LATEST NEWS (12/15/02):

     With Christmas only a little over a week away, many of you are probably wishing for a new issue of MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT under your tree. Although that's not going to happen, I can promise you that MFTV #15 (click on the cover image for content) will help you start off 2003. Our newest issue is scheduled to make its way to the printer in early January, and it should be available to readers later in the month. While I know the wait was again long, I'm sure it will be worth it. As I've mentioned before, MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT is a labor of love, and each issue is crafted in what free time we have from our regular jobs. Unfortunately, both Michael Kronenberg and I have had a very limited amount of time to devote to the magazine in 2002. It's too early to tell about 2003, but we may well be able to publish only two times again next year. After MFTV #15 is published in January, don't look for another issue before June, when MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT #16 will premiere at Ron Adams' Monster Bash Convention (June 20-22, 2003) in Butler, Pennsylvania. When #14 made its debut at the 2002 Bash, we had our best sales numbers ever---numbers we hope to surpass this year. Ron has another great show lined up for 2003, with Julie Adams, Ben Chapman, Kevin McCarthy, Bob Burns, and Sara Karloff scheduled to appear. For more information on next year's convention, visit his Web site by clicking on the banner to the right.
     At the Bash next year, I hope to hook up with many of my "Monster Kid" friends in "The Old Dark Clubhouse." One of the nicest Monster Kids you'll ever meet, Kerry Gammill, has unleashed a special Chistmas mini-incarnation of his wonderful on-line magazine, MONSTER KID. Click on the image below to check out the Christmas edition, and the third edition (posted in October) of this wonderful webzine. Each new issue is better than the last, and the Christmas edition, along with MONSTER KID #3, both feature some cool 3-D photos, so take your 3-D glasses to the computer with you. Don't forget to sign his guestbook, and tell him MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT sent you!
     Speaking of Christmas, here're a few gift ideas (better late than never) for your favorite monster lover. First, check out the latest 12" figures from Sideshow Toy (Frankenstein's Monster from Son of Frankenstein, and the Mask of Red Death Phantom from The Phantom of the Opera) or pre-order their upcoming figures of Henry Hull as The Werewolf of London, or the Mole Man from The Mole People. As always, Sideshow continues to lead the way when it comes to cool monster collectibles. Check out their Web site Another great item you might be able to snag in time for Christmas is the Universal Monsters Chess Set, available exclusively at Spencer Gifts. While the set is a little pricey, it's well worth the $100 cost. It's beautifully constructed out of heavy resin, features a detailed paint job, and is a wonderful addition to any collection, whether or not you play chess. Finally, with practically everyone owing a DVD player now, I'd like to recommend that you check out Alpha Video's line of horror and science fiction DVDs. Yes, the print quality varies from one DVD to another, there are no extras, and, no, they're not archival prints, but each disk is well worth the price ($7.99 SRP, $5.95 on their Web site). I own all of their horror and sci-fi titles and have yet to come across a disk that was unwatchable; in fact, many prints are superior to those released by other labels at much higher prices. And even those of lesser quality remind me of the days in the 1960s when I saw many of these pictures for the first time on our old black and white TV, after spending much prep time adjusting the antenna for optimal picture quality. Even Alpha's cover artwork blows away much of the genre's other DVD releases and would look great on the cover of your favorite monster magazines. (Some of this fantastic cover artwork is also available in poster form through their Web site.) If you're a fan of Poverty Row, Alpha is the label for you. With new titles coming out every month, Alpha gives horror fans the biggest bang for their buck! Visit them on-line by clicking on one of the DVD cover images (to the left or right). By buying directly from them you save even more---you can get 5 DVDs for $25 (plus shipping), so place your order today.
     Finally, be sure to check out the latest convention to come to the East Coast, Monster-Mania Con. Sponsored by Monster-Mania's Dave Hagen, the show will kick off its festivities on September 26-28, 2003, in Cherry Hill, NJ (just outside of Philadelphia). Click on their banner below for more information. Well, this concludes our long overdue news update, so until next time, everyone involved in the creation of each new issue of MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT would like to wish our readers and their families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!