Source: Monster Attack Team Special Thanks to Michael G Keller and Edward Holland

After far too long an absence, the popular fanzine Monster Attack Team returns! Edward Holland and the late Joe Riley began Monster Attack Team (the name taken from the anti-monster team in RETURN OF ULTRAMAN) in the early 1990s as a fan club for aficionados of Japanese science fiction and fantasy. It soon evolved into a Dallas, Texas cable access television show and a small newsletter that grew to become a fan favorite mag. The print version of Monster Attack Team ran for seven issues, edited by Ed Holland with the assistance of David May and Michael G Keller, and featured articles and contributions by authors such as Ed Godziszewski, Kip Doto, Bob Johnson, Kevin Grays, August Ragone, Daisuke Ishizuka, Norman England, and Damon Foster. Nearly 15 years after the last issue, Ed Holland and Michael Keller have brought back Monster Attack Team with Issue 8. The editors have rounded up an "all star" group of tokusatsu writers and historians and produced a massive, 132 page edition that matches the quality of those truly great English language genre publications The Japanese Fantasy Film Journal, Markalite, and Japanese Giants. Where the current MAT shines is that the issue is packed with page after page of thoroughly researched, well-written articles... as MG Keller explains in his opening editorial the goal was to run "real, quality articles" rather than "fanwank". MAT #8 absolutely succeeds in that regard, and is strongly recommended for any fans interested in learning about the who,what, where, and why of this genre. Monster Attack Team Issue 8 can be ordered now at monsterattackteam.com. The magazine is available in two editions; a full color version for $23.00 + shipping and handling, and a second version with black and white interior pages for $9.00 + S & H. Both editions have a full color "Ultraman and Masked Rider" cover by artist Kevin Grays. While the price for the color edition may appear steep at first glance, color printing is expensive for publications with lower print runs. The MAT team went with top notch printing and graphics that are best seen in color. Fans should do themselves a favor and spring for the color edition so they can see the art, design, and photos as intended.

Monster Attack Team Issue 8 Contents...

Go Go Godzilla: Patricia Rodriguez parties kaiju-style in Dallas, Texas. Monster Toy Madness: Japanese style toys are the big thing for sculptors. The Last Showakan Picture Show: August Ragone looks back with fondness of the end of a cinematic era. Big Man Japan: Mini review by Steve Norwood. Kikaida 01: David McRobie provides an overview and episode guide to the classic Toei tokusatsu series. Kamen Knowledge: Who was that masked cricket motorcycle man? August Ragone knows! Godman and Greenman: Mike Bianco explains how Toho kept school children occupied for five minutes at a time in the 1970’s. Working Among the Monsters: Would you like to have Ultraman as your boss? Brad Warner did, and made it happen. The Fantastic Cinema of Kinji Fukasaku: M.G. Keller gives an overview of the director’s sci-fi and fantasy films. The Ultraman That Almost Was: M.G. Keller, Don Glut and Alex Wald provide insight into a fascinating project that never saw the light of day. The Selling of Japanese Science Fiction: Ed Godziszewski shares knowledge and visuals of fantastic Japanese film posters and advertising. The Last Dinosaur: Stuart Galbraith IV talks about the latest DVD release of the 1970’s Tsuburaya telefilm. Tik Tak Talk: Lock up your daughters and brush up on your boxing. Tak Sakaguchi is in town, and M.G. Keller has an exclusive interview with him. Putting Faces To Names: We enjoy their movies, but could we pick them out in a crowd? David Milner could, and gives us a visual reference to do so. Wataru Mimura and Hiroshi Kashiwabara: MJ Simpson provides an interview with these two Godzilla screenwriters. Jail Time: Jail O’Hashi is the guitarist for rock band Seikima-II. Edward Holland has a chat with Demon’s right hand axe-man. Shut Your Venus Flytrap!: Think you’ve seen it all? How about a Japanese monster movie made by the US military and written by Ed Wood? Dr. Robert Kiss fills us in. Not Just A Burnt Lizard: Nikkatsu’s Daikaiju Gappa was a monster never seen before and not seen since. Bob Johnson has the lowdown. Ten Questions With Damon Foster: Edward Holland interviews the enfant terrible of Asian film fandom. The Taste of Tea: Mini review by Crystal Decker-Norwood. Monsters, Minatures & Magic: Steve Ryfle gives us an insider’s look at the recent documentary. Ultraman, Path Towards Resurrection: Edward Holland has a few words about the show that gave MAT its name. The Green Behemoth: Edward Holland gets some words of illumination and wisdom from August Ragone. For more information, please visit the Monster Attack Team website.