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Showing posts with label Bela Lugosi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bela Lugosi. Show all posts

Famous Monsters #253 Cover Revealed

by Armand Vaquer

The cover for Famous Monsters of Filmland #253 containing my ad for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan will look like this (unless they decide to do some tweaking here and there):



As you can see, it is a beautiful painted cover depicting Bela Lugosi as the "Sayer of the Law" in Paramount Pictures's Island of Lost Souls (1932), which is a version of the H. G. Wells novel, The Island of Dr. Moreau that was first published in 1896.

In case you haven't seen it, here's my ad:



Speaking of Island of Lost Souls, when will it be put out on DVD? This movie cries out for a DVD release!

BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE Gets Rave Reviews

Source: MONSTERVERSE ENTERTAINMENT

Here are the first reviews and the Lugosi book is a winner! Find it in comic shops and online stores NOW and learn what the excitement is about!

AIN'T IT COOL NEWS loves the first collector's comic issue of "BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE!" http://www.aintitcool.com/node/47312#11 (Scroll down to the INDIE COMICS section)

LUGOSI HORROR COMIC: It's a hit at THE COMICS BULLETIN! "...tight tales, cleverly written and drawn...This is a really well-assembled comic, and feels like an extremely satisfying package.
http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/128876029953253.htm

COMIC RELATED ON THE LUGOSI COMIC: "Do you know what book you have been waiting for the most this year? ...it's this one." http://www.comicrelated.com/news/9269/bela-lugosis-tales-1


"It's rare that we reviewers mention editorial work, but it's obvious that editor-in-chief Kerry Gammill and editor Sam Park worked closely with the creators of all of the stories in this issue. The stories are intelligent and focused. They're tight tales, cleverly written and drawn, that are exactly as long as they need to be and no longer. There's a great contrast between wordier and less wordy stories, between stories with slicker art and more underground feeling art. We even get an interesting text piece and a gorgeous back cover by Bruce Timm. This is a really well-assembled comic, and feels like an extremely satisfying package." -Jason Sacks, The Comics Bulletin

Monsterverse's "BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE" is the featured lead to USA TODAY's guide to the tops in horror comics!
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2010-10-29-Halloween-comics_N.htm

"BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE" is a double-sized 48-page color quarterly for $4.99 (with NO advertising!). The first issue contains stories and art by such notables as Kerry Gammill, (SPIDER-MAN and SUPERMAN) James Farr (whose XOMBIE online animated and comic book series is being brought to theater screens by Dreamworks in a live-action production by top writer/producers Orchi and Kurtzman), Chris Moreno (WORLD WAR HULK), John Cassaday, Rob Brown (voted online as horror artist of the year for BANE OF THE WEREWOLF), Derek McCaw, Rafael Navarro (creator of the Xeric Award winning series SONAMBULO), Martin Powell and Eisner Award- winning artist Terry Beatty (THE BATMAN STRIKES), Brian Denham (IRON MAN, ANGEL) and Bruce Timm (designer for Warner Bros animated BATMAN series) and more. The book also features an article by leading Lugosi researcher and author Gary D. Rhodes.

MONSTERVERSE ENTERTAINMENT is a transmedia company headed by its publisher and editor, the comic book and film design artist, Kerry Gammill.

Keith Wilson, formerly of DC Comics, is an editor and writer/artist.

Producer/screenwriter Sam F. Park is the west coast editor and a writer/artist.

UNITED MONSTER TALENT AGENCY Added To AN EVENING WITH BELA LUGOSI Event

Writtten By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Sam F. Park

Sam F. Park of Monsterverse Comics just shot me an email to let everyone know that there has been another film added to the bill of the special "An Evening With Bela Lugosi" event at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood to celebrate the launch of "Bela Lugosi's Tales From The Grave.

Now, along with Lugosi's classic films "The Black Cat" and "The Raven" will be KNB Effects make-up artist Greg Nicotero's (The Walking Dead) short film "The United Monster Talent Agency."

The eight minute newsreel shows how "real" monsters were "wrangled" for use in classic horror films and not performed with actors! The cast includes cameos by Frank Darabont, Robert Rodriguez, Eli Roth, Cerina Vincent, Dana Gould, Jeffery Combs, Carey Jones, Arden Myrin, Erica Frene, Sam Page and Jake Garber.

Hmmm .... I always thought those monsters always looked too real.

Here is the event info in case you missed it:

AN EVENING WITH BELA LUGOSI at the AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE.

Celebrating the career of horror icon Bela Lugosi and the launch of MONSTERVERSE's new horror anthology comic book, BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE.

Thursday, 7:30 PM
October 28th, 2010T
he Egyptian Theater
http://www.americancinematheque.com/egyptian/egypt.htm

Special Guests from Hollywood and the Comic Book Industry will be announced. Other featured guests are Bela Lugosi, Jr., and Kerry Gammill including contributors to BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE horror anthology comic book series.

There will be a Special Panel on Lugosi examing his career and the new comic book between films and a MONSTERVERSE Comic Book Display with contributors featured in the lobby.

