Product Description
The best stories from the first ten volumes of the anthology series. Contains Nebula Award winning stories The Secret Place, by Richard McKenna; Mother to the World, by Richard Wilson; The Planners, by Kate Wilhelm; Passengers, by Robert Silverberg; and other outstanding stories by George Alec Effinger, Carol Emshwiller, James Salles, Joanna Russ, Thom Lee Wharton, Avram Davidson, Harlan Ellison, Gardner Dozois, Gene Wolfe, RA Lafferty, Ursula K Le Guin, Carol Carr, Langdon Jones, Philip José Farmer, Joanna Russ, Ted Thomas, and Ruth Allison and Jane Rice (writing as Allison Rice). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Beyond Anything One Can Imagine
Even though the series was published over a decade ago, the ideas presented in each of the stories contained within all the books remains fresh and revolutionary, each deserving a genre of its own for its out-of-the-box originality.

I first got this book back when it was published in 1995, and the memories of its stories, particularly the fear it fed into my heart and mind whilst reading it, not to mention the vividness of the step-by-step detail going into some of the more graphic scenes have lingered in my mind since.

Recently having had a chance to purchase the full anthology through different booksellers at Amazon, I snatched at the opportunity to relive the same stories that had inflicted me as a teenager, as well as experience new ones I had yet to unravel since these books are long out of print.

I am unfortunately unable to say more about the contents of this and the other 3 books, for it is up to the reader to experience the novel trains of thought that were conceived so many years ago, yet still pack the punch of an all-new view on terror beyond the likes of the Twilight Zone story concepts, and are the basis of the new horror ideas we get to see in movies and television today and in the future.

Awesome
I have this entire series and I would not part with it. Too bad it's outof stock now. I feel lucky to already own it. Good luck trying to get it.

One of the Best Anthologies I've Read
This is one of the best Anthologies I've read yet. It is ashame it is falling out of print. Monteleone did a very commendable job editing this one, as I liked more of the stories in this one than in any previousanthology I've read. The best work in the book is "Stephen," theBram Stoker Award winning Short Story (I actually think they counted it asa Novella) by Elizabeth Massie. Also very good was the ever-wonderful PoppyZ. Brite's "His Mouth Will Taste of Wormwood." Yes, that isBrite's most collected story, but this anthology was the first place itappeared. Ed Gorman--an author I've not particularly cared for in thepast--also contributed a short piece I thought was wonderful: "TheBlack Sedan." This is just a few wonderful pieces. Yes, it has a fewthat aren't worth the reading--most notably Joe R. Lansdale'scontribution--but overall this is a great anthology.

inspiring
I read this book about a year ago and the stories seriously inspired me into the world of, as the editor, puts it, "HDF" or "horror/dark fantasy". Stories like 'Evelyn Grace' continue towell in my mind as twisted, dark little gems.

The book is deserved of alook. I am no fan of horror but these stories are much better, darker,twisted but quite subtle as well. I have ordered all 4 and keenly awaitthem so I can once more immerse myself in the wonderful little world of"HDF"...

Reality has fractured... and I like it that way.
The yarns contained in this volume (or most of them, anyway) are best described as... trippy."Oh, look, there's a guy stuck on our flagpole," "My new job is watching 'men' pound," and so on. This book scratched an itch I didn't know I had.If you liked "TheTwilight Zone," then this book is for you.

If asked about anyshortcomings this book may have, I could only give two.First, there isone too many stories about terminal illness; I find stories of this natureto be less horrifying than boring.Second, there aren't any stories aboutclowns, and this would be the perfect place to publish such tales.

And,as a final note, the story about the wolf that turns into a human is justirresistably cute! ... Read more

Product Description
The misunderstood monster's earliest adventures continue as Robert Bruce Banner's rampaging alter ego clashes with Namor the Sub-Mariner, the Fantastic Four, and the Avengers! He fights his share of super-villains, too - including Maximus the Mad, the Glob, the Leader, the Rhino, the Absorbing Man, Night-Crawler, Tyrannus, the Mole Man, Hydra, the Abomination and the Sandman! Featuring the almost-wedding of Bruce and Betty Ross! Collects Incredible Hulk #118-142, Captain Marvel #20-21, and Avengers #88 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Very average
Stan Lee had a very good grasp on the Hulk in Volumes 1 & 2 of the Essential Hulk series.Once he turned things over to Roy Thomas, the stories went downhill in a hurry.Repetition drove me crazy: "Why is it always so hard for Hulk to think?" is repeated in nearly every story.
Also, Herb Trimpe's art is average at best.There are a number of different inkers to go along with him, but this is not a great version of the Hulk.
There are some good stories in here, but overall it's nothing too great.

