JANUARY 2006
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: THE B MONSTER IS 10!
With this edition of the newsletter, the B Monster celebrates
his 10th year of monthly publication. And I've come to the
conclusion that 10 years is enough. I'll continue to write
about genre films on occasion for the magazines appreciative
of my singular perspective, and a second B Monster book
is already in the works. And of course, the site will remain
as a standing repository of cult-film information; a celebration
of B-movie history, featuring what Entertainment Weekly
has called "the best online journalism devoted to camp,
monster and cult movies." But composing the monthly newsletter
consumes time that I must devote to my "real" job as an
illustrator and cartoonist. It's a good news-bad news deal.
I'm more in demand as an illustrator and therefore, over
time, B Monster has become something that I have had to
cram in between assignments. I love these movies, and I
find myself with less and less time to write informatively
about them, thereby doing them an injustice.
B Monster has always been a labor of love, and every month
for 10 years I've produced a newsletter without fail. (For
three of those years I also produced a daily comic strip.
At one point, I was writing and drawing TWO daily strips,
producing a feature for Image Comics, writing for the Sci
Fi Channel magazine, performing in a rhythm and blues band
AND producing B Monster, all in addition to my regular job.)
Early on, I turned out the equivalent of a monthly magazine,
each issue redesigned with new graphics appropriate to that
issue's theme. The site won numerous awards and attracted
international attention. This was gratifying, and paid advertising
has sustained the costs of hosting the site. But let's face
it, writing about the intrinsic and nostalgic virtues of
"The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake" will not pay the bills.
The readership is limited. But then, it was never about
the money.
Let me specify the reasons that led to my decision to
discontinue the B Monster newsletter as a monthly enterprise:
1. TIME
There ain't enough of it.
2. THE LIST
B Monster was never intended to be an incisive, detail-oriented
chronicle of genre-film history. It was intended to reflect
the nostalgic, "gee whiz" reverence I held for the people
who made these classic films. I hope the interviews convey
this. I have been fortunate enough to attract a coterie
of like-minded friends, far better versed than I, to vet
the dates, casts and titles. They deserve the credit for
accuracy. I wanted to talk to the filmmakers who helped
to shape my cultural sensibilities and creative drive, so,
I made a list. Near the top of the list was Herbert L. Strock.
I simply picked up the phone one day and called him. He
couldn't have been nicer. (Thanks, Herb!) I went from there.
It took some time, but I got through the list. I managed
to contact nearly every person on it. In some cases, I was
too late, which brings me to reason number three ...
3. OBITUARIES
I'm tired of writing obituaries. I've gotten to know and
love many of the people who made the films that affected
me. I've attempted to chronicle their lives and contributions.
It hurts me to commemorate their deaths. It's worn me down.
I realize that somebody has to do it, but again, 10 years
of writing obituaries -- particularly the obituaries of
my friends -- may be enough. (I learned of the death of
Herb Strock shortly before writing this. It hurts.)
4. UMBRAGE
There is one attribute shared by many cult-film fans that
I regard as remarkable: They are intractable in their opinions.
Some become incensed when you disagree with them, some are
enraged when you write a disparaging comment about a film
or actor they admire. You MUST agree with them, without
argument or equivocation. Any detraction from what they
regard as a sacred opinion is interpreted as a personal
affront. I have never understood this, and respond with
these simple questions: Why must we agree? Why is it so
important to you that I agree with you? It's a great, big,
beautiful world with room enough for multiple opinions and
surely we have better things to do than argue about monster
movies.
5. MANNERS
We've done our best to help sustain and promote those engaged
professionally in the genre-film hobby. We've plugged films,
magazines, books, bands, bars, CDs, conventions, film festivals,
etc. Many of the beneficiaries of whatever limited help
we could provide were gracious and polite. They were grateful
and made a point of saying so. Then there were those who
couldn't be bothered with such niceties, who thought they
were doing us a favor by sending us an extra copy of their
direct-to-video, soft-core quickie that just happened to
feature a rubber monster molesting women. (A disturbing
number are guilty of such ignorance.) They shall remain
mercifully anonymous. To all those who reciprocated our
good will, I extend my gratitude for helping to preserve
common courtesy. Please understand that I must now expend
more energy on my own product.
