There is a notion with publishers that anthologies don’t sell; that if you release one into the world that it is most likely going to be ignored and lost in the mix. In addition to “Year’s Best” volumes, and the many excellent anthologies produced by editors like Ellen Datlow, there are numerous themed anthologies focused on a particular subgenre, such as Lovecraftian fiction or paranormal romance. A Darke Phantastique takes a different approach: what unites this collection is more of a deft use of the surreal, or a dark shading over each story, rather than outright horror.

This is Brock’s first time as solo editor of an anthology. The Bleeding Edge and The Devil’s Coattails, anthologies he co-edited with William Nolan, were shorter and more concise; this one clocks in at over 700 pages, including stories, poems, art, and even a screenplay. Although that makes for a big book, Brock is a picky selector, and the anthology is worthy of the time and money a reader invests in it.  Standout stories nclude “Squatters”, by Nicole Cushing; “Lizard Man Dispatches”, by Ray Garton; and “Dust Made Into Words”, by Cody Goodfellow.

The only weakness is layout and design of the book. During his time as editor of literary horror magazines Dark Discoveries and Nameless Digest, he did a great job in layout and design. While the design of A Darke Phantastique is interesting, it sometimes seems to overwhelm the content. Just give me the stories!

While not inexpensive, A Darke Phantastique deserves to be in every library in the country that takes dark literature seriously. The high quality of the fiction makes this an anthology that stands above.