Pulp Cover of the Week

Doc Savage by Walter Baumhofer.

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The Wolfman Returns!

I was about seven years old when I first encountered Lon Chaney, Jr. as "The Wolf Man", and it was sort of a revelation to me.



















Something tells me that I must have jabbered on about the movie quite a bit, because that Christmas I received not only the classic Aurora Wolf Man model kit (my first-ever monster model), but also the cool and creepy Wolf Man Mystery Game. I remember staring at the box art from both of these for hours and hours, often trying to duplicate their atmospheric images in crayon.






























Last night, Lisa and I saw Universal's new film The Wolfman (transformed into only one word now), and I sat in jittery anticipation hoping that it wouldn't let us down. It didn't. I've read some perplexing mixed reviews, but Lisa and I loved it. This is a real monster movie, inspired both by the original Chaney film and the tragedies of Shakespeare. It also expressed several effective nods to Hammer's Curse of the Werewolf, which I especially appreciated. I even sensed a welcomed wisp of the ghost of the late Paul Naschy's Waldemar Daninsky, too.


















The cast is excellent, from Anthony Hopkins' cryptic Sir John Talbot, to Emily Blunt's tenderly portrayed Gwen Conliffe. Simply stated, Benicio Del Toro was born to play Lawrence Talbot, a character who appeared in five Universal horror films in the 1940s, each time performed by Chaney. Del Toro, a serious Wolf Man fan and collector himself--as well as a co-producer of the new film--is a more than worthy successor, bringing a melancholy loneliness and ferocious savagery to the role.









































Perhaps, though, the real star of the movie is the fearsome werewolf itself, magnificently created by make-up maestro, and multiple Oscar Award winner, Rick Baker. Although the Wolfman is still respectfully recognizable as inspired by Jack Pierce's classic design, never before has the creature been so realistically realized. I suspect it succeeds so well because we are seeing Del Toro acting in genuine monster make-up, not a computer-created effect.















































Personally, I found the new Wolfman as pitiable as he was frightening, and that's what makes a classic monster movie work. This is, arguably, the most terrifying werewolf ever presented on film and I feel it is Baker's finest horrific accomplishment. Bravo, Rick.



















There is some CGI featured in the film, of course, but its generally applied sparingly, and effectively, during the transformation scenes which are swift, startling, and monstrous. There are also some brief moments when the werewolf drops to running amok on all fours with furious speed, which are powerfully choreographed. The full Moon is especially ominously portrayed, practically a character in the film itself.

Late 19th Century London is moodily rendered, too, and what a thrill is it to finally see the Wolfman on the rampage through the crowded city streets!











Mind you, this film isn't for kids. It's a full-blown, fast, scary, bloody, white-knuckled, fairy tale for grown-ups. My favorite scene: the climax to the asylum sequence. You'll see what I mean.































I can hardly wait for The Wolfman to arrive on DVD. I know I'll have to see it again before then.

Highly recommended. Four out of five stars.

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Ultraman!

This awesomely cool Ultraman mask arrived today. Genuinely retro, too!

When I was about eleven years old, a new independent television station, WDRB Channel 41, suddenly appeared on the airwaves in Louisville, Ky. Mind you, this was in the days before cable and VCRs, when we only had three local stations to choose from. For a kid like me, Channel 41 was the stuff dreams were made of. They showed cool old cartoons and vintage TV series, plus a great assortment of movies, from Tarzan, to Godzilla, and the whole Universal Monsters package.

My favorite series, by far, was called Ultraman, a live-action Japanese sci-fi super-hero giant monster show. I'd never even heard of it before watching the origin episode, which hooked me before the first commercial. I became a fan obsessed, sculpting models, making masks, and writing and drawing my own Ultraman comic book adventures in between shows. I dreamed of being a member of the legendary Science Patrol, and it was always fun to see the neighborhood kids race out of their homes immediately after the program, mimicking all of Ultraman's epic battle poses.















Recently, I stumbled upon a DVD collection of the original series and I've become hooked all over again.





































Yup, I know exactly how this kid feels!

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The Pulp Cover of the Week

The Shadow by George Rozen.

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A Valentine's Day Anniversary

Seven years ago tomorrow, I went on a first date with a sweet, smart, saucy red-haired artist named Lisa Bandemer. She claims to this day she was so cynical about dating and relationships then that she didn't even notice that I'd asked her out on Valentine's Day.

I knew what I was doing.

That first date lasted about fourteen hours, so I suppose it's pretty obvious that we both felt a spark. A year later, to the day, we moved in together and it's been the two of us (and our four-legged familiars), through both tough and glorious times, ever since.

Lisa was my salvation. She continues to be.

I'm a very lucky man.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Poems, Songs, and Tarot Readings

This past evening I spent a lovely time with musician, poet, and longtime friend, Jenny Dalton. We've been friends for almost ten years and it would be remiss of me not to make special mention of Jenny in my blog.

Both of us are agnostics, often suspecting everything while, perhaps, believing in nothing, raised in traditional, somewhat strict Catholic homes. We've always shared a peculiarly similar world view, which drew us together in the first place.

She introduced me to the fascinating works of Robert Anton Wilson, and I gave Jenny her first deck of Tarot cards. I wasn't exactly sure why I did that at the time. I don't believe in the Tarot. But then, I don't disbelieve it either. By way of splendid coincidences (?), Wilson's books profoundly affected my life, while the Tarot set Jenny on a vigorous new path of creative freedom and self-discovery.

Simply put, our lives wouldn't be the same had we never met, and we've been a positive influence on each other ever since.

A mutual fan once remarked to me that she felt Jenny and I "wrote from the same place." The comment was definitely meant to be a compliment, although I didn't understand it. Jenny and I discussed this tonight, and it immediately seemed to puzzle her, too.

Still, I can never resist a mystery, so perhaps Jenny and I should write something together one of these days, then we might be able to figure it out. I'm certainly game if she is.

Currently, she's about to immerse herself into the studio and begin recording her next album, which sounds truly amazing. You'll be hearing more of Jenny soon. Stay tuned.













If you'd like to experience Jenny's haunting music, listen to her podcasts, and even have a personal Tarot card reading, then visit her at:

http://www.jennydalton.com/

http://www.jennydalton.com/2009/07/t-t-t-tarot.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6wNTIPbTsQ

You'll have a lovely time, too.

Happy Birthday Frank Frazetta

While I was growing up and immersing myself in the fantastic worlds of Edgar Rice Burroughs, no other artist captivated my imagination quite like the one and only Frank Frazetta.

It's safe to say, I think, that I wouldn't be the writer I am today without Frank's iconic influence. In fact, I suspect that many like me wouldn't have had careers without him. I don't consider it an exaggeration that Frazetta created the current fantasy/adventure genre that I've enjoyed contributing to for over twenty years.

So, Happiest of Birthdays to you, sir. Your brush burns brighter today than ever before.

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