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Making Monsters: Inside Stories from the Creators of Hollywood's Most Iconic Creatures
320 pages, Hardcover
Published September 16, 2025
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8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 6, 2025
This is a book that I got a digital critic’s copy thanks to Meg from Parsons Publicity Group for Welbeck. What shocked me when I settled into reading this is that Howard Berger, one of the great makeup and special effects artists, is one of the authors. Along with his co-writer, Marshall Julius, they interview more than 75 luminaries in the industry. This ranges from John Carpenter and Wes Craven to iconic horror actors like Barbara Crampton. We also get to see dozens of makeup artists and digital effects notables, composers and writers.
It is broken up into different categories, mostly by the main creature from the films. That is fun as we get smooth transitions from one film to the next. Getting to hear from the likes of Jeff Yagher, Chris Walas, Robert Kurtzman, Greg Nictoero, Rick Baker and Tom Savini is amazing. These guys didn’t invent what they do, but they shared who inspired them and what they learned. It is one of those things that makes it fun as a horror fan to connect with since we have similar experiences as to how we got to where we are.
I’ll say that this is an easy read. All the interviews that were done, they are broken into little snippets. These are then artfully placed on the page along with behind the scenes and images from the films that are being referred to. That was something that I appreciated as a fan. I might have seen the film they’re talking about, but being able to directly compare, right after reading something is a positive for me. There are just so many images in this. The amount of research is an element that I can’t overlook.
I would then say that this is truly a must buy for someone who loves special effects and creature makeup. It would make an excellent coffee table book and I would recommend reading as well. If you also have a budding artist who wants to get into this line of work, there are good pieces of advice in it as well. Hearing from all these amazing people, seeing how most came from modest beginnings to where they are is a true inspiration.
In conclusion, this is an essential addition to any horror fan's collection, especially those with a passion for special effects and creature makeup. Berger and Julius have crafted a compelling and visually rich journey through the history of cinematic monsters, offering invaluable insights from industry legends. Its accessible format, stunning imagery, and inspiring stories of artistic journeys make it not only a fascinating read but also a potential source of motivation for aspiring artists. This book is highly recommended for both casual fans and serious enthusiasts alike.
My Rating: 7 out of 10
It is broken up into different categories, mostly by the main creature from the films. That is fun as we get smooth transitions from one film to the next. Getting to hear from the likes of Jeff Yagher, Chris Walas, Robert Kurtzman, Greg Nictoero, Rick Baker and Tom Savini is amazing. These guys didn’t invent what they do, but they shared who inspired them and what they learned. It is one of those things that makes it fun as a horror fan to connect with since we have similar experiences as to how we got to where we are.
I’ll say that this is an easy read. All the interviews that were done, they are broken into little snippets. These are then artfully placed on the page along with behind the scenes and images from the films that are being referred to. That was something that I appreciated as a fan. I might have seen the film they’re talking about, but being able to directly compare, right after reading something is a positive for me. There are just so many images in this. The amount of research is an element that I can’t overlook.
I would then say that this is truly a must buy for someone who loves special effects and creature makeup. It would make an excellent coffee table book and I would recommend reading as well. If you also have a budding artist who wants to get into this line of work, there are good pieces of advice in it as well. Hearing from all these amazing people, seeing how most came from modest beginnings to where they are is a true inspiration.
In conclusion, this is an essential addition to any horror fan's collection, especially those with a passion for special effects and creature makeup. Berger and Julius have crafted a compelling and visually rich journey through the history of cinematic monsters, offering invaluable insights from industry legends. Its accessible format, stunning imagery, and inspiring stories of artistic journeys make it not only a fascinating read but also a potential source of motivation for aspiring artists. This book is highly recommended for both casual fans and serious enthusiasts alike.
My Rating: 7 out of 10
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