In an exciting development for horror aficionados, Fangoria has unveiled its latest project, “First In Fright: The Fangoria Compendium,” a carefully curated limited-edition book and digital archive that promises to capture nearly 50 years of the genre’s rich history. This ambitious initiative has been launched on Kickstarter, offering fans a unique opportunity to delve into the evolution of horror.
The Rich Legacy of Fangoria
“First In Fright” aims to chronicle Fangoria’s journey since its inception in 1979. This comprehensive collection will feature stories from the magazine’s archives, paired with modern commentary, unreleased tales, and rare behind-the-scenes images. Spanning 300 pages, the book is poised to deliver a vibrant mix of full-color visuals, analytical articles, and interviews from both emerging and established voices in horror. The project is a collaborative effort, bringing together past and present editors, journalists, and filmmakers to explore how the genre has transformed over the decades.
A Star-Studded Contribution
The book boasts contributions from a lineup of industry legends including Joe Bob Briggs, Sandy King, Ernest Dickerson, and Neil Marshall. Other notable contributors such as David Dastmalchian, Bryan Fuller, and Don Mancini have also lent their voices to this compilation. Horror icons Mike Flanagan, Barbara Crampton, and Devon Sawa further enhance the collection. A special highlight is the foreword by acclaimed director John Carpenter, adding a personal touch from one of horror’s most respected figures.
A Revolutionary Digital Archive
Alongside the compendium, Fangoria is introducing a Digital Archive via Kickstarter. This fully searchable, interactive platform will house every issue of the magazine’s original run (Issues 1–344), meticulously scanned and enhanced. Fans will have access to over 25,000 pages of content, viewable in their original format or text-readable versions. Backers of the “First in Fright” project will receive exclusive access to this treasure trove of horror journalism.
“Fangoria has been at the forefront of horror journalism as long as horror journalism has existed,” noted Senior Editor Meredith Borders. Leading the project, Borders highlighted how this endeavor offers “tens of thousands of pages of genre knowledge, history, and insight” directly to the supporters who’ve been integral to Fangoria’s enduring legacy.
Exclusive Rewards for Backers
Fans participating in the Kickstarter campaign can look forward to exclusive editions of “First in Fright: The Fangoria Compendium.” These special packages will include a first edition loaded with bonus materials, along with limited collector items such as foil slipcases, exclusive merchandise, and remastered reprints of Fangoria’s debut print issue.
