TERRIFIC TEAM-UP IMAGE: HAPPY FATHER'S DAY 2026 (LUGOSI SR & JR)

 

THE BLACK STONE: STORIES FOR LOVECRAFTIAN SUMMONINGS (SECOND EDITION)

A new, polished (softback) edition of The Black Stone: Stories For Lovecraftian Summonings is now available, thanks to Eighth Tower's mastermind Raffaele Pezzella.  

The volume overflows with a rush of Lovecraftian authors who include Ramsey Campbell, Brian M. Sammons, Glynn Owen Barras, Lucy A. Snyder. E.A. Black, Chris Kelso, Andrew Coulthard, Stephen Mark Rainey, Kevin Lewis, Richard Alan Scott, Richard Alan Scott, Russell Smeaton, J. Edwin Buja, Made in DNA, David Argranoff, Pete Rawlik, Brian C. Short, John Chadwick, David Voyles, Konstantine Paradias, Love Kolle, Edward Morris, Parry Milton, Phil Breach, Garret Cook, Andrew Freudenberg, Sarah Walker and yours truly, Michael F. Housel.

The Black Stone curation is as much a tribute to Robert E. Howard's Lovecraftian short story of the same name, as it's a salute to H.P. Lovecraft's works in general. This volume was, in fact, the first in what became a long line of Eighth Tower's Dark Fiction editions, with its redux now exceeding all expectations, whether within this dimension or beyond. 

Add The Black Stone: Stories For Lovecraftian Summonings to your library today!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H55GSVBD

WELCOME SUMMER 2026 (6/20)

SILVER SKIN FOR SUMMER

The tertiary volume in my Persona series is still thriving. As the days grow longer, why not read Silver Skin to pass the sweltering hours? 

Silver Skin features interior artwork by Aiden Belcher and a Lagoon-ish cover by Michael Youngblood. The alien-oriented edition even holds a bonus short, which links to the second, Persona volume, Green-Fleshed Fiends. 

Silver Skin is a worth-while pursuit, as it's a sequel that stands on its own. It mounts fun yet morbid intrigue and will pull one in whether absorbed indoors, on the patio or at the beach.

💀

Invest in a copy today!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1969285044?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

FOR THE FUN OF IT:

 

SHOUT! FACTORY'S DAY OF THE DEAD (1985) 4K ULTRA HD/BLU-RAY COLLECTOR'S EDITION

"The Darkest Day of Horror the World Has Ever Known"

Shout! Factory/Scream Factory has bestowed George A. Romero's fans a monumental, "40th Anniversary" gift: a special-edition box set of the writer/director's third chapter in his flesh-eating zombie saga, Day of the Dead. 

The 4-disc set supplies a sizzling, restored transfer of the 1985 classic on both 4K Ultra HD & Blu-ray, enhanced by Dolby Atmos, mono and other interesting, audio options. Though the movie was not culled from an actual negative (with an interpositive transfer being the next best option), the imagery pops with gruesome intensity, giving it a scary sheen that surpasses previous releases.   

In addition to the polished print, the set includes  the acclaimed, feature-length documentary, World's End: The Legacy of Day of the Dead; audio commentary by Romero, makeup maestro Tom Savini, lead star, Lori Cardille and production designer Cletus Anderson; additional audio commentary by writer Daniel Kraus and movie critic Drew Mcweeny; interviews with Cardille, costar John (Martin) Amplas, music composer/assistant director John Harrison, Susanne Romero (the director's spouse and founder of the George A. Romero Foundation), filmmaker Tina (Queens of the Dead) Romero, second-unit director Ernest Dickerson and special-effects assistant/actor Greg (The Walking Dead) Nicotero; behind-the-scenes Savini footage; a look at the movie's restoration process; a "Stink of the Dead" segment (which caters to Captain Rhodes' demise and the rotted meat that turned the sequence so noxious); a tour of the Wampam Underground mine, with a promotional video from the company; a photo gallery; and theatrical/TV trailers. 

