I just learned of the sad news that earlier this year one of the best monster/sci-fi/pop culture magazines ever published is going out of business. 80-year-old owner Michael Stein announced in June that issue #165 of FILMFAX would be its last (preliminary final cover shown above). “It’s the end of an era," Stein said. "I have no choice. It just got harder and harder”.
He didn't necessarily want to quit, but several factors (apparently not his age!) weighed heavily in making his decision, including the rise of paper costs (a death sentence for many magazines) and outstanding receivables from his distributors (is that shit still going on?). “Paper publication is just not possible unless you’re a big market magazine”, Stein lamented. “I tried to retire 10 years ago and I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t stop! … But it’s no longer feasible.”
FILMFAX began publishing 38 years ago and produced some of the most important content from noted authors in any genre magazine. Similar to FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND, each issue was crammed with advertising. Ubiquitous were catalog-length ads for Sinister Cinema videotapes in the early years.
Based on Mr. Stein's comments, one wonders how many more of our favorite monster 'zines are teetering on the edge of oblivion.
Never read a single issue. Now I wish I had.
ReplyDeleteThere's some really good stuff in this 'zine. The first issue I bought was #5 and got it on and off again for many years. Back issues are available at Creepy Classics using the "Filmfax" button in The Magazine Rack section on the left sidebar.
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