Featured Model Kit: Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid

 

A 1:6 scale resin model kit of Solid Snake from the hit video game franchise Metal Gear Solid. More pictures below...

VHS OF THE WEEK: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

VHS RELEASE DATE: 1986

Ah, VHS...the days before interactive menus and special features - but at least we used to get great box art, unlike most of the DVDs and Blu-Rays available today. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is a fantastic example of a VHS cover that's fit to be displayed!

As a bonus we've included the original receipt, dated 11/21/86 - and to think that $27.01 was a bargain for a VHS back in '86!

The Freddy Krueger Hotline

Why were the '80s so great? Because it's the only decade to ever have a Freddy Hotline! Can't get enough of Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare on Elm Street films? You could have just dialed a 900-number to speak with him.

The best part of the commercial? The disclaimer: "Children, get your parents permission before you dial!"

Movie Rumors from 1990: A Glimpse into the Pit of Development Hell PART III

Welcome to Part III of our look back at the Movie Rumors from 1990. Prepare to find out which characters Marvel Comics had intended to give the big screen (and in one case, small screen) treatment to...

Middle Earth Collectibles Promo Spot

www.MiddleEarthCollectibles.com

VHS OF THE WEEK: Warlord (aka Cyber Ninja)

VHS RELEASE DATE: 1988

This is an odd one. In Japan, Warlord was titled Mirai Ninja (translating to 'Future Ninja') and re-titled Cyber Ninja in the United States. However, for some strange reason, it was known as Warlord in Canada. The text on the back of the VHS cover makes the movie sound far more complex than it really is - also, don't be fooled by the stated 96 minute running time. Warlord is only a little over an hour. 

Read a review of the film in Shadowland Magazine #2!

Ghosts of Chiller Theatre Past

Chiller Theatre is a horror convention hosted in New Jersey every Spring and Fall. They have massive dealer rooms, tons of celebrity guests, and it's typically a fun event. Today we're looking back on a few of the older program booklets the convention gave out.

Movie Rumors from 1990: A Glimpse into the Pit of Development Hell PART II

Last week we began our Movie Rumors from 1990 feature and, in the process, covered Iron Man, the Justice League mini-series, and Jonny Quest. Though Iron Man was brought to the screen in 2008, the other two projects continue to languish in the fires of Development Hell. Will today's selection fare any better? Let's find out...

Shadowland Magazine: Now Available At Many Fine Retailers!

Want the latest issue (or back issue) of Shadowland Magazine? Copies are now available at:

Oldies.com - Issue #1 & Issue #2

House of Mysterious Secrets - Issue #1 & Issue #2

Shadowland Magazine is also available through Scary Monsters Magazine, Middle Earth Collectibles, and ShadowlandMagazine.com.

And not to be forgotten, our friends in the UK can purchase Shadowland at the fantastic Hemlock Books.

VHS OF THE WEEK: The Invisible Man

VHS RELEASE DATE: 1991

Back in 1991, The Invisible Man was released on VHS as part of Gene Shalit's 'Critic's Choice' line. The colorized cover is striking and impressive, though it's a wonder why anyone felt it necessary to include images of Shalit with varying facial expressions on a film strip. Universal would later re-release the VHS for their 'Universal Horror' VHS line.

Featured Comic: Star Wars #1

Marvel Comics published Star Wars #1 in 1977 as an adaptation of the hit film. After the entire film was translated into comic format the series continued, following the further adventures of the iconic characters.

Movie Rumors from 1990: A Glimpse into the Pit of Development Hell

While the Superman films of the late '70s and '80s may have lit the fuse for future superhero franchises, it was 1989's Batman that has to be credited with the explosion of big budget blockbusters to come. The following is a collection of rumors, news bits, and release dates gathered from magazines and miscellaneous articles. Keep in mind that all of these were collected in the summer of 1990. Sad to say, all of them were wrong.

The Bigfoot Filmography - Now Available!

The biggest Bigfoot book of them all - David Coleman's The Bigfoot Filmography: Fictional and Documentary Appearances in Film and Television is now available! Fans of the genre will not find a more exhaustive resource on all things Bigfoot than in The Bigfoot Filmography!

Coleman's book not only covers every Bigfoot, Sasquatch, and Yeti appearance in film/television, but it's also filled with countless reproductions of rare photos, posters, lobby cards and behind-the-scenes stills, along with a number of in-depth interviews! 

The Bigfoot Filmography is currently available at www.mcfarlandpub.com and at Amazon.com. You can also order through McFarland Publishing via their order line at 800-253-2187.

Be sure to check out our review of The Bigfoot Filmography in Shadowland Magazine #4! And Bigfoot enthusiasts won't want to miss Mr. Coleman's superb article, Bob Mitchum meets Bigfoot, in Shadowland Magazine #2.

VHS OF THE WEEK: Godzilla vs. Megalon

VHS RELEASE DATE: 1991

It's no secret that Godzilla films were notorious for having bizarre VHS cover art. In many cases, the artwork didn't even correspond to the actual film. That's the case here with United American Video Corporation's release of Godzilla vs. Megalon. The cover artwork clearly depicts Godzilla in combat with Mothra. It would seem that United American figured no one would notice the switch (both Mothra and Megalon were bug-like monsters), or maybe that customers would be inclined to think the monster moth made an appearance.

The description on the back of the VHS is surprisingly accurate given the nature of this release. The film itself doesn't fair quite so well, considering it's recorded in the inferior EP mode. This is despite the label in the back stating "Guaranteed Superior Quality Video Tape and Recording." As soon as the tape is removed from the slip, large text is plastered on the cassette: FOR BEST PICTURE ADJUST VCR TRACKING CONTROL. What's also odd is that the back of the cover has Nashville, TN beneath the United American Video Corp name, when on the actual tape itself, it's labeled Charlotte, NC. 

Godzilla vs. Megalon has long been in the public domain, making it one of the most widely available G-films in the United States. At the end of the day, any qualms about the quality of the tape or misleading cover art can easily forgiven, considering this home video cassette was purchased in NYC back in the early-to-mid '90s for a whopping $2!

Retro Model Kit Mania: Darkness from Legend

Original print advertisement for "Darkness" from the 1985 film, Legend.

This now out-of-print resin model kit was released back in 1990 by Classic Plastic. Standing at over 12" tall, the striking screen-to-resin likeness of Legend's Lord of Darkness (played by the versatile Tim Curry) is truly a sight to behold!

Toy Rewind: 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime Print AD

The original print AD for the 20th anniversary Optimus Prime figure, released in 2004.

How Spider-Man Can Make You a Millionaire!

Ever daydream of being a millionaire? Well, if you're a lucky owner of Amazing Fantasy 15, famous for its first-appearance of Spider-Man, you may very well have a shot at it. Back in 2011 the issue went for a staggering $1.1 million at auction! This is nothing short of an insane amount, considering that back in 1994 a near-mint copy was worth $20,200.00 (according to "Comic Book Collecting: A Valuation Guide" by Robert M. Overstreet). 

Value from the 1994 edition of "Comic Book Collecting" by Robert M. Overstreet.