Tuesday, March 19, 2024

THIS FANZINE IS SPOOKY


It's no stretch to say that James Warren's line of magazines have become the stuff of legend. From his attempt at emulating Hugh Hefner's PLAYBOY with AFTER HOURS, to the most famous monster magazine of them all, FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND, followed by CREEPY, EERIE, VAMPIRELLA and everything in between, Warren and his trusty editor Forrest J Ackerman made an indelible mark in the monster industry.

It only stands to reason that a fanzine would come along to celebrate these timeless classics. Although it didn't first appear until the early 2000's Piers Casimir's SPOOKY: THE WARREN FANZINE was a worthy little digest that featured a lot of good content befitting Warren's legacy.

Shown here is Vol. 2 No. 2, published in 2005. Included are reminisces by Frazetta (whose last original interior comic work was with Warren) and Trina Robbins (the underground comics artist who designed Vampi's costume over a phone call with Frazetta), and not one but four interviews with people who worked with Warren during his heyday, Mike Royer, Don Glut, Nicola Cuti and Harry Roland. A little gem of a fanzine!

Read Vol. 2 No. 1 HERE.
















































Monday, March 18, 2024

NEW HARRYHAUSEN MODEL KITS


Model kit building seems to be holding its own these days. Renewed interest was rekindled during the COVID pandemic but enthusiasts became frustrated when hobby suppliers sold out of much of their stock because overseas shipments were being quarantined for so long.

Now things have improved and so has the influx of brand new kits. One manufacturer from Japan, X-Plus/Star Ace, is meeting the monster model market head on with a flurry of excellently-crafted kits that are sculpted with a high degree of detail, nicely-calibrated parts that fit together well and are just plain cool.

Case-in-point, these three kits based on Ray Harryhausen's films, the Rhedosaurus from THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS, Medusa from CLASH OF THE TITANS, and the Allosaurus from THE VALLEY OF GWANGI.

If you're interested in having a closer look at these, I recommend my favorite online shop to buy kits, CultTVman. You can also find them at MONSTERS IN MOTION.

Beast from 20,000 Fathoms Rhedosaurus with Lighthouse 1/72 Scale Model Kit by X-Plus Japan
Retail Price: $76.99

The Creature That Started It All: Ray Harryhausen's iconic creation, the Rhedosaurus, holds a special place in the history of monsters and Kaiju cinema. As the first creature to truly captivate audiences with its monstrous scale and awe-inspiring presence, the Rhedosaurus laid the foundation for the entire genre. Its menacing rampage through New York City marked the birth of Kaiju as we know it, paving the way for a vast universe of colossal creatures that would captivate generations. This legendary beast not only inspired the imagination of countless filmmakers and artists but also established the thrilling spectacle of Kaiju that continues to enthrall audiences to this day.


The Model: This model is a recreation of the Rhedosaurus’s ascent from the depths of the ocean to the shores of New York City, as it lays siege upon a towering lighthouse, leaving a mark on cinematic history that reverberates with the power and drama of Ray Harryhausen's unparalleled artistry. Transparent Parts The lighthouse glass parts are molded in transparent plastic material. The lighthouse model includes a transparent lighthouse lamp model."


Rhedosaurus Height approx. 8 in. (including the base). Light house Height approx. 9 in. (including the base).



Clash of the Titans Medusa Model Kit by X-Plus Japan
$144.99





Here is a deluxe vinyl model it of the Medusa from Ray Harryhausen's classic film Clash of the Titans. The Medusa stands a bit over 12 inches when built and comes with a base.

12 in. Soft Vinyl Model Kit Series


Gwangi DELUXE Diorama Model Kit
$349.99

Fans of stop motion animation can build this amazing diorama.  The Gwangi was sculpted by Joe Laudati and the diorama by Robert Ortiz of Blueskyhelper.  The diorama includes a 17" x 9 " base that includes a nameplate, cowboy ,horse and dead dinosaur.