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Edgar Rice Burroughs Chain of Friendship (ECOF) 2025 Gathering Recap

Welp, I have been sharing it on the news updates posts at my website here for months, and now it finally happened: The Edgar Rice Burroughs Chain of Friendship (ECOF) gathering for 2025. Or, it happened a few weekends ago. It was a great time, I got to meet some awesome folks, and even go to do a presentation about the peplum genre and Tarzan and the Lost Empire.

The monument (obscured by roses from my angle), Bonnaud, her son, Llana Jane Burroughs, and Frank Puncer, who all lifted the cover of the stone memorial. — The monument unveiled.

I did my best to document everything I could. My write up of Michele’s and my adventures driving to Willcox (and stopping at THE THING? on the way there) and of the ECOF event proper can be read here. Do check it out!

McFarland Horror Booksale

My publisher, McFarland Books, is currently doing a book stale on all their horror books. This includes four books I am a part of:

Since I’m the co-editor of Horror Literature from Gothic to Post-Modern, purchases of this book send a few royalty dollars my way (so it is a great way to show support). But all four books are great references to purchase.

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.

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.

When purchasing these (or other horror) books, use the code “HORROR40” at checkout to get 40% off. This sale ends Halloween, so don’t miss out!

Scholars from the Edge of Time

This upcoming Thursday Michele and I will be recording our discussion of Wrath of the Titans (2012).

Blu-ray that contains the two Clash of the Titans films and Wrath of the Titans. the cover is divided into three horizontal sections, with each section showing the title of the film and a scene/poster art of it. — Personal copy of the Clash of the Titans ’81, Clash of the Titan 2010, and Wrath of the Titans 3 Movie Blu-ray set.

Keep an eye out for the link when it goes live!

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.

Panthans Journal #338. Cover is by Mark Wheatley. It shows Dejah Thoris riding atop a mountain against a red martian landscape with a domed building in the background. — Panthans Journal #338

“She’s Got the Killer Instinct: Vanya Issue 01” reprinted in the National Capital Panthans Journal #338.

Original can be read here.

Cover is by Mark Wheatley. It shows a 4 armed aliens holding two swords, in a dungeon, fighting John Carter and Dejah Thoris. — National Capital Panthans #339.

“Hunter – Lover – Killer: Vanya 02” reprinted in the National Capital Panthans Journal #339.

Original can be read here.

Cover of Panthans Journal #340. Art is done by David Michael Beck. It depicts Tarzan stabbing a dinosaur (A T-rex?) through the next with a spear, while the dinosaur stands atop a tree of roots and vines. — National Capital Panthans Journal #340

“Thunder in God’s Country: Interview with Jeffrey Mariotte” reprinted in the National Capital Panthans Journal #340.

Original can be read here.

Cover of Panthans #341 by Mark Wheatley. It's monochrome - black and brown. It shows Dejah Thoris in the center holding a sword and being her John Carter and a 4 armed alien. Behind them are the silhouettes of a city full of towers. — National Capital Panthans Journal #341

“Jungle Romps and T-Rex Chomps: Vanya 03″ reprinted in the National Capital Panthans Journal #341.

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 I shared online from these past few weeks. Highlighting things from my personal collection of pop culture artifacts. Or artifacts I’m digging out of the archive. Just, general cool or unique things to show off.

Autographs from the Archive

Here are some autographed treasures I’ve shared on social media recently.

Perfect Crime Party

A graphic novel-anthology was just recently released titled Perfect Crime Party.

Cover shows a dog detective investigating a crime scene. The crime scene is an outline of another dog with a bonk on its head. A bird, a mouse, a poodle, and a cat in a suit look on. The cat is hiding a bone behind its back, indicating he did the bonking. — Personal copy of Perfect Crime Party

Speculative fiction/cult author Nick Mamatas wrote one of the stories in it! I’m a fan of Mamatas’ work, so I bought a copy from him which he signed.

Title page of the 21 foot rule signed by Nick Mamatas in silver pen. — The 21 Foot Rule autographed by Nick Mamatas.

Have not read it yet, but looking forward to! The cover for the book is adorbs.

Grand Theft Auto IV

One of the things I have been doing lately if I have a few moments is going back and playing some of my video games I did not 100% complete (ie. get all the achievements). Grand Theft Auto IV is one of those games I have not touched in 17 years, and only had a handful of achievements.

Xbox 360 version of Grand Theft Auto 4. The cover shows a collage of various characters from the game. In black ink it is signed "To Nick, have fun in LC! Michael Hollick AKA Niko" — Personal copy of Grand Theft Auto 4 autographed by Michael Hollick.

