NEW ARTICLE PUBLISHED!

During my computer fiasco, I managed to get a little good news with the publication of my 7th installment of "Fear in Four Colors: The Hideous History of American Horror Comics" in Dead Letter Press' NIGHTMARE ABBEY #10. This chapter is entitled, "Little Shoppes of Horrors (A-C)".

Here is a sample of the article:

Thus far in this series, we’ve learned about the origins of the American horror comic book and the writers and artists who worked behind the scenes creating them. We’ve also learned how they were relentlessly criticized and maligned throughout their short history by parents, teachers and religious organizations until most of them buckled and collapsed under the weight of the onerous restrictions brought about as a result of public outcry.

But, what about the people who were actually involved in printing these vile, salacious and foul things as they were often referred to by their detractors? Many of these individuals got their start publishing pulps, then superhero, Western, humor, crime and romance comics, turning to horror only when it became obvious after watching EC Comics’ now-legendary titles fly off the spinner racks that they were the new four-color cash cow. At their peak, horror comics were an exercise in which every month publishers sought to outdo each other to produce the most grisly, gory and blood-soaked books they could come up with in their unbridled imaginations. And readers loved it.

Publishers were well known to form multiple corporations and tiered companies, with any number of brands and imprints for any number of reasons, including legal protection, taxes and other fees, all with the purpose of maintaining any kind of advantage they could over their rivals.

As a consequence, comic book publishing was an intensely competitive business. For example, the pulp paper that comics were printed on was a coveted commodity and not always easy to acquire, especially during wartime when there were strict allocations. In addition, distribution could be problematic, and the lack of it could make or break a fledgling enterprise. As a result, distributors had the upper hand and often made demands that were viewed as underhanded and predatory.

While most publishers were normal, law-abiding citizens, there were a number of cunning thieves, pornographers, cutthroats and ex-cons who would extort, leverage and resort to other shady methods to get a leg up on their competitors.

Beginning with this installment of Fear in Four Colors we’ll take a closer look at the entrepreneurs who published horror comics during the pre-Code years, a handful that are still around today. Some flourished and some floundered, but at the very least, when the presses were rolling, they provided a steady paycheck to business owners, printers, writers, artists and others during a time when it wasn’t always so easy to make a buck.

From the publisher

• 10th mammoth volume of the critically-acclaimed horror magazine/book.
• Creepy GHOST STORIES & other WEIRD TALES!
• FEAR IN FOUR COLORS (History of American Horror Comics, part 7)
• 12 terrifying tales by today's top writers!
• New HORROR DELVE list: 13 Greatest pre-WWI horror tales
• Another chilling visit to Bone Street!
• Classic horror movie: Corman's THE HAUNTED PALACE
• A new Magnus Supernatural Dog Tale
• INDY (the Horror Husky) TAKES OVER!
• Art by World Fantasy Award-winner Allen Koszowski
• Heavily illustrated: movie stills, comic book covers, cool facts!
• Get it now, fellow fiends!

Order a copy at Amazon HERE.

Visit my Amazon Author Page HERE.

NEW ARTICLE PUBLISHED!

The latest issue of CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN has just dropped and my article on Universal's WEREWOLF OF LONDON is included. Since its revival a few years ago or so it's developed into a very fine looking magazine and I recommend it, not only because my article is in it, but the rest of the features are well-worth taking a look if you aren't a regular reader already. Editor and publisher Don Smeraldi and his wife Vicki put together a fine publication.

You can find it at Barnes & Noble or order it direct HERE.

Here's a sample of my article:

Moon, Madness and Murder

A Look Back at Werewolf of London

By John M. Navroth

“We gave it all the shock and goosepimples

we could jam into it.”

 – Carl Laemmle on Werewolf of London

In 1935, actor Henry Hull said in a newspaper interview that he would never take a “pretty man” part. Instead, he wanted “strange” roles he “could sink his teeth into”. When Universal came calling in search of the lead for their newest picture, Werewolf of London, Hull literally got his wish.

