First published in June of 2025, UK indie author and photographer Chris Elphick’s ‘GNS2’ is a fanzine compiling contributions from a variety of fans of Guy N Smith’s work, brought together into a wonderfully presented publication.
The book followed on from Elphick’s first Guy N Smith zine – ‘Guy N Smith: A Personal Fanzine’ (2024) and was published in both hardback and paperback formats.
Introduction – Chris Elphick – 2 Pages
Chris opens up his second GNS zine with a short introduction filled with love and affection for Guy N Smith and his loyal fanbase. Here Elphick briefly explains how this second zine came to fruition, and his intentions for the zero-profit release. A lovely opening chapter explaining the volume’s goal and eventual creation.
Moles And Their Control – A Brief Review – G.P. Nedloh – 4 Pages
G.P. Nedloh – author of the creature feature pulp horror ‘The Woodlice’ (2025) – provides the first contribution to the zine with a review of Smith’s non-fiction book ‘Moles And Their Control’ (1980). The review sets out a brief overview of Guy’s love for rural life, before setting off on pretty much a chapter-by-chapter overview of what to expect in the book. It’s a solid high-level summary, linking in related experiences from Smith’s and indeed Nedloh’s own lives.
Those Båstad Crabs! – Tara E. Smith – 7 Pages
Since moving back to Sweden from England, Anna felt like a misfit in the wealthy coastal town of Båstad. An outcast who was treated by everyone as such. Her goth appearance only adding further fuel to the fire. Nevertheless, she simply didn’t fit in. Because of this she had no idea why she’d accepted the invite for the yacht party. A bunch of drunken teens making fools out of themselves whilst giving her grief. However, that will all come to a sudden end when a huge crab claw emerges from the water. The giant crabs are back, and they hunger for human flesh…
Guy N Smith’s daughter, Tara Smith (aka Tara Paulsson) provides the first GNS inspired story in the zine. It’s a classic homage to GNS, with our crab friends up to their usual antics, chomping on a bunch of drunken hapless teens in a frenzied bloodbath of killer crab action. The story is set in Sweden, with our protagonist feeling like someone who doesn’t fit in within the culture or community. Interestingly, Tara herself moved to Sweden from the UK, and as such, one can’t help but wonder if there’s a small element of her own experiences within the story. Anyway, the story delivers exactly what a GNS fan thirst for, perfectly setting the ball rolling with the fan stories within the zine. A bloodbath of crab mayhem, drawing heavily upon Guy’s particular way with words. Incredibly fun reading, packed to the rafters with pulpy, gruesome crab carnage!
‘Thirst’ for LIFE – Dave Jeffery - 10 Pages
In 1980 Birmingham suffered a devastating environmental disaster when the major city’s water supply was contaminated with thousands of gallons of the potent weed killer – ‘Weedspray’. The result was far more catastrophic than anyone could have possibly imagined. The consequences so unbelievable that even now it’s hard to fathom the magnitude of the entire epidemic. The streets of Birmingham were turned into scenes of chaotic rioting. Violence and murder took over. The madness seemed contagious. Nowhere was safe.
Britain’s second largest city had become gripped by a hellish blaze of mob warfare. Of course, the military had moved in – containing the spiralling chaos within the city boundaries. The situation was eventually resolved over the next few days. The military keeping most of the information out of the media. But eventually, through the freedom of information act, reports started to emerge. One such report is this one. The story of a Birmingham jeweller who, after stepping outside his shop, was flung headfirst into the raging madness of a city turned into an inferno of violence. This is his report. This is his story…
I must admit I absolutely loved the first ‘Thirst’ (1980) novel. It was raw and pulpy and pushed the threat to what seemed like almost apocalyptic proportions. So much madness occurred in the novel which makes it absolutely ripe for an offshoot-cum-follow-on short. And that’s exactly what highly revered horror author David Jeffery’s done. Written as a fictional ‘case report’ from the perspective of a random Brummie flung into the rampaging violence that quickly exploded, the short story flies along at a mile a minute, with the events escalating at a jaw-dropping rate. Jeffery paints the picture with a brutal and uncompromising brush – detailing just one small pocket of violence which you know was being replicated throughout the city. Quite simply put – this one’s a frigging great read.
The story was first published within the ‘Hell Of A Guy’ (2016) anthology.
