Blackstone World's Master Magician (1948)

October is such a vibe-filled, magical time of the year, I thought maybe looking at a real magician would be fun for Halloween too. And not just any ol' magician either, I'm talkin' THE world's most iconic, thrill master, stage illusionist-- THE GREAT BLACKSTONE! Click his name to read more about him, but for our AEET purposes today, here are some select images from my Blackstone souvenir program which was available all around the world during his 1948 performances. Yes sir, see Blackstone buzzsaw his "bevy of mystic beauties" in two! Levitate them! Mummify them! Drown them-- and more! I've even included a few pages from the TRICKS section of the program just in case any of you feel tricky on All Hallow's Eve! (NOTE: Please do not saw anyone in half!) And yes, that gorgeous, gam-filled cover illustration is like a cherry on top, as well...

Come to the Honeycomb Haunted Mansion!

I'm sure a few of you will be just as surprised as me to learn that this wonderfully illustrated, and somewhat elaborately designed Post Honeycomb Cereal game premium is actually from 1997. It seriously looks more like a dazzlin’ center spread from a 70's issue of Dynamite Magazine! Great colors and loaded with fun detail, heck even the ominous atmosphere is incredibly well done. See, someone took the Honeycomb cereal and it's your job to find out whodun'it by hunting for clues and sliding the insert room images around behind the mansion windows! Okay, now you'll be disappointed to learn that I will not be breaking any perforated edges, or removing any tabs to assemble this thing for actual play mobility, --you'll just have to look at all of the great artwork as is. I did include one revealing "clue" image so you can see what that looks like, despite the clues being rather easy to spot even without the red lens windows. Unfortunately, I couldn't find an image online of the cereal box blurb, but I did find this silly commercial that likely ties in with the game, --CLICK HERE!

Happy Hallo-peeeean-nut Butter

I don't think this vintage Smooth Peanut Butter container from Kroger was intended as a Halloween candy bucket, but it sure has the fall color vibe and cute kids in costume illos to seal a few All Hallow's Eve deals none the less! Searching around online I notice Kroger had variations of this glorious butta tub, including some actually purposed with a handy handle so it could def be utilized for trick or treating. I'm pretty sure I've never bought PB in a plastic tub before, and now super curious how this stuff tasted too. Also, good luck eating a sandwich underwater, or in space, you crazy lil kooks! I freakin' love that lettering and now need the font.

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!