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J. M. DeMatteis
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The Excavator Kindle Edition

by J.M. DeMatteis (Author), Vassilis Gogtzilas (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 18 ratings

With outstanding illustrations by Vassilis Gogtzilas, J.M. DeMatteis’s remarkable supernatural novella is a mind-warping voyage into terror and redemption.


Sandra Rosen awakens to find a mysterious boy standing at the foot of her bed. It is, she soon discovers, her son Henry. But she has no memory of his existence. A mind-hacker has excavated her psyche with surgical precision and now demands a ransom to replace the priceless memories he’s stolen.

This traumatic event is just the beginning of a journey that finds Sandra caught between two supernatural forces: the invader who defiled her mind and the FBI psychic who claims he can save her. But in the end, it’s Sandra herself who holds the key not just to her own salvation, but the Excavator’s as well.

About the author
Eisner Award winner J. M. DeMatteis was a professional musician and rock music, before launching a long career writing comic books, novels, television, and film.

About the illustrator
Vassilis Gogtzilas is a comic book artist, painter and illustrator, who is best known for The Bigger Bang, which he illustrated and co-created with scriptwriter D.J. Kirkbride, and The Adventures of Augusta Wind, written by J.M. DeMatteis.
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  1. Print length
    134 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    June 21, 2022
  4. File size
    9.4 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

Sample illustrations by Vassilis Gogtzilas

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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B1YR4GL2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ NeoText
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 21, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 9.4 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 134 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 18 ratings

About the author

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J. M. DeMatteis

J. M. DeMatteis

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Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, J. M. DeMatteis was a professional musician and rock music journalist before entering the comic book field. DeMatteis has written almost all of the major DC and Marvel icons—including memorable runs on Spider-Man (his classic "Kraven’s Last Hunt" was voted number one in a 2012 Comic Book Resources poll of Spider-Man stories and number twelve in a 2017 CBR poll of the greatest comic book stories of all time. The Hollywood Reporter called KLH "perhaps the greatest Spider-Man standalone story") and Justice League (winning DeMatteis and his collaborators, Keith Giffen and Kevin Maguire, comics’ highest honor, the Eisner Award); but his greatest acclaim has come for sophisticated original graphic novels like Seekers Into The Mystery, Blood: A Tale, The Last One, and Mercy. The autobiographical Brooklyn Dreams was picked by the ALA as one of the Ten Best Graphic Novels and Booklist, in a starred review, called it “as graphically distinguished and creatively novelistic a graphic novel as has ever been...a classic of the form.” The groundbreaking Moonshadow was chosen (along with Brooklyn Dreams, Blood and other DeMatteis works) for inclusion in Gene Kanenberg, Jr’s 2008 book 500 Essential Graphic Novels—where it was hailed as one of the finest fantasy graphic novels ever created.

His success in the comic book medium has led DeMatteis to work in both television (writing live action and animation) and movies (creating screenplays for Warner Bros, Fox, Disney Feature Animation, directors Carlo Carlei, Chris Columbus, and others).

In 2006, DeMatteis had great success with the acclaimed children's fantasy Abadazad-which Entertainment Weekly hailed as "...one of those very rare fantasy works that can enchant preteen kids and 40-year old fanboys..." and Publisher's Weekly, in a starred review, called "an appealing blend of Spirited Away and The Wizard of Oz." Abadazad began life as a CrossGen comic book before morphing into a three-book series published by Disney's Hyperion Books For Children. DeMatteis's 2009 graphic novel, The Life and Times of Savior 28, was called "one of the finest superhero stories of the decade" by Newsarama. In 2010, HarperCollins published DeMatteis's fantasy novel Imaginalis—which the School Library Journal said "will delight readers who imagine themselves in the pages of their favorite books." For DC he wrote Phantom Stranger, Justice League Dark, Justice League 3000, and Scooby Apocalypse.

In animation, he contributed episodes to the series Justice League Unlimited, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Ben 10, Teen Titans Go and other shows—as well as writing the animated features Batman vs. Robin, Batman: Bad Blood, and Constantine: City of Demons.

More recently, DeMatteis has written the animated movies Superman: Red Son and Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons, IDW's cosmic adventure Impossible Inc., the reality-bending thriller The Girl in the Bay for Dark Horse/Berger Books, and multiple episodes of Marvel's Spider-Man. Current works-in-progress include DC's Justice League Infinity, Marvel's Ben Reilly: Spider-Man, several new creator-owned series, and more work in animation and film.

DeMatteis continues to teach Imagination 101, a workshop exploring the practicalities and metaphysics of writing for comics, graphic novels and animation. He's also the founder of Creation Point, a story consultation service that offers in-depth guidance for both the professional and aspiring writer.

DeMatteis lives and works in upstate New York

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
18 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's emotional content well-executed, with one review noting how it handles visceral emotions effectively. Moreover, they appreciate its suspenseful nature, with one customer describing it as a well-paced thriller packed with action. Additionally, customers find the book thoroughly enjoyable.

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4 customers mention "Emotional content"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the emotional depth of the book, noting how well the author conveys the visceral experience of the story. One customer describes it as a psychological drama, while another praises the author's storytelling skills.