The Strange World of Guy N Smith – David Buchan - 8 Pages
David Buchan offers up a superb write up about the strange occurrences which seem to happen around our favourite author, along with some wonderful reminders about the points of interest which appeared in a number of Guy’s novels. The piece covers the strange history of Hopwas village (where Guy grew up), to the concrete pillbox at Hopwas Wood which became the concrete blockhouse that appears in ‘The Slime Beast’ (1976), and onto the wild story behind ‘The Order of the Silver Star’ which was undoubtedly the inspiration behind ‘The Sucking Pit’ (1975) and ‘The Wood’ (1985). Buchan then moves onto talking about Guy’s potential inspiration for ‘Night Of The Crabs’ (1976) and then ‘Caracal’ (1980). Of course, the logical next stop in this journey is Guy’s obsession with Big Cats in the UK, before ending the piece with one of Guy’s favourite stories – how his late mother haunted their house for some time after her passing, as told within ‘Haunting At The Wain House’ (2018).
Honestly, Buchan’s write-up is a spectacular overview of the weird and wacky occurrences that happened in Guy’s life. Personally, I had the pleasure of knowing Guy for over a decade before his passing, and he absolutely relished telling these stories to me and everyone else. It’s so wonderful to see the stories still being kept alive. An excellent addition to the zine. I know Guy would be chuffed as hell with Buchan’s contribution.
The Old Gaol Cell Door – Chris Elphick - 22 Pages
When Stevie found out about Guy N Smith’s old prison door, he was in two minds whether he’d purchase it. Nevertheless, Guy’s daughter had liaised with her family, and Stevie’s offer for the door was accepted. It was just whether having such a macabre piece in his own home was a bad move? After doing some research, it transpired the prison door had once kept Noel Swarthe locked away. The notorious serial killer and eccentric Victorian illustrator of blasphemous esoteric erotica. A villain of old days with a penchant for necromancy. Was that a door Stevie wanted in his own home? Despite the inspiration the door might bring to Stevie’s own writing, could having such a relic bring with it something evil? Something from the past. Was creative inspiration really worth the risk?...
Ha! I have to admit, Chris got me with this story. For a good number of pages, I actually thought this was a non-fiction piece. You see, Guy really did have an old prison cell door, one which was supposedly rescued from HMP Dartmoor (I believe). Whenever there was a new face at a GNS convention, Guy would invariably show off his prized possession. Anyway, knowing this and also knowing how much of a lunatic collector of Guy’s work Chris Elphick has become, I honestly thought the piece was Chris telling us about him buying the frigging door! I even assumed his wife must call him ‘Stevie’ for some unknown reason! Oh jeez, am I lame sometimes. But yeah, this is a fun, occultist paranormal offering, that has the very essence of GNS inspiration running through its veins. The strange blend between fiction and reality works magnificently, as does the very idea of Noel Swarthe…honestly, I even fucking Googled the bloody name before I realised this was all the work of fiction! Christ!
Blood And Slime – David Buchan - 9 Pages
Sasha and Duncan had gotten into another argument. Now Sasha had run off. Disappeared over the wall and into the salt marshes. Beyond that was the Wash – vast mudflats that seemed to go on forever. Duncan couldn’t see her from where he stood, so he headed in the direction of the old blockhouse. An abandoned old concrete building which they’d been dossing in for the last week. It was as he made his way towards the concrete structure that he spotted a smooth round mound that was protruding from the wet mud. Something strange. Something that instantly drew his attention. Something dangerous and unnatural…
David Buchan’s second contribution to the zine is this magnificently atmospheric short story which one assumes intends to be a fan written prequel to ‘The Slime Beast’ (1976). The first thing you notice about the short is how bloody well written it is. Buchan’s clearly attempting to imitate the writing style of Smith, and to be fair, he’s done a damn good job of it. In fact, the story has an incredibly strong GNS vibe to not only the plot but also the prose and word selection. The premise, the argument between the young couple, honestly everything feels perfectly in keeping with a GNS story. And it’s a good ‘un. It’s only short, but a properly dark and downbeat piece, which it’s great to see doesn’t go hunting for a happy ending.
A great addition to the mythos of ‘The Slime Beast’ (1976).
