainy good guy zombie has to act dumb so as not to let onto zombie ex-girlfriend about his betrayal, right?).

Thanks for listening “The face of the dead man was concealed, of course, our customs not being those of the south, where corpses are carried to the grave in open coffins, that they might – one last time before slipping into the pit – be warmed by the light of the sun.” Jan Neruda, “Doctor Spoiler”

]]> By: Got Zombies? at Night Shade Books http://pseudopod.org/2008/06/13/pseudopod-94-the-skull-faced-boy/#comment-28472 Got Zombies? at Night Shade Books Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:10:36 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/?p=143#comment-28472 <p>[...] of what’s to come, check out Pseudopod’s presentation of David Barr Kirtley’s The Skull-Faced Boy, just one of the 34 chilling tales included in The Living [...]</p> [...] of what’s to come, check out Pseudopod’s presentation of David Barr Kirtley’s The Skull-Faced Boy, just one of the 34 chilling tales included in The Living [...]

]]> By: David Barr Kirtley : Blog : Final Cover Design for Anthology The Living Dead http://pseudopod.org/2008/06/13/pseudopod-94-the-skull-faced-boy/#comment-28439 David Barr Kirtley : Blog : Final Cover Design for Anthology The Living Dead Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:29:10 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/?p=143#comment-28439 <p>[...] Here’s the final cover design for John Joseph Adams’ anthology The Living Dead, which will include my story “The Skull-Faced Boy” (available as a podcast from Pseudopod). [...]</p> [...] Here’s the final cover design for John Joseph Adams’ anthology The Living Dead, which will include my story “The Skull-Faced Boy” (available as a podcast from Pseudopod). [...]

]]> By: Dave (aka Nev the Deranged) http://pseudopod.org/2008/06/13/pseudopod-94-the-skull-faced-boy/#comment-27651 Dave (aka Nev the Deranged) Sat, 28 Jun 2008 23:45:48 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/?p=143#comment-27651 <p>The story wasn't bad. But it was hard for me to get past the fact that a person without lips is going to have a really hard time articulating their speech intelligibly.</p> <p>Also, it's really hard to do anything fresh with zombies. No pun intended.</p> The story wasn’t bad. But it was hard for me to get past the fact that a person without lips is going to have a really hard time articulating their speech intelligibly.

Also, it’s really hard to do anything fresh with zombies. No pun intended.

]]> By: Spork http://pseudopod.org/2008/06/13/pseudopod-94-the-skull-faced-boy/#comment-27621 Spork Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:18:19 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/?p=143#comment-27621 <p>'nother day, 'nother zombie story.</p> <p>Hey, at least this one was read by that guy who sounds a lot like the movie trailer guy. No, THAT didn't get annoying at all...</p> ‘nother day, ‘nother zombie story.

Hey, at least this one was read by that guy who sounds a lot like the movie trailer guy. No, THAT didn’t get annoying at all…

]]> By: Xenoix http://pseudopod.org/2008/06/13/pseudopod-94-the-skull-faced-boy/#comment-27212 Xenoix Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:04:42 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/?p=143#comment-27212 <p>Yes!! More Cow Bell!!</p> Yes!! More Cow Bell!!

]]> By: DKT http://pseudopod.org/2008/06/13/pseudopod-94-the-skull-faced-boy/#comment-26677 DKT Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:50:02 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/?p=143#comment-26677 <p>Dom, have you checked out Ep. #48: the Disciple? Also by Kirtley, and a pretty good little story.</p> Dom, have you checked out Ep. #48: the Disciple? Also by Kirtley, and a pretty good little story.

]]> By: Dom http://pseudopod.org/2008/06/13/pseudopod-94-the-skull-faced-boy/#comment-26579 Dom Thu, 19 Jun 2008 01:32:05 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/?p=143#comment-26579 <p>I LOVED this story. Great zombie read, and I love how it's unconventional. I really loved the characters!</p> <p>10/10, Pseudopod! Can we get some more from this author?</p> I LOVED this story. Great zombie read, and I love how it’s unconventional. I really loved the characters!

10/10, Pseudopod! Can we get some more from this author?

]]> By: David http://pseudopod.org/2008/06/13/pseudopod-94-the-skull-faced-boy/#comment-26532 David Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:16:32 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/?p=143#comment-26532 <p>I wasn't a huge fan of the story, I think you do a little too much zombie fiction here. That said I loved the ending.</p> I wasn’t a huge fan of the story, I think you do a little too much zombie fiction here. That said I loved the ending.

]]> By: DaveNJ http://pseudopod.org/2008/06/13/pseudopod-94-the-skull-faced-boy/#comment-26531 DaveNJ Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:09:57 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/?p=143#comment-26531 <p>Solid zombie, and it works on a very interesting premise of class distinction within the zombie ranks.</p> <p>However, I'm not sure that the rising affinity to zombie fiction has as much to do with schadenfreude as much as it has to do with a clean slate. The biggest factor in zombie fiction, at least from the human perspective, is an end to all previous concerns and a singular desire to survive. In a way it's like luddite, survivalist thinking, a natural human desire to return to more simple times in which we are both prey and predator, as opposed to simply the latter.</p> Solid zombie, and it works on a very interesting premise of class distinction within the zombie ranks.