A Walk Down Memory Lane
I collected the actual comics when I was young and really looked forward to walking down memory lane.It was fun to leaf through, but after reading a few pages I realized how lame the actual writing was and I was bored.This is great for kids learning to read or hard core fans, but if you read actual books, you will be wasting your time.

Artist Herb Trimpe had the best version of the Hulk
If you like Herb Trimpe's version of the Hulk; you'll love this one.In it are classics by Harlan Ellison and Roy Thomas.It's so hard to believe that both Ellison and Roy Thomas are no longer writing for Marvel anymore. It doesn't seem like all that time has passed.If you love good seventies comics, then this volume of the Hulk is one of the best. I wish artist Herb Trimpe were still drawing the book today. It was a mistake to take him off the book.I still wish that editor in chief Joey Q at Marvel would let him draw a book in tribute to the seventies version of the Hulk.

A brief time of perfect happiness for the Incredible Hulk
In Volume 3 of the "Essential Hulk," Stan Lee gives over the writing reigns to Roy Thomas who invites Harlan Ellison to write one of the more memorable stories of Ol' Greenskin and Herb Trimpe finds the perfect inker for his pencils in John Severin. Collected within this trade paperback are issues #118-142 of "The Incredible Hulk" along with "Captain Marvel" #20-21 and "Avengers" #88 in the name of providing crossover continuity (which makes sense since "The Incredible Hulk" #140 was includes in Volume 4 of "Essential Avengers," which shows this is going both way just like it should).

Understand going in that I always found the Hulk to be one of the least interesting Marvel characters because he was always caught in the same cycle. Bruce Banner turns into the Hulk (or the other way around or both). The Hulk smashes things. The army tries to track down the Hulk. The Hulk smashes things. Villains smarter than the Hulk try to get him. The Hulk smashes them. Villains who think they are strong try to get him. The Hulk smashes them too. At the end of this collection we get to the creation of Doc Sampson, the man Banner could have been if the gamma rays had been nice. Guess what the Hulk does to him. Bruce Banner loves Betty Ross, but the Hulk takes care of that romance and every other relationship he tried to have (e.g., Rick Jones). There is certainly an inherent pathos to the Hulk, who was intended to bring together key elements from "Frankenstein" and "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," but you can only go through the same basic story so many times before it wears thin.

That is why "The Brute That Shouted Love at the Heart of the Atom" (#140) was such a surprise. Ellison's story worked because it found the best of all possible worlds for the Hulk. Shrunk to sub-atomic level, the Hulk ended up in a world where everybody was green and where the princess Jarella had her court magicians work some mojo that put Bruce Banner's brain in the Hulk's body. The only problem is that, of course, it does not last. We do not even get to explore this brand new world for the Hulk for a story arc lasting several issues before the Hulk is untimely ripped from his happiness. Ironically, the artwork for the issues is different because Trimpe did the layouts and Sam Grainger the finished art (as opposed to Granger doing just the inking as in #138-139).

Consequently, I am put in the position of saying that it was a good thing that Severin was not doing the inking for that issue because that look did not really fit the story, but overall Trimpe's pencils never looked better than when Severin did the inking (another irony is that if you look at when Trimpe did his own inks, as in issues #118-123, it looked a lot like Marie Severin's artwork). Trimpe & Severin did some of my favorite Hulk covers as well (I really liked #135 for some reason).

