The FISH are PISSED! Every sprat, mackerel and rainbow trout has had ENOUGH! Sick of hooks caught in their mouths and being netted by the thousands, the water dwellers are finally fighting back. Thanks to pollution and radioactivity in the water, their brains have rapidly expanded and their intelligence magnified.

Now more evenly-matched with their human foes, the fish work together to drown swimmers under the sheer weight of their swarm. Sucker fish “kiss” unsuspecting victims to death with multitudes of “love bites.” Though they lack strength individually, en masse they can conquer almost anything in their path.

Read more “David Holman & Larry Pryce – Fleshbait (1979)”

Published in 1977, sometimes attributed to Shelley and Paul Katz, but more often just Shelley, now thoroughly out of print, Alligator is one of the bazillion killer creature novels to emerge after the success of Jaws (1974). Unlike other rip-offs, however, this one is actually good. Unexpectedly, almost shockingly good.

The first chapter is ablaze with rich characterization, ominous Everglades atmosphere, and the chomps we paid for. Then there’s about 75 pages of rubbish. But then, holy shit, the excess characters thin out and we’re left with two guys battling the elements, an evil alligator, and their own hyper masculinity.

Read more “Shelley Katz – Alligator (1977)”

Snakes are my favorite beast to go berserk and here we have a satisfying nest of Indian cobras terrorizing New York City apartment buildings. It’s a good set-up that’s just as zany as one would expect and hope for. Only slightly marred by a long list of characters who are probably given more attention than necessary.

That said, characters are also what makes this a good time. Our lead is a creepy vagabond type fellow who’s gone to the dark side because of his overbearing mother. He breaks a girl’s heart after using her to smuggle snakes into the States. His intended purpose with the snakes remains a mystery, but we do know that he has wet dreams whenever he hears them slithering about.

The girl definitely dodged a bullet.

Read more “Russell O’Neil – Venom (1979)”