While searching for an image to accompany a post about the inclusion of Michael Jackson’s Thriller werewolf costume in a stage performance he was working on, I found this fantastic illustration by storyboard artist Shane Lewis. From the oh-so-80’s jacket to his tremendous mane, Shane totally nailed Michael’s werewolf look from the epic music video. Truly, werewolf Michael Jackson is not like other guys. For starters, no other guy would wear loafers like that. Shane posted this around Halloween 2007, back when the Internet only had miserable things to say about Jackson, so he earns quadruple karma points for being a kick-ass artist and a nice guy. Check out Shane’s blog for more awesome art (and to learn about his apparent fear of being eaten by sharks and / or bears).
Five Great Werewolf Stories – Alternatives to “Twilight” and The Anita Blake Series
Most people, if they read, get off on books that incarnate into movies, video games, Fruit Roll-Ups, and toothpaste. Of course, the little demon of intellectual affirmative action sits on my shoulder and says “Don’t over-generalize; they’re not all as bad as you’re implying!” Sure, I want to let my South Park conservativism kick into gear by shoving his pitchfork up his ass. However, I really can’t help the camera from dramatically zooming up to my eyes as I whisper, “Such is true. Touche, my dear man.” After all, the bad-assity of Indiana Jones will never be tainted by all the cereal toys they’ve made of him. But in spite of this, I’m still pretty pissed off at humanity’s tendency to read cheap things and then cheapen them further. And to me, “At least they’re reading” has lost its power as an excuse.
Don’t worry; I have indeed chilled out and have gotten off my literary high horse. However, I’m not going any lower than the pony I’m on now. While I’ll always be an Indy fan, I’m also a fan of D.H. Lawrence and Jorge Luis Borges. And although those two gentlemen cannot steal Sankara Stones and liberate all the children of an entire third world country, they also have produced great writing that is booby-trapped against being incarnated into Saturday morning cartoons or granola bars. This is commendable, although I can’t help but ask, “Why can’t there be some kind of balance between Indiana Jones and John mother-fucking Milton? Between Teen Wolf and… you know… something that’s kind of not stupid?”
Well, you’re in luck if you’re reading this, because I’m going to introduce you to some werewolf / monster stories that have not only achieved this balance, but have done so while avoiding anything remotely Twilight-esque in nature. This means that the protagonists won’t sparkle inexplicably, faint or fall down when aroused, or generally act like Hot Topic employees.
“Werewolf” Series DVD Release Date Pushed Back, Pre-Order + Two Features Announced
The eagerly anticipated 5-DVD release of the Werewolf TV series was originally scheduled for a September 1st release, but now TVShowsOnDVD.com is saying that the date has been pushed back to October 6th. These are the folks who originally broke the story about Werewolf being officially released, so I’m gonna go ahead and trust them on this one.
No word on what caused the delay, but it might be that Shout! Factory wants a bit more time to cram the discs full of extras and features, two of which have been announced: “The Man Who Was Alamo Joe” with actor Lance LeGault, and “To Build A Better Werewolf” with special makeup FX creators Greg Cannom and Gino Crognale.
One last thing, and it might be the best news yet: if you’re like me and you can’t keep your release dates straight, you can pre-order Werewolf: The Complete Series from Amazon for $34.99 US. Is it just me, or is that ridiculously cheap?
Hat-tip to ArcLight for the info.
Universal Orlando Brings The Wolfman To Life For Halloween
Universal Orlando has announced that a live-action treatment of The Wolfman will play a major part of its 2009 Halloween Horror Night events, presumably as part of the marketing effort leading up to the film’s release on November 6. From the press release:
Universal Orlando is partnering with Universal Pictures to bring one of the year’s most highly anticipated films, “The Wolfman,” to life so guests can experience it firsthand before it hits theaters on November 6. …“Halloween Horror Nights is the perfect launch for ‘The Wolfman,’” says the film’s producer Scott Stuber. “The horror audience is one of the most enthusiastic and loyal so we are so pleased they are experiencing it first at Halloween Horror Nights.”
Planning and set-up for the events are still underway so there aren’t any specific details regarding how The Wolfman will be showcased, beyond visitors being able to watch “as ‘The Wolfman’s’ alter-ego, Lawrence Talbot, discovers a primal side of himself he didn’t know existed.” Presumably there will be some element of transformation, which would be cool.
Halloween Horror Nights are slated for September 25-26, October 1-4, 8-11, 15-18, 21-25 and 28-31. Tickets are $69.99 US plus tax, and can be pre-ordered at www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com or by calling 1-888-467-7677 (HORROR-7).
Grimm Brothers “Big Bad Wolf” Foam Latex Appliance
It’s never too early to start planning for Hallow’een. The Grimm Brothers (yes, they’re actually brothers) have just released this exclusive werewolf appliance for 2009. Check it out!
Landis Sells “American Werewolf” Rights to Dimension; Remake In The Works
John Landis has sold the remake rights for An American Werewolf In London to Dimension Films, Bloody Disgusting reports. Dimension is the film company that brought us Grindhouse, Sin City and the Halloween and Scream film. As a werewolf fan the original is very close to my heart, but I had always assumed that for most people, AWIL was probably just an obscure horror /dark comedy with an abrupt ending. Apparently not! I’ve had a number of news submissions on this, and even Perez Hilton posted about it. No word yet on when /how they intend to bring this remake to life, but Dimension have taken on a huge responsibility if they think they’re going to one-up the definitive cinema werewolf transformation scene.
AV Club’s “Hater” Rips on Teen Wolf Remake
I’m a big Fan of the Onion’s non-satirical (but often hilarious) media / culture magazine, The AV Club. One column I read with particular glee is Amelie Gillette’s The Hater, which is basically an outlet for the acerbic Amelie to patronize the living hell out of ridiculous pop culture nuggets. Yesterday she focused her hate-beam on MTV’s recently-announced effort to reboot Teen Wolf as a series (this is apparently a different thing than the Warner Bros. remake mentioned last week). If you like werewolves and snark at the same time, check it out, and don’t for get to read the comments thread. So good.
Dracula & Wolfman Used Game Emporium
Today’s Penny Arcade! comic proves once again that when it comes to marketability and positive brand association, werewolf beats vampire every time. Having said that, I would probably skill be reluctant to buy a new DS game from either of these guys.
Teen Wolf Remake In The Works
Hollywood, I hate you and yet I love you at the same time. How can this be? According to Moviehole, Warner Bros is looking for writers to pen an updated script on which to base a remake of Teen Wolf. It seems they’re not sure whether the film should be an updated remake or a “son of Teen Wolf” continuation, but two things are for sure: it’s going to be cheesy as hell, and I am going to have to see it.
“Beasts” by Richard Wilbur

Roukas recently sent this in, and I’m glad he did! Read on, enjoy, and remember that we too are beasts. (more…)