Text and photos by SCOTT FEINBLATT
After a trial run in New Jersey in 2008, Eliot Brodsky launched the first Los Angeles-based Monsterpalooza festival in 2009. From the beginning, this convention was a labor of love; It was the dream of an original Monster Kid with a mission to reclaim the fascination of all the creepy things that dazzle the imaginations of children. Since its inception, it has been a roaring success. Brodsky is far from the only adult child who wishes to revel in a wonderland of grotesqueries. So great was the burgeoning horror community’s response to this opportunity to bask in a sea of monstrosities that Brodsky launched SON OF MONSTERPALOOZA in 2012.
A makeup demo by Nocturnal Designz.
While SON OF MONSTERPALOOZA is a smaller event, it is still quite the horror happening. It occurs during the autumn when fans start to suffer withdrawal from the springtime flagship event. This year, thousands of fans heeded the fall call and came out for the event, which took place October 14-16 at the Marriott Burbank Convention Center. And once again, Monster Kids of all ages were able to immerse themselves in all that ghoulish goodness.
Monsterman 37’s The Creep.
At this year’s SON OF MONSTERPALOOZA, there were over 150 exhibitors. In the exhibition hall, attendees could meet artists and retailers, who were there to sell all sorts of goods. Some of the diverse vendors included Moore Monsters, featuring unique ceramic monster mugs and lamps designed by Jim Moore; Sutherland’s Underland, creators of monstrous, mouthed egg sculptures; Monsterman 37 features Donny McCurry’s brilliant latex recreations of famous monsters such as The Creep from Creepshow; Diabolik LLC, which publishes luscious comics such as Orgy of the Blood Freaks and Gringo Loco; and Tribal Skulls, which sells Russ Gurley’s custom, authentically stylized skulls. Of course, this is just the tip of the bone-chilling iceberg.
THE FUNHOUSE meets THE TOMBS OF THE BLIND DEAD. The art of Mabry Monsters.
In addition to the vendors, the expo hall had several make-up demonstrations, which showcased some pretty elaborate work. Just outside the expo hall, there were several celebrity areas, featuring meet-and-greets and paid photo ops with the cast and/or directors from films and series such as Twin Peaks, Weird Science, Robocop, Halloween, Prey, Shazam! and Fright Night.
A terrifying design by the late, great mask maker Verne Langdon.
Across the courtyard, the convention continued with signing rooms featuring cast and crew members from even more movies and TV shows, including Killer Klowns from Outer Space, A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 3: The Dream Warriors and more. The secondary building hosted a room dedicated to 3-D horror films and literature, sponsored by the 3-D SPACE museum. There was also a showcase by the Icons of Darkness museum, which had props from various horror films and a theatre, where various screenings and panels were held. Among those were a screening of Hellbilly Hollow, a Halloween III: Season of the Witch panel, a Masters of Horror showcase with Mick Garris, a preview of a new makeup book by Howard Berger, a Robocop panel, and a Chiodo Brothers panel on the new Killer Klowns from Outer Space video game.
Evil Ash hands by Little Shop of Gore.
Naturally, there was plenty more, including dozens of special celebrity guests, a costume contest, more panels, and of course, all the horror props, masks, oddities, and memorabilia that one could ask for … until Monsterpalooza returns in June.
