Hybrid Moments: A Literary Tribute to The Misfits edited by Sam Richard and MP Johnson is a collection of tales that range from fun light horror to darker tales that will make readers a bit queasy. If you listen to the Misfits, this is one you don’t want to miss!
Shout-out to my husband for buying this book for me for Christmas!
Let’s dive in!
My Thoughts on Hybrid Moments: A Literary Tribute to The Misfits edited by Sam Richard and MP Johnson
Some of the tales hinted at ideas behind songs or lore from the band, while other tales focused in on the lyrics by Glenn Danzig. I really enjoyed the ones that I could match up with a song, but there were also a few that I wasn’t sure about.
There were so many tales in here that I absolutely loved, but a few were not for me. My favorite tales include:
- Exterminate The Whole Human Race by Matthew Vaughn
- Prison Food by Ross Peterson
- Slice-And-Grab by Mark Zirbel
- Bone Birds by Darci Schummer
My notes on each tale along with my personal ratings and quick passages that I just had to call out are included below.
Exterminate The Whole Human Race by Matthew Vaughn – Five Stars
A group of zombies are sent on a mission from “The Burning Hand.” What is the mission? To exterminate the human race, of course! There is one zombie that we follow, and she has a lot more control over herself compared to the others…
WHAT A STORY TO KICK THIS OFF! Oh my gosh. This was so brutal. I love zombie tales to begin with, but I especially love when the zombies have an awareness and we see the tale play out from their perspective.
That ending… This is my favorite type of ending- one that perfectly concludes the tale, but leave me wishing we had more as well.
“Sound off! What are we gonna do?” the motivator yells.
“Exterminate!” the zombies yell back.
“Who will we exterminates?”
“The whole human race!” the zombies yell.
Misfits Song: Astro Zombies
American Gods, American Monsters by José Cruz – Three Stars
A person known only as “The Editor” is busy chasing down a woman named Marilyn Ford that has been on a murdering spree. It’s unclear what he plans to do if he catches up with her, but he’s certainly determined to do so.
This one was spooky! The beginning where the initial crime occurred was very unsettling.
For the song, I wasn’t sure what one this pulled from exactly even though it brought a few to mind, so if you know, please feel free to share! 🙂
Prison Food by Ross Peterson – Five Stars
Oh my gosh! What an awesome tale to expand on this song. I loved the story arc! I could totally imagine the prisoners in this tale singing this song!
Misfits Song: Braineaters
Slice-And-Grab by Mark Zirbel – Five Stars
Frank, a man that is very close to retirement, is removed from desk duty to be sent out into the field with one of the new recruits. This job? To spot a mark, take them down, and harvest their organs.
There were various elements from this song that made it into this tale, and the dark tone was perfect! Such an eerie thought to imagine a world like this!
Misfits Song: Violent World
Bone Birds by Darci Schummer – Five Stars
This Thanksgiving holiday is marred by attitudes and a nasty argument. To escape the fight, the main character heads outside to a tree with animal skulls in it. While out there, she comes up with a plan… she needs more skulls.
The tense scene with the game and dinner made me super uncomfortable as I really hate situations like that. But once the main character headed outside, it was like a breath of fresh air. I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen. And man, what an ending! I was trying to guess which song this tale pulled from, and when it was made clear, I wanted to cheer! This is one of my favorites!
Misfits Song: Skulls
La Caja by James Edward O’Brien – Four Stars
A man isn’t feeling well, but he heads out to get some booze to try to dull the pain. He feels like he has creatures inside of him that are getting ready to burst forth…
Yikes the thought of having things growing inside of someone is such a terrifying thought. This one made me so uneasy.
For the song, I wasn’t sure what one this pulled from. If you know, please feel free to share! 🙂
She Is On The Run by David Agranoff – Three Stars
She has been taken and held hostage. When they aren’t using her in public, showing her face so her rich father will give them cash, She is kept in a closet. She learns that these people are trying to break her, and she must learn how to play along.
I loved that the word “She” was capitalized throughout this story. I felt so bad for her and the situation she was in. Especially when these people were violent with her. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next!
Misfits Song: She
Helena Drive by Glen Damien Campbell – Four Stars
When his date spots a tattoo, she asks him about it. Embarrassed, he brushes it off. Little did he know, the woman sitting across from him would have enjoyed his honesty if he had reacted differently…
This one was brutal and a bit heartbreaking. The scene where Todd pops in was very unsettling! And man, if only more people were honest on dates!
I’m not totally sure on the song for this one, so I’ll leave this one here-
Potential Misfits Song: Who Killed Marilyn?
The Soft Remains by T.A. Wardrope
A man is on a mission, but for what?
The authors use of description to set the scene in this one was incredible! Very vivid for all senses! Overall though this one unfortunately wasn’t for me.
I’m not sure about this song either, but this one seems fitting!
Potential Misfits Song: Spinal Remains
Remnants by Christine Trace – Four Stars
When Donny and Marie’s mother dies, and they are tasked to go through her stuff, they stumble upon an old tin that holds her bible. But there’s more than a bible in there…
PHEW I was not expecting that ending at all! I love how this one threw me for quite the loop!
I have no idea what the song is for this one. Feel free to comment if you do!
Reality of the Wolf by Daniel Otto Jack Petersen –
This one was not for me.
Misfits Song: Demonomania
Static Imago by Nicholas Patnaude –
I have absolutely no idea what was happening in this story. So I’ll just leave this here:
An Answer From The Stars by P.J. Kryfko – Four Stars
When a group of teens go out on the town in Arizona, they are all looking for women to seduce. One woman catches our lead’s eye, and he as caught hers…
This story was heartwarming and heartbreaking! I so wanted this one to have a happy ending…
Misfits Song: Teenagers From Mars
Bonus Tracks
The Verdant Holocaust by Sam Richard – Four Stars
When a woman goes to find one of her friends after the friend took off, she’s quickly about to find out that not is at all what it seems in this weird place.
I wasn’t sure where this one was going, but man did it get dark fast!
Boom by MP Johnson – Four Stars
A man stuck in a living hell is on the run. When he is caught in a trap and injured, he just wants this to end. But what’s next is going to start a whole new chapter for him.
This one had me so anxious! For a bit, I wasn’t sure what was happening, but I was so there for whatever happened next!
Misfits Song: Living Hell
My Final Thoughts on Hybrid Moments: A Literary Tribute to The Misfits
I had so much fun reading this collection! I also made it a point to listen to the various songs that came to mind while reading each tale if something jumped to mind. What an awesome idea this project was! I only wish I had heard about the kickstarter so I could have donated.
If you love horror and the Misfits, this is a must read! Go snag a copy of this book and come scream with us!
Snag a copy through Bookshop to help support local indie bookshops:
Thanks for reading!
Wow, that’s such a cool idea to make a short story collection expanding on an album. I wonder why I haven’t heard about more groups doing this? Maybe more alubums are too homogenous for it? Anyway, sounds like a blast!
Right?! I would love to read more like this! I’ll definitely have my eye out for more!