Publisher James Warren Highlights Fan Fest
Famous Monsters Fest invaded the Valley Forge Casino Resort in King of Prussia, PA, this past weekend. The show offered an array of vendor tables, exhibitions, autograph signings, and a limited number of programming sessions.
Celebrities included George Takei and Andy Serkis, along with a number of more niche cult horror actors.
My interest in the show was focused on one individual: Warren Publishing founder and publisher James Warren, who produced Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine and comics magazines, Creepy, Eerie, and Vampirella.
Looking much younger than his 94 years, Warren was charming and energetic. He seemed to revel in chatting with fans.
He asked where I was from. When I told him, he said was arrested for speeding in my township at the tender age of 18. He had to call his parents to pick him up.
In response to one of my questions, he briefly recounted how Marvel Comics once tried to purchase Warren Publishing—and why he declined the offer.
After Warren posed for a few photos, I stepped aside to allow other fans to chat with him and have him sign their copies of his magazines. I would have loved to have heard more stories of his long and colorful lifetime in pop culture publishing.
William R. Mohalley, Warren Publications production manager was also in attendance. Mohalley talked about his influence on the typography of the covers of Warren Publications.
Some of the vendor booths disallowed photography, including one with a stunning display of original artwork from the great Basil Gogos and another with an array of fantastic puppet creations from Bill Diamond Productions. So, sadly, I don’t have any images of these.
While cosplay was generally sparse, a number of fans roamed the show floor in creative costumes.
For addition photos, see the Flickr photo album Famous Monsters Fest 2024.
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