SoftBank Corp. Invests $250 Million In Legendary Entertainment

by Armand Vaquer

Legendary Entertainment looks like a good investment since they have a number of hit movies under their belts in recent years. So good an investment that SoftBank Corp. is making a major investment into the production company.

According to the Los Angeles Times:

SoftBank Corp. is making its first investment in a Hollywood studio as the Japanese technology giant seeks to bring more content to its mobile and digital networks. 

The cash-flush company said Thursday that it will invest $250 million in Legendary Entertainment, the Burbank production house and financier behind recent movies including "Godzilla" and "300: Rise of an Empire." 

SoftBank owns major stakes in industries including Internet and e-commerce, and it has been looking around Hollywood for a studio play.

To read more, go here. 

NECA Licensed To Create "Godzilla" Tie-In Figures

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Godzilla at the 2004 Hollywood Walk of Fame.  This year's Comic Con marked Godzilla's biggest media splash in the U.S. since this event almost nine years ago.

The hoopla over Legendary Pictures/Warner Bros. Godzilla during this year's Comic Con International was the biggest splash our favorite radioactive monster has made in the U.S. since his induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame (and the premiere of Godzilla Final Wars at Grauman's Chinese Theater, along with the Godzilla float in the 2004 Hollywood Christmas Parade) a few short months shy of nine years ago.

As intended, the Godzilla panel and the Godzilla Encounter (set up at a warehouse in San Diego) generated a lot of publicity for the movie, set for release a year from now.

One additional bit of news has come out of the Comic Con, it has been revealed that NECA has been granted a license to create movie tie-in figures next summer. This has been reported by Bloody Disgusting and Dread Central. NECA will be creating small scale and large scale Godzilla figures.

Looks like 2014 will be a great year for Godzilla fans!

King Kong Turns 80 - Hollywood Says It's Time To Party!

From: LA Times

The RKO classic, with the memorable scene atop the Empire State Building, gets a special screening March 24 at the Pomona Fox.

It's been 80 years since a giant ape climbed to the top of the Empire State Building and held on to a tiny actress while planes flew over trying to shoot him down.

That scene in the original 1933 "King Kong" is one of the most memorable in cinema history.

"I don't care how old you are, you feel for the poor gorilla and what happened to him," said "Kong" historian John Michlig, who has written for the "Kong Is King" website.

Though there have been sequels and remakes — including Peter Jackson's CGI-driven 2005 hit — none have matched the magic and romance of RKO's original, produced and directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest Schoedsack.

"King Kong" stars Robert Armstrong as Cooper's alter-ego Carl Denham, a brash filmmaker who takes an expedition to the mysterious Skull Island. They find a giant ape there and bring him back to New York in shackles to exploit him as the "Eighth Wonder of the World."

Though Kong can be savage — he's not above chewing the head off a native — the giant gorilla has a soul and is capable of real tenderness when he falls in love with Ann Darrow (Fay Wray), the beautiful blond actress in Denham's film.

"I think people connect to the character for the same reason we go to the zoo to watch the orangutans and chimps — because they're humanoid," said film historian Scott Essman, hosting an 80th-anniversary screening of "King Kong" on March 24 at the Pomona Fox, where the film played in May 1933. "He is not human, but he's human in many ways. He likes the girl. People relate to him."

Thank goodness producer-director-writer Cooper didn't follow through on his initial concept for "King Kong." "His plan was get a gorilla and a bunch of Komodo dragons and just roll the film," said Michlig.

But the master showman changed his plans when he met stop-motion special-effects wizard Willis O'Brien, who created the dinosaurs for 1925's "The Lost World." O'Brien was working at RKO on his project called "Creation," said "Kong" historian Doug Turner, whose late father, George, cowrote the book "The Making of King Kong."

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Save Pickfair Studios! Update And Protest Info!

