Dark Peninsula Press greets the indie horror scene with an anthology of survival horror. If, like me, you have a vague idea of what that could mean, but aren’t quite sure what you’re getting yourself into, editor Aric Sundquist pens a not-to-be-missed introduction on the subject. This introduction details how the main inspiration is taken from video games such as Silent Hill and Resident Evil, to name just a couple, the themes are present throughout the history of horror literature and film. For those still on the fence, I’ll paraphrase Sundquist. Survival horror usually focuses on the story’s protagonist in an unknown environment facing down an unfamiliar evil, typically making use of elements in their environment.
The isolation necessary for stories of survival horror to work is evident on the cover artwork, done by Mikio Murakami, and it really sets the tone for what you’re about to read. This anthology could’ve contained a myriad of stories that were so similar in tone or substance that the reader taps out a little ways in. Sundquist did a stellar job of curating the table of contents, giving the reader a variety of settings, monsters, types of protagonists, and even varying story lengths to keep the reader coming back for more.
Some stories work well, others didn’t ring the bell for me, so allow me to share some favorites I discovered in Negative Space:
“Luminescence” by Scotty Milder – Kudos to this one for two reasons. Allowing this story to bat leadoff assures the reader that this collection is going to contain the unexpected. Reason number two – I have never before, nor do I ever expect to again, read a story where the main antagonists are cuttlefish.
“The Collectors” by Michelle Tang – I’m not a big video game person, but I felt as though this story really captured the aesthetic the book was going for. It’s written in a way that feels like you’re trailing just behind the character as they advance down dark hallways, unsure of what might jump out at them from around the next corner.
“Black Tongue” by Richard Beauchamp – I’ve mentioned before that this anthology does a good job of splitting up familiar tropes. That being said, survival horror leaves itself open to a lot of zombie stories. This was my personal favorite in the bunch, incorporating elements of Native American lore and ritual magic.
“The Whale Hunts” by P.L. McMillan – I’m not sure why, but I didn’t expect to like this one. Maybe it’s the distant future, sci-fi elements, but either way, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this cosmic version of Moby Dick.
“Midnight, Off Arkansas River Trail” by Eric J. Guignard – I’m a sucker for that whole idea of some kind of entity jumping from body to body, so the characters are never entirely sure who to trust and who not to. Going the length of the story not sure if you’re going to have to turn on a friend, or have them turn on you is unsettling at best, and makes for great tension. Add Guignard’s dialogue to the mix, and I’m sold.
I’m loving the way Dark Peninsula seems to be putting their focus on quality themed anthologies, one at a time in order to produce the best possible product for horror readers. The next offering, though no release date is available yet, will be Violent Vixens: An Homage to Grindhouse Horror. The care that went into the packaging and contents and curation of Negative Space tells me this is a press whose anthologies will need a home on my shelf.
Publisher: Dark Peninsula Press
Release Date: June 23, 2020
Page Count: 244
I received a copy from the publisher for review consideration
Brennan LaFaro 
A creature feature story with cuttlefish? Oh, that sounds fun!
LikeLike