THE WHITE GUY DIES FIRST

A delightfully creepy collection of 13 short stories that explores the human elements of ghouls, phantoms, vengeful spirits, and sadistic demons.

In his opening note, editor and contributor Benton-Walker highlights the horror genre’s ability to “deliver terror that’s most often intertwined with a deeper message.” Embracing the gruesome fatalities of horror film veteran Eli Roth’s cinematic bloodbaths in combination with the unsettling imagery of the Creepshow franchise, these tales include Kendare Blake’s “The Golden Dragon,” which centers on a Korean American high schooler who uncovers her sister’s powerful connection to a local ghost story; Chloe Gong’s “Docile Girls,” a harrowing teen slasher that acerbically critiques the model minority myth; and Tiffany D. Jackson’s “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” a creative take on the found-footage narrative starring an 18-year-old Black girl whose back garden hides a dark, disturbing secret. Others, such as Naseem Jamnia’s “Break Through Our Skin,” artfully use body horror to explore the nuances of gender identity, enhancing corporeal anxiety in ways reminiscent of director David Cronenberg’s work. Benton-Walker closes with “The Road to Hell,” a spine-tingling story from the point of view of an anthropomorphized haunted house. This anthology skillfully pushes the boundaries of the genre, featuring flawed heroes and villains who inspire lasting fear and dread. The protagonists represent marginalized, underrepresented communities encompassing diverse cultures, ethnicities, races, and religions.

A memorable offering of imaginative frights that’s not for the faint of heart or those with weak stomachs.