Written By: Ken Hulsey

Today there will be a protest at Pickfair Studios. I encourage all who live in the vicinity to attend. All week I have been posting links as well as articles and even a blog article written by Kenneth Lee Hulsey and myself about the impending fate of this legendary and historically relevant movie studio. It is easy to discuss how much we all love movies, but with most things it is much harder to prove what they really mean to us. I realize we are spread all over the country as well as the world and most who would attend just cannot...but those who live in the vicinity....please, please attend! I would like to express my appreciation to all of those who signed the petition! Thank you very much! - Terri Pressley

As Terri mentioned above earlier this week I posted an article about the impending destruction of Pickfair Studios one of Hollywood's earliest and most iconic movie studios where such classics as "Some Like It Hot", "Guys and Dolls" and even "Star Wars" were filmed. Now since that time I got a chance to drive by the location, snap a couple of photographs and survey the area a bit. As it has been noted by other writers covering this story the art deco design of the structures in question are just amazing to look at and without a doubt there are many dilapidated and graffiti covered structures nearby that could and should be leveled to improve the general appeal of the neighborhood. So why level a iconic Hollywood location and historical landmark? The answer there is very simple, location, location, location, the plot of land, now known as "The Lot" is directly across the street from a modern shopping complex with a Target and a Bevmo.

Without wanting to seem like I support the idea of leveling this piece of Hollywood history I can understand CIM's desire for wanting to build another set of high end stores so close to an existing shopping complex to a point. It makes business sense. Well, at least on the outset it would seem that way. One could see that if the location was either abandoned or was not economically viable but that is not the case here at all. Pickfair Studios as it stands today is still a very active location with movie and television productions using it's numerous buildings for filming right now. On the day I stopped by people and cars were going in and out as if it was still a major Hollywood studio (as my photos will attest) and casual look through the fence revealed that indeed there is still a lot of activity going on inside those walls.

So what can be done? Well I have a simple idea that would solve this problem if CIM would listen. Turn the studio property into a museum ... or sell it to someone or some entity who wanted to do so, as well as keep it an active studio then buy up some of the run down properties across La Brea on the other side of the existing shopping complex and build there.

To expand on my thoughts. I have always wanted to open a Hollywood film museum and this would be the perfect local for such a project. The bulk of the studio could remain open for filming and selected structures could house the exhibits. Money could be generated through film projects, museum admission and a gift shop / online store.

To simple to work right?

Here is the info on a protest that will be happening today outside "The Lot":

Protest CIM at Pickfair 4/1/2012!

We are currently planning a protest at the Pickfair Lot for the morning of Sunday the 1st of April….or as the City of West Hollywood will be declaring “Kardashian Day” (NO FOOLIN!)

Meeting Place: Right off Santa Monica Blvd at Formosa where the offices are located. Say THE LOT in big letters. Allison Anders will be in attendance to lead all supporters.


Time: 1pm PST

Parking: The Target center has parking for $1.50 an hour, free with validation. There is also street parking that should be unencumbered for a Sunday

BRING YOUR FRIENDS AND ALL PRESS!!!

What You Can Do

*Bring video cameras and phone cameras to film the events

*Make protest signs out of big paper and wooden sticks. Suggested slogans: Mary we care, SAVE PICKFAIR. ITS OUR HERITAGE SAVE PICKFAIR. CIM WE’RE WATCHING YOU SAVE PICKFAIR. HONK IF YOU SUPPORT PRESERVING PICKFAIR STUDIOS!

*Be respectful, courteous and law abiding.

What is Pickfair Day? On Friday 3/30/12 West Hollywood Daily reported the city council of West Hollywood had decreed it officially ‘Kardashian Day’ in honor of the reality TV stars opening a store in the city limits. We have decided to rename the day for something that matters: Pickfair Day. Help us trend on twitter by tweeting comments with the hashtag #PickfairDay and #PickfairDayProtest. - From http://savethepickfairstudio.wordpress.com

See Also: Iconic Hollywood Studio To Be Demolished Unless Fans Step In!

Kardashian Day?!!! Are you friggin kidding me! After your done protesting at Pickfair go to the street and protest that to!