Dacchas – David Owain Hughes – 38 Pages
Ever since their nightmarish ordeal at Invercurie, Phil Drake had kept in contact with Frank Halsey - and then after Frank’s death to cancer - his daughter Vickie. Over the following years Vickie and Phil had grown close. But something still ate away at the ex-police officer. He was convinced the cannibalistic inbreds that had inhabited Blair Long we’re still alive and had been breeding, undisturbed for the past twenty years. That the cannibals had found a new home somewhere. So, he’d gone to the isolated hamlet on the Scottish coastline to finally finish them off. That had been a whole month ago. Now Vickie feared the worst, and within a week, she’d made up her mind – together with her fiancée and his best friend, she was going to return to Invercurie to finish the slaughter once and for all…
Undoubtedly one of Guy’s most pulply of offerings, ‘Cannibals’ (1986) was crammed full of over-the-top horror and maniacal splattering s of bloodshed. Furthermore, it was absolutely ripe with potential for a sequel. With his offering, Welsh author David Owain Hughes has done exactly that. Set some twenty years on, Hughes doesn’t hang around before he’s throwing (now grown up) Vickie Halsey back into the thick of the inbred cannibalistic mayhem. Hughes lays down the foundations for the short story’s plot in a matter of a few quick pages, and then it’s on to the explosive bloodthirsty action and all-out vengeance-fuelled warfare. This is undoubtedly the most ferocious and action-heavy contribution in the zine. Hughes doesn’t let up one second from the moment the Dacchas’ start to rear their ugly treble-eyed heads. It’s manic and utterly entertaining. Yeah you need to suspend all notion of disbelief in this offering – but who gives a flying fuck about that? This is pulp horror entertainment pure and simple boys and girls. And it’s one hell of a read.
The story was first published within the ‘Hell Of A Guy’ (2016) anthology.
The story was first published within the ‘Hell Of A Guy’ (2016) anthology.
The Collector – Nick Caton - 29 Pages
He’d become an avid collector of Guy N Smith’s work. Between him and his daughter, Grace, they’d become obsessive. It had all started when he was eight years old, and he’d picked up a copy of ‘Night Of The Crabs’. Fast forward a few decades and his daughter is born. However there were complications during the birth which led to his wife, the mother of their child, dying during labour. Fast forward again, and when Grace is fifteen, father and daughter form a connection through Guy’s books. A wonderful, beautiful, shared love of the Great Scribbler’s pulp horror. And then Grace’s father receives a message about the rarest of all GNS stories – simply titled ‘The Collector’. He had to get the story. He had to make it his. For him and for Grace. But there’s something not quite right about the seemingly random offer he’d been presented with. Something not right at all…
God damn, I hate Nick Calton! He absolutely got me there. I firmly believed the absolute git’s story was a piece on non-fiction. Properly sucked me in for so many god damn pages!
Okay, so I don’t know all that much about Nick’s life. I’ve met him once – at the 2024 GNS Fan Convention. We’ve chatted a tad online, and I’ve sent him the odd GNS rarity for his collection. So, when reading his contribution, I somewhat naively assumed I was reading a piece about how he became a fanatical GNS collector. And I instantly became invested in the life and story being told. Hell, my heart went out to him, and I even began thinking maybe I could pull together some obscure GNS rarities to send to him and his daughter as a gift. I was that taken by the story. And then the story takes a turn. My heart’s now in my mouth and I’m concerned for the guy. Thankfully, you absolute cockwomble, Nick, I then realised this was a piece of fiction. He’d got me. Pulled me into the story and socked me one right in the belly.
A brilliant story with an insanely tight blend of a faux-reality and fiction. Superbly emotive, turned harrowing and bleak. I love Nick really, but the bastard’s getting a thump when I next see him!
