Friday, August 19, 2011

Guest Post: Justin Gustainis


Today I have the pleasure of welcoming author Justin Gustainis to the blog to chat about vampires, guns, and his newest urban fantasy release, Hard Spell. I had the opportunity to read Justin's contribution to the Those Who Fight Monsters anthology and really enjoyed his writing, so I'm excited to let him take over the blog for a day!

“I know what you’re thinking, vamp -- did I fire six silver bullets, or only five?”

A FEW THOUGHTS ON VAMPIRES AND GUNS

The line of dialogue quoted above is from the movie Dirty Harry Van Helsing, starring Clint Eastwood as a ruthless vampire hunter. Is has never been seen in the world that you and I live in, but Stan Markowski, the hero of Hard Spell, has seen it three times (before buying the DVD). Because in Stan’s world, the supernatural is real – and everybody knows it. Supernatural creatures (“supes”) have the same rights as anyone else – and the same responsibility to obey the law. In Scranton, PA, when one of them crosses the line, Stan Markowski is the one who gets the call. He’s a Detective Sergeant on the Scranton Police Department’s Occult Crimes Unit.

Like every cop, Stan carries a gun – a 9mm Beretta (the same model as the one used by the U.S. armed forces). He usually keeps it loaded with silver bullets – proof against both vampires and werewolves, and any human who is dumb enough to get in Stan’s way. He also carries some slugs tipped with cold iron, in case he needs to take down a fairy. And forget Tinkerbell, kids. In Stan’s world, a fairy can kick your ass – and plenty of them will, given an excuse.

Did you ever notice, in all the popular culture representations of vampires (in literature, film, TV, etc.), vampires never use a gun? Sure, they’ve got the fangs, and in many mythologies they are stronger and faster than humans. But why don’t they increase their badass potential by packing heat? It think it’s because a vampire attack is usually described in terms of the vamp wanting to drink your blood. For that, a .38 Special won’t do much good. But what if the vampire doesn’t want to eat you – what if he just doesn’t like you?

The only pop culture example I know of that shows a vampire using a gun is a 1959 western called Curse of the Undead. The bad guy is a vampire, but nobody knows it. He has a big reputation as a gunslinger. Of course, all of his gunfights take place after dark. He’s not actually all that fast – but if the other guy puts a bullet into him first, it has no effect, giving him plenty of time to return fire and kill his opponent. Talk about sneaky. Of course, eventually somebody figures out what’s going on, and makes a silver bullet. That was one surprised vamp gunslinger, I can tell you.

That case aside, vampires don’t use guns. But they do in Stan Markowski’s world – some of them, anyway. Like any other city, Scranton has its share of criminal gangs, and one of these is made up of vampires. Vampires need money, too, you know. Most of them live in apartments or houses, not crypts. They need new clothes once in a while, like the rest of us. They like flat screen TVs, too. And have you priced coffins lately? Most vampires earn their living with respectable jobs (on the night shift, of course), but some are drawn by the lure of easy money that a life of crime seems to promise. And if you mess with any of the Fang Gang, they’ll blow you away – and then maybe drink any blood you leave lying around. No sense letting it go to waste.

But even gangfangers know better than to mess with Stan Markowski. Because compared to Stan, Dirty Harry is a Cub Scout – and every vamp in Scranton knows it.

Thanks so much for stopping by today Justin! For more information on Justin and his books, you can find him here:

Website
Watch the trailer

HARDSPELL (from Goodreads):

Stan Markowski is a Detective Sergeant on the Scranton PD's Supernatural Crimes Investigation Unit.

Like the rest of America, Scranton's got an uneasy 'live and let unlive' relationship with the supernatural. But when a vamp puts the bite on an unwilling victim, or some witch casts the wrong kind of spell, that's when they call Markowski. He carries a badge. Also, a crucifix, some wooden stakes, a big vial of holy water, and a 9mm Beretta loaded with silver bullets.


21 comments:

  1. A vampire with a gun? What a strange and scary thought.

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  2. This sounds truly entertaining!

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  3. Hardspells' paranormal creatures sound very dangerous!

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  4. I never thought about that, but yes they sure do not use guns, and guns would make it easier for them ;)

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  5. I've read Hard Spell and it is a great read - reminded me of detective noir style - but with vampires!

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  6. Oh I love Vampires with Guns! I think after C. Farnsworth introduced the idea of Paranormal Mystery/Thrillers to me, I have been craving them. Will definitely be checking this one out!

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  7. Hmmm supernatural crime unit! I likey!

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  8. Interesting twist and vampires need to assimilate to live in the world, why not pick up some bad habits----guns.

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  9. Haha, that's a good point! Actually, why don't all supernatural creatures carry guns? It would be great backup in case their powers aren't effective enough against their opponent.

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  10. You got a good point. Why don't we see vamps with guns? At least most have the sense to not let spilled blood go to waste. ;[

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  11. I never did realize that you don't see vampires with guns. The thought sounds weird though. Not only will you then have to worry about their super speed, fangs and strength but then you also have a gun to contend with.

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  12. Now that I think about it I don't think I've come across a vampire usign a gun.

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  13. See, when I think of a vampire, I definitely don't see them with a gun. LOL They have fangs so they can use those. Oh, and their super speed (most of them have that, right?). ;)

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  14. I never really thought about the lack of guns in vampire stories. It definitely stands out now that you mention it though.

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  15. I love the Dirty Harry reference! If there was a book like that my husband might actually read it! Great guest post!

    Heather

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  16. The vamp in Curse of the Undead is very, very sneaky and smart!

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  17. Just look at that cover. Just oozes badass. Apart from the dead man of course :P

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  18. What an interesting take! I have seen such good reviews of this book and I'm so curious after this post. Thanks!

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  19. LOL! It sounds really funny! Yes, I find vampires who murder with guns, hilarious. o_o Plus, it's true, why don't vamps wield guns? I mean, they aren't fae, they aren't adversely affected by iron. (*voices in head* Jen, vampires aren't real) *clears throat* Anyway, this book sounds funny and I'm intrigued!

    Jen
    In the Closet With a Bibliophile

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  20. Haha, awesome post! I love that movie quote! And you're right, other than James C. Gillen, I can't think of any other authors who give their vamps pieces to carry. Gah, a vamp *with* a gun would be super awesome/sexy. You now have given me a whole new Want for the vamp fiction I read. Thanks!


    Smiles!
    Lori

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