Those were the immortal words of Dr. Frankenstein (pronounced Frahn-kun-shteen!) portrayed by Gene Wilder in Young Frankenstein. The line embodied the passion and sheer exuberance of a man who had just taken a famous monster, once thought to be gone forever, and returned it to life (and given it the ability to do some sweet musical numbers). Today, we share those sentiments as we announce the return of Famous Monsters of Filmland, the print magazine.
While we’re well into development on the first issues, we’re going to be keeping mum on a lot of the details. Here are a few pieces that we can share with you right now:
- In order to make sure that FM gets as wide a release as possible, we’ve teamed with IDW Publishing. Not only are they one of the largest comic publishers in the country, recipient of Diamond Distributor’s “Publisher of the Year” award 4 times, publisher of such hit comics as 30 Days of Night, Joss Whedon’s Angel, Locke and Key, and Transformers; they also happen to be huge monster kids.
“Famous Monsters is partially responsible for my lifelong love of horror, so to be involved in helping the magazine relaunch itself into the dreams—or nightmares—of new generations of fans is amazingly gratifying to me,” said Chris Ryall, IDW’s Publisher/Editor-in-Chief. “Phil’s plans for the magazine are respectful to the brand’s history and very forward-thinking at the same time, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”
More on IDW here. 
- Our editor-in-chief will be Michael Heisler, a 20-year veteran of the industry who brings a wealth of experience, along with his enthusiasm, to the relaunch.
“FM was far and away my favorite magazine when I was a kid, and there has been nothing quite like it since,” said Heisler. “Our goal is to update that magic for a modern audience, with coverage of current horror in all its forms, while continuing to pay tribute to the classic films that started it all. Personally, I’m thrilled to be taking this step down the road that Forry Ackerman and ‘Chilly Billy’ Cardille put me on so many years ago.”
-The magazine will begin its run in the summer of 2010 and be released quarterly. We haven’t set an exact date for release yet but we hear there’s some kind of big event in the summer where over 150,000 people dress up in costumes and head to San Diego. Just a rumor, probably.
Over the coming months we’ll be bringing you plenty of updates. From details on the covers to content and contributors, you’ll see it all here first. Make sure to check back and sign-up at our social networking sites (those icons in the upper right on the front page) as we’ll be releasing different info on all of them from time-to-time.
Last but not least, we’re counting on you to leave us comments and tell us your thoughts on what you’d like to see in the new FM. This is the time to make your voice heard and help forge the path that the magazine will take. Don’t be shy; all are welcome.
“I’ve always loved Famous Monsters, and when I discovered an opportunity to reinvent the brand for modern times, I jumped at it,” said Phil Kim, FM’s Senior Manager. “Knowing the legacy and the great expectations that came with this iconic trademark, I looked long and hard for a suitable company with an impeccable reputation for quality and respect. After a two-year search, I am proud to announce our partnership with IDW.”
WOW! I’m really excited over this. I can’t wait for it to come out. Good luck, and make Uncle Forry proud.
John
Bravo! It’s like an old friend rising from the grave … I know you and your team will do it right this time and be true to Forry’s vision and passion. I and a whole lot of Monster Kids wish you nothing but the best!
Christmas just came early!!!!!!
Thank You!!!!
Good luck on this adventure.I’m sure all us Monster Kids feel the same way!
Can’t wait !!!
Sincerely-
Monstermatt
This is fantastic news! With Phil Kim and Michael Heisler at the helm, I’m looking forward to subscribing!
When can we pre-order?
Wonderful! Dr. Phibes nailed it: it’s really like an old friend rising from the grave. (That’s so apropos!!) May a “Magnificent Monster Mag Mania Menace Mundania”!!
Congratulations! May you have a long and profitable time of it and also, may you have loads of fun doing it.
Wow! This is terrorific news! As someone who has loved this magazine since he was 6 years old, about 42 years ago, I’m very exciting it won’t be lost in the grave. Loved what Ray Ferry did with it during his tenure. Excited about the new possibilities as well.
Now..PLEASE…can we have a Barnabus Collins cover?
Congrats to all!!
This is great news!!! Lookin’ forward to this! Need any artwork done?
May I suggest Peter Lorre: MAD LOVE and FACE BEHIND THE MASK.
Let’s re-educate the drum-dums.
Look forward to seeing the new FM! Congrats to all.