Iconic Hollywood Studio To Be Demolished Unless Fans Step In!

Written By: Terri Pressley / Ken Hulsey

Does it seem feasible that the city of West Hollywood would condone the demolition of a historical landmark?

The idea that a city that normally prides itself on the preservation of of historic structures would turn a blind eye when a developer plans to bulldoze a complex that houses one of Hollywood's earliest and most acclaimed studios seems on the outside to be preposterous, but that is exactly what is about to happen.

At the heart of a growing controversy in the land where dreams are created as fast as they are destroyed is the famed Pickford-Fairbanks Studios where such movies as Some Like It Hot, The Thief of Bagdad, Guys and Dolls, and even select scenes from Star Wars (Episode 4: A New Hope) were filmed.



“This is a sacrilege – do the greedy people threatening this not have any pride in the history of Hollywood? Do they not have any respect and pride for the founders of motion pictures, Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and Mary Pickford ? The Save Pickford-Fairbanks studios must stop this from happening – it is obliterating history and the legacy that Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and Mary Pickford left.” — Daphne Fairbanks

The City of West Hollywood and the CIM Group have plans to demolish the legendary Pickfair Studios, founded in 1919 by Charlie Chaplin, D.W. Griffith, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. Together they formed the first major independent film studio, United Artist. All four of these historic and revolutionary filmmakers spent the remainder of their careers (with a brief exception for Chaplin) making their films with UA. To accommodate their filmmaking, they built the Pickford-Fairbanks studio on Santa Monica Boulevard at the corner of Santa Monica and Formosa, the former Jesse Hampton Studio lot. In addition to silent film classics like Son of the Sheik, Sparrows, and Thief of Bagdad, films like Wuthering Heights (1939), Guys and Dolls, Some Like It Hot (1959), and West Side Story (1959) were also shot there. When George Lucas returned from England, he reshot some of the original Star War scenes at the Pickfair Studio. The Pickfair Studio saw the likes of not only those greats but stars including Rudolph Valentino, Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, Frank Sinatra, Myrna Loy, Natalie Wood, Marlon Brando, Susan Hayward, Greer Garson, Jack Lemmon, Danny Kaye, Eddie Cantor and Laurence Olivier making some of their most memorable films on the historic lot. This studio, located at Highland and Santa Monica on the border of West Hollywood, CA, stands...but not for much longer.


In the early 50s, against Pickford's will (Griffith and Fairbanks were by then deceased), the studio and company were sold. It passed hands several times before being purchased by Sky Partners in 1999 and renaming it’ The Lot’. Since then Sky Partners has been doing all they can to facilitate the demolition of the historic studio. Skye has sold to CIM Group who plans to raze all historic buildings, with of course, the approval of the West Hollywood City Council. Even though these are historical buildings and legally protected as such, the Los Angeles City Council does not care. Land is valuable in this big and overcrowded town; and they want it. As of April 2012 CIM plans to destroy all the historic buildings. It is history they mean to destroy film lovers, we must band together and let them know that we will not stand by idly; they should not be allowed to destroy film history without a fight.

Sign the online petition - Save Pickfair Studios!

There is a growing online movement to save the studio being pushed forward through blogs, classic movie groups and websites. Though this movement is gaining steam very quickly it may not be enough to beat the clock before CIM can move forward with their plans. As it stands now the once iconic studio will begin to be demolished as soon as the first week of April. That's why things need to move and move as fast as possible or one of Hollywood's historic sites will be no more!

How can you help? Well you need to make your voice heard by contacting the powers behind this travesty. Who should you contact? Well we have a list for you:

CIM Group

http://www.cimgroup.com/

6922 Hollywood Blvd. 9th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90028

P.323.860.4900

F.323.860.4901

Karen Diehl

Casey & Sayre

11835 W. Olympic Blvd.

Suite 1285

Los Angeles, CA 90064

p 310.473.8090

f 310.473.8291

kdiehl@cswpr.com

Bill Mendel

Mendel Communications

1841 Broadway

Suite 1009

New York, NY 10023

p 212.397.1030

f 212.974.0705

bill@mendelcommunications.com

City of West Hollywood City Council

8300 Santa Monica Boulevard

Hours of Operation: Mon-Thurs 8am - 6pm; Fridays 8am - 5pm.

