Famous Monsters Of Filmland #192 - Finally!!! in Horror Film Books and Magazines Forum

0 Points

Forum Jump

Famous Monsters Of Filmland #192 - Finally!!!

Author	Comment
dynafan.filmlandclassics		#21	[-]
Mar 26 12 8:09 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The Selby cover does look very, very good and I hope the early report about the dark interior photos doesn't put too big a damper on the nostalgic excitement of "finally" see this issue in print. I can excuse the dating problem mentioned above (I assume the publisher wanted the 25th anniversary splash to be technically correct: Feb 1958 - Feb 1983) but I'm worried about what's inside. But like the poster above, I like the retro issue concept very much.
	Remove this ad
The Drunken Severed Head		#22	[-]
Mar 26 12 12:16 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Some of the photos look very good, others are very dark. The writing, illustrations, etc. make up for the inconsistent photos, in my opinion. This is how I understand it: Part of the problem is that modern printing is no longer set up for printing black and white photos on newsprint paper. In that regard, each issue is something of an experiment as the printers can't say just how photos will turn out. The paper does seem to be on better stock than previously. (And there aren't many paper stock choices that come close to duplicating 1970s and 80s era newsprint.) But importantly, photos now are all digital, and the dpi range for usable photos varies from 300 dpi to 600 dpi. It's not possible to get every photo in extreme hi-rez. Still, they look no worse than fuzzy screen grabs printed on slick baxter paper. Some of the writers, artists and editors of the retro issues had work in the original run of FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND. Others, like me, were only fans of the authorized run. I think (and hope readers feel the same way) that these retro issues are a legitimate homage, and not a rip-off of, of the magazine that influenced us all.
dynafan.filmlandclassics		#23	[-]
Mar 26 12 1:35 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	As I mentioned, I haven't seen issue 192 yet but on future retro issues my vote would be to print them on the newer slick stock to avoid the photo reproduction problems. I understand the concept of printing it on the old pulp paper for nostalgic purposes but, personally, I wouldn't mind if it were printed on the newer types of paper. Scary Monsters seems to have the same problem in most issues and I think the publisher likes to use the old pulp paper for the same reason. I was thrilled when Filmfax finally made the leap to glossy paper. I'm not trying to be overly critical and as I previously said, I like the retro issue concept and hope they continue with more issues.
HammerFilmFan		#24	[-]
Mar 26 12 4:53 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I agree 100% w/ Dynafan. Keep doing the retro issues, but print them on better paper if photo reproduction isn't going to be similar to the old FM anyways. Looking forward to reading it............. So much stuff to read in the pile though. Ray Steele The best magazine on SF/horror films currently being published (IMO) (In French!): L'Ecran Fantastique You can subscribe to L'Ecran Fantastique HERE through Amazon. It's worth it!
Hausenfan		#25	[-]
Apr 3 12 2:23 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	My comic book shop didn't get this yet, hopefully tomorrow. They usually have all things FM.
Hausenfan		#26	[-]
Apr 4 12 11:05 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Most magazines are post dated. The last issue of FM #191 was dated March 1983, but it was available December 1982. Issue 192 was supposed to hit the stands in February 1983, and it probably would have been dated April 1983. Just got mine today, along with the latest issue of FM (Dark Shadows cover) and the new Dark Horse Creepy. It's feels like 1974 (at 2012 prices, plus tax thanks to our wonderful state).
pinkfloyd95209		#27	[-]
Apr 5 12 12:17 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Hausenfan wrote: Most magazines are post dated. The last issue of FM #191 was dated March 1983, but it was available December 1982. Issue 192 was supposed to hit the stands in February 1983, and it probably would have been dated April 1983. I have known that the magazines were postdated but wasn't sure when they were originally released. So it looks like it is a 3 month period? I always thought it was 2 months? (example: I thought the March 1983 issue was released in January 1983)
HammerFilmFan		#28	[-]
Apr 5 12 7:32 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I remember that FM's postdating often changed up and down, possibly just depending on if an issue was running late or not. But I often felt that Warren was postdating copies WAY too far in advance. Ray Steele The best magazine on SF/horror films currently being published (IMO) (In French!): L'Ecran Fantastique You can subscribe to L'Ecran Fantastique HERE through Amazon. It's worth it!
dynafan.filmlandclassics		#29	[-]
Apr 5 12 9:13 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I got the new retro issue and the early reports were right; the photos and images inside the issue are very dark. Some pages look completely blacked out, which is a shame. The Selby cover art looks great and the quality of the paper used as the wrap-around cover is very good. I totally "get" the reasons for wanting to print the retro issues on pulp-like paper so that it feels (and smells?) like an old issue but my personal view is that glossier paper would be a significant improvement to the overall quality. I'm not trying to be harsh or overly critical, just provide a recommendation for improvement. After three "dark" issues, I think its time for Plan B. Having said that, I look forward to reading the new issue.
Hausenfan		#30	[-]
