Welcome back, readers, for the latest installment of Daily Dead’s 2018 Holiday Gift Guide. Today, we’re turning our attention to the world of horror and sci-fi books, as we bring you the best non-fiction and fiction literature that is sure to thrill genre lovers who still enjoy losing themselves in the realm of the written word. We are featuring more than 40 different titles, which means there is sure to be something here on this list for every kind of genre fan out there.
But before we get started diving into all these terrific tomes, I did want to mention that if you’re looking for a signed book as a gift this holiday season, one great place to check out is Dark Delicacies, as they have a great selection of titles that have been signed by their authors and other notable folks as well.
And because we’re all about holiday traditions around here, Daily Dead will once again be giving away a prize pack of movies and goodies for 10 lucky readers, thanks to this year’s HGG sponsor, RLJE Films. Winners will receive one copy of the upcoming Christmas anthology All the Creatures Were Stirring, one other title from RLJE Films, and a few other horror-tastic surprises, just in time for the holidays. To enter, send an email to contest@dailydead.com with “Holiday Gift Guide” in the subject line, and be sure to include your full name and mailing address as well (limited to those who are eighteen years of age or older that live in the United States. Only one entry per household will be accepted).
NON-FICTION:
Ad Nauseum: Newsprint Nightmares from the 1980s
Growing up in the 1980s, Michael Gingold became obsessed with horror movies, and his love of the genre led him to become a Fangoria writer and editor for nearly 30 years, as well as a Rue Morgue contributor. But before all that, he took his scissors to local newspapers, collecting countless ads for horror movies, big and small.
Ad Nauseam: Newsprint Nightmares from the 1980s is a year-by-year deep dive into the Gingold archive, with more than 450 ads! Within these pages you'll see rare alternate art for Gremlins, Child's Play, The Blob remake, and the Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street franchises. You'll also revel in oddities including Psycho from Texas, Dracula Blows His Cool, Blood Hook, Zombie Island Massacre, and many more.
Gingold provides personal recollections and commentary, and unearths vintage reviews to reveal what critics of the time were saying about these films. He also interviews the men behind legendary exploitation distributor Aquarius Releasing to learn how they built buzz for shockers like Make Them Die Slowly and Doctor Butcher M.D. Steel yourselves, genre junkies Ad Nauseam is an unmatched journey into the wild world of 1980s horror movies!
Ghoulish: The Art of Gary Pullin
For more than ten years artist Gary Pullin has been taking art galleries, movie theater walls, and social media by storm with his fresh, inventive takes on film, music, and television properties. Equal parts nightmare and nostalgia, his instantly recognizable style always strikes a chord with fans, and his coveted and acclaimed pieces sell out in lightning speed.
A go-to artist for official film artwork, concert merchandise, LP packaging, and endless other pieces of pop culture ephemera, Pullin has put pencil to paper for film posters such as Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween, The Big Lebowski, Vertigo, and The Babadook, soundtracks including Creepshow, Scream, Christine, and Tales from the Crypt, and concert merch for the likes of Jack White, Alice Cooper, and Misfits.
Featuring hundreds of full-color illustrations, lavish cover galleries, and never-before-seen concept and process shots, Ghoulish: The Art of Gary Pullin is both a celebration of one artist's remarkable career and an indispensable snapshot of the thriving world of genre art. Go behind the scenes with Gary, let your jaw drop at his brilliant, long out of print artwork, and get ghoulishly inspired by an unforgettable pop artist.
Yuletide Terror: Christmas Horror on Film and Television
This comprehensive new collection of essays is set to deck your halls with insightful looks at all your festive fright favourites, from the BBC’s A GHOST STORY FOR CHRISTMAS series to SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT (and the ensuing controversy), from Eastern European folk-horrors all the way up to the seasonal succubi of the “New French Extremity”—followed by a compendium of over 200 Christmas horror film reviews.
FrightFest Guide to Ghost Movies
Ever since humans started gathering around the campfire to tell tales, ghost stories have haunted our imagination. Accounts abound of shrouded apparitions in rattling chains and vengeful souls wailing in the night, from Roman manuscripts and Egyptian papyri to Indian traditions and Japanese folklore. Literary staples for centuries, peaking in Europe with the nineteenth century advent of the Gothic novel, spirits have appeared on film worldwide from the earliest days of cinema, coming back regularly over the following decades to in turn amuse, intrigue and terrorize audiences, from the late 1890s all the way to the contemporary boom of on-screen supernatural horrors. Like many, award-winning filmmaker Axelle Carolyn (Soulmate, Tales of Halloween - both of which feature spectres) has been obsessed with haunted houses and revenants for as long as she can remember.
In this volume, she surveys the last 120 years of the genre and reviews the 200 most memorable titles from across the globe. From timeless classics to recent blockbusters, quirky indies to international sensations, hidden gems to oddities, each of these movies has in some way contributed to the development of the ghost movie as we know it, in all its incarnations and cultural variants. When hinges creak in doorless chambers, and frightening sounds echo through the halls... Welcome, foolish mortals, to The FrightFest Guide to Ghost Movies.
The Making of Planet of the Apes
Based on Pierre Boulle's novel La Planéte de singes, the original Planet of the Apes was one of the most celebrated films of the 1960s and beyond. Starring Hollywood icons Charlton Heston and Roddy McDowall, the movie struck a chord with the world and sparked a franchise that included eight sequels, two television series, and a long-running comic book. Now, five decades after its theatrical release, New York Times bestselling author J. W. Rinzler tells the thrilling story of this legendary Hollywood production—a film even Boulle thought would be impossible to make.
