Entertainment Earth

5/22/2015

The 30 Greatest Fangoria Covers of all Time Pt. 3, 10 - 1


10. Fangoria #23 (The Evil Dead)- Sam Raimi's gore drenched classic makes a cover appearance. I wonder if anyone back then imagined just how  massive a classic that this movie would become? Think about it, up to that point it was a low budget, unrated movie made by then unknowns starring then unknowns.







9. Fangoria #29 (The Gates of Hell)- Lucio Fulci's gory zombie classick makes this cover. Also known as City of the Living Dead, the image is of one of one of its classic splatter scenes, this one being where a character gets a power-drill to the noggin.








 
8. Fangoria #317 (Barbara Crampton)- One of the most beautiful women ever to grace the horror genre graces this modern era cover. This image not only proves that she is still a stunner, but has a nice bit of classic influence to it.








7. Fangoria #14 (An American Werewolf in London)- The first ever drawn cover for Fango features the werewolf from the John Landis' classic with a close-up of his face. It's some truly amazing artwork, indeed!









6. Fangoria #307 (Alice Cooper)- There are two drawn covers to this issue, the other, The Howling, is fucking cool, too. However, it is this one of the king of shock rock that makes the grade. Also, I have to add this was the issue where you can find my first published article. I remember seeing both covers and thinking to myself, "Holy shit! My favorite werewolf movie and one of my favortie frontmen (and one of my childhood heroes) made the cover of it!!





 
5. Fangoria #57 (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2)- While, I like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, I am admit ably, not it's biggest fan. I think it's alright, but fell that it has, over the years, gotten a little overrated. However, Savini's makeup FX for the movie is excellent, of course. I LOVE his Leatherface, who is the cover-boy here, of course.






 
4. Fangoria #10 (Scanners)- One of the most memorable gore scenes ever, this being the exploding head in David Cronenberg's classic sci-fi/ horror flick, Scanners, gets the awesome front pic here. The tagline on it is awesome, too!








3. Fangoria #1 (Godzilla)- The very first issue of what is probably the most renown horror mag in the world got the King of the Monsters, himself, Godzilla on its' cover. Based on a poster from the very first film Godzilla: King of the Monsters, AKA, Gojira, this cover will catch the eye of any true monster/ horror fan. And, yes I own a copy of it, and only paid 20 bucks for it. It was/ is in pretty good condition.






2. Fangoria #95 (Total Recall)- One of the goriest (if not THE goriest) Arnold Schwarzenegger movies makes the cover and takes the silver medal. It's more head violence (three of the titles in my top ten have some sort of head violence!), as the lead villain's eyes pop right out! It's such an iconic and wild moment that sums up this action packed and ultra-violent movie, so well! 






1. Fangoria #8 (Zombie)- And, the top spot, gold medal, best Fangoria cover ever goes to this one featuring the one of the most popular and iconic zombies in cinema history. He is, of course, from Fulci's gory classic, Zombie. This dude is just so cool and creepy and kind of stands as one of my favorite zombies ever. The white background really helps him pop out, too!


The 30 Greatest Fangoria Covers of all Time Pt. 2, 20 - 11

The 30 Greatest Fangoria Covers of all Time Pt. 1, 30 - 21

 

 

5/18/2015

The 30 Greatest Fangoria Covers of all Time Pt. 2, 20 - 11

20. Fangoria #96 (Darkman)- Sam Raimi's kick ass mix of superhero action and Gothic horror makes for an exciting cover that really pops and shows the excellently gruesome visage of it's title character. I don't know if he is horror's first superhero (like the cover states), that title really belongs to Swamp Thing. The first one originally made for the big screen, is more like it.
 

 



19. Fangpria #127 (Return of the Living Dead Pt. III)- One of the sexiest, if not THE sexiest zombies ever, graces the cover of this Fango. Dear God, how I LOVE Melina Clarke!! Still, to this very day!!!


 





18. Fangoria #9 (Motel Hell)- The most highly sought after, rarest, and issue that is worth the most amount of money, this cover of a dude with a pig head and chainsaw from cult favorite Motel Hell is a purely classic image!








