Udonkenstein" (ウドンケンシュタイン)

"Udonkenstein" is an original monster character created, sculpted, and popularized by Japanese comedian, actor, and sculptor Jin Katagiri. The monster is a clever, surreal fusion of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein's monster and Sanuki Udon—the famous thick noodle specialty of Kagawa Prefecture (often nicknamed "Udon Ken" or Udon Prefecture.) Katagiri first birthed the character during a 2018 creative art event titled: "Mata, Tsumaranu Mono o Tsukutte Shimatta" (or, I've accidentally made another useless object) held in Kagawa. Instead of normal flesh, the creature's entire body is composed of rows of thick udon noodles. In place of classic neck bolts, it has chikuwa (Japanese fish cakes) pierced through its neck, and a raw egg yolk sits squarely on top of its head to complete the "Kamatama Udon" look. While initially debuting as a large-scale, limited-run soft vinyl "sofubi", toy manufacturer Kenelephant later adapted the character into a widely accessible blind-box, and also as a gachapon capsule figure collection (of 4) which you see here. Special huge thanks again to Mr. Cavin for gifting these to me, --they are an awesomely delicious addition to my Frankenstein monster collection!

Putting the "Ow!" Back in HallOWeen!

Things have been pretty gory over at THOIA this month, so maybe it's time to let the rivers of red flow fiercely free here at AEET as well! And okay, I've seen quite a few vintage first aid guides in my day, but daaaang, none have made even 'ol Mr. Karswell flinch as much as this First Aid for Airmen booklet from 1956. The stark contrast of black and white illustrated imagery, mixed with brightly colored splashes of blood can be just as gruesomely unnerving as it is informative and helpful. And just when you think you've had enough wanton wound action, there's still a few images from the bone fractures and radiation burn chapters yet to contend with-- AIEEEE!!

Let's Make a Belt!

Yeah, you read that right, Frankenstein-- Let's. Make. A. Belt. You don't want your scary costume to fall down as ya traipes around in the dark while trick 'r treatin' now, do ya? And that's where a dandy Arvin belt kit comes in handy, to save ya from a breezy gust of embarrassment when you accidentally, and quite suddenly, drop trow on your neighbor's festive front porch. Jokes on you! And fyi: that sort of performance doesn't even qualify as a trick, --although if it happens to one of you more shapely ladies instead, it's quite possible you may just find an extra "fun-sized" treat mysteriously sliding right into your open bag. Anyway, mostly I just like the Arvin mannequin mascot on the sweetly colored packaging. And okay, if pink and sea foam green ain't exactly matching your tradish orange 'n black holiday scheme, there's always the second half of this far-reaching post featuring a much more color apropos belt packaging. It sure is Loveable too! And OMG, before I forget: smooching with your best gal on All Hallow's Eve whilst gobblin' on a caramel apple is sure to wreck havoc on those lips! Best be prepared with a Mentholatum Medicated Stick to avoid a cruel case of the cracked chappies! And don't let those Rocky Horror lips on the box get you too hot either, --the night's still young, and terrible thrills await...

Daffy Drafty's Halloween

We've had our fair share of horrors so far this month here at AEET: witches, phantoms, a handful of Frankensteins (with a few more on the way too!) --heck, we even encountered a Vamp'Beer! But now it's time for the most loathsome monster of all time to appear, and lawd help Daffy Drafty to avoid finding himself 6 feet under before midnight! This is a very funny, 4 page strip, via the unrationed and pocket-sized, September 1944 issue of Army and Navy Fun Parade Vol. 3 #6. WW2 era laughs like this from Art Helfant undoubtably helped lift morale and keep the boys ('n gals) chuggin' along in high spirits, especially when reminded that even a top dog nazi can always, and very easily, be knocked down and totally out of the picture once and for freakin' all, IYKWIM? Also, there's a silly blood bank gag at the end of the post, but I forget from where it originally came from... so yes, some assistance is required, please!

Movieland Wax Museum Monsters

If you're enjoying the Boris Karloff Tales of Mystery post over at THOIA HERE, then come and see what equally strange creatures await you today at AEET! Why, it's Boris again, and he's even brought along Bela and Lon! This is an incredible terror trio of vintage 1960's or 70's postcards originally found at Movieland Wax Museum's gift shop in Buena Park, CA! Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, and The Phantom of the Opera, perfectly rendered in wax and posed in their natural, eerie environs, --and with a truly great use of lighting and atmosphere as well. I've also included each photo caption as it appears on the backside of the postcards.

Another Life of the Party: Vamp'Beer

I don't really collect beer cans (nor do I drink), but I thought this Vamp'Beer (rhymes with Vampyr) from Germany would make a nice addition to the Karswell Kollection. It's not too terribly old, early 2000's I believe, and the can itself is made of an oddly thin aluminum. The artwork is attractive enough to warrant a post all on its own of course, (plus those Halloween colors *chef's smooch!), with the red tips at the ends of her wildly blowing blonde hair being a really nice, artistic design touch (I predict Brian will say something about her Bill Ward-esque heels.) I just wish someone at the beer factory could've been bothered to glue the label onto the dang can a little better-- arghh! Oddly enough, there isn't a whole lotta info about Vamp'Beer online, although I did find a post about a Werewolf Beer HERE. I'd also like to add: be extra careful if you attempt to handle BOTH monster beers at midnight...

"Life of the Party"

It's not really October until ya bring on the rittle-rattle-thunder-clatter-boom-boom-boom noiiiiiise! And vintage old noisemakers like this gorgeous midcench, "Life of the Party" Product banger by Kirchhof is definitely one way to be heard and really seal the Halloween deal. Via proper cast and color, "Witches dance with cats 'n bats, while winking owls 'n jack-o's laugh!" 

Uhhh yeah, that's my big Halloween party poem this year. I just made it up. I hope you like it.