Tag Archives: famous monsters of filmland

Island 731 by Jeremy Robinson to be adapted by American Gothic Press!

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American Gothic Press (in association with Famous Monsters of Filmland) has announced their next collaboration with international bestselling author Jeremy Robinson. After the success of Project Nemesis, Robinson’s first novel-turned-comic book, the monster-themed publisher is releasing a second story, adapted from Robinson’s work: Island 731. The comic, penned by Jeremy Robinson with Kane Gilmour, will feature art by Jeff Zornow.

Island 731 begins with Mark Hawkins, former park ranger and expert tracker, out of his element, working on board the Magellan, a research vessel studying the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. But his work is interrupted when, surrounded by thirty miles of refuse, the ship and its high tech systems are plagued by a series of strange malfunctions and the crew is battered by a raging storm.

When the storm fades and the sun rises, the beaten crew awaken to find themselves anchored in the protective cove of a tropical island…and no one knows how they got there. Worse, the ship has been sabotaged, one crewman is dead and another is missing. Hawkins spots signs of the missing man on shore and leads a small team to bring him back. But they quickly discover evidence of a brutal history left behind by the Island’s former occupants: Unit 731, Japan’s ruthless World War II human experimentation program. Mass graves and military fortifications dot the island, along with a decades-old laboratory housing the remains of hideous experiments.

As crew members disappear, Hawkins realizes that they are not alone. In fact, they were brought to this strange and horrible island. As Hawkins fights to save his friends, he learns the horrible truth: Island 731 was never decommissioned and the person taking his crew mates might not be a person at all—not anymore.

This six issue limited series will arrive in local comic book stores in May 2016.

Island 731

AGP’s Monster Makeup FX Challenge brings Broken Moon to life!

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Famous Monsters of Filmland as American Gothic Press has announced its team-up with Cinema Makeup School and W.M. Creations this month for a monster movie makeup competition. The contest coincides with the first issue release of Broken Moon, a horror tale that features four classic monsters in brand new incarnations: the vampire, the werewolf, Frankenstein, and Gill Man.

Since its inception in 1958, Famous Monsters has had a long standing relationship with the art of practical movie makeup effects, going behind the scenes again and again to bring the magic of making monsters to fans across the country.

In 2015, FM launched its first original comics imprint with American Gothic Press, which has already seen success with titles like Gunsuits and Bornhome. Broken Moon, written by Steve Niles and illustrated by Nat Jones, is AGP’s first title to feature classic black and white movie monsters, and will serve as inspiration for the four makeup contest categories.

The Cinema Makeup School is offering a $1,000 scholarship prize to the winner of the contest. The winner will be chosen by a celebrity guest judge, who will also award W.M. Creations makeup kits to two runners-up and FM subscriptions to several finalists.

To enter, artists must send a preliminary sketch by October 5, 2015. You can find more info at the official site.

Broken Moon Make Up

 

Famous Monsters of Filmland Returns to Print

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Official Press Release

Famous Monsters and IDW enter into strategic partnership to reboot classic magazine franchise

Famous Monsters of FinlandLOS ANGELES, CALIF. and SAN DIEGO, CALIF., December 7, 2009 – Famous Monsters of Filmland, the classic sci-fi/horror/fantasy-specific film magazine that captured the imaginations of so many for more than three decades, today announced its return to print.  FM has partnered with IDW Publishing, responsible for hit comic book titles such as 30 Days of Night, Angel, TRANSFORMERS, and Locke & Key, to bring this new incarnation of the magazine to life.  The new Famous Monsters magazine will begin its run on a quarterly basis starting in summer 2010, and will be available in major book retailers, comic stores, and online at famousmonsters.com.

Originally launched in 1958, Famous Monsters of Filmland was one of the first magazines to take readers behind-the-scenes of some of the most popular movies of present and past.  Pulling the curtain back on the filmmaking process, the magazine became a lightning rod for legions of young fans, sparking the minds and hearts of future storytellers such as Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Guillermo del Toro, Stephen King, and John Landis.  Under the guidance of beloved editor-in-chief Forrest J Ackerman, credited with nurturing and even inspiring the careers of early contemporaries such as Ray Bradbury, Ray Harryhausen, and L. Ron Hubbard, the magazine brought monsters to life and made household names out of writers, directors, creature designers, FX artists, and monster makeup technicians.

Editorial duties for the magazine will be handled by Michael Heisler, a veteran of the comic book industry for over 20 years, with experience logged at Marvel Comics, WildStorm Productions and IDW itself. “FM was far and away my favorite magazine when I was a kid, and there has been nothing quite like it since,” said Heisler. “Our goal is to update that magic for a modern audience, with coverage of current horror in all its forms, while continuing to pay tribute to the classic films that started it all. Personally, I’m thrilled to be taking this step down the road that Forry Ackerman and ‘Chilly Billy’ Cardille put me on so many years ago.”

Celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, IDW Publishing has developed and produced some of the most popular titles in comics and garnered several of the industry’s most prestigious awards. IDW was named Publisher of the Year by Diamond Distributors four times and holds the distinction of being the only comic publisher to be named one of License! Global magazine’s ‘Top Global Licensees.’ The company is also recognized as being the fourth largest comic distributor in the U.S.

“Famous Monsters is partially responsible for my lifelong love of horror, so to be involved in helping the magazine relaunch itself into the dreams—or nightmares—of new generations of fans is amazingly gratifying to me,” said Chris Ryall, IDW’s Publisher/Editor-in-Chief. “Phil Kim’s plans for the magazine are respectful to the brand’s history and very forward-thinking at the same time, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

“I’ve always loved Famous Monsters, and when I discovered an opportunity to reinvent the brand for modern times, I jumped at it,” said Phil Kim, FM’s Senior Manager.  “Knowing the legacy and the great expectations that came with this iconic trademark, I looked long and hard for a suitable company with an impeccable reputation for quality and respect. After a two-year search, I am proud to announce our partnership with IDW.”

About Famousmonsters.com

Famousmonsters.com is a dynamic online portal for all things relating to genre-specific entertainment.  Visitors to the site will experience a rich and multifaceted world comprised of videos, games, contests, shopping, social networking, and news.

About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The Transformers and G.I.JOE; Paramount’s Star Trek; Fox’s Angel; the BBC’s Doctor Who; and television’s #1 prime time series CBS’ CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studios; and is the print publisher for ComicMix.

IDW’s original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.

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FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND (words and distinctive lettering design) is a registered trademark of Philip Kim. Reproduction or use of the FM name or logo in any manner, including but not limited to internet “tribute” sites without express prior written permission from the trademark owner is strictly prohibited. All contents of website ©2008 Philip Kim.  For more information visit: www.famousmonstersoffilmland.com.