Universal’s initial idea for a werewolf picture began in late 1931. A script with the working title The Wolf Man was completed and Robert Florey was slated to direct with Boris Karloff in the title role. An article in Hollywood Filmograph (January 23, 1932) broke the news: “Jack Pierce is creating a remarkable make-up for Boris Karloff, who will, in the very near future, appear as the star in ‘The Wolf Man’.  From what we learn, it is to be another character even greater than ‘Frankenstein’.” 

For some reason, the production was shelved and after having been unceremoniously removed as the director of Frankenstein in 1931, Florey would miss out on yet another chance at a career-booster.

The first known werewolf film was an 18-minute Canadian two-reeler released as The Werewolves in 1913. It is now considered lost after the only known print was destroyed in a fire at a storage facility in 1924. The second, Wolf Blood: A Tale of the Forest was a 68-minute feature released in 1925. Neither film bears any resemblance to what audiences recognize today as the werewolf legend. As a result, Werewolf of London has the distinction of being the first full-length feature film of its kind and the only werewolf film made in the 1930s.

Universal resurrected their idea that had been languishing on a shelf somewhere in the script morgue, gathering dust for over three years. John Balderston, the scriptwriter for Dracula, Frankenstein and The Mummy (as well as an unused script for The Invisible Man), was otherwise occupied with working on The Mystery of Edwin Drood and The Bride of Frankenstein. With their veteran of horror films unavailable, Universal turned to a relatively unknown playwright.

Fresh off co-writing the screenplay for MGM’s box-office bomb, Laughing Boy, starring Ramon Navarro and Lupe Velez, John Colton was helped off the floor and hired to compose the new script for Werewolf of London for which he was paid the princely sum of $8,500. Never missing a promotional opportunity, and at least partly—if not entirely—made up, Universal printed a puff piece on Colton in the April 20, 1935 issue of their in-house magazine, Universal Weekly: “In making his preparation to do the script Colton spent a month in public and private libraries in research on the subject. He conferred with the psychiatrists and physiologists attached to Universal’s medical staff in order to build the screen character of Henry Hull for the werewolf part according to the latest scientific tenets. He studied hundreds of paintings by Goya and other masters on this mysterious subject before putting a line of dialogue or description on paper.”

As for casting the lead, Boris Karloff was already signed to star for the second time as Mary Shelley’s monster in The Bride of Frankenstein so it was not feasible for him to also play a werewolf, especially for the time it would take him to sit for both makeups.

Enter Henry Hull.

NEW CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN COMING SOON!

Faster than a Mariphasa lupina lumina  blooming in the moonlight, the newest issue of CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN is coming your way this month. I'm excited to say that my in-depth retrospective on WEREWOLF OF LONDON will be one of the articles included in this tome of terror. So, scroll down and order a copy already!

UPDATE: It's now shipping!

From the publisher:

Castle of Frankenstein #43 investigates the history of the Lugosi classic White Zombie; travels through time via early motion pictures; celebrates more than 90 years of Werewolf of London; profiles Colossus: The Forbin Project and its foreshadowing of modern fears of AI; unearths horror Western The Devil’s Mistress; reveals an alleged brain transplant reported in 1873; and unwraps the chilling story of evil clown Mr. Flap Flap. Plus, regular features: Baron von Neck’s Mad Movie Reviews, Tales of Terror, Mike Goes to the Movies, Castle Book Critiques, and Slaymate of the Month. Color cover art by Scott Jackson with another whopping 128 perfect-bound B/W retro pulp pages loaded with photos!

Purchase your copy HERE.

NIGHTMARE ABBEY NO. 9 NOW SHIPPING

Those of you who visit my companion site, FEAR IN FOUR COLORS will know that I have the sixth installment of my series, "Fear in Four Colors: The Hideous History of American Comic Books" in the newly-published NIGHTMARE ABBEY #9, available from Thomas English's Dead Letter Press. "Indictments and Indignities" discusses the fallout after the Senate Subcommittee Hearings on Juvenile Delinquency and how it turned the comic book industry into a near-barren wasteland.

