dark horse /ˈdärk ˈˌhôrs/ noun 1. a candidate or competitor about whom little is known but who unexpectedly wins or succeeds. "a dark-horse candidate" Join us for a monthly tour of writers who give as good as they get. From hard science-fiction to stark, melancholic apocalypses; from Lovecraftian horror to zombies and horror comedy; from whimsical interludes to tales of unlikely compassion--whatever it is, if it's weird, it's here. So grab a seat before the starting gun fires, pour yourself a glass of strange wine, and get ready for the running of the dark horses! In this issue: THE BITE OF THE CHERRY BLOSSOM Lawrence Dagstine BLACK MAGICK 101 Gray McClary GLADIATORS IN THE SEPULCHRE OF ABOMINATIONS Alexander Zelenyj LEX TALIONIS (THE RULE OF CORD) R.C. Bramhall SADIE Wayne Kyle Spitzer NORMAN NODDING Stephen McQuiggan THE CROOKED ROAD Stephen Shewmake THE GOOD SHIT Brian J. Smith BEYOND UNKNOWN Barry Vitcov WISP M.P. Strayer