Man, Myth & Magic

[dem bones]

Was pretty down at missing Sunday's pulp fair so made another dawn smash and grab raid on my trusty dealer, Richard, Bethnal Green's #1 back of the van man, to feed the need. Came away clutching the Grafton hardcover of David G. Hartwell's The Dark Descent 1: The Colour Of Evil, Arthur Herzog's "don't-call-it-a-Jaws-rip off!" Jaws-rip off, Orca, Hamlyn's Mystery Stories For Girls, Gareth Roberts' novelisation of Cracker episode To Be A Somebody, and:

Richard Cavendish (ed.) - Man Myth & Magic (BPC Publications, 1970)

From the golden age of mumbo jumbo and compulsory nudity, the first six of 112 weekly issues, recycled between hard covers, covering the letter 'A' from 'Aberdeen Witches' to 'Australia'. Also includes a free 'black magic' horoscope of which I can make no sense whatsoever. Ph*t*b**ket would be troubled at the very least were we to reproduce certain slightly alarming snapshots of grown men and women dancing around in circles. Also, plenty of slapheads in cowls giving it menacing stares. Contributions from Francis King, Kenneth Grant, Eric Maple, Frank Smyth and Cavendish himself. You get the distinct impression that The News Of The World kept a very close watch on developments.

[helrunar]

Decided this would be as good a thread as any to park this link; a skit devised by former Chaos Magickian Phil Hine with the title "Bona Shamans."

enfolding.org/bona-shamans/

For fans of the "Julian and Sandy" skits on the old Round the Horne show (yes, I still listen to the tapes more often than I should admit in public).

H.