Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Countdown to Halloween 2023 Day 18: Vampirella: Dead Flowers #1 Cover Gallery

Vampirella: Dead Flowers #1 originally came out the first week of October but I saved the cover gallery pages for this week's Women Wednesday post. Here is the description:

"More than 50 years ago, legendary fantasy artist Frank Frazella ushered the now-iconic Vampirella onto the pop culture stage with his singular cover painting for Vampirella Magazine #1. Now, in 2023, Sara Frazetta brings her grandfather’s legacy full circle as she takes the reins on a brand new series starring Drakulon’s Favorite Daughter! When her age-old nemesis finally gives up the ghost, Vampirella is lured to his rural gothic estate of Rookhaven to hear the reading of his last will and testament. There, she meets the manor staff — the prurient assistant, the wild-eyed groundskeeper and his pensive young daughter, and the sinister and enigmatic Mr. Frey. Expecting a trap, Vampirella and her young companion are not disappointed — but they also get more than they bargained for in this thrilling adventure! Written by Sara Frazetta and Bob Freeman and illustrated by Alberto Locatelli, this brand-new miniseries is steeped in gothic horror, complete with a sinister mansion, a mist-enshrouded graveyard, and a bevy of witches, ghosts, werewolves, and ancient satanic magicks. And all of it is enclosed in an amazing assortment of covers from some of comics’ greatest artists, including Lucio Parrillo, Collette Turner, Ergun Gunduz, series artist Alberto Locatelli, and Frazetta Girls’ very own Sara Frazetta!"




Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Countdown to Halloween 2023 Day 17: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Saturday Morning Adventures Halloween Special #1 Cover

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Saturday Morning Adventures Halloween Special is a mouthful and it hit the newsstands last week. If you love the cartoon series from the 1980s, then you will love this issue. The gang goes against Creepy Eddie, who looks a little like that creepy guy on Elm Street. They also fight several other monsters while cracking jokes. The second story features Shredder and Krang that is a real treat.


Monday, October 16, 2023

Goodnight Lara Parker

Sad news for horror soap opera fans for Lara Parker, the Witch Angelique on Dark Shadows, Dies at 84.

Countdown to Halloween 2023 Day 16: Monster Mash Remix Cereal Box

Carmelia Creeper takes center stage on the box of the Monster Mash Remix cereal. She is joined by her cousin, Franken Berry, along with Count Chocula, Boo Berry, Frute Brute and Yummy Mummy. I missed out on the Monster Mash cereal that was released in 2021 for their fiftieth anniversary. The berry flavored cereal was a litter better than Carmelia Creeper's caramel apple flavored cereal and disappeared a little faster. This might be another one that I may not pick up again next year. I'm currently in the middle of the Count Chocula box and still have Franken Berry and Boo Berry to go. Yes, it takes me a while to finish off five family size boxes of Monster Cereals.

You can listen to the Monster Mash Remix at official Monster Cereal site.


Sunday, October 15, 2023

Countdown to Halloween 2023 Day 15: Carmelia Creeper Monster Cereal Box

I was surprised by the local Walmart's for they actually stocked all five Monster Cereals including the new Carmelia Creeper. However, they only had the family size boxes. Of course, I picked up all five just in case they disappeared fast (they haven't and still have plenty). I chose to start off the Halloween season early this year with Carmelia Creeper. I'm glad that I did because I wasn't a big fan of this caramel apple cereal. It was okay but it just tasted off (maybe I'm just getting old). I was glad when I finally finished the box and I doubt that I get any next year if it comes back.

Carmelia Creeper is a zombie and a cousin of Franken Berry. You can find her doing a remix of Monster Mash at the official Monsters Cereal site.


Saturday, October 14, 2023

Countdown to Halloween 2023 Day 14: Star Trek: Holo-Ween #2 Cover

IDW Publishing released Star Trek: Holo-Ween #2 earlier this week. The cover features Data as a Frankenstein monster facing Riker as a Wolfman while the face of Troi as a mummy queen looms in the background.


There is a great homage to classic monsters in this issue with Deanna Troi as a mummy queen, Riker as a wolfman, Worf as a Gill Man and Picard as Mr. Hyde:


Friday, October 13, 2023

Countdown to Halloween 2023 Day 13: Capwolf and the Howling Commandos #1

Happy Friday the 13th and we are almost halfway through this year's Countdown to Halloween.