The packaging for the release is exquisite, with a new image of Howard Sherman's Bub gracing the box top and reproductions of Day of the Dead's theatrical and VHS posters for its disc-case sleeves. In addition, the set contains twelve collectible cards, featuring varied, promotional images. 

Day of the Dead was remade twice (in 2008 and 2019), and though the retellings hold their merits, the original remains the aesthetic standard. In fact, its pervading impact on The Walking Dead's gritty despair and contemptuous conflict is obvious. (Heck, even Bub made an appearance on Season 4.) Also, for what it's worth (and this should count for much), Romero considered Day of the Dead his favorite of the franchise, not only for its memorable dialogue, but that it dug far deeper into the apocalyptic macabre than either Night of the Living Dead or Dawn of the Dead. In many ways, Day of the Dead was in the forefront of the dystopic, horror visions yet to come and holds up in ways that few anticipated. 

I'm damn proud to say that Day of the Dead is one of my all-time favorite movies. This box set is a painstaking labor of love and a comprehensive must-have, even if one owns the prior submissions. At long last, "the darkest day of horror" has received its creme-de-la-creme commemoration. 

https://gruv.com/collections/day-of-the-dead

FOR THE FUN OF IT:

 

FLASH GORDON: STRATAGEMS FOR A REDUX

That Masters of the Universe (2026) won't meet its budget cost per box-office receipts is disheartening. It thwarts the likelihood of a sequel, but it may also delay what would have been a sooner-than-later, Flash Gordon movie. 

Masters leaned on Mike Hodges/Lorenzo Semple/Sam Jones' 1980 Flash for much of its zest, which means that much of Masters holds a tongue-in-cheek angle, which in turn also mirrors the mature-audience Flesh Gordon. For the sake of distinction, returning to an original, more serious slant might be wise for a new adaptation, in line with Alex Raymond's comic strip, the classic, King Features/Buster Crabbe serials, as well as the 1979, King Features/Filmation, animated, movie pilot. 

I didn't realize that a Bruce Jones/Al Williamson, comic-book version of Sam Jones' cult classic was published, which extracted the camp, but lo and behold, this, too, would work as an excellent blueprint for a retelling.

I've inserted links to my referenced examples for one's edification and pleasure. 

With Star Wars rejecting its virile roots, a new Flash could be a saving grace for many of us who yearn for the swashbuckling space operas of old. Let's hope that we not only get our wish, but that it's done right. 

Engage and enjoy! 🗲

ST. GREGORY THE GREAT'S CARNIVAL 2026 (6/22-27), 420 NOTTINGHMAN WAY, HAMILTON SQ, NJ

 

COLLECTIBLE TIME: LAUGHING CLOWN VACUUM-FORM, CARNY/CIRCUS MASK

Oh me, oh my, did I ever land a colorful dandy! Considering that I've revered clowns since I was a little lad, this one was an Ebay no-brainer. 

I'm uncertain of the manufacturer, but from what I can gather, the featured, vacuum-form mask was produced in the U.S. during the 1970s and is hand-painted, with a few chipped flecks standing as proof. There's even a smidgeon of inner brow-glue that I presume once kept the mask snug on the wearer's face. (Actually, I find these aged "flaws" endearing, and isn't that moist tongue just amazing?) 

I realize the design might strike some as creepy (those inclined to dismiss all clowns for Pennywise), but try as I may, I just can't see it that way. To me, the piece recalls my favorite, televised, greasepaint characters, like Bozo, Clarabell, Philly's friendly, fan favorite, Happy and heck, even Cesar Romero's devilish but just-kiddin' Prince of Crime. In addition, the design invokes those poor, battered buffoons of Lon Chaney Sr., who were inclined to hide their pain behind bright eyes and stretched smirks. 

Well, this vintage work of art is now mine oh mine, and I'm jolly as jolly can be to cherish it. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJNLC9jYunE

FOR THE FUN OF IT:

 

DISCLOSURE & THE CRYSTAL SKULL

Received a contemptuous call from someone who ridiculed me for not mentioning Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull in my Disclosure review (beyond, that is, a mere credit drop). I was told that I should've referenced the movie right alongside Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T., the Extra-terrestrial and *batteries not included. 