Telephone: (323) 848-6400 (323) 848-6400

Phone: (323) 848-6460

Email: ccouncil@weho.org

Mayor John J Duran: jduran@weho.org

Mayor Elect Jefferey Prang: jprang@weho.org

Councilmember John D’Amico: jdamico@weho.org

John Heilmen: jheilman@weho.org

Councilmember Abby Land: aland@weho.org

Sr Planner Contreras: fcontreras@weho.org

Sr Planner Degrazia: ddegrazia@weho.org

News From The Black Lagoon: Creature Feature And Julie Adams Book

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Sources: Wakulla County News and Information / Julie Adams Official Website

It's that time once again! Time for the residents of Wakulla Springs, Florida to celebrate their favorite monster ... The Creature From The Black Lagoon. As most of you already know Wakulla Springs State Park doubled as the infamous "Black Lagoon" (along with the back lot at Universal) in the first of three Gill-man films. Every October the park shows the movie and holds events to pay tribute to the monster that they love so dearly.

Here is the info from Wakulla.com:

Wakulla Springs State Park will present "Creature Feature" on Friday, October 21, 2011 from 7pm to 9pm.

Entrance will be free to the public. The event is being hosted by Wakulla Springs Lodge on the big screen TV in the hotel lobby. The gift shop will be open during the event for refreshments! Choose from a full range of snacks, drinks and candies.

The Creature will be lurking about the property and is expected to make an appearance!

Can't find the "Black Lagoon"? Maybe this will help - http://www.floridastateparks.org/wakullasprings/

Normally the stars from the movie make a special appearance but this year Julie Adams will be in Hollywood promoting her new book "The Lucky Southern Star: Reflections From the Black Lagoon".

Here is the info from Julie's website:

Julie at Book Signings for Her New Book

After numerous requests, Julie has written her personal autobiography with many pictures never before seen. It is titled The Lucky Southern Star: Reflections From the Black Lagoon and covers her whole career. It will be available on October 27th. It will be launched with a book signing on Thursday, October 27 at Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. And there will be a double feature screening at the Egyptian Theatre that night of Creature From the Black Lagoon (Shown in 3D) 7:45 - 9:00 p.m. followed by a Question and Answer session with Julie and Bend of the River following the Q & A.

There will be another book signing on Sunday, October 30th at the Dark Delicacies Book Store, 3512 W. Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA from 2 - 4 p.m. There is no charge for a dedication and signature at the book signings.

The book will sell for $29.95, please add $3.00 for postage. If you want a personal dedication and signature through ordering the book on the Web Page it will be an additional $20.00, postage is free on personally signed books.

Godzilla (Haruo Nakajima) Takes Hollywood! Take 2

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Haruo Nakajima and his daughter Sonoe pose at the Godzilla star on Hollywood Blvd. Mr. Nakajima played a major role in the popularity of the Godzilla character which led to the Walk of Fame honor. Photo courtesy of Sonoe Nakajima.

The original Godzilla, Haruo Nakajima, conquered Hollywood while he was in Southern California as a special guest at this year's Monsterpalooza in Burbank.

Above, ever the performer, Haruo Nakajima poses with the Godzilla star for the tourists. Photo courtesy of Sonoe Nakajima.

While he was here, and during some free time, he was taken to Hollywood Blvd. and posed with the Godzilla star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star is located in front of Grauman's Chinese Theater.

Sonoe sent several of their personal photos of their visit and these are some of them.

Above, back home in Japan, Mr. Nakajima poses with his Certificate of Welcome from the Mayor of Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of Sonoe Nakajima.

Godzilla (Haruo Nakajima) Takes Hollywood!

