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News Roundup: May 2026

Personal / Website News

Cavewoman: “Snow” Issue One

It is May going on to June, so it only seems fitting that the next review I am doing of Budd Root’s Cavewoman series is the four issue “Snow” miniseries.

Cover is all white, with blobs of snow falling. Meriem the cavewoman stands in the center, looking up. She has flowing hair. She has a white fur hood on (but not covering her head), a leopard print bikini top and bottom.
Personal copy of Cavewoman, Snow #1.

An early winter sets in Marshville, and Meriem, the titular Cavewoman, has to deal with brownouts, egotistical townsfolk, the bitter cold, an expedition to a tar pit, and so much more. My review for issue one of “Snow” can be read here.

Antonio Margheriti Jungle Films Boxset

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge fan of Italian director Antonio Margheriti. I’ve been collecting his work for years, did my masters thesis on his film, Castle of Blood, and continue to write about his movies every so often.

Boxset with three black-cased Blu-ray/4Ks.
The Antonio Margheriti & The Jungles of Doom boxset.

Imagine my excitement when Severin Film put out a boxset of Margheriti’s Raiders of the Lost Ark knockoffs! Just for fun I dug out my old VHS and DVD copies of these films and put them side by side with the new Severin release. Check that out here.

Exotica Moderne #31 Released

Physical copies of Exotica Moderne #31 are officially out! This issue contains my interview with Alex Lamb and Max Well, the filmmakers behind the documentary, The Donn of Tiki.

Cover shows a blonde pinup girl, earring a tiki top and skit. She is holding a cocktail glass in her right hand. She is leaning against a palm tree. She is on the beach, with a wave crashing behind her and a mountain in the distance. The sky is blue-green with a few clouds. There is a parrot flying toward her. At her feet are some shells.
Exotica Moderne #31

Issues, as well as bundles with this issue, can be purchased at the House of Tabu website. Here is the product link.

Troy UHD/Blu-ray Release from Arrow Video

I always get excited when a neo-peplum film gets a new release. Arrow Video officially announced on Friday the 29th that they are putting out a limited edition of the Wolfgang Petersen epic film, Troy, in both UHD and Blu-ray formats this August.

A Blu-ray slip case. It has a black border with a gold trim of waves. The center is red and shows a wooden horse head (Trojan Horse) on fire. Behind that is a Blu-ray case proper that shows the top half of the release, it shows Brad Pitt and Eric Bana clashing swords. To the right of that is a booklet with brad pit on the cover. Below that is a stack of three discs of the movie.
Product photo of Limited Edition of Troy from Arrow Video.

I am double exited about this release because I got to contribute to it in a small way! I was able to provide some Troy ephemera that is being reprinted in the booklet and I get to be credited as a release contributor in the notes. In other words I get to be part of a bonafide sword and sandal release! I am beyond stoked!

That, of course, means I got to spread the word. Definitely pre-order this edition of Troy. It has the theatrical cut, director’s cut, and loads and loads of extras. It can be pre-ordered at the Arrow Video web store.

Panthans Journal #347

The April issue of the National Capital Panthans Journal has been published. This issue contains a reprint of my review of issue nine of Vanya: The Lost Warrior. The original can be read here.

A future issue of Panthans will see a reprint of my interview with Tom Simmons and Mike Dubisch about their comic book adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ I am a Barbarian.

Cover is deep in the jungle. Tarzan knees on a large tree branch with Jane behind him. They look like they are scouting.
National Capital Panthans Journal #348. Cover by Mark Wheatley.

Paraphrased from the zine: The National Capital Panthans Journal is a monthly publication issued as a .PDF file on the Saturday before the first Sunday of each month. Contribution of articles, artwork, photos, and letters are welcome. Send submissions to the editor: Laurence G. Dunn at laurencegdunn AT gmail.com in a Word document for consideration.

Sincere appreciation to Laurence for the opportunity to have my work published in the journal.

The New Peplum Reviewed

A new review of The New Peplum pops up!

The New Peplum book. The cover is a scene from the Rock version of Hercules - it shows Hercules and his companions and small army behind him.
Cover art for The New Peplum

The Midwest Book Review has published a positive review of The New Peplum at their website, which can be read here. Check it out, and if the review moves you, consider plucking up a copy at McFarland.

Scholars from the Edge of Time – Hercules (1983)

For the May episode of Scholars from the Edge of Time, Nicholas and Michele go back to the Italo-Disco 80s and watch the Lou Ferrigno Hercules!

Standard Blu-ray case. Cover art shows Lou Ferrigno Hercules, holding a sword and a shield. With the shield he is repelling a laser blast from a robot dragon. Cassiopeia has an arm around his left though. Behind them is Sybil Danning holding a sword.
Personal copy of Hercules ’83 on Blu-ray.

I liked it! Michele… not so much. Want to hear what we have to say? Give it a watch on YouTube.

Publishing Recap

Below is a recap of my external publishing endeavors so far in 2026.

Cover shows a blonde pinup girl, earring a tiki top and skit. She is holding a cocktail glass in her right hand. She is leaning against a palm tree. She is on the beach, with a wave crashing behind her and a mountain in the distance. The sky is blue-green with a few clouds. There is a parrot flying toward her. At her feet are some shells.
Exotica Moderne #31

“Tellers of Tales: Interview with Alex Lamb and Max Well on The Donn of Tiki” in Exotica Moderne #31, May 2026.

Product page at House of Tabu.

Cover is by Mark Wheatley and called "The Beasts". It is red hued. It shows Tarzan riding atop of an elephant. Below the elephant are two gorillas and a lion. Behind them is a tree and a setting sun.
National Capital Panthans Journal #344.

“All E.T.’s Aren’t Nice: Vanya 06” reprinted in National Capital Panthans Journal #344, January 2026.

Original can be read here.

Cover by David Michael Beck. It's a drawing of Tarzan atop an elephant, with 2 axes in front.
National Capital Panthans Journal #345.

“The Prehistoric Purge: Vanya 07″ reprinted in National Capital Panthans Journal #345, February 2026.

Original can be read here.

Cover is called "The Land that Time Forgot" by Mark Whetley. It shows a man, crouched on one knee, holding a rifle, with safari attire, but shirt open. Next to him he has a barking dog that kinda look like Benji. Behind there is a roaring T-rex, a triceratops, and pterodactyls flying.
National Capital Panthans Journal #346.

“Journey to Agharti” reprinted in National Capital Panthans Journal #346, March 2026.

A black and white cover. It shows a four armed alien holding swords and a bow. Next to it is an alien gorilla.
National Capital Panthans Journal #347.

“Warpath and Rampage: Vanya 08” reprinted in National Capital Panthans Journal #347, April 2026.

Original can be read here.

Cover is deep in the jungle. Tarzan knees on a large tree branch with Jane behind him. They look like they are scouting.
National Capital Panthans Journal #348. Cover by Mark Wheatley.

“The Chaos Continues: Vanya 09″ reprinted in National Capital Panthans Journal #348, May 2026.

Original can be read here.

Calls for Papers/Proposals

Here are some new pop culture CFPs that have crossed my path or I am sharing on behalf of my colleagues. Links to these will also be in the CFP page on the navigation bar.

NEPCA Monsters & the Montrous Area 2026

The Monsters & the Monstrous Area of the Northeast Popular Culture Association (a.k.a. NEPCA) seeks proposals for inclusion in NEPCA’s 2026 annual conference.

The event will run as a virtual conference from Thursday, October 15th, through Saturday, October 17th. Virtual sessions will take place via Zoom throughout the day on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Registration will open up in mid-July. The registration fee is expected to be around 50 USD.

The Monsters & the Monstrous Area welcomes proposals that investigate any of the things, whether mundane or marvelous, that scare us. Through our sessions, we hope to pioneer fresh explorations into the darker sides of the intermedia traditions of the fantastic (including, but not restricted to, aspects of fairy tale, fantasy, gothic, horror, legend, mythology, and science fiction) by illuminating how creative artists have both formed and transformed our notions of monsters within these sub-traditions in texts from various countries, time periods, and media and for audiences at all levels. Our primary goal is to foster a better understanding of monsters in general and to examine their impact on those who receive their stories as well as on the world at large.

In addition, as a component of the Northeast Popular Culture Association, the Monsters and the Monstrous Area is also especially interested in fostering discussion and debate on the monsters and the monstrous of the Northeastern United States (here defined as New England and New York). Topics might include the Borden Family Murders, the Bridgewater Triangle,  the Legends of Sleepy Hollow, the New England Gothic tradition, the New England Vampire Panic, the New England Witchcraft Hysteria, and the life, works, and legacies of local Gothic/horror authors such as Mary E. Wilkins Freeman, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Joe Hill, Shirley Jackson, Stephen King, and H. P. Lovecraft. 

NEPCA prides itself on holding conferences that emphasize sharing ideas in a non-competitive and supportive environment. We welcome proposals from graduate students, independent scholars, disciplinary professionals, junior faculty, and senior scholars. NEPCA conferences offer intimate and nurturing sessions in which new ideas and works-in-progress can be aired, as well as completed projects.

The call will be open until Monday, June 15, by 5 pm EDT. Submissions should be made directly at https://www.northeastpca.org/call-for-papers. This site offers full information on the submission process and a link to send your proposal to us. If you have any questions about the conference, please reach out to the Executive Secretary, Lance Eaton (northeastpopculture@gmail.com).

Questions on the Monsters & the Monstrous Area can be directed to the area chair, Michael A. Torregrossa (popular.preternaturaliana@gmail.com). The area maintains a series of blogs that offer resources and potential topics. Please access them at Popular Preternaturaliana: Studying the Monstrous in Popular Culture (https://popularpreternaturaliana.blogspot.com/).

