While it's much later than planned, the time has finally come
to reveal the contents and covers for the final issue of Monsters from the
Vault. The issue was initially set to premiere at Monster Bash in June 2015,
but due to a couple of medical setbacks that required both me and my wife to
have surgery, the issue
will now premiere at Monster Bash on the weekend of July 8-10, 2016 (much later than I had planned). First,
the issue is going to be huge (over 200-plus pages). Second, the issue will have
5 cover variants. Because of
the size and cover variants, plus my desire to not rack up a HUGE printing bill
for my final issue, I've decided to go the print-on-demand route through Amazon's
CreateSpace. This will enable readers to choose which cover they want, whether
it be one, all, or somewhere in between. However, no matter which cover(s) you
choose for the front, the other covers will be shown smaller on the back cover
of that issue. I know this is not the preferred way to go for many of you (nor
for me), but it’s the best option at this time. I've been monitoring the
quality of Amazon's product, and it's GREATLY improved over the past few years.
Also, the final price is not yet set in stone (even though the covers show
$19.98), but it most likely will be in the $20 range (plus shipping, unless you
get free shipping through Amazon Prime or your order exceeds $35, which also
gets you free shipping). So how do you get the final issue? For the majority,
through Amazon.com. I've decided not to stock a large amount, or to deal with
packing up and shipping a ton of copies. This has always been the worst part of
the job for me, so I’m going to leave the dirty work to Amazon. However, I will
have copies for sale (of all cover variants) at the October Bash, and at future
Bashes or any other conventions where I'm a vendor, but you won't be able to
order it directly from me. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY FUNDS DIRECTLY TO ME AS THEY WILL BE RETURNED! If you have a subscription that's still current, I’ll
contact you via mail in January or February 2016 about the final issue and any
refund you may be owed. At this time, it's uncertain as to whether copies will
be sold to Diamond Comics for comic book shop distribution or to various online
sources (Creepy Classics, Scary Monsters, Creature Features, Oldies.com, Hemlock Books in the U.K.,
etc.). More on this, and when the issue will be available for preorder on
Amazon, will be posted here and on my Web site and blog as the publication date
gets closer.
That's enough rambling from me—let's move on to what you
really care about, Monsters from the Vault #34!
The Contents
(Subject to Transformation)
- ONE HELL OF A RIDE!: The Monsters from the Vault Story by Jim Clatterbaugh & Marian Owens
- THE MAGAZINE THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING by David Colton
- THE CENSORSHIP SAGA AND STUDIO POLITICS OF BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN by Greg Mank
- THE 10 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS I LEARNED FROM CLASSIC HORROR FILMS by Steve Kronenberg
- THE LITTLE FELLOW WHO CRIED WOLFMAN…AND DRACULA…AND THE MONSTER by John Stell
- A TALE OF THREE YGORS by Frank J. Dello Stritto
- MONSTER FIGHTERS' OFFSPRING: Her Father Fought the Creature and Her Mom Met the Wolf Man, The Daughter of Richard Denning and Evelyn Ankers Tells All! Interview by Tom Weaver
- OF LOBOS AND HOMBRES: Mexican Werewolf Cinema, 1958-1976 by Bryan Senn
- ATOMIC GOTHIC: Horror Movies Didn't Die in the 1950s, They Went Into Disguise by Mark Clark
- THE CAT CREEPS (1930) WHILE THE CANARY SLEEPS by Gary Rhodes
- THE HUMAN MONSTERS OF PARAMOUNT by Steven Thornton
- OUR READERS AND CONTRIBUTORS SPEAK!: Recollections and Remembrances of Monsters from the Vault
- FILMS FROM THE VAULT
- BOOKS FROM THE VAULT
The Covers
(Slight Tweaking May Occur)
Michael Kronenberg Variant |
Joe "Sorko" Schovitz Variant |
Daniel R. Horne Variant |
Kerry Gammill Variant |
Manuel Sanjulian Variant |
Sample Back Cover |
I look forward to bringing you “The Best in Classic Horror” one more time, and I appreciate everyone’s contributions and support over the past 20 years. Monsters from the Vault, All Classic, All the Time!
Sad news that you are ending MFTV.
ReplyDeleteIs it possible to specify which cover variant(s) we would like to order?
Yes, when the time comes you can pick and choose which one you want and none will be sold out.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely GREAT covers! Beautiful artwork!!
ReplyDeletedo you have an update when this final issue will be available?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, no time soon. Hopefully by the end of the year. I'll be posting an update here soon.
ReplyDeleteHi, I live in Ireland and would like to buy a copy of the Last "Monsters From The Vault" - issue 34. I cannot see it for sale on ebay or Amazon. where can I buy a copy, please? The artwork looks fabulous.. Thanks,
ReplyDeleteEdward G
The final issue has not been published yet and will not be until mid-2017 at the earliest. Hemlock Books in the UK will most likely be your best siurce once it's published.
DeleteOk - thanks for coming back, Jim. Will undoubtedly be worth the wait.
Delete