It has been both fun and frustrating revisiting the game after so long. What is cool about the game is back in 2008 Michele and I went to SDCC where Michael Hollick, who played Niko Bellic in GTA4, was one of the celebrity guests. I brought my Xbox 360 copy of the game for him to sign and he excitedly did. A real gem in my autograph treasure.

The Brood / Rest in Peplum Samantha Eggar

Rest in Peplum to Samantha Eggar who passed away last week! Peplum-wise she voiced Hera in the Disney Hercules movie and TV show.

Standard black case DVD. The Brood cover is black and red in color. It shoes a freaky kid. In silver ink it is signed "For Nick, Thank You, Samantha Eggar". — Personal copy of The Brood DVD signed by Samantha Eggar.

She was a guest at a Hollywood Collectors Show back in the late 2000s/early 2010s, where she autographed my copy of David Cronenberg’s The Brood.

Joanna Pacula Addendum

Back on 8/17 I posted my copy of Gorky Park that was signed by actress Joanna Pacula.

Nick is wearing a shirt with a Metroid on it. Joanna is dressed in all black. — Nicholas Diak and Joanna Pacula, 2010.

I forgot to post with it a picture of me with her! So, I’ve updated my old post the photo, plus added it here.

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 Episode

Michele and Travis have a brand new episode of their Ride the Stream vidcast online at YouTube. As they are currently recording episodes about season two of Lost, they done an in-between episode to talk about Raiders of the Lost Ark. Check it out here on YouTube or via the embedded player below:

Expect new episodes to resume being published every Friday on YouTube. Keep an eye on their YouTube channel, or give them a follow on Bluesky.

New Fan2Fan Episodes

The Fan2Fan Podcast has released a lot of mini “Flash” episodes of their podcast for this Halloween season. Check these short episodes out:

First it is the 2023 film The Conference:

Then the 1997 horror anthology Campfire Tales:

Followed by the post-Scream cult classic Urban Legend:

And Alfred Hitchcock’s classic Psycho:

Which leads to their discussion of Psycho 2:

Then they talk about 1981’s Wolfen:

And then the video nasty-centric Censor from 2021 (which I need to see!):

Jumping back to the 80s they talk about Final Exam:

(shameless self plug of my autographed copy of Final Exam)

Standard black DVD case. Artwork show a silhouette of a person holding a knife standing in front of a campus. In silver ink it is signed "Nick! Radish rocks! — Personal copy of Final Exam DVD signed by Julia Marchese.

And finally this episode on Horror movie trivia:

Older episodes of Fan2Fan can be found at its Libsyn page or via your podcast app of preference.

Personal / Website News

Comic Book Review: Eternal Rome #2

Technically on a roll! I did a review of Rome Eternal #1 in early March (which can be read here) and now I’ve done a review of issue two, which can be read here!

Cover art for Rome Eternal #02. It shows an armored character cradling a female assassin who has died in his arms. Behind them, in the back, is a menacing figure wearing a mask. — Cover art for Rome Eternal #02.

Issue three is not out yet, so I am actually current on a comic book series! I’ll do my best to get a review of issue three online as soon as it is published and in my paws.

Scholars from the Edge of Time: In the Name of the King 3: The Last Mission

In early 2024 Michele and I did a Scholars from the Edge of Time episode on In the Name of the King 2: Two Worlds (which can be watched here). We didn’t care for it. I followed this up with a Peplum Ponderings article about the film, which can be read here.

A year later we decided to give the third movie in the Dungeon Siege/In the Name of the King series a shot, so we watched In the Name of the King 3: The Last Mission.

Blu-ray of In the Name of the King 3. The cover shows Dominic Purcell holding a sword in one hand. There is a woman warrior behind him holding two swords. Behind them both are smokey-explosions and a dragon breathing fire on a castle wall. — Personal Blu-ray copy of In The Name of the King 3: The Last Mission.

Folks, I don’t know how to say this, but The Last Mission was legit pretty good! I dare say, it might be the best Uwe Boll movie I’ve seen! It’s like he looked at Two Worlds and said “I can remake this, but better” and actually delivered! The movie is not quite as good as other Connecticut Yankee-style movies, such as Army of Darkness, but it is leagues better than Two Worlds and pretty enjoyable. I recommend giving it a watch!

The episode can be watched on YouTube right here. I plan on doing a Peplum Ponderings about the film fairly soon while the movie is fresh on my mind.

Panthans Journal #335

The newest issue of the The National Panthans Journal has been published. This issue contains a re-print of my article “Tarzan Cocktail: Deconstructed – Reconstructed”, which I original published early right here at my website.

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 AT gmail.com in a Word document for consideration.

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.

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.

Original can be read here.

“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.

