While Gary Pullin might not be a (haunted) household name just yet, horror fiends will instantly recognize his work from his numerous terrifying Rue Morgue magazine covers, with perhaps the most esoteric of fearful fandoms also familiar with many of his wish-fulfillment movie poster prints that have graced everything from theatrical reissues to home video slipcovers.
Whether you know him or don’t, there’s Ghoulish: The Art of Gary Pullin for all of you burgeoning beasties and experienced exorcists out there; from 1984 Publishing, it’s a deadly deluxe book that, with every paper-cutting page turn, features the most maleficent of Pullin’s blood work, from early drawings of Freddy Krueger and Dr. Phibes to more recent posters for evil events such as Texas Frightmare Weekend and the Days of Dead convention.
The text, written by April Snellings, fills us in on much of Pullin’s life, from his early monster-kid inkling to his current projects as a famous monster of filmland. It’s a great read and Pullin seems like the kind of guy you can eat a raw steak with. Or maybe a grilled steak. Whichever comes first, I guess.
With a smart stab of pop culture relevance in every single clean and clear drawing of death that Pullin does, it’s hard not to sit here, reading the devilish tome and not be wishing there were posters of just about every bloody piece of his available to cover every inch of wall space in your bedroom, den or torture chamber. It might be Ghoulish in title, but it’s great reading in practice. —Louis Fowler