Phantasm came out in 1979 and remains a sci-fi horror lynch-pin to this day. In a few words or less, Phantasm was a mind-bending tale of the horror icon Tall Man, a supernatural and super evil undertaker who turns the dead of Earth into dwarf zombies to be sent to his planet and used as slaves. It also spawned four sequels: Phantasm II (1988), Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead (1994), Phantasm IV: Oblivion (1998) and Phantasm: Ravager (2016). This year marks the 45th anniversary of Phantasm, and Don Coscarelli — the movie’s creator — has joined forces with Dark Delicacies™ for Phiction: Tales from the World of Phantasm. So cool, but I’m kicking myself for never learning how to read.
Here’s what you desperately need to know about this 250 limited collector print edition of original stories: “For the first time in the history of horror cinema, a celebrated filmmaker of a cult-classic horror film series has continued the adventure by swapping mediums and personally authoring a series of fictional works exploring in detail the characters he originally created. Coscarelli has now returned to the world of Phantasm to tell more tales of these inspiring phantasmic heroes.”
“Phiction features a die-cut slipcase wrapped in ‘Morningside Marble’ premium anti-scratch matte finish. Case hardcover binding of the book inside is covered in premium black fabric with foil stamped text and red painted edges. Each book is offered with matte UV full color dust jacket and features a ribbon marker. This is a limited edition of 250 copies and each will be autographed by author Don Coscarelli and illustrator Aaron Lea. This edition also includes a rare, unique and priceless premium — a 3-frame outtake clip of original 35mm camera negative, as filmed on the set of the 1979 film Phantasm and featuring the legendary Angus Scrimm, with each book.” Click here for more deets.
So while we all put in some overtime making deliveries for UberEats™ to stockpile the $75.00 for this must-have book, here are a few upcoming horror/sci-fi movies/TV series that may or may not make you want to learn to read…
BADLAND HUNTERS / January 26, 2024 (Netflix™)
“Seoul is transformed into an apocalyptic wasteland after a major earthquake. The survivors in this new dystopian world are led by a tough hunter who fights for survival and salvation.”
My definition of an apocalyptic wasteland is everything from no beer left on Earth to no bars on Earth selling beer. I can handle dystopian-making earthquakes, but not that.
CONSTELLATION / February 21, 2024 (Apple TV+™)
“Jo returns to Earth after a disaster in space and discovers that there are missing pieces in her life. So she sets out to expose the truth about the hidden secrets of space travel and recover what she has lost.”
Pffft! One does not need to return from space to find out you’re missing pieces of your life. Just go to a Tug Tavern Happy Hour and try to piece together what happened if/when you get up the next morning. Can’t be done. Without CCTV footage/eyewitness accounts, that is.
MOM / Release pending 2024 (VOD)
“Meredith, abandoned by her family after a horrific incident at home, is left alone to relive — and relive — the darkest moments of her past. But a sinister entity, born from the tragedy, is determined to keep them apart.”
I relive the darkest moment of my life every time I go to a Tug Tavern Happy Hour. Do you sense a theme here?
SHARK GIRL / Release pending 2024 (VOD)
“A young influencer survives a shark attack and becomes a monstrous apex predator, hunting and feeding in sunny Venice Beach, California.”
Good thing for all of us she wasn’t bitten by an apex clam.
Drinkin' & Drive-in 