Pulphouse #21, Dec. 2022/Jan. 2023

“The Ghost of Christmas Beta” by J. Steven York

“Emergency Elf” by Stefon Mears

“The Asshole of Christmas Present” by Ezekiel James Boston

“The Ghost of Christmas Present” by David Stier

“Max, Marilyn, Murder, and Me” by Ray Vukcevich

“Minions at Work: In a Manner of Speaking” by J. Steven York

Reviewed by Chuck Rothman

Pulphouse #21 definitely sticks with a Christmas theme. Most of the stories are set during the holidays.

J. Steven York’s “The Ghost of Christmas Beta,” is a modern variation on “A Christmas Carol,” where a CEO is visited by the ghost of his partner Jacob. It, of course, doesn’t work out like the Dickens story. A slight tale, and no more than mildly entertaining and you can spot the switcheroo early on.

“Emergency Elf” by Stefon Mears is a charming story where Sprig, a retired Christmas elf—being a Santa’s helper is a young elf’s game—is called into action to make deliveries. But he runs into an anti-Santa, who’s role is to make sure wishes are unfulfilled. Definitely a fun holiday romp that shows a lot of imagination.

“The Asshole of Christmas Present” follows Emily Kolowski, who keeps having bad things happening to her, all instigated by a type of spirit that has all the good intentions in the world, but achieves them in scary ways that Emily has no way of understanding. Ezekiel James Boston has a unique take on the idea of a guardian angel who seems exactly the opposite. Good characterizations but works a bit too hard to be contrary.

“Max, Marilyn, Murder, and Me” by Ray Vukcevich has the protagonist start playing his uncle Max’s didgeridoo after Max was found dead on a park bench. Sitting on the same bench, he discovers he can play the instrument, which leads to the discovery of what really happened. I liked the take on a story that mixes fantasy with a murder mystery.

“Minions at Work: In a Manner of Speaking” by J. Steven York is a brief illustrated story. It’s not particularly funny.

This issue does contain ten other stories that are either reprints or non-fantasy/SF. Overall, though, there’s a lot to like.

Chuck Rothman’s novels Staroamer’s Fate and Syron’s Fate were recently republished by Fantastic Books.