Fang-tastic! Looking forward to the latest incarnation of the magazine that has been with me my entire life! Kongratulations! And if you need any articles on the monster, fantasy or scientifiction films from the Land of the Rising Sun, I would be honored to write for the new FM!
Beast Witches,
August Ragone
Author, EIJI TSUBURAYA: MASTER OF MONSTERS (Chronicle Books)
Fang-tastic! Looking forward to the latest incarnation of the magazine that has been with me my entire life! Kongratulations! And if you need any articles on the monster, fantasy or scientifiction films from the Land of the Rising Sun, I would be honored to write for the new FM!
Beast Witches,
August Ragone
Author, EIJI TSUBURAYA: MASTER OF MONSTERS (Chronicle Books)
KONGrats and BEAST of luck to Michael and Phil on their new scary and famous endeavor!
From the Publisher and Editor-in-chief of
SCARY MONSTERS MAGAZINE
Best wishes and good luck on your re-launch of FAMOUS MONSTERS magazine. Something else to look forward to in 2010. Just a suggestion, start off with a Basil Gogos cover.
Great news! Anxious to see a magazine with a mix of new and old. Please don’t forget the classics but mix in the new to keep it fresh.
Hey,… Could you do an update article, photo-shoot & interview with actress Linda Blair? That’d be cool, ghoul!
Congratulations to Phil Kim & Michael Heisler!
What would I like to see? A mix of the old and the new, covering horror/sf/fantasy films (not much other media), but if gory stills are included, they should be kept to a minimum. And I would like to see the magazine be a little more seriously done than it was in the past 2 incarnations, as Forry himself said he would have liked to have seen it.
Egg-cellent!
But please promise: no Star Wars or Spielberg stuff; you can get that on a box of McFries.
I wish I still had all those early issues that I had as a kid in the 1950s. I was a huge fan then and read the magazine covewr-to-cover and eagerly awaited each issue. Sad to say those issues disappeared years ago. I’ll look for the new run next year.
Thank you Phil for keeping your promise. It is great news and eagerly awaited. (When can I subscribe?)
By all means, a Gogos cover for the first issue is a must (Hey, a Gogos cover for every issue wouldn’t be a bad thing either) (When can I subscribe?)
I agree with Egghead, please no Star Wars/Star Trek/Spielberg/Lucas (and please keep the Jason/Freddie etc. stuff to a minimum)
Consider Filmbooks but only for “Lost Films” or cut scenes (ie reincarnation segment from 1932 The Mummy).
Old FM never did enough on Japanese Monsters, time to rectify that omission. (When can I subscribe?)
I hope there will also be an annual Fearbook.
Best of luck, I believe you will do Forry proud.
(When can I subscribe?)
Congrats on the relaunch guys. That’s awesome news. I’ll make sure to pass the word around and i’ll definitely be waiting for the first issue of the new FM to hit the stands!!!
Publisher/Editor-in-chief
DARK DISCOVERIES MAGAZINE
While this does sound exciting, I hope the new incarnation doesn’t get into the gory stuff or sleezy ads that FM began to get into before Ferry took over. If it’s classy, I’ll like it. If it’s not, I won’t bother.
Aw c’mon. You gotta make it at least bi-monthly.
About time! A few things I would like to see in the resurection, coverage of monster toys and games past and present, a cover featuring the General Mills gang;Frankenberry,Chocula,Boo berry,Yummy Mummy,Fruit brute, heck even an issue devoted to them; there premiums,boxes ect..,A hundred page japannese/asian/far eastern monster/fantasy special to rival possibly surpase issue 114, a monster cartoon special issue, stuff about the old live action sppok shows/side shows,a dia majin cover,a kick ass mail order like captain co, and wicked cool glow in the dark halloween issue!
I really hope that you guys stay away from the blood and guts stuff.
At last! I have long awaited your return. To witness such a resurrection will be like no other. Even now I can hear the masters joyously converse among themselves beyond the grave. Thus we stand at the threshold of a new era. Once again children both young and old will take refuge within the pages of a world most peculiar; a place where ghosts and goblins do exist. A land where the living mingle with the dead. Oh how I have missed thee!
Famous Monsters of Filmland is a national treasure! May the gods be with you on this great undertaking.
I CAN’T WAIT!!!!!
Glad to see this day has finally come!
I agree with most of the previous comments, a Classy mag with a combination of classic and new material.