Today's treat is the cover of Capwolf and the Howling Commandos #1, which kicks off the four-issue mini-series from Marvel. Captain America saves Sgt. Nick Fury and helps the Howling Commandos against a Nazi super tank in France of 1944. Fury gets wounded and Captain America is recruited to lead the team to destroy a bunker in Eastern Prussia known as Wolfsschanze (Wolf's Lair). Dum-Dum and most of the Howling Commandos are not happy about Cap being in charge. They arrive by parachute and are attacked by a group of werewolves several miles from the bunker. Bullets don't stop them, and one manages to scratch Captain America. The ending leaves on a cliffhanger that sets up the next issue.

Thursday, October 12, 2023

Goodnight Phyllis Coates

Today is a sad day for Phyllis Coates, the First Lois Lane on Television, Dies at 96. She first played the reporter in the Superman vs the Mole Men movie and played her for just one season on the Aventures of Superman tv series. She passed away of natural causes on October 11, 2023.


Countdown to Halloween 2023 Day 12: Young Sheldon Pick of the Patch Sweepstakes

I have been watching Young Sheldon at 5:30 pm Central Monday through Friday for the past year. I have seen most episodes about four or five times by now. I have also been entering the Pick of the Patrch Sweepstakes by entering the Word of the Day. The sweepstakes is sponsored by Valpak. I doubt that I will win the grand prize of $10,000 but I would settle for the Bazinga glow bracelet since I love items that glow in the dark.


Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Countdown to Halloween 2023 Day 11: Witches Magazine

Witches is another collectible magazine that has been on the rack at the local Walmart's for the past month. I had to get this one for sure since I have a soft spot for witchy women. The magazine has seven sections: Witches Throughout History, The Witching Way, Witches Making History, Enchanted Movies and TV Shows, The Power Is Rising: Witches Today, Divination Tools and Astrology and Ready to Explore Your Power. Of course, a brief history of witchcraft is provided along with the witch trails in Europe and America. There are articles on Wicca, Hoodoo and Brujeria. Famous and infamous witches include Maria Laveau, Aleister Crowley, Gerald Gardmer. Doreen Valiente, Laurie Cabot, Raymond Buckland, Starhawk and Bri Luna. You can pretty much predict which movies and tv shows are briefly covered so I won't bother naming any (True Blood was covered but not Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Modern witches covered include Leanne Marrama of Salem, author Sarah Potter, male witch John Cardo and author Pam Grossman. Ouija boards, the tarot and the zodiac are covered in the divination section. Basic tools essential to witches and the witches holiday known as Halloween are also covered. Witches is a good magazine for those interested in the subject matter.



Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Countdown to Halloween 2023 Day 10: Ghosts: True Tales of Horror Magazine

Ghosts: True Tales of Horror is a magazine special that has been on the rack at the local Walmart's for the past month. I finally broke down and shelled out the $13.99 a few weeks ago. The magazine is divided into four sections: Ghosts: A Haunting History, Ghosts Stories, What's Really Happening and Where To Find Ghosts. There are some very familar ghost stories such as the Bell Witch, Bellamy Bridge and Huggin' Molly. There are articles on energy orbs, cold spots and mediums. The haunted places covered include Amityville, Salem, New Orleans and San Francisco. There is even a ghostly glossary and lots of pictures. While the Ghosts: True Tales of Horror magazine doesn't go into in-depth detail about some of the topics, it is a good starting point for those interested in the world of spirits.



Monday, October 09, 2023

Countdown to Halloween 2023 Day 9: The Devil's Machine

I picked up The Devil's Machine (2019) at the local Dollar Tree a few weeks ago in hopes that it would be a scary Halloween treat. The movie's story centers around a three hundred year old curse and a clockwork doll in Scotland. An antique dealer is hired to study the recently found life-size doll and takes his step-daughter along with him. The first half is a slow burn but things turn really weird in the second half. Not only does ghosts show up but strange dog men do too. Also, the story deals with some taboo subjects including incest, bondage and sadism. The ending was interesting but also a little predictable. I did get my money's worth since it was only $1.25 but I have to give The Devil's Machine a solid C since I felt like I was tricked.


Note: The Devil's Machine was originally titled Automata.

Sunday, October 08, 2023

Countdown to Halloween 2023 Day 8: Alice Cooper #1

Alice Cooper #1 from Dynamite Entertainment hits the newsstands last Wednesday. Lucifer is singing the blues but wants the love of the world so he decides to knock off the world's greatest rock musicians. Alice Cooper is warned by the archangel Gabriel that he has to stop him because he is also a target. From what I can find, this mini-series is going to be six issues.