An Exclusive Preview Trailer will be screened with art of the upcoming MONSTERVERSE graphic novel, FLESH AND BLOOD, written by Robert Tinnell and illustrated by Neil Vokes. To be unleashed Halloween 2011.

TRAILERS FROM HELL. Commentaries from directors Mick Garris and Joe Dante on Bela Lugosi and his films.




See Also: AN EVENING WITH BELA LUGOSI At The AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE

Peter H. Brothers Gone Batty: Completes Novel Based On Lugosi Movie



by Armand Vaquer

Peter H. Brothers reports that he has completed his first novel.

It is based on the Bela Lugosi melodrama, The Devil Bat, which was produced in 1940 and released in January 1941 by Producers Releasing Corporation (PRC).

In the movie, Lugosi plays Dr. Paul Carruthers, a research chemist who is embittered (Who else besides Bela can play such a role with relish?) that one of his formulas brought a fortune to his employers, but practically nothing to himself.

To avenge this affront, Carruthers creates giant bats who are conditioned to attack anyone wearing a special scent (in a shaving lotion) he concocted.

Above, author Peter H. Brothers with his first book, "Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda" in his back yard.

Brothers says:

"Devil Bat Diary" is complete! Clocking-in at 53,000 words it is a novelization of what "really" happened in the movie "The Devil Bat" based on the recently-discovered journal kept by the reporter Johnny Layton. I have already contacted a couple of publishers and will contact several more. Keep your fingers crossed and I will keep you posted on my progress!


This should be an entertaining and interesting read!

AN EVENING WITH BELA LUGOSI At The AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE

Source: Sam F. Park (Press Release)

AN EVENING WITH BELA LUGOSI at the AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE.

Celebrating the career of horror icon Bela Lugosi and the launch of MONSTERVERSE's new horror anthology comic book, BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE.

Thursday, 7:30 PM
October 28th, 2010
The Egyptian Theater

http://www.americancinematheque.com/egyptian/egypt.htm

Two Feature Films starring Bela Lugosi in THE BLACK CAT and THE RAVEN. With Boris Karloff.

Mainstream news coverage will be in effect for the Halloween weekend in Los Angeles, the media capital of the world. This is a major launch for the first issue of BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE horror anthology comic book.

Special Guests from Hollywood and the Comic Book Industry will be announced. Other featured guests are Bela Lugosi, Jr., and Kerry Gammill including contributors to BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE horror anthology comic book series.

There will be a Special Panel on Lugosi examing his career and the new comic book between films and a MONSTERVERSE Comic Book Display with contributors featured in the lobby.

An Exclusive Preview Trailer will be screened with art of the upcoming MONSTERVERSE graphic novel, FLESH AND BLOOD, written by Robert Tinnell and illustrated by Neil Vokes. To be unleashed Halloween 2011.

TRAILERS FROM HELL. Commentaries from directors Mick Garris and Joe Dante on Bela Lugosi and his films.

Poster design by artist Charlie Largent.

This exclusive event image may be Tweeted with:
http://twitpic.com/2mxwhx

MONSTERVERSE is a new independent comic book company with a horror anthology book coming out in October 2010 and entitled, BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE.

Here is a direct link preview of the book and its pages posted on YouTube.

LUGOSI HORROR COMIC YOUTUBE PREVIEW

The comic will be available at comic shops everywhere and online and is distributed by Diamond. For a new independent transmedia company MONSTERVERSE enjoys having the top talents in the world such as John Cassaday, Bruce Timm and the legendary Basil Gogos creating covers for its books. Writer/director (of the upcoming THE WALKING DEAD), Frank Darabont, gave this quote about cover artist Basil Gogos.

"Basil Gogo doesn't paint pictures of monsters, and never has. What he does is conjure their essences on canvas like a magician. More than that, he conjures our love of these subjects in a manner that defies description or analysis. How does an artist infuse an entire fan community's love of a whole genre into his brushstrokes? I'll never be able to explain it, but I know I'll always be grateful for it. Seeing Gogos' portraits is revisiting the best friends of my childhood." - Frank Darabont

Monsterverse was chosen the FEATURED COVER STORY on COMIC SHOP NEWS 1207 a few weeks back (distributed to over 500 of the top comic book shops nationwide and given out to customers with purchases). This article beat out the top comic companies in America, an impressive feat for a new independent publisher.

BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE was recently featured on the front page of Diamond's AUGUST PREVIEWS website (under their new Pre-Orders section). And once again beating out the top comic companies and independents in Diamond's distribution universe.

The book was cited by the Diamond staff as both a FEATURED ITEM and CERTIFIED COOL in the August magazine (Page 298).

Diamond started a new PRE-ORDER section on its website and we were the first book it featured. (The very first!)

For a small new independent publisher up against the major companies and other larger independents this special advanced scrutiny speaks for itself in how the staffs of COMIC SHOP NEWS and DIAMOND view the book's contents and its contributors along with MONSTERVERSE's plans for future books and projects.

Take a look at our official website. We are quite proud of the amazing talents involved.

MONSTERVERSE and BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE will receive special coverage in the upcoming double-sized Halloween issue of RUE MORGUE.

