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Fangoria

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For other uses, seeFangoria (disambiguation).

Fangoria
Fangoria,Issue 7; this was the first issue to exclusively feature horror content.
Editor-in-ChiefPhil Nobile Jr.
Categories
FrequencyQuarterly
Founded1979
First issueAugust 1979(1979-08)[1]
CompanyFangoria Publishing, LLC
CountryUnited States
Based inAtlanta, Georgia
Websitefangoria
ISSN0164-2111
OCLC4618144

Fangoriais an internationally distributed Americanhorror filmfan magazine,in publication since 1979. It is published four times a year by Fangoria Publishing, LLC and is edited byPhil Nobile Jr.

The magazine was originally released in an age when horror fandom was still a burgeoningsubculture;in the late 1970s, most horror publications were concerned with classic cinema, while those that focused on contemporary horror were largelyfanzines.Fangoriarose to prominence by running exclusive interviews with horror filmmakers and offering behind-the-scenes photos and stories that were otherwise unavailable to fans in the era before the Internet. The magazine would eventually rise to become a force itself in the horror world, hosting its ownawards show,sponsoring and hosting numerous horror conventions,producing films,and printing its own line ofcomics.

Fangoriabegan struggling in the 2010s due to issues arising from the internet, including difficulty in generating enough ad revenue to cover printing costs.[2]Publication became sporadic beginning in fall 2015, and the magazine ran through a succession of editors in 2015–2016, culminating with the February 2017 announcement of Ken Hanley's December 2016 departure. After this, the magazine ceased publication. The magazine remained dormant throughout 2017.

In February 2018, Dallas-based entertainment companyCinestateboughtFangoriaand, under new editor-in-chief Phil Nobile Jr., relaunched the magazine as a print-based quarterly publication.[3]In October 2018, Cinestate released the first newFangoriamagazine under their ownership, stylized as "Volume 2, Issue 1."

In August 2020, Tara Ansley and Abhi Goel acquiredFangoriafrom Cinestate under Fangoria Publishing, LLC, and, as of issue 9, are the publishers of the magazine and owners of the brand.[4]

Origins[edit]

Kerry O'Quinnand Norman Jacobs first conceived ofFangoriain 1978 by under the nameFantasticaas a companion to their science fiction media magazineStarlog.Just asStarlogcoveredscience fiction filmsfor a primarily teenaged audience,Fantasticawas intended to coverfantasy filmsfor a similar audience. O'Quinn, who had previously publishedsoap operafan magazines, anticipated a groundswell of interest in the fantasy genre due to Hollywood's plan to bringRobert E. Howard'sConan the Barbarianto the screen, although that movie would not appear for another four years.[5]

The first issue was assembled under the editorship of "Joe Bonham", a pseudonym taken from the quadriplegic hero of Dalton Trumbo's pacifist novelJohnny Got His Gun.This was a cover forRolling Stonecontributor and screenwriterEd Nahaand writerRic Meyers.[citation needed]Shortly after the publishing trade press announced the coming launch ofFantastica,the launch was delayed by several months when the publishers of aStarlogcompetitor,Fantastic Filmsmagazine, threatened a lawsuit because of the similarity in titles.[6]This was eventually decided in favor of the plaintiff in court.[7]

Brainstorming sessions resulted in the nameFangoria,over the objections ofRobert "Bob" Martin,who was hired as editor during the delay.[7]The first issue went to print July 31, 1979, with an August cover date.

Publication[edit]

Early years[edit]

The first issue ofFangoriawas designed around the original "fantasy film" concept for the magazine and proved to be a notable publishing failure, as were the next five issues, all of which continued with the same approach. By the time issue four was released and issue six was in preparation, the publisher confided to Martin that the magazine was losing approximately US$20,000 per issue, an amount the small publisher could not sustain for long.[citation needed]

As described in one history of horror magazines, "The first issue ofFangoria,published in 1979, was an abysmal failure, and subsequent issues did not fare much better. Apparently there was little or no interest in another magazine that did not deviate much from the already establishedStarlog/Cinefantastiquestructure. "[5]But because of great reader interest in "a lavishly illustrated article onTom Savini's gruesome make-up effects for the 1978 filmDawn of the Dead,"the magazine began focusing on" readers' macabre interest in gory images of monsters and carnage. "[5]With the seventh issue, "with a bold shift to fright flicks by featuring a still fromStanley Kubrick'sThe Shiningon the cover ", the magazine had become profitable.[8]Then "the 1980s gave rise to an endless offering of goryslasher filmsthatFangoriawas more than happy to highlight, turningFreddy Krueger,Leatherface,Michael MyersandJason Voorheesinto unlikely lucrative newsstand idols. "[8]