The Ellison story is really the key one here, setting up as it does the creation of Doc Sampson in #141 and being presaged by the idea the Hulk is the Golem in #134 and when the Hulk fights Banner (#130) who almost marries Betty (almost being the operative word). Otherwise the Hulk goes toe to toe with Namor, the Sub-Mariner (#118), Maximus of the Inhumans (#119-120), the Glob (#121 & #129), the Leader (#123, 139), the Rhino (#124), the Absorbing Man (#125), the Night-Crawler (#126), Mogol (#127), Hydra (#132), Draxon the Dictator (#133), Kang the Conquereor (#135), Xeron the Star-Slayer (#136), the Abomination (#137), the Sandman (#138), and the Valkyrie (#142), as we find out whether or not the Hulk smashes women. There are crossovers with the Fantastic Four (#122), the Avengers (#128), Iron Man (#131) for a chance of pace, because superheroes always want to help Hulk rather than smash Hulk before Hulk smash them. By the time you read all of these, plus the Captain Marvel two-parter, you will understand why Ellison's Hulk story stands out. ... Read more

Product Description
By Heather Bruton, Dark Natasha, Nduli, Diana Harlan-Stein, Michele Light and Sara PalmerEgyptian god Anubis, Lord of the Underworld, Ruler of the Night, has always fascinated and intrigued the fantasies. Filled with beautifully erotic artwork by acclaimed fantasy artists Heather Bruton, Diana Harlan-Stein, Nduli, Michele Light, Dark Natasha and Sara Palmer, along with work from writers Kevin Richardson, David M. Stein and Thomas G. Brady, this volume is sure to delight the senses of both male and female, straight and gay readers! Surrender to the night! ... Read more

Product Description
This issue includes: Foeman, Where Do You Flee? by Ben Bova; Parimutuel Planet by James Tiptree, Jr.; Dunderbird by Harlan Ellison and Keith Laumer; The Organleggers by Larry Niven; Welcome Centaurians by Ted Thomas. ... Read more

Product Description
This selection includes "A Summary View of British Rights in America" (excerpts), the complete text of, and letters on the Declaration of Independence, "An Act for Establishing Religious Freedom," "Notes on the State of Virginia" (excerpts), "Draft of the Kentucky Resolutions," the "First Inaugural Address," and various letters. Also included are an excellent introduction by Harvey C. Mansfield, Jr., editor, a list of principal dates in the life of Jefferson, and a bibliography. ... Read more

Product Description
Small 8vo, text with colored pictorial title plus 30 hand-colored engraved plates after those by Thomas Rowlandson for the 1812 original edition. Covers solid, quite minor wear and scuffing, text tight, some aging, light old partial dampstains and light rippling to most of text including plates which retain their solid coloring. C. F. , Tooley 430." Miniature Edition", issued by Ackermann in 1823 with small 8vo editions of the second and third tours. "Enormously popular from the outset Dr. Syntax went into many editions, no less than 2 in 1812, 3 in 1813, others in 1815, 1817 and 2 in 1819" - Tooley. Graphic of book exterior also available. ... Read more

Product Description
Includes adaptions of Niven's "Not Long Before the End," Ellison's "'Repent Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman," Herbert's "Occupation Force," and more. Also, an interview with Herbert. ... Read more

Product Description
The classic companion to the most essential science fiction anthology ever published. 46 original stories edited with introductions by Harlan Ellison. Featuring: John Heidenry • Ross Rocklynne • Ursula K. Le Guin • Andrew J. Offutt • Gene Wolfe • Ray Nelson • Ray Bradbury • Chad Oliver • Edward Bryant • Kate Wilhelm • James B. Hemesath • Joanna Russ • Kurt Vonnegut •T. L. Sherred • K. M. O'Donnell (Barry N. Malzberg) • H. H. Hollis • Bernard Wolfe • David Gerrold •Piers Anthony • Lee Hoffman • Gahan Wilson • Joan Bernott • Gregory Benford • Evelyn Lief • James Sallis • Josephine Saxton • Ken McCullough • David Kerr •Burt K. Filer • Richard Hill • Leonard Tushnet • Ben Bova • Dean R. Koontz • James Blish and Judith Ann Lawrence • A. Parra (y Figueredo) • Thomas M. Disch • Richard A. Lupoff • M. John Harrison • Robin Scott • Andrew Weiner • Terry Carr • James Tiptree, Jr. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Not Free SF Reader
I think lots of people know this anthology, split here into two pieces isn't as good as the first.Still better than The Last Dangerous Visions though.Lots of not too good stories here.Bernard Wolfe supplies good booze, or something perhaps, to get two stories.Only a bit over a 3 average here, and 50-50 ifthe stories are any good, which overall spells a big steenkin' average.