17. Fangoria #78 (Hellbound: Hellraiser II)- Pinhead gets his first and best Fango cover. Some trivia here, the first film made it on to a Fango cover, as well, but it wasn't Pinhead. It was bloody and skinless Frank!









16. Fangoria #50 (A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge)- Landmark issue gets a bit a of a different look with the filmstrip taken out for it. Also, Freddy looks fucking cool as hell on it and totally pissed off! I guess of it's your "revenge" you be pissed off, too!










15. Fangoria #70 (Pumpkinhead)- The movie's production company had been holding back on pictures of the title monster and finally they released them leading to one of the best cover's in the mag's history! The monster is one of the coolest ever and the film is kick ass, too!








14. Fangoria #325- (Female Vampire)- Sexy vampire cover, from cult classic Female Vampire, in this awesome tribute to Euro-sleaze/ exploitation/ horror master Jess Franco. This actually ranks as one of my favorite issues of the magazine.








13. Fangoria #66 (The Lost Boys)- A badass cover as one of the vampires of 80s favorite The Lost Boys throws up the devil horns. Dude keeps it metal, even after landing in a tub of holy water!










 
12. Fangoria #62 (A Nightmare on Elm Street pt. 3: The Dream Warriors)- My absolute favorite slasher sequel gets a cool as hell cover appearance as Freddy Krueger looks ready to take the lovely Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp) to the prom! Bad boys get all the best girls! Though considering the look on her, maybe she isn't that pumped for this date.







11. Fangoria #65- (Predator)- Man, it just seems like Fango was knocking them out the ballpark with the covers, during this time period. Then again this was a stellar time for horror. Anyways, the deadly alien from the Arnie action/ sci-fi/ horror classic get the cover here holding a trophy of one of successful hunts.






The 30 Greatest Fangoria Covers of all Time Pt. 1, 30 - 21

 

4/05/2015

The 30 Greatest Fangoria Covers of all Time Pt. 1, 30 - 21

The recently released Fangoria Cover to Cover book (the signing of which I attended on Thurs) has made me think about the best covers Fango has had. This three part series has me picking out the very best covers this world renown horror mag has had. The movies or TV shows featured on the cover may range in quality, but the eye catch ability of all of them is why they are here. These are some of the coolest, bloodiest, most beautiful, and, in some cases, even sexy covers the mag has had in its' 35 year run. Let know what you think about my picks! Anyway, let's get this countdown started already!

30. Fangoria #84- Tales from the Crypt- HBO's groundbreaking horror anthology series pops on the cover as the killer Santa takes center stage. This is one of the earliest issues that I ever bought. I think I recall the cover causing some controversy, too. The Ghostbusters II insignia being on the corner is an added bonus, even if the movie itself isn't all that...






29. Fangoria #83- Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th Pt. VII: The New Blood- The best looking Jason Voorhees (the first time the real Jason appeared on the cover, by the way) gets the cover here. This issue which interviewed the first half of the final girls of the slasher franchise is when I started to collect the mag and read it religiously. The combo of their sexy presence and Jason being on the cover made me decide that I NEED to own it!





28. Fangoria #88- Halloween 5:The Revenge of Michael Myers- Yeah, this era of Fango covers was really special to me, cause I was so into reading and collecting it,at this point. This is the best cover featuring Michael Myers by and far, I think. Even if the sequel itself is just OK and the Myers mask is actually one of the worst ones in the series. That fellow slasher icons Freddy and Leatherface are in the side filmstrip are icing on the bloody cake.






27. Fangoria #19- Poltergeist- Tobe Hooper's Steven Spielberg produced classic is featured. That the corpses are said to be real only adds a certain morbid coolness to it.






26. Fangoria #299- Black Swan- A beautiful and eye-catching cover has the psychological horror flick take the main place. I remember that I would stare at this cover every time I saw it for sale at a comic shop or bookstore. 






25. Fangoria #153- The Craft- I remember getting this cover in the mail (I was subcribed back then) and drooling over the girls on it. Especially Fairuza Balk, who I was totally in love with when I was in college. You can say this cover put a spell on me! To paraphrase ZZ Top, they got legs and know how to use them!








