The Devil's Bag Man

May 25, 2015
Mansbach’s bloody, terrifying sequel to The Dead Run brings a 500-year-old power struggle to a climax inside the body of Jess Galvan, which he shares with the soul of the evil, homicidal Aztec priest Cucuy. Mansbach skillfully keeps the characterization and language of ancient priests and gods distinct from the modern idiom, so when Mexican prisons, cross-border cartels, modern police investigations, and fatherly concern finally come together with magically beating hearts and armies of undead virgins, the effect of worlds colliding is devastatingly effective. Galvan embodies a fascinating mix of psychological struggle, bravado, and raw brutality, fighting against the demon’s voice inside him while using Cucuy’s superhuman strength to protect those he loves. He singlehandedly shakes up carefully balanced drug wars through pure killing power, and his human struggle and family context make the singlemindedness of his inhuman power all the more horrifying. Mansbach believably builds a scenario for the destruction of the world, showing the best and worst of humankind brought to their knees by the power of gods, and leaving the rest of us to tremble. Agent: Richard Abate, Endeavor Agency.

February 1, 2015

Anyone who can write a faux lullaby titled Go the F**k to Sleep has edge, which Mansbach shows off in 2013's The Dead Run and in this sequel. Imprisoned in a Mexican jail for a crime he didn't commit, Jess Galvan struck a nasty bargain to gain his freedom. Now he finds his mind and body taken over by the dark soul of Cucuy, a 500-year-old Aztec priest and leading drug lord who'd love to see the world destroyed. Back at Ojos Negros prison, Cucuy's second-in-command springs another bad guy so that he and his particularly vicious biker gang can chase down Jess. At least his possession by Cucuy has given Jess superhuman strength. One of those gut-wrenching, horror-flecked, edge-of-seat supernatural thrillers.

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