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Haruo Nakajima gives his famous "Godzilla attack" pose at Godzilla's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Photo courtesy of Sonoe Nakajima.

After getting home from work tonight, I found an email from Sonoe Nakajima in Japan with photographs of her and her dad's visit to Hollywood. The photos accompanying this blog post are just part of what she sent of their personal collection.

Above, Haruo and Sonoe Nakajima pose at the Hollywood Sign. Photo courtesy of Sonoe Nakajima.

Back in early April, the original Godzilla, Haruo Nakajima and his daughter Sonoe, attended Monsterpalooza at the Burbank Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. Mr. Nakajima was a special guest of Monsterpalooza.

Mr. Nakajima was a big hit at the show, and that's an understatement!

While in Los Angeles, the Nakajimas were taken around Los Angeles by August Ragone, David Chapple and others. Their stops included the Hollywood Sign up Beachwood Canyon and Godzilla's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located in front of Grauman's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Blvd.

Above, Haruo Nakajima drew a crowd on Hollywood Blvd. Photo courtesy of Sonoe Nakajima.

The Nakajima's visit to the Godzilla star on Hollywood Blvd. was originally going to be a nice, quiet visit. However, once word got around to the tourists on the boulevard that Godzilla himself was in their midst, they gathered around to have their pictures taken with him (photo above).

One can tell from these photographs that the Nakajimas had a great time while visiting Hollywood!

The Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO) ought to hire Mr. Nakajima. He'd make a great "goodwill ambassador!"

A Quick Update On NIGHTBEASTS

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Brent Thomas

I just got an email from Brent Thomas about a new festival screening of the really cool looking Bigfoot horror "Nightbeasts".

Yes, I know, another day another Bigfoot movie right?

Well, normally I would say yes, but "Nightbeasts" looks like an excellent entry into the genre with all kinds of Native American lore and pissed off Sasquatch's running around.

Anyway, the film is set to premiere at the end of this month (Feb 24-27) at the Independent Film Quarterly Film Festival at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood.

Hopefully Brent can score me some tickets to that one.

Here is the trailer for "Nightbeasts":



See Also:Bigfoot Movie News - Nightbeasts Premiere Info - The Bloody Rage Comes To DVD / Another Reason To Not Wander Around In The Woods At Night - Wes Sullivan's 'Nightbeasts' /

Press and Kick-off Party For "Utsutsu"

Above, the poster for "Utsutsu." Click on the image to see it full-size.

by Armand Vaquer

Japanese swordplay is coming to Southern California and I attended the Utsutsu press and kick-off party this evening.

At the party, held at Royal T in Culver City, I met the cast and crew.

I received an invitation to attend the press and kick-off party from actress/model/Japanese language instructor Yuu Askakura. Regular readers know Yuu as the model for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. She will be appearing in the play.

The play, to be held this month at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre in Hollywood, is about a blind swordsman. The title of the play is Utsutsu (Genesis: Blind Swordsman) and it was written by Junko Honkawa and Masue Ogawa. The English translation is by John D. Swain. The production is produced and directed by Ryuji Yamakita.

It was an enjoyable evening and it included refreshments and a swordplay demonstration by some of the actors of the play.

Utsutsu, will be presented in an unusual way. It will be presented some nights in English, while on other nights it will be presented in Japanese. Most of the players, if not all, are Japanese nationals.

For more information on Utsutsu and to purchase tickets go to http://www.itsmyseat.com/Utsutsu.html.

Here are some photos of tonight's press and kick-off party:

Above, I was able to reunite with the lovely Yuu Asakura.

Above, producer and director Ryuji Yamakita and Yoshi Ando.

Above, here I am flanked by "Utsutsu" players Kyoko Okazaki (Otose) and Masamichi Kanobe.

Above, the party attendees gather for the swordplay demonstration.

Above and below, the swordplay demonstration.



Above, following the swordplay demonstration, the players graciously posed for photographs.

If you are in Hollywood, or plan to be in Hollywood from November 19 to 28, be sure to attend a performance of Utsutsu.

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

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.