"The Thing: Infection at Outpost 31" Board Game Photos

The first photos have been released for Mondo and Project Raygun's newest board game collaboration project. The Thing: Infection at Outpost 31 is based on John Carpenter's 1982 horror masterpiece, The Thing, and features cool artwork from Phantom City Creative (as well as a limited edition Mondo exclusive version with insanely cool slipcase art by Jock!).

After seeing the new game board and game pieces, I'm becoming more and more interested! I'm very curious to see how this game is played, and I will definitely be going after the limited edition version upon release. The game won't be available for retail purchase until October, but it is on display now in Mondo's booth (#835) at San Diego Comic Con. And if anyone will be there, I'd be eternally grateful if you'd pick up a limited, free "Outpost 31" patch! I'd gladly pay shipping!!

Keep up-to-date as we get closer to the game's release date by signing up for the email newsletter at Mondo's "Infection at Outpost 31" page. 

Until then, nothing else I can do, just wait...

  

Waxwork Records - "The Thing" Deluxe Vinyl Soundtrack

I've been collecting vinyl records for 25-plus years now, but the record that showed up at my door today may be the new greatest piece in my ever-expanding collection. I have been an avid collector of Waxwork Records' horror and sci-fi soundtrack releases since their start, back in 2013. Beautifully illustrated covers created by well-known artists, stunningly gorgeous colored vinyl combinations and well-researched and thorough liner notes by directors and composers have become a hallmark of the Waxwork name, and their latest release is undoubtedly their best yet.

John Carpenter's 1982 sci-fi horror masterpiece, The Thing, is widely regarded as some of his best work. Carpenter, who is well-known for scoring his own films, actually stepped away from writing the soundtrack for this film, and instead turned it over to legendary Italian soundtrack composer, Ennio Morricone. Morricone's cold, minimalist composition sets the perfect tone to accentuate the theme of stark isolation in the film.

Continuing with that cold, stark theme, Waxwork's "Trapped In The Ice" Deluxe Edition is somewhat of a masterpiece in its own right. The entire package comes housed in a glossy, die-cut outer case with only a stark logo of the film's title.

The outer case then "cracks" apart to reveal the contents inside: a gatefold sleeve, beautifully illustrated by Justin Erickson of Phantom City Creative, a fold-out poster and a matching booklet, complete with a full interview with director John Carpenter.

And if the outer die-cut shell, gatefold sleeve, booklet and fold-out poster weren't enough, the blue and white haze "ice" vinyl may be the best part of this incredible package. A beautiful swirl pattern that almost reflects the outline of Antarctica itself on the cover.

Top to bottom, this is easily one of the best releases to come out of Waxwork (and that really is saying something!). The amount of work that went into this release is staggering and the end product takes its rightful place at the top of my collection.

And unfortunately, with the hype that surrounded this release, the Deluxe version sold out immediately. But you can still find this (as well as the standard white vinyl "snow" edition) on eBay or Discogs, albeit at a premium price. But save your pennies, because this really is a piece that needs to be in your collection!

Evil Dead 2 - Fan Designed Packaging Poll

From Waxwork Records:

Waxwork Records is excited to launch our very first fan designed soundtrack poll. What this means is that you get to vote on various concepts for the front album cover, inner gatefold, and back cover art of the LP jacket for our upcoming soundtrack release of the 1987 horror classic, EVIL DEAD 2.

It’s no secret that Waxwork Records likes to let fans behind the curtain to see what goes on behind the scenes here in our camp. As true fans of music, cinema, and art, we think it’s crucial to let everyone have a look at how our products are created. We have taken you into our pressing plant, we have taken you into artists’ homes and studios, and now we want you to have the opportunity to help design one of our deluxe soundtrack releases on vinyl.

Waxwork Records has worked closely with illustrator Justin Erickson of Phantom City Creative to illustrate various artistic concepts of our EVIL DEAD 2 soundtrack release. Justin is a true talent and a great problem solver. We think you’ll love what he came up with!

So, come join us in the woods and help us design our groovy EVIL DEAD 2 release. But, remember to keep out of the fruit cellar!

CAST YOUR VOTE HERE!

(For what it's worth, I voted D/B/B.)

  
  

Limited Edition Posters From Phantom City Creative

Here's a little something I found for anyone who didn't get that perfect holiday gift, or if you're still looking for that special gift for your favorite blogger (I'll take one of each, thank you very much). Limited edition posters from Phantom City Creative, out of Toronto, Canada. Visit their etsy site to order these screen printed masterpieces.

Night Of The Living Dead

Dead Snow

Let The Right One In

Repo The Genetic Opera