Countdown to Halloween: Thirty-One Days of Godzilla

This miniature diorama by renowned sculptor Yuji Sakai brings Godzilla [1954] to small-scale life.

Countdown to Halloween: Thirty-One Days of Godzilla

This slightly translucent, shades-of-grey Godzy looks like he stepped right out of his first film.

Now Playing: Gamera vs. Viras

When a movie begins with an outer space battle between a bumblebee-patterned flying saucer and a giant, jet-powered flying turtle, you know you've got "the goods." Shout Factory's amazingly vivid presentation of "Gamera vs. Viras" jumps out of the gate to the tune of the [in]famous Gamera song, signalling that this kaiju flick is not going to take itself too seriously.

If you're not into "wacky," you'd better avoid this film. But if you are like me and enjoy heaping portions of "wacky," you will not be disappointed. There is a spirit to this film I just love, from the subversive, submarine-sabotaging boy scouts to the final battle, in which Gamera rides Viras around like a jet ski before being mercilessly gored. [How does he survive that again? Oh, nevermind.]

Gamera purists might bemoan the inclusion of copious stock footage in this film, but I actually like the section, which plays as a clip show of Gamera's greatest battles. This is audacious fun, strictly for kids at heart.

Monster Fandom Starts at Home

Here's my nephew, Zachary, sporting his very own giant monster T-shirt. His cousin Andy can't wait to introduce Zach to his favorite Japanese monsters and superheroes! We love you, Big Z!

Mini Marusan Sub

Andy and I satisfied an urge to model today with the completion of a tiny replica kit of the SSN-571 Nautilus. When completed it is about five and a half inches long. It is shown here with a GMK Godzilla gashapon, in a loose recreation of the scene where the big G is first discovered. We got a set of these mini-models, which includes the JASDF North American F-86D Sabre Jet Fighter, as well as Godzilla, Baragon, and Ebirah. Although very small, the sub was easy to work with, snapping together quickly, requiring no glue and just a little bit of trimming. We also like the artwork on the box. Thanks to the folks at Extreme Collectables for making these available at a very reasonable price.

Return to G-FEST XVII: The Videos

Some great video of G-FEST XVII has been added to www.g-fan.com. Re-live your memories or see what you're missing!

Behold...Quadzilla!

I almost forgot to post this photo, taken at the Geauga County Fair on Labor Day Weekend. Truth is indeed stranger than fiction...

G-FAN # 92 "Monster" Review

John at Monster Magazine World has posted a complimentary review of the latest issue of G-FAN on his comprehensive Blogspot site.

To check it out, click here: http://monstermagazineworld.blogspot.com

Baragon Mauls Madison

Here is a sample of what you'll see at Spaceman Floyd's Cosmic Toys in Madison, Ohio, courtesy of Matt Evangelista. While there this week, we saw people reacting to the models with amazed delight. I bet if you go see them, you will too!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Any resemblance between these two photographs is purely coincidental.

Happy 64th birthday to my monster mentor!

Perry Library Showcases Cosmic Toys

Regular readers of Monsterland Ohio know that we have gained a little experience in putting display case exhibits together. It is at the point now where you might even call it a hobby. So when we learned that Jason, the owner of Spaceman Floyd's Cosmic Toys, had been asked to do a display at the Perry Library, we jumped at the chance to help out. Our enthusiasm to volunteer may have shocked him a little bit, but he agreed to our offer. So, the next morning, he met us at the library, talked about some of the concepts for each shelf, and let us go to it.

The display is a good cross-section of the types of vintage toys that are available at the store. If you come visit, you will see Star Trek, Star Wars, WWF wrestlers, Twilight Zone, Godzilla, King Kong, the Visible Woman being assembled by other feminine toys, and even Teddy Roosevelt riding a dewback (a big lizard from Star Wars). And yes, there is much, much more. Hurry in to see it, because it will only be there through the end of September.

One more thing: Jason is doing a presentation at the Perry Library on December 2 at 7:00 p.m. He will be talking about vintage toys, of course, mixing toy history with the psychology of boys' and girls' toys, and all of it fun and fascinating. Hope to see you there!

