Steve Barton's A COMEDY OF TRAGDIES" Brings Tears A Mixture Of Tears To Our Eyes (REVIEW)

We jumped at the chance when asked if we’d like to review Steve “Uncle Creepy” Barton’s new autobiography, “A COMEDY OF TRAGEDIES,” from Encyclopocalypse Publications. Steve is a pioneer in online horror journalism, having been the co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of DREAD CENTRAL, and played a crucial role in getting Damien Leone’s “TERRIFIER” on the big screen. Steve has been at the forefront of horror influencing for the past two decades at least, so any chance we had to get a peek behind the curtain for a better, more in-depth look at what past and present experiences formed the man responsible for so many incredible accomplishments in the world of horror was an opportunity we would not miss. There were certain expectations we had about a book written by and about a man whose life centers around all things dreadful. Still, reader, beware, although you’ll get the stories you’re after, late nights with George Romero and Sid Haig, and hotel room shenanigans at convention after convention that show a side of that world few get to experience, the real power and message of Steve’s work lies firmly in exorcizing demons, rebounding from countless traumas and finding a way, often through the prism of horror, to keep calm and carry on.  This book is essentially a self-help guide dressed up as a loving tribute to things that go bump in the night, and ultimately, that’s okay.

We start, like most biographies, at childhood.  Trigger warning for readers who have experienced mental or physical abuse at the hands of the family: Steve’s childhood was far from idyllic, with an alcoholic Irish father ill-equipped to raise a family and a mother who tried her best with what she had to work with. Barton paints a vivid picture of Brooklyn in the 70s, from the beloved Sylvania black and white TV that was a convenient escape from the domestic turmoil happening all around him to the obsession with his Col. Steve Austin doll, which we can certainly relate to.  The drama is juxtaposed with episodes of humor, such as when young Steve stumbles upon a late-night showing of “NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD” and tries to convince his family it’s all real. There are stories to raise the hair on the back of your neck, specifically a run-in with a cursed idol and an ill-advised Ouija board session. What stands out in these early sections is the trauma young Steve had to endure, not just from his family situation but from the untimely death of friends and loved ones. It will break your heart. Like most men that age dealing with complex emotional stress, Steve turns to all the wrong coping mechanisms.  He admits it within these pages: he’s lucky to be alive.

As the book progresses, we get a fascinating look at the early world of online journalism via message board, leading to the moment that will define “Uncle Creepy” and give Steve a lifelong direction, the co-founding of DREAD CENTRAL.  This led to friendships with the most iconic horror actors and directors, George Romero and Sid Haig. It’s not hard to see that these two loving, supportive figures played a paternal role for Steve that he didn’t necessarily get as a child.  We enjoyed these sections as they fulfilled our love of behind-the-scenes gossip and gave us a look at friendships rooted in care, love, and support. As both these mentors advanced in age, there was something of a role reversal as Steve became the support they needed later in life. There are heartwarming tales of loves lost and found, friendships that fill a longing for family and triumph when just about all is lost, and spiders, really, really big spiders. 

The one critique we must point out is the style of the book; it’s very conversational. We understand that this entire work started as nothing more than an exercise in mental health journaling that, thanks to Steve’s wife, Danielle, was saved from the trash fire where Steve had always intended to go.  That said, the book suffers from this.  The tone eventually works against the reader as you start to feel part of a one-sided conversation at a party that lasts too long. We say this because Steve Barton is a good writer.  He can tell a story that hooks you, making you feel his pain, anguish, joy, and enthusiasm. There’s a better book here, and we know that Steve has had stories for days. The hope is that with a less “sitting on the stoop” approach, we can see what he can do. 

The title says it all: this is a Comedy of Tragedies, and it’s remarkable that Steve has not only found his way through the countless obstacles thrown his way but has carved a lasting niche in horror that now serves as a source of inspiration for so many in the community. Pick up this book to see how someone eventually finds their calling when life repeatedly tries to derail them.

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