Also included is a look at the classic suspense film, HANGOVER SQUARE, lots more quality fiction and another parcel of art from Allen Koswzoski, as well as the Abbey's house artist, Natu Shabbey.

From the publisher:

• 9th gigantic volume of this critically-acclaimed horror magazine/book.
• Creepy GHOST STORIES & other weird tales!
• Horror Comics on Trial! (History of American Horror Comics, part 6)
• Horror Delve's list of great HALLOWEEN HORRORS
• Classic horror movie: Hangover Square
• 11 terrifying tales by today's top writers!
• A new Magnus Supernatural Dog Tale
• Another chilling visit to Bone Street!
• Indy (the Horror Husky) makes the cover of Time!
• Art by World Fantasy Award-winner Allen Koszowski
• Heavily illustrated: movie stills, comic book covers, cool facts!

Publication date: October 12, 2025

146 pages

Single copy price: $16.95

Order HERE.

NEW ARTICLE PUBLISHED!

Today I'm announcing a new article that I have published in the latest issue of PREHISTORIC TIMES (Fall #155). This time I'm covering Hammer's WHEN DINOSAURS RULED THE EARTH, released on October 1, 1970. I discuss the making of the film with an emphasis on Jim Danforth's animated dinosaurs that appeared in the various scenes. Ray Harryhausen wasn't available for this one, so the producers selected Jim Danforth and brought him to England where he did quite an admirable job. And yes, there's plenty to say (and see) about the film's star, then recently-crowned Playmate of the Year, Victoria Vetri (aka Angela Dorian)!

This issue has some great stuff in it, including articles on prehistoric sharks (Jaws has got nothin' on these predators of the ancient ocean depths) and mammoths as painted by the legendary Czech artist Zdenek Burian. Plus, tons more paleo art await in the pages of the latest PREHISTORIC TIMES.

Head over to eBay and pick up a copy direct from the publisher HERE.

THROUGH THE MISTS OF . . . WHAT?

Just recently, I've had another fiction piece accepted, this time from LOVECRAFTIANA, THE MAGAZINE OF ELDRITCH HORROR, a quarterly publication of Rogue Planet Press featuring stories, articles, poetry and artwork on Cthulhu Mythos/H.P. Lovecraft themes and available as a print magazine and Kindle from Amazon. It won't see print until 2027, but it was previously published and it's currently hard to find paying markets that will accept these types of manuscripts.

"Through the Mists of Xzigtarph" started life many years ago as "The Demon-Thing" in a first draft. I have had major periods of inspiration from H.P. Lovecraft and his circle of weird fiction writers several times over the years and this was during the first.

Some years later I revised it and included it in the anthology, MORE FUNGI FROM YUGGOTH, published in 2000 by my small press imprint, L'Image Studios/Pentagram Publications. Again, recently I revised it still again and it was accepted in its present form.

My sister, who is a multi-media artist, would sometimes supply illustrations for my 'zine LOVECRAFT'S WEIRD MYSTERIES. The image below was inspired by "Xzigtarph".

Here are the opening paragraphs of "Through the Mists of Xzigtarph":

ONLY AN OPIUM DEN could reveal such astonishing visions and only a lotus-eater could dream of such unspeakable delusions; but I have seen them and was neither drugged nor hallucinating. They were real, I tell you, and I have the soul-haunted memories to prove it. A warning to all: beware of lands beyond the realm of earthly consciousness.

Trust in me, these words are not from the pen of some delirious lunatic; I am completely sane, and you must believe me—if you do, then you must also believe the incredible story I am about to relate and take heed. If you do not, then call me just one more madman in the universe.