Click – Steve Lockley and Paul Lewis - 14 Pages
It was another scorching hot day, but that didn’t deter Ceri Ellis from taking his position on the hollow that offered a view of the beach whilst leaving him unseen. Camera ready, the freelance photographer got ready for another day of snapping beautiful young women in their skimpy bathing suits. As the day wore on, he moved to the dunes that overlooked the beaches of Borth, patiently waiting for the arrival of the nighttime visitors, and the hopeful exhibitionists that often came with the twilight spot. But his camera wasn’t the only thing making that a click click click sound. Something else was lying in wait on the dunes with him…
Oh boy, don’t we just love a giant killer crab story! This one’s a good ‘un too. British authors Steve Lockley and Paul Lewis are a well-established duo in the world of pulp horror. And they absolutely deliver the goods. A clever play on the ‘Click’ sound is at the forefront of this absolute textbook killer crab offering. It’s gloriously seedy, with that inevitable teasing threat of the crabs lurking, giving the reader a tasty serving of suspense to chew on, all the way until the wonderful cliffhanger ending. Guys, you delivered! An absolutely cracking short. Vote Elwyn Lloyd! Support the sleaze!!!
Mike Howlett Reviews – 11 Pages
Next, we have a series of six GNS book reviews from horror enthusiast and frontman from the Spackles, Mike Howlett. The US based horror fan starts out with ‘Bamboo Guerillas’ (1977) where we have a swift overview of the over-the-top extremity of the book’s plot, before Howlett gives us a very concise and no-bullshit overview of the utter mayhem of this sex-filled, sadistically fuelled pulp masterpiece.
Smith’s ‘The Camp’ (1989) comes under Howlett’s scrutiny next, with a relatively detailed rundown of the plot and the characters taking up the brunt of the review, after which Howlett throws his overall thoughts down, delivering another pulpy thumbs up.
Next under Howlett’s spotlight is ‘The Lurkers’ (1982). The review starts out giving a fairly detailed rundown of the characters and their dislike for where they’re now living. Howlett moves on with a final summing up, which I absolutely agree with – the novel’s an absolute corker! Although much of the druid-like cult seem to be somewhat skipped over in the review, which perhaps doesn’t reflect their dominance upon the storyline that well. But another solid review nonetheless.
Next up Howlett tackles ‘The Undead’ (1983) with a review that properly whets the appetite. A fabulous overview of the novel, with references to similarities seen in other books (essentially because Guy was writing about his own experiences when moving to Clun). It’s another solid review which gets you chomping at the bit to give the book a read. Nice one!
Following that, Howlett sets his eyes on ‘The Island’ (1988) with another superb rundown of the novel and its quite frankly wild-as-a-racoon plot. Again, Howlett gets to the nub of the matter, pulling out the textbook GNS attributes within the tale, before hitting us with his overall opinion. A great little review!
Finally, we have Howlett’s thoughts on ‘The Master’ (1988). Before he gives us that inevitable thumbs up again, Howlett delivers probably the best overview of the six reviews, setting down the plot and the overall feel of the novel masterfully. It whets the appetite by itself, let alone the gushing words of praise Howlett then attributes to the book and indeed Smith himself.
A Junior Guide to Practical Country Living - Ian Talbot Taylor - 19 Pages
Petie McPherson loved nothing more than a good book. He’d spend as much time as possible immersing himself in tales of horror and the macabre. His favourite author was Guy N Smith who more than delivered the goods. Although Petie’s teacher, the stiff-lipped Miss McConaghie was far from impressed with Petie’s choice in fiction. Even his class presentation covering country living and self- sufficiency ended up with Miss McConaghie berating the boy for his far-fetched comments about wild cats roaming the Scottish Highlands. The teacher clearly had her own thoughts and opinions on the matter, and nothing would dissuade her otherwise. That is, other than coming face-to-face with a creature right from out of a Guy N Smith book…
This is a fun read. A young lad who’s a huge fan of Guy N Smith’s work, getting reprimanded for his choice in fiction. What’s more, the boy is an absolute GNS devotee. He reads everything the author has written, takes in everything, and quotes Guy verbatim. Of course, this stiff-lipped bitch of a teacher soon gets put in her place. In fact, the suddenness of the high-octane ending is as hilariously over-the-top as it is satisfying. Altogether a fun short story that zigzags around the place before slamming a homerun with the grin-inducing ending.
