Collectible Time #39: Nate Gonzalez Cesar Romero Joker Print

HOOOOHAAAAHOOOOHAAAA!!!

It's another spectacular print for my growing collection, and this time it comes from the incredibly talented, Nate Gonzalez, a buddy, I might add, of previously featured artist, Jesse Gutierrez (see "...Mars Needs Homegirls": Sept '15). 

Gonzalez's Cesar Romero Joker captures the character's demented glee to a tee in this deliciously lurid 11" x 17" representation!!!

For a meager $20, you can nab a print for your very own. Just visit Nate Gonzalez at his Facebook page and message him. He'll take it from there with the necessary arrangements. 

I gotta say, each time I gaze upon this masterpiece, I churn a belly full of maniacal laughter. What an inspirational tie-in for the Batman '66 renaissance, don't you think?

Collectible TIme #38: Gordon Archer Weetabix Dr. Who '75 Card Poster

Obtained another fine, signed Gordon Archer print (see "Collectible Time #35": August '15), courtesy of his son, Jon...

It's a compilation of the '75 Weetabix Dr. Who card series, featuring good ol' Tom Baker!!!

I'm quite partial to this Whovian era, and what a swell idea of Jon to have arranged the character images into one dashing 16" x 23" format. Indeed, if you're a Dr. Who fan, you'd be darn foolish not to move on this. (BTW: the actual print is even grander than the above image: strikingly rich in its details and pigments.)

You can learn more about this wonderful print by visiting...Doctor Who Poster on Facebook. I'm certain Jon will be pleased to hear from you.

JESSE GUTIERREZ'S TALES FROM THE BARRIO #6: MARS NEEDS HOMEGIRLS

My pal, Jesse Gutierrez has succeeded again in tantalizing the senses with TALES FROM THE BARRIO #6: MARS NEEDS HOMEGIRLS!!!

The issue, which features the ever voluptuous Tina, is a spirited tribute to such fine films as "Earth vs the Flying Saucers", "Invasion of the Saucermen", "The Mysterians" and of course, that ageless classic, "Mars Needs Women".

Jesse gives the tale his own unique flavor, with a flowing, mature-based plot that pulls one in and doesn't let go. It's funny, sexy and above all, one of the best damn U.F.O. satires I've ever encountered. Gotta respect the man for his ability to achieve such an imaginative, flawless blend, with some of the most provocative images in this galaxy or any other!!!

Touch base with Jesse on his Facebook pages, either under "Jesse Gutierrez" or at "Bandido Studios". In either instance, you'll find satisfying displays of his masterful work. 

ENTER--THE PERSONA!...New Michael F. Housel Adventure Coming Soon From Airship 27 Productions

One of my novels has been accepted for publication by Ron Fortier's Airship 27 Productions, which specializes in pulp-styled characters and colorful adventures.

The novel is entitled “Enter—the Persona!”: the lead character, a cross between the Shadow/Lamont Cranston and Dr. Stephen Strange.

For the heck of it, here's a wee taste: 

Michael Mansford is a dashing thirty-year-old eccentric who has a penchant for ventriloquism, marionettes and salaciously rendered art deco. He owns and runs a number of enterprises within Brink Town, NJ, including the famed novelty company, Esoteric Incorporated. Above all, he despises all forms of suppression, finding the prevailing fanaticism in Germany, Italy and Red Russia in direct opposition to the American way of life. 

One day he learns from the caretaker of Blessed Tidings Cemetery (which Mansford's family has operated for several decades)that robed, pagan-like individuals have been spotted about the grounds during the nocturnal hours. Though the caretaker assures Mansford he has scared off the intruders, the young entrepreneur is inclined to scope the surroundings himself, staking out at the graveyard one evening. 

Mansford ultimately spots the strange individuals meandering about the area, and in their midst is a Jean-Harlow lookalike, who they are prepping for apparent sacrifice. Mansford intercedes, but not without consequence,for just as he prevents the young lady's demise, a dark, eight-limbed behemoth breaks from the ground, and in so doing,hurls Mansford down into an inter-dimensional, cavernous chasm.

Mansford is greeted by a smoky-faced apparition who calls himself Mister Surrogate. Surrogate presents Mansford with a shiny, white, nondescript mask, which he claims was forged from shavings scraped from Heaven's Pearly Gates. He informs Mansford that if he dons the mask, he will gain extraordinary powers which will allow him to harness the beast before it can extend its rampage...

Matters grow even stranger as the story evolves, but more on that later down the publishing line...

Collectible Time # 37: JAKKS 48" Talking/Battle-Buddy Darth Vader and 12" Hasbro Kylo Ren figures

As part of the September '15 release of "Star Wars" collectibles (anticipating the December "Force Awakens" premiere), I found this sterling 48" JAKKS Talking/Sound Effects, "Battle Buddy" Darth Vader at Walmart!!! Gosh, the 31" version is a stunner, but this son of a gun is on a whole other, looming level!!! (Really, you can't comprehend the majestic bulk of the thing until you're standing next to it.)

