The Alchemy Press Book of the Dead 2024 commemorates the passing of more than 370 writers, artists, performers and technicians who, during their lifetimes, made significant contributions to the horror, science fiction and fantasy genres in movies, television, books, comics, art and much, much more.
Amongst those we lost in 2024 were Doctor Who’s first companion and Jaws’ first victim . . . the MP behind the “video nasty” ban . . . a copycat Queen of England . . . the greatest stuntwoman who ever lived . . . the first recurring female lead in TV’s The Avengers . . . the actor who inspired Marvel Comics’ Wolverine . . . and the voices of He-Man, Darth Vader and Oogie Boogie . . .
Compiled by award-winning writer and editor Stephen Jones, these fascinating tributes are illustrated with numerous photographic portraits plus associated images in full colour.
Dark bleatings, my lovely tribe. Before I get into my review, I need to acknowledge an a-bit-more-than-mild embarrassment on my part, and apologise. I recently talked about this book in a mini review on my YT channel (Happy Goat Horror), accurately representing the contents now that I’ve actually read it. However, I also talked a bit about it on said YT channel in a different video a few weeks earlier, when I first received it. As you all know, I never read the synopsis of any book, and given the title and the fact it’s by Stephen Jones, who I first discovered through his zombie related projects, AND my complete lack of awareness about what this book is, I…
….Oh lord. I excitedly declared something like, “Oh yay! It’s by Stephen Jones! I don’t know what it’s about, but I’m assuming zombies, so I can’t wait to read it!” Knowing now that this book is, in fact, NOT about zombies, but is a memorialisation of several dearly beloved industry creators who are sadly no longer with us, I have to apologise for my insane level of insensitivity. I have never been hit so hard with what can only be described as The Inappropriate Irony Hammer in my entire life, and I sincerely apologise. My embarrassment knows no bounds.
Anyway, the book! I believe this is one in a series that Stephen has written, where he provides little biographies and photos of contributors to the horror, scifi, and fantasy genres (and some more who’ve impacted popular culture outside of these genres), who are no longer with us. Initially when I started reading, I wondered if this concept might be a little bit morbid. However, I very quickly came to the realisation that it really isn’t, it’s actually lovely. What it is is a respectful acknowledgment and a celebration of these people and their work (some of which we see, in the form of colour photos and movie posters, etc.).
What I really love about it was that Stephen doesn’t just talk about the super famous figures we probably already know – actors, directors, Big 5 authors, etc., but also scholars, stunt performers, animal trainers, scriptwriters, creative supervisors, choreographers, costumer designers, voice actors, sound editors, poets, literary critics, hosts, and many more. Basically, he covers so many unsung heroes of their respective fields, with special attention to their major contributions. And – and I’m sorry but even in this day and age, this does still need to be stated, because it STILL happens so little that it’s noticeable when it does – Stephen Jones pays tribute to so many women, along with the men, in their industries. It’s sad that it’s so refreshing to see, but we live in a world where fans of Beatrix Potter still don’t know that she was also a gifted mycologist, and so I really do thank Stephen for who he included. Fantastic representation all around.
As a total horror cinephile, I’m one of those people that can reel off every executive producer and writer on the shows I like, and list set designers that throw references in their designs from one project to the next, but even I have to admit that I didn’t recognise most of the names in this book. I did, however, know a lot of their work, and I’m very grateful for this book now educating me on who should be remembered for so many things I’m a fan of.
I’d recommend this lovely tribute to people interested in both the creative and performative sides of genre fiction in the arts. I’d you’d like to check out the book or the author, I’ve popped some links below for you:
THE ALCHEMY PRESS BOOK OF THE DEAD 2024
Bleeeat!
Happy Goat Horror 
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