Here’s a suggestion: How about a column on pulp writers of the past, Like:Walter Gibson (the Shadow), Lester Dent (Doc Savage),Edgar Rice Burroughs (Tarzan, John Carter of Mars)?
You guys have some Big shoes to fill! Forry lit the torch of Monsterdom, Ferry carried it admirably for 50 issues…Now it’s up to Phil and Crew.
I wish you all the best of luck!
As the magazine industry has all but totally died, along with the rest of the paper-publishing world, I propose a zombie/undead theme to inaugurate the new FMoF, appropos of your resurrection/reanimation. I was a rabid Monster Kid fan in the early ’60s and that kid is jumping up and down with this news. Yippee, indeed.
As others have said, keep your eyes on the Monster prize and echew the slasher stuff. Stay classic and I’ll subscribe as soon as you’ll let me!
My hat is off to the new gang at FMOF. Phil was kind enough to call me (after I sent an e-mail) a few months ago and he shared his vision of the revival of FMOF. He was also gracious enough to allow me to express my heartfelt thanks for saving the magazine from the legal ills of the past. As with anything in this world, regardless of what the end product looks like, you will never be able to please everyone. Yes, I concur the “Classic Monsters” need to be front and center, but do not forget, the original FMOF had to keep current to be successful commercially. Star Wars and the like may not appeal to all, but keeping up with what is happening in real time has to be considered. I can tell you first hand, that when Kiss and Alice Cooper ended up on the covers, I was beside myself. They before Lon Chaney Jr, Man Made Monster? Before Peter Lorre, Mad Love as mentioned before and the list goes on. Sometimes it may be worth while to introduce vintage Sci-Fi into the picture such as buster Crabbe as Flash Gordon, again the list goes on. Whatever your tastes, please be open minded and lets all support Phil and his staff with this re-launch. Be open-minded and lets all rejoice that even with the passing of Forry, the passing of the ugly legal battle that sucked us all dry and now the rebirth, that our beloved Magazine will once again be available for ALL to ENJOY. God Bless you and all your support people Phil, we, the fans are behind you.
Best news of the year!
Would love to see more on horror hosts (besides Zacherley and Vampira; include them but there were many more out there.) Indianapolis had Sammy Terry, who is still alive and even has his own website.
Another nice touch would be to cover horror-film websites as well.
I agree that the humor should be present but toned down; the old mag had a tendency towards unfettered corniness that just won’t play today.
Well, it SOUNDS nice though I suspect you’ll quickly go the slasher-movie route and abandon the classic monsters. If you do you’ll lose me. Long Live Dracula and Frankenstein!
Oh YES!! A huge welcome to the new gang at the title, and here’s hoping that you’ll stay focused, and as Lawrence stated, a Basil Gogos cover would be the icing on the cake!!
Cannot wait to see this come to fruition!
How the hell does one wait half a year for something like this…?
I’m glad to see that my fellow horror freaks are not only crazy with the news but also very concerned. Great suggestions! I agree on not getting to slashy theres stuff enough out there and I also support the idea for a bi-monthly.
The beautiful painted covers, the typo, the adds and merchandise…Man it’s great to know an old friend is coming back.
Thank’s guys and All the Very Best.
-AM.
NO, seriously……I can’t wait!! I want to pre-order now
WOW cant wait i still have lots of my old ones cant wait
Famous Monsters inspired my generation and now it’s time to do it all again! BRAVO!
Congratulations and BRING IT ON !!!! I have been collecting everything horror since childhood. This is the revival of my inner child. It is alive!
Like everyone else, I’m looking forward to the arrival of the new incarnation of Famous Monsters. I agree with a couple of others who were worried about the amount of gore and “Friday the 13th” type movies that may be included. I look forward to the combination of old and new, but hopefully, there will always be the memory of what made Famous Monsters popular. Good old classic horror and suspense that made the movies great.
One of the greatest thrills of my life was seeing my name (and comments) in the pages of FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND. Forrest J. Ackerman even went so far as to help me get a script I’d written for George Romero to him. (The script was eventually returned- albeit a might dog-eared- but the mere fact that FJA had lent me a helping hand at all was heady stuff for a young fright film fan like myself.) It was from FJA that I picked up the habit of alliteration when I wrote movie “reviews” for several of the horror and fantasy magazines on the stands at the time (this was the late ’70s/early ’80s). Thanks for breathing new life back into the Bible of Famous Monsters.