About an hour later, I ran into someone who mentioned the same regarding my assessment. He wasn't as terse in belittling me, though this is the same nitwit who believes Son of Kong is an A.I. fabrication and never existed prior to 2023. What more can I say?

Okay, Crystal Skull may feature an "interdimensional being" in its final phase, but the concept is cut from a different cloth than the other Spielberg, alien flicks I referenced. It's not War of the Worlds, either (another movie that David Koepp scripted for Spielberg, along with Crystal Skull, Dial of Destiny and Disclosure Day). Crystal Skull is a throwback, chapter-play homage, rendered in the fashion of the other Indy movies. So what if it holds a Erich von Daniken subtext? It also has Commies, lots of them, in fact. It seems much more a Cold War, espionage adventure than not. Throw out the ancient-alien novelty, and its competitive, crazy-chase structure still clicks. 

For further differentiation, Crystal Skull, when it does finally get around to its alien factor, implies that humans couldn't have achieved as much as they have if not for their otherworldly visitors. It's not a matter of humans being influenced by aliens, but rather that they would've floundered and failed without them, and that always struck me as absurd, if not insulting, but hey, Crystal Skull is what it is, and in that respect, it's not in line with Disclosure, which has its own insolent, philosophical hang-ups. 

My post compared Disclosure to its most obvious and superior counterparts, which share a divine, Disney-esque view of non-humans. I stick with my choices and decided to compose this post for no other reason than to quell the stupid-ass, misconstrued derision and any further examples that may come. Thanks for reading and, I hope, understanding!👽

FOR THE FUN OF IT:

 

DISCLOSURE: GLEASON, NIXON & ALIENS

As stated in my 6/11/26 post, I didn't favor all aspects of Disclosure Day, but some segments do linger with me, in particular the fabricated/"recreated" footage of President Nixon showing Jackie Gleason the preserved, Roswell extraterrestrials. 

The segment got me to thinking why a movie based on this reputed encounter hasn't been made. Sure, U.F.O. documentaries have covered it, but to do a feature-length melodrama on the urban legend seems a sure-fire win.  

It could even delve into the meeting's aftermath, when Gleason was said to have been long-time shaken by what he saw (based, that is, on claims made by his second wife, Beverly McKittrick). It could also cover Gleason's impassioned interest in U.F.O.s, which led him to finance a Robert Cika-designed. "Mothership" home, along with an accompanying, saucer-shaped guest house, in Courtland Manor, New York. 

Whether taken as fiction or fact (or a little of both), this one is ripe for a cinematic adaptation. Maybe Disclosure Day will inspire some diligent filmmaker to give it an at-long-last shot.👽 

PINUP TIME: MARILYN MONROE IS THE GIRL

 

FANGORIA PRESENTS: VAMPIRES

 

As a sequel to its acclaimed, Frankenstein issue (see February 2026 post), Fangoria now offers Vampires: The Biggest and Best Bloodsuckers From the Silver Screen and Beyond, with a vibrant, crimson-fringed cover featuring Christopher Lee from Dracula, Prince of Darkness.

In addition to its Hammer Horror flavoring, which includes many of the studio's chilling favorites, readers are treated to the regal realm of Universal, with Tod Browning/Bela Lugosi's 1931 landmark adaptation of Bram Stoker's perennial novel, Dracula. 

Other parasitic highlights can be staked as well in the 100-page issue, including former Fangoria Editor-in-Chief Tony Timpone's "The Thirsty Thirty," historian Tom Weaver's "Dracula: The First 100 Years," an analysis of Anne Rice's legacy, pre-Dracula vampires, blue-collar vampires, black vampires, yuppie vampires, erotic vampires, comedic vampires and respectful retrospectives on Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Dan Curtis' Dark Shadows. 

If you have a thirst for vampire lore (both the literary and the cinematic), this special release is an absolute must to disinter; why not take the big bite today?

https://www.fangoria.com/fangoria-presents-vampires/