LATEST NEWS (4/22/03):

     I know it's long overdue, but here's the latest on MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT. Our next issue (MFTV #15) has been promised many times over the past several months; unfortunately, it's still a work in progress. I know many of you are starting to lose patience (and faith) in our ability to produce the magazine. Believe me, we had every intention of having the magazine out by now, but one thing after another has continued to come up, causing more and more delays. I know I've gone over this time and again on our Web site, and in the editorial of many issues, but not everyone seems to understand, so here I go again. MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT is a labor of love for everyone involved, no one gets paid, and everyone has a real job. The magazine is definitely not a moneymaker---hell---we're lucky if we break even with each new issue. Distributors with unfair practices, increased printing costs, and a shrinking market all contribute to the death of many small-scale magazines (fanzines). The fact that we're still publishing MFTV (no matter how infrequently) is a miracle in itself. However, I'm determined to press on, and I continue to put in long hours to make it happen, but I ask that you the reader (or potential reader) have some faith. We've never taken any money from anyone without ultimately delivering the product they paid for. I know many of you get uncomfortable when you send that subscription check and don't immediately receive something in return. I wish MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT was my full-time job and that I made a living at it. Unfortunately, that's not the case now, nor will it ever be (unless the Monster Boom of the 1960s returns). However, I do promise that no one will be out money, if a time comes that we are no longer able to publish MFTV. Any unused portion of your subscription will be returned to you, even if it comes out of my own pocket. So while I love to hear from the readers via phone, letter, or e-mail, contacting me on a weekly or monthly schedule to ask where your issue is will only delay the magazine more. Returning calls costs money; answering letters costs money; and replying to e-mails takes a lot of time (as does phone calls and letters). That's why I urge everyone to check out the latest updates on our Web site to find out what's happening with MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT. Now, I know that the Web site is not updated daily, monthly, or many times even bi-annually, because updating it (also done by me) is also very time-consuming, and time is currently at a premium for me. However, when there's news to pass on, I'll take the time to update it. This brings me full circle to why I'm updating it now---the long delay between issues #14 and #15.
     I was recently informed by Michael Kronenberg that due to family and job commitments, he is unable to continue as the art director for MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT (read more about this in my editorial when you receive #15). I've now assumed those duties, along with editor, publisher, and day-to-day operations. I'm very excited about this, and I have a few changes (nothing drastic) planned for the magazine. The biggest change is one that will benefit the reader: to publish more often. So not only will MFTV #15 go to the printer at the end of May, but #16 will go with it! That's right, two issues of MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT coming your way at the same time. Both issues will premiere at Monster Bash in Butler, PA at the end of June. Subscribers will receive their copies together in the mail, and those who purchase the magazine from their local comic book store will see the issues show up about six weeks apart. After these two issues mail, it's right to work on #17, which should be out before Halloween. When both issues (#15 and #16) are shipped to the printer, I'll immediately post an update here. From that time, it should reach subscribers in approximately three weeks (Elite Subscribers) or four to six weeks (Basic Subscribers), and to your local comic book store sometime in-between. The contents of both issues will be updated on the "Coming Next Issue" section of our Web site soon. So keep checking back.
     Well, enough about #15 and #16, and on to a few other items of interest. First, my favorite producer of cool monster collectibles is at it again: Sideshow Toy just information on what's sure to be one of their most popular figures---the Creature from the Black Lagoon. Click on the Universal Monsters logo (final product photos coming soon) to visit Sideshow on-line, and to place your order. Second, Alpha Video Distributors continues to give consumers the best bang for their buck when it comes to horror, sci-fi, mystery, and serials on DVD. Click on the cover image to visit their on-line catalog. Also, the convention season is again upon us, and besides the fun and successful Son of FANEX, which we attended on April 11-13 in Baltimore, MD, we plan to attend three others: Monster Bash (June 20-22 in Butler, PA), FANEX 17 (August 1-3 in Baltimore, MD), and Monster-Mania Con (September 26-28 in Cherry Hill, NJ). So if you plan to attend any of these shows, make sure to stop by our table and say hi. Readers who are fortunate enough to have the first issue of MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT or to have purchased our sold-out SHOCK! THEATER book know that a big influence for my love of monsters and horror films was horror host Sir Graves Ghastly. Tuning in to WTOP Channel 9 out of Washington, DC every week to catch a horror classic were among the happiest times of my life. While Sir Graves was only on for a short time in my area, he ruled the airwaves for years in the Detroit area. I recently unearthed a Web site dedicated to the one and only Sir Graves, created and maintained by his number-one fan, Keith Milford. Click on the banner below to see lots of great photos, hear audio streams, and watch many clips from the show. Hats off to Keith for this wonderful site, and don't forget to sign the guest book and tell him MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT sent you. Finally, my friend Kerry Gammill has started his own forum to discuss classic horror and science fiction films, and related subjects. It's a great companion to his wonderful "Monster Kid" Webzine, so click on the banner below, and pay a visit to the Monster Kid Classic Horror Forum. Make sure you sign up and relive your monster memories with us! So, until the next update (which will signal that MFTV #15 and #16 are at press), keep on keeping those "Monsters" of your past alive!