art by Daniel Merriam

(Art) The Beautiful Macabre of Marald Van Haasteren

With his series of skulls, Dutch artist Marald Van Haasteren manages the find the beauty in death and decay by incorporating symbols of flight and rebirth, like bird eggs, winged insects, and blooming flowers. Of course, he does a mean metal album cover as well! Find more by the artist on his webpage.

THE BIG QUESTION (2007) by Michael Whelan

Confucius (551 – 479 BC) has the longest documented genealogy in human history. The father-son lineage is now in its 83rd generation, with Confucius’ own ancestry going back another 43 generations.

It was easier to discover when he had become a scientist than to discover when he had ceased to be one; the moment, if there was one, when his flawed nature had betrayed him and, without divulging it, abandoned the great search in favor of -- well, what? Art? from "Little, Big" by John Crowley …

(Fiction) A Radioactive Man Has No Friends

Gilbert Tubers shuffled down the street in a huff, clutching the most valuable thing in the world. It was tucked under his arm inside a glass jar, and he admired it every twenty paces while he stopped to rest. His heavy breath came in rhythmic ebbs, and inside the hood of his yellow hazard suit, …

Last night was Krampusnacht. Anybody lose a kid? Anybody wish they did? cover image by Tom Bagshaw

(Art) The Atomic Clockworks of Scott Wilson

Scott Wilson, AKA Clockwork Atomics, drafts what he calls 'Pataphysical Clockworks and Machinations That Never Were, including quite a few sketched on the backs of coffee shop napkins. Find the artist on his website.   See also: Imaginary Architectures

Dofresh, "Sent by the Gods"

(Update) A Warrior’s Ballad

This image by Kelogsloops, along with a few others, have been added to the gallery 'Swords and Sensible Armor,' a collection of women warriors.