Sunday, September 19, 2010

G-FAN 92

G-FAN
No. 92
Editor: J.D. Lees
Publication Date: Summer 2010
Publisher: Daikaiju Enterprises, Ltd.
Color covers/Black & White interior with some color
88 ppg. (including covers)
Cover price: $5.95 U.S.
Subscriptions: $20.00 for 4 quarterly issues (U.S. and CAN rates)

G-FAN is not just any monster magazine. It's a GIANT monster magazine. Marching towards it's 100th issue like Godzilla traipsing through Tokyo, G-FAN is one amazing 'zine. As far as I can tell, it's the longest running (North) American publication of it's kind. ASIAN CULT CINEMA recently ceased publishing and ORIENTAL CINEMA is long gone. That leaves the last monster standing, G-FAN, promoted as the fanzine of THE GODZILLA SOCIETY OF NORTH AMERICA.
 
I've been a fan of the Canadian-published G-FAN for about 15 issues now, and I am always pleased with each issue's contents. This issue is no exception. There's an article on "Remembering Ultraman", an interesting piece on "Why the Americanization of Godzilla Was a Good Thing", info on the French version of Godzilla, a look back at GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK (done in the two-column, multi-heading style of FAMOUS MONSTERS), a nicely illustrated feature on "The Monsters of Ultraman", an article on one of my favorites -- Gamera, a Monsterpalooza 2010 report, and tons more. There is also the usual back pages feature on the latest and greatest giant monster toys with lots of imported stuff that you wouldn't otherwise easily come across.
 
G-FAN is self-described as a fan magazine, but it's enthusiastic presentation of material and lively, energetic writing makes it far from being amateurish. In fact, it's downright enjoyable. For that reason alone, I would make this 'zine recommended reading for those who find watching crazily-costumed heroes, mushroom-eating maniacs, and rampaging, fire-breathing kaijus something more than just a guilty pleasure.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you very much for the kind words about G-FAN. It's a lot of fun to produce, and I'm grateful for the support of G-FAN's readers over so many years. You have a great website, BTW. Best wishes.

J.D. Lees said...

Oops, I sent the previous comment before including my name. Good thing I never make mistakes like that in G-FAN! ;)