With a foreword by Fraser Heston, Charlton Heston's son, The Making of Planet of the Apes is an entertaining, informative experience that will transport readers back to the strange alternate Earth ruled by apes, and bring to life memorable characters such as Cornelius, Dr. Zira, Dr. Zaius, and Taylor, the human astronaut whose time-traveling sparks an incredible adventure. Meticulously researched and designed to capture the look and atmosphere of the film, The Making of Planet of the Apes is also packed with a wealth of concept paintings, storyboards, and never-before-seen imagery—including rare journal pages and sketches from Charlton Heston's private collection—as well as color and black-and-white unit photography, posters, and more unique ephemera.
Comprehensive in scope, The Making of Planet of the Apes is the definitive look at the original blockbuster film, a must-have for fans, film buffs, and collectors alike.
Paperbacks from Hell: The Twisted History of ’70s and ’80s Horror
Take a tour through the horror paperback novels of two iconic decades . . . if you dare. Page through dozens and dozens of amazing book covers featuring well-dressed skeletons, evil dolls, and knife-wielding killer crabs! Read shocking plot summaries that invoke devil worship, satanic children, and haunted real estate! Horror author and vintage paperback book collector Grady Hendrix offers killer commentary and witty insight on these trashy thrillers that tried so hard to be the next Exorcist or Rosemary’s Baby. Complete with story summaries and artist and author profiles, this unforgettable volume dishes on familiar authors like V. C. Andrews and R. L. Stine, plus many more who’ve faded into obscurity. Also included are recommendations for which of these forgotten treasures are well worth your reading time and which should stay buried.
Harryhausen – The Movie Posters
Harryhausen – The Movie Posters showcases the posters from all of Ray's movies, from 1949's Mighty Joe Young, to Clash of the Titans in 1981. There has never been a book published devoted solely to the promotional art associated with the films themselves. Featuring posters from all over the world, as well as commentary from The Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation, this is an essential addition to any fan's library.
Analog Nightmares: The Shot on Video Horror Films of 1982-1995
The most comprehensive, all-inclusive look at the history and evolution of shot on video horror films. In 1982, "Boardinghouse" became the first shot on video feature-length horror film ever made. Totally lensed on videotape, the film was later transferred to 16mm and blown-up to 35mm for theatrical exhibition. In 1983, David A. Prior shot "Sledgehammer" on video and eventually released the film on videotape. For the first time, analog video became the format used in motion picture productions. It was smeary, messy and it wasn't film... but it was cheap. In 1985, United Home Video boldly released "Blood Cult" with the claim it was "the first movie made for the home video market." The booming popularity of video stores coupled with a never-satisfied demand for content ensured these films longevity. Soon hundreds of titles followed, all video-created features by independent unknowns. They weren't from Hollywood. They weren't trained. But they had a lot of heart and a love for horror. And they made their own movies against the odds.
For the first time EVER - "ANALOG NIGHTMARES" has brought these films together. Everything from "Boardinghouse" to "Zombie Holocaust" individually reviewed, categorized and presented chronologically by production year. Over 260 films! Featuring in-depth interviews with the filmmakers themselves - some speaking for the very first time! TIM BOGGS! MARK POLONIA! DONALD FARMER! TIM RITTER! JOEL D. WYNKOOP! DOUG STONE! ANDREA ADAMS! GARY WHITSON! DAVE CASTIGLIONE! PHIL HERMAN! ERIC STANZE! JAMES L. EDWARDS! WALTER RUETHER! TODD JASON COOK! NICK MILLARD! DAVID "THE ROCK" NELSON! RON BONK!
True Indie: Life and Death in Filmmaking
Best known for his horror/sci-fi/fantasy films including Phantasm, The Beastmaster, Bubba Ho-tep and John Dies at the End, now Don Coscarelli’s taking you on a white-knuckle ride through the rough and tumble world of indie film.
Join Coscarelli as he sells his first feature film to Universal Pictures and gets his own office on the studio lot while still in his teens. Travel with him as he chaperones three out-of-control child actors as they barnstorm Japan, almost drowns actress Catherine Keener in her first film role, and transforms a short story about Elvis Presley battling a four thousand year-old Egyptian mummy into a beloved cult classic film.
Witness the incredible cast of characters he meets along the way from heavy metal god Ronnie James Dio to first-time filmmakers Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary. Learn how breaking bread with genre icons Tobe Hooper, John Carpenter and Guillermo Del Toro leads to a major cable series and watch as he and zombie king George A. Romero together take over an unprepared national network television show with their tales of blood and horror.
This memoir fits an entire film school education into a single book. It’s loaded with behind-the-scenes stories: like setting his face on fire during the making of Phantasm, hearing Bruce Campbell’s most important question before agreeing to star in Bubba Ho-tep, and crafting a horror thriller into a franchise phenomenon spanning four decades. Find out how Coscarelli managed to retain creative and financial control of his artistic works in an industry ruled by power-hungry predators, and all without going insane or bankrupt. True Indie will prove indispensable for fans of Coscarelli’s movies, aspiring filmmakers, and anyone who loves a story of an underdog who prevails while not betraying what he believes.
Harbinger Down: A Pictorial Journey Through the Production of a Practical Effects Film
Take a pictorial journey through the production of Harbinger Down, the film that set out to prove that audiences still prefer practical effects creatures over CGI. After finding their animatronic creations left on the cutting room floor one too many times in favor of digitally animated monsters and spurred on by the outcry of movie fans everywhere to keep it real, studioADI co-founders Alec Gillis and Tom Woodruff, Jr. decided to take matters into their own hands. The result was the #1 highest funded Kickstarter for a sci-fi/horror movie in history. Now, you can take a look behind the scenes of this unprecedented coming together of movie fans, filmmakers, and movie stars like Lance Henriksen, as they put forth their passion, experience, and can do spirit, to create what was not just a movie but a once in a lifetime event. Perfect for aspiring filmmakers and sci-fi/horror fans, alike.
