This collection of 24 stories, which originally appeared in science fiction and fantasy magazines, anthologies and on-line publications between 1962 and 2013, has roots in many parts of the popular culture from those years: other books, films, radio serials and more. As such, its diverse tales make up a kind of informal history of their own genres. There are recurring characters ranging from the enigmatic Mr. Lazarus, who seems to appear whenever the natural universe is out of whack, to the Gemini Twins, a pair of space-age heroes with talents that enable to take on an entire planet, if necessary. And there are many one-time characters, such as the judge of an alien beauty contest; the Hollywood horror producer who encounters the real thing and tries to build a movie around it; the soldier who hunts a werewolf at a military academy; a B-western stunt man who finds creepy characters from beyond turning up in the cast of his latest picture, and a few well-known SF writers who change the course of space exploration, among many others. Among the challenges they encounter are invaders from space, vampires, unicorns, virtual Martians and a beautiful gypsy who can foretell the future, up to a point. And beneath the action and suspense lies a gentle humor, here and there. These stories should have something for every SF and fantasy enthusiast.

Texas Ranger Lieutenant Jim Blawcyzk is on his way to the easiest assignment he's had in a long time... until a fellow Ranger, a man Jim trusted as a friend and partner, murders their commanding officer and puts two bullets into Jim. Now, with Jim lying gravely wounded in a hospital bed, his long-time partner Smoky McCue, along with Jim's son Charlie, newly appointed to the Rangers, must try and track down the Ranger turned killer. The only problem is the renegade lawman has powerful friends and allies in Mexico, and they are determined to keep him safe from Texas law, at any cost.