Miscellaneous Tidbits

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

New Acquisitions

Atomfall

It has been ages since I preordered a non-retro, non-re-released game, but when I heard about Atomfall a few months ago, I was immediately hooked!

My copy arrived on on 3/27 and I had it 1000 pointed on 4/4. I was hooked in the story and setting, so I just steamrolled through it.

Screenshot from the Atomfall video game. In the center is a giant wicker man, with two tree branches protruding from its head as if they were antlers. Flanking the wicker man are large trees, with a grey, cloudy sky behind it. — Screenshot from Atomfall showing one of the many Wicker Men.

I think I need to do an in depth write up or at least an essay about the Lovecraftian horror (lots of Colour Out of Space elements) and folk horror elements of the game. Atomfall is populated with lots of wicker men and they are a sight to behold!

Autographed Treasures

Here are some autographed treasures I’ve shared on Social Media these past few weeks.

Fast Company

Dvid Cronenberg, the auteur filmmaker known for his work of body horror cinema, has one movie that is an outlier in his body of work: Fast Company (1979). An early film in the director’s filmography, it’s a low budget exploitation film about car racing. Scanners x Days of Thunder? Not quite…

It’s been about fifteen years since I last saw this film. It is quite 70s for sure. But, I do have my copy of the movie signed by two of its stars! First is John Saxon who plays the film’s villain and the second is the films hero, William Smith (both RIP!).

Automatic

I am a hard core Olivier Gruner fan. The dude is always either a cyborg or a mercenary, but he is always awesome. Nemesis is probably his best film, but my favorite of his is Velocity Trap (1999) (see my autographed copy of that here).

DVD of Automative. In pen it is signed "To Nick, Olivier Gruner". The cover shows Gruner wearing a long sleeve white shirt with a bloody wound on his shoulder. He his holding a pistol. Behind him is Daphne Ashbrook. In the distance it looks like a blue-hued laboratory or other science room. — Personal copy of Automatic signed by Olivier Gruner.

I’ve got tons more films signed by Gruner, including Automatic (1994) here, which also stars Dr. Who favorite Daphne Ashbrook (whose book I have!). So, looking at the DVD cover, and judging by title, is Gruner a merc or a cyborg in this film?

Return of the Living Dead Part II

Return of the Living Dead Part II exists in the shadows of Return of the Living Dead, which I can understand. The original film has a distinct punk ethos and attitude that really makes the film stand out, especially in the zombie genre. Part II does fall on the generic side of things.

DVD of Return of the Living Dead part 2. It shows a graveyard at dusk with an evil cloud emitting from the graves, with the cloud turning into a monster face. In the distance is a suburb. In blank ink it is signed "Thor Van Lingen". — Personal copy of Return of the Living Dead Part 2 signed by Thor Van Lingen.

That’s not to say the movie is bad, it isn’t! It’s actually fairly fun! The artwork though, that is top notch. There was this period in the 80s were there were tons of film art that shows some malevolent face in the night sky, and Part II really captures that. I remember being a kid and scared to death of the VHS of this film.

Anywho, my copy is signed by the bully villain in this film, Thor Van Lingen.

Richard Kern’s Action

Pinups and stockings, two things I love, and Richard Kern delivers in spades in his transgressive photography. Back in the 2000s, my local comic book store was Spy Comics in Federal Way and I bought Richard Kern’s Action there.

Front matter page from Richard Kern's photo book "Action". In blue ink it is signed "To Nick, stay funky. D Hanson". — Richard Kern – Action autographed by Dian Hanson.

Years later, when Taschen books published The Big Book of Breasts, the Beverly Hills store celebrated with a signing event with editor Dian Hanson. Being the fanboy I am, I took my pile of Hanson edited books for her to sign, of which Action was one of them.

News from Friends

Cool kids I know have been busy lately! Here are some signal boosts I’d like to give out.

Ride the Stream New 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 twelve from season one:

Their discussion of episode thirteen:

And their discussion of episode fourteen:

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

Lee Mitchell Interview at Ginger Nuts of Horror

My friend, Lee Mitchell, just scored a sweet interview at the Ginger Nuts of Horror. Check it out here!

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.

Flash Frights – The Conference – Fan2Fan Podcast

Flash Frights – Campfire Tales – Fan2Fan Podcast

Flash Frights – Urban Legend – Fan2Fan Podcast

Flash Frights – Psycho 1960 – Fan2Fan Podcast

Flash Frights – Psycho 2 – Fan2Fan Podcast

Flash Frights – Wolfen – Fan2Fan Podcast

Flash Frights – Censor – Fan2Fan Podcast

Flash Frights – Final Exam – Fan2Fan Podcast

Final Cut – The Horror Movie Trivia Show! – Fan2Fan Podcast