Before Fangoria there was Famous Monsters of Filmland, and we’ve learned this week that the James Warren and Forrest J. Ackerman-founded magazine is now in the hands of Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor! Taylor, a big time horror fan, has acquired the Famous Monsters brand, and he’s got big plans for the brand’s future in this here horror space.
Rolling Stone reports that in addition to Corey Taylor relaunching the Famous Monsters magazine, he also plans on exploring several other avenues with the brand as well.
“Our job is to build a foundation to bring Famous Monsters into the modern age, while also honouring the legacy that came before,” Taylor tells Rolling Stone. “It’s the whole reason that we were fans to begin with. It was the first real place where we, as horror nerds, could feel safe and feel connected feel like we weren’t alone. The internet has made it easy for us to connect, so I want to kind of make this another viable place for them to come.”
He continues, “I’ve been writing my own scripts now for the last five, six years. And I’m trying to get some of my stuff into production right now. There’s a handful that are very, very close. So anything that I put out is instantly going to get the Famous Monsters logo on it, just to build that brand recognition…I fucking hate that term ‘brand,’ but that’s what it is.”
The interview with Rolling Stone also teases that Corey Taylor is looking to make toys under the Famous Monsters umbrella, and also establish a convention presence for the brand.
Past issues of the magazine will also be digitized for re-release on the internet.
Stay tuned for more on all things Famous Monsters of Filmland.