HODDER
SAVINI
HANSEN
Dark Ink’s biggest honor has been publishing the biographies of the horror film legends we all grew up with.
HARRIS—QUIGLEY-BUTLER-DIETZ-SHEA
Kane Hodder’s
Official Biography
Unmasked documents the unlikely true story of a boy who was taunted and beaten relentlessly by bullies throughout his childhood. Kane only escaped his tormentors when he moved to a tiny island in the South Pacific where he lived for all of his teen years. After living shirtless in a jungle for a while, he headed back to America where he fell in love with doing stunts-only to have his love burn him, literally. For the first time ever, Kane tells the true story of the horrific burn injury that nearly killed him at the start of his career. The entire heart-wrenching, inspirational story of his recovery, the emotional and physical damage it caused, his fight to break back into the industry that almost killed him, and his triumphant rise to become a film legend are told in Kane's own powerful voice. Take a peek inside the head of the man behind the mask. Be inspired by his triumphant comeback and laugh at his on-set hijinks as you unmask the world's most prolific, cinematic killer.
Tom Savini’s
Official Biography
What can you say about Tom Savini? Well, the facts work just fine for this multi-hit wonder. He created the zombies and all of the iconic special makeup effects for the mother of all zombie movies, DAWN OF THE DEAD. He created Jason, one of the most prolific movie villains of all time, for the movie franchise FRIDAY THE 13TH and for the mega-hit video game. He created Leatherface in the much-loved fan favorite TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE PART TWO. He created the crate creature Fluffy, the grave-rising cadaver Nate, and all of the twisted, cockroach-filled, water-soaked zombies for the five horrific chapters of the movie CREEPSHOW and continued to dazzle audiences with his work on a dozen other horror movies in his career as a special makeup effects magician. He played the crotch rocket-wearing character Sex Machine in FROM DUSK TILL DAWN and mesmerized movie-goers with his many other standout roles as an actor, including those in GRINDHOUSE, MACHETE, and THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER. He directed three of the most memorable episodes of the television series TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE and the much loved and respected remake of the movie NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, and most recently he was called upon by his pal Greg Nicotero to direct an episode of the new Creepshow television series for AMC's Shudder.In this beautiful picture book, Tom, in his own unique writing style, tells his life story, discusses his movies, shares anecdotes, give his opinions, and of course, talks about the movies in a way only Tom can.
Gunnar Hansen’s
Official Biography
The in-depth look at the making of making of the most notorious film of all time, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, written by its chainsaw wielding star, the beloved, Gunnar Hansen, is finally back in print!
When The Texas Chain Saw Massacre first hit movie screens in 1974 it was both reviled and championed. To critics, it was either "a degrading, senseless misuse of film and time" or "an intelligent, absorbing and deeply disturbing horror film." However it was an immediate hit with audiences. Banned and celebrated, showcased at the Cannes film festival and included in the New York MoMA's collection, it has now come to be recognized widely as one of the greatest horror movies of all time.
A six-foot-four poet fresh out of grad school with limited acting experience, Gunnar Hansen played the masked, chain-saw-wielding Leatherface. His terrifying portrayal and the inventive work of the cast and crew would give the film the authentic power of nightmare, even while the gritty, grueling, and often dangerous independent production would test everyone involved, and lay the foundations for myths surrounding the film that endure even today.
In Chainsaw, Hansen here tells the real story of the making of the film, its release, and reception, offering unknown behind-the-scenes details, a harrowingly entertaining account of the adventures of low-budget filmmaking, illuminating insights on the film's enduring and influential place in the horror genre and our culture, and a thoughtful meditation on why we love to be scared in the first place.
William Butler’s
Official Biography
In the last 40 years, actor, director and former effects artist William Butler has easily lived three lifetimes. From his early beginnings creating super-8 horror shorts and working the circus midway to a blissful existence as a producer-director living in the Hollywood hills, he's seen it all, gained it all and... lost it all.
Tawdry Tales chronicles the jaw-dropping, sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking life of an industrious young artist who started out with an unflinching determination to work in film and who somehow became "Horror's Boy Next Door", appearing in dozens of movies alongside the genres most legendary villains, including Jason Vorheees from Friday the 13th, Leatherface from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre the George Romero's zombies from Night of the Living Dead. Butler chalks it all up to having a face you just want to hit with a butcher knife.
Butler lovingly has transcribed 35 years-worth of journals he kept into one fascinating and heartfelt memoir that follows his story around the world as he worked with and in some cases lived with some of Hollywood's most beloved and "colorful" personalities including Viggo Mortensen, Leslie Jordan, Tom Sizemore and the legendary Prince.
Shannon Shea’s
Official Biography
Using his unique and personal narrative, Shannon shares his funny, embarrassing, and brutally honest life story, detailing his journey from a monster obsessed Louisiana kid to co-supervising the creation of the iconic alien hunter from the film Predator along with his countless other iconic film creations. A must for any film fan, Rubber, will give fans a behind the scenes look at such classics as House, Star Trek IV, Evil Dead II and much more.
Eileen Dietz’s
Official Biography
Exorcising My Demons is the story about dreams, about taking great chances, believing in yourself, and never looking back. For Eileen Dietz--a skinny, little, flat-chested, buck-toothed child from Queens-those dreams and a myriad of choices led to a role in the scariest movie of all time... The Exorcist. For the first time, Eileen tells her heartbreaking, funny and inspiring story. From auditioning for the role of a demon to becoming the legendary "Pazuzu," to performing some of the most infamous scenes in the movie, Eileen got to be part of film history...only to be denied credit for the work she did. With over fifty film, stage and television credits to her name, Eileen has had a career most actors dream of. But like most, her success was not had without a price. Her story is one of a fighter, but also a dreamer. For Eileen, it was never enough to simply have the dream; you have to follow the dream.