“With his latest, Compton takes on the end of the world with a hostile alien take over steeped in body horror.”
A mutated man.
Civilization’s last hope.
Failing to “uplift” humanity, a zealous alien destroys the world, unleashing hell on Earth. Swanson may have figured out how to fight back …
… even if his plan forces him to leave the only planet he’s ever known.
Why we’re excited about this book:
Johnny Compton is back with a new novel, proving apocalyptic alien horror never goes out of style. The author of The Spite House, Devils Kill Devils, and Dead First, Compton’s short fiction has been featured in such publications as Pseudopod, Strange Horizons, The No Sleep Podcast, Weird Tales, The Rack, Nightlight Podcast, and in the collection Midnight Somewhere. With his latest, Compton takes on the end of the world with a hostile alien take over steeped in body horror. Chris Panatier (Worry Box) says: “Johnny Compton’s Chimera Skin is such a wonder. An absolute thrill of a reading experience. Invigorating, confident storytelling that invokes Vandermeer’s Annihilation and Russell’s The Sparrow, while giving a hard nod to The Fly.” , and Bridget D. Brave (“Harvest Queen”) says: “What if we were punished for our continued denial of the self in pursuit of the promise of the stars? And how far would you go to save us? All at once a wonderfully weird western and a horrifyingly prescient cautionary tale, Chimera Skin is the kind of story that haunts every last cell. Finally, a True Grit for the freaks!”
Releasing from Shortwave 3 November 2026, Chimera Skin by Johnny Compton is available for pre-order now.
BOB PASTORELLA