The demon-thing came through my open window on a warm, balmy summer evening just a few short months ago. I had had a particularly strenuous day at work in the employ of the Occult Research Institute in Moonridge Heights; a small, insular town protectively nestled in a dense woodland well off the main interstate highway just a few miles outside of Arkham proper. My job was to examine heaps of dusty, archaic manuscripts and locate any references to a certain Da'agu, who ostensibly held the loftiest position in the pantheon of a group of—so I thought at the time—extinct, god-like beings allegedly existing in a mist-hidden realm outside earth's time and space called Xzigtarph.

After an exceptionally demanding day, I returned home exhausted. I prepared a meager bachelor’s dinner for myself of Friend’s baked beans and Crown Pilot crackers then went to my study for a brandy, after which I quickly dozed off. I awoke and found the brandy glass only half-empty and my pipe long burned out. I summoned the wherewithal to rise from my chair and retire for the evening.

I slept fitfully, tossing and turning in my small bed. It was unseasonably warm that night and I had opened my window to allow fresh air to circulate in the room. Suddenly, I felt a slight, almost unnoticeable breeze pass over my perspiring brow, followed by a foetid odor akin to rotten meat permeating my surroundings. I opened my eyes it was then that I saw the demon-thing hovering before me in a form that was only vaguely human. . .

To read the original version of this story as it appeared in MORE FUNGI FROM YUGGOTH, go HERE.

CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN NO. 42 NOW SHIPPING

Head's off, monster magazine fans. Time to pry open your coffin lid and go HERE to pick up the latest issue of CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN.

From the publisher:

Castle of Frankenstein #42 uncovers thrills and chills concealed by horror movie masks that hid identities and evil intentions. The earliest fantastic example is Lon Chaney’s The Phantom of the Opera, still gripping viewers 100 years later. Not wearing a mask but hidden all the same was the deadly contagion scientists battled in Michael Crichton’s and director Robert Wise’s sci-fi classic The Andromeda Strain. We also take a cue from today’s movie industry obsession with prequels, sequels, and remakes and consider what Universal Monsters films we would have liked to have seen. Plus, much more inside the castle doors, including regular features: Baron von Neck’s Mad Movie Reviews, Tales of Terror, Mike Goes to the Movies, Animation Archives, and Castle Book Critiques.

I'm also happy to announce that I've got not one, but two articles included in this issue: "Feast Your Eyes! Glut Your Soul! The Phantom of the Opera: A Centennial Retrospective" and "James Whale's Unholy Matrimony: The Bride of Frankenstein at 90" for a total of 8,300 words of monster goodness!

CRYPTOLOGY NO. 5 NOW SHIPPING

The latest issue of TwoMorrows' CRYPTOLOGY is now available. Edited by Peter "It Came From the Tomb" Normanton, issue #5 is another spectacular, full-color tome packed to the coffin lid with retro creep culture.

Here's the 411 from editor Normanton:

“If you thought you heard the rattle of bones, you were right! This time ’round, I, the Cryptologist, have dug up a few skeletons in the closet of my creepy little magazine. We have the Ghost Rider, from comic books through until his incarnation on the cinema screen! There are skulls aplenty on the covers dating back to the pulps, Martin Goodman’s Atlas Digests, and horror comics from the pre-Code era! We unearth Hy Fleishman’s hideous skeleton covers from the 1950s, along with a few of the stories he drew. “Toys from the Crypt” examines Walt Disney’s skeletons, vintage Pirates of the Caribbean models of the 1970s, plus Last Gasp’s Skull Comics and the films of William Castle. If that’s not enough, our Killer B department has exhumed a few skull and bones classics: House on Haunted Hill, The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake and The Skull! And don’t forget our Hammertime section. So roll the bones for a magazine made especially for you retro horror fans, by Leese, Voger, the Kronenbergs, and editor Peter Normanton!”

But wait -- that's not all! There's more good news: Earlier this year I was fortunate to land a spot on the writing staff of CRYPTOLOGY. My first article, "Hoist High the Skull and Crossbones! The Pirates of the Caribbean, From Theme Park Ride to Model Kits" appears in this issue's "Toys From the Crypt" department. I've got another one in the pipeline for a later issue and two more articles for the future. Needless to say, I'm very excited to be a part of this excellent publication from TwoMorrows and Peter Normanton. I'll keep you posted on any new developments.

