A-Z: I is for Ned Kelly, The Ironclad Australian Bushranger & J is for Spring-Heeled Jack

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Today I'm posting for the letter I and J for the A-Z Challenge and the two penny dreadful topics are Ned Kelly, The Ironclad Australian Bushranger by J. S. Borlase and Spring-Heeled Jack.

"Ned Kelly, The Ironclad Australian Bushranger"

Ned Kelly, The Ironclad Australian Bushranger by James S. Borlase was a serial publication published as a novel in 1887 by General Publishing Company.  It was based on the infamous outlaw of the Victorian age, Ned Kelly. There were many books, plays and movies about the notorious Ned Kelly and the Kelly Gang.  In fact, Heath Ledger played Ned Kelly in the 2003 flick, depicting how and "innocent man became the most wanted criminal in the world."  Now during the Victorian era, penny dreadfuls about highwaymen and adventure were largely popular.  Borlase must of have seen the potential of publishing a penny dreadful that embellished Ned's real-life story, right?  If you think about it, authors and publishers are still doing this, aren't they?

Where can I get a copy of Ned Kelly, The Ironclad Australian Bushranger?

Once again, I was not able to find the penny dreadful version in an e-copy format.  The only one I found was a hard copy via Google Books.

"Spring-Heeled Jack - The Terror of London"

Spring-Heeled Jack was based on an English myth from Victorian times, originating first from ghost sightings and then later as a devil-like creature who jumped buildings and preyed on young women.  Part real-life incidents and legend spurned the creation of the penny dreadful which was published in the late 1800s by an unknown author.  Like many stories ripped from the headlines, this penny dreadful takes the legend and created Jack Dacre.  Jack has his own back story about family, fortune, betrayal and more.  In the comic genre, Spring-Heeled Jack is an icon and there is ongoing speculation that Batman was based on the original legend.  Now that sounds interesting, doesn't it?   

Where can I get a copy of Spring-Heeled Jack - The Terror of London?

Great news!  I found a FREE ebook copy of Spring-Heeled Jack - The Terror of London from Manybooks. Woot!  How awesome it that?

Mina Burrows

A to Z Challenge: A is for After Dark by Wilkie Collins

Welcome to this year's A-Z Challenge where I will be taking the month of April to discuss some of the creepy classic stories known as Victorian era's penny dreadfuls.  For the letter "A", I am writing about a classic collection of works called "After Dark" written by by Wilkie Collins and first published in 1856.  For the purpose of my penny dreadful "A" theme post, I'm focusing on one of the first short stories in the collection, called "The Traveller's Story of a Terribly Strange Bed."

"The Traveller's Story of a Terribly Strange Bed."

This quick tale was a pleasant and easy read about an artist who in his youth traveled to Paris where he enjoyed the nightlife with his friends.  One night they decide to go a gambling house where the guy wins big and suddenly becomes the interest of bizarre onlookers.  As he celebrates his winnings with his new friends, he finds himself drugged and nearly killed by a strange looking bed.  The story was well told and held my curiosity to the very end.  It certainly leaves one feeling that the debauchery of one night scared our hero onto a straighter or better way of life.  I won't tell you any more because you'll just have to read it yourself.  I will say this...out of all the tales within this book, the only reason why I wanted to read this book was to learn more about the "Terribly Strange Bed."  I mean, why was it so terrible and strange?  The title had me from the start and I had to know more.  I liked it.  

Where can I get a copy of After Dark by Wilkie Collins?

I picked mine up from Amazon for free!  Woot.  See why I love Classics?  Click the link here and you can get yours' too.

Have an awesome day!

Mina Burrows

My A-Z Reflection Post & Showtimes's Penny Dreadful (A MUST SEE!)

Okay, I apologize for not blogging in awhile.  I wanted to do the reflections post, but I couldn't get to it. I think I was a bit blogged out after the A-Z Challenge.   You would think after all that planning I did for A-Z, I'd at least plan on that post, but no.  Nice one, Ace.  Anyway, I picked up my badge though.  Score!

My A-Z posts for the month of April were about Classic Monsters.  I'm not sure how many people read my a-z posts, but honestly, I enjoying researching and writing them.  Most people know how much I love classic horror literature so it was a natural for me to write about it.  I think the fact that I love the genre so much made it easy.

Penny Dreadful - A MUST SEE!

Purrrr!  Bow chica bow wow!

After I finished the series, I caught an interview with Josh Hartnett, where he talked about his time away from Hollywood and his new project, Penny Dreadful.  One click led to another and I thought how strange that I finished my classic monster stint with A-Z and then I find out about the Penny Dreadful series on Showtime.  Well, long story short, I watched the first episode and I was hooked.  It's really good.  I mean like classic creepy good.  Unfortunately, you need to subscribe to Showtime for an extra $10 bucks a month. Damn you Comcast!

From Showtime's website, Penny Dreadful is based on "some of literature's most terrifying characters, including Dr. Frankenstein, Dorian Gray, and iconic figures from the novel Dracula are lurking in the darkest corners of Victorian London. PENNY DREADFUL is a frightening psychological thriller that weaves together these classic horror origin stories into a new adult drama."

Penny Dreadful features other talented actors like two former James Bond stars, Timothy Dalton and Eva Green.  Oh and trust me...it's good.  The free episode is available here.  Here's the trailer below.  Watch and let me know what you think.

That's all I got for a Friday.  Fred sends his love.  My boy is getting old.  :(
I hope you all enjoy your weekend.  

Mina Burrows