  
ILLUMINATIONS OF THE FANTASTIC ONLINE MAGAZINE

ISSUE

NO.
18

PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 28TH, 2026

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EDITORS
SAMUEL J. STEPHENS · PHILIP J. PALACIOS  · NATHAN GILMORE · DIANA MASSENGALE

ART DESIGN
SAMUEL J. STEPHENS

Stories

AN INHABITED HOUSE
***story | horror/comedy***
by PHILIP J. PALACIOS
Oliver Mangs is lost in a rural post-War II town of the undead. The only other living being is Old Man Winston— but can one crotchety ex-pilot really show him the way out of this crazy bung town?

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THE ASTROLATORS
***story | horror***
by SAMUEL J. STEPHENS
Two policemen seek the aid of a man who lives on the top floor of the old university library. Who are they, and what do they want?
*Artwork by Sam Stephens*

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A FAUN IN THE MONASTERY
***story | fantasy/horror***
by NATHAN GILMORE
With the building of the monastery in the forest, a faun leaves his village to satisfy his curiosity.
*Artwork by Sam Stephens*

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THE FILMS OF DAVID LEAN
***essay | film criticism***
BY SAMUEL J. STEPHENS
The films of David Lean are synonymous with epic, but his early chamber dramas and literary adaptations belie that reputation. This essay reviews his films chronologically, from the early successes to the late— and scrutinized — grand epics.

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Features

FILM FILINGS
***FEBRUARY 2026***
edited by Nathan Gilmore
Jordan Poss revisits Christopher Nolan’s *The Prestige* (2006), Nathan Gilmore reviews three titans of 1980s awards cinema, and Sam Stephens presents a comprehensive chronological review of David Lean’s filmography.
*Art Design by Sam Stephens*

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Content Rating: All stories published by IF can be assumed to have a content rating between PG-13 and a soft R.

Illuminations of the Fantastic Magazine is a current and free online magazine that publishes new short stories, poetry, and essays. www.illuminationsfantastic.com

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Stories

AN INHABITED HOUSE

THE ASTROLATORS

A FAUN IN THE MONASTERY

THE FILMS OF DAVID LEAN

Features

FILM FILINGS

COPYRIGHTS.

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