Monday, August 4, 2014

Travelogue of Horror, Batman Collector's Guide and Marx Toys


Over this past summer I've found myself taking part in a rather macabre pastime.  Spooky really.  On YouTube I've been watching videos about exploring old dilapidated buildings, locations of gruesome crimes and filming locations of some of my favorite movies (a few horror movies mixed in with other genre). 

Schiffer Publishing and author Tony Urban caught my attention with their new book: Travelogue of Horror.

The book (filled throughout with full color and black and white photos) takes readers on a tour of the strange.

From horror and bizarre movie locations, unusual psychic and extraterrestrial hotspots to scenes of murders and mayhem the book offers a bloody travel tour of bizarre and chilling vacation spots.

It's a bone-chilling excursion across the U.S.A. in search of the things that go bump in the night (or worse yet, things that go boo! when its daylight!)

Fans of Batman are sure to enjoy The Unauthorized Batman Collector's Guide With Prices from Alan J. Porter.

Starting with the Batman collectibles and comic books the book travels the decades up until the 21st Century with color photos and art spotlighting comic books, toys, art statures and the like straight to the year 2,000.

It's a regular Dark knight plethora of collectibles.

When I was growing up in 1950s and 1960s as young boy one of my favorite toy companies was Marx.

Marx Toys always seemed to have the coolest playthings, most of which were made from metal.
Wind them up and roll them across the floor and Marx Toys (funny animal, vehicles and the like) delighted me with their various noises and movements.

Marx was around for later part of the 19th Century and for most of the 20th Century.  Unfortunately hard times put the company out of business.  Still legions of Marx Toy fans still collect the now costly toys.

Author Maxine A. Pinsky has lovingly compiled a complete pictorial and price list book dedicated to the beloved toys.  You may say, "She's hit it right on the Marx!"