NO CAPTAIN (CO.) FROM CASTILLE

Jim Warren set his sights on Spain for an untapped combination of market, budget, and talent that had yet to be seen in the world of monster 'zines. He hired a stable of artists to draw for his comic magazines that was virtually uparalleled in the day.

It comes as no surprise then, that the fifth issue of the Spanish language version of FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND, entitled, FAMOSOS MONSTERS DEL CINE (August 1975), contains advertising for other licensed Warren publications.

First published in 1971,VAMPUS was the first of three Spanish versions of CREEPY. Running for 77 issues, it contained an assortment of reprints from CREEPY, EERIE, and VAMPIRELLA, along with a letters page, a fan page with fan art that had been sent in to the magazine, text stories with illustrations by Auraleon (as did at least one issue of FAMOSOS MONSTERS DEL CINE), and an occasional non-fiction piece on monster movies a'la FAMOUS MONSTERS.

Another weirdly-titled Spanish/Warren product was entitled RUFUS, the Spanish version of EERIE. Believed to have begun publishing as early as 1973, RUFUS ran for 56 issues. It contained stories from both EERIE and VAMPIRELLA (with Vampi's images removed). David Horne reports that later editions even included material from Skywald (PSYCHO, NIGHTMARE) and DC Comics (!).


Cover art from U.S. CREEPY #66.



VAMPIRELLA was yet another Warren publication that found its way to "revistas" in Spain. This series, first published in 1974, ran for 38 issues. It also included stories from the other Warren comic 'zines, as well as illustrated short stories and articles about monster movies. All three revistas used Warren cover art and all had two or more issues that were called "Yearbooks".


Cover art from U.S. VAMPIRELLA #29.



Again according to Horne, a company calling itself "Moebius" sold some monster-related merchandise in various issues of these magazines. There were also ads for the 6-foot Jack Davis Frankenstein poster (see below) and the 6-foot Jose Gonzalez Vampirella poster. The Warren mail-order business CAPTAIN COMPANY was absent from the Spanish publications. How lucky for them! If you thought we had it bad, could you imagine the wait that the Spanish Monster Kids would have had to endure?!

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EL MUNDO DE FRANKENSTEIN

The longest feature in Issue #5 of the Spanish/Warren collaboration published in Barcelona as FAMOSOS MONSTERS DEL CINE was a filmbook of Chaney Sr.'s THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME.

Another lengthy article, Mary's Monster, was about the enduring legacy of Mary Shelley's FRANKENSTEIN and its long history with the movies. The article asks, "The fascination with Mary Shelley's creation endures to this day -- where?" The answer: "The entire world!"

Read More → EL MUNDO DE FRANKENSTEIN

LOS MAQUILLADORES -- MONSTER MAKE-UP EN ESPANOL

Yesterday I introduced you to samples from Issue #5 of the Spanish/Warren monster magazine, FAMOSOS MONSTERS DEL CINE.

Included in the issue is a two-page spread entitled, Los Maquilladores (make-up artists). Subtitled as a "gallery of weird and terryifying creations by make-up men", the short article shows pictures of Mike Westmore, "a young member of the Westmore family of make-up artists", creating "cicatrice" (scar) appliances, as well as a shot of Ben Lane (who incidentally passed away in 2007 at the age of 95) at work turning Lon Chaney, Jr. into un Hombre Lobo for the 1962 Lizard's Leg and Owlet's Wing episode of ROUTE 66.

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FAMOSOS MONSTERS DEL CINE

A short while ago I posted an offering from David Horne, author of the Warren Publishing catalogue GATHERING HORROR, where he put to rest the question as to whether or not there was ever a Mexican version of FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND. In his book he mentions a Spanish version, FAMOSOS MONSTERS DEL CINE. For those Monsteologists curious enough, today, and for the next few days, I will be covering an example of this Spanish/Warren publication

FAMOSOS MONSTERS DEL CINE was a Warren-authorized reprint of contents collected from various issues of the U.S. version of FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND. It ran for 24 issues during the 1970's. Published in Spain by Garbo Editorial and distributed by Edipress (both in Barcelona) it was helmed first by Luis "Monster Man" Vigil, then later by a new "Monster Man" Manuel Dominguez. The masthead lists no editorial staff, but the articles translated from English into Spanish are credited to Dominguez.

