ZC Rating 2 of 7: Fair It was a late winter night for us in the cinematorium. Zimba stretched out on the Empire scroll sofa, already snoring away, while I prepared drinks for myself and Zombos. “Make mine a double-espresso with lots of foam,” said Zombos. He stretched out his long legs and slumped in …
Category: Articles
May 31 2013
William F. Wu
There are many reasons I could devote my annual Asian Heritage Month article to Chinese American science fiction author William F. Wu. Having written thirteen novels and over fifty short stories (many having appeared in famed magazines like Omni and Andromeda), Wu has built up quite the body of work and won numerous honors for …
Mar 28 2013
Trilogy From The Crypt
Tales From The Crypt was destined to go beyond its comic book origins. When you have a series which started off as an unrelated section of Crime Patrol and grew popular enough to take over the comic completely, there’s no other conclusion you can reach. Perhaps that’s why a live-action photograph of the “GhouLunatics” was …
Feb 24 2013
Women In Horror Recognition Month: Required Reading
While trying to figure out what to write in honor of Women In Horror Recognition Month, I decided to browse through Google Books to see what had been previously written on the subject. I was initially pleased to find numerous books on the subject, but my enthusiasm faded as it became apparent that the actual …
Jan 06 2013
Traveling through Vermont? Watch out for King Kong!
While driving down US Highway 7 between Brandon and Leicester, you’re bound to come across King Kong. Okay, technically the giant gorilla statue holding a VW bug is called “Queen Connie,” but I know Kong when I see him! Whatever you want to call it, the statue was created by one T.J. Neil in 1987 …
Dec 22 2012
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: King Kukulele and the Friki Tikis
King Kukulele and the Friki Tikis Official Site Luau In December, Friki Tiki Records 2008 [audio:http://www.gravediggerslocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/King-Kukulele-the-Friki-Tikis-Santas-Menehune.mp3] Even if you’ve never heard one of their albums before, chances are that you’re already aware of King Kukulele and the Friki Tikis. Although active for quite some time on the West Coast, King Kukulele officially made his presence …
Dec 11 2012
Build Your Own Krampus Costume
Those of you who remember my article about the Krampus might recall that people dressing up as the character is a holiday tradition in several European countries. Naturally, those living in countries without that tradition will recognize the inherent coolness of the Krampus and will be tempted to introduce others to the concept. And what …
Nov 03 2012
Homemade Godzilla Costumes
I’ve occasionally heard people theorize that part of the appeal Japanese monster movies have is the fact that costumes are used, with fans wishing on a subconscious level that they could be one in the cool costume crushing all those little buildings (despite the fact that doing so is much less glamorous than one would …
Oct 26 2012
AHoD Fun Size: David Philips of HIGH FRUCTOSE ZOMBIES
A Handful of Dirt usually asks a person five questions they wouldn’t normally expect or receive in any other credible interview. But since it’s Halloween, we’re offering a FUN SIZE version where we ask one Halloween question from the Serendipiter Bag o’InquiryTM. David Braly Philips is part of the husband-wife duo that brought New York …
Oct 25 2012
Costume Crazyness 2012
I don’t have an introduction in me this year, so let’s just jump right in: The sad thing is that this “Horror Puppet” mask isn’t the worst Saw knock-off I’ve ever seen. That honor goes to a little number I saw at my local Rite-Aid. It was an overhead latex hockey mask with red dots …
Oct 23 2012
AHoD Fun Size: Sarah Braly of HIGH FRUCTOSE ZOMBIES
A Handful of Dirt usually asks a person five questions they wouldn’t normally expect or receive in any other credible interview. But since it’s Halloween, we’re offering a FUN SIZE version where we ask one Halloween question from the Serendipiter Bag o’InquiryTM. Sarah Braly is part of the husband-wife duo that brought New York …
Oct 23 2012
Hellevator
Having a fake elevator in your haunted attraction does wonders for the overall atmosphere. At its most basic use, a well-made one can help increase the feelings of isolation and being trapped in your haunt. Having it seemingly go out of control and violently plunge into the depths only adds to the fun. But making …
Oct 21 2012
Flying Crank Ghosts
The Flying Crank Ghost is one of the most effective props you can have at a haunted attraction. It not only looks incredible, but it also has an air of mystery as to how it’s accomplished. You can tell that it’s great just from the picture above, but even that can’t do it justice. Let’s …
Oct 19 2012
Touch and Feel Haunt Ideas
In two of my reviews for last year’s “Music to Haunt By” series, I briefly discussed ways to use certain tracks in variations of the old “touch and feel haunted house” setup. Maybe it’s just me, but I think this sort of haunt is a dying art. While it was once the main method discussed …