weapons of massdistraction

My love of A. Lee Martinez continues with eager anticipation of his next book. As soon as my state tax refund arrived I pre-ordered Monster. How could I resist with a cover like that - a devilish skull and crossbones surrounded by the words “cryptobiological contaminant and rescue services” - it got me hook, line and sinker. Now for the blurb about the book:

Meet Monster. Meet Judy. Two humans who don’t like each other much, but together must fight dragons, fire-breathing felines, trolls, Inuit walrus dogs, and a crazy cat lady - for the future of the universe.

Monster runs a pest control agency. He’s overworked and has domestic troubles - like having the girlfriend from hell.

Judy works the night shift at the local Food Plus Mart. Not the most glamorous life, but Judy is happy. No one bothers her and if she has to spell things out for the night-manager every now and again, so be it.

But when Judy finds a Yeti in the freezer aisle eating all the Rocky Road, her life collides with Monster’s in a rather alarming fashion. Because Monster doesn’t catch raccoons; he catches the things that go bump in the night. Things like ogres, trolls, and dragons.

Oh, and his girlfriend from Hell? She actually is from Hell.

In other paranormal news, a co-worker pointed out an animated French show that I would most certainly enjoy, with opening credits by The Cure. Now I’ll have to see about getting a hold of some episodes of Chasseurs de dragons (Dragon Hunters).

Bonus: I’m actually getting to some shows this week! HOORAY! Tonight my lovely mop-topped friends The Chambermaids are opening for Retribution Gospel Choir at the Triple Rock. Friday night it’s The Chambermaids, again, with Seawhores and The Blind Shake at Eclipse Records. I’ve also got guest spots (thank you Radio K) for the Gay Witch Abortion / Skoal Kodiak show later on in the Entry. Have to see if I can make that happen.
Plus: In other music news…Do You Realize? by The Flaming Lips has been named the official song of Oklahoma. Awesome. But I’m waiting for more Lips related announcements…specifically the full line up for ATP NY 2009 (curated by The Flaming Lips) so I can decide whether or not to squirrel away some money for a return trip to Kutsher’s in September.
And: The new P.O.S. is receiving rave reviews, as well it should. But I particularly love his shout out in Optimist to broken crow, whose artwork is featured in the video - and will hopefully appear on the side of my house sometime this summer.