Tuesday, July 29, 2014

PETE VON SHOLLY ILLUSTRATES THE WORK OF H.P. LOVECRAFT



Just when you thought all the eldritch had been wrung out of H.P. Lovecraft’s so-called Cthulhu Mythos, along comes a series of new collections of his writings, freshly illuminated by none other than the man who has earlier this year given the world the “History of Monsters” 22-panel mural, Mr. Pete Von Sholly.

If you’ve yet to read any of HPL’s stories, I can’t think of a better place to start than with these books by Peter Crowther and Simon Conway’s UK-based PS Publishing. Beginning with The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath, Lovercraft’s homage to the British master of fantasy, Lord Dunsany, the series has been quickly followed by The Dunwich Horror and The Dreams in the Witch House.

A true anachronism, Howard Phillips Lovecraft (1890-1937) no doubt would have been elated to see his work printed in England, as he fancied himself always loyal to the “King and country” of a bygone age. And while but a scant few drawings are known to exist of Lovecraft’s imagining of his cosmic creatures that were drawn by his own hand, I am equally certain that he would have approved of Mr. Von Sholly’s renderings as well.

Nicely reproduced in the pages of these volumes, I was immediately struck by the colors (…out of space, perhaps?) and the thematic palette that Von Sholly deftly puts to use. I believe he captures beautifully the cosmic horror that Lovecraft envisioned.

By no surprise, the books are introduced by Lovecraft scholar S.T. Joshi with additional essays and commentary by other students of Lovecraftiana.

All in all, while Lovecraft’s work has been printed and reprinted to death, one would be hard pressed to find another series as visually appealing, thanks in large part to Pete Von Sholly’s artistic talent and long-time dedication to the legacy of Lovecraft. 

You can order the books HERE.

MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD gives this series 8 tentacles up!


Monday, July 28, 2014

GHASTLY ART BY GRAHAM INGELS


In their heyday, EC Comics had the best staff of artists in the business. Graham Ingels was among the best. His creepy drawings added just the right touch of the macabre to every issue his work appeared in.

Now being auctioned are two of his pieces of original art. Bidding is currently $18,000 on the Haunt of Fear cover. The story art is from page 7 of the Vault of Horror #31 story, "One Good Turn" and is presently going for about $800.



Saturday, July 26, 2014

UNIVERSAL'S 30 DVD CLASSIC MONSTERS COLLECTION PRE-ORDER ANNOUNCED AT AMAZON


Just announced at Amazon with a discounted price is the 30 DVD classic monsters collection mentioned earlier this week at MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD. The release date is listed as September 2.
 
"A collection of all 30 Universal Classic Monster films from 1931 – 1956 with a 48-Page collectible Book and hours of bonus features including Behind the Scenes Documentaries, the 1931 Spanish Version of Dracula, Featurettes of Boris Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr. and Jack Pierce, 13 Expert Feature Commentaries, Archival Footage, Production Photographs, Theatrical Trailers and much more! Dracula (1931) Frankenstein (1931) The Mummy (1932) The Invisible Man (1933) The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) Werewolf of London (1935) Dracula's Daughter (1936) Son of Frankenstein (1939) The Invisible Man Returns (1940) The Invisible Woman (1940) The Mummy's Hand (1940) The Wolf Man (1941) The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942) The Mummy's Ghost (1942) The Mummy's Tomb (1942) Invisible Agent (1942) Phantom of the Opera (1943) Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943) Son of Dracula (1943) House of Frankenstein (1944) The Mummy's Curse (1944) The Invisible Man's Revenge (1944) House of Dracula (1945) She-Wolf of London (1946) Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951) Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955) Revenge of the Creature (1955) The Creature Walks Among Us (1956)."


Friday, July 25, 2014

CHARACTER KINGS 2 BOOK SIGNING AT DARK DELICACIES


Author Scott Voisin will be at Dark Delicacies Bookstore in Burbank, CA on Saturday, September 6, signing copies of his newly published Character Kings 2. The book is the second in his series of interview-style volumes where noted (and not so noted) character actors discuss their varied roles and the business of film making. Friend of MMW Tim Ferrante is the cover designer. Tim was the person who alerted me about this book. It is published by Bear Manor Media, who specialize in works on film and pop culture. If you're in the Burbank area during this time, stop by, say hello, and pick up a copy.

Here is the press release for Character Kings 2:

Celebrity Signing at Legendary Dark Delicacies Bookstore

In-person appearance by Character Kings 2 author Scott Voisin
and well-known actors from TV and film

BURBANK, CA (July 22, 2014): Scott Voisin, author of the book Character Kings: Hollywood’s Familiar Faces Discuss The Art & Business Of Acting (BearManor Media, 2009), will appear with some of the actors featured in his new sequel, Character Kings 2 (BearManor Media, 2014), at Dark Delicacies in Burbank, California on Saturday, September 6th at 2pm. In celebration of its release, interviewees from both Character Kings books will attend and autograph purchased copies.