However, I’m not sure that the rising affinity to zombie fiction has as much to do with schadenfreude as much as it has to do with a clean slate. The biggest factor in zombie fiction, at least from the human perspective, is an end to all previous concerns and a singular desire to survive. In a way it’s like luddite, survivalist thinking, a natural human desire to return to more simple times in which we are both prey and predator, as opposed to simply the latter.

]]> By: JCM http://pseudopod.org/2008/06/13/pseudopod-94-the-skull-faced-boy/#comment-26385 JCM Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:09:33 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/?p=143#comment-26385 <p>Well, it's about time someone did a great zombie story. Reading a number of anthologies, I wondered if anyone had it left to write something of this caliber.</p> <p>Great stuff!</p> Well, it’s about time someone did a great zombie story. Reading a number of anthologies, I wondered if anyone had it left to write something of this caliber.

Great stuff!

]]> By: Scott http://pseudopod.org/2008/06/13/pseudopod-94-the-skull-faced-boy/#comment-26341 Scott Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:25:11 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/?p=143#comment-26341 <p>Good stuff. A different and very fresh take on the subgenre.</p> Good stuff. A different and very fresh take on the subgenre.

]]> By: JD http://pseudopod.org/2008/06/13/pseudopod-94-the-skull-faced-boy/#comment-26339 JD Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:20:07 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/?p=143#comment-26339 <p>I didn't really like the matter of fact tone inf the beginning, but I agree. This would be incredible as the first part of an anthology!</p> I didn’t really like the matter of fact tone inf the beginning, but I agree. This would be incredible as the first part of an anthology!

]]> By: David Barr Kirtley : Blog : Reader Reactions to My Short Story “The Skull-Faced Boy” http://pseudopod.org/2008/06/13/pseudopod-94-the-skull-faced-boy/#comment-26331 David Barr Kirtley : Blog : Reader Reactions to My Short Story “The Skull-Faced Boy” Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:46:49 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/?p=143#comment-26331 <p>[...] listeners are beginning to post responses to my story “The Skull-Faced Boy.” See here and [...]</p> [...] listeners are beginning to post responses to my story “The Skull-Faced Boy.” See here and [...]

]]> By: Richard http://pseudopod.org/2008/06/13/pseudopod-94-the-skull-faced-boy/#comment-26296 Richard Mon, 16 Jun 2008 03:42:15 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/?p=143#comment-26296 <p>I really liked this story! Wasn't sure about the ending. I hated to see the girl lose her face, but all in all, it was a good story.</p> I really liked this story! Wasn’t sure about the ending. I hated to see the girl lose her face, but all in all, it was a good story.

]]> By: M. http://pseudopod.org/2008/06/13/pseudopod-94-the-skull-faced-boy/#comment-26237 M. Sun, 15 Jun 2008 11:30:17 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/?p=143#comment-26237 <p>A story worth a future, I agree. And very well read by Mr. Raloh Walters. Some of the best listening I've done in awhile.</p> A story worth a future, I agree. And very well read by Mr. Raloh Walters. Some of the best listening I’ve done in awhile.

]]> By: Clinton Trucks http://pseudopod.org/2008/06/13/pseudopod-94-the-skull-faced-boy/#comment-26200 Clinton Trucks Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:47:45 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/?p=143#comment-26200 <p>Loved the story and would be interested to hear more set in the world it's created. This is the first Psuedopod offering that I thought could be expanded to novel length without suffering a dillution of its central idea.</p> <p>A few quick notes on Ben's closing remarks...</p> <p>1) you really prefer 28 WEEKS LATER to 28 DAYS LATER?!? i agree that the first film was flawed but i found it to be much more affecting and honest than its sequel.</p> <p>2) the pilot you mention was called BABYLON FIELDS; not BABYLON FALLS. i was able to watch the finished product and it wasn't good enough that we should be lamenting its timely passing.</p> Loved the story and would be interested to hear more set in the world it’s created. This is the first Psuedopod offering that I thought could be expanded to novel length without suffering a dillution of its central idea.

A few quick notes on Ben’s closing remarks…

1) you really prefer 28 WEEKS LATER to 28 DAYS LATER?!? i agree that the first film was flawed but i found it to be much more affecting and honest than its sequel.

2) the pilot you mention was called BABYLON FIELDS; not BABYLON FALLS. i was able to watch the finished product and it wasn’t good enough that we should be lamenting its timely passing.

]]> By: Sylvan http://pseudopod.org/2008/06/13/pseudopod-94-the-skull-faced-boy/#comment-26069 Sylvan Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:35:41 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/?p=143#comment-26069 <p>This was not only a fascinating story that took the Zombie genre to new places, but its timing was impeccable. I'm guessing you folk already knew about "Blog Like It's The End Of The World", today, right?</p> This was not only a fascinating story that took the Zombie genre to new places, but its timing was impeccable. I’m guessing you folk already knew about “Blog Like It’s The End Of The World”, today, right?

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