24. Fangoria #25- Videodrome- The first gore cover to make this list is from one of the David Cronenberg's finest movies, as a TV barfs some intestines. A cover with guts! Literally!









23. Fangoria #89- Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III- A touching and heartwarming picture of Leatherface and his family adorns this one. You know this proves it. Leatherface is a wonderful uncle!









21. Fangoria #127- The Beyond- Instead of featuring a current a movie, a trend the magazine had kinda slumped in at this point, it goes retro and features Fulci's finest movie. It was being re-released by Tarantino, at the time. The image is of the little zombie girl who gets her brains blown out thanks to a gunshot blast. It's a gore highlight in an ubber-gory classick and as such really stands out amongst Fango covers.


4/04/2015

FANGORIA COVER TO COVER Signing at Forbidden Planet 4/2/15

Fangoria is one of the most important magazines in my entire life. Not only did it fuel and influence my love of horror, but it was the first place that I would eventually end up getting published in. As such, the concept of a hardcover book featuring the covers from the mag was one that really appealed to me. And, as such I was excited for the new Fangoria Cover to Cover, which is just that. I was even more excited to see that my favorite comic-book shop, Forbidden Planet, was gonna have a signing with many from the magazine's past and present contributors and horror luminaries, including my friend Debbie Rochon.

I got there about a half hour before it started and waited in line. It started a little late as the legendary Dick (Gremlins 1 & 2, The Terminator) Miller wasn't feeling well and had to leave. Thank God, I met him years ago at one of the old Fangoria Weekend of Horrors conventions! As always, it was great to talk to my fellow horror fans on the line, as we waited. Also, the Quick Bunny, randomly holding Thor's hammer Mjolnir showed up and entertained us.

Tom Savini didn't show up, while I was there but did after I left. Oh, well, doesn't matter. I've met him many times, before. The people that were there were: Tony Timpone (who was the editor of Fango for the longest run, so far and edited this book), Anthony Ferrante (who has toiled in the magazine and directed Sharknado among other movies), Michael Gingold, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (who wrote Afterlife with Archie), legendary horror/ cult director Frank Henenlotter, horror director Larry Fessenden, scream queen Debbie Rochon, legendary artist Basil Gogos, director Jeff (Squirm) Leiberman, among many others.

One of my personal favorite directors, Frank Henelotter has made the Basket Case Trilogy, Frankenhooker (which he signed my blu-ray copy of!), Brain Damage (my absolute favorite of his, which I made sure to tell him), Bad Biology, and other great films. I was so happy to finally meet him!

Fango's two Tonys! My fellow Italians: Anthony Ferrante and Tony Timpone.

I was so happy to see Debbie, once again. It had been a long time since I has last seen her at the last Saturday Nightmares that had been held. I was so happy to see and talk to her for a bit. She asked how the writing was going for me and was happy for my success. Debbie is so sweet and awesome. I am proud to call her a friend. She also signed my blu-ray copy of Return to Nuke Em High Vol. 1. 
 
 
 
I was quite honored to meet the one of my favorite artists: Basil Gogos. His work has graced the covers of the classic monster magazine Famous Monsters of Filmland. That magazine was so important in the creation of Fango, itself. He has been in the pages of Fango, too, of course.

 

I had such a blast at this event! I love horror and will love it forever. Glad I got this book and expect a review coming soon!

3/31/2015

The 175 Greatest Heavy Metal Album Covers of all Time Pt. 16: 10-1

Finally! Here it is! The top 10 heavy metal album covers of all time! I'm sorry for the delay. Anyway, let's get to them, without any further adieu!

10. Iron Maiden- The Number of the Beast- Man is a puppet to the Devil who, in turn, is a puppet to Eddie, the Maiden mascot in this classic cover by Derek Riggs. It's one of the greatest and most iconic covers to one of THE greatest and most iconic albums ever, made. Also, it proves that Eddie is more powerful and awesome than Satan! And, don't forget this is the first album with Bruce Dickinson as the signer!!! A landmark album in every way shape and form!




9. Obituary- The End Complete- This amazing cover is for the third and best selling Obituary album, ever. Everything is amazing on it. From the desolate place it depicts to dragonizied version of the already cool Obituary logo!








