Artist Spotlight: Christopher Ott of London 1888

In this second Artist Spotlight, we turn our gaze toward horror artist Christopher Ott of London 1888 and a stellar new Phantasm piece he created for the recent Days of the Dead convention. As a phan, I must confess how refreshing it is to see such seldom-depicted characters as Mike, Reggie and the Caretaker featured so prominently in addition to the more oft-seen Tall Man, silver sphere and dwarf. Also, major props to the artist for incorporating the sphere's blood spray into the poster's red border. You can't tell it from these small photos, but the red and metallic silver practically leap off the card stock it's printed on. Frankly, this is an exceptional piece of Phantasm artwork.

Christopher has made this eye-catching 9 x 24 inch poster available to fans in a limited 200-print run, each one signed and numbered, on his London 1888 website. Print #001 was gifted to Angus Scrimm at the recent Monster Mania convention, #003 to Reggie Bannister at Days of the Dead and #002 will be given to Michael Baldwin at this summer's Fright Night Film Fest. Your friendly Phantasm Archivist managed to nab print #012. Get your own print here!

Below you can see Angus with a print as well as Christopher and myself modeling with his artwork at the Monster Mania show (click to enlarge).

CHUD takes on PHANTASM

CHUD columnist Joshua Miller recently took a critical look at the original Phantasm in his ongoing FRANCHISE ME column. The film's three sequels are apparently soon to be on the chopping block as well. So, how did Joshua take to Coscarelli's cult classic? Pretty well, it would seem. That's not to say he didn't have his quibbles with the film, not all of which phans are probably going to agree with. Still, it's refreshing to see our little cult franchise get some CHUD love.

Phantasm is without a doubt the fucking craziest horror movie to ever spawn a successful theatrical franchise. - CHUD's Joshua Miller

Wonder what he'll make of Phantasm Oblivion?

Artist Spotlight: Chris Kuchta

In the first of several artist spotlights I'll be running in the near future, I present to you the inspired artwork of renowned horror artist Chris Kuchta (visit him at HorrorArtist.com). Chris not only cites Phantasm as one of his all-time favorite genre flicks, but hails the Tall Man as his favorite horror icon, so you must admit - the man has good taste. 

Among his extensive gallery of horror paintings, Chris has depicted two scenes of the Tall Man from Phantasm Oblivion, both gorgeously rendered works featured below and to your left (click to enlarge). Also pictured below is Chris in 2008 at the Flashback Weekend in Chicago where he was able to show off his work to the Tall Man himself, Angus Scrimm as well as one of Chris' spiffy prints framed in my living room (its next door neighbor is Rob Long's 20th Anniversary poster, just to the right off-camera.)

Over on his website, you can view his incredible print offerings that cover the entire history of the genre from Nosferatu to the recent Friday the 13th remake. You might also check out his Event Calendar, as both Chris and his artwork regularly appear at numerous horror conventions across the country. This month alone he's scheduled to appear at FOUR shows and there's really nothing like marveling at his creations in person. Not to mention, he's a fun to fellow to chat up.

Blood Thirsty Thursdays presents PHANTASM

If you live in or near San Antonio, Texas, there's a Phantasm event coming up that you won't want to miss. The Blood Thirsty Thursdays folks (namely Kelly Warren Hammond) are hosting a viewing party of Anchor Bay Entertainment's Phantasm DVD later this month, complete with bonus features. The BTT crowd will also be giving away copies of the Anchor Bay release autographed by the Tall Man himself, Angus Scrimm! In addition, the evening will feature a performance by SATX's Grotesque Burlesque Troupe The Devil Bunnies. Advance tickets are $10.

The party kicks off at 7PM on Thursday, June 30 and the film begins at 8PM. To buy advance tickets or to learn more information, check out the event page on Facebook. To view the event page on the Woodlawn Theater website, click here.

UPDATED: Monster Mania 18 Pics & Videos

This past weekend's Monster Mania 18 convention in Baltimore, Maryland has come and gone and I really must once again applaud Dave Hagan and his team for organizing yet another classy show. Dubbed "Return to Crystal Lake," it was primarily a reunion for the Friday the 13th crowd, but also featured non-Friday celebrities Lance Henriksen and our very own Angus Scrimm. Amusingly, the Tall Man actor was a top contender for longest autograph line of the weekend, surpassing even the roomful of actors who'd played Jason Voorhees. Angus' only competition for the most popular celebrity title was the equally popular Friday series creator Sean Cunningham.

Continue reading for a dozen or so pictures and a humorous video of Angus making his way to the VIP Party on Friday night.

With Angus on Thursday night.

Phantasm Soap?!

I've seen some strange Phantasm collectibles in my short time... homemade masks, cell phone covers, decorated toilet-seats and sphere-bras... but this particular item rates a new high for both strange and cool! (Well, maybe it ties the custom-decorated toilet seat.) I give you SpellBound Soapworks' Custom Phantasm Sphere Soap! Because even the Tall Man needs to wash his hands SOMETIME.

The sphere soap comes in a variety of scents... might I recommend LAVENDER? The cost is $7 a bar, which doesn't sound too bad for sculpted, hand-painted soap. To order, visit this page and scroll halfway down until you see the sphere.



They also have Freddy, Jason, Jigsaw, Michael Myers, Leatherface and a host of other cool soaps for horror collectors.