Inhumanoids are creatures or entities that have some type of human characteristic but are not human at all. Even though they sometimes appear as 'less than human, ' they are quite beyond the normal sense of the word and possess a troubling array of supernatural powers to prove the point. Some are true 'bi-forms;' curious anthropomorphic mixtures of human and animals, while others manifest themselves in guises that one might pass by on the street and never give a second glance. From the smallest fairy to the tallest giant and every form in between, these inhumanoid beings, in all their myriad forms, have been with us since the beginnings of recorded history and beyond. Every culture knows the inhumanoids quite well. Since the dawn of time man has encountered such creatures, which simply cannot be explained away using conventional zoological science. In fact, all that we 'know' of mainstream biology, zoology and anthropology scream in unison that creatures like 'The Spottsville Monster' cannot possibly exist at all. Yet people see these beings, and a host of others of the same bizarre ilk, much more frequently than many would suspect. In researching this book I was struck by the sheer number of alleged inhumanoid encounters reported to have taken place; thousands upon thousands. As a consequence of the sheer magnitude of such data, this work merely attempts to scratch the surface of that very old, long list

A cryptozoologist provides historical cases, evidence, and first-person accounts of sightings of flying humanoids, including the Mothman, the Van Meter Creature, and the Houston Batman.

A collection of lists, reviews, and interviews about the horror genre in film and beyond Includes categorical lists and in-depth articles covering horror movies, literature, television, graphic novels, and music Horror is a dominant form of cultural expression in the 20th/21st centuries

This timely and innovative book provides a detailed history of marketing to children, revealing the strategies that shape the design of toys and have a powerful impact on the way children play. Stephen Kline looks at the history and development of children's play culture and toys from the teddy bear and Lego to the Barbie doll, Care Bears and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He profiles the rise of children's mass media - books, comics, film and television - and that of the specially stores such as Toys 'R' Us, revealing how the opportunity to reach large audiences of children through television was a pivotal point in developing new approaches to advertising. Contemporary youngsters, he shows, are catapulted into a fantastic and chaotic time-space continuum of action toys thanks to the merchandisers' interest in animated television. Kline looks at the imagery and appeal of the toy commercials and at how they provide a host of stereotyped figures around which children can organize their imaginative experience. He shows how the deregulation of advertising in the United States in the 1980s has led directly to the development of the new marketing strategies which use television series to saturate the market with promotional "character toys". Finally, in a powerful re-examination of the debates about the cultural effects of television, Out of the Garden asks whether we should allow our children's play culture to be primarily defined and created by marketing strategies, pointing to the unintended consequences of a situation in which images of real children have all but been eliminated from narratives about the young.

Everything you ever wanted to know about the bad guys in comics, film, and television! A must-read for anyone who was ever enthralled with mythic wickedness, The Supervillain Book: The Evil Side of Comics and Hollywood exhaustively explores the extraordinary lives and careers of hundreds of overachieving evildoers. Drawing from sources in comic books, film, live-action and animated television, newspaper strips, toys, and manga and anime, it is the definitive guide to nefarious masterminds, mad scientists, and destructive dominators who have battled super- and other fictional heroes. The Supervillain Book investigates each character’s origin, modus operandi, costumes, weapons and gadgetry, secret hideouts, chief henchmen, and minions, while serving up a supersized trove of fascinating trivia. It also takes you behind the scenes, describing the creation and development of these marvelously malicious, menacing, and malevolent characters. With 350 entries on pop culture’s most malicious evildoers, this comprehensive resource also includes 125 illustrations, a helpful resource section, and an extensive index, adding to its usefulness. What would a good guy be without the bad guy? Boring. You won’t be bored with this indispensable guide to the wicked world of supervillains!