"...DeMatteis is one of the comic book industry's greatest and most prolific storytellers, so when I say this prose novella ranks among his best work..." Read more

"...A psychic, psychological drama, it also has some nice twists, keeping you engrossed." Read more

"...Gogtzilas in both color & composition evoke the visceral emotion of the story extremely well." Read more

"...A thoroughly enjoyable and emotional read, and delighted to see DeMatteis's nuanced characters carry over from the comics realm into prose." Read more

4 customers mention "Suspenseful"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the suspenseful plot of the book, with one customer noting how the story branches out into surprising directions and is packed with action.

"...This novella is packed with a lot of action and characterization, but the real strength is his ability to draw you in through the emotions of the..." Read more

"...an immediately-engaging high concept, before the story branches out into some surprising directions...." Read more

"A Masterful Tale of Dark Psychics and FBI Drama..." Read more

"Suspenseful, Well-Paced Thriller with Universal Relatability..." Read more

3 customers mention "Enjoyment"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thoroughly enjoyable, with one describing it as an immensely satisfying read that keeps you engrossed.

"...A psychic, psychological drama, it also has some nice twists, keeping you engrossed." Read more

"...This page-turner of a story is highly-entertaining, but what is most impressive are the little philosophical nuggets scattered throughout dealing..." Read more

"...A thoroughly enjoyable and emotional read, and delighted to see DeMatteis's nuanced characters carry over from the comics realm into prose." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Ben Reilly
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Twilight Zone Meets the X-Files in One of J.M. DeMatteis' Best Works
    Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    J.M. DeMatteis is one of the comic book industry's greatest and most prolific storytellers, so when I say this prose novella ranks among his best work that's no small accomplishment.

    THE EXCAVATOR is the story of Sandra Rosen, a woman whose memories of her second child have been stolen by a uniquely gifted blackmailer. When the FBI arrives on the scene with their own psychic investigator, Sandra realizes they are in a race against time to catch the elusive memory thief and recover the missing pieces of her life before they're gone forever.

    It's a concept worthy of Rod Serling with a narrative style that evokes Ray Bradbury's sense of wonder and Robert E. Howard's kinetic lyricism. Take for instance this striking (non-spoilery) passage in which DeMatteis dives into Sandra's existential crisis:

    "Sandra couldn't sleep--unsurprising considering all she'd been through--so she walked the apartment like a ghost, haunting herself. And that's what she was, what she saw when she glanced in the hall mirror: a specter. A pale reflection of the person she'd always been. Can we exist, she wondered, can we go on living with a piece of ourselves gone? Or do we...do I...simply fade away into nonexistence?"

    Or this window into her husband's perspective:

    "...the impossible had been hovering, a hungry shadow, on the periphery of their lives...the impossible had swooped in like a vulture and clawed its way into Sandra's psyche. Shredded it."

    Throughout the novella there's a rhythmic quality to the action, as crisp as it is musical:

    "He was a hulking, softly-smiling presence, wavering in and out of focus: there/not there. There/not there."

    DeMatteis' skill brings the characters and their competing agendas to life as they race toward one of the most satisfying conclusions I've ever read. You'll feel like you're in their headspace--and you might find them occupying yours long after the final page is turned. I know I'd like to spend more time with them, so here's hoping for a sequel!
    One person found this helpful
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  • bobgreenberger
    4.0 out of 5 stars Packs a Punch
    Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I have known J.M. DeMatteis 42 years this summer and he never ceases to impress me with his talent and skill.

    This novella is packed with a lot of action and characterization, but the real strength is his ability to draw you in through the emotions of the players. A psychic, psychological drama, it also has some nice twists, keeping you engrossed.
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  • MitchW
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterful Tale of Dark Psychics and FBI Drama
    Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    A BRILLIANT YARN and AMAZING ART to accompany. Definitely a good buy.
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  • Jace Milam
    5.0 out of 5 stars Suspenseful, Well-Paced Thriller with Universal Relatability
    Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This idea of losing the memories of a child, forgetting they exist & no longer feeling an emotional connection would be terrifying to any parent. DeMatties takes this idea and what you think you know as the story progress and completely subverts them. This page-turner of a story is highly-entertaining, but what is most impressive are the little philosophical nuggets scattered throughout dealing with self-identity, love, loss & guilt. Throw in the twists and turns paired with the concept of being the hero of your own story and you have a MUST-read title. In less than 150 pages, DeMatties delivers an immensely satisfying read. Also the illustrations by Vassilis Gogtzilas in both color & composition evoke the visceral emotion of the story extremely well.
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  • Eric
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Emotional and Engrossing Supernatural Thriller
    Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Anyone who has read JM DeMatteis's comic book work will be very familiar with his both his deft characterization and his ability to create a lush, dreamlike tone. Now he turns those abilities to a prose novella, and to a supernatural tale that's a bit darker than much of his previous work. The opening two chapters quickly establish an immediately-engaging high concept, before the story branches out into some surprising directions. A thoroughly enjoyable and emotional read, and delighted to see DeMatteis's nuanced characters carry over from the comics realm into prose.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Arturo Reyes Posada
    5.0 out of 5 stars It’s DeMatteis at his best!
    Reviewed in Mexico on June 21, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I loved the story, simply captivating. All the twists and turns! But above that, I loved watching Mr. DeMatteis doing what he does best, exploring humanity, emotions; good and evil, and everything in between.
    Illustrations are beautiful, and they complement the story just perfect.
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