There is a feature story on MONSTERVERSE and BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE also being prepped for their special Halloween issue of FAMOUS MONSTERS MAGAZINE.

MONSTERVERSE publisher Kerry Gammill is creating a terrific new feature cover for the January FAMOUS MONSTERS.

BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE is published by Kerry Gammill who is internationally known for his artist work at Marvel and DC Comics on titles like MARVEL TEAM-UP, INDIANA JONES, POWERMAN/IRON FIST and SUPERMAN. Kerry has also worked as a make-up effects designer on studio genre films such as VIRUS and TV programs such as STARGATE and THE OUTER LIMITS. Here is a link to Kerry's professional art website:

http://gammillustrations.bizland.com/monsterart/

This FANBOY PLANET article can give you a quick update on what is going on with the history of the company and its future plans:

http://www.fanboyplanet.com/interviews/mc-monsterverse.php

This link takes you to our first issue cover by the legendary FAMOUS MONSTERS cover artist, Basil Gogos.

http://twitpic.com/1doadj

Our variant cover is by one of the hottest artists working in American comic books today, John Cassaday, and who recently directed an episode of Joss Whedon's DOLLHOUSE television series. Whedon has been tapped to direct Marvel Studios' epic feature film, THE AVENGERS.

http://twitpic.com/25v1o3

The back cover is by Warner Brothers animation executive producer and Emmy-winning designer/artist Bruce Timm.

To reserve a copy of the Lugosi comic book at a comic shop you need to supply them with the Diamond Item # Code, AUG101080, with the title, BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE. The first issues of the Lugosi comic book will be shipped in October to celebrate both Halloween and Lugosi's 128th birthday. A special celebration of Lugosi films, the new comic book and its contributors is set for the American Cinematheque in Hollywood at its Egyptian Theater on Thursday, October 28th.

BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE will be a double-sized 48-page color quarterly and retailing for $4.99 and with no ads (except for a house ad announcing a serial adaptation of the novel DRACULA and starring BELA LUGOSI by Kerry Gammill and beginning in issue two). It is pure comic book fun and frights from front to back with a brief article on Lugosi.

BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE will feature some of the most talented storytellers working today in comic books and horror films. No other comic book series has this kind of industry talent nor do other comic book companies have these kinds of horror film heavyweights working on any comic book. This is a first in comic book publishing and dedicated to the fun and classic horror of Bela Lugosi but made for today's audiences.

Movie directors like John Landis (An American Werewolf In London, Burke And Hare) and Joe Dante (Gremlins, The Howling) along with make-up genius Rick Baker (American Werewolf In London, Michael Jackson's THRILLER, Men In Black), will be providing stories and art for future issues. More Hollywood horror film creators are also working up stories.

The most acclaimed creators in comics will be writing and drawing stories such as Steve Niles (30 Days Of Night), artist John Cassaday (Planetary, Astonishing X-Men) and Mike Mignola (Hellboy).

The first issue contains stories and art by such notables as Kerry Gammill (SUPERMAN and SPIDER-MAN ), James Farr (whose XOMBIE online animated and comic book series is being brought to theater screens by Dreamworks in a live-action production by top writer/producers Orchi and Kurtzman), Chris Moreno (WORLD WAR HULK), John Cassaday, Rob Brown (voted online as horror artist of the year for BANE OF THE WEREWOLF), Derek McCaw, Rafael Navarro (creator of the Xeric Award winning series SONAMBULO), Martin Powell and Eisner Award- winning artist Terry Beatty (THE BATMAN STRIKES), Brian Denham (IRON MAN, ANGEL), Bruce Timm and more. The book also features an article by leading Lugosi researcher and author Gary D. Rhodes.

MONSTERVERSE ENTERTAINMENT is a transmedia company headed by its publisher and editor, the comic book and film design artist, Kerry Gammill.

Keith Wilson, formerly of DC Comics, is an editor and writer/artist.

Producer/screenwriter Sam F. Park is the west coast editor and a writer/artist.

Happy 100th Birthday, Lupita Tovar!

Above, Lupita Tovar is about to get bitten by Count Dracula (Carlos Villarías) in Universal's Spanish language version of "Dracula" in 1931.

Happy 100th Birthday, Lupita Tovar!

by Armand Vaquer

This one sure fell under my radar!

Actress Lupita Tovar, celebrated her 100th birthday July 27. Who is Lupita Tovar?

According to Wikipedia:

Lupita Tovar (born July 27, 1910) is a Mexican actress, best known for her starring role in the 1931 Spanish language version of Dracula, filmed in Los Angeles by Universal Pictures at night using the same sets as the Bela Lugosi version, but with a different cast and director.


Tovar was born in Oaxaca, Mexico.

She played Eva (the "Mina" role played by Helen Chandler in the Lugosi version) to Carlos Villarías' Count Dracula. Both the Lugosi and Spanish language version of Dracula are available on DVD.

Many critics and fans say that the Spanish version of Dracula is technically better than the Tod Browning/Lugosi version. It does make better use of the sets.

Happy (belated) Birthday!