6. CONTEMPORARY GENRE-FILMS
The positivity, humanity, wonder, warmth and resiliency
of the human spirit that used to be at the core of science
fiction has been replaced by irony, negativity, resignation
and cynicism. In the vintage films I admire -- no matter
how cheap or poorly made they may be -- would-be victims
eventually rise above their adversity and are stronger for
having done so. In contemporary genre films, victimization
is something to be relished. Victims aren't responsible
for their circumstances, and are therefore free to guiltlessly
descend to the villain's level, exalting in the savagery
that was once exhibited by only the vilest heavies. I don't
want to write about those kinds of films anymore because
they convey a message to impressionable audiences that nobility
and integrity are superfluous, expendable attributes that
no longer have a place in this brutal world. What a steaming
pile of horse dung. The world is what you make it. Get off
your butt and make it better.
7. ATTACH THE ELECTRODES!
Have I mentioned that B Monster has always been absolutely
free? For 10 years, we've brought the very best genre-film
writing to the Internet as a free service to cult-movie
lovers. (And in blushing modesty, I feel compelled to point
out that we've inspired myriad imitators.) Contributors
include the most knowledgeable authors writing about horror
and science fiction films. Many kind readers have expressed
their gratitude for this service, and this makes the decision
to suspend monthly publication a difficult one. I'll miss
the regular affirmation. I thank one and all for the notes
of acknowledgment, support and appreciation that have poured
in over the years.
I've always felt that the Internet should be used as a
means for sharing information freely, thereby facilitating
commerce. With the dubious exception of downloadable pornography,
it has not proven itself as a commercial entertainment medium.
(Why should you pay to download and watch a movie of poor
quality on a tiny PC when you can settle into a comfy Barcalounger,
pick up the remote and tune in 600 channels on a big-screen
TV instantaneously?) We've steered clear of buggy Java scripts,
Flash animation and superfluous bells and whistles requiring
plug-ins and downloads. We've endeavored to keep B Monster
a free and easily navigable information service while steering
you to books, films and other materials that might supplement
your knowledge and enjoyment. After a decade of doing so,
I find it necessary to consolidate my energy and devote
substantially more time to my own books and commercial artwork.
Any who care to stay informed of the B Monster's various
artistic, literary and musical efforts can remain on this
list and receive irregular bulletins, or simply continue
to check the Web sites. Let me be clear and emphatic: I'll
be more productive than ever; it's just that the agenda
won't include a monthly assemblage of news items, personality
profiles and film reviews. Not unlike Frankenstein's Monster,
I must be recharged and replenished. Have Ygor attach the
electrodes and jolt me with juice. Though he may no longer
dispense his wisdom in monthly installments, make no mistake
... THE B MONSTER LIVES!
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Michael F. Blake, whose books are available through Vestal
Press or at http://www.amazon.com
John and Michael Brunas
Bob and Kathy Burns
Classic Sci Fi.com http://www.classicscifi.com
Jim Clatterbaugh http://www.monstersfromthevault.com
David Colton, organizer of the Rondo Hatton Awards http://www.rondoaward.com
Joe Dante
Vincent DiFate, http://www.vincentdifate.com
Leonard Hughes
Harris Lentz III, whose books are available at http://www.mcfarlandpub.com
Bob Madison, founder and CEO of Dinoship, Inc. http://www.dinoship.com
Ron Osborn
Michael H. Price, whose books are available at http://www.amazon.com
Bryan Senn, whose books are available at http://www.mcfarlandpub.com
and at http://www.midmar.com
Robert Tinnell
Will "The Thrill" Viharo, http://www.thrillville.net
Tom Weaver, whose books are available at http://www.mcfarlandpub.com
and at http://www.dinoship.com
And most of all, P.L. Joy
PARTING BLURB
"Smashes the fun barrier!" -- Wild Guitar
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