Febu-scary 2027 - 100 FULL-COLOR pages

“13 is your lucky number, for I, the Cryptologist, am giving you a bonus-size 100-page horrorfest, lauding a true master of the macabre, Boris Karloff, along with his cohort, the Frankenstein monster. We begin with a look at Boris’ later films, then plunge into some of the darker moments of his well-remembered Thriller series. Our two-part celebration of 1944’s House of Frankenstein, the ultimate monsterfest of its day, herein reaches its climax. The origins of ol’ Frankie are revealed, before looking at some of his most gruesome appearances in the cinema and beyond. There’s a horribly fascinating interview with Marvel Comics’ artist Val Mayerik (who depicted the creature in his 1970s solo comic book series), and a selection of those infamous model kits from the distant past. Fans of Bernie Wrightson’s Frankenstein won’t be disappointed—I have uncovered an entire treasure trove of his sumptuous artwork for your delectation, along with digging up the creature’s pre-Code comics appearances. Fire, bad, but Cryptology, good! Don’t miss this oversized issue of my horrible little magazine, the consummate read for retro horror fans!”

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June 2026 - 84 FULL-COLOR pages

“For those who want to rock out through the darkest of nights, I, the Cryptologist, have got Alice Cooper, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, and Gene Simmons, among other rockers, sharing their revelry for all things horror. I’ve even managed to dig out some of Alice Cooper’s and Kiss’ comic book appearances to keep you on the edge of your seat. John Carpenter’s chilling Prince of Darkness is recalled, before we end up chasing through London’s underground on the Deathline—so make sure you’ve paid for your ticket. Cryptology’s journey through the years of pre-Code horror comics releases concludes, but don’t worry: “Horror Comics Excess” will still be going strong. Our compelling interview with Eddie Campbell is also wrapped up, just as the horror underlying Star Wars comes to the surface. The strange works of author and artist Edward Gorey will also be coming your way, as will more creepy B-movies, and eerie creations from Hammer Films. If you prefer your pop culture spooky rather than kooky, this new issue is an essential read for you, retro horror fan!”

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October 2026 - 84 FULL-COLOR pages

“This issue, take a roller coaster ride through the fiery pits of Hades, to share time with some of its most despicable manifestations. Eddie Campbell discusses that milestone in graphic novels From Hell, while comic book artist Glenn Fabry reminisces on his tenebrous sojourn with Hellblazer (in a crossover with Back Issue #174, also shipping this month from TwoMorrows). The Gates of Hell as presented by Lucio Fulci in his heinous film trilogy from the 1980s will be pried open, before throwing a hellborne torchlight on Steve Bissette’s groundbreaking anthology Taboo (would you believe it was banned in the UK?). Before the gates of the underworld are finally closed, we will meet up with Marvel Comics’ Son of Satan, and take a cinematic look at The Exorcist and The Entity. If yours is a fascination for Roger Corman, look no further, for I, your trusted friend the Cryptologist, have exhumed a couple of his classics: The Little Shop of Horrors and Bucket of Blood. Then there’s just enough time to take you on a trip to Blood Island (via the 1960s series of Filipino fright films), and savor another of Hammer’s horrors. Even Mr. Scratch wouldn’t miss this hell-bound issue of Cryptology, the perfect read for retro horror fans!”

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December 2026 - 84 FULL-COLOR pages

“In this issue, I, the Cryptologist, raise Steve Ditko’s otherworldly artistry from the depths to showcase an eerie selection of his extra-dimensional terrors. Then we begin a two-part celebration of 1944’s House of Frankenstein, a veritable monsterfest if ever there was one. If that’s not enough, we’ll meet up with some delightful leading ladies of horror, among them Hazel Court, Brinke Stevens, Barbara Shelley, Martine Beswick, and Ingrid Pitt—but be careful not to fall head over heels for their charms; you might (not) live to regret it. If you do escape those cinema sirens, the darkly mirthful creations of Charles Addams will be here to raise a guffaw or two. Our spine-tingling foray into pre-Code horror comics continues, and as you’ve come to expect from Cryptology, there will be more Hammer horror treasures, along with other forgotten terrors from the past. If you never get your fill of chills, acquire this latest issue of Cryptology, the only read for retro horror fans!”

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October 2025 - 84 FULL-COLOR pages

“If you thought you heard the rattle of bones, you were right! This time ’round, I, the Cryptologist, have dug up a few skeletons in the closet of my creepy little magazine. We have the Ghost Rider, from comic books through until his incarnation on the cinema screen! There are skulls aplenty on the covers dating back to the pulps, Martin Goodman’s Atlas Digests, and horror comics from the pre-Code era! We unearth Hy Fleishman’s hideous skeleton covers from the 1950s, along with a few of the stories he drew. “Toys from the Crypt” examines Walt Disney’s skeletons, vintage Pirates of the Caribbean models of the 1970s, plus Last Gasp’s Skull Comics and the films of William Castle. If that’s not enough, our Killer B department has exhumed a few skull and bones classics: House on Haunted Hill, The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake and The Skull! And don’t forget our Hammertime section. So roll the bones for a magazine made especially for you retro horror fans, by Leese, Voger, the Kronenbergs, and editor Peter Normanton!”

LUNAR Distributors Order Code: 0525TM787

This item is listed in the May 2025 issue of Lunar’s Next Phase catalog (#41).

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Summer 2025 - 84 FULL-COLOR pages

“I, the Cryptologist, throw open my putrid sanctuary, as acclaimed illustrator Alex Ross regales us with the gory lowdown on his Universal Monsters paintings. Tim Leese and Hammer Time then take us face-to-face with that studio’s classic film “Brides of Dracula.” Mark Voger puts the horrors of 3-D movies of the 1950s into focus, and editor Peter Normanton literally brings that era’s 3-D comic books to life with a mini-history, and complete 3-D story reprint! From there, we embark on a journey to discover the early origins of blood-curdling slasher movies, as a prelude to the macabre pre-Code artwork of Atlas’s Bill Everett and ACG’s 3-D maestro Harry Lazarus. Another Killer “B” movie awaits (courtesy of Steve Kronenberg), as does cartoon creepiness by Pete Von Sholly. It’s a crypt full of the macabre, prepared especially for retro horror fans!””

LUNAR Distributors Order Code: 0325TM613

This item is listed in the March 2025 issue of Lunar’s Next Phase catalog (#39).

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Spring 2025 - 84 FULL-COLOR pages

“I, the Cryptologist, am back with editor Peter Normanton and my horrible little troop of ne’er do wells, to inflict the dread of Mars Attacks upon you—the banned cards, model kits, and despicable comics, along with a few words from the film’s deranged storyboard artist Pete von Sholly! The chilling poster art of Reynold Brown gets brought up from my vault by Steve Kronenberg, along with a host of terrifying puppets from film, and more pre-Code comic books Dr. Wertham would prefer you forget! Plus, Tim Leese spends more Hammer Time on that studio’s films, we run from another Killer “B” movie (1959’s The Manster), and Justin Marriot flips through obscure ’70s fear-filled paperbacks. It’s more retro-horror to satiate your sinister side!”

LUNAR Distributors Order Code: 0225TM821

This item is listed in the March 2025 issue of Lunar’s Next Phase catalog (#39).

Don't miss an issue! SUBSCRIBE to Cryptology HERE!