Rest in Peplum: George Eastman

On May 19th legendary Italian cult film actor George Eastman (Luigi Montefiori) passed away. A true end of an era of Italian genre and exploitation cinema. He didn’t really do much peplum (Fellini Satyricon [1969]) as he arrived on the scene after that filone has passed. He started in the spaghetti westerns.

However in the 80s, Eastman was in many pasta-pocalypse films and sword and sorcery flicks, all featuring strong men, gladiators, barbarians, etc. etc. Basically, 80s pepla.

  • Ironmaster (1983)
  • The New Barbarians (1983)
  • 2020 Texas Gladiators (1983)
  • The Barbarians (1987)
Blu-ray of Ironmaster.
Personal copy of Ironmaster.
Blu-ray of The Barbarians.
Personal copy of The Barbarians.

I’ve watched numerous films Eastman has been a part of (Emanuelle Around the World [1977] probably being my favourite). Michele and I have talked about a few of his films on Scholars from the Edge of Time:

A true #RestInPeplum for this icon!

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

New episodes of Michele Brittany and Travis Lakata’s vidcast, Ride the Stream, are online. The duo continue their episode by episode commentary of the series Dark Winds.

First is their discussion of episode two from season two:

Here is episode three from season two:

And episode four from season two:

Episode five:

And finally episode six:

Make sure to subscribe the Ride the Stream YouTube channel to see when new episodes drop. There is also a BlueSky social media as well.

New Fan2Fan Episodes

Brand new episodes of the Fan2Fan podcast are now online. Pete and Bernie continue their Monster Mania with these episodes:

Monster Mania: Cryptids Trivia:

Monster Mania: Cryptids Trivia Fan2Fan Podcast

And Monster Mania: 1980s Movie Monsters:

Monster Mania: 1980s Movie Monsters Fan2Fan Podcast

Followed by Monster Mania: Stranger Things Tales of ’85:

Monster Mania: Stranger Things Tales of '85 Fan2Fan Podcast

And concluding the month with Monster Mania: Top 3 Classic Fiends and Giant Freaks:

Monster Mania: Top 3 Classic Fiends and Giant Freaks Fan2Fan Podcast

Older episodes of Fan2Fan can be found at its Libsyn page or via your podcast app of preference. There is also the Fan2Fan Facebook page.

Boston Metaphysical Society Vol 3 Kickstarter

Madeleine Holly-Rosing has a new Kickstarter campaign going for her long running Boston Metaphysical Society comic series.

Cover is purple-ish. in the center is a wooden building with 2 antenna coming from the top and lightning bolts radiating from it. There is a border of gears around the cover. Four circular portraits of the main characters, one in each corner.
Mock up of cover of Boston Metaphysical Society vol 3 by Claudia Ianniciello.

The Kickstarter campaign can be found here.

Quo Vadis at Bible Films Blog

Matt Page at the Bible Films Blog has a new article at his website, this one on the 1925 version of Quo Vadis.

Poster shows a naked dude, grabbing a bull by its horns, while a blonde naked lady lays atop the bull.
Quo Vadis (1924) movie poster (from IMDB).

His write up can be read here.

New Michele Brittany Crafting Video

Michele has a new video up at her YouTube channel, this one recapping all her loot from going to the Brass Armadillo over in Goodyear, AZ. Check it out here or in the player below.

Abandoned Asylum Kickstarter

James Chambers and Raw Dog Screaming (aroooo) Press are launching a Kickstarter on June 2nd to fund an anthology called Abandoned Asylum.

Chambers has edited some great anthologies (Even in the Grave and Under Twin Suns), and Raw Dog Screaming Press has published some awesome books (Bestial Mouths by Brenda S. Tolian, Attack from the 80s, Beyond the Bounds of Infinity, many more). You’ll definitely want to check Abandoned Asylum. The campaign can be followed here.

Categories
Essays

Call of the Jungle: Severin Films’ Antonio Margheriti Adventure Film Boxset

Just like the title of the Fat Boy Slim album says: “You’ve come along way, baby!”

Back in the late 2000s/early 2010s, a younger Nicholas Diak was enrolled in the liberal arts program at the Tacoma campus of the University of Washington. I was neck deep in my master’s thesis which was about Italian genre filmmaker Antonio Margheriti and his masterpiece, Castle of Blood (1964).

Aside from demonstrating the virtues of Castle of Blood and why it was an important movie in Italian film canon (it was transgressive, showed nudity, depicted lesbianism in a chaste, Italian society, etc.), I had also made a call for the reconsideration of Margheriti as an Italian director of note. I felt at the time (and still do) that he was extremely overshadowed by the likes of Bava, Argento, Fulci, and Leone, and his contributions to the various genres he operated in were not as acknowledged or appreciated as they should have been.

This was extremely apparent at the time in that Margheriti films were next to impossible to procure. While the four directors I mentioned above all had accessible filmographies, made even more available with the rise of DVDs and the emergence of boutique film labels, Margheriti films remained hard to find and obtain, much like the treasures featured in his Indiana Jones knock offs of the 80s. In order to find Margerhiti’s films, I often had to go to Scarecrow Video in Seattle, check the (albeit small) Margheriti section, note the titles and formats, and hope for the best on eBay or websites like the now defunct xploitedCinema. In time I accrued a handsome amount of other region DVDs and VHS tapes of Margheriti’s films. Many hours were spent at the UWT A/V lab transferring those VHS tapes to a DVDr. In the end, these all become my treasures.

It is now 15 to 20 years later. My writing career has been all over the map, but I have never stopped writing about and championing Margheriti. The list at the end of this write up is a consolidated list of my writings and podcast/vidcast appearances talking about the director and his films (if you’re interested). Concurrently, Margheriti’s films did find themselves being released in accessible, restored editions that they deserve.

Castle of Blood has a red spiral with Barbara Steele and other zombies behind her. Alien from the Abyss shows a robot-alien with lots of tubes running from its helmet. It has a huge crab claw that it is using to break a glass window.
Personal copies of the Severin release of Castle of Blood and Alien from the Abyss.

Severin Films, the masters of releasing European genre and sexploitation cinema stateside, has been kind to Margheriti. Prior they had released Castle of Blood (in a couple different editions) and Alien from the Abyss (1989), an underrated knock off of Alien(s) and Predator (1987), and technically, kinda/sorta Blood for Dracula (1974).

Boxset with three black-cased Blu-ray/4Ks.
The Antonio Margheriti & The Jungles of Doom boxset.

The 80s were a prolific decade for Margheriti, where his filmography looked split between two different genres: the post-Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) adventure film, and the post-Vietnam men-on-a-mission film (both overlapping with jungle settings). Severin’s newest Margheriti masterpiece release, Antonio Margheriti & the Jungles of Doom: His 80s Adventure Films, is an excellent representation of the former. It is a stately boxset with new editions of Ark of the Sun God (1984), Jungle Raiders (1985), and Hunters of the Golden Cobra (1982), though each film is available individually. For fun, I’d like to show off a side by side of these new Severin releases next to what I had to work with back in the day.

The 4K/Blu-ray depicts a man in a blue shirt, white cap, and holding a revolver, behind chased by indigenous folk. There are trees and a waterfall behind him. In the sky is a white suited/white hat Lee Van Cleef and a woman in a safari hat. There is an orante cobra statue between them.
Personal copies of Jungle Raiders on 4K and VHS.

Looking at DVDCompare.net, it appears that Jungle Raiders‘ only physical release after the 80s was a German DVD in 2000, the early days of the format. The long abandoned Antonio Margheriti website lists no DVDs of this film. This makes the Severin release the first truly accessible incarnation of the film, unless one happened to hold on to their VHS copy distributed by the Cannon Group (like me!). To be fair, Jungle Raiders does make a great addition to the Cannon library, along side other Indiana Jones-ish fare like Firewalker (1986), King Solomon’s Mines (1985), and its sequel, Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold (1986).

The Severin edition contains a UHD and Blu-ray format of the film, a trailer, and an interview with Edoardo Margheriti, the son of Margheriti who assisted his father in many of his films. The VHS edition does not support any special features, obviously, but I have to give it a point for having fantastic artwork. The Severin Films cover art is nice, and evokes a 1950s style, think Secret of the Incas (1954), but the Cannon VHS screams 80s ‘splosions.

Artwork on both release shows David warbeck, showing off his chest, as he reaches for a Cobra. The Blu-ray has the cobra surrounded by lightning bolts while the VHS has it surrounded by flames.
Personal copies of The Hunters of the Golden Cobra on 4K/Blu-ray and VHS.

Hunters of the Golden Cobra is one of the many, many films Margheriti made with cult film star David Warbeck (read his biography put out by FAB Press many years ago, he talks fondly working with the Italian director). Like Jungle Raiders, it appears Hunters of the Golden Cobra only got one release (well, a DVD and a Blu-ray), put out X-Cess Entertainment in Germany (also lacking an entry at the Margheriti website). There’s no date for this release at DVDCompare.net, but one of the special features is a video with Dr. Marcus Stiglegger, who had contributed to Severin’s own release of Horrors of Spider Island (1960), so that makes this German release fairly recent. That means in the 40-ish years since its release in theaters/VHS, Hunters of the Golden Cobra has not been available at all.

The Severin Films release holds even more treasures than the Jungle Raiders release: two interviews, a Q&A with star Warbeck, a video essay, and trailers. The Vestron Video VHS is a neat artifact of the era, but its cover art does not quite capture the energy in the Indiana Jones-like films. The Severin release definitely takes the VHS artwork and improves upon it.

