Support
Indie
Horror
Thomas Amo, Publisher2 NA/Aug, 2014
Welcome To My Nightmare
Some of my fondest childhood memories are from the days when I would run down to the local grocery store and pick up the latest copy of Forrest J. Ackerman's "FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND" It never occurred to me how such a magazine came together, I just knew it was stocked full of my favorite subject: Monsters! While I would spend hours pouring over the pages, absorbing every detail of how Jack Pierce put together, Boris Karloff's makeup, or the hours Lon Chaney Jr. would have to sit in the chair for the various stages he would have to go through for the Wolfman's transformation. I would learn all about film directors such as James Whale, composers like Franz Waxman and Bernard Hermann, while never
sadly realizing, that all of these amazing artists were already dead and gone, or long past retirement. All I did know, was Uncle Forrey graciously brought them to me in issue after issue. It's the place where I could see the latest preview photos from movies like, "Planet of the Apes, Willard, The Mephisto Waltz, House of Dark Shadows, and The Vampire Lovers." While treating me to stills from the classics like; "Frankenstein, The Mummy, Dracula, Creature from the Black Lagoon." All of which were cut from the magazine and taped to the walls of my bedroom. (Silly me, it never dawned on me these magazine would become rare collector's editions.)
The magazine had such a huge impact on me, that I knew from the start I wanted to be in show business. Horror movies in particular. I loved everything about it, from the glorious cover art, to the advertisements, selling rubber masks, scary records, and the gimmick gags, like: X-Ray Glasses, that promied to see through anything. The dog whistle that would make dogs come running for miles. It was almost carnival side-show entertainment, encased in a glossy magazine. Aside of my great love for FMOF, I would get my horror on every Saturday night with the worst in low-budget horror movies, from local television host, Bob Wilkins. I will have to save my Bob Wilkins memories for a future issue. Suffice it say, being part of the television generation, and growing up in a time where boys could get lost in great magazines like, FMOF, and comics such as, Eerrie, Vault of Horror, Creepy, and Vampirella, it allowed me to dream and be inspired that even I could become a future Bob Wilkins, Alfred Hitchcock, Rod Serling, Dick Smith or John Williams. Without question, every single penny I ever spent on a horror magazie was cetainly well worth it.
Having said all of that, I bring to you the premiere issue # 1 of "Nightmare Alley." Whether it becomes a collector's item or not, only you the audience will eventually decide. It's my intention to provide a magazine for indie artists of the horror genre to turn to when they need some promotion. I promise reasonable advertising rates, do my very best to keep you informed on what you can find in the indie scene, while giving attention to the classic scares, plus what's hot and current. It's a brave new world out there, and we have new tools to use to bring it all to you. So bust out your smartphone, your tablet, or grab a good old fashioned hard copy of Nightmare Alley and become part of horror history. You don't have wish you could anymore, now you can.
Sincerely, Fiendish Wishes!
Thomas Amo