R.I.P. Basil Gogos

Sigh. Seems like this is becoming a weekly thing, but that's they way it is. As most of you probably already know, Basil Gogos passed away last Thursday (11/14/17). Those of us who grew up during the Groovy Age know Gogo's art well because, though he painted many a book and magazine cover, to us, he was the ultimate monster portrait artist with his Famous Monsters of Filmland covers. Even non-comics lovers dug FM (and yeah, FM wasn't a comic, but you get my drift), baby, and Gogos' covers were a big part of what made those mags so cool. Can't think of a better way to pay respects than to share a ghoulish gallery of his awesome artistry...

So Long, Uncle Forry!

We lost a great one. Forrest J. Ackerman was an inspiration to all of fandom, whether it be sci fi, comics, horror, or fantasy. Sci Fi Wire has the full story here. My pal Joe Bloke has outdone himself with his tribute to Ackerman, sharing the entire first issue of Famous Monsters of Filmland, the mag that endeared Forry to us all and set the standard for what a fan mag should be like.

I'm not gonna try to top that, but I do want to share another of Forry's greatest creations with you, so here are a few choice bits from Vampirella #1 (cover dated September, 1969). Most of the art is by Tom Sutton and Frank Frazetta.