Two rows of movies. Top one is 2 Blu-rays bottom is three DVDs. All are of Ark of the Sun God, but with different art.
Personal copies of Ark of the Sun God on DVD and Blu-ray.

And finally, there is Ark of the Sun God. As you can probably surmise from the picture above, there are a) a lot of editions of Ark of the Sun God and b) I REALLY like Ark of the Sun God. It is, unironically, one of my top five favourite films of all time. Right up there with von Trier’s Europa (1991) and Kieślowski’s Three Colours: Red (1994). Ark of the Sun God is at that level!

The first academic presentation I ever gave, at the 2009 Popular/American Culture Association Conference, was on Ark of the Sun God. If you look closely at the bottom center DVD, you’ll see, in silver marker, an autograph by Edoardo Margheriti to Michele and I. Back in the late 2000s I posted this film (and a few others) to Edoardo for him to autograph, and it has been one of the jewels in my collection. Thus, for the reasons above (and more) I have a strong affinity to this film.

The bottom row of three DVDs are, well, pretty bad in regards to image quality. They are definitely rips from VHS tapes. The AIP Studios release (bottom left) looks borderline like a Ghanaian film poster, with the cartoonish flames on the tanker and Susie Sudlow looking rather ghoulish.

The Tales of Voodoo Vol 4 DVD (bottom right) has two movies on it: Temple of Hell (which is Ark of the Sun God) and Cannibal Curse (1988). Cannibal Curse is ripped from a subtitled VHS tape, and if the subtitle is too long, it cuts off due to the cropping of the frame. The cover of this DVD looks akin to a cover a horror comic from EC Comics back in its day, though not too fitting for Ark of th – I mean – Temple of Hell, which has no voodoo or even really any gore (the character of Mohammed gets shot and bleeds, but he recovers).

The center middle DVD from Pulp Video, the one that is autographed, is my favourite DVD of the trio and the one that I have watched the most. The art on this one is great and really captures the last scene of the film when Warbeck and company find the Scepter of Gilgamesh (there is no Ark in this film) and battle with Turkish Star Wars and his minions.

Shockingly, I have no VHS copies of Ark of the Sun God, and that is because I was able to find the film on DVD(s). What I do have is the 88 Films release of Ark of the Sun God that came out in 2023. This is an import release (88 Films is in the UK), but it is stacked with extras: poster, booklet, a commentary, two interviews, and more. At the time, this looked to be the best treatment Ark of the Sun God would ever receive.

Of course, Severin Film stepped up to the plate to deliver their own release of Ark of the Sun God in early 2026. The Severin Films does not contain the same supplemental material as the 88 Films edition, instead bringing an interview with Edoardo, and interview with the film’s writer Giovanni Paolucci, and Margheriti reminiscing about David Warbeck. The cover art is a much, much better version of the AIP DVD release.

What Severin Film brings that is truly unique is a CD soundtrack that has songs from both Hunters of the Golden Cobra and Ark of the Sun God. For decades the Ark of the Sun God theme song done by Josette Martial has been unavailable, which is unfortunate because the track is an Italio-Disco banger. In 2025 the album got a digital-only release on Amazon via Cam Sugar, but here it is, in physical format for the first time, in Severin’s release. A Holy Grail, er, Holy Scepter of Gilgamesh, album release for sure.

And with that, my little retrospective of comparing old VHS tapes and DVDs of Margheriti’s Indiana Jones movies to their new Severin counterpart concludes. I hope that this boxset is extremely successful because there is a plethora of other adventure/action/jungle movies Margheriti directed in the 80s that would greatly benefit from a re-release. A double Blu-ray of the Indio movies perhaps? A triple boxset of his men-on-a-mission films with Lewis Collins maybe? These are all great, fun, films that capture that 80s action/mercenary film spirit that was prevalent at the time.


If you’ve enjoyed this fun retrospective and want to check out some of my writings on Margheriti, see the links below.

My best piece on Margheriti is no doubt my essay “Welcome to the Jungle: Fun and Games in Antonio Margheriti’s 1980s Mercenary Films” that was published at We Are the Mutants. One of the best things I’ve ever written:

“Welcome to the Jungle: Fun and…”

There is, of course, my master’s thesis that started it all for me. However, it is really old and I’ve become a much better writer since then:

UWT Library – Masters Thesis

And lots more:

I’ve also looked at other Severin Films releases at my website here:

Categories
News

News Roundup 2025-04-20

Personal / Website News

Comic Book Review: Vanya #01

New comic book review is up at my website!

I’ve got a backlog of indie comics from Kickstarter I want to get caught up on, including the erotic jungle girl comic Vanya.

The standard cover for the first issue of Vanya. Vanya is armed with a bow while a triceratops charges at her. There is a full moon in the sky.
Standard cover of Vanya issue 01.

Vanya is already on issue seven of a twelve issue run, so I’ve got a wee bit of catching up to do. You can read my review of issue one right here. These Vanya reviews will also be published in forthcoming issues of the National Capital Panthans Journal.

As I go through the comic book backlog/tbr pile, expect to see reviews for Vanya, Death Nell, Yor, Sectaurs, Born of Blood, SPQR, and Alicia Carter.

Citation News

It’s been a while, but here is some new citation news!

Book cover. It's tinted blue. It's a still from a film (not sure which), but it shows two ladies, with one shaking the hand of a gentleman in a suit.
Cover of Un Oceano Di Stile: Produzione E Consumo Di Made in Italy Negli Stati Uniti Del Dopoguerra.

My masters thesis, “Danza Macabra: The Reevaluation of Antonio Margheriti Through His Film Castle of Blood” is cited by an essay in the collection Un oceano di stile: Produzione e consumo di Made in Italy negli Stati Uniti del dopoguerra. I’m not sure which one, but if you know, let me know.

ECOF 2025

In September of 2025 there will be an Edgar Rice Burroughs Chain of Friendship (ECOF) event down in Willcox, AZ. This event is to celebrate the 150th birthday of Burroughs while also honoring him with a plaque in the town due to his stationing with there the 7th U.S. Calvary in the 1890s. (Note: another ERB convention was held in Willcox back in 2019 and an event recap of that can be read at ERBZine #7059).

Here is a flyer for the 2025 event:

The flyer shows desert mountains with three insert images: one of a young Edgar Rice Burroughs in 1896, one of the author Jeffrey J. Mariotte (who is the guest of honour), and one of the Willcox train depot in the 1880s. The flyer reads was follows: Edgar Rice Burroughs ERB Inc.'s Commemoration of ERB's 150th Birthday! 7th Cavalry Historical Monument Celebration Willcox, AZ, September 25-28, 2025. Formal Dedication on September 27th, 2025. Sponsored by the Suplher Springs Valley Historical Society and the Arizona Apache Deveils Chapter of the Burroughs Bibliophiles.
Flyer for the Edgar Rice Burroughs Circle of Friendship (ECOF) Gathering in Willcox, AZ 2025.

I’ll share more information about the event as I find out more on my website updates. Michele and I will be in attendance for this convention, so I’ve added it to the appearances section of my website as well. 

Publishing Recap

Below is a recap of my external publishing endeavors so far in 2025.

Cover art of the Panthans Journal #332. It depicts a woman and a man with a hawk head, hunkered in a hole, firing laser pistols. The art is by Mark Wheatley.
Panthans Journal #332

Comic Book Review: “The Moon Maid: Catacombs of the Moon #2″ reprinted in the National Capital Panthans Journal #332.

A continuation of the cover of #332. This cover shows the woman and the hawk man, defensively shooting laser pilots out of a hole in the ground, wile savage barbarians with bows and axes descend upon them. The art is by Mark Wheatley.
Panthans Journal #333

Comic Book Review: “The Moon Maid: Catacombs of the Moon #3″ reprinted in the National Capital Panthans Journal #333.

Cover art of Panthans Journal #335, done by Mark Wheatley. It shows Tarzan leaping from a tree branch. All the colors are very dark blue, so it might be night time in the jungle.
Panthans Journal #335

“Tarzan Cocktail: Deconstructed – Reconstructed” reprinted in the National Capital Panthans Journal #335.

Original can be read here.

Cover art for "Merry Creepsmas - The Red Book". It is red with a large X-mas tree that appears to have small, globby bodies as ornaments. The cover reads: Wicked Shadow Press Merry Creepsmas: The Red Book Christmas-Themed Horror Stories Edited by Parth Sarathi Chakraborty
Merry Creepsmas – The Red Book

“There’s Always Room” in Merry Creepsmas: The Red Book. Edited by Parth Sarathi Chakraborty. Wicked Shadow Press, 2025.

Cover art for the Burroughs Bulletin #109 by Dan Parsons. The top says "The Burroughs Bulletin New Series #109 Fall-Winter 2024". The art shows a T-rex chomping on a dude in a striped shirt. Below him are explorers with rifles. Behind him his a prehistoric sky, jungle, and a waterfall.
Burroughs Bulletin #109

“Tagliolini al Tarzan: Interview with Actress Bella Cortez on Taur the Mighty” in The Burroughs Bulletin #109. Edited by Henry Franke III. February, 2025.

Miscellaneous Tidbits

Some fun things and shout outs from these past few weeks.

Game On Expo 2025

Game On Expo had its ten year anniversary earlier this month and Michele and I attended it on Sunday. It was our first time going to a fairly big-big pop culture-centric con since before Covid times. We had a lot of fun, and would definitely go again next year, and go for multiple days as we didn’t get to partake in many of the activities or panels. We mostly stuck with checking out the vendors and, of course, meeting some of the cool guests! I wanted to share the loot I took in to get autographed.

Autographed Loot

Note, some of the below images are actually slideshows. So make sure to click on the little arrows to cycle through.

