THE CREATURE THAT ATE HALLOWEEN

No photo for this blog post... I don't really want to "make light" of the situation (despite this post's title).

Fact is that Hurricane Sandy (dubbed "Frankenstorm" due to it colliding with another weather system that doubled its impact) has devastated a great deal of the East Coast.

For the second year straight, in my state Halloween has actually been canceled (well, at least postponed). Last year you may recall a freak snowstorm that weighed down all the tree branches and power lines and caused havoc. But that was nothing compared to this latest storm.

It seems silly to apologize but I had indeed been planning to complete and post my review of The Three Stooges in Orbit for today. It wasn't meant to be as obviously I've been occupied with other things the past few days, none the least of which is the fact that I have no power, phone or internet (I'm creating this blog post now due to the kindness of local merchants allowing me to use their wifi).

You may also recall in my last post (which you can read by clicking here) I was supposed to be giving a talk on Vincent Price tonight at another local merchant's place (the event is a Halloween dinner with entrees made from Vincent Price's recipes). That's been rescheduled to this Sunday, November 4th at 5PM.

Anyway, I just want to wish everyone out there all the best. My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the storm. I encourage everyone out there to help someone in any way you can. Even just helping one person can make a difference!

DISHING UP DASTARDLY DELIGHTS FOR HALLOWEEN

So what's on your menu for Halloween? Broiled bat? Wolfbane stew? Seafood Lagoona?

This Wednesday at the Orange Squirrel restaurant in Bloomfield, New Jersey patrons will be trick-or-treated to a special Halloween night menu consisting of entrees made from recipes out of Vincent (and his wife Mary) Price's cookbook!

Owner-chef Francesco Palmieri, a popular chef who has made appearances on such TV programs as The Today Show is also a big Vincent Price fan and decided to do something with a bit of a Translvanian twist this Halloween. He's encouraged fans to show up with their favorite Vincent Price memorabilia and remembrances and he's even enlisted little 'ol me to share my thoughts on the crown prince of horror. I'll be sharing some of the more interesting anecdotes about Price - not just the actor, but also the avid art collector, dog lover and gourmet chef (read more about Vincent's forays into cooking by clicking here).


(Photo): Vincent Price, Francesco Palmieri holding a copy of the cookbook "A Treasury of Great Recipes" by Vincent and Mary Price.

As you know, I'm a longtime Vincent fan (and if you don't know, just click here to read one of my posts about the iconic actor). I've also written a chapter in a book of essays on Vincent published by Midnight Marquee Press and I'll be giving away autographed copies of the book (as well as some copies of my Archie's Weird Mysteries book and perhaps some other surprises) to those lucky patrons who answer my trivia questions correctly.

Of course, unless you're one of those ooky-spooky creepy crawlers who've been living under a rock these past few days, you may know that the entire East Coast is getting pounded by a weather event that's been appropriately (for this time of year) nicknamed "Frankenstorm." That means the Halloween dinner could possibly be canceled. We'll see.

Please click here for more information on the Halloween happening, and perhaps we'll see you there!

Now enjoy this clip of Vincent Price discussing fine cuisine with a panel of expert muppets... er, I mean chefs! Bone appetit!

CARTOONEY CREEPSTAKES: MAD MONSTERS PARTY IN CALI WHILE COMIC FANS GATHER IN THE BIG APPLE!

Hey Scared Silly fans - this is your weekend if you live on the East or the West Coast! That's because you'll have two chances to indulge in some cartoony horror-comedy goodness.

Let's start with my pal Patrick Owsley, one of the premiere cartoonists and illustrator of many notable pieces of licensed merchandise. This Saturday, October 13th Patrick is taking part in a special event at the Van Eaton Gallery in Sherman Oaks, California. Patrick has a "Mad Monster Party" piece in the art show, alongside many other cool artists. Plus, Rankin/Bass Author & Historian Rick Goldschmidt will be on hand to autograph his "Mad Monster Party" book! It's a true "Mad Monster Party" and it will be swinging from 6PM to 10PM that night. If you're in the area, consider yourself invited!



The same day, yours truly will be appearing at this year's New York Comic Con, held at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. I'll be autographing copies of both Volume 1 and Volume 2 of "The Best of Archie Comics." As I mentioned a post you can read by clicking here, Volume 1 includes one of the "Archie's Weird Mysteries" stories I wrote. It all happens at the Archie Comics booth, #1720 from 4PM to 5PM. Of course, there are a gazillion other cool comics and comic industry pros to check out at the event as well - a "must-go" for fans of comics, toys and genre films... and you'll find more than a few "monster" fans there, too!

Now, here's some video of me shot a couple weeks ago at another comics-related event, as the Kids Comic Con volunteers trekked to Manhattan for a street fair benefiting the Ronald McDonald House - ENJOY!