Since I first heard about this book I've wanted one, but each time I bid on a copy on auction sites, or enquired on book sites, I missed out.  I had resigned myself to the fate of only having an electronic copy, never a physical one. Imagine my shock and horror when I walked into an Op Shop (or charity shop for you overseas folks) and found this edition mixed in with some old books, priced at a whopping $4.00.  I picked it up and opened it, yes, it was there.  The British edition, missing the bibliography, but with the introduction by Randolph Churchill, son of Sir Winston. As I held it in my hands my first urge was to run as fast as I could out the store, never to return.  I quickly came to my senses, handed over a $5.00 note and told them to keep the change.  I left, so very happy to finally have this in the collection.  I know that the work has been largely discredited, mainly by my excellent friend Dr Carol Tilley, but that doesn't lessen the thrill of the find. Yo

No real reason for this one, other than it was drawn by the utterly brilliant Walter Simonson.  Who then took the trouble to sign it. I just bought a new scanner, an Epson Workforce, to replace my old, old Mustek.  I scanned this image because, no matter how many times I tried on the Mustek, it always came out looking like crap, lines, bad colouring, you name it.  Now it looks perfect, with all the dings and wear and tear on show.  As it should be. Now someone will tell me how shitty the Epson Workforce scanners are.  Go for it.  It was cheap, like the budgie, so I'm not overly fussed.  It's working well so far, and the scans look great, so shove it up your jumper.

Famous Monsters of Filmland 1969 Even in Australia we've heard of Howard Rogofsky. His reputation certainly preceded him, and not always in the best light.  The word was that you could get what you wanted or needed from Howard, but condition wasn't always a priority.  I knew a guy who had a nickname for him, but I won't repeat it here, I'll let others utter that dreaded word, if they dare.  He sold high and bought low, and while that might annoy a lot of people, that sounds like good business sense to me. One local dealer I knew absolutely hated Howard.  He hated that Howard charged high grade prices, but then this dealer would routinely order comics for his customers, get them into the store and switch them over, keeping the high grade for himself and giving the customer the lower grade comic from his personal collection.  Not that he told anyone what he was doing.  But he would do to his customers what he accused Howard of doing to him. Quid pro quo I guess.

I mean, seriously!  This would stop anyone from sniffing glue, if only because you'd need all the sticky stuff you can squeeze to finish this magnificent model kit.  Surely someone out there has one of these, fully assembled and painted?  Show us the pictures!!! I wonder if it came with a free Morticia Addams? Years ago I had the good fortune to meet John Astin in Adelaide.  We started talking about television when he asked, "Who did you prefer, Lily Munster or Morticia Addams?"  I thought about it for a second and replied, "Lily was the one that I always wanted to tuck me into bed, but Morticia was the one that I always wanted to climb into bed with." Astin roared with laughter.  "Me tool, old man, me too!" Love the Addams Family!

Both ads 1980 Seriously?  Would any disco, ESPECIALLY in 1980, let that guy in??  The girl, possibly, but the dude?  Most people would have lined him up as a nark, and if he was wearing those clothes.... You know that this ad was drawn, mainly because there'd be no way known, even in 1979/1980, that you could hire a family to wear those outfits without the photographer facing charges of child abuse and crimes against fashion. Having said that, I just know someone out there actually bought and wore one of these jackets, and they're probably selling for thousands on sites like eBay.  Oh well, I couldn't stand that show anyway, but the spaceships were kind of cool.

Famous Monsters of Filmland, #103, December 1973 I can't help but wonder just how many banks were robbed by people wearing one of these.  Mind you, at $40 in 1973, it would have been the rubber mask of choice for the discerning bank robber.  You know the kind, the ones who really think the job out and spend a bit of time, effort, and money, and consider their activities a good investment. I still want one. After all, who doesn't want to be the death of the party?

' My latest book, published by Wildside-Kronos, will be ready to ship in the coming week.  If you have any interest in theatre in Australia, or horror movies, or plays or just history in general, then you'll want to read this.  Complete with an introduction by the legendary Stephen Bissette and original (and amazing) illustrations by Steve Lehman, this is shaping up to be beyond my wildest expectations. I'll post the links when they're ready, so you can rush out and buy this.  As always, I'm more than happy to talk about the topic, just ask and you'll find it difficult to shut me up.

The Lone Hand, May 1, 1920 Despite being released in 1919 in America, this Lon Chaney classic wasn't released in Australia until early 1920.  It's as good an ad as you're likely to see, and with an image that I'm pretty sure was created by a local Australian artist. And, you never know, a complete copy of this film might well still exist, sitting in a box in an attic somewhere...just waiting to be discovered.

The Advertiser (Adelaide), 17 July, 1917 100 years ago today I'd be buying tickets to see The Great McEwin, and if that cat didn't chuckle on it's own accord, I'd be throwing fruit at the stage.  I mean, just look at those reviews.  If McEwin wasn't your tonic, then I don't know that anyone could have helped you. A few weeks later The Great McEwin was reviewed. McEwen at the Town Hall. McEwin still holds Adelaide laughing at  mystified. For three weeks he has drawn  great crowds to the Town Hall, for few  can resist his magnetism, and those who  do are missing one of the most interesting  a and amusing shows seen in Adelaide. Many people have gone over and over a gain to see him, and are still reserve  seats ahead, for it is impossible to tire of  the entertainment.  If anyone want a  laugh cure, McEwin is the best physician  and he never fails. Sceptics have only to s ee his performance to be convinced. Hypnotism is a science, beneficia

Advertisement for the film 'The Guyra Ghost', Guyra Argus, 28 July, 1921 What would you say if I told you that, after nearly 100 years, the mystery of the Guyra Ghost has been solved?  Well, that's exactly what I'm about to reveal, later this year. Since I wrote about the long, lost, Australian film, "The Guyra Ghost", for Monster! #31 , I became interested in the event itself.  So I immersed myself into the mystery and felt, as always, that there was far more to this than what we've always read.  And I was right. For, you see, I believe I've uncovered the person responsible for at least part of the so called haunting.  I won't name that person here, or why I suspect them, but, suffice to say, the book that I will be publishing as a limited edition will explain all. Watch this space...

Ok, so it's the 5th here.  And I'm not an American.  But I am amused by the amount of Americans who, over the years, have expressed their amazement that we Australians don't celebrate their Independence Day.  My standard answer, I'm sure we will, on the same year that Americans celebrate Australia Day.  But plenty of Americans have wished me well on Australia Day, so allow me to return the favour. Enjoy your day of days and try not to shoot yourself or anyone else for that matter.

Comic Book Censorship: 1974 – 1988 Banning The Underground The following piece of work is taken from a larger body of work titled ‘Horror Comic Books and Censorship in Australia 1950 – 1990’.   This is currently a work in progress and covers the history of the horror comic, the origins (and complete history) of the Gredown line, how it was connected to K.G. Murray, the Spanish and American connections along with the Yaffa Syndicate, Horwitz and much more.   The work will also cover how comics were banned and censored in Australia, beginning with the banning of Detective Comics in 1937.   Some of this work will be appearing in a publication yet to be announced, and other parts will be appearing either here, on this blog, or in other publications as time progresses. I am open to debate and discussion on this topic, so feel free to email me at any point in time.   Until then, here is an abridged version of a chapter titled… 1974 – 1988 Banning The Underground Out of al