New Scary Monsters cover

Here's a preview of the wraparound cover for Scary Monsters #64.  Death Race 2000, It Conquered the World, Bucket of Blood and more....

The Captain's new face

The wonderful folks at Moebius Models have reissued the ultra-rare 1960's Aurora Plastics' CAPTAIN ACTION model kit.  The reissue features an alternate, newly-sculpted face part created by li'l ol' me.  I got my comp copies of the kit the other day and did a quick paint job and assembly on it, just to get it on the shelf. There are a few details left unpainted -- and just like when I was a kid, I didn't worry too much about hiding the seams -- so this one'll never be a contest winner -- but I just wanted to see him on my shelf ASAP!   

Karloff "Mummy" illo wins "Rondo" Award

My cover illustration for SCARY MONSTERS magazine #64 has just won a monster/horror fan "Rondo" Award.  For more information, take a look here: www.rondoaward.com

Hard-Boiled Fridays

Check out this great blog post largely about my collaborations with Max Allan Collins.

And dig the cover of our latest project together -- the second in the comics murder mystery series -- out soon!

Monster Memories '08

Just finished -- the cover illustration for Scary Monsters' "Monster Memories 2008" annual. This time around, we're featuring the creatures from "Monster Squad" (finally available on DVD!) and our mascot Sam Scare and his pal Scarysaurus having some fun with "Dark Shadows" memorabilia and some Don Post monster masks. My digital camera wouldn't shoot this without picking up some glare -- so it's a little washed out on one side -- sorry 'bout that. I've also posted some close-up detail shots of some of the characters for those who'd like a closer look.

BACK ISSUE article on MS. TREE

The latest BACK ISSUE magazine (#26) features a six page article on MS. TREE, the private eye comic book series I co-created with Max Allan Collins. Alex Boney interviewed Max and me and wrote a terrific history of the feature. The article also includes some previously unpublished images and some B&W examples of early Ms. Tree artwork (some of which does make me wince a bit -- but hey -- I was young and still learning). This "Spies and Tough Guys" issue sports a "Black Widow" cover by Paul Gulacy. For more info, check the publisher's website: www.twomorrows.com

RONDO AWARD nomination!

Once again, one of my SCARY MONSTERS cover illustrations (issue #64, Boris Karloff in " The Mummy") has been nominated for a Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award. This is the sixth annual round of awards -- and while I've been nominated before, I've yet to win one of those spiffy li'l Rondo busts. Maybe this year?

If you are a fan of classic horror films (and if you're not, what's wrong with ya?) PLEASE Go to www.rondoaward.com and cast your votes today! There are many categories, including best movie, book, magazine, etc.

All you have to do is copy the ballot, paste it into an email, and place an x beside your choices. Then email it to the address provided, taraco@aol.com - It's that simple.

And if you are a certified monster maniac and not yet a member of the Universal Monster Army -- please join us at: www.universalmonsterarmy.com