I was in my formative years during the era of Warren Publishing. Of keenest interest to me was Famous Monsters of Filmland. I did most of my shopping at a great little place called Book 'n' Card. They carried paperbacks, magazines, comics. A bought tons of science fiction paperbacks, Doc Savage books, and other stuff there. For some reason Book 'n' Card did not carry Famous Monsters. I had to find copies in a neighboring city, and my chances to get there were infrequent. I treasured the issues I managed to obtain.
I was well aware of Eerie and Creepy, and I had some copies of the mags. I did like them, but comics were never really my thing.
Still, James Warren and his publishing ventures were and are legendary to me. So when I learned of this new look at the man and his work, it was an easy decision to buy it.
Author Bill Schelly is a noted comics historian, and the writing in Empire of Monsters is top notch. He describes a man of contradictory nature. James Warren could be incredibly kind. He could be a bullying monster. He showed moments of stunning generosity. He had a reputation as a cheapskate.
People with the kind of vision that James Warren had are often eccentric individuals. I think this is particularly true with those who delve into works of the imagination, such as fantasy, science fiction, and horror. The portrait of James Warren in Empire of Monsters is of a complicated and often difficult man, but he also came across as oddly lovable.
Warren Publications could be seen as small potatoes in comparison to the big comics publishers like DC and Marvel, but they accomplished groundbreaking things. Warren popularized black and white comic creation, which to many fans led to more atmospheric storytelling. Warren defied the Comics Code by making his publications into magazine-sized books, rather than the comics standard. He used illustrators from Spain and France, bringing international art techniques to American readers.
The main interest of Empire of Monsters for me was the background information about Famous Monsters of Filmland. I always loved horror and monster movies, and I couldn't get enough of watching them as well as reading about them. I wished more space had been devoted to Forrest J Ackerman and FM.
Anyone interested in the history of comics and/or the Monster Boom Years needs this book. It's fascinating, informative, and often very funny.
Yes, I am aware of the controversy and accusations involving Forrest Ackerman. Unfortunately many of them came after his death. I don't know if they are true. I hope they aren't and I fear that they are.
One thing I know that is real: The feelings I got when I read Famous Monsters as a boy. The magic, the wonder, the thrills, the joy. Nothing can take that away from me. It is those feelings I choose to hold on to.
Written by Mark Sieber
I was well aware of Eerie and Creepy, and I had some copies of the mags. I did like them, but comics were never really my thing.
Still, James Warren and his publishing ventures were and are legendary to me. So when I learned of this new look at the man and his work, it was an easy decision to buy it.Author Bill Schelly is a noted comics historian, and the writing in Empire of Monsters is top notch. He describes a man of contradictory nature. James Warren could be incredibly kind. He could be a bullying monster. He showed moments of stunning generosity. He had a reputation as a cheapskate.
People with the kind of vision that James Warren had are often eccentric individuals. I think this is particularly true with those who delve into works of the imagination, such as fantasy, science fiction, and horror. The portrait of James Warren in Empire of Monsters is of a complicated and often difficult man, but he also came across as oddly lovable.
Warren Publications could be seen as small potatoes in comparison to the big comics publishers like DC and Marvel, but they accomplished groundbreaking things. Warren popularized black and white comic creation, which to many fans led to more atmospheric storytelling. Warren defied the Comics Code by making his publications into magazine-sized books, rather than the comics standard. He used illustrators from Spain and France, bringing international art techniques to American readers.
The main interest of Empire of Monsters for me was the background information about Famous Monsters of Filmland. I always loved horror and monster movies, and I couldn't get enough of watching them as well as reading about them. I wished more space had been devoted to Forrest J Ackerman and FM.
Anyone interested in the history of comics and/or the Monster Boom Years needs this book. It's fascinating, informative, and often very funny.
Yes, I am aware of the controversy and accusations involving Forrest Ackerman. Unfortunately many of them came after his death. I don't know if they are true. I hope they aren't and I fear that they are.
One thing I know that is real: The feelings I got when I read Famous Monsters as a boy. The magic, the wonder, the thrills, the joy. Nothing can take that away from me. It is those feelings I choose to hold on to.
Written by Mark Sieber
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