FAMOSOS MONSTERS was similar to Warren's stateside version, but had unique characteristics as well. For instance, there was a color comics insert that was Spanish in origin. The copy I am using as an example is Issue #5 (overall SUPERCOMICS series #9), dated August 1975. It contains a serialized "Dracula" strip drawn by Vampirella artist Jose Gonzalez. Entitled El Circo (The Circus), it was the type and style of comic strip that was found in Warren's 1972 mail-order only collection of Spanish strips. Titled, DRACULA, it oddly enough contained no strips with that name.

Issue #5 has a cover painted by Ron Cobb. It is from the U.S. FAMOUS MONSTERS #40 (August, 1966). Depicting poster art from the film HORROR HOTEL, and along with the accompanying article inside the issue, they are the only uses of content from the original issue.

Other material used that is similar with the U.S. version are a letters page, Cartas al "Monster Man", replete with Frazetta-illustrated title, and the Foto Misteriosa (Mystery Photo) department.

The issue contains what I believe to be non-stateside articles as well. There is a text story, Otono del 42 (The Autumn of '42), and a feature, El Malvado Intruso (The Intrusion of Evil), which, if my limited Spanish serves me well enough, discusses murder and death lurking in the shadows and dark places.

There is also coverage of the film, THE ALLLIGATOR PEOPLE.

[To be continued . . .]

Read More → FAMOSOS MONSTERS DEL CINE

[From CREEPY #5, October 1965. Art by Angelo Torres.]

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LIBROS CON MONSTRUOS!

Mr. David Horne, author of the seven-pound book of Warren Publishing history, GATHERING HORROR, has offered MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD information where he concludes his investigation with a solution of solving a hitherto ongoing question as to whether or not there was a Mexican version of FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND. Students of Monsterology may know (especially if they've read Horne's book) that there were international versions of Warren's FM, such as the Spanish FAMOSOS MONSTERS DEL CINE. There was knowledge of a Mexican monster 'zine (MONSTRUOS DEL CINE) with a presumably swiped cover image from FM #119 (September, 1975). The Ken Kelly-painted monster montage was also used as the cover for the 2nd Annual Famous Monsters Convention official program. The Mexican magazine had a subtitle that proclaimed "Photos and Interviews" within its pages.

Could MONSTRUOS DEL CINE have indeed been the south of the border version of FM?

Mr. Horne goes on to explain:

"I hadn't actually seen the magazine, just the image, but as you can see from the text [page 447 of GATHERING HORROR], it sparked my imagination, making me wonder whether there had been perhaps a Mexican version of Famous Monsters (to go along with the British and Spanish ones, the only foreign versions of FM that I'm aware of). I showed the cover image to Jim Warren, but he wasn't familiar with it, so if there WAS a Mexican version, it would have been unauthorized.

Well, I recently was lucky enough to find a couple of these rare things, and once I was able to see them in person, it became immediately evident that this series was in fact a reprint of Curtis's Monsters of the Movies magazine from the mid-1970s, not Famous Monsters (Curtis was an imprint/distributor of Marvel). The publisher was Macc Ediciones, and they produced a series called "Ciencia Ficcion" that included these plus other Marvel/Curtis reprints such as Planet of the Apes and Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction. I think the numbering on the issues was for the entire Ciencia Ficcion series, which is why you see the numbers 10 and 14 on these issues, although there were only eight or nine of the Monstruos Del Cine issues (to match the nine produced by Curtis). Most of these reused the Curtis cover art, but for some unknown reason they substituted Warren art on these two issues (note that one of them even has some Warren comic art on it, along with the Gogos image that first appeared on FM 16). But there's no Warren material in the interiors.

So, if anyone out there is dreaming about some lost Mexican version of Famous Monsters, like I was, they can give it up. If they're just interested in any monster magazines from any country, though, this is one to look out for to add to the collection."