Fangoria Italy,issue 1, 1990

Martin continued as editor into the mid-1980s,[citation needed]with co-editor David Everitt from 1981 to 1985.[9]After Everitt left, he was replaced byStarlogeditor David McDonnell, who handled both magazines, withTony Timponeunder him asmanaging editoronFangoria.[10]In 1986, Timpone became editor-in-chief:

I first joined theFangoriastaff in July of 1985. It was my first job out of college, although I had been freelancing toFango's sister publicationStarlogduring my last year at college. I began as an Editorial Assistant to then-Editor David Everitt, who decided to move on a month after I started. Since I was fresh out of college and this was my first job in publishing, I was a little too green to take over the job myself. So I served as the Managing Editor to Dave McDonnell, who took over as Editor until I got my wings. The following year, I was promoted to Editor in Chief.[10]

1980s and '90s[edit]

In the late 1980s and early 1990s,Fangoriatested numerous international horror markets, releasing issues of the magazine modified for various foreign languages. These foreign editions (released in Italy, Japan, Czechoslovakia and elsewhere) lasted only a handful of editions before being discontinued. Additionally, in May 1988, a sister publication titledGorezonewas first published. A second sister publication, titledToxic Horrorfollowed in 1989.Gorezonewas cancelled after twenty-seven issues and one specialTales from the Crypt-themed issue.Toxic Horrorwas cancelled after five issues.

In 1990, Timpone brought in managing editorMichael Gingold,having been previously introduced to his horror-themedfanzine,Scareaphenalia.[11]In addition to his editorial duties at the magazine, Gingold posted the majority of the news updates on the magazine's official website.[12]Under Gingold and Timpone's tenure, Fangoria rose to its greatest level of prominence, enjoying widespread recognition and influence in the horror community.

2000s[edit]

Creative Group purchasedFangoria(and its parent publicationStarlog) in the early 2000s, hoping to expand the brand identity of the magazine to radio, television, and comics. On December 5, 2007, a warehouse operated by Kable News, inOregon, Illinois,which contained all back issues ofFangoriaandStarlogmagazines, was destroyed by fire. As back issues ofFangoriaare not re-printed, the only remaining back issues are now housed in private collections or those available on the secondary market.[13]After several failed ventures, Creative Group filed for Chapter 11 on March 21, 2008.[14]In summer 2008, The Brooklyn Company, Inc., led by longtime Fangoria president Thomas DeFeo, boughtFangoriaand all its related brands.[15]Under DeFeo's ownership, the magazine overhauled the magazine's cover format, including the transformation of the company's long-standing logo. Starting with issue #281, the originalFangorialogo was re-designed, and the trademark "film strip", tagline, and embedded photos were removed. After consistent fan protest of the changes, the original logo returned with issue #305. The "film strip" photos returned briefly beginning with issue #309.

In February 2010,Chris Alexander,aToronto-based filmmaker and former writer forRue Morgue,succeededTony TimponeasFangoria's new editor.[16]Under his management, the magazine explored more esoteric genre content, had its cover layout altered a few times, and hired several new staff members. Alexander also brought back the original Fangoria logo. In 2011,Gorezonewas revived with a specialThe Bloody Best of Gorezoneissue before resuming regular publication with issue #28 in 2013. In 2012,Fangoriaalso began publishing a line of limited edition specials titledFangoria Legends.

2015 print cessation[edit]

In late September 2015, Alexander stepped down as editor-in-chief and left theFangoriastaff. By October, Gingold, who was then serving as managing editor, was hired as the publication's new editor-in-chief.[17]Eight months later, Gingold was fired after twenty-eight years with the magazine and the former managing editor, Ken Hanley, was named the new editor-in-chief.[18]Many within the horror community responded with shock at Gingold's termination and took it as a sign that the magazine had both lost touch with its fanbase and passed its glory days;Guillermo del Torotook to social media to voice his disappointment with the decision.[19]

On February 11, 2017, Hanley announced that he too was no longer involved with the magazine and that he had been on hiatus from the company since mid-December 2016. He also stated that he felt that if the magazine remained under its current ownership, there would likely never be another new issue, especially as a print edition.[20]

The last print edition of the magazine, issue #344, was released October 2015. After that issue, four additional issues were published exclusively in a digital format, leaving subscribers of the hard copy editions, as well as Gorezone subscribers, without the issues they paid for. Additionally, contributors such as Josh Hadley have stated that they remain unpaid for published articles and artwork.[21]Fangoria responded to the statements made by Hanley and Hadley on February 13, in which president and owner Tom DeFeo thanked readers and subscribers for their patience and noted his intention to make amends with writers, artists, and subscribers that had been inconvenienced. The statement also noted that lack of sufficient ad revenue had been the reason for the disappearance of print editions but that DeFeo and his staff would continue their attempts to bring print editions back.[22]