To see a 22-page preview go HERE.

To order go HERE.

BLACK INFINITY IS #1!

Good news from Bud's Art Books where word just came out in his recent newsletter that Dead Letter Press' latest issue of BLACK INFINITY is the #1 best seller in his catalog's "Pulps & Fiction" category at the half-way point in 2025.

Plant wrote:

"Looking at the first half of 2025, here are the most popular items--in case any have passed you by. We've broken them into categories which reveal the top 60 or so sellers. As always, we've combined the units sold for hardcovers and softcovers, as well as variant covers, to create one bestselling item.

I’ve added my personal comments to nearly all the items. I find many of these are my own favorites. I try to offer some perspective on why it’s done so well as well as more details." Bud

Editor and publisher Tom English has assembled another super issue with the theme "Survive - Or Die".

Here are the details from the listing in his catalog:

Recommended. Edited by Tom English. New format with a spectacular wrap-around cover! The 11th big volume of the popular retro Science Fiction journal: heavily illustrated with art and movie stills, featuring articles on SF survival films, George Pal’s Conquest of Space, Hammer’s One Million Years B.C., Byron Haskin’s Robinson Crusoe on Mars, plus 7 SF survival classics by Robert Silverberg, Ray Bradbury, Philip K. Dick, Harlan Ellison, Manly Wade Wellman, and others. Also: Frank Frazetta’s Origin of Thun’da in black and white. Special illustrations by World Fantasy Award-winner Allen Koszowski and more. Very handsome, we love the new cover that is by pioneering dinosaur artist Charles Knight!! Dead Letter Press, 2025. 

I'm proud to be a part of this best-seller that includes my article, "Survival in a Prehistoric World: One Million Years, B.C."

You can purchase a copy of BLACK INFINITY #11 at Bud's site HERE. As of this writing, there's only a limited supply left, so hurry on over!

NEW SWORD AND SORCERY STORY!

Hi, folks. I've got some exiting news to share with you today. I've just had my first fiction published after quite a few years of limiting myself to writing non-fiction articles.

The story appears in SAVAGE REALMS MONTHLY #35 (May 2025) just released by Literary Rebel, LLC. Titled, "Raxton in the Temple of Shadows", it's a tale of sword and sorcery with a character inspired by the early pioneers of the genre, and in particular, Robert E. Howard. I had a helluva lotta fun writing it and was fortunate to find a publisher in this somewhat limited and very crowded market.

If you're into S&S at all, I hope you're interested enough to pick up a copy HERE. It's sold exclusively at Amazon and both print and Kindle editions are available.

As a result of this new benchmark in my writing career, I'll be celebrating Sword & Sorcery all week here at WoM, so check back every day for some new blood and thunder!

Here's the publisher's general description of the title and information on this issue:

Quench Your Thirst for Savage Sword and Sorcery Action Adventure!

The masters of sword and sorcery fiction might be dead but just because Robert E. Howard is no longer penning Conan tales doesn't mean you have to go without your fix of axe wielding barbarians, lusty wenches and evil wizards! Literary Rebel is proud to bring you a whole new crop of monthly fantasy fiction by talented new authors. This month we welcome back Savage Realms Monthly alum Richard L. Rubin and B. Harlan Crawford, along with new comer John Navroth.

"The first issue does not disappoint!"

"Hack and slash goodness."

"Harkens back to the days of the pulp masters..."

Fans of Robert E. Howard, Lin Carter, Clark Ashton Smith, and Karl Edward Wagner will love this new fantasy fiction adventure magazine.

MY EC COMICS HISTORY

Inside the just released CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN #41 (Spring 2025) is my latest article "Ten-Cent Terrors! The Horrifying History of EC Comics". It runs 15 pages and 9,000 words. As with much of the rest of my writing, I could have probably turned in twice that, but Don Smeraldi's editorial restrictions prevailed! Wife Vicki again did a fabulous job with the layout as with the rest of the content.