Once consigned almost exclusively to Saturday morning fare for young viewers, television animation has evolved over the last several decades as a programming form to be reckoned with. While many animated shows continue to entertain tots, the form also reaches a much wider audience, engaging viewers of all ages. Whether aimed at toddlers, teens, or adults, animated shows reflect an evolving expression of sophisticated wit, adult humor, and a variety of artistic techniques and styles. The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Series encompasses animated programs broadcast in the United States and Canada since 1948. From early cartoon series like Crusader Rabbit, Rocky and His Friends, and The Flintstones to 21st century stalwarts like The Simpsons, South Park, and Spongebob Squarepants, the wide range of shows can be found in this volume. Series from many networks—such as Comedy Central, the Disney Channel, Nickleodeon, and Cartoon Network— are included, representing both the diversity of programming and the broad spectrum of viewership. Each entry includes a list of cast and characters, credit information, a brief synopsis of the series, and a critical analysis. Additional details include network information and broadcast history. The volume also features one hundred images and an introduction containing an historical overview of animated programming since the inception of television. Highlighting an extensive array of shows from Animaniacs and Archer to The X-Men and Yogi Bear, The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Series is an essential resource for anyone interested in the history and evolution of this constantly expanding art form.

As for film and literature, the horror genre has been very popular in the video game. The World of Scary Video Games provides a comprehensive overview of the videoludic horror, dealing with the games labelled as “survival horror” as well as the mainstream and independent works associated with the genre. It examines the ways in which video games have elicited horror, terror and fear since Haunted House (1981). Bernard Perron combines an historical account with a theoretical approach in order to offer a broad history of the genre, outline its formal singularities and explore its principal issues. It studies the most important games and game series, from Haunted House (1981) to Alone in the Dark (1992- ), Resident Evil (1996-present), Silent Hill (1999-present), Fatal Frame (2001-present), Dead Space (2008-2013), Amnesia: the Dark Descent (2010), and The Evil Within (2014). Accessibly written, The World of Scary Video Games helps the reader to trace the history of an important genre of the video game.

Teenage vampires. UFO sightings. Alien invasions. Ghost stories. The zombie apocalypse. You don't have to look far to see that today's pop culture is becoming increasingly dominated by paranormal beings. Topics that once belonged to the fringes of the occult world have suddenly found their way onto every television channel and magazine cover. What does this mean for Christians? How do we respond to a culture saturated with the paranormal? In this compelling book, Dr. Timothy Dailey explores the counterfeit spirituality of the paranormal world. By confronting these phenomena head-on, Dailey exposes the dark truth behind these tales. "MythBusters meets This Present Darkness in this gripping new book."--Peter Sprigg, senior fellow for policy studies, Family Research Council, Washington, D.C. In a world that fears an uncertain future, Dailey offers hope: a way back to the one true source of spiritual connection. The only one that can satisfy our souls. "You will be surprised. Well written and well worth reading!"--C. Fred Dickason, Th.D., professor emeritus, former chair of theology, Moody Bible Institute "Dailey has taken on a difficult but very important subject and he has succeeded! Read the book, folks. Read the book."--Jim Valentine, director, Christian Apologetics: Research and Information Service "A well-documented examination and a powerful refutation of this whole dangerous movement."--Walter A. Elwell, Ph.D., professor emeritus, biblical and theological studies, Wheaton College

By 1987, the British Transformers was at the peak of its powers. Alternating between US reprints showing the struggle for leadership within the Autobot and Decepticon forces and UK material dealing with the insane future Decepticon Galvatron's attempts to rule yesterday, what had started as a toy advert had become a sprawling space opera seared into the minds of an entire generation. Stuart Webb was one such reader, and in 2012 he began a journey looking through every single issue of the series, commenting on its highs and lows. He became the first person to look at every backup strip and editorial and how they worked together to create the most thorough exploration of a publishing phenomenon ever undertaken. It's also highly personal, full of humour and silliness and even the occasionally thoughtful moment. The final result is an essential read, not just for Transformers fans, but also for those interested in the history of Marvel UK and the impact this simple little comic had on an entire generation.

Starting in 1984, the British Transformers comic wasn't just a successful toy advert, it taught a generation of British schoolboys how to read through its exciting action packed pages. With sales that vied with 2000AD writers Simon Furman and Bob Budiansky created a generation of fan boys that have never looked back. Stuart Webb was one such reader, and in 2012 he began a journey looking through every single issue of the series, commenting on its highs and lows. He became the first person to look at every backup strip, every comedic cartoon and each editorial and how they worked together to create the most thorough exploration of a publishing phenomenon ever undertaken. It's also personal, full of humour and silliness and even the occasionally thoughtful moment. The final result is an essential read, for Transformers fans, and those interested in the history of Marvel comics in the UK and the impact this comic had on an entire generation.