Cinestate acquisition and return to print[edit]

In February 2018, it was announced that Fangoria had been purchased by film producerDallas Sonnierthrough his Texas-based entertainment companyCinestate.Sonnier named Phil Nobile Jr., of theBirth.Movies.Death.website as its new editor-in-chief. The company further announced that they would bring back the magazine as a quarterly, exclusively print-based publication, and offer a one-year free subscription to anyone who never received the issues to which they were entitled under the old ownership.

In addition to Gingold and Timpone returning as regular columnists, Cinestate further announced that the new writing staff would be composed ofS. Craig Zahler,Grady Hendrix,Shuddercurator Sam Zimmerman, Birth.Movies.Death's Meredith Borders, author and formerRue Morguemagazine writerPreston Fassel,horror historianRebekah McKendry,andblack feministcritic Ashlee Blackwell.[3]Cinestate planned on branching the franchise into producing films, podcasts and novels.[23]

On May 19, 2018, the magazine announced its first licensed novel,Preston Fassel'sOur Lady of the Inferno,under their newFangoria Presentslabel.[24]The book was released September 11, 2018, to generally positive reviews, ultimately being named one of the ten best horror novels of 2018 byBloody Disgusting.[25]A week later, on September 18, Fangoria released their second licensed novel, Michael J. Seidlinger'sMy Pet Serial Killer.

In October 2018, Cinestate published their first issue of the magazine, stylized as "Volume 2, Issue 1," featuring a cover story on the 2018 filmHalloween.[26]

Cinestate controversy and new ownership[edit]

In June 2020,The Daily Beastpublished an exposé about producer Adam Donaghey'ssexual misconducton the set of a Cinestate film.[27]

In August 2020, Fangoria was acquired by Wanderwall Entertainment CEO Tara Ansley and entrepreneur Abhi Goel, and quarterly printing continued under their ownership. The new owners plan to launch a multimedia studio and produce and distribute fiction and non-fiction content.[4][28]

Other ventures[edit]

Starting in 1985, Fangoria branched out into other media outlets including television, films, radio, and comic books.

Beginning in 1985,Fangoriahas sponsored annual horror movie conventions known as theWeekend of Horrorsin Los Angeles, New Jersey, and Chicago (with Austin, Texas, added in 2008).[29]These conventions were produced in association withCreation Entertainment.After breaking ties with Creation in 2009, Fangoria began their own conventions, titling them the "Trinity of Terrors".

Fangoria's Blood Drive, Volume One

In 1990,Fangoria Filmswas created with the goal of financing one feature film a year under this banner. The first film was 1990'sMindwarp,starringBruce Campbell.They createdChildren of the Nightin 1991 andSevered Tiesin 1992, then ceased production.[30]In 1996, Fangoria Films re-emerged as a distribution company, occasionally using their "Gore Zone" label, to release twenty low-budget horror features over the next ten years. In 2004–2005, Fangoria Films produced and distributedFangoria's Blood Drive,two DVD compilations of award-winning short horror films. The first volume was hosted by musician-turned-filmmakerRob Zombie,and the second by MuchMusic's (now calledFUSE)Mistress Juliya.

In 1991,Fangoriabegan honoring horror cinema with their annual Chainsaw Awards, which were voted on by readers of their magazine. The winners were announced at an awards show inLos Angeles,California,which was produced by Fangoria's managing editor, Michael Gingold. In association withFUSE TV,Fangoriafirst televised its Chainsaw Awards in 2006. The event occurred on October 15, and was aired on FUSE on October 22. The event was not renewed for 2007, although the awards continued in the magazine.[31]

From 1999 to 2003, they partnered with Bedford Entertainment to attain wider releases of certainFangoriatitles.[32]Movies released during this time includedI, Zombie: A Chronicle of Pain,The Last Horror Movie,Slashers,andDead Meat.[33]Many of these films featured theFangorialogo along the top of their video/DVD covers, whileFangoria's involvement in other releases was substantially more subdued.

From 2006 to 2009, Fangoria worked with Creative Group after it had purchased Fangoria in the early 2000s.Fangoria Entertainmentwas created as a result. This allowed both parties to agitate theFangoriabrand identity to a number of other media outlets in 2006. Creative Group also added a new "Vampire Skull" logo to Fangoria's properties, which was used extensively after its inception. In 2010, all of Creative Group's Fangoria brands were discontinued.