There's much more to offer in this issue: "Henry Frankenstein: In His Own Words" by Frank Dello Stritto, "Tandra Quinn: Web of the Spider Woman" by Tom Weaver, "The 88 Edits of Sinbad" by filmmaker Larry Blamire, profiles of Lionel Atwill and Peter Coe, and a lot more within its 132 pages. And that cover by Scott Jackson is a stunner!

You may be able to find a copy at Barnes & Noble, Books A Million or your favorite comic shop, but Diamond Distributors' collapse has limited brick and mortar circulation for the time being. The best way to get a copy is to order it directly right HERE.

NEW ARTICLE PUBLISHED!

You all have no doubt noticed the banner and side bar on this page promoting the new publication from Dead Letter Press/Rocket Science Books, BLACK INFINITY. After over a year-and-a-half, the science-fiction magazine it has been revived by editor and publisher Tom English. This, the 11th issue is themed "survive--or die" and includes a number of classic sci-fi reprints by notable authors Ray Bradbury, Philip K. Dick, Harlan Ellison and more. In addition, there is a beatifully-reproduced Thun'da strip by Frank Frazetta and coverage of two of Byron Haskin's space-survival films, CONQUEST OF SPACE and ROBINSON CRUSOE ON MARS. The wrap-around cover is by the legendary dinosaur artist Charles R. Knight.

Tom was kind enough to invite me to write an article on another science-fiction film about survival for this issue. We decided on covering ONE MILLION YEARS B.C., the 1966 Hammer film starring Raquel Welch, John Richardson and featuring the incredible stop-motion animation of Ray Harryhausen. Although I had another article on this topic published earlier this year in PREHISTORIC TIMES, there is enough material about the film that there ended up being just a minimal amount of overlap between the two.

Please support Tom's remarkable efforts in putting out another 146-page tome of great material that will keep you entertained for hours by considering a purchase.

NEW ARTICLE PUBLISHED!

Released just last week is the latest issue of PREHISTORIC TIMES (#152, Winter 2025) with a marvelous wrap-around cover by Luis Rey of Tyrannosaurus Rex and Triceratops ready to go head-to-head. You may notice that Rey has included feathers on T. Rex as in recent years paleontologists have discovered this distinct possibility from the fossil record.

Also included in this issue is my article, "Cavemen vs. Dinosaurs: Hammer Films' One Million Years

 B.C." where I write about the behind-the-scenes making of the picture, as well as discuss the various live action and stop-motion dinosaurs that Ray Harryhausen created. Oh, yes, and Raquel Welch gets a bit of copy, too, including how her now-iconic fur bikini was made.

As of this writing, PT #152 is available from eBay HERE. It usually goes up on the website a little later and you can access that from "The Magazine Rack" section on the left sidebar of this blog's main page.

NEW ARTICLE PUBLISHED!

Hey, all you horror comics lovers! The fourth installment of my series has just been published in Dead Letter Press' NIGHTMARE ABBEY #7. Edited by Tom English it includes some top-notch fiction by Steve Rasnic Tem, Steve Duffy, Helen Grant, Steven Volk and many others within its 146 pages. Also included is an article on Hammer Films' THE DEVIL RIDES OUT by John Llewellyn Probert. Allen Koszowski provides the cover and some super interior art.

In "Fear in Four Colors: The Hideous History of Horror Comics in America, The Ghoulunatics" I cover the greatest horror comics of them all, the legendary EC titles. I delve behind the scenes on the ideas and development of these still-popular tomes. Included are a ton of covers and illos.

You can support Tom's great magazine by ordering it HERE or on the right side bar of this page.

You can also order it through my Amazon Author Page HERE.

And if you haven't yet, head on over to my recently-launched new blog, FEAR IN FOUR COLORS for lots more horror comics!

Thanks bunches for your interest!

NEW ARTICLE PUBLISHED!

