Personal / Website News
Bachelor Pad Nylon Nightcap #2 Review
New article up at my website! I’m a big fan of Bachelor Pad, the #1 digest for pinup and retro models. Earlier this year they launched their debut issue in their Nylon Nightcap line of issues and now they’ve recently published their second issue.
As a stockings connoisseur I was excited to see the line continue. I did a review of the first issue, which can be read here, and now my review of the second issue is online and can be read here. Check them out and consider supporting the magazine and plucking up a copy./
New Edge Sword and Sorcery
The next three issues of New Edge Sword and Sorcery (numbers 5, 6, and 7, with one of them focused on the sword and planet genre) will be out soon! It sounds like digital and softcover copies will be out the last week of November and the hardcovers the first week of December. A reminder: I have a cocktail in each issue! Each cocktail is inspired by a different S&S and S&P character.
Copies of these upcoming issues (along with some older issues, in both softcover and digital) can be pre-ordered at Backerkit.
Scholars from the Edge of Time
There’s a brand new Scholars from the Edge of Time now online!
In this episode Michele and I dive into the world of William Castle peplum by taking a look at his Egyptian toga and sandal film, Serpent of the Nile (1953). The episode can be watched on Youtube here.
Publishing Recap
Below is a recap of my external publishing endeavors so far in 2025.
Comic Book Review: “The Moon Maid: Catacombs of the Moon #2″ reprinted in the National Capital Panthans Journal #332.
Comic Book Review: “The Moon Maid: Catacombs of the Moon #3″ reprinted in the National Capital Panthans Journal #333.
“Tarzan Cocktail: Deconstructed – Reconstructed” reprinted in the National Capital Panthans Journal #335.
“She’s Got the Killer Instinct: Vanya Issue 01” reprinted in the National Capital Panthans Journal #338.
“Hunter – Lover – Killer: Vanya 02” reprinted in the National Capital Panthans Journal #339.
“Thunder in God’s Country: Interview with Jeffrey Mariotte” reprinted in the National Capital Panthans Journal #340.
“Jungle Romps and T-Rex Chomps: Vanya 03″ reprinted in the National Capital Panthans Journal #341.
“Going Commando: Vanya 04″ reprinted in National Capital Panthans Journal #342.
“There’s Always Room” in Merry Creepsmas: The Red Book. Edited by Parth Sarathi Chakraborty. Wicked Shadow Press, 2025.
“Tagliolini al Tarzan: Interview with Actress Bella Cortez on Taur the Mighty” in The Burroughs Bulletin #109. Edited by Henry Franke III. February, 2025.
Autographs from the Archive
Here are some autographed treasures I’ve shared on social media recently.
Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS
Kino Lorber has been doing Blu-ray re-releases of the different entries in the infamous Nazisploitation Ilsa series: Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS (1975), Ilsa, Harem Keeper of the Oil Sheiks (1976), and Ilsa, Tigress of Siberia (1977). No Ilsa, The Wicked Warden (1977) though.
Many, many moons ago, an online DVD website (like DiabolikDVD – it may have been them? I don’t recall, but an online place like them) were able to coordinate an autograph run of Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS signed by director Don Edmond and star Dyanne Thorne. They are kind of gray-market DVDs, but they did 50 of them and I, of course, scooped one up. So, in honour of these new re-releases, here is my old school, autographed DVD.
New Sword and Sandal Acquisitions
The ever growing peplum research library grows with these recent sword and sandal acquisitions.
The Ten Commandments 4K Steelbook
A brand new, 4K steelbook release of Cecil B. DeMille’s The Ten Commandments came out at the tail end of November.
Another classic Biblical epic from the Golden Age of Hollywood epics that I have not seen (it’s like 4 hours!). So, on the to watch list. It’s got Yul Brynner! I love seeing Brynner in epic films, Michele and I covered him in Kings of the Sun (1963) and Solomon and Sheba (1959) on Scholars from the Edge of Time (see podcast list for links).
Soundtracks: The Egyptian and Gladiator II
A trip to our local used record/movie store, Zia Records, produced lots of great treasures, including finding two sword and sandal soundtrack: The Egyptian (1954) and Gladiator II (2024).
Feel free to check out my Peplum Ponderings about Gladiator II.
News from Friends
Cool kids I know have been busy lately! Here are some signal boosts I’d like to give out.
New Ride the Stream Episodes
Michele Brittany and Travis Lakata are back with brand new episodes of their Ride the Stream vidcast and they dive into season 2 of the cult television series Lost.
First is their dive into season two episode three:
Then episode four:
And episode five:
They also did another non-Lost episode where they talk about the 2015 film The Martian:
Prior episodes of Ride the Stream can be found on their YouTube channel, so please give that a subscribe. There is also a Bluesky account, so feel free to five them a follow.
New Fan2Fan Episodes
Brand new episodes of the Fan2Fan podcast are now online. Here are the most recent three episodes:
Conclusion to their discussion, “Why Do Modern Horror Movies Love the 1980s? Part 2“:
Why Do Modern Horror Movies Love the 1980s? Part 2 – Fan2Fan Podcast
Followed by “Reflections of Fear: How Horror Remakes Mirror Their Times Part 1“:
Reflections of Fear: How Horror Remakes Mirror Their Times Part 1 – Fan2Fan Podcast
And concluded by their part two:
Reflections of Fear: How Horror Remakes Mirror Their Times Part 2 – Fan2Fan Podcast
Older episodes of Fan2Fan can be found at its Libsyn page or via your podcast app of preference
Travis Lakata Thankful For Article
Aside from the above episodes of Ride the Stream, Travis Lakata has been busy with lots of other projects, such as his Substack, The Never Ending Streamer, and writing articles for his “Geeky Parent Guide” at Fanbase Press. In his newest article, “Geeky Parent Guide: Sharing Some Love – What We’re Thankful for…”, Travis talks about the folks he is thankful for. I’m sincerely humbled that I am mentioned!
Travis’ article can be read at Fanbase Press right here.