From 2006 to 2007 there wasFangoria TV.Originally conceived as a network television station dedicated to horror films, it was eventually modified to fit a limited online format.

From 2006 to 2009 there wasFangoria Radio.Debuting on Friday, June 23, 2006, it was a horror-themed talk radio program which aired onSirius RadioChannel 108 andXM RadioChannel 139 on Friday nights. It was hosted byDee SniderandDebbie Rochon,and regularly featured then-editorTony Timpone.

In June 2007,Fangoria Comicswas launched. For various reasons, the line abruptly ended a month later in August.[34]Only two series were published: the two-issue seriesFourth Horsemen,[35]and the four-issue seriesBump.[36]

In 2018, underCinestate,Fangoria's podcast network included the showsShockwaves,Nightmare on Film Street,Post Mortem withMick Garris,Casualty Friday,The Movie Crypt,andNightmare University.The podcast network disbanded after the 2020 controversy.[37][38][39]

In 2011Fangoriapartnered with producer Carl Amari to createFangoria's Dreadtime Stories,a horror radio drama series hosted byMalcolm McDowelland featuring original music byFangoriaeditor-in-chief Chris Alexander.

In late 2020,Fangoriadebuted the showsColors of the DarkandThe KingCaston their podcast network.[citation needed]

At one point, said longtime editor Tony Timpone,Fangoria"almost did a 'Fango Junior', for the young adult/Goosebumpsset. "[40]

Fangoria[edit]

Until 2016, theFangoriaonline site featured daily updates about the world of horror, allowing theFangoriabrand to remain relevant to those who do not typically read print magazines. The website also featured several specialized horror blogs, including articles that continuedFangoria's long tradition of being supportive ofLGBTpeople working in the horror industry.

Following Cinestate's acquisition ofFangoria,the homepage briefly went offline, replaced eventually by a front page of aggregated news. This version of the site was discontinued once Cinestate sold the brand to Fangoria Publishing, LLC. Fangoria returned in 2021.

Fangoria Chainsaw Awards[edit]