Saturday, October 07, 2023

Countdown to Halloween 2023 Day 7: Sabrina Annual Spectacular #1 Cover

Archie Comics released Sabrina Annual Spectacular #1 last month. The first story, which is all new, is "Power of Three", which features the Wicked Trinity: Amber Nightstone (she made her debut in last year's Sabrina Anniversary Spectacular #1), Jade and Sapphire. The second story is the first appearance of Sabrina from Archie's Mad House #22 (October, 1962). The third story is "Spook Out", which originally appeared in Sabrina the Teenage Witch #5 (April, 1972). The fourth story is "Court Jester" from Sabrina the Teenage Witch #2 (July, 1971). Young Salem is featured in the fifth story titled "Scaredy Cat".

Friday, October 06, 2023

Countdown to Halloween 2023 Day 6: Star Trek: Holo-Ween #1 Cover Gallery

Star Trek: Holo-Ween #1 launched this week with three covers. Cover 1A and RI both have art by Francesco Francavilla that features Captain Picard and Deanna Troi running from Redjac aka Jack the Ripper. Cover 1B has art by Suspiria Vilchez that features Troi screaming with a giant Medusa head in the backgorund. I won't spoil the story but some of the crew gets turned into monsters.


Thursday, October 05, 2023

Countdown to Halloween 2023 Day 5: DC's Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun #1

This year's Halloween treat from DC Comics is DC's Ghouls Just Wanna Fun #1. Surprisingly, Harley Quinn is not on the cover. Instead, it's Clark Kent and Lois Lane getting tricked by some little goblins dressed up as the Flash, Mary Marvel, Animal Man and Lobo. The best costume award goes to the one that looks like Man-Bat but he's cheating since that's not a costume.

The stories include the Question in "A Look to Die For", Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) in "The Shadow Over Coast City", Animal Man in "This Day, Anything Goes" (my favorite), Nightwing in "The Dark Bite", Superman in "The Spoils", Robotman in "Not Fade Away", Crush and Lobo in "Happy Hal(lobo)ween", and Man-Bat in "Out of the Shadows".

Note: This is one of four covers.

Wednesday, October 04, 2023

Halloween Special Report: Chucky Season 3 Starts Tonight on Syfy

That possessed killer doll known as Chucky returns to Syfy with season 3:


Countdown to Halloween 2023 Day 4: Elvira in Monsterland #2, 4 and 5 Cover Galleries

I forgot to post the cover galleries for Elvira in Monsterland #2 and #4 when the issues originally came out. The fifth issue came out last week so I thought I would post all three cover galleries today for this week's Women Wednesday post. In issue two, she riffs on Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein movies.

In Elvira in Monsterland #4, she riffs on the kaiju movie Destroy All Monsters, which features Godzilla.

Issue five wraps up the mini-series with Elvira battles Vlad the Impaler and his army of monsters but she gets help from a super hero group that spoofs The Avengers movie.


Note: You can view Elvira in Monsterland #1 Cover Gallery here and Elvira in Monsterland #3 Cover Gallery here.

Tuesday, October 03, 2023

Countdown to Halloween 2023 Day 3: Dracula Soltaire on Facebook

Facebook went through another game purge last month and I lost several of my favorite games (Candy Crush Saga and Hit It Rich! Casiono to name a few). There are not very many Halloween-related games either. However, there is Dracula Solitaire. I'm on level 31 and it's a fun way to kill some time. There is a story of sorts that involves finding different monsters. So far, I have found the lady vampire and the mummy.




Monday, October 02, 2023

Countdown to Halloween 2023 Day 2: Marvel's Doctor Who #3 Cover

Doctor Who #3 was published in 1984 by Marvel Comics and the Time Lord turns into a werelok, which is a futuristic werewolf. His companions in this issue are Sharon and K-9. I don't have this issue but I did read it online and it was not bad.


Sunday, October 01, 2023

Countdown to Halloween 2023 Day 1: Mtn Dew Voodew Returns

Today starts the annual Countdown to Halloween. I picked up four bottles of Mtn Dew Voodew last Tuesday at the local Dollar General. The flavor didn't stay mystery for long since I read a review the day before saying that it was Cherry Airheads. I'm not a huge fan of the candy but I did like the drink.