Funny to hear Piers Anthony rant about editors not taking chances and later on go and write more fluffy kids fantasies in a series than you can probably count on your digits.

The intros and afterwords are pretty much done in the same style and spirit as the earlier volume.

Again Dangerous Visions 1 : Ching Witch! - Ross Rocklynne
Again Dangerous Visions 1 : The Word for World Is Forest [short story] - Ursula K. Le Guin
Again Dangerous Visions 1 : For Value Received - Andrew J. Offutt
Again Dangerous Visions 1 : Robot's Story - Gene Wolfe
Again Dangerous Visions 1 : Against the Lafayette Escadrille - Gene Wolfe
Again Dangerous Visions 1 : Loco Parentis - Gene Wolfe
Again Dangerous Visions 1 : Time Travel for Pedestrians - Ray Faraday Nelson
Again Dangerous Visions 1 : King of the Hill - Chad Oliver
Again Dangerous Visions 1 : The 10:00 Report Is Brought to You By... - Edward Bryant
Again Dangerous Visions 1 : The Funeral - Kate Wilhelm
Again Dangerous Visions 1 : Harry the Hare - James B. Hemesath
Again Dangerous Visions 1 : When It Changed - Joanna Russ
Again Dangerous Visions 1 : The Big Space Fcuk - Kurt Vonnegut
Again Dangerous Visions 1 : Bounty - T. L. Sherred
Again Dangerous Visions 1 : Still-Life - K. M. O'Donnell
Again Dangerous Visions 1 : Stoned Counsel - H. H. Hollis
Again Dangerous Visions 1 : The Bisquit Position - Bernard Wolfe
Again Dangerous Visions 1 : The Girl with Rapid Eye Movements - Bernard Wolfe
Again Dangerous Visions 1 : With a Finger in My I - David Gerrold
Again Dangerous Visions 1 : In the Barn - Piers Anthony

Wapoo ips SF.

3 out of 5


Apart from the fabulous title, a pretty interesting book.

A planet of aliens that are similar but different to humans is a target of exploitation.

The forests hold the whole ecology together in a more important way than on Earth. The natives know nothing of violent conflict, but when brutality and violence is used by the invaders to try and get what they want, the locals learn quickly.

4 out of 5


Resident patient intern cost.

4 out of 5


Real, maybe, dope.

2.5 out of 5


Balloon chick, maybe.

3 out of 5


Substitute boy.

2.5 out of 5


W@nker trip.

3 out of 5


Humans history, give the furry Titans a go.

4 out of 5


Literal newsmakers.

4 out of 5


Getting hairy.

3.5 out of 5


Cartoon copyright escape.

3.5 out of 5


Separation anxiety.

3.5 out of 5


Stupendous space spoof load launch.

3 out of 5


Robbery removal, high calibre.

3.5 out of 5


Third man pissoff whiner.

3 out of 5


Dream lawyers.

2.5 out of 5


Napalm death dog.

3.5 out of 5


Dream rock psi transfer rubbish.

2.5 out of 5


Malleable reality.

3 out of 5


Udderly alternate Earth Prime.

3.5 out of 5

crikies, think of going to war with him in the ranks of Them.
Again, Dangerous Visions happens to include my favorite story 'Moth Race' by Richard Hill. It also includes 'With the Bentfin Boomer Boys on Little Old New Alabama' by Dick Lupoff. A story about a colony of whites at war with a colony of blacks.

I've read three reviews of this story. The editor himself remarked, "There has never been a thing like this one before, in or out of the field of SF. One expects some eye-openers... but nothing like Lupoff. He takes the solid gold award for chutzpah Above and Beyond the limits of Gall... Frankly, had no other story than this one been written for Again, Dangerous Visions, the book would have been worth reading."

Another reviewer echoed the editor saying the book was worth reading for this one story, "a truly dangerous vision, and a hoot to boot".