Born to Be Bad: Talking to the Greatest Villains in Action Cinema
While 1980s action cinema may have been a time of shaggy mullets, big biceps, and one-liners for the heroes, it was always the villains that stuck in our minds once the credits rolled. Whether they were smuggling cocaine, bearer bonds, Krugerrands, attempting world domination or some good old-fashioned kidnapping, the villains were always the best part of the film! In this book, action film fan, Timon Singh, sets out to talk to the actors behind the greatest villains of his adolescence to discover the stories behind their infamous film roles, the impact they had on their career and, most importantly, whether bad guys have all the fun. Speaking to everyone from body builders to kickboxing champions to experienced stage thespians, Timon interviews the actors behind some of the greatest villains and henchmen in action cinema including former Bond baddies, corrupt CEOs, global terrorists and intergalactic bounty hunters. Featuring interviews with the likes of Vernon Wells (Commando), Ronny Cox (Total Recall, Robocop), Martin Kove (The Karate Kid), David Patrick Kelly (The Warriors), Bob Wall (Enter The Dragon), Steven Berkoff (Rambo: First Blood Part II) and many others, this is an essential read for all fans of action movies! Includes an introduction from Steven E. de Souza, the screenwriter behind action classics such as The Running Man, Commando and Die Hard.
Stranger Things: Worlds Turned Upside Down: The Official Behind-the-Scenes Companion
When the first season of Stranger Things debuted on Netflix in the summer of 2016, the show struck a nerve with millions of viewers worldwide and received broad critical acclaim. The series has gone on to win six Emmy Awards, but its success was driven more than anything by word of mouth, resonating across generations. Viewers feel personal connections to the characters. Now fans can immerse themselves in the world—or worlds—of Hawkins, Indiana, like never before.
Inside you’ll find:
• Original commentary and a foreword from creators Matt and Ross Duffer
• Exclusive interviews with the stars of the show, including Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, and David Harbour
• The show’s earliest drafts, pitches to Netflix, and casting calls
• Insights into the Duffers’ creative process from the entire crew—from costume and set designers to composers and visual-effects specialists
• Deep dives into the cultural artifacts and references that inspired the look and feel of the show
• A map of everyday Hawkins—with clues charting the network of the Upside Down
• The Morse code disk Eleven uses, so you can decipher secret messages embedded throughout the text
• A look into the future of the series—including a sneak preview of season three!
The Ultimate Guide to Strange Cinema
It isn't every film that features man-eating zombie sushi. But for those searching for just that and more strange things in their viewing queue, this film guide is for you. Organized by genre, including comedy, horror, action, drama, fantasy, and sci-fi, this title offers 300 reviews of genre films from all over the world, 160 photos, and exclusive interviews and quotes from the people behind some of the most offbeat films ever made. Alongside this curated list of viewing recommendations, longtime fans and new comers to strange cinema gain bits of fun and informative trivia.
Frankenstein: The First Two Hundred Years
On New Year’s Day 1818, Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein was first published in an anonymous three-volume edition of 500 copies. Some thought the book was too radical in its implications; a few found the central theme intriguing; no-one predicted its success.
Since then, there have been many, many adaptations―120 films alone, at the last count―on screen, stage, in novels, comics and graphic novels, in advertisements and even on cereal packets. From a Regency nightmare, Frankenstein became a cuddly childhood companion―thoroughly munstered, so to speak. The story has been interpreted as a feminist allegory of birthing, an ecological reading of mother earth, an attack on masculinist science, the origin of science fiction, an example of “female gothic,” a reaction to the rise of the industrial proletariat and much else besides. Frankenstein lives! The F word has been applied, since the 1950s, to test-tube babies, heart transplants, prosthetics, robotics, cosmetic surgery, genetic engineering, genetically modified crops and numerous other public anxieties arising from scientific research. Today, Frankenstein has taken over from Adam and Eve as the creation myth for the age of genetic engineering.
This book, celebrating the 200th birthday of Frankenstein, traces the journey of Shelley’s Frankenstein from limited-edition literature into the bloodstream of contemporary culture. With text by renowned Gothic scholar Sir Christopher Frayling, it includes new research on the novel’s origins; a facsimile reprint of the earliest-known manuscript version of the creation scene; visual material on adaptations for the stage, in magazines, on playbills, in prints and in book publications of the 19th century; visual essays on many of the film versions and their inspirations in the history of art; and Frankenstein in popular culture―on posters, advertisements, packaging, in comics and graphic novels.
Are You in the House Alone?: A TV Movie Compendium 1964 – 1999
Beginning in the 1960s through its heyday in the 1970s and beyond, the telefilm stands as an important cultural artefact masquerading as disposable entertainment. Made specifically for the small screen, within the tight constraints of broadcasting standards, what these humble movies lacked in budget and star appeal, they made up for in other ways. Often, they served as an introduction to genre films, particularly horror, mirroring their theatrical counterparts with a focus on sinister cults, women in prison, haunted houses and even animals in revolt. They were also a place to address serious contemporary issues – drugs, prostitution, sexual violence and justice, albeit in a cozy domestic environment.
Production of telefilms continues to this day, but their significance within the history of mass media remains under-discussed. Are You in the House Alone? seeks to address this imbalance in a series of reviews and essays by fans and critics. It looks at many of the films, the networks and names behind them, and also specific genres – everything from Stephen King adaptations to superheroes to true-life dramas. So, kickback and crack open the TV guide once more for the event that is the Movie of the Week!
