It’s in the eyes: Drew Struzan’s take on ‘The Mummy’ for Mondo Gallery’s Universal Monsters show Credit: Photo by Richard Whittaker
From Carpathia and Metaluna they came … the rambling, shambling mass that are the hardened Mondo collectors. And we were there in the scurrying throng for last night’s opening of Mondo Gallery‘s new Universal Monsters show.
The line was literally around the block (you might have thought they were handing out brains to zombies) well before the doors opened. At least one hardy acolyte of the local print impresarios had camped out overnight on Guadalupe just for a first chance to see the new poster array and original artwork from industry greats like Drew Struzan and FX maestro Rick Baker.
The show’s contributing artists mostly concentrate on the iconic Universal Monsters: Boris Karloff pulling double duty Frankenstein and the Mummy, Elsa Lanchester as the Bride of Frankenstein, Bela Lugosi’s Dracula, Lon Chaney’s Wolfman, and the creature from the Black Lagoon. So extra points to Scarecrowoven for breaking these terrestrial limits with a mutant from This Island Earth.
The Mondo Gallery Universal Monsters Show runs through Nov. 10, Tuesday through Saturday from 12-6pm, at 4115 Guadalupe.
Drew Struzan’s septet of classic horror for the Universal Monsters Mondo Gallery show Credit: Photo by Richard Whittaker
The sight of Converge, the face of a monster: Jacob Bannon joins the Mondo Gallery Universal Monsters show Credit: Photo by Richard Whittaker
Jason Edmiston creates a frightful family gathering at the Mondo Gallery Universal Monsters show Credit: Photo by Richard Whittaker
Crowded crypt at the Mondo Gallery Universal Monsters show Credit: Photo by Richard Whittaker
Mike Mitchell’s latest cutey creature at the Mondo Gallery Universal Monsters show Credit: Photo by Richard Whittaker
From Metaluna with love: Scarecrowoven travels to ‘This Island Earth’ for the Mondo Gallery Universal Monsters show Credit: Photo by Richard Whittaker
FX guru Rick Baker brings his genius to the Mondo Gallery Universal Monsters show Credit: Photo by Richard Whittaker
A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.
The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.
More by Richard Whittaker