Mirta; artist, Floridian, and all-around great person has been a friend of the pulps for about as long as we’ve been calling ourselves American Pulps. So, it was kind of a no-brainer to make her our first Miss Mayhem. And because she’s our resident spooky girl, we figured the October issue made the most sense.
We asked if she would like to showcase her artwork in the magazine and she did one better, scheduled an Under the Knife-themed photoshoot.
Q&A
Halloween Movies?
“The Blair Witch Project”, “Sleepy Hollow”, and “Night of the Living Dead”
Halloween movies are a year-round event in my home, as I’d hope they are for everyone, but there are a select few I save for the season.
The Blair Witch Project is an all-time favorite. When you think of witchy cult icons, your mind goes to the sex bomb, the old hag, or the hideous monster. The absence of an actual “witch” in the footage leaves it to my brain to create the perfect evil, and, therefore, the perfect witch. Every time I watch it, I’m doe-eyed and desperate to piece together something I might’ve not noticed in years past.
“Sleepy Hollow” is my kind of romantic tale, so I usually save it for a cozy night closer to Halloween. I have a fixation, of sorts, with the Headless Horseman, and Burton’s rendition nailed it… on the head, if you will.
“Night of The Living Dead” is a must and my favorite to leave on in the background on Halloween night, whether I’m sitting with the candy bowl or in the middle of a party. “They’re coming for you, Barbara…”
Book Recommendations?
“The Autumn People” Feldstein & Bradbury
Halloween’s forgotten collection of tales.
When I worked in Tampa’s Book Swap of Carrollwood (RIP), I was taking in hundreds of books every week. Coming across this little treasure was exactly what my young, bookstore-girl soul needed. From the Frazetta cover and the EC tales that led me down the rabbit hole of horror comics, to Bradbury doing what he always does to my heartstrings, I’d say this is one of the books whose spine I love to see worn. Despite the complications in the printing itself, it’s a treasure worth finding and would do well in any young (or seasoned) horror lover’s hands.
Photos by: Laia Gore – laiagorephotography.com • Instagram- @laiagorephotography
Artwork by: Mirta Maria aka Miss Mayhem • Instagram – @postmirtam