Spy Hunter

First up being autographed is my Game Boy Advance copy of Spy Hunter / Super Sprint.

Brian F. Colin was one of old school video game designers who was a guest at the con. He is perhaps best known for creating the arcade classic Rampage, but also Arch Rivals and General Chaos.

One of the many games he worked on as an artist at Midway was Spy Hunter, another hugely successful arcade game that saw many ports.

  • The box for the Gameboy Advance version of Spy Hunter and Super Sprint (two different games). The cover depicts two screenshots, one from each game. In black ink it is signed "Nick, thanks for playing! Brian F. Colin".
  • The contents of the SpyHunter/Super Sprint Gameboy box. There is a small black cartridge, an instruction manual, and another manual of warnings.
  • Two stickers for the video game Rampage. One is circular and deceits a busty scientist woman. The other is square and depicts a King Kong-esque giant Gorilla holding a woman in a red dress. There is a city skyline behind them.

Back in the bid 2010s I was neck deep in Eurospy and espionage in popular culture (which would lead to my essay on Italian Eurospy films for Michele’s James Bond in Popular Culture book). I wound up finding a never opened, CIB copy of Spy Hunter / Super Sprint (not sure where, another con or maybe even eBay), so this has port of Spy Hunter has been in my collection for quite a while.

Colin was extremely happy to sign the box for the game. He remarked he had never seen this port before. He was super nice, friendly, and energetic to talk to. Scroll through the gallery above to see the contents of the GBA game, along with some Rampage stickers I bought from Colin.

Atari 50

The next old school game designer I met was Howard Scott Warshaw.

Warshaw worked at Atari in the early 80s, his first game being Yar’s Revenge. His last game was the infamous Atari release of E. T., which was the straw the broke the camel’s back, facilitating the great video game crash in the US in the 80s.

  • Atari 50 xbox game shows the Atari logo, but in gold, with screenshots of different games inside. It is signed "For Nick, HSW". Next to it is a copy of Once Upon Atari. The cover depicts a young Howard Scotty Warshaw with a keyboard in his lap, sitting at his work desk with a monitor showing the ET Atari game.
  • Front matter/interior title page. It says "Once Upon Atari: How I Made History by Killing an Industry". It is signed in blue ink "Dear Nick, Enjoy my journey! Yars truly, HSW"

I’m not a real big Atari aficionado, I love the history of the company more than the games. However, a few years ago I plucked up Atari 50, which is basically 50% compilation of Atari games and 50% documentary/museum about the company. Part of its content was a handful of Atari Jaguar games, an extremely rare treat to play!

Warshaw’s Yar’s Revenge is on the compilation, along with interviews with him talking about creating the game and working at Atari. Super insightful.

Warshaw graciously signed my copy of Atari 50 and I bought a copy of his autobiography, Once Upon Atari, which he also signed (see sideshow above). As Reb Brown signs copies of Yor, the Hunter from the Future as “Yor’s Truly”, Warshaw signs his stuff “Yar’s Truly”. Love it.

Earth Defense Force 2025

“EDF! EDF!”

“They killed Tiny!”

Xbox 360 case for Earth Defense Force 2025. The cover depicts 4 soldiers shooting their guns and below them a giant spider, ant, and robot, with an exploding city behind them. In gold marker it is signed "To Nick! Erika Harlacher" surrounded by hearts and a spider.
Xbox version of Earth Defense Force 2025 signed by Erika Harlacher.

I have a lot of memories playing the three Earth Defense Force games on the Xbox: Earth Defense Force 2017, Earth Defense Force 2025, and Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon. These game offered a split screen, couch co-op opportunity for Michele and I to play a video game together, and one that wasn’t too hard either. Pick up a gun and shoot all the giant ants, spiders, robots, and UFOs. Hella fun. So, I have lots of fond memories of these games and playing with Michele.

Voice actress extraordinaire Erika Harlacher was one of the many VO guests in attendance for the Game On Expo. I’m not 100% familiar with her work, she does a lot of anime, which I’ve been out of the loop of for 10-20 years. EDF proper does not have characters per se, just unnamed soldiers that are canon fodder for the insect hordes. Harlacher voices the flying Valkyrie soldiers, which is really cool. Means a lot to me to have this game signed by someone involved with it. And she drew a bug by her signature too!

Note: EDF 2025 originally came out in 2014, and 2025 seemed so far away back then. And now here we are, living in the future, living in 2025. Should I expect to see UFOs fill the skyline, dropping a legion of ants and spiders on the Earth?

Cyberpunk 2077

Awww yiss. Cyberpunk 2077!

I never played the Witcher games, but I knew they were good. I love the cyberpunk genre, though never played the Cyberpunk TTRPG. I was super excited for this game when it was released. When it came out, however, it was a big, buggy mess. So, I sat on getting it for a while. Then CD Projekt fixed the game and expanded on it with the Phantom Liberty DLC, and apparently really redeemed themselves. Now it was a good time to pluck up the game, and it was amazing.

Xbox case for Cyberpunk 2077 with Phantom Liberty DLC. In black marker it is signed "Hey Nick, love form Rogue - Jane Perry, xoxo".
Xbox version of Cyberpunk 2077 signed by Jane Perry.

Jane Perry was another voice actress in attendance at the con. Her work I am much more familiar with, having played the Hitman games and lots of other titles she’s been a part of: Robocop, 007 Legends, and others. In Cyberpunk 2077 she voices Rogue Amendiares, one of the important characters in the last half of the game. She was a love interest of Johnny Silverhand and was part of the assault on Arasaka Tower with him. She rules.

Return of Monkey Island

Finally, my boxset of Return to Monkey Island from Limited Run Games, signed by artist Dev Madan.

  • Cover of the Return to Monkey Island boxset autographed by Dev Madan in silver pen. It shows a close up of Guybrush Threepwood (mighty pirate) opening a pirate chest. Behind him LeChuck (a skeleton) greedily twiddles his fingers. There is a pirate ship shooting a skull (Murray) from a canon.
  • Contents of the Return to Monkey Island boxset. There is a CD soundtrack with a skeleton pirate playing a violin on the cover. Next it a small key with a glowing green jewel. Next to that is a fishing lure pin. Below that is a large envelope with a red wax seal. Lastly there is an xbox version of the game which depicted Guybrush Threepwood on the cover, with behind him being a pirate ship shooting a skull (Murray) from a canon and a pirate lady (Elaine) swinging in from a rope.

I’ve played the Monkey Island games since I was a wee wee wee kid on our old 486. The before times of having proper internet, it was a S T R U G G L E getting through that first game. One of my best friends, Kris, and I would crowd around the computer shouting out all ideas to solve the adventure game’s puzzles.

I wasn’t able to play Monkey Island 2 until around two decades later when it got a digital release on Xbox Live Arcade. I had a Big Box PC version of Curse of Monkey Island (and I still do, I think?), and my PS2 copy of Escape from Monkey Island which I bought and played when I was a broke college student. I grew up playing all the point and click adventure games from LucasArts and Sierra, and still have a soft spot for them.

I was excited when the newest, and it looks like last, Monkey Island game, Return to Monkey Island, got an ornate console release. It was a fun game, with a bittersweet ending. But, when I was looking at the guest list for Game On Expo and saw Dev Madan (an icon of point and click games), listed on it, I just had to have him sign Return to Monkey Island (which he did art for), a series that has been near and dear to me forever.

“I can’t use the skeleton arm with that!”

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 and Travis have some brand new episodes of their Ride the Stream vidcast online at YouTube. They dive into the next few episodes of Lost.

Here is their discussion of episode 15 from season 1:

And here is their discussion of episode 16:

New episodes drop every Friday on YouTube. Keep an eye on their YouTube channel, or give them a follow on Bluesky.

New Fan2Fan Episodes

Bernie and Pete have some new episodes of their Fan2Fan podcast online.

They have episodes online talking about the ill fated Roger Corman Fantastic Four film. Here is part one of their conversation:

Fantastic Four is Doomed Part 1 Fan2Fan Podcast

And here is part two:

Fantastic Four is Doomed Part 2 Fan2Fan Podcast

Older episodes of Fan2Fan can be found at its Libsyn page.

The Chosen Cast Interview

Matt Page (author of 100 Bible Films and the dude behind the Bible Films Blog) recently did an interview with two cast members of the Biblical peplum TV series The Chosen: Shahar Isaac (Simon Peter) and Vanessa Benavente (Mother Mary). Check out the interview on Youtube:

Categories
News

News Roundup 2025-02-23

Personal / Website News

Becca Boo #3 Review

Two articles in a month! I’m on a roll!

Brand new comic book review here at my website, I take a gander at issue three of Becca Boo: The Bimbo Ghost.

Cover art for Becca Boo #3. Becca is dressed in her blue-ish/white 1 piece dress and heels. She is holding a scythe. Her shadow is that of the grim reaper. It's kind of a take on the Star Wars: Phantom Menace poster of Anakin the kid with the Darth Vader shadow.
Standard cover of Becca Boo #3 by Kenan Halilovic. Photo taken from PDF.

This has been a fun adult comic from Obscura Comics. I previously reviewed issue one and issue two. My issue two review has been updated to reflect that the publisher corrected their missing swag issue and sent it on over. Top notch for Obscura!

Castle of Horror Podcast Appearance

My first podcast appearance of 2025 is on the Castle of Horror Podcast! I was invited on to talk about Antonio Margheriti’s 1964 gothic horror classic, Castle of Blood.

Logo shows an orange castle with turrets and a black background. It says "Castle of Horror podcast: Horror. Movies. Awesomeness."
Castle of Horror podcast Logo

The episode can be streamed at the Castle of Horror Spreaker website here, via the embedded player below, or through your podcast app of preference. Sincere appreciation to Jason Henderson for having me on.

Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (Podcast/Discussion) Castle of Horror Podcast

If you can’t get enough of me talking about Castle of Blood, make sure you give a listen to the Fan2Fan Podcast episode where I talk about the film.

New Edge Sword and Sorcery 5, 6, and 7

New Edge Sword and Sorcery are currently crowdfunding the next three issues of their magazine, which will be two issues of sword and sorcery and one issue of sword and planet!

Cover art of three New Edge Sword and Sorcery magazines.
Collage of the three upcoming New Edge Sword and Sorcery Magazines.

I am excited to announce I’ll be part of this project! The NESS magazines have featured cocktails in prior issues done by Kevin Beckett, and I’ve been asked to develop brand new cocktails for these upcoming three.

Here is a graphic from the Backerkit campaign of the authors involved in these three issues, and I am chuffed to be listed among them all!

Author list for the upcoming NESS issues. It reads: Issues will feature new, original stories by: Timaeus Bloom Melissa Burlock Sara Century James Enge Larissa Glazer Kirk Johnson Sarah Macklin Premee Mohamed Samir Sirk Morato Gabriella Officer-Narvasa June Orchid Parker Luana Saitta Prashanth Srivatsa Audrey Stollings Molly Tanzer Steve Westenra Andrew Whalen Alec Worley and thought provoking non-fiction essays, interviews, and book reviews by: Oliver Brackenbury Cora Buhlert Melissa Burlock James Lowder Catherine Lundoff Robin Marx Anthony Perconti Christopher Rowe Eric Williams Jay Wolf Plus delicious S&S cocktail recipes by Nicholas Diak
Author list for the upcoming NESS issues.

The Backerkit Campaign for NESS 5,6,7 can be found here. Please consider contributing! The campaign ends on March 15th. Sincere appreciation to Oliver Brackenbury for having me on board for this project.

If you’re curious, I did a short interview of issue 00 back in 2023, so check that out!

ECOF 2025

In September of 2025 there will be an Edgar Rice Burroughs Chain of Friendship (ECOF) event down in Willcox, AZ. This event is to celebrate the 150th birthday of Burroughs while also honoring him with a plaque in the town due to his stationing with there the 7th U.S. Calvary in the 1890s. (Note: another ERB convention was held in Willcox back in 2019 and an event recap of that can be read at ERBZine #7059).

Here is a flyer for the 2025 event:

The flyer shows desert mountains with three insert images: one of a young Edgar Rice Burroughs in 1896, one of the author Jeffrey J. Mariotte (who is the guest of honour), and one of the Willcox train depot in the 1880s. The flyer reads was follows: Edgar Rice Burroughs ERB Inc.'s Commemoration of ERB's 150th Birthday! 7th Cavalry Historical Monument Celebration Willcox, AZ, September 25-28, 2025. Formal Dedication on September 27th, 2025. Sponsored by the Suplher Springs Valley Historical Society and the Arizona Apache Deveils Chapter of the Burroughs Bibliophiles.
Flyer for the Edgar Rice Burroughs Circle of Friendship (ECOF) Gathering in Willcox, AZ 2025.

I’ll share more information about the event as I find out more on my website updates. Michele and I will be in attendance for this convention, so I’ve added it to the appearances section of my website as well. 

Publishing Recap

Below is a recap of my external publishing endeavors so far in 2025.

Cover art of the Panthans Journal #332. It depicts a woman and a man with a hawk head, hunkered in a hole, firing laser pistols. The art is by Mark Wheatley.
Panthans Journal #332

Comic Book Review: “The Moon Maid: Catacombs of the Moon #2″ reprinted in the National Capital Panthans Journal #332.

A continuation of the cover of #332. This cover shows the woman and the hawk man, defensively shooting laser pilots out of a hole in the ground, wile savage barbarians with bows and axes descend upon them. The art is by Mark Wheatley.
Panthans Journal #333

Comic Book Review: “The Moon Maid: Catacombs of the Moon #3″ reprinted in the National Capital Panthans Journal #333.

Cover art for "Merry Creepsmas - The Red Book". It is red with a large X-mas tree that appears to have small, globby bodies as ornaments. The cover reads: Wicked Shadow Press Merry Creepsmas: The Red Book Christmas-Themed Horror Stories Edited by Parth Sarathi Chakraborty
Merry Creepsmas – The Red Book

“There’s Always Room” in Merry Creepsmas: The Red Book. Edited by Parth Sarathi Chakraborty. Wicked Shadow Press, 2025.

Cover art for the Burroughs Bulletin #109 by Dan Parsons. The top says "The Burroughs Bulletin New Series #109 Fall-Winter 2024". The art shows a T-rex chomping on a dude in a striped shirt. Below him are explorers with rifles. Behind him his a prehistoric sky, jungle, and a waterfall.
Burroughs Bulletin #109

“Tagliolini al Tarzan: Interview with Actress Bella Cortez on Taur the Mighty” in The Burroughs Bulletin #109. Edited by Henry Franke III. February, 2025.

Calls for Papers/Proposals

Here are some new pop culture CFPs that have crossed my path. Links to these will also be in the CFP page on the navigation bar.

Medieval + Monsters in Comics

Online Sponsored Session Proposed for Medieval + Monsters: Medieval Association of the Midwest (MAM), Mid-America Medieval Association (MAMA), Illinois Medieval Association (IMA) Joint Conference with The Newberry Library
Hosted at Dominican University & the Newberry Library
17-18 October 2025

The Medieval Comics Project and the Monsters & the Monstrous Area of the Northeast Popular/American Culture Association seek proposals of 250 words for a proposed online panel devoted to the theme of the medieval and the monstrous in sequential art, comics, manga, and related media.

Topics might include:

  • Adaptations of medieval monsters in modern comics/manga/related media
  • Monsters in sequential art of the medieval era
  • Monsters in marginalia in medieval manuscripts (akin to modern panel comics)
  • New monsters in comics/manga/related media set in the medieval era
  • The use of horror in comics/manga/related media set in the medieval era
  • The use of monstrosity to represent issues of class/gender/race in comic/manga versions of the Middle Ages

Please send submissions (250-word proposal plus a short biographical statement) to the session organizers (Michael A. Torregrossa, Karen Casey Casebier, and Benjamin H. Hoover) at Comics.Get.Medieval@gmail.com by 15 March 2025.

For more information on the Medieval Comics Project, please see our blog at https://medieval-comics-project.blogspot.com/.  

For more information on the Monsters & the Monstrous Area of the Northeast Popular/American Culture Association, please see our blog at https://popularpreternaturaliana.blogspot.com/.  

Further details on the conference itself can be accessed at https://www.dom.edu/medieval-monsters-conference.  

Miscellaneous Tidbits

Some fun things and shout outs from these past few weeks.

Boris and Natasha DVD

Someone posted on Bluesky that they made a Letterbox list of original movies for Showtime. Seeing that made me recall I have some of those films on DVD, including this stately copy of Boris and Natasha: The Movie, signed by Sid Haig and Sally Kellerman (both RIP).

Old style DVD case that is 100% see-through. The cover shows Boris and Natasha, both the human incarnations and the cartoon versions. Natasha is lighting her cigarette from Boris' bomb. In silver ink it is signed "To Nick, Sid Haig" and in black ink it is signed "Nick, hi! Love, Sally Kellerman".
Personal copy of Boris and Natasha DVD signed by Sid Haig and Sally Kellerman.

I know next to nothing about Rocky and Bullwinkle, maybe seeing a handful of cartoons growing up. However the Boris and Natasha live action movie was on all the time, and I thought it hilarious when I was a kid.

Sid Haig I met at Crypticon in SeaTac in the late 2000s. Sally Kellerman was at a Hollywood Collectors show, either late 2000s or early 2010.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol 1

I am a kid of the 80s, so of course I grew up with the TMNT cartoon and live action films. I had not really been into TMNT since I was a kid, but every one in a while I check something out in the franchise. Last month I watched Mutant Mayhem and it was awesome!

Hardcover of the collected edition of Ninja Turtle comics. The cover art is black and white. It shows all the turtles standing with their weapons out. Below them are Foot Soldiers. There is a canister from TGRI spilling ooze over turtles. Splinter is in the bottom right corner looking mysterious. April is in the center left. NYC building is in the background.
Personal copy of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Collection Vol 1.
Donatello Sketch by Kevin Eastman. It's in black ink. It shows Donatello holding a staff vertically in his hand. Behind him is a cloud. It is signed K Eastman.
Donatello Sketch by Kevin Eastman.

Anywho, I do have some of the IDW collections of the original mid-80s Turtles comics. I’ve met Kevin Eastman a few times at different cons, but at a Long Beach Comic Con in the later 2010s I took him the Ultimate Collection Vol 1 to autograph, which he did, and he drew a sweet Donatello (my favorite turtle) in it!

Adventure Time: Bitter Sweets

Another treasure from a comic book con, a copy of Adventure Time: Bitter Sweets signed by artist Chrystin Garland.

Graphic novel of Adventure Time: Bitter Sweets. The cover shows a very long haired Princless Bubblegum holding three orbs in her hand as she stands atop a very small waterfall.
Personal copy of Adventure Time: Bitter Sweets.
Interior page just after the cover. It's purple to pink. The center has the Adventure time Logo. In black ink it is signed "To Nick: Chrystin Garland" and there is a sketch of Princess Bubblegum with a heart.
Interior cover page of Adventure Time Bitter Sweets signed by Chrystin Garland.

I had the honour to meet Garland at a Wondercon in the mid 2010s.

