“Wanted UnDead or Alive” is a thorough and often insightful examination of the nature of good and evil, concentrating on the conflict between humans and supernatural evil. While offering plenty of perceptive analysis of their theme, the writing style is fast paced and entertaining, not scholarly and dry.
After spending the first two chapters discussing the roots of good vs. evil and the nature of heroes and villains, the remaining chapters examine the myriad specific monsters created throughout human history and the slayers, exorcists and just plain folks who decide to do battle with them.
As the authors point out in the introduction: “this book is meant to be browsed, so don’t feel guilty about jumping around.” For the purpose of this review, I read it from start to finish, and experienced that way it certainly works as a cohesive and exhaustive thesis. But each chapter stands on its own and includes a list of examples of the enemies of evil examined in that chapter.
These lists comprise nearly half its pages so once you have read it through, it also serves as excellent reference material. The authors avoid the ethnocentricity of so many books like this which spend all of their time on American and European mythology, instead providing examples from all over the globe. They also discuss many less famous yet often fascinating creatures and hunters.
The book has eight pages of color art and is generously illustrated throughout, providing graphic examples as well of each type of monster or defender. There are also many captions from other writers, filmmakers, artists, and experts offering even more insight into the subject at hand.
This book is a must-have, serving several purposes at once; it is entertaining, informative and an excellent reference guide for fans, writers, artists, or anyone interested in the nature of supernatural evil and those who oppose it.
– George Wilhite
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