In The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971) and its sequel, Dr. Phibes Rises Again (1972), horror great Vincent Price starred as vaudevillian organist and super-genius Dr. Anton Phibes, architect of incredibly ingenious murders. Set in 1920s London and Egypt, their outstanding Art Deco production design, absurd humor, and soaring romance made them hits, beloved by generations of horror fans. The Abominable Dr. Phibes’ admirers include directors Tim Burton, Frank Darabont, and Ken Russell. Comedian Kumail Nanjiani built a scene around it in his The Big Sick (2017). Quentin Tarantino recently programmed it five times in less than two months at Hollywood’s New Beverly Cinema. Andrew Muschietti, director of It (2017), has said that The Abominable Dr. Phibes ranks among the scariest films of his childhood. Stephen King quipped on Facebook that the phrase “doctor recommended” on commercials makes him think of Dr. Phibes. The Telegraph ranked it among the fifty best horror films of all time and The Museum of Modern Art screened it in February 2018.
Now, Phibesologist Justin Humphreys expands his extensive previous writings on the series to tell the full story of these unique cinematic masterpieces. The Dr. Phibes Companion includes: - An expanded version of “The Kind of Fiend Who Wins,” the definitive history of The Abominable Dr. Phibes. - A new essay on the making of Dr. Phibes Rises Again. - A new foreword by Dr. Phibes’ creator, William Goldstein. - Interviews with many of the series’ creators, including director Robert Fuest, screenwriters William Goldstein and James Whiton, art director Brian Eatwell, sound designer Peter Lennard, including previously unpublished conversations with organist Nicholas Kynaston (“War March of the Priests”), composer John Gale, screenwriter Lem Dobbs, and others. - Never-Before-Seen production artwork by director Robert Fuest from Fuest’s personal shooting script. - Previously unpublished behind-the-scenes photographs. - Photographs of The Abominable Dr. Phibes’ world premiere from screenwriter James Whiton’s files. - Dozens of illustrations from the Phibes films. - A thorough history of the “unphilmed” Phibes sequels. - And much, much more. Read on, relax, and enjoy. The organ plays till midnight…
Based in Austin, Texas, Mondo is an art gallery and online store devoted to the love of film, art, music, and collectibles. Over the years, the company has received global recognition for its incredible art posters that bring to life classic films, television shows, and comics in a refreshing and utterly striking new way, offering a unique perspective on everything from Star Wars to Robocop, Back to the Future, Jurassic Park, Game of Thrones, Godzilla, Kill Bill, and many, many more. For the first time, The Art of Mondo brings together this highly sought-after art in one deluxe volume that showcases the incredible ingenuity of the studio’s diverse stable of artists whose vastly different styles are united by one guiding principle: limitless passion for their subject matter.
Adored by the creative talents to whom Mondo’s art pays tribute—including Paul Thomas Anderson, Guillermo del Toro, Zack Snyder, Quentin Tarantino, and Edgar Wright, to name but a few—this richly imaginative work is fueled by a love of pop culture that fans recognize and identify with, giving Mondo’s output a rare and valuable synergy with its audience. While these posters are normally produced in a limited quantity and sell out in minutes, The Art of Mondo allows fans to explore the studio’s remarkable back catalog, including Olly Moss’s iconic Star Wars trilogy work, Laurent Durieux’s brilliantly subtle Jaws poster, and Tyler Stout’s evocative Guardians of the Galaxy art. Other key Mondo artists such as Jock, Martin Ansin, and Aaron Horkey will also feature. Definitive, visually stunning, and filled with art that celebrates some of the biggest and best-loved properties in pop culture, The Art of Mondo is the ultimate book for cult art fans everywhere.
Universal Terrors 1951-1955: Eight Classic Horror and Science Fiction Films
Universal Studios created the first cinematic universe of monsters--Dracula, Frankenstein, the Mummy and others became household names during the 1930s and 1940s. During the 1950s, more modern monsters were created for the Atomic Age, including one-eyed globs from outer space, mutants from the planet Metaluna, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and the 100-foot high horror known as Tarantula.
This over-the-top history is the definitive retrospective on Universal's horror and science fiction movies of 1951-1955. Standing as a sequel to Tom Weaver, Michael Brunas and John Brunas's Universal Horrors (Second Edition, 2007), it covers eight films: The Strange Door, The Black Castle, It Came from Outer Space, Creature from the Black Lagoon, This Island Earth, Revenge of the Creature, Cult of the Cobra and Tarantula. Each receives a richly detailed critical analysis, day-by-day production history, interviews with filmmakers, release information, an essay on the score, and many photographs, including rare behind-the-scenes shots.
It Came from the Video Aisle!: Inside Charles Band’s Full Moon Entertainment Studio
Charles Band's Full Moon Entertainment was the most remarkable B-movie studio of the 1990s, responsible for a barrage of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror classics during the last true "golden age" of the home video era. From Puppetmaster to Trancers and beyond, Full Moon transformed the VHS experience for fans worldwide, bringing the inner workings of the movie-making process into the living room, and in turn creating a ravenous fan base that remains to this day. This book tracks the history of the company, from its late '80s birth among the ruins of the American drive-in through to its bid to survive in the modern digital world. Featuring rare artwork, behind-the-scenes photos, and over 50 exclusive interviews with the cast and crew who helped to create the legendary B-movie studio, this is an essential read for any cult film fan still lamenting the death of the "mom 'n pop" video store.