Burden of Dreams

Fitzcarraldo is probably my favorite Herzog/Kinski collaboration, both on screen and off screen. Burden of Dreams is a documentary that captures the mammoth undertaken of this tour de force film.

Old school Criterion Collection DVD. In red pen at the bottom it says "For Nick - Les Blank". The cover is a stylized image of Werner Herzog standing in front of the boat from Fitzcarraldo.
Personal copy of the Criterion Collection DVD of Burden of Dreams signed by Les Blank.

Les Blank, who passed away a few years ago, was gracious to let me post him my DVD back in the late 2000s to be autographed by him. Probably time for a re-watch, and to also re-watch the supplement where Herzog eats his shoe!

Phantasm & Reggie Bannister

Fangoria reports the sad news that horror icon Reggie Bannister has entered hospice care due to dementia and Parkinson’s. They have an article up letting people know where to send fan mail to him to keep his spirits up (link).

Standard DVD edition of Phantasm. MGM lion logo at the top. The cover is a close up of the spheres that fly around and drilled blood out of schools. The cover is covered in signatures. They read "The Nick and Michele, I know I love... love you both! Reggie Bannister", "For Nick and Michele, Don Coscarelli", "Nick + Michele, Love, Bill Thornbury" and "To Nick + Michele, Kat Lester" (with a scribble of a cat).
DVD copy of Phantasm signed by Reggie Bannister, Bill Thornbury, Kathy Lester, and Don Coscarelli.

We’ve met Bannister at a few different horror cons over the years. The first time was at a horror con in Seattle that was also a reunion of Phantasm alumni. There Michele and I got our DVD copy of Phantasm signed by Bannister, Bill Thornbury, Kathy Lester, and Don Coscarelli. Bannister joked he loved to sign over Angus Scrimm’s face to tease him.

Back in 2023 Michele appeared on the Fan2Fan Podcast to talk about her memories of Phantasm. Give it a listen!

Phantasm 1979 Fan2Fan Podcast

Wishing Reggie the very best care.

The Eternal End

My friend Lee Mitchell has a new book out! It is called The Eternal End. It’s the third book in her “Divine Darkness” trilogy after The Divine Darkness and The Lasting Light.

Cover art for "The Eternal End" by Lee Mitchell. It shows an hourglass, with a galaxy in its top part, and a city in its lower part. There is a red moon behind it all.
Cover art for “The Eternal End” by Lee Mitchell.

More information about the book can be found at Mitchell’s Substack. The book can be found at Amazon as well as at all major book vendors online.

Gyro and the Argonauts!

Joshua Pruett, who has been on many episodes of the Fan2Fan Podcast, and even appeared on our H. P. Lovecast Podcast has a new book coming out, and it is kiddo neo-peplum! It is called Gyro and the Argonauts! and I am super excited for it.

Cover art for Gyro and the Argonauts! Shows Gyro holding a Gyro, surrounded by grecian mythological monsters - but cartoony looking ones.
Cover art for Gyro and the Argonauts!

This book can also be ordered at Amazon and other major vendors.

Michele’s 2025 Reading Vlog #2

Michele has a new Vlog up about her 2025 Book challenges!

If you want to see Michele talk about what she is reading as well as seeing some cat cameos, give it a watch!

New Ride the Stream Episodes

Michele and Travis have some brand new episodes of their Ride the Stream vidcast online at YouTube. They dive into the next few episodes of Lost.

Here is their discussion of episode seven of season 1:

And episode eight:

New episodes drop every Friday on YouTube. Keep an eye on their YouTube channel, or give them a follow on Bluesky.

Categories
News

News Roundup 2024-12-01

Personal / Website News

Book Review of Orphan Road

Brand new book review is up here at the website.

Cover is divided in two, top half and bottom. Top half is white and shows skyscrapers. The bottom is red and shows a dude in a ski mask.
Cover of Andrew Nette’s Orphand Road.

This is a little outside my comfort zone as I’m no expert on crime fiction, but I took a dive into Andrew Nette’s novel Orphan Road and enjoyed it. Check out the review proper here.

Interview at BoldJourney

Your’s truly got interviewed at BoldJourney.

Screenshot from the BoldJourney website. It has Nick Diak, wearing a blue pinup shirt, holding a copy of Uncovering Stranger Things.
Screenshot from Bold Journey.

Give it a read here. And while you’re at it, check out the interview with Philippe Gerber as well!

Danse Macabre Blu-ray

Artus Films have just released Antonio Margheriti’s Castle of Blood, under the Danse Macabre title, in a luxurious UHD Blu-ray boxset.

The Artus release of Castle of Blood. It is monochromatic - red and black. The box shows Barbara Steele. There is a booklet, a magnet, and a circular pin.
Artus boxset of Castle of Blood + swag.

The boxset has 3 discs, postcards, pins and buttons, and a near 100 page booklet. The final page of the booklet contains a snippet from my master’s thesis on Castle of Blood!

Black page with red test. It reads: If there ever was an opportunity for cinema to try and test the waters with new concepts that may be too risqué, controversial, or taboo, it was in this realm of vernacular filmmaking. This was because the monetary stakes due to budget were not as high. Films such as Castle of Blood could freely explore controversial subjects ... at a fraction of the cost. It is with this hegemony in mind that genre films proliferated, contributing to the monetary success of the Italian film machine during this period while challenging what was acceptable to be shown on screen.
Final page of the Danse Macabre booklet.

Super chuffed to have some of my scholarship appear as part of a physical release of a movie I adore. The boxset can be purchased at the Danse Macabre product page at the Artus Films website.

H. P. Lovecast Podcast

Brand new episode of H. P. Lovecast Podcast is now online!

Thumbnail shows a copy of Flesh Eaters (Which is black and red, it shows a skeletal clergyman with a zombie chomping on the arm). In front of the comic is a Bible open to Revelations 6:5 to 7:17.
HP Lovecast Podcast episode thumbnail for episode 62 – Flesh Eaters.

In this episode we take a look at issue 1 of the comic book Flesh Eaters by Philippe Gerber, Orville Thurstan, with art by Okiko. The episode can be streamed at the HP Lovecast Buzzsprout, via the embedded player below, or through your podcast app of preference.

Ep 62 – Philippe Gerber and Orville Thurstan's Flesh Eaters Comic H. P. Lovecast Podcast

We have one more podcast for 2024 that we are planning to do. Nothing says X-mas time like angels, so we will be watching and talking about the 1995 film The Prophecy. Stay tuned!

The Best Horror of the Year Vol 16

Every year Ellen Datlow puts out a recap book called The Best Horror of the Year where she recounts notable releases and reprints some of the best stories and poetry.

Cover shows a floating lady with thing white hair rising above her. She had black tendrils rising out of her eyes. There is a door, light switch, and a green wall behind her.
Cover for The Best Horror of the Year volume 16.

Volume 16 just dropped and I’m chuffed to find out I’m mentioned in the book regarding my essay in the cosmic horror issue of Weird Tales. I’m super flattered!

Text says ...Weird Tales, now edited by Jonathan Maberry, brought out Issue #367, with a theme of cosmic horror but also including several stories and poems of dark fantasy. There were notable horror stories by Carol Gyzander and Caitlin R. Kiernan, and articles by F. Paul Wilson and Nicholas Diak.
Nicholas Diak mention on page xxiii.

This is actually the second time I’ve been mentioned in one of these books. A few years ago both Michele and I were mentioned in The Best Horror of the Year: Volume 13 regarding the collection we edited, Horror Literature from Gothic to Post-Modern: Critical Essays.

Cover shows a winged demon with a single horn protruding from its forehead. It has a large gem in its stomach.
Cover for The Best Horror of the Year volume 13.

Here is the text from that edition:

..Horror Literature from Gothic to Most-Modern: Critical Essays edited by Michele Brittany and Nicholas Diak (McFarland) contains fourteen essays adapted from 2017 and 2018 presentations at the Ann Radcliffe Academic Conference, which runs in tandem with HWA's annual StokerCon. The essays cover everything from historic works to the modern. With a foreword by Lisa Morton and afterword by Becky Spratford.
Nicholas Diak and Michele Brittany mention on page xiv – xivi.

Both volumes can be ordered from Amazon – here is the link to #13 and here is the link to #16.

Panthans Journal #331

The newest issue of the The National Panthans Journal has been published. This issue contains a re-print of my review of The Moon Maid: Catacombs of the Moon #1.

Cover of Panthans Journal #331 done by Mark Wheatley. It shows Carson from the Venus stories, jumping through the air, firing his laser pistol down at a group of savage barbarians who are armed with bows.
Panthans Journal #331

Paraphrased from the zine: The National Capital Panthans Journalis a monthly publication issued as a .PDF file on the Saturday before the first Sunday of each month. Contribution of articles, artwork, photos and letters are welcome. Send submissions to the editor: Laurence G. Dunn at laurencegdunn@gmail.com in a Word document for consideration.

McFarland Holiday Sale

My publisher, McFarland, is having a Holiday sale on all of their tiles! From November 15th to December 2nd, if you use code “HOLIDAY24” during checkout, you’ll get a 35% discount.

If you want to support me, consider buying a copy of The New Peplum or Horror Literature from Gothic to Post-Modern:

The New Peplum
Cover art for The New Peplum

McFarland Purchase link

Normal price: 39.99
35% = 13.99
Price after coupon: 25.99

Cover is black and red. The black is a spooky person in a hooded cloak surrounded by silhouettes of trees. Behind the figure is a red light.
Cover of Horror Literature from Gothic to Post-Modern: Critical Essays.

McFarland Purchase Link

Normal Price: 29.95
35% = 10.48
Price after coupon: 19.47

If you want to support Michele, consider buying James Bond and Popular Culture and Horror in Space: Critical Essays (I have essays in both):

Cover shows Sean Connery as Bond, holding his Walther PPK and a martini. Behind him is a swirl of the gun barrel.
Cover of James Bond and Popular Culture.