Godzillapalooza at Spaceman Floyd's

The exceptional model-making skills of Matt Evangelista are currently featured in a one-of-a-kind display at Spaceman Floyd's Cosmic Toys, 46 West Main Street, Madison, Ohio. One doubts that a kaiju exhibit of this caliber has ever been staged in North America outside of a G-FEST. Godzilla and "garage kit" model enthusiasts within driving distance of northeast Ohio are strongly urged to make the trip to Madison's new vintage toy store to see these phenomenal figures.

As you can see, Andy was invited to participate in setting up the display, to the extent that Geneva's Kaiju Modeler gave Andy creative control of the location and position of the monstrous models. Andy especially enjoyed putting each individual bomb on Mechanikong's belt. Stretching the boundaries of credulity, this was the second display that he was involved in setting up that day--the first was a case we arranged for Spaceman Floyd's at the Perry Public Library!

Take advantage of this opportunity if you are able--you will not be disappointed. It is far more likely you will be astounded and delighted. But do not delay--a Christmas-themed window will likely appear in mid-to-late November, so catch the kaiju while you can!

Spaceman Floyd's Cosmic Toys is open Monday--Saturday, noon to eight.

Andy, Matt, and Jason survey a job well done--come check it out!

From the Toybox...King Ghidorah

Here is one of my favorites...the 1992 Bandai reissue of the classic Bullmark figure. I love the menacing faces of King Ghidorah on this, not to mention the wild paint job. All hail Monster Zero!

Return to G-FEST XVII: Sunday Surprises

A first place blue ribbon was waiting for Andy on Sunday

My assumption was that Sunday morning was going to be low-key. I had volunteered to oversee the Art Room, and was looking forward to some time to "just be." But I had no sooner settled into my post, than I received a text message from my wife that Andy's model had been awarded a blue ribbon! Mere moments later, Andy appeared in the doorway, ecstatic with the news. It was a tremendous feeling to have spent many a winter Saturday assembling our kit--those memories in themselves are cherished--but then, to be recognized with a first place ribbon at G-FEST...it doesn't get much better for a boy and his dad. He was soon off to other things, but my inner smile remained as I made small talk with visitors to the Art Room, or stared out the window at the hotels across the way, reflecting on the wonder of the past few days.

The art display was serendipitously situated across from the Main Hall, so as I sat there minding the collection I could also catch portions of the presentations being offered. It was in this way that I was able to catch most of J.D. Lees' thoughts on "Godzilla 2000." It was fun to hear him talk about some of the "interesting" English dubbing that was done for that film. ("Great Caesar's ghost! etc.)

I also speculated that I could have one more "close encounter" with Akira Takarada, as he was scheduled for another interview in the Main Hall before noon. I had no idea how right I would be, for one moment I was flipping through pictures on my phone, and the next I was welcoming Mr. Takarada and Robert Scott Field to the Art Room! Trying to remain as cool as possible, I showed the international star around, pointing out which entries had won and answering his questions about them. He especially seemed to like the impressive "kaiju plush" figures which are available for viewing in an earlier "G-FEST Gallery" post on this blog.

Seizing the moment, I asked if Mr. Takarada would mind posing for a photo, and he happily complied. Scott snapped the picture using my phone, so there I was, between two of the most recognizable Godzilla actors on the planet, just having a good time. Fortunately, Sue and Andy showed up in time to get a family picture taken with "the face of Japanese sci-fi cinema" himself. Mr. Takarada's interaction with us was filled with warmth and good humor, and he made sure we were satisfied with our photograph before moving on to grant other requests.

Even as I write this--a couple months after the event--I cannot help but smile as I remember Mr. Takarada's charm, class, and down-to-earth kindness. After he and Scott left the Art Room, I recall thinking that these moments would certainly stand as my penultimate memories of the weekend.

But they don't. What happened next would actually top them. There was one more kaiju-sized surprise left for us at G-FEST XVII!

Andy's Artwork Studio Presents...Gappa!

Gap-pa! Gappa isn't angry; he wants to be friends! It ain't easy bein' triphibian, ya know.