Joshua Hoffine Horror Photography
Dark Regions Press presents 'JOSHUA HOFFINE HORROR PHOTOGRAPHY', an oversized 12"x12" hardcover book of full-color images from renown Horror photographer Joshua Hoffine. As a pioneer in the subgenre of Horror photography, Joshua Hoffine is one of the most recognized photographers in the world. Notorious for using real children combined with theatrical sets and practical SPFX, his work has been featured in countless publications around the globe. This comprehensive volume collects all of his Horror photographs together for the first time. Spanning 13 years (2003 - 2016) this book includes rare behind-the-scenes photos and artist commentary.
Nope, Nothing Wrong Here: The Making of Cujo
Based on the bestselling novel by prolific author Stephen King, Lewis Teague’s masterfully conceived, created and performed film adaptation of Cujo hit theatres in 1983 – a year that became a benchmark for King adaptations with both The Dead Zone and Christine also terrifying audiences around the same time. Cujo would impress critics and fans alike, and would be regarded as one of the most successful of King’s stories brought to the screen during the eighties. The film would also showcase a phenomenal performance from star Dee Wallace, who throws herself into the rich and complicated part of alienated adulteress Donna Trenton, making it a true tour de force role for a woman. Along with Wallace’s poignant and dedicated control of the protagonist, this horror classic would feature some of the most thrilling and exhilarating animal action ever put to screen. Lead by dog trainer Karl Lewis Miller, the multiple St. Bernards used to portray the titular rabid canine would terrify hardened horror devotees with brilliantly orchestrated attack sequences during the film’s climactic siege sequence that would see Dee Wallace trapped inside a dead Ford Pinto with child actor Danny Pintauro along for the harrowing ride.
With its sophistication and deep subversive intelligence, Cujo is a biting critique on the breakdown of the American family, an electric take on the “woman in the storm” story trope, a personal and introspective ecologically themed horror film (a subgenre usually socially and politically motivated) and a perfectly realised example of the power of circumstance. It also thoroughly scrutinizes fear – both real and imagined – in a sharp and magnetic manner. Lee Gambin’s book analyses the entire film scene by scene - and along with the academic input there is exhaustive coverage of the production. This is the ultimate in “making of” books, where no stone has been left unturned.
From the film’s problematic early days with originally assigned director Peter Medak being fired, to detailed insight into screenwriter Barbara Turner’s take on the source material, to Lewis Teague being brought in to take over as director along with cinematographer Jan de Bont and beyond, this definitive tome features over thirty candid interviews with cast and crew such as stars Dee Wallace, Daniel Hugh Kelly and Danny Pintauro, director Lewis Teague, composer Charles Bernstein, as well as stunt man Gary Morgan who played Cujo in many scenes (care of a St Bernard costume). There are many more additional voices who were on set represented in the book such as Danny Pintauro’s parents as well as some highly deserving and loving insight about the late great animal trainer Karl Lewis Miller, from his daughter Teresa Ann Miller. With over 200 pictures (most of which have never been seen), this is the perfect tribute to a modern classic – a pure celebration of eighties horror, Stephen King, dogs in film, powerhouse performances from women and much more. The bottom line here is this…everything you have ever wanted to know about Cujo is in this book!
Many critics and fans refer to the 1990s as the decade that horror forgot, with few notable entries in the genre. Yet horror went mainstream in the '90s by speaking to the anxieties of American youth during one of the country's most prosperous eras. No longer were films made on low budgets and dependent on devotees for success. Horror found its way onto magazine covers, fashion ads and CD soundtrack covers. "Girl power" feminism and a growing distaste for consumerism defined an audience that both embraced and rejected the commercial appeal of these films.
This in-depth study examines the youth subculture and politics of the era, focusing on such films as Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992), Scream (1996), I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), Idle Hands (1999) and Cherry Falls (2000).
Journey of the Living Dead: A Tribute to Fifty Years of Flesh Eaters
Celebrate a half century of Cemetery Ghouls, and 100 years of cinematic zombies, as Dr. Arnold T. Blumberg analyzes how Night of the Living Dead permanently impacted the media landscape. From the origins of the genre to the arrival of the modern zombie and beyond, this book presents new discoveries and insights while paying tribute to all of the zombies that shuffled and sprinted across our screens. Board up all the windows and doors, and feast on this guide to the fifty-year journey of the living dead!
Cross and wooden stake in hand, Dr. Gary D. Rhodes re-enters the sepulcher of supernatural cinema, casting his lantern's light on Universal’s 1936 classic Dracula’s Daughter. With fellow tomb raiders Tom Weaver and Michael Lee, he discovers long-forgotten lore, presented herein with the film’s original shooting script, pressbook and a large array of other freshly exhumed extras.
Where Nightmares Come From: The Art of Storytelling in the Horror Genre
Book one in Crystal Lake Publishing's The Dream Weaver series, Where Nightmares Come From focuses on the art of storytelling in the Horror genre, taking an idea from conception to reality--whether you prefer short stories, novels, films, or comics.
Featuring in-depth articles and interviews by Joe R. Lansdale (Hap & Leonard series), Clive Barker (Books of Blood), John Connolly (Charlie Parker series), Ramsey Campbell, Stephen King (IT), Christopher Golden (Ararat), Charlaine Harris (Midnight, Texas), Jonathan Maberry (Joe Ledger series), Kevin J. Anderson (Tales of Dune), Craig Engler (Z Nation), and many more.
The Art of Big Trouble in Little China
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of John Carpenter's cult classic film, this is the first-ever look at the artistic world behind the beloved movie and its expanded universe. Packed with never-before-seen images, including costume designs by Oscar nominee April Ferry; original set designs by Production Designer John J. Lloyd; storyboard art; concept art from the comic book series; development art from Funko's Big Trouble series; and exclusive new pieces by the film collectible gurus at MONDO. Plus, an exclusive interview with artist Drew Struzan and a look at his early pencils for the iconic film poster. Features a Foreword by John Carpenter and an Afterword by Big Trouble in Little China comics writer and cover artist Eric Powell.
