Headhunters Quarterly Vol. 1 Num. 4

With this posting of the 4th issue of Headhunters Quarterly, the goal of scanning each of the HHQ issues to preserve for mask and monster enthusiasts is now complete! Enjoy these pages, and the rest of the Headhunters Quarterly archives here on the Blood Curdling Blog of Monster Masks...

Headhunters Quarterly Vol. 1 Num. 1

In the process of chronologically posting all the Headhunters Quarterly issues I was surprised to find that I was missing two issues. Thanks to a generous mask collector who sent over a big-ass package of monster mask catalogs, I once again have these two issues...

First up, the official Issue #1, which was actually the second issue that was released by HHQ following the initial Preview Issue.

This issue was released during a particularly fun time in the hobby. As Jim Kessler mentions in the Head-itorial, both the Monstermakers "How-To Guide" and "Dr. Lady's Guide to Movie and T.V. Monster Masks" were recently released. In addition, monster mask related articles were beginning to pop up in publications such as Scary Monsters magazines. On a personal level, I had just made my first monster mask back in 1995 when this issue hit the scene and was thrilled to death to find a source of information made for monster mask lovers like myself!

Looking back at the "Cool New Stuff" section these days brings back some great memories. I had scored a copy of the McDoogals "Extra Terrestrial Alien Skull" back at the Chicago Rezin Headz convention in 1996 or 97. This was the first con that I had set up a table to sell masks as the Devil's Workshop. If memory serves me right, I traded Jeff Wehenkel one of my masks for the Alien Skull. It was truly a cool moment for this young mask maker!

I also remember visiting Doug Goin's shop for the first time and seeing some hand-made independent artist pieces including the Wehenkel "Slim" mask pictured in the page above and being blown away by the quality of piece. Again, a very cool time and place for a young mask lover.

This "Customizing Your Creatures" article by Jim Kessler is something that any hard-core mask collector, or amateur home-haunter should read...

And finally, the issue winds down with some photos of Dante Renta's vast collection...

Headhunters Quarterly Issue 12

The 12th issue of Headhunters Quarterly would arrive back in April 2002. While the production of the magazine had been sporadic during it's final few issues, it was always well worth the wait. This was among my very favorite issues of HHQ. It would contain some excellent articles from contributors and collectors Dante Renta and William Hayes, as well as a three page article on Death Studios, and finally an interview with mask making veteran Harry Inman.

The issue would start like every previous issue with the Cool New Stuff department. There was some superb talent making masks at the turn of the century in the form of both veterans and new comers alike and many were featured in the first few pages of this issue.

For me personally, it's fun looking back at this issue as I had brought the Devil's Workshop back from a 3 year hiatus having just bought my first home and turning the basement into a full mask making studio. The announcement here on page three definitely brings back some good memories! 

Next up would be the "I Own a Doctor Who Monster" article written by William Hayes...

The  three-page "At Death's Door" article from Jeff and Jim would follow...

This in depth "The Forgotten Calendar Mask" article would follow by Dante Renta... 

The 12th issue of Headhunters magazine would wind down nicely with an interview from Harry Inman...

I believe this was the last issue of HHQ that would make it's way into the mail (It was the last issue I would receive at the very least). I can't say enough about how very special it was to receive one of these in the mail. In the days before mask communities started online, this was the only consistent source of info. And even after the rise of mask forums online, it was still a very special thing to crack open the cover of a new HHQ. The magazine had a feel good vibe and was free of the drama and politics that often was found online. A very heartfelt thanks goes out to both Jim and Jeff for taking the time and energy to make these issues come to life. There was plenty of monster mask magic that was spread throughout the hobby and community in the pages of this publication.

On a side note, I received a care package in the mail a week ago containing a number of mask catalogs as well as the two HHQ issues that I did not have in my collection. Over the next few months I will get these issues scanned and posted here thus completing the full Headhunters Quarterly archive online.

Merry "X"-mas

Hope you have Merry "X" Mas Eve Creeps!

It was a real honor to have seen a mask that I created show up on the cover of Headhunters Quarterly, and even more so to see it sporting a Santa cap in the time honored tradition of Famous Monsters, Monsterworld, Creepy and the Halloween Gazette.

If you're feeling curious, you can check out the full history on this retired Devil's Workshop Flukeman mask.

Headhunters Quarterly vol.3 num. 3

Continuing along with the goal of eventually scanning each of the HHQ issues to preserve for mask and monster enthusiasts, here is issue #11 (Vol.3 Num.3). As always, a .PDF of the issue can be downloaded, just right click here and save!

There was a considerable delay between the release of issue #10 and 11, but it was well worth the wait as issue #11 of Head Hunters Quarterly would feature a robust 20 pages of monster mask goodness...

The Cool New Stuff department featured several sneak peaks of independent mask makers 2001 line-ups including Harry Inman's Dark Studios, Death Studios, Darkside Studios, and Head Hunter Studios...

Page 6 featured an article highlighting mask collecting on the mysterious new information highway called the Internet. Back in 1999 & 2000, mask collectors were beginning to find each other on sites like The HMA ....

Pages 7-9 was home to a detailed article which told the tale of how the Don Post Studios Calendar Frank was restored and remade...

13 Questions with Distortions' founder Ed Edmunds was up next...

And finally, Part 3 of the Return of the Classic Don Post Universal Monster Masks would conclude the series that detailed the re-release of theses treasured masks...

Headhunters Quarterly Vol. 3 Num. 2

Continuing along with the goal of eventually scanning each of the HHQ issues to preserve for mask and monster enthusiasts, here is issue #10 (Vol.3 Num.2). As always, a .PDF of the issue can be downloaded, just right click here and save!

 Issue #10 was the second Headhunters Quarterly published in 1999, and it remains one of my personal favorite issues. Not because of a single article, but rather because HHQ had really found it's stride with a number of excellent departments and features. The editors and contributors had absolutely hit a homerun with this issue. Like all previous issues, HHQ #10 kicked off with the "Headatorial" & "Cool New Stuff" departments. At three full pages, this was one of the most impressive showings of new mask releases that could be found in any issue of HHQ. Harry Inman's Dark Studio, Death Studios, Dr. Lady, Phil Nichols, Ed Martinez, Jeff Wehenkel, and Darkside Studios were all featured...

Issue #10 also covered the Transworld '99. For those of us who didn't have access to the event, this was the only coverage available of the national Halloween and costume show...

Next up was a wonderful article entitled "Everything Old is New Again", by mask collector and enthusiast Dan Roebuck. Re-reading the article still brings back warm and fuzzy memories of my youth, as well as the year that was 1999. It was a great time to be a monster lover in general!

Part two of "The Return of the Classic Don Post Universal Monsters Masks!" was the portion of issue #10 that most of us head hunters were waiting for since issue #9. In the part 2, the Karloff Frank, Moleman, Phantom and Hunchback are showcased. 

 And, of course, like all previous issues of HHQ, the issue wound down nicely with the Subscriber Classifieds...