My latest article has been published as the cover story in the newest issue of the revived CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN (#40). It's a retrospective of Universal's THE BLACK CAT celebrating its 90th anniversary since it was released in 1934. Running 8,500 words and 14 printed pages, I take a deep dive into one of U's strangest and unsettling horror productions of the 1930's.

If you're interested in supporting Don and Vicki Smeraldi's continuing this classic monster magazine that began with Calvin T. Beck way back in 1962, click on the cover image on the right-hand sidebar of this post.

I also invite you to visit my Author's Page (link on the menu bar) to see what else I've had published recently. It also includes a link to my Amazon Author's Page where you can order copies of NIGHTMARE ABBEY and BLACK INFINITY from there.

You can also click on THE BLACK CAT banner above to access posts about the film on this blog.

Many thanks!

NEW ARTICLE PUBLISHED!

Just released a few days ago is Tom English's NIGHTMARE ABBEY #6. Each issue contains well over a hundred pages of some of the best horror fiction being written today. Included is the third installment of my ongoing series, "Fear In Four Colors: The Hideous History of American Horror Comics". This time in "A Flood of Blood and Corpses" I delve deep into titles other than the EC line that contributed greatly to the heyday of horror comics and contained some of the most horrifying and revolting stories of the era. Besides fiction by Steve Rasnic Tem, Steve Duffy, Helen Grant, Simon Bestwick and others, there's also an article on NIGHT/CURSE OF THE DEMON. Allen Koszowski's excellent art is on the cover and throughout the interior.

You can support Tom's great magazine by ordering it HERE or on the right-hand side bar of this page.

You can also order it through my Amazon Author Page HERE.

And if you haven't yet, head on over to my recently-launched new blog, FEAR IN FOUR COLORS for lots more horror comics!

NEW ARTICLE PUBLISHED!

Hot off the press is the 150th-issue of PREHISTORIC TIMES (Summer, 2024). Included is my article, "The Eighth Wonder of the World: The Making of King Kong". I'm proud to be a part of this excellent magazine that covers all things dinosaur. Order your copy right HERE. I also have an article in PT #148 about the 1925 silent dino-classic THE LOST WORLD. You can order that HERE.

Here's a write-up from the Everything Dinosaur site:

As always, issue 150 of “Prehistoric Times” magazine is crammed full of excellent articles and amazing artwork.  Editor Mike Fredericks wrote to Everything Dinosaur and outlined some of the magazine’s contents. It is 91 years since the first King Kong film hit cinema screens. This famous monster movie had its premiere in the spring of 1933. The film starred Fay Wray and Robert Armstrong. However, the titular character, the giant ape, was to become enshrined in movie folklore. Directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack the film grossed over $5 million USD. The stop-motion monsters were created and animated by Willis H. O’Brien. The 1933 King Kong film regularly features in lists of the top one hundred most influential movies of all time.

I invite you to visit my Amazon Author's Page where you'll see all the publications that I've contributed to recently that are available on Amazon.

Thanks, folks, for supporting my work and especially these publications!

JUST THE ARTIFACTS, MA'AM!

Jeez, it came to me that it's been a decade since I was published in the UK's WE BELONG DEAD issue #12, which included my article, "Jack P. Pierce: Making the World's Most Famous Monsters". So what, you say? Well, there's an interesting story behind that . . .

Sometime before that happened, I visited the Margaret Herrick Library in Beverly Hills, CA to conduct research on Mr. Pierce. For those who aren't aware, this is one of the most prestigious libraries of cinema history on the planet. They are also also a part of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences -- you know, the outfit that runs the Oscars. This description from their website explains:

The Margaret Herrick Library is one of the world’s preeminent research facilities dedicated to preserving the artform and industry of motion pictures. Its holdings, amassed since 1928, include books, photographs, scripts, posters, production records, costume design drawings, and so much more. Located in Beverly Hills, the library is open to the public by appointment and used year-round by students, scholars, historians and industry professionals.