Scheduled to appear are:

Mike Starr (Goodfellas, Dumb and Dumber, Ed Wood)
Peter Jason (Deadwood, The Karate Kid, 48 HRS.)
Raymond J. Barry (Justified, Born on the Fourth of July, The X-Files)
Art LaFleur (The Blob, Field of Dreams, The Santa Clause 2)
James Karen (Return of the Living Dead, Poltergeist, Wall Street),
Jon Polito (The Crow, Miller’s Crossing, Highlander)
Duane Whitaker (Pulp Fiction, Feast, Eddie Presley)

More character kings will be present if their working schedules permit.
About the Character King books

Character Kings is Scott Voisin’s ongoing book series featuring exclusive interviews with today's most recognizable working actors. The insightful and entertaining conversations are filled with candid behind-the-scenes anecdotes and secrets for building and sustaining a successful career in Hollywood. Tim Lucas, editor of the award-winning Video Watchdog magazine, says, “Character actors are a prized species, and Scott Voisin selects the cream of today’s crop. The actors regale us with some marvelous stories of blood, sweat and fate.”

Thursday, July 24, 2014

RIP VAN WINKLE, THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN & MR. HYDE -- OH, MY!


With bidding now at about $400, this copy of Classic Comics #12 from June 1943 is sure to top out at its expected sale price of $1,425. It is promoted as having a CGC near mint grade of 9.4. It's amazing that something printed 71 years ago on pulp paper (and even lower war-grade paper at that) can still be in this kind of condition.

Here's the 411 from the auction house:  

"Classic Comics #12 Rip Van Winkle and the Headless Horseman - Original Edition - Vancouver pedigree (Gilberton, 1943) CGC NM 9.4 White pages. A sterling copy! The back cover also looks spectacular -- and it's a significant back cover image, a preview of the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde issue which some call the first-ever horror comic. Washington Irving adaptation. Overstreet 2014 NM- 9.2 value = $1,425. CGC census 7/14: 2 in 9.4, none higher."






Wednesday, July 23, 2014

"NEW" UNIVERSAL MONSTERS DVD BOXED SET


Ever eager to separate monster fans from their money, Universal has announced yet another DVD boxed set -- this time a 30-film fright fest that includes every essential horror classic from the 30's through the 50's.

Personally, I am a little reluctant to divest myself with said cash and fall oblivious into line with what looks to be a repackaging rather than anything fresh. Even the extras look suspiciously familiar. Hey guys, every so often you need to replace the cedar lining in grandma's cabinet, ya know what I mean?

Nevertheless, this is the first time that such a product has included what could easily be called "Universal Classic Monsters: The Final Version" -- except that we still have yet to see the same lineup in Blu-ray . . . and how about a 3D version of The Creature From the Black Lagoon? It would also be nice if one of these so-called set of "classic" Universal horror films included silent era touchstones of terror such as The Phantom of the Opera, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Cat and the Canary, and The Man Who Laughs?

Lest you think me too harsh in criticizing this latest release in a loooong line of these movies, I find them all still relevant, still influential, and most of all, still entertaining. And -- God help me! -- despite all my pitiful protestations, I'll probably end up still giving these a look with one hand on the keyboard and the other on my credit card.

Werewolf Cub Reporter, Scott Essman, provides the ballyhoo in this press release:


GREATEST HORROR FILMS IN HISTORY TO BE RELEASED IN UNIQUE 30-FILM DVD SET

(Los Angeles, Calif. July 23, 2014) — They informed our dreams and nightmares, each and every one.  Brilliant actors, craftspeople, and filmmakers combined to deliver these indelible characters who may have died on screen, but they will surely live forever.  They are the one and only Universal Classic Monsters.

Now, for the first time ever, all 30 Universal Pictures' Classic Monster films will be available together on DVD in the "Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection," available on September 2, 2014, showcasing every original film featuring Hollywood's most iconic monsters, including DraculaFrankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, The Phantom of the Opera and The Creature from the Black Lagoon.

Everyone knows the names of the great actors who delivered the performances which made the films magnetic in unprecedented fashion: Karloff, Lugosi, Chaney, Jr., Rains, Hull, Lanchester, Rathbone, Carradine, Chapman.  Their cinematic presence both individually and collectively stand tall in singular fashion through film history. 

With hours of bonus features as well as a 48-page book featuring behind-the-scenes photographs, original posters, rare correspondence and more to enhance the viewing experience, Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection includes the following genre masterpieces:

Dracula (1931)

 Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943)
Frankenstein (1931)

 Phantom of the Opera (1943)
The Mummy (1932)

 Son of Dracula (1943)
The Invisible Man (1933)

 The Invisible Man's Revenge (1944)
The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

 The Mummy's Ghost (1944)
Werewolf of London (1935)

 House of Frankenstein (1944)
Dracula's Daughter (1936)

 The Mummy's Curse (1944)
Son of Frankenstein (1939)

 House of Dracula (1945)
The Invisible Man Returns (1940)

 She-Wolf of London (1946)
The Mummy's Hand (1940)

 Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
The Invisible Woman (1940)

 Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951)
The Wolf Man (1941)

 Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)
The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942)

 Revenge of the Creature (1955)
Invisible Agent (1942)

 Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955)
The Mummy's Tomb (1942)

 The Creature Walks Among Us (1956)

BONUS FEATURES:

·   Behind the Scenes Documentaries
·   The 1931 Spanish Version of Dracula
·   Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr. and Jack Pierce Featurettes
·   13 Expert Feature Commentaries
·   Archival Footage
·   Production Photographs