Main article:Fangoria Chainsaw Awards

The Fangoria Chainsaw Awards are an award ceremony forhorror filmsandthriller films.Beginning in 1992, the awards were expanded and an annual ceremony was inaugurated to give out the awards.[41]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^"25 Years with Godzilla".Fangoria.No. 1. August 1979.RetrievedMarch 11,2023.
  2. ^"Looking Into Fangoria, Thomas DeFeo and The Brooklyn Company Inc".thedevilseyes.Archived fromthe originalon March 18, 2017.RetrievedJanuary 28,2019.
  3. ^abMcNary, Dave (February 15, 2018)."Cinestate Buys Fangoria Magazine, Plans Brand Expansion Into Movies".variety.RetrievedJanuary 28,2019.
  4. ^abSquires, John (May 19, 2018)."Fangoria Again Re-Animated With New Owners and Multimedia Plans".Bloody Disgusting.RetrievedAugust 29,2020.
  5. ^abcLanzagorta, Marco (August 16, 2006)."The Gruesome Gazettes Part 2:Fangoriaand Beyond ".PopMatters.RetrievedJuly 2,2021.
  6. ^Konow, David (2012).Reel Terror.Griffin. p. 289.ISBN978-0312668839.
  7. ^abInterview with Robert "Bob" Martin:Szpunar, John (2014).Xerox Ferox: The Wild World of the Horror Film Fanzine.Headpress.ISBN9781909394117.ebook
  8. ^abLuers, Erik (October 28, 2020)."The Fear Returns: Fangoria Enters a New Era with New Ownership".Filmmaker.RetrievedJuly 3,2021.
  9. ^"R.I.P.FangoriaEditor David Everitt (1953-2010) ".Fangoria.May 16, 2010. Archived fromthe originalon May 16, 2010.RetrievedJuly 3,2021.
  10. ^abBloom, Paul (2009)."Fangoria30th Anniversary: An Exclusive Interview withFangoriaEditor Tony Timpone ".Flamedrop/Shadow Realm.
  11. ^Fangoria – Meet The StaffArchivedDecember 15, 2007, at theWayback Machine
  12. ^"Fangoria".Fangoria.RetrievedAugust 14,2014.
  13. ^"Fires Burn Fangoria - Horror Movie, DVD, & Book Reviews, News, Interviews at Dread Central".June 9, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon June 9, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 28,2019.
  14. ^American LaFrance, Delphi, Haven, Marcal, Creative: Bankruptcy08-10975, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan), March 24, 2008.
  15. ^Fangoria announces sweeping new web initiative at fangoria,Fangoria, October 17, 2008.
  16. ^Ryan Turek (February 5, 2010)."EXCL: Meet the New Editor of Fangoria Magazine".Shocktillyoudrop.RetrievedAugust 14,2014.
  17. ^"Announcement: Michael Gingold is new editor-in-chief of FANGORIA".Fangoria. October 2, 2015. Archived fromthe originalon October 4, 2015.RetrievedOctober 3,2015.
  18. ^Graham Winfrey (June 1, 2016)."Fangoria Editor-in-Chief Michael Gingold Fired After 28 Years – Guillermo del Toro and Others Offer Support".IndieWire.RetrievedFebruary 13,2017.
  19. ^Winfrey, Graham (June 1, 2016)."Fangoria Editor-in-Chief Michael Gingold Fired After 28 Years – Guillermo del Toro and Others Offer Support".indiewire.RetrievedJanuary 28,2019.
  20. ^John Squires (February 12, 2017)."Former Editor Says There Will Likely Never Be Another Issue of Fangoria".Bloody-Disgusting.RetrievedFebruary 13,2017.
  21. ^Rich Johnston (February 13, 2017)."The Future Of Fangoria, And Issues Over Payment – We Asked Josh Hadley".Bleeding Cool.RetrievedFebruary 13,2017.
  22. ^"FANGORIA Will Continue in 2017 – Official Statement".Fangoria. February 13, 2017. Archived fromthe originalon February 13, 2017.RetrievedFebruary 13,2017.
  23. ^"Fangoria Rises from Premature Online Burial as Print Magazine".Den of Geek.RetrievedJanuary 28,2019.[permanent dead link]
  24. ^Monson, Leigh (May 19, 2018)."FANGORIA PRESENTS A New Line Of Novels For Your Horrific Pleasure".Birth.Movies.Death.RetrievedJanuary 28,2019.
  25. ^Navarro, Meagan (December 17, 2018)."[Gift Guide] 10 Best Books of 2018 for the Horror Fan".bloody-disgusting.RetrievedJanuary 28,2019.
  26. ^Gilliand, Blu (October 4, 2018)."FANGORIA Has Risen from the Grave".Cemetery Dance Online.RetrievedJuly 25,2019.
  27. ^Stern, Marlow (June 6, 2020)."How a Right-Wing Movie Studio Enabled the 'Harvey Weinstein' of Indie Film".Daily Beast.RetrievedAugust 28,2020.
  28. ^McMillan, Graeme (August 27, 2020)."'Fangoria' Eyes Relaunch as Multimedia Studio Following Purchase ".hollywoodreporter.Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedSeptember 23,2020.
  29. ^"Official Website of Fangoria's Weekend of Horrors Conventions".Archived fromthe originalon August 14, 2014.RetrievedAugust 14,2014.
  30. ^Motion Pictures produced by Fangoria Films, Internet Movie Database, Accessed: May 15, 2008
  31. ^FangoriaAnnounces Chainsaw Nominees!,Cinematical, August 26, 2006ArchivedMay 11, 2008, at theWayback Machine
  32. ^Fangoria Takes Bite out of Film Market[permanent dead link],Hollywood Reporter (Subscription required for full article), Accessed: May 16, 2008
  33. ^Motion Pictures distributed by Fangoria Films, Internet Movie Database, Accessed: May 15, 2008
  34. ^Fangoria ComicsShuts Down, Projects, Staff RelocateArchivedOctober 14, 2007, at theWayback Machine,Newsarama Press Release, September 26, 2007
  35. ^Fourth Horsemen,Grand Comics Database. Accessed June 18, 2015.
  36. ^Bumpentry,Grand Comics Database. Accessed June 18, 2015.
  37. ^"Fandom Fractured: 72 Hours That Split the Horror Landscape".Dread Central.June 11, 2020.RetrievedApril 20,2022.
  38. ^"Fangoria up for sale amid Cinestate sexual misconduct scandal".JoBlo.June 11, 2020.RetrievedApril 20,2022.
  39. ^"Fangoria Goes Up for Sale After Everyone Jumps Ship in Cinestate Sexual Misconduct Aftermath".MovieWeb.June 11, 2020.RetrievedApril 20,2022.
  40. ^Whittington, James (June 29, 2006)."Exclusive Interview with Tony Timpone, Editor of 'Fangoria' Magazine".Horrorchannel.
  41. ^Ken Williams,"Scary Films--and Fans--in Focus",Los Angeles Times,May 14, 1992.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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