Now in our fifth calendar year
Finally I have some free time to tell you wonderful readers (all 6 of you) about my more recent excursions outside the walls of the "Castle." I wish they were more frequent but I am still typing these words from equipment other than my own so I only have limited access until my system is up and running again. It's been a strange couple of weeks since my trip to the past and I have lots to tell; some good and some sucky news as well. Anyway, here we go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Return of "Horror" In addition, horror magazines seem to be appearing more frequently with increased circulations. Rue Morgue, Midnight Marquee, Fangoria, Scary Monsters, Monsters From The Vault, Vampirella, Shivers,...the list is endless. These magazines are more prominent on bookstore shelves than in the past.
And let us not forget the plethora of comics featuring horror themes. Something Wicked, Route 666, The Sword Of Dracula, C. V. O. (Covert Vampire Operations), Thirty Days of Night, Criminal Macabre, The Walking Dead, Tales Of The Vampires, Kolchak, The Night Stalker, Wake The Dead, Dark Days, The Drive-In, The Courtyard, and one of my favorites, Frankenstein Mobster (thanks for the acknowledgement Mark).
Classic Monster toys are again gracing the toy shelves in order to prepare us for one of the year's biggest horror movies, "Van Helsing."
And if that isn't enough, The remake of "Dawn Of The Dead" will be in theatres before you know it.
WHEW!!! All in all I'd say horror is on a very strong comeback trail and I, for one, am glad to see it.
P. S. I've even seen that Famous Monsters is coming back again.
R.I.P., Julius Schwartz Have a Great Week! C-Ya!!!
Something neat (remember that word?) has been happening over the last year and I couldn't be any happier. I reported on it a couple months ago but I am seeing even more signs now so I feel the news bears repeating. The popularity of "HORROR" seems to be on the rise again and I'm sure all you "HORROR" fans out there have noticed. It's always been fairly well represented in the movies but has utterly disappeared in most other formats. Now (thankfully) I see signs of a healthy rebirth in other areas as well. Go to any major bookstore and you will actually find several choices in the genre of "HORROR" instead of just offerings from the usual suspects. Many of these projects seem to be well supported and quite ambitious. Leisure Books has even committed themselves to a whole new imprint devoted to horror novels allowing both established and up-and coming authors an outlet for their stories.
On a sad note I just found out the other day of the passing of one of Science Fiction and Comicdom's elder statesman, Julius Schwartz. Julius was there when the first Science Fiction fanzines were made, he was there when the first World Science Fiction Convention was held, and he was there when Superman was created. He was known as "The Man Of Two Worlds" for his contributions to both comics and SF. In his later years he travelled to many conventions both as ambassador for DC comics (where he served as editor for many years and through that most important of eras, The Silver Age) and to relate stories of the early days of both SF and DC comics. I always enjoyed going to panel discussions where Julius was speaking. He would get all wrapped up in his stories and everyone else had to jump in while he was stopping to take a breath or get a drink. He made everything more interesting with the way he presented his stories. He also was a life-long friend of Forrest J. Ackerman who we all know and love. To see Juli and Forry together on the same stage was a sight to behold and I'm glad I was able to see it.
The "CREATURE" 
"Creature's Corner" is ©2004 by John Lewis. Webpage design and all graphics herein are creations of Nolan B. Canova. All contents of Nolan's Pop Culture Review are ©2004 by Nolan B. Canova.