"Look Into My Eyes..."

Mesmerizing Dracula artwork by Mark Spears.

Creepy Carolers

Famous Monsters Speak!

What a treat this must have been for the monster kids!!!  

"Famous Monster Speak" was an album released in 1963.  Advertised, appropriately enough, in the back of Famous Monsters magazine and other Warren publications this record delivered on its promise:  Allowing the listener to hear Frankenstein's Monster and Dracula talk!  

The album consisted of two stories - one on each side of the record - featuring each monster as the narrator.  Both stories are creatively framed by their own establishing plots.  For Frankenstein's Monster, a summit of scientists has gathered to listen to a "primitive recording device" which features the creature recounting his creation from his own perspective and his struggles against creator.  Meanwhile, Dracula's story is told when he summons a reporter to his lair to type up an expose' on his life as an immortal vampire.

I particularly enjoy the artwork for the album with iconic images of both the Monster and Dracula.  Inexplicably, the Wolf Man, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and the Mummy also share the spotlight despite not actually appearing on the record itself at all.  

Overall, this is good listen if you enjoy the old radio dramas.  The voice acting is spot-on.  Gabriel Dell supplied the voices of both the Monster and Dracula.  His portrayal of the Monster appropriately alternates between menacing and tragic, while his Dracula maintains a consistently sinister tone (and without imitating Lugosi!).  The sound effects also help to set a great atmosphere for both the framing narratives and the monsters telling their stories.  

Side 1 - Frankenstein

Side 2 - Dracula 

I'm always on the look out for a copy of this record as I scour the shelves and racks of flea markets flipping through vinyls.  Maybe one day I'll luck out and actually track one down. 

Spine-Tingling!

I've always loved this image of Dwight Frye from "Bride of Frankenstein".

Dwight Frye is mostly remembered from his roles in Universal's horror pictures, including:  "Dracula", "Frankenstein", and the "The Invisible Man".  Each of these films featured Frye in minor, supporting roles, but he always managed to shine.  For example, in "Dracula", Frye delivered a particularly chilling and memorable performance as Renfield, the Count's (literally) bloodthirsty henchman.

Brrrr...  If that doesn't send shivers down your spine!

Pepsi Party Monsters!

Back in the early 90's Pepsi (and Doritos's) teamed up with the Universal Monsters brand to do a series of Halloween promotions.  One of my favorite products of this unholy union was the "Pepsi Party Monsters" from '92.  As you can see, the results were gloriously unadulterated cheesy fun!

The artwork seen in this post graced the backside of twelve packs.  I remember tracking down relatives that drank the various Pepsi products so I could collect all of the artwork and hang it up in my room.  I also remember being so disappointed the year they stopped producing these!

As seen above, Frankenstein's Monster celebrated the occasion by shooting some pool.  I never noticed the Wolfman's high-top sneakers until this post.

The Bride of Frankenstein hosted a frat-house toga party.  I remember her headdress on this one always bothered me as it looked a bit too Egyptian...  That's the Mummy's schtick!

 Dracula opted for a classy disco.  Growing up, I always wanted a pair of Drac's sunglasses.

The Mummy went for a hard rock concert.  I love the details for some of the instruments on this one:  Creech is back there rocking out a fish guitar while the Mummy's Egyptian-styled bass guitar is resting in a sarcophagus case.

Inexplicably, the Wolfman threw a luau.  Notice: Frankie's got mad limbo skills!

Finally, the Creature from the Black Lagoon invited everyone to back to his bachelor-pad cave for a conga line while he sucks down some Mountain Dew.

The Art of Basil Gogos

Basil Gogos is a celebrated artist best known for his cover artwork for classic issues of "Famous Monsters of Filmland".  His signature style features saturated colors and dramatic lighting, resulting in striking and unforgettable images.

Basil Gogos

The Art of Mike Mignola

"I don't know . . . I just like to draw monsters."

- Mike Mignola

Mike Mignola is one of the most talented artist working in comic books today.  His distinctive style is instantly-recognizable and - I know I toss this word around a lot, but bear with me here - iconic.

The enigmatic Alan Moore once described Mignola's style as a combination of German Expressionism and the work of classic comic book artist Jack Kirby.  This is probably the most accurate description you will find to encapsulate the essence of Mignola's illustrations.  His work consist of somber Gothic masterpieces that delicately balance light and shadow as well as pure adrenaline-fueled, comic-booky goodness that bound off the page to knock your teeth out...  And sometimes it is both simultaneously!  It's a juxtaposed balancing act that shouldn't work, but Mignola is able to do it consistently with relative ease.

Mignola at work

Starting his career in comic books in the 80's, Mignola soon found himself doing illustration work for the "big two" publishers, Marvel and DC.  Throughout the early 90's he stayed very busy, drawing back-up stories, covers, and the occasional one-shot.

In addition to comic book work, Mignola also provided concept illustration for films such as Francis Ford Coppola's Dracula and television shows including Batman: The Animated Series.

Mignola's design for Batman villain Mr. Freeze would be featured in Batman: The Animated Series

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In spite of this steady stream of work, Mignola did not feel satisfied.  Seeking a new challenge he decided to try to create his own original character.  The result was Hellboy.  Printed by Dark Horse Comics, Hellboy was a combination of all the things that Mignola enjoyed drawing:  Monsters, Victorian and Gothic architecture, and more monsters.

Not long after the first series was published Mignola became the sole writer for the series enabling him to craft tales that drew from his passion for ghost stories, folklore, and fairy tales.  Within a decade the Hellboy series was successful enough to spawn a collection of spin-off titles and even two feature films.  This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Hellboy character and (in spite of a hiatus every once in a while) Mignola is showing no signs of slowing down.

There you go.