 
8. Judas Priest- Metal Works 73-93- This compilation of Priest songs released at their 20th anniversary has a beautiful, exciting, and kick ass collage of the band's album covers as drawn by Mark Wilkinson. The battle between the Painkiller and the Hellion at top are breathtaking and badass to the max!






 
7. Type O Negative- Bloody Kisses (Digipak cover)- While, the original version of this cover of the third album from these Brooklyn metal masters was sexy and cool, the digipak version is ever HOTTER. The two girls actually locking lips in a delicious image. Metalhead boys and girls were immediately turned on, even more than before. The album, itself, is a 90 metal masterpiece!!!






6. Megadeth- Rust in Peace- The fourth album by Megadeth is their finest moment and a thrash metal classic! The sci-fi/ political cover has Eddie, an energy stone, an alien, and then leaders of the world. Not only is their finest moment, but Vic Rattlehead (the band mascot) as well!!







 
5. Obituary- Cause of Death- This classic death metal album is the second by the band. The cover is done Michael Whelan and was originally going to be used on Sepultura's Beneath the Remains, which instead used different art by the same artist. This cover would also be used on an HP Lovercraft collection.






 
4. Judas Priest- Painkiller- The twelfth and, in my humble opinion best, album by these British gods of metal features truly kick ass and exciting art with the Painkiller himself. He's riding off to whoop some fucking ass, surely! He seems triumphant as hell. So, maybe he already whooped some ass!






3. Iron Maiden- Live after Death- This classic live album, one of the genre's very best might I add, by Iron Maiden has such amazing art by Derek Riggs. It continues the story of Eddie, who is resurrected after being lobotomized in Piece of Mind. He also still has the chains from the Powerslave tour. The tombstone has a quote from HP Lovercraft, that reads as follows:
"That is not dead which can eternal lie
Yet with strange aeons even death may die."
It also reads Eddie's full name: Eddie T. H., referring to The Head, with the last name being obscured.
An all, this art is something straight out of a zombie movie and awesome for that!

2. Sepultura- Arise- The fourth album by the Brazilian thrash gods is their masterpiece on of the finest thrash/ death metal crossover albums, ever. The Lovecraftain/ sci-fi/ nightmarish cover is one of the coolest, most complex, and original covers ever. And, hence it gets the runner up award.






1. Iron Maiden- Somewhere in Time- The greatest cover ever is this, the studio sixth album by Maiden. Derek Riggs give us a kick ass  Blade Runner type futuristic world for Eddie to walk through with his gun. Allusions to other Maiden albums and songs abound in the complex, colorful, and eye-catching background.The use of the iconic Eddie, the setting, the richness and complexity, all amounts to it winning my top stop!

The 175 Greatest Heavy Metal Album Covers of all Time Pt. 15: 20-11

The 175 Greatest Heavy Metal Album Covers of all Time Pt. 14: 30-21


The 175 Greatest Heavy Metal Album Covers of all Time Pt. 13: 40-31

 The 175 Greatest Heavy Metal Album Covers of all Time Pt. 12: 50-41

The 175 Greatest Heavy Metal Album Covers of all Time Pt. 11: 60-51


The 175 Greatest Heavy Metal Album Covers of all Time Pt. 10: 70-61


The 175 Greatest Heavy Metal Album Covers of all Time Pt. 9: 80-71


The 175 Greatest Heavy Metal Album Covers of all Time Pt. 8: 90-81 


The 175 Greatest Heavy Metal Album Covers of all Time Pt. 7: 110-101 


The 175 Greatest Heavy Metal Album Covers of all Time Pt. 6: 120-111 


The 175 Greatest Heavy Metal Album Covers of all Time Pt. 5: 130-121


The 175 Greatest Heavy Metal Album Covers of all Time Pt. 4: 140-131 


The 175 Greatest Heavy Metal Album Covers of all Time Pt. 3: 150-141


The 175 Greatest Heavy Metal Album Covers of all Time Pt. 2: 160-151


The 175 Greatest Heavy Metal Album Covers of all Time Pt. 1: 175-16