Goth-Icky: A Macabre Menagerie of Morbid Monstrosities

by Michael J. Nelson, Charles S. Anderson Design Company (Illustrator)

From Jekyll and Hyde to B horror movie icons to the Addams family and beyond, macabre misfits have thrived in the fertile soil of modern-age media and pop culture. What is it about vampires, zombies, skeletons, and other mutants brought to life in the darkest recesses of the imagination? Goth-Icky celebrates modern-day goths, their culture, and the morbid monstrosities that inspire them. Containing over 200 images from the print and advertising archives of the Charles S. Anderson Design Company in combination with a hilarious text by the legendary Michael J. Nelson, this book is an amazingly rich and weird testament to the pervasiveness of goth aesthetics, the appeal of kitsch, and our love of horror.

Genres: Humor, Art, Nonfiction, Goth, Gothic

176 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2005

About the author

Michael J. Nelson is an actor, writer, director, and musician who served as head writer for ten seasons, and on-air host for five seasons, of the television series Mystery Science Theater 3000. He was also the composer of most of MST3K's original music, and is coauthor of The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide (1996).

Reviews

[Tammie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute "semi-funny" read with decent artwork. The book is sturdy but came off the binding 10 minutes after I started reading it.

[A.K. D'Onofrio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this book for the artistic inspiration, but the flavor text by Mike Nelson is an added joy. I couldn't stop snickering all the way through.

It's a pity this is out of print ... fans of vintage Beistle art will really enjoy this if they can get their hands on a copy.

[Kerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s really nothing “goth” about this book it’s pure retro Halloween kitsch with bright colours on every page. It is very enjoyable though.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a "goth" pop art edition of this series with captions by Michael Nelson. I love Mike, but this one was a little repetitive for me. The "goth" part really was small, it was much more about monsters, zombies, etc.

Note: Not a children's book.

[Bryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

The pop art was undeniably striking, cute, and rosy, but it pulled one too many stereotypical phrases for me. I would pick up a copy at the library simply to flip through and look at the pop art.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew it wouldn't be worth the price, but this book is the very definition of 'geek chic.' I just wish it was funnier.

[Emily Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Mike Nelson. I did say I was obsessed.

[Lana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of the artwork was ok at most.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super Cute!!

[Tiffany Browning · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could have been funny: wasn't.
Could have really been about goth-culture: wasn't.
Could have been offensively stereotypical: was.