VHS OF THE WEEK: Night Monster

VHS RELEASE DATE: 1995

Released on VHS in the mid '90s as part of Universal's 'Horror Classics' collection, Night Monster (1943) is a whodunit/old dark house-style mystery starring Bela Lugosi (in the role of the butler).

Model Kit Mania: The Hunchback of Notre Dame

This resin Lon Chaney Hunchback is half model kit and half wall plaque! 

Advertising Wasteland: Star Trek Model Kits from the '70s

A print advertisement from 1975 showcasing plastic model kits of Mr. Spock, the U.S.S. Enterprise, Klingon Battle Cruiser, Galileo Shuttlecraft, and a Star Trek exploration set.

VHS OF THE WEEK: Horrible Horror - Hosted By Zacherly, the "Cool Ghoul"

VHS RELEASE DATE: 1986

Released by Goodtimes Home Video back in '86 Horrible Horror stars Zacherely, who hosts nearly two hours worth of movie clips, out-takes, re-edits, rare footage, and trailers from a healthy variety of classic (and not-so-classic) horror and sci-fi flicks.

War Gods of the Deep Super 8

Super 8 cover of 1965's War Gods of the Deep starring Vincent Price.

Model Kit Mania: Tor Johnson and Vampira

This customized resin diorama features Vampira and her Plan 9 From Outer Space co-star, Tor Johnson, in model kit form.

VHS OF THE WEEK: Fangoria's Weekend of Horrors

VHS RELEASE DATE: 1986

In 1985 Fangoria branched out from solely focusing on their hit magazine to hosting an annual Weekend of Horrors convention. This home video showcases the 1986 Fangoria Weekend of Horrors, featuring interviews with celebrities and convention attendees. There's also a look at the dealers rooms, screening events/panels, and festivities that have continued to make Fangoria one of the largest horror conventions in the United States.

Advertising Wasteland: Planet of the Apes Model Kits

A 1975 advertisement for the Planet of the Apes plastic model kits. Fortunately, fans can still "go ape" over these kits with the ever-impressive reissues from Polar Lights.

Cornelius

Available Here!

Dr. Zaius

Available Here!

Dr. Zira

Available Here!

General Ursus

Available Here!

Limited Edition 4-Pack

Available Here!

Making Friday the 13th: The Legend of Camp Blood

A killer read! Anyone interested in digging up the 'inside dirt' on the Friday the 13th franchise is recommended to check out David Grove's Making Friday the 13th: The Legend of Camp Blood. Everything from how the first film was thought up to the long and hellish road that led to the making of Freddy vs. Jason is covered.

There's also Peter M. Bracke's Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th, which is another worthy addition to any Jason fan's library. 

Model Kit Mania: Batman Returns

A vinyl model kit based on the Michael Keaton Batman from 1992's Batman Returns.

VHS OF THE WEEK: The Real Ghostbusters

VHS RELEASE DATE: 1989

It took quite a while for The Real Ghostbusters to arrive on DVD (all of the individual seasons are still not available - though a pricey 'complete set' can now be purchased). Back in the late '80s Kids Klassics released a select number of episodes onto VHS. One of their best releases was "The Bird of Killdarby and Other Stories," containing three memorable Real Ghostbusters episodes.

Featured Comic: Captain Action #1

Published in November 1968, this marked Captain Action's first foray into the comic world. Prior to being featured in his very own DC comic, the character started out as an action figure, initially released in 1966. Various costumes could be purchased for the figure (Spider-Man, Lone Ranger, Batman, Superman, Green Hornet, etc), and later the inclusion of Action Boy (Captain Action's sidekick) and his dreaded nemesis, Dr. Evil, would make their way into the popular toyline.

Since the comic book was being published by DC, it's a given that none of the Marvel heroes would appear. Worth mentioning is that Captain Action #1 had an all-star cast of talent behind it, including artist Carmine Infantino, inker Wally Wood, and writer Jim Shooter!

Featured Book: Hollywood Monster

Robert Englund's personal memoir covers everything from how he broke into the acting business to his many years spent wearing the iconic Freddy Krueger makeup, to his work on other non-Nightmare on Elm Street related projects.

Available here!

Featured Comic: Secret Wars #8

Secret Wars #8 (December 1984) marked one of the biggest plot twists in Spider-Man's long and storied history - the arrival of the black costume. Having his normal red/blue costume tattered to shreds on an alien world, Spider-Man finds a high-tech machine that bestows him with a new suit. Little does the wall-crawler know the ramifications it will wreak upon his life in years to come. As it turns out, the costume is actually a living symbiote and eventually goes on to bond with disgraced reporter Eddie Brock to create one of Spidey's deadliest villains ever: Venom!

VHS OF THE WEEK: Gamera vs. Zigra

VHS RELEASE DATE: 1999

Neptune Media was really the first Home Video company in the United States to treat any of the Gamera films with respect. They released a number of the original 'Showa' era films on VHS in wide-screen format with English subtitles. Gamera vs. Zigra came in a black, hard-plastic clamshell case.

As an added bonus, the inside of the insert had info, tidbits, and trivia on the film - along with an interview with both the writer and director of the film. There's also an interesting still gallery at the film's end. Despite Gamera vs. Zigra recently being released onto DVD, the Neptune VHS still remains the superior product.