Videotapes from Hell

For anyone who frequented a video store in the '80s or '90s, the styles are instantly recognizable: surprisingly beautiful paintings of fanged and winged monstrosities; impossibly lurid depictions of young men and women in peril; illustrations on public-domain re-releases so naively drawn as to qualify as outsider art; absurdly overstuffed photomontages. The home video revolution was accompanied by an efflorescence of all kinds of cover art, embodying the anything-goes ethos of an era when obscure, cheaply produced movies--usually with supernatural storylines and bottom-drawer special effects--could be distributed throughout the world and watched from the comfort of one's living room.

By turns hilarious, stunning, and revolting, Video Nightmare provides a fascinating illustrated history of VHS cover art in all its glory, from direct-to-video oddities to major studio releases. Drawing on the expansive collection of world-renowned horror expert Stephen Jones, it collects nearly 500 pieces of period artwork, accompanied by detailed captions that give the history of the movie and its release dates in video format in the US, UK, and other countries around the world. In addition to front-cover images and full-sleeve spreads, it includes examples of promotional posters and freestanding original artwork that was incorporated into box designs--along with, whenever possible, comments and notes from the artists themselves.

The book's chapter introductions, captions, and sidebars throughout feature reflections from numerous filmmakers, writers, artists, and critics, sharing memories of specific movies and their love of the home video format. Marrying expert commentary with vivid, full-color reproductions, Videotapes from Hell is a garish and jubilant celebration of a lost genre ripe for rediscovery.

Author Bio

Stephen Jones is a Hugo Award nominee and the winner of four World Fantasy Awards, three International Horror Guild Awards, five Bram Stoker

Awards, twenty-one British Fantasy Awards, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Horror Writers Association. One of Britain's most acclaimed horror and dark fantasy writers and editors, he has more than 160 books to

his credit, including the acclaimed titles The Art of Horror, The Art of Horror Movies and The Art of Pulp Horror series.