When one touches the chest-panel buttons, the figure utters either "friend" or "foe" statements (though coming from Vader, is there really any distiction?), which include: "Join me and together we can rule the galaxy"; "You are beaten. It is useless to resist"; "Impressive, most impressive"; and "Your skills are complete". The figure also emits lightsaber and blaster sound effects.  (A motion sensor can automatically generate the vocalizations/sounds, if one desires.)

From what I've read, these suckers are selling as fast as they hit the shelves and are now going for "scalper" prices on a number of Internet sources. So glad fate favored me to find one, sparing me what may have been an arduous (and ultra expensive) quest. 

Also, from a sojourn soon thereafter at my local Kmart, I came across a 12" Hasbro Kylo Ren. This dark, mysterious entity is destined to make a profound impression in "Force Awakens", and I'm pleased to have obtained this homage so far ahead of "Episode VII'"s release!!!

HAPPY LABOR DAY 2015!!!

HAPPY LABOR DAY...FROM THE LABORIOUS HERC AND ME!!!

Collection Recommendation #4: Abbott and Costello Meet the Monsters

Originally released on laser disc (and divided up among separate box sets since then), "Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Monsters" makes its long overdue premiere on DVD, and boy, oh, boy, do we have four special ones contained, kicked off by the granddaddy of all monster-rally comedies: "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein".

The 1948 team-up classic, directed by Charles Barton, was a bittersweet farewell for Universal's classic monster series and gave a much deserved boost to Bud and Lou. Though more comedic than horror-based, the story finds the boys (under the script's aliases) working at a wax museum: a front for peculiar experimentation that includes the Frankenstein Monster (Glenn Strange), Dracula (Bela Lugosi) and Larry Talbot, the Wolf Man (Lon Chaney, Jr.). For whatever odd reason, Lou's brain is intended for transplantation into the Monster's skull: a mad concept that churns lots of laughs. (For what it's worth, the movie's pre-production title was, in fact, "The Brain of Frankenstein").

Lou's frantic reactions to the monsters, and Bud's straight-man responses make this film more enjoyable with each and every view, and Strange, Lugosi and Chaney are in tip-top form: towering, menacing and sympathetic, even in light of the boys' contagious comedy.

Also in the set is "Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man": the 1951 entry the first in a series of three directed by Charles Lamont. The boys had actually met the Invisible Man (thanks to Vincent Price's voice) at the end of "...Meet Frank", but here we're not offered a direct sequel, but rather another Dr. Griffin companion piece, which had become a common approach to sequelization in the franchise. (Claude Rains, however, does make a cameo in a photograph.)

There's also detective and boxing motifs in this one, with Sheldon Leonard and William "Fred Mertz" Frawley in a supporting roles, and in the "transparent" lead, Arthur Franz, whom horror/science-fiction fans will know from "Atomic Submarine", "Invaders from Mars" and "Monster on the Campus". (On a side note: James Best, of "Killer Shrews" fame, was Franz's stand-in.)

As is only expected, Bud and Lou take it to the hilt interacting with their H.G. Wells offspring: the invisibility factor a clever device off which the duo gains loads of hilarious mileage.

Next up is "Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (1953), with Boris Karloff as their new nemesis (though the duo did encounter him previously in "...Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff".) Karloff's screen time is more extensive, though, in this Robert Louis Stevenson knock-off, but some find Karloff's Jekyll unnecessarily unscrupulous, though others maintain that the doctor's actions are refreshingly faithful to that of the classic novella. The Hyde make-up (used at one humorous point for Lou's characterization) is, on the other hand, more bestial than anything Stevenson implied, but all the same memorable as such. (Interestingly enough, this Hyde design would resurface four years later in Jack Arnold's "Tarantula".)

It should also be noted that legendary stuntman, Eddie Parker occupies the Hyde persona throughout most of the picture, with horror favorite John Dierkes as Batley, Jekyll's mesmerized assistant, and Craig Stevens, of "Peter Gunn"/"Deadly Mantis" fame, as the film's gallant lead. There's also an awkward women's lib subplot, led by the lovely Helen Westcott, which initiates the movie, but at least doesn't spoil the boys' kick-off shenanigans.

Last but not least is "Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy" (1955). In this case, the Mummy is named Klaris (a play upon Kharis), supported by Richard Deacon (in a George Zucco nod), Michael Ansara and Mel Welles, with lovely Marie Windsor and Peggy King glamorizing the gaps.

Stuntman Eddie Parker is back as the lead monster. Parker had stood in for Chaney in the Kharis films, but here sports a different, bandaged design: a quasi-swathed, wrinkled face. Also, his spunky characterization complements the boys' antics.

This one may also be the funniest next to "...Meet Frank", if only for Lou's famous "midget mummy" reference in one, joyous scene. 

"Abbott and Costello Meet the Monsters" is a treat for any monster and/or comedy fan. It's also good, clean fun for the entire family, offering a breezy, chuckle-filled form of escape that's nearly nonexistent among today's so-called humor. If you don't believe me, slip in a disc and see for yourself. In little time, you'll be immersed in a carefree world of good, old-fashioned, monsterized fun. (Incidentally, "...Meet Frankenstein" comes with Gregory W. Mank historical commentary, and "...Meet Jekyll/Hyde" comes with such from Tom Weaver and Richard Scrivani: insightful supplements that film buffs will relish to no end.)