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This year marks the 45th anniversary of Don Coscarelli’s horror classic Phantasm, and Coscarelli has joined forces with Dark Delicacies for new book PHICTION: Tales from the World of Phantasm. The book is described as “a new limited collector print edition of original stories written by Don Coscarelli, the creator of the Phantasm films.”

PHICTION explores characters and stories from the Phantasm universe, and it also includes an introduction by best-selling author Joe R. Lansdale (Bubba Ho-Tep), BD has learned.

Bloody Disgusting has also exclusively learned that Dark Delicacies will host a celebratory 45th anniversary event complete with a book signing and star Reggie Bannister in-person! In a once in-a-lifetime opportunity, the Phantasm 2 ‘Cuda musclecar will be on-site at Dark Delicacies and fans can take a photo riding shotgun WITH Reggie! Additionally, the original “Spacegate Poles” from Coscarelli’s personal prop collection will also be available for photos with fans.

The book will be released on the 45th Anniversary of the 1979 film with a celebration event and signing at Dark Delicacies in Burbank, CA on Saturday, March 23rd at 2PM.

In 1979, filmmaker Don Coscarelli (Bubba Ho-tep, The Beastmaster) wrote and directed what became one of the seminal sci-fi/horror films of that era, Phantasm. The film was a worldwide theatrical success and spawned four acclaimed sequels.

For the first time in the history of horror cinema, a celebrated filmmaker of a cult-classic horror film series has continued the adventure by swapping mediums and personally authoring a series of fictional works exploring in detail the characters he originally created. Coscarelli has now returned to the world of Phantasm to tell more tales of these inspiring phantasmic heroes.

In association with gifted artist Aaron Lea (GHOST, Rob Zombie), Molotov Press now presents a rare and limited edition of this new book, fittingly entitled PHICTION.

Edgar Award Winner and bestselling author Joe R. Lansdale writes about Phiction in his introduction:

“I already knew Don had writing chops, primarily from his adaptation of my story, Bubba Ho-Tep, into an outstanding film, and from having read his memoir (True Indie), but now I can confirm he can not only write screenplays, he can write fiction. These stories are all tight and as unique as his films. It would be nice if Don wrote more fiction.”

PHICTION comprises six stories set in the expansive Phantasm world that have never been told before:

· In Life and Death in the ‘Nam, we explore the origin story of our favorite ice cream vendor hero Reggie and his first encounter with the supernatural forces of evil in the jungles of the Vietnam war. It’s a two-fisted tale of a young man enduring the horrors of war and at the same time facing down the horrors of the unknown.

· In Behind the Mortuary Door, we learn the secrets of the embalming trade from one of the most memorable characters from the original film.

· In He Was Home Alone, we revisit the young boy Tim, prior to the events from Phantasm III, and how, using only his wits and guile, he survives against unspeakable horrors.

· In Tobe, we follow the trail of one of Phantasm’s forgotten characters as he witnesses the key events of that film from an entirely different perspective.

· In The Rocky Road, we track the events of one of the Phantasm saga’s fan-favorite characters, the nunchuck-wielding Rocky as she’s mustered out of the armed services and travels the backroads of the rural South in the early 90’s. In a desperate search to find her family she encounters love, vengeance and horror, frequently reacting in the only way she knows how, with her fists and her feet.

· And finally in Escape From New York, we join another Phantasm fan-favorite character, the diminutive Chunk from Phantasm Ravager as he attempts to flee his home in the big city from the horror of an oncoming apocalypse. Along the way he bonds with some unexpected allies on a thrilling quest for survival.

Here’s everything you need to know about the different editions…

Dark Delicacies – Phantasm “Tall Man Negative” Slipcase Edition

Features a die-cut slipcase wrapped in “Morningside Marble” premium anti-scratch matte finish. Case hardcover binding of the book inside is covered in premium black fabric with foil stamped text and red painted edges. Each book is offered with matte UV full color dust jacket and features a ribbon marker. This is a limited edition of 250 copies and each will be autographed by author Don Coscarelli and illustrator Aaron Lea.

This edition also includes a rare, unique and priceless premium – a 3-frame outtake clip of original 35mm camera negative, as filmed on the set of the 1979 film Phantasm and featuring the legendary Angus Scrimm, with each book.

Exclusively available at Dark Delicacies for pre-orders now as both an on-line purchase and for an in-person signing taking place Saturday, March 23rd at 2PM.

The complete collectable package will include:

– PHICTION: Tales from the World of Phantasm personally autographed by Phantasm creator Don Coscarelli

– One-of-a-kind – Tall Man (Angus Scrimm) negative frames! These include outtake frames of original 35mm camera negative, actually filmed on the set of Phantasm during production. (Frames are offered as collector keepsake only and no copyright, likeness or duplication rights are included in purchase.)

– Phantasm 1 (1979) Mini Poster

For in-store event purchasers, Coscarelli and artist Aaron Lea (subject to availability) will personally autograph their books. Coscarelli will also autograph the mini-poster. Online purchasers will receive autographed book and poster as well. This package can be pre-ordered now at www.DarkDel.com

Additional Premium: “PHAN” PHOTO OP – ride shotgun with star Reggie Bannister inside original Phantasm Cuda musclecar!!

An exclusive add-on for purchasers of the PHICTION package: Take your own photo, seated inside the 1971 Plymouth musclecar from Phantasm II with star and ice cream-vending hero Reggie Bannister in-person (subject to availability.) Bannister will be at the wheel for this Photo Op and “phans” will have the opportunity to sit shotgun seated inside for a photo with your personal camera. (A photographer will take the photo with your camera.) A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for die-hard phans!

Travel Through Phantasm’s Dimensional Fork!

Additional premium, the original chrome Phantasm “Spacegate Poles” from Don Coscarelli’s personal collection will be there in-person for purchasers of the Photo Op package to take a photo with.

The above two additional premium Photo Ops can be pre-ordered now at www.DarkDel.com. Only a limited number of reservations are available, so be sure to order now while you can.

More event surprises will be announced soon, we’ve been told. Stay tuned.