Featured Model Kit: The Vampire from London After Midnight

A resin model kit based on the infamous 1927 lost film starring Lon Chaney, London After Midnight.

VHS OF THE WEEK: Batman The Movie

VHS RELEASE DATE: 1985

 Tim Burton's Batman has the style. Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight has the gritty edge.  Schumacher's Caped Crusader has...a lot of neon.  But who's Batman is the best? Well, that debate can last indefinitely - but without a doubt, the most downright fun Batman has to be the Adam West series and 1966 film! Sure it's played for camp and is exceedingly over-the-top, but who can't find some humor in Batman's Shark Repellent Bat Spray.

The VHS cover alone shows the absolute absurdity of it all - and in what other film will you ever find Batman and Robin taking on not one - but four of their biggest foes: Joker, Penguin, Riddler, and Catwoman!

Featured Comic: Marvel Team-Up #36

This 1975 issue of Marvel Team-Up would have Spider-Man in one of his most unlikely team-ups of all...with the Frankenstein Monster! Despite the unusual pairing, it's a very solid issue - made all the better by an appearance of Spidey's hairiest of foes, Man-Wolf!

Advertising Wasteland: Toy Biz Spider-Man Figures

Launching off the success of the popular Spider-Man Animated Series, the initial line of Toy Biz's action figures were released in 1994. The original line-up consisted of a few different Spider-Man variations, along with the Scorpion, Rhino, Green Goblin, Shocker, Kingpin, Venom, Hobgoblin, Lizard, and Smythe.

VHS OF THE WEEK: Captain America vs. The Red Skull

VHS RELEASE DATE: 1985

This videocassette is impressive for three reasons: 1) it features two episodes of the 1966 Captain America cartoon, The Origin of the Red Skull and The Red Skull Lives (not available on DVD) 2) it includes an episode of the 1981 Spider-Man cartoon, Arsenic and Aunt May (also not yet on DVD), and 3) the wonderfully over-sized clamshell case is a sight to behold.

The Red Skull's stats on the VHS's back cover are also a nice little added touch. 

Advertising Wasteland: Genuine Soil from Dracula's Castle

Back in 1979 the Warren Publishing Company offered coffin-shaped necklaces filled with Romanian soil from Castle Dracula. For the sum of $17.95 (in late '70s dollars, mind you) you could have a small amount of dirt. Perhaps the most curious thing about this novelty necklace is if the soil really came from Transylvania or not. 

Featured Comic: Iron Fist #14

Iron Fist #14 (August 1977) featured the first appearance of Sabretooth. Though the character was later depicted as being a mutant, issue #14 of Iron Fist introduced the villain as a mere serial killer. Sabretooth would go on to become the arch-nemesis of Wolverine (who, ironically, first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #180 in '74). 

Featured Model Kit: Asmodeus Demon from Equinox

This resin model kit is based on the true form of Asmodeus - a winged bat-like demon from the 1970 film Equinox. 

Fans of The Evil Dead (1981) are recommended to check out Equinox. The similarities between these two fantastic films are truly remarkable (if not coincidental?). 

VHS OF THE WEEK: Class of Nuke 'Em High

VHS RELEASE DATE: 1987

The mid '80s marked Troma's golden age where they systematically released cult hits like Igor and the Lunatics, The Toxic Avenger, and Class of Nuke Em' High. While The Toxic Avenger became Troma's most popular asset (and later their official mascot), Nuke Em' High was allegedly their best-selling Home Video back in the late '80s. Two direct-to-video sequels were made in the '90s, but both of which lacked the quality of the original.

Advertising Wasteland: Godzilla Destroy All Monsters Melee

Released exclusively for the Nintendo Gamecube in 2002, Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee was hailed as the best Godzilla game ever created - and with good reason! Never before could players control such screen-accurate representations of Toho's best characters, nor could they ever have engaged in massive citywide destruction with their friends! Godzilla DAM Melee allowed four players to battle at once and featured ten impressive monsters including Rodan, Gigan, Megalon, MechaGodzilla, King Ghidorah, Destroyah, Angilas, Orga, Godzilla 2000, and Godzilla '90s.