An overview by K.K.

Hunt Valley Marriot
Baltimore, MD

     You know you’re going to have a good time at a convention when a hulked-out stranger dressed in war paint and crazed contact lenses gives you an ice-cold Steel Reserve malt liquor merely for breaking the ice. (This would be “Supe”, or Rob to his friends, a black guy so huge he looks like Zeus, the Human Wrecking Machine, from that Hulk Hogan flick). Your humble servant was previously on the wagon, but When In Rome, what the hell.
     The stars of Horror have aligned once again at Baltimore’s Hunt Valley Mariott for The HORRORFIND Weekend: a vanguard of film and television stars, along with literature’s next generation of slaughter-scribes, and every conceivable item of horror merchandise you could ever want…this is the Achilles’ heel of HORRORFIND, you indeed FIND everything you’ve ever wanted in HORROR, but you’d break your bank trying to buy it all. Even if I sold every copy of STAPLEGUN LOGIC, INHUMAN RESOURCES, CLOWNWHITE and TRAPS that I brought with me, I still wouldn’t be able to get everything. Oh well…
     Among the performers of note are KANE HODDER, fresh from his star turn  in “BTK” (one of the rare times he hasn’t had to wear Jason’s mask), JASON MEWES, more famous for the Jay & Silent Bob films than horror, but he’s done a lot more. WILLIAM KATT of The Greatest American Hero and the horror classic ‘House’ is present, and one of the friendliest/coolest guys there. MARGOT KIDDER of Superman fame not only has her regular publicity stills on display but a few topless ones as well! Intriguingly, while both Margot and William have had roles on “The Hunger” series, neither of them remember being on the show! But they’re happy to sign my DVDs anyway. DANNY TREJO is in the hiz-ouse as well, along with Dawn of the Dead’s KEN FOREE and TOM SAVINI. CORBIN “The Dentist” BERNSEN, FRED WILLIAMSON and FT13th’s ADRIENNE KING are also present. The Craft’s FAIRUZA BALK had to cancel her appearance.
     I admit to a slight stab of envy for not yet snagging that eye-catching role in a horror franchise that will enable to me to sign autographs forever at $20 a scrawl…however, David Duchovny mentioned in an interview he’d rather be shot in the back of the head. Sod that! I say this is fame at its best: an orderly line of adoring fans all claiming they loved your work in movie X,Y or Z. There’s probably no shortage of sex for these guys, either. Naturally, there’s a downside: William Katt tells me the average workday on THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO was something like 5:30 in the morning until 10:30 at night! Of course, the union rates for such work deliver a handsome paycheck, but when do you get to spend it?
     There are also writers aplenty: legendary sicko Edward Lee (with girlfriend Wicked Wendy Brewer in tow—we both have stories in the BONDED BY BLOOD and TRAPS anthologies) reads excerpts from his new book THE BLACK TRAIN…and has made a unique contribution to Adult Films! His VEROTIK comic character “GRUBGIRL” is now a XXX feature, directed by Craven Moorhead and starring the delectable Brittney Skye! I’ll buy that.
     Beth Blue, also featured in TRAPS, reads a new story “Sex Fiend” to riotous laughter from her friends and fans. F. Paul Wilson treats us to an early Repairman Jack tale: one which features Jack kicking butt at the ripe old age of 14!
     It takes a bit to locate my own droogs of BLACK BED SHEET BOOKS, the new publishing company by HALLOWEEN 4’s own Nicholas Grabowsky. Among the authors are Vince Churchill (“The Butcher Bride”), Jason Gehlert (“Contagion”), Ryan B. Clark (“Grave Whispers”), Kevin Mellor (“The Gentle Art of Making Enemies”), and myself (“Staplegun Logic”, et al.)…and at this point it becomes rather difficult to visit everything/everyone else at the convention (‘cause book-hawking must go on)...but here are some other highlights:
     KIM’S KRYPT, a big-time Baltimore haunted house, relentless marketed by Kim herself in full Banshee regalia…and she’s not only a horror pro, but the drummer for Baltimore’s finest female fronted metal band, SCARLET ANGEL (www.scarletangelrocks.com).
     “SCARE-OKE”, a chance for horror fans to belt out their favorite tunes. Nick Grabowsky tears it up with a fine rendition of Alice Cooper’s “I’m Eighteen”. By the time I decide which Judas Priest song to snarl, the bloody list is full. Oh well, it’s probably better for all concerned.
     “ROTKAPPCHEN: THE BLOOD OF RED RIDING HOOD”…this Adult take on Little Red Riding Hood would be a pleasure to review, except my DVD player keeps scoffing at my copy. However, the trailer and cast seem steamy enough; check it out at www.redridinghoodmovie.net.
     “FROZEN MIRRORS AND BROKEN MINDS”: The Photography of B. John Holmes (www.myspace.com/ghostriderofbloodroseind)
     Live screenings of the new horror films GOD OF VAMPIRES, LATE FEE and SAVAGE. Fans of the slasher classic THE STEPFATHER will be glad to know there’s a remake in the works. Also, check out the trailer for Joe Fiorello’s “MY STUFFED ANIMAL IS A MONSTER” at www.myspace.com/mybluemonster.
     Get your horror masks, props, replicas and custom 3-D tee shirts at www.kreationx.com.
     Turn your girlfriend into a classic pinup at www.atomiccheesecakestudios.com!
     Visit www.houseofmysterioussecrets.com for all your horror collectibles!
     Check out actress/model MEL HEFLIN at www.modelmayhem.com/melheflin!
     Help sick children via www.scaresthatcare.org!
     And much, much more…if you missed out, sorry, but you’ll have to come to HORRORFIND yourself one of these days…