The Ballad of Black Tom
What's it about
What if the cosmic horrors of H.P. Lovecraft were seen through the eyes of a Black man in 1920s Harlem? Step into a world where hustle meets horror and systemic racism is as terrifying as any ancient god. This is your chance to experience a classic tale flipped on its head. You'll follow Tommy Tester, a street-smart musician just trying to get by, as he delivers a mysterious book to a wealthy recluse in Queens. This single job plunges him into a dark conspiracy of magic, monsters, and secret societies, forcing him to confront the dual terrors of otherworldly forces and the brutal realities of Jazz Age New York.
Meet the author
Victor LaValle is the award-winning author of five novels and an Eisner Award-winning comic book writer celebrated for blending horror with sharp social commentary. Raised in Queens, New York, LaValle draws on his personal experiences with race, class, and city life to reimagine classic weird fiction. His work, like The Ballad of Black Tom, gives voice to the marginalized, transforming familiar tales into powerful explorations of modern anxieties and historical injustices, making him a vital voice in contemporary speculative fiction.
What's it about
What if the cosmic horrors of H.P. Lovecraft were seen through the eyes of a Black man in 1920s Harlem? Step into a world where hustle meets horror and systemic racism is as terrifying as any ancient god. This is your chance to experience a classic tale flipped on its head. You'll follow Tommy Tester, a street-smart musician just trying to get by, as he delivers a mysterious book to a wealthy recluse in Queens. This single job plunges him into a dark conspiracy of magic, monsters, and secret societies, forcing him to confront the dual terrors of otherworldly forces and the brutal realities of Jazz Age New York.
Meet the author
Victor LaValle is the award-winning author of five novels and an Eisner Award-winning comic book writer celebrated for blending horror with sharp social commentary. Raised in Queens, New York, LaValle draws on his personal experiences with race, class, and city life to reimagine classic weird fiction. His work, like The Ballad of Black Tom, gives voice to the marginalized, transforming familiar tales into powerful explorations of modern anxieties and historical injustices, making him a vital voice in contemporary speculative fiction.
The Script
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