As you can see, this conclusion appears to exhaust the research into this obscure corner of FM's history, and the history of monster magazines in general. Many thanks to David Horne, who continues to periodically supply MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD with these gems.

Read More → LIBROS CON MONSTRUOS!

GATHERING HORROR ALMOST SOLD OUT

David Horne's incomparable catalogue and guide to Warren Publishing, GATHERING HORROR, is almost sold out. The listing on eBay expires in 6 days and, depending on sales, may disappear forever.

If I've said it once, I've said it tons -- if you are a fan of Warren 'zines, Captain Company, and related memorabilia, this book is definitive. It was the first item on this blog to earn the "MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD'S HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION". You'll see why once you get your paws on this huge tome.

To order, click HERE.

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HOUSE OF HORROR AUCTION: THE RESULTS ARE IN

You may remember a DOUG'S HALL OF FLAME guest post announcing a slabbed, 9.2 copy of Warren's HOUSE OF HORROR that was to be sold by HERITAGE AUCTIONS. The item sold for an amazing $1,314.50! Not in the same league as a copy of ACTION COMICS #1 that recently sold for 2.16 million, but quite healthy nonetheless. It appears that the collectible market is withstanding the economic downturn better than others.

Read More → HOUSE OF HORROR AUCTION: THE RESULTS ARE IN

VAMPI CALENDAR: DECEMBER 1977 . . . AND 2011

Well, this is the last installment of the Warren Calendar for 1977/2011. Maybe one of you youngsters can repost it come January, 2045. Unless the Elixir of Life is finally discovered, it's unlikely I'll be around to do it!

Read More → VAMPI CALENDAR: DECEMBER 1977 . . . AND 2011

EYE ON EBAY - WARREN'S HOUSE OF HORROR

Last week in this spot you read DOUG'S HALL OF FLAME story about a copy of Warren's one-shot, quasi-ash can title, HOUSE OF HORROR, landing on the block at Heritage Auctions.

Coincidentally, there is another copy available on eBay. This near mint copy is a straight, no-bids sale at a price of $400 US. Following is the seller's description, reprinted verbatim. I include it because it discusses a unique provenance.


Seller Michael and Forry Ackerman, taken presumably
at the time when the copy of HOUSE OF HORROR was signed by FJA.
Photograph is from the seller's eBay profile page.


"This is the second copy I am selling. If your A Famous Monster fan/collector, you are familiar with this book, and the history of it. There were only 400 copies printed. If you have read the latest monster price guide (years old), you know one lucky fan bought ten copies. Over the years I believe there is someone else who also bought ten copies. I am, one of them. Mine were ordered from Captain Company, shipped mint. They were opened and immediately bagged and boarded by us. Only one was taken out by us. Taken to a Con in the early 80's and signed by "Forry", himself. I believe this to be one of the second finest copies you'll find, for a very reasonable asking price. If your a serious FM Collector, you know how valuable this is to complete a warren collection.

You are bidding on a 32 year old copy of House Of Horror #1, NM, by Warren. a one shot. This copy has some scuffing back cover along spine. Very tiny chip bottom of spine, can be seen on scan of back cover. Way it acame from Captain Company many, many, years ago. No disappointments here. Otherwise, a clean, solid, collectible book."

The accompanying photos are from the eBay seller's page and are unretouched. Interested parties should use the search term "House of Horror" at the eBay main page.
 

Read More → EYE ON EBAY - WARREN'S HOUSE OF HORROR

HOUSE OF HORROR NO. 1 ON THE AUCTION BLOCK

I received the catalog for the November Comics and Comic Art Auction by HERITAGE AUCTIONS. One lot may be of particular interest to MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD readers -- a graded & slabbed copy of Warren's rarity, HOUSE of HORROR. Also of interest are some original comic art pages from VAMPIRELLA and CREEPY.

Read More → HOUSE OF HORROR NO. 1 ON THE AUCTION BLOCK

VAMPI CALENDAR: NOVEMBER 1977 . . . AND 2011

Read More → VAMPI CALENDAR: NOVEMBER 1977 . . . AND 2011

[From CREEPY #4 August, 1965. Art by: Al Williamson]

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