Castle of Frankenstein (original) (raw)

Gothic Castle Publishing Co.

Publisher: Calvin T. Beck

Editors: Larry Ivie, Ken Beale, Bhob Stewart

Feb. 1962 - June 1975

After the false start of Journal of Frankenstein in 1959, Calvin Beck came back with the long running Castle of Frankenstein. Larry Ivie and Ken Beale edited the first three issues, followed by Bhob Stewart, who took over that position until the early 1970s. The early issues followed the "monster mag" formula, established by it's predecessors, but the mag soon started featuring a broader spectrum of fantasy films, foreign and art house films and a more adult perspective in general and occasionally dabbled in politics. CoF would have a very strong influence on future fantasy film journalists and publishers.

Other key features included Stewart's Comic Book Council (a critical review of the then current comic book scene), book reviews by Charles Collins and Lin Carter, the Frankenstein Movieguide "mini-reviews" written by Joe Dante, fantasy art (by Virgil Finley, Hannes Bok, Wally Wood, Bernie Wrightson and others) and coverage of fanzines. Writers William K. Everson, Richard Lupoff and Barry Brown also contributed to the mag.

CoF featured some very nice cover art (including those panoramic wrap-around covers on later issues). Color photos were used on the covers of issues no. 6 - 14, as a cost cutting measure. Castle of Frankenstein had an erratic publishing schedule and even more erratic distribution. Beck cancelled the magazine to devote his time to writing books, including 1975's Heroes of the Horrors, which was followed by Scream Queens: Heroines of the Horrors (with Bhob Stewart). CoF was revived in 1999, for 10 additional issues, by publisher Dennis Druktenis.

No. 1