Return To Droy – Paul Ebbs - 18 Pages
Griff had returned to the spot where the package had been accidentally dropped into the murky depths of the water below. He told himself a brick of cocaine would make the midnight dive worthwhile. Retrieving it could set him up for years to come. But he’d heard stories about what lay below the waterline. The remnants of Droy Wood, a forest entombed by the waters he now floated upon. To retrieve the package, he’d be diving in the thick of those 40-year-old trees along with whatever else was down there. But the prize made it worth it, surely?…
For the final piece of fan fiction we have Paul Ebbs’ superb return to Droy Wood from Smith’s novel ‘The Wood’ (1985). Indeed, the short is very much a follow on, picking up forty years from where the novel left off. As such, we have the same gristly characters returning, such as good old Bertie Hass and the nephew of Andy Dark. It’s a creepy, chilling story that delivers a fitting horror homage to Smith and his pulpy novel. The ending is also suitably grim, with a proper 1980s downbeat conclusion. Yeah, Paul Ebbs knows the score and delivers. Nice one!
Hell Of A Guy: Fans On A Rampage – The Making Of A Monster – Chris Hall - 12 Pages
Next, we have my offering to the zine! Essentially, it’s a non-fiction piece detailing my involvement with the making of the GNS fan anthology ‘Hell Of A Guy’ (2016). It’s basically a short(ish) write-up of how the project came about, my involvement, and the eventual outcome. I also waffle off like a drunken wino about how great the annual GNS fan conventions are and all that jazz.
To add an additional layer of excitement to this thrilling rollercoaster of a ride, I’ve slung in a few photos, showing the cover art work-in-progress, along with Justin Park and myself standing with Guy on the day we handed Guy his copy of the book.
Okay, so maybe not the most exciting of reads, but it does hopefully show some degree of the amount of hard work that goes into organising and pulling together an anthology like this. Chris Elphick will know!
Introduction To Nightmare From The Black Hill – Guy N Smith – 5 Pages
Before we have the reprint of Guy’s short story ‘The Mummy’ we have also have a reprint of the short introduction Guy penned which originally appeared in the GNS short story collection ‘Nightmares From The Black Hill’ (2017). The piece details Guy’s contributions to the long-running ‘London Mystery Magazine’ (1949 – 1982), although with notable focus upon his second contribution to the series – ‘The Mummy’. As you can imagine, it provides a very fitting introduction for the story that follows.
The Mummy – Guy N Smith – 11 Pages
The search to discover something of great value was what kept the pair of Egyptologists going day and night. The pair had a handful of natives helping them clear the entrance to an old Egyptian tomb which they’d recently discovered. However, as they worked, they noticed the appearance of an old man, perched cross-legged on a ledge of rock some twenty feet above them. The aging old man never left his position. Through day and night, he glared at them, no words spoken, but aways watching. It was undoubtedly the presence of this man which finally scared the natives away, leaving the two explorers alone in their task. Alone to face the mysteries within this ancient tomb, to unravel a secret which had laid hidden since when the tomb was first sealed shut…
Guy’s story is a classic piece of supernatural horror drenched in an ancient mystery. The sort of tale which was a popular premise over the last century or so. Egyptologists uncovering a tomb and indeed an ancient mummy within. Classic! After this discovery we’re given the story of how this dusty mummy came to be entombed within the structure. It’s a very short but wonderfully descriptive piece, with a strangeness to the setting which provides an eerie chill throughout. A sort of Indiana Jones setting, which becomes the catalyst for a series of visions depicting the fate of the mummified princess, before Smith wraps the story up quietly but, in a fitting, and respectful way.
The short story was first published within ‘London Mystery Selection: Issue 93’ (1972) and then later reprinted within ‘Nightmares From The Black Hill’ (2017).
The Mummies By The River – Guy N Smith – 5 Pages
In this final non-fiction article, Smith details the story of how two Egyptian mummies ended up being buried under some osier beds along the banks of the river Tame in Staffordshire. Smith explains how he first learned of the story from his grandfather’s notebook and after doing so, visited the very spot within the Manor House grounds. From reading this article, it’s clear where the author got the inspiration behind the ending of ‘The Mummy’. You can just imagine Smith visiting the spot and then penning the short story soon afterwards. It’s incredibly well written delivering a wonderfully evocative non-fiction read, still with so much lasting mystery behind it. Such a great way to end the zine too.
The article was first published within the December 1972 issue of ‘Country Life Magazine’.
Afterword – Chris Elphick – 1 Page
Chris Elphick wraps the zine up with a short note alluding to the potential for a GNS3 zine and almost a call to action for you to get involved. And we certainly will!
The zine runs for a total of 231 pages.
© DLS Reviews