Apr 10 12 7:29 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	"I have known that the magazines were postdated but wasn't sure when they were originally released. So it looks like it is a 3 month period? I always thought it was 2 months? (example: I thought the March 1983 issue was released in January 1983)" The usual post dating was two months, however, FM did not publish a "February" issue, which would have been on the stands in December. So they released the "March" issue, which was their holiday issue for December. When February rolled around, they would go back to the two month post date of "April".
	Remove this ad
dmarks1000	Famous Monsters Issue #192 is a Disappointment to this Loyal Monster Fan	#31	[-]
Apr 13 12 6:41 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I was looking forward to the 25^th Anniversary Edition of FM #192 quite a bit. It has a beautiful cover; colorful, inspiring and timeless. I purchased this issue from my local comic book store this week. I was immediately struck by two things; the cover artwork was even more striking in living color and the magazine felt incredibly lightweight, as if it might float away. I flipped through the magazine later that night. Heavens where do I start? What a piece of ****. The picture reproductions are simply insulting to the reader. FM has stolen my money by printing most of the photos, artwork and materials so dark an owl could not discern the content. This put me in a lousy mood to start. I started evaluating the content I could actually read without undue eyestrain. On a positive note most of the interior layouts match nicely with the style and direction of the previous magazine. The article on Q & Carpenter was interesting. Back to reality, what is with the Dungeons & Dragons article? The light page count of just 64 (68 if you count covers) is simply inexcusable for what would have been at least a 100 page special edition. Did I mention the crazy photos you can't see make up about 50% of the pictures? This just destroys the mag for me. I enjoyed the two previous Retro FM’s #70 & 71, but this 25^th Anniv Ed is just an excuse to capitalize on fuzzy memories which by itself is not all bad, but the cover is only thing up to par. I just don’t see FM making it much longer with the kind of content they have been publishing the past year or so. Yes, there are a handful of positives, some nice covers here and there, but the overall content, the reason we purchase the magazine is just a disappointment to be honest. I hope and pray that FM gains a vision, a proper direction and can overcome these growing pains, but with all these new issues under their belt I am very concerned.
Wich2		#32	[-]
Apr 13 12 7:54 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I have to agree that the interior photo work was really rough. I used to hold SCARY MONSTER's feet to the fire on that, and they've much improved; but this darkly murky stuff looked worse than theirs ever did.
BijouBob8mm		#33	[-]
Apr 16 12 1:57 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	ARGumshoe wrote: Bill does great work. Now we just need his Metaluna Mutant on #193... Message received loud and clear. Big smiles, and lots of anticipation!
Hausenfan		#34	[-]
Apr 16 12 2:43 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Must say I was disappointed as well. The articles weren't bad, but the photos and the low page count??? For 9 bucks?? You want to go retro, fine, go retro on the cover price as well!
Cinemacabre		#35	[-]
Apr 16 12 2:54 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I did want to mention something about the FMoF retros - with which I am not involved at all - that has nothing to do with photos; Max Cheney (who is my good friend, truth be told) is a writer who has had a hand in the writing of all of the retros so far and I happen to think that his writing is a high point of those issues. Max carries over the feel (and the fun) that I got from reading FM1.0 in my youth (which abandoned me decades ago) and that's no easy feat. He does it not so much by mimicking Forry but by filling the piece with the flavors of the Warren years to the point that if the wind is blowing from the right direction and the stars and planets are aligned just right, I'm transported back to a time when I did a heck of a lot more reading than writing. Good times. D'Entre les Morts, Richard J. Schellbach
mostmonsters		#36	[-]
Apr 16 12 4:46 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	If FM #192 had been published by Warren, you can be sure he would have capitalized on the 25th Anniversary by having at least as large an issue as previous "special" issues...remember the thickness and high page count of FM #13, #100 and #142? It would have been squarebound and 100 pages minimum, probably more. Like so many others on this forum, I also feel the best thing about retro #192 is the cover.
HammerFilmFan		#37	[-]
Apr 16 12 5:14 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I agree w/ Cinemacabre, Max Cheney's (who I also consider a friend) writing for the retro issues is fantastic. But the photo reproduction has got to get better, or I won't be buying any more retro issues. I'll wait for reports on the next one BEFORE I buy. Ray Steele The best magazine on SF/horror films currently being published (IMO) (In French!): L'Ecran Fantastique You can subscribe to L'Ecran Fantastique HERE through Amazon. It's worth it!
Wich2		#38	[-]
Apr 16 12 9:54 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	>Max Cheney (who is my good friend, truth be told) is a writer who has had a hand in the writing of all of the retros so far and I happen to think that his writing is a high point< Well, I'll ditto you there, Rich - on both points.
The Drunken Severed Head		#39	[-]
Apr 18 12 9:54 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Just discovered all the honeyed comments above, and offer my Gorgo-size thanks. I was taught film appreciation by Forry Ackerman and the FM crew. (At the same I also picked up an unfortunate addiction to puns. ) I'm grateful to be compared to Acker-man the Uber-Fan! Last Edited By: The Drunken Severed Head Apr 18 12 9:59 PM. Edited 1 times.
Wich2		#40	[-]
Apr 19 12 10:21 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	>(At the same I also picked up an unfortunate addiction to puns.)< And a pundiction to ads!
	Remove this ad

<< Previous Topic Next Topic >>

Add Reply

Yuku free message boards

Famous Monsters Of Filmland #192 - Finally!!!