[Paul Counelis, our resident expert on pint-sized terrors (he has eight of his own), checks in with a look back at the year we left behind.]

Since 2013 has been a slow year for Monster Kids so far, it’s made me nostalgic for the good ol’ days – like, you know, last year.  Yeah, yeah, I know – most “best of” and retrospective lists come at the end of the year in question, or early in January of the new year. Well, that’s okay. Because here at the Corner, we’re too busy watching long past, future Corner contenders like Mom’s Got a Date With a Vampire and How My Dad Killed Dracula to worry too much about the internet status quo.

Still, better late than never. Horror cinema as presented in 2012 featured a few animated family films that weren’t complete pablum, and even a couple of masterpieces. Yes, masterpieces. Don’t laugh…

[RM contributor and Black Museum curator Paul Corupe is knuckling down to bring us coverage of the screenings, parties, and once-in-a-lifetime events that comprise Fantastic Fest, America's coolest and most-anticipated genre film festival. Way to take one for the team there, Paul.]

Even though this is my first day of Fantastic Fest, it’s actually the second day of the festival itself, the bustling genre cinema event that descends on Austin every year. This year pairs a fine slate of horror films, foreign features and incredible documentaries with some of the Alamo Drafthouse’s clever and unique events—it’s an approach that brings the whole experience together and sets it apart from many of the other genre festivals across North America.

As we lurch ever closer to the 2012 Festival of Fear, we’re pleased to announce two new additions to this year’s lineup! Horror vet Tom Noonan, who has played monsters of all sorts in films such as Manhunter, The Monster Squad and House of the Devil, will be joining us in Toronto this August.

Fans will also get a sneak peek at Tim Burton’s upcoming feature Frankenweenie via a special exhibition at this year’s Festival of Fear. The Art of Frankenweenie Exhibition will give audiences an exclusive glimpse into the stop-motion animation process that will be on display in Burton’s film. Using original sketches drawn by the filmmaker, along with extensive props, sets and puppets, the exhibition delves into the world of a boy who brings his beloved pet back from the dead.

Though it’s been 41 years since the cult daytime drama Dark Shadows originally left the airwaves, the coffin never really remained shut on vampire Barnabas Collins and the show’s cast of other creepy characters. Between spinoff movies, syndicated repeats on television, yearly fan conventions, a 1991 remake series, merchandise and numerous home video releases, interest in the gothic sudser has remained strong throughout the decades.

To celebrate the May issue of Rue Morgue and our coverage of both the original 1966-71 television classic and the soon-to-be released film version from Tim Burton (out this Friday, May 11), here is a look at some of the various Dark Shadows collectibles that have been produced over the past 46 years.

One of the things we love about Alice Cooper is that he’s a genuine horror geek with a big love for a lot of ghoulish stuff. That includes the original Dark Shadows. He was so excited to be in Tim Burton’s remake that he invited us to ring him up to talk about the show, his role in the film and vampires in general. Here’s what The Coop’ had to say…

We unveiled Justin’s fantastic Dark Shadows cover last week, but now that we’ve had a chance to poke around in the gooey innards of our May issue, we thought you might enjoy a more detailed preview.

Jonathan Frid, the actor who was known to millions of fans as reluctant vampire Barnabas Collins in the 1966-71 gothic daytime series Dark Shadows sadly passed away on April 13 at the age of 87.

Behold the illustrated cover of our May issue, featuring this regal portrait of Dark Shadows’ Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid) by RM Art Director Justin Erickson. We gathered the cast of the original gothic soap opera to discuss the show’s enduring legacy, and then got director Tim Burton on the black and white-striped telephone to talk about his upcoming feature film adaptation starring Johnny Depp. On stands May 1! Also available for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android platforms, PC and Mac for only $4.99.

Click past the jump for a full-scale look at the cover!

We’re not done yet!  We’re very pleased to reveal that Oscar-winning actor MARTIN LANDAU (Ed Wood, The Twilight Zone, Sleepy Hollow) and genre darling DANIELLE HARRIS (Halloween 4-5, Devil’s Night, Stake Land, Rob Zombie’s Halloween II) will be joining the already stunning line-up for this year’s Festival of Fear (August 25 – 28). And there’s still more announcements to come! Stay tuned…

For the full list of guests – including Guest of Honour Robert Englund, legendary cult filmmaker John Waters, double DD-iva Elvira, John Astin of TV’s Addams Family, special FX deity Tom Savini, perforated painbringer Doug Bradley (Hellraiser series), and many more – go to the official Festival of Fear website and don’t forget to “Like” us on Facebook!

I wish I could attend the Dreams, Nightmares and Hallucinations: A Celebration of The Dream Sequence lecture by Ronni Thomas next month in Brooklyn. I love the subject matter, particularly the inclusion of Canadian cult 3-D classic The Mask.