McFarland Purchase Link

Normal Price: 29.95
35% = 10.48
Price after coupon: 19.47

Cover is a frame from the movie Jason X where it shows Jason walking through a circular hallway on a space station.
Cover for Horror in Space.

McFarland Purchase Link

Normal Price: 29.95
35% = 10.48
Price after coupon: 19.47

If you’re interested in another book that I have an essay in, consider The Many Lives of the Twilight Zone and Uncovering Stranger Things:

Cover depicts a white door that is open and there is a swirl going on in it. The door stands by itself on a grassy area. Behind it is airspace with stars and planets.
Cover of The Many Lives of The Twilight Zone: Essays on the Television and Film Franchise.

McFarland Purchase Link

Normal Price: 29.95
35% = 10.48
Price after coupon: 19.47

Cover shows the silhouettes of four kids on bikes, with a dark and stormy road going to the horizon. Beneath them are x-mas lights.
Cover for Uncovering Stranger Things.

McFarland Purchase Link

Normal Price: 19.99
35% = 6.99
Price after coupon: 12.99

A Hero Will Endure Paperback Relese + Discount

Vernon Press, the publisher of A Hero Will Endure: Essays at the Twentieth Anniversary of Gladiator, has just released a cheaper, paperback version of the book, just in time for Gladiator 2!

Cover for A Hero Will Endure. It shows a ghostly blue arm running through an orange field of wheat (or some other agricultural plant).
A Hero Will Endure.

The paperback is at the much more friendly price of $57 compared to $96 for the hardcover and $107 for an electronic version. All editions of the book can be found at the Vernon Press product page.

In addition, the publisher is offering a coupon on purchases of the collection! From now until the end of January 2025, if you use code SLZM30 at check out, you’ll get 30% off the title. So, the $57 book now becomes $39.99. Nice!

ECOF 2025

In September of 2025 there will be an Edgar Rice Burroughs Chain of Friendship (ECOF) event down in Willcox, AZ. This event is to celebrate the 150th birthday of Burroughs while also honoring him with a plaque in the town due to his stationing with there the 7th U.S. Calvary in the 1890s. (Note: another ERB convention was held in Willcox back in 2019 and an event recap of that can be read at ERBZine #7059).

Here is a flyer for the 2025 event:

Flyer shows the outside train depot in Willcox AZ with a yellow train coming in. There are 3 inserts: one of Edgar Rice Burroughs, one of guest of honour Jeffrey Mariotte, and one of the train depot as from the 1880s. The flyer reads was follows: Edgar Rice Burroughs ERB Inc.'s Commemoration of ERB's 150th Birthday! 7th Cavalry Historical Monument Celebration Willcox, AZ, September 25-28, 2025. Formal Dedication on September 27th, 2025.
ECOF 2025 Flyer (original)

I’ll share more information about the event as I find out more on my website updates. There currently is a fundraiser going on to raise funds for the ERB plaque, and details for that can be found in the QR code in the above graphic, or by checking out the donation page at the Sulphur Springs Valley Valley Historical Society. 3.8K of 5K has been raised already. 

Michele and I will be in attendance for this convention, so I’ve added it to the appearances section of my website as well. 

Publishing Recap

Below is a recap of my publishing endeavors so far in 2024.

Cover of the journal portrays a scene from John Carter's Mars. There is a multi-armed green skinned alien holding a spear riding atop of a multi-legged blue mount that looks like a horse and a brontosaurus? Next to them is Woola, a puppy-like alien with 10 legs. They are on the martian landscape which is very orange.
National Capital Panthans Journal #326.

Comic Book Review: “Carson of Venus: The Flames Beyond#1″ reprinted in the National Capital Panthans Journal #326.

Cover shows a scene from a John Carter moment. There is a free multi-armed alien atop a blue steed. There are robots on spider legs firing weapons. There are round domed buildings that dot the rocky landscape.
National Capital Panthans Journal #327.

Comic Book Review: “Carson of Venus: The Flames Beyond#2″ reprinted in the National Capital Panthans Journal #327.

Cover art by Mark Wheatley. It shows Tarzan atop a barren tree trunk, pulling the string on a bow.
National Capital Panthans Journal #328.

Comic Book Review: “Carson of Venus: The Flames Beyond#3″ reprinted in the National Capital Panthans Journal #328.

Cover is called "Stand with Thoris" by Mark Wheatley. It shows Dejah Thoris wearing a dress and holding a long sword in her right hand. There is a domed building in the distance.
National Capital Panthans Journal #329.

Comic Book Review: “Carson of Venus / Warlord of Mars #1″ reprinted in the National Capital Panthans Journal #329.

Cover shows a sail boat, manned by three folks, on a green sea against a pink sky.
National Capital Panthans Journal #330.

“Wondercon 2019 Coverage: Tarzan, John Carter, and Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc.: What’s New?” reprinted in the National Capital Panthans Journal #330.

Cover of Panthans Journal #331 done by Mark Wheatley. It shows Carson from the Venus stories, jumping through the air, firing his laser pistol down at a group of savage barbarians who are armed with bows.
Panthans Journal #331

Comic Book Review: “The Moon Maid: Catacombs of the Moon #1″ reprinted in the National Capital Panthans Journal #331.

Calls for Papers/Proposals

Here are some new pop culture CFPs that have crossed my path. Links to these will also be in the CFP page on the navigation bar.

Play and the Gothic

[Note: I = Simon Bacon]

I have a speculative CFP on “Play and the Gothic” to encompass any kind of gaming, boardgames, role-playing games, toys, construction games (Lego etc), dolls, collective or individual games across mediums, history and cultures that can be read in terms of play, playful, interactive, immersive, virtual, problem solving, psychological, well-being, materiality.

Their role in fictional fictional and non-fictive spaces, as the focus and instigators of narrative, their relation to the ludicrous gothic, their ability to gothicise spaces, or how they become gothicised via their use or environment.

This can equally involve the relationship between gaming/games/toys to certain kinds of gothic; happy gothic; regional gothic; ecogothic; folk gothic; children’s gothic; female gothic; religious gothic; gothic monsters (vampires/werewolves/ghosts/etc); the weird; cosmic gothic.

If interested send abstracts/ideas to me by Jan 31, 2025 at: baconetti@gmail.com

(Final essays of 6-7,000 words would potentially be needed mid 2026)

Monstrous Consumption:
The Diets of Monsters and Monstrous Diets in the Popular Imagination

Another Simon Bacon CFP:

If we are what we eat, what things do we eat to make us monsters And what things do monsters eat to make them so monstrous?

This can be read as broad as you like, and across history and cultures and in any media (games, comics, music, performance, literature, film, TV).

Possible areas could be, but in no way limited to:

  • magic foods that transform people into monsters
  • diets/foods that make other cultures/peoples monstrous
  • additives/secret ingredients with monstrous effects
  • diets/foods specific to monsters
  • the role of cannibalism and/or forbidden foods
  • toxins/poisons/drugs
  • shrooms/mezcal and hallucinogenic foods
  • allergies and intolerances
  • transgressive foods/diets
  • supernatural and/or magical foods
  • foods that are alive
  • food/diets in rituals/religious practices and the transgression of those
  • role of vegetarianism and veganism

The call is going really well, but don’t let that put you off if you have an idea.

Consuming Identity: Cannibalism and the Beyond Human Subject

Connectedly….there has been a lot of interest within this around Cannibalism with the possibility of a separate collection solely on this. So if you have any left field ideas to do with cannibalism in regards to:

  • Historical cases
  • Philosophy
  • Theology and religion
  • fantasy and science fiction (alien cannibals)
  • indigenous and cross-cultural examples
  • cannibalism and eco-criticism/environmentalism
  • cannibalism and decolonisation

Deadline for receiving abstracts is 31st December 2024, with final essays due early to mid-2026. If you have thoughts, abstracts, or relevant essays looking for a home…drop me a message at: baconetti@gmail.com

Panel: Airborne Gothic

ASLE 2025 Panel Organized by the Society for the Study of American Gothic

July 8-11, 2025

University of Maryland, College Park

This panel sets out to consider how gothic is carried and transmitted through air. Airborne gothic takes many forms: stories told around campfires; plague and Covid narratives; texts featuring ominous flying creatures (birds, bats, and bugs!); radiation/nuclear gothic; propagandistic talk about windmills as killing machines; airplanes or spacecraft as gothic sites; the winds and wutherings that course through so many gothic stories; and more. How do gothic texts evoke unrest, turbulence, undeadness, and/or trauma by way of airborne vectors? How does airborne gothic both thwart and encourage collective atmospheres?

Please send one-paragraph abstracts and short bios to Jennifer Schell (jschell5@alaska.edu) and Eric Anderson (eandersd@gmu.edu) by December 20, 2024.

TV Matters (Intellect Books)

Editor: Sabrina Mittermeier
 
TV Matters is a new series of short monographs (40,000 to 50,000 words) on television series, analysing their production history, cultural context, main themes, as well as fandom and audience reception. The focus is on shows that both have critical acclaim (as reflected by awards, media reviews), but more importantly, are genuinely ‘popular’. That means they have had a robust viewership and ideally an active fandom (watercooler discussions on- and offline, as well as fan production such as fic, art, vids etc.) and/or an unusual reception history (cases of bans, censorship or similar).
As the intended audience for this book series extends beyond academia, we expect an engaging/accessible writing style. This however does not mean less academic ‘rigour’ – authors should thoroughly research production history (incl. where possible through interviews with creators or archival research), include a solid textual analysis of main themes and should show familiarity with concepts and theories of fan and audience studies.