Sadly, the file they had on who I consider to be the greatest monster makeup artist from the Golden Age of Horror had just a scant few clippings about him -- so slim I thought the folder was empty! The librarian seemed to be a little apologetic, too, and told me that the library relies to an extent on donations of material for their holdings.

Armed with that knowledge, I decided to rectify the situation and promised myself that I would write an article on his career and see if I could at least add a little more substance to Pierce's file. At that time, I was in the early stages of collecting material on Pierce for the book that my co-author and I had begun (don't look for it yet -- we're still working on it!), and we already had a fair amount of biographical information.

But, first, I had to find a publisher to actually print my article! After flying back home, I wrote it a wave of inspiration and luckily found a publisher with --of all 'zines -- Eric McNaughton's recently resurrected WE BELONG DEAD. Shortly after receiving my contributor's copy I made good on my promise and sent a copy of the article to the Margaret Herrick Library.

A few weeks later, I received the following letter in the mail (redacted for the reasons of privacy):

It was only then when it hit me that something I'd written had been accepted as a library research document. Needless to say, I was thrilled and so far, it's been one of the highlights of my writing career. And most of all, Jack Pierce deserves it, don't you think?

Visit the WE BELONG DEAD website HERE.

Buy issue #12 HERE.

MY WRITING UPDATE

Good news in my mailbox last week: I not only received one, but two contributor's copies of magazines containing my work. One is a resurrected classic monster magazine from the 60's and 70's that your'e sure to recognize and the other is from an up-and-coming horror 'zine.

"#1 NEW release in Comics History thanks to the second installment of our ongoing FEAR IN FOUR COLORS section (a 21-page spread). Thanks for supporting us!" was a message from Dead Letter Press who publish NIGHTMARE ABBEY and BLACK INFINITY.

While BI is on a temporary hiatus until possibly later this year, the new issue of NA has dropped HERE. Behind another great cover by the legendary Allen Kozsowski lies some dreadfully delightful fiction by Ramsey Campbell, Stever Rasnic Tem and Steve Duffy among others. Getting its due is an article on the underrated and underappreciated UK shocker, HORROR HOTEL starring Christopher Lee. And last but not least is my second installment of the ongoing series, "Fear in Four Colors: The Hideous History of American Horror Comics". This time around, I discuss in detail the first pre-EC horror titles that have a distinguished place in horror comics history. The first chapter is in issue #4 of NA which you can buy right HERE.

You can still get the special "Creature Features" edition of BLACK INFINITY HERE with my full-length feature on the history of FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND.

Calvin T. Beck's venerable CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN is enjoying its third incarnation, this time from the folks who also publish the long-running SCARY MONSTERS. Issue #39 has just been released and I'm proud to have included my article on one of Hollywood's great men behind the camera, "He Filmed Frankenstein:The Cinematography of Arthur Edeson". In my estimation, this could be the most in-depth coverage of the highly-respected cameraman that not only photographed Universal's classic monster movie, but one of the greatest pictures ever, CASABLANCA. Order info is HERE.

But wait -- that's not all! My article of the 1925 version of Arthur Conan Doyle's THE LOST WORLD is in a recent issue of PREHISTORIC TIMES. You may have already recognized this as it's up for a Rondo Award in the "Best Article" category for 2023. It got a nice review from the Everything Dinosaur blog:  "It was also a pleasure to read John Navroth’s account of the filming of “The Lost World”, the cinematic adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel of the same name. Any article featuring an image of stop motion pioneer Willis O’Brien is fine by us. As Mike Fredericks (editor) comments, perhaps this article is a prelude to a later piece that will feature the classic “King Kong” film from 1933." And indeed, it is! Hint! Hint! Grab your copy of PT direct from the publisher HERE. 

That about wraps it up for this time. I'll be filling you in on all the new stuff in the hopper for this year as it happens. I appreciate the support, especially for the great magazines they appear in. You can also follow me at my Amazon Author's Page, as well as conveniently order BLACK INFINITY and NIGHTMARE ABBEY HERE.