A third reviewer said, if you're going to write from the perspective of racists, "this is the only way they should ever be portrayed". I'll take the liberty of assuming he meant, if you're going to write from the perspective of a white racist. . . Or am I being redundant?

The story is written as a sort of parody. At one point, after attending mass, a character remarks, "Good to know God is on our side. Thanks chap old chap, crikies, think of going to war with him in the ranks of Them. How many divisions does he have, buy the weigh?" Another time they pass by a military surplus store looking for the bentfin boomer for their uniform, "military supplies (one-fourthmaster was out of stock bentfin boomers two months, three? local merchant had a-plenty, yes: old story, yes)" The story makes fun of their government, religion, and military. By extension, it's making light of our society really. I think this is done perhaps more to establish the credentials of the narrator than as simply a deconstruction.

I've reviewed this story myself now too, twice. I'm a lonely man.

It's in part a war story. When I watched the movie Saving Private Ryan a scene in the movie would remind me of this story.

'New Alabama' was nominated for a Nebula award (best SF story of the year) but didn't win. It's come to remind of 'New Riders of the Purple Wage', by Jose Farmer, a story that appeared in the original Dangerous Visions anthology, that won the Nebula.

'New Riders' received some odd criticism for being too far left (it's sometimes considering a satire of the left). New Alabama could be considered a response to the original story.

'New Riders' is about a young artist whose grandfather, the last capitalist alive, is a fugitive wanted by the leftest government. Said to be satire of the socialist nanny-state, the story in fact presents a great many interesting progressive ideas. 'New Alabama', on it's surface, is a satire of the racist right, while in fact presenting a great many ideas of it's own.

'New Riders' left quite an impression on me. I liked the society it presented more than the story itself which I probably didn't understand all that well. I liked it so much, im my own mind I'd always though of it as 'the book' (perhaps analogous to a Star Trek episode where a civilization had based their entire society on a book from Earth). As a note, the young artist in the story is in a competition that might be a bit similar to 'American Idol'. It's been a long while since I've read the story. I might note too that the 900 + page Dangerous Visions was a near iconic work (for the field of SF) that can still be found on most library shelves. This shorter and better positioned on the coat-tails follow up, for whatever reason, is hard to find. I also wonder how many who actually bought the book read this story. I didn't the first go-round. Never really liked the stories with Southern accents.

I definitely remember New Riders too. We're always told we live in a racist society (racism that benefits, whites) and this may be part of why I liked the story actually. In New Riders, health care, housing and everything, is free, and each and everyone, receives a minimum and equal amount of credit just for being alive. The 'unconscious racism' I carry around may be a big part of why I liked the society presented in New Riders so much.

The government in New Riders also trys to make sure young people have a sex parter, so, that could be another reason I liked it. . .

Unconscious racism may be why I Liked the story but the thing I really remember is that people were encouraged to cry.

I would go further, than suggesting one story is a response to the other, 'nice try but I see a different future!' or even, 'two can play at that game'. I would go further and suggest the entire Dangerous Visions project (Dangerous Visions, Again, Dangerous Visions, and the never completed Last Dangerous Visions) was simply a project to get this one story in print, by hook or by crook.

Ellison's second volume is too much of a good thing.
Flush with the success of the briliant Dangeraus Visions, Harlan Ellison and his publishers leapt into the creation of a mulit-volume sequel.They should have quit while they were ahead.Most of the stories are good, butthey have not dated well.Also the book runs needlessly long, withEllison's hyper ego prattling on in the introductions and needless doubleheader works by the writers.It took me a year to read it all and, forsomeone who goes through 3 to 5 books a month, that is NOT praise.

Forbidden Science Fiction from the 70's
To anyone who has read the original collection of science fiction stories by renowned Sci-Fi masters of the 70's that Harlan Ellison released, this sequel packs all these that were missed, such as Philip Jose Farmer's"Riders of the Purple Wage". Even doubters of repeat success willenjoy this book, as the one refreshing rule (rarely broken) is that eachauthor could only submit ONE story. There were no other rules.

Oh yeah,and Kurt Vonnegut's in it too! ... Read more