The aim of this book series is to engage with TV shows that were and are truly popular rather than just part of a canon of ‘quality TV’ or ‘cult TV’. The scope includes scripted/fictional programming, both live action as well as animation, but also reality TV, casting shows and documentary formats, if they fill the criteria. If it mattered to people, it qualifies!

This crucially also means shows outside of a Eurocentric lens of media production – K-Drama, Telenovelas, any popular TV in its respective cultural contexts, but also productions that crossed border lines and were adapted transnationally. In case of particularly long-running shows such as soaps or procedurals, or non-scripted content, ongoing series are also open to consideration.
To illustrate examples, series that tentative authors have already been approached about include Bridgerton(2020–), Game of Thrones (2011–2019), Ted Lasso (2020–2023), Ducktales (1987–1990), Star Trek: Voyager(1995–2001) and the Eurovision Song Contest.

At this point, we are open to any proposals on series meeting the criteria, but are especially looking for someone interested in writing on Supernatural (2005–2020), Friends (1994–2004), Buffy the Vampire Slayer(1997–2003), Grey’s Anatomy (2005–), Doctor Who (1963–), the CSINCISLaw & Order franchises or long-running reality TV and transnational competition formats such as SurvivorBig Brother or Strictly Come Dancing. If this sounds like you please approach us!

As a first step, just send a short (!) pitch (500 words max), including what series you’d want to write on and why you think it matters, to the series editor Sabrina Mittermeier (Sabrina.Mittermeier@uni-kassel.de). If deemed a good fit, we move on to a more formal proposal. We expect the series to launch in 2026.

Gothic Crossroads

A conference exploring and celebrating the multi and interdisciplinary crossings of Gothic and Horror Studies.

Manchester Centre for Gothic Studies, Manchester Metropolitan University, 25th-27th June, 2025

Plenary Speakers: Prof Rosario Arias (University of Malaga, Spain), Dr. Maisha Wester (Global Professor, University of Sheffield, UK)

Physical crossroads have long been sites where the human, divine and demonic were felt to converge and potent sites for magical, religious encounters, rituals of transformation, binding of undesirable spirits, siting of gallows and links to ancient cosmology. This conference also considers the crossroads as a space where the boundaries between differing spheres are negotiable, asking what it means to walk in the interdisciplinary pathways and cross currents of the Gothic.

The crossroad is a geographical location and ancient symbol closely associated with folklore where two or more realms touch. It is historically and imaginatively connected with travellers and travelling, strange encounters, omens, choice and indecision, danger, suicide, criminality, apocalypse and renewal, guilt and judgement, punishment, ritual and ceremony, lovers’ meetings, hanging, summoning, access to Gods, devil dealing, casting out and death. The choice between paths can also lead to repercussions and consequences of “the wrong path”, “the path not taken” and “straying from the path”.

This conference invites creative and scholarly consideration of any aspect of these areas or any other creative/critical spin on themes of crossing/crossover/cross currents, travelling, intersection, interception, (con)junction, incursion, deviation and transitioning in any/all aspects of cultural production as it relates to Gothic and horror.

It also proposes the crossing as a metaphor for presenting and thinking on the interdisciplinary work of the Gothic and the intersectional/transnational spaces where the gothic is engaged and approached. Thus, we are particularly interested in “paths less travelled” and contributions from scholars and ECRs working in the intersections where the cultural work of Gothic and horror studies crosses boundaries and spheres, engaging with fields and disciplines beyond the traditional, and where new “crossings” can be discovered. This includes, but is not limited to: Gothic and horror in gaming, architecture and heritage, creative writing and practice, comics and graphic novels, scriptwriting, theatre, music, geography, plant studies and environmentalism, anthropology, libraries and archives, sociology and social studies, broadcasting, publishing, media and graphic design. We are sure there are more, so feel free to surprise us with your wanders, crossings, and encounters!

Please submit a 250-word abstract for 15-minute presentations by 28th February 2025 to Dr Emma Liggins and Dr Eleanor Beal at gothic@mmu.ac.uk

For all submissions, be sure to include your name, a short (50-word) biographical sketch, institutional affiliation (if any), and contact details. Please send your submission as an attachment (as opposed to a link to a server such as Googledocs).

Submissions for panels should be sent as a single submission with three to four 250-word abstracts, a brief statement of the theme of the panel and the information above about each of the presenters.

Submissions for workshops should indicate the length of the workshop (max. 45 minutes).

If accepted to deliver a paper or workshop, a number of travel bursaries up to £100 are available for selected international and UK postgraduates on application.

Miscellaneous Tidbits

Some fun things and shout outs from these past few weeks.

New John 3:16 Track

Philippe Gerber, who does the theme music to the H. P. Lovecast Podcast, has cut a new track on Bandcamp under his John 3:16 moniker.

Artwork is black and white with shades of gray. It shows a statue of Jesus (I think)? with three stars above him.
John 3:16 Terror Artwork.

It’s called “Terror” and it can be streamed/purchased here. Check it out!

Ancient Aliens Autograph

Arrived in the mail just before Thanksgiving was our copy of Ancient Aliens season 2 on DVD, but autographed by series guest Tim R. Swartz.

Cover shows a UFO emerging from space. Below it is a processing of silhouettes walking through the desert, holding the Ark of the Covenant. In black pen it is signed "To Nichola [sic] and Michele, Enjoy your journey! Tim R. Swartz"
Personal copy of Ancient Aliens: Season 6: Volume 1, signed by Tim Swartz.

I posted the DVD sleeve to him and he was gracious to sign it, though my name is missing an “S”. I’m not saying it’s aliens that took it, but….

Categories
News

Biweekly News Roundup 2024-01-28

Personal / Website News

Book Review

First article for the new year is now online!

Check out my book review of Vilioti Vintage by Jimmy Vargas and Lady Medusa, which can be read here. he book contains an interview with Ken Holewczynski, the dude behind Exotica Moderne, a magazine I’ve contributed to many times. So, definitely check out the review and the book proper.

Fan2Fan Podcast Appearance

My first podcast guest appearance for 2024 is over at the Fan2Fan Podcast!

In this episode we talk about the classic Italian gothic horror film, Castle of Blood. This was a lot of fun to revisit as it has been years – I dived deep into this movie over a decade ago when writing my thesis and since then I’ve grown to appreciate it more.

The episode can be streamed at the Fan2Fan Libsyn website, via the embedded player below, or through your favorite podcast app.

Castle of Blood Fan2Fan Podcast

And, of course, I’d be remiss without showing our copy of Castle of Blood, autographed to Michele and I from both Barbara Steele and Edoardo Margheriti, son of director Antonio Margheriti:

Emmanuelle Legacy CFP Re-opened + Bibliography

Since garnering publisher interest, I’ve re-opened the CFP for the Emmanuelle legacy book. The updated CFP can be found here.

I’ve also started annotating Emmanuelle scholarship and posting it here at my website so other scholars have a nice bibliographic resource. The bibliography and annotations can be found here and it’s a major WIP.

Miscellaneous Tidbits

New Edge Sword and Sorcery Issues 3 & 4

At the tail end of 2023 issues 1 and 2 of New Edge Sword and Sorcery, which has been previously Kickstarted, was unleashed upon the world. I received my copies:

The Fall 2023 issue has an advert for H. P. Lovecast, how cool is that! Also, a reminder, I did a write up about issue 0, which can be read here.

On February 15th there will be a new crowdfunding campaign to publish issues 3 and 4. You can sign up for when the campaign goes live at this link. There’s details there of what to expect from the new two issues. Check it out!

Recent Pepla Acquisitions

Recently plucked up copies of Gold for the Caesars and The Tartars, both from Warner’s Archive Collection. If it’s a peplum film Warner had a hand in back in the day, they kept decent prints of them over the years and give them decent releases:

The Tartars star pepla starlet Bella Cortez. Michele and I are probably going to do a retrospective of her pepla appearances, talking about different movies of the next few episodes of Scholars from the Edge of Time. I’ll be turning those discussions into articles for my Peplum Ponderings series which has been severely neglected.

Rest in Peplum Jesse Jane

This past week erotic actress Jesse Jane passed away. Jane appeared in many adult movies, including two pirate porno pepla: Pirates 1 and Pirates II: Stagnetti’s Revenge. Had the honor, way back in the late aughts, to meet not only Jesse Jane, but co-stars Stoya and Riley Steele at a meet and greet: won a raffle and received copies of both of the Pirates films in which the actresses autographed. Here is a mini-slideshow (NSFW images):

I have a polaroid somewhere as well documenting the meet and greet, soon as I find it I’ll add that to the gallery.

Autographed Stuff

Here is a summary of some of the autographed stuff from my library over the past two weeks on social media.

Robot Jox

Actor Gary Graham passed away on the 22nd. He didn’t star in anything I’d consider peplum, but he starred in lots of sci-fi movies and shows. Michele and I met him at a Hollywood Collectors show way back in the day. I had him sign my copy of Robot Jox:

As you can see, I’ve had quite a few people autograph Robot Jox over the years: Graham, director Stuart Gordon (RIP), producer Charles Band, and writer Joe Haldeman. It’s a fun mecha film. We see lots of mechs in anime and video games, but live action, not so much (but the ones we get, like Pacific Rim, turn out to be cult hits later on).

The Plain Janes

Here are copies of The Plain Janes and Janes in Love signed by author extraordinaire Cecil Castellucci.

And:

When we lived in Orange we would see Castellucci at many of the local cons and she was always awesome to say hi to. Michele moderated a panel on Star Wars at a Long Beach Comic Con that Castellucci was a panelist on.