Marvelocity: The Marvel Comics Art of Alex Ross
Here is the beloved Marvel Universe of comics characters, brought to thrilling life as only Alex Ross can. They’re all here: Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, the Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, Black Panther, and many more—all seeming to leap, blast, and launch off the page.
For almost thirty years, Ross has been working nonstop to create some of the most astonishing images in comics, and while Marvelocity collects the very best of that oeuvre, it’s much more than that. Inside are hundreds of drawings, paintings, and photographs that have never been published before, including an original ten-page story featuring Spider-Man versus the Sinister Six, redesign proposals for the X-Men and the Fantastic Four, and a re-creation of an epic battle between the Sub-Mariner and Iron Man.
But this isn’t just the story of the Marvel characters—it’s also the incredibly inspiring true tale of a little boy who only ever wanted to draw and paint super heroes. And with enough determination, talent, and very hard work, that’s precisely what he did. Marvelocity is the result, and is sure to entrance and delight fans of all ages.
Monster Squad: Celebrating the Artists Behind Cinema’s Most Memorable Creatures
For Monster Squad: Celebrating the Artists Behind Cinema's Most Memorable Creatures, journalist Heather Wixson turns the spotlight on twenty special effects pioneers and artists who helped shape the landscape of modern horror and sci-fi cinema throughout the 1970s, 80s, 90s, and beyond. Featuring in-depth interviews with the legendary and visionary creators who share their personal journeys through Hollywood, Monster Squad is a tribute to those who toiled endlessly to help make the impossible possible in so many of our favorite movies, and to all the "Monster Kids" out there who still believe in the magic of practical effects in film to this very day. Featuring several hundred behind-the-scenes photos, and crafted from over 75 hours of interviews, Monster Squad includes comprehensive discussions with Jennifer Aspinall, Gabe Bartalos, Michèle Burke, John Dykstra, Mike Elizalde, Tony Gardner, Alec Gillis, John Goodwin, Kevin Haney, Steve Johnson, Bob Keen, Rick Lazzarini, David Martí, Todd Masters, Bart Mixon, John Rosengrant, Phil Tippett, Brian Wade, Steve Wang, and Tom Woodruff, Jr.
For over six years, Brian Collins watched and reviewed a different horror movie every single day. Most of them stunk. With over 2500 reviews on the Horror Movie A Day website, finding the worthwhile ones can be a chore, so Collins has curated a selection of choice films - 365 of them in fact, one for every day of the year. Each month has a different theme and offers a variety of films within that theme for your viewing enjoyment. And they're not the ones you've seen already - most of the book's selections are obscure, indie, or foreign titles that a casual horror fan hasn't seen yet. Every movie is someone's favorite movie - perhaps this book will introduce you to yours.
The Making of Big Trouble in Little China
We've shaken the pillars of Heaven and paid our dues to put together the only official, comprehensive behind-the-scenes look into the making of the 1986 cult classic film Big Trouble in Little China. To commemorate the film's 30th anniversary, we've assembled a wealth of material, including hundreds of never-before-seen photos, exclusive new cast and crew interviews, filming secrets behind the film's iconic action sequences, original set designs, and much more! Features a Foreword by Big Trouble in Little China director John Carpenter and an Afterword by Kurt Russell!
FICTION:
Tales For a Halloween Night: Volume 4
From John Carpenter, the man who brought you the cult classic horror film Halloween and all of the scares beyond comes 12 more twisted tales of terror, tricks, and treats. In volume 4 of the award-winning graphic novel series, Carpenter brings together another stellar ensemble of storytellers from the worlds of movies, novels and comics for another spine-tingling collection of stories that will haunt your dreams at night. We dare you to read it all the way to the end. If you get too scared, remember, it's only a comic. It's only a comic. It's only a comic... or is it? Happy Halloween!
Hark! The Herald Angels Scream
That there is darkness at the heart of the Yuletide season should not surprise. Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is filled with scenes that are unsettling. Marley untying the bandage that holds his jaws together. The hideous children--Want and Ignorance--beneath the robe of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. The heavy ledgers Marley drags by his chains. In the finest versions of this story, the best parts are the terrifying parts.
Bestselling author and editor Christopher Golden shares his love for Christmas horror stories with this anthology of all-new short fiction from some of the most talented and original writers of horror today.
Halloween: The Official Movie Novelization
In 1978, Laurie Strode survived an encounter with Michael Myers, a masked figure who killed her friends and terrorized the town of Haddonfield, Illinois on Halloween night. Myers was later gunned down, apprehended and committed to Smith's Grove State Hospital.
For forty years, memories of that nightmarish ordeal have haunted Laurie and now Myers is back once again on Halloween, having escaped a routine transfer, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. This time, Laurie is prepared with years of survival training to protect herself, her daughter Karen and her granddaughter Allyson, a teenager separated from her family and enjoying Halloween festivities.
Spring, 1983. Sally Ride is about to go into space. Flashdance is a cultural phenomenon. And in Times Square, two very deadly women are on a collision course with destiny-- and each other. At twenty-one, Ginny Kurva is already legendary on 42nd Street. To the pimp for whom she works, she's the perfect weapon-- a martial artist capable of taking down men twice her size. To the girls in her stable, she's mother, teacher, and protector. To the little sister she cares for, she's a hero. Yet Ginny's bravado and icy confidence hide a mind at the breaking point, her sanity slowly slipping away as both her addictions and the sins of her past catch up with her...
At thirty-seven, Nicolette Aster is the most respected woman at the Staten Island Landfill. Quiet and competent, she's admired by the secretaries and trusted by her supervisors. Yet those around her have no idea how Nicolette spends her nights-- when the hateful madness she keeps repressed by day finally emerges, and she turns the dump into a hunting ground to engage in a nightmarish blood sport...
In the Spring of 1983, neither Ginny nor Nicolette knows the other exists. By the time Summer rolls around, one of them will be dead.
School’s out for the end of the world. Anna and the Apocalypse is a horror comedy about a teenager who faces down a zombie apocalypse with a little help from her friends. Anna Shepherd is a straight-A student with a lot going on under the surface: she’s struggling with her mom’s death, total friend drama, and the fallout from wasting her time on a very attractive boy. She’s looking forward to skipping town after graduation―but then a zombie apocalypse majorly disrupts the holidays season. It’s going to be very hard to graduate high school without a brain. To save the day, Anna, her friends, and her frenemies will have to journey straight to the heart of one of the most dangerous places ever known, a place famous for its horror, terror, and pain…high school. This novel is inspired by the musical feature film, Anna and the Apocalypse.
The Cabin at the End of the World
Seven-year-old Wen and her parents, Eric and Andrew, are vacationing at a remote cabin on a quiet New Hampshire lake. Their closest neighbors are more than two miles in either direction along a rutted dirt road.
One afternoon, as Wen catches grasshoppers in the front yard, a stranger unexpectedly appears in the driveway. Leonard is the largest man Wen has ever seen but he is young, friendly, and he wins her over almost instantly. Leonard and Wen talk and play until Leonard abruptly apologizes and tells Wen, "None of what’s going to happen is your fault". Three more strangers then arrive at the cabin carrying unidentifiable, menacing objects. As Wen sprints inside to warn her parents, Leonard calls out: "Your dads won’t want to let us in, Wen. But they have to. We need your help to save the world."
Thus begins an unbearably tense, gripping tale of paranoia, sacrifice, apocalypse, and survival that escalates to a shattering conclusion, one in which the fate of a loving family and quite possibly all of humanity are entwined. The Cabin at the End of the World is a masterpiece of terror and suspense from the fantastically fertile imagination of Paul Tremblay.
John Carpenter’s Tales of Science Fiction: VORTEX
Pushing forward into a new frontier is always dangerous, but when you’re almost 1500 light years from home and something goes wrong, it’s all too easy for everything to spiral out of control unless tough, often impossible, decisions are made. Connected via a series of Gates that allow navigation through an endless void of vacuum, Space Station Benson sits in the Veil Nebula supporting a series of mining asteroids that collect the ore needed for the next outward expansion. A team nearing the end of their mission on one of these asteroids has gone suddenly silent after triggering a distress beacon. The station’s commander deploys a rescue mission lead by Jake Dixon - a man with a reputation as a hero or perhaps a murderer after a previous rescue mission lost a ship, but saved the station. What Jake finds on the asteroid will threaten not only his team and the hundreds of lives on Benson but perhaps threaten Earth itself.
Edge of the seat story telling combined with incredible art create a new vision of space exploration meets horror where each turn of the page brings you closer to a maelstrom of madness and destruction. Join us as Dixon and his team come up against Dr. Dole Andersen a man with a secret so terrible that he threatens to pull us all into Hell with him. Join rescue crews, scientists, investigators, special forces soldiers, families and monsters, sacrifice and chaos. Join us as we face inhuman terror and incredible heroism. Join us in another far flung adventure set on the edge of a universe under the watchful eye of The Horror Master, John Carpenter, himself.
Join us in the VORTEX. 256 pages of heart-stopping horror plus bonus pages that gives you a glimpse behind the curtain at how the series is created.
It’s been twenty-five years since Cyrus Hoyt’s infamous killing spree at Camp Forest Grove. A quarter-century since teenage counselor Melanie Holden left him mortally wounded and escaped with her life. Today, Melanie’s teaching career has bottomed out and left her with no choice but to return to the scene of the crime. Motivated by a lucrative publishing offer, as well as a desire to free herself from recurring nightmares, Melanie’s research into the murderer’s life brings resistance from all directions as she uncovers skeletons in Forest Grove’s past.
Because of Melanie, a long-held secret is about to be revealed—one that somebody is willing to kill for in order to protect. And Melanie is going to discover she has a lot more to lose than just her mind. The stalk-and-slash suspense of Friday the 13th meets the small town mystery of Sharp Objects in this white-knuckle horror story of a final girl’s revenge.
Dexter meets Secretary in Michael J. Seidlinger's provocative, disturbing literary thriller that reinvents the serial killer genre, exploring the psychology of desire. Claire studies forensic science, Victor is the Gentleman Killer. Subverting expectations, Clair seduces Victor and keeps him in her apartment as her pet, her darkest secret. Beautifully written, provocative to read, Seidlinger delves into Claire's motivations and impetus to present a compelling psychosexual portrait of a woman obsessed with performance, with power, with sex, and with gore.
Although Scott Carey doesn’t look any different, he’s been steadily losing weight. There are a couple of other odd things, too. He weighs the same in his clothes and out of them, no matter how heavy they are. Scott doesn’t want to be poked and prodded. He mostly just wants someone else to know, and he trusts Doctor Bob Ellis.
In the small town of Castle Rock, the setting of many of King’s most iconic stories, Scott is engaged in a low grade—but escalating—battle with the lesbians next door whose dog regularly drops his business on Scott’s lawn. One of the women is friendly; the other, cold as ice. Both are trying to launch a new restaurant, but the people of Castle Rock want no part of a gay married couple, and the place is in trouble. When Scott finally understands the prejudices they face–including his own—he tries to help. Unlikely alliances, the annual foot race, and the mystery of Scott’s affliction bring out the best in people who have indulged the worst in themselves and others.
From Stephen King, our “most precious renewable resource, like Shakespeare in the malleability of his work” (The Guardian), Elevation is an antidote to our divisive culture, as gloriously joyful (with a twinge of deep sadness) as “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
Carnival of Horror: A Carnival Themed Horror Anthology
Roll up, roll up! Welcome to the carnival! Enjoy the sweet smells of the cotton candy and candy apples. Listen to the calliope music as you wander among the many stalls, to the screams of children enjoying the various rides. It’s all been designed to take your money, but you already know that. What you are not aware of, however, are the strange goings-on of the carnival world after dark. Do the carnies want more than your money? Does the fortune teller know more than she tells you? Are some of the games more dangerous than others? Explore your worst fears, and perhaps gain some new ones, in these twisted tales of what really goes on at the carnival after dark!
Break a mirror
Walk under a ladder
Step on a crack
Innocent childhood superstitions…
But someone at the Trask Academy of Performing Arts is taking things one deadly step further when the campus is rocked with the deaths of some of its star students. Layna Curtis, a talented, popular senior, soon realizes that the seemingly random, accidental deaths of her friends aren't random—or accidents—at all. Someone has taken the childhood games too far, using the idea of superstitions to dispose of their classmates. As Layna tries to convince people of her theory, she uncovers the terrifying notion that each escalating, gruesome murder leads closer to its final victim: her. Will Layna's opening night also be her final bow?
The Forgotten Island: A Horror Novel
When Ana Logan agrees to go on holiday to Thailand with her estranged sister Rachel, she hopes it will be a way for them to reconnect after years of drifting apart. But now, stranded on a seemingly deserted island paradise with no radio and no food, reconciliation becomes a desperate fight for survival. For when night falls on The Forgotten Island, the dark secrets of the jungle reveal themselves. Something is watching them from the trees. Something ancient. Something evil. Combining the cosmic horrors of HP Lovecraft with the grimy sensibilities of the Video Nasties, The Forgotten Island is an outrageous old-school horror novel packed with mayhem and violence.
Services Rendered: The Cases of Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I.
Back from the dead, and back on the case! Dan Chambeaux was a human private investigator in the Unnatural Quarter, where all the monsters have gathered in hopes of finding normal lives. Even though he was killed in a back alley when a case went sour, Dan “Shamble” is still on the case. Even death won’t keep a good detective down. Now, teamed up with his partner Robin Deyer, a bleeding-heart human lawyer who wants justice for all monsters, his ghost girlfriend Sheyenne, and his BHF (Best Human Friend) Officer Toby McGoohan, Shamble solves a host of bizarre mysteries involving Mayan sacrificial Christmas turkeys, a headless man who is sure his head has been kidnapped, a book collector who finds deadly curses instead of valuable autographs, a medusa who battles stringent beauty contest rules, a vengeful poltergeist who won’t obey a restraining order, an infernal monster cooking contest, and more! In these nine cases—two original to this collection!—Dan Shamble puts the P.I. back into R.I.P.
Grady Hendrix, horror writer and author of Paperbacks from Hell and My Best Friend’s Exorcism, is back with his most electrifying novel yet. In the 1990s, heavy metal band Dürt Würk was poised for breakout success—but then lead singer Terry Hunt embarked on a solo career and rocketed to stardom as Koffin, leaving his fellow bandmates to rot in obscurity.
Two decades later, former guitarist Kris Pulaski works as the night manager of a Best Western—she’s tired, broke, and unhappy. Everything changes when a shocking act of violence turns her life upside down, and she begins to suspect that Terry sabotaged more than just the band.
Kris hits the road, hoping to reunite with the rest of her bandmates and confront the man who ruined her life. It’s a journey that will take her from the Pennsylvania rust belt to a celebrity rehab center to a music festival from hell. A furious power ballad about never giving up, even in the face of overwhelming odds, We Sold Our Souls is an epic journey into the heart of a conspiracy-crazed, pill-popping, paranoid country that seems to have lost its very soul…where only a lone girl with a guitar can save us all.
At first glance, Phil Pendleton and his son Adam are just an ordinary father and son, no different from any other. They take walks in the park together, visit county fairs, museums, and zoos, and eat overlooking the lake. Some might say the father is a little too accommodating given the lack of discipline when the child loses his temper in public. Some might say he spoils his son by allowing him to set his own bedtimes and eat candy whenever he wants. Some might say that such leniency is starting to take its toll on the father, given how his health has declined. What no one knows is that Phil is a prisoner, and that up until a few weeks ago and a chance encounter at a grocery store, he had never seen the child before in his life.
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In case you missed them, check here for more Horror Gift Guide ideas. Happy holidays to you from all of us at Daily Dead!
Heather A. Wixson was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, until she followed her dreams and moved to Los Angeles in 2009. A 14-year veteran in the world of horror entertainment journalism, Wixson fell in love with genre films at a very early age, and has spent more than a decade as a writer and supporter of preserving the history of horror and science fiction cinema. Throughout her career, Wixson has contributed to several notable websites, including Fangoria, Dread Central, Terror Tube, and FEARnet, and she currently serves as the Managing Editor for Daily Dead, which has been her home since 2013. She's also written for both Fangoria Magazine & ReMind Magazine, and her latest book project, Monsters, Makeup & Effects: Volume One will be released on October 20, 2021.
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