As anyone reading this surely knows, Stuart Gordon’s Re-Animator defined an era, launched several careers, and brought the work of H.P. Lovecraft to the horror scene in a way that remains unmatched. The 1985 film is an enduring, unassailable classic, the rare ’80s horror movie to be both critically lauded upon release, and rightly celebrated 40 years later.
Today, one of the shepherds of the film’s legacy is its star, Barbara Crampton. In addition to starring and producing in a variety of new projects since returning to the screen just over a decade ago, Ms. Crampton has emerged as one of the genre’s most vocal advocates, pulling off the rare feat of embracing her legacy while still actively authoring it – which brings us to today’s exciting news.
To celebrate Re-Animator’s 40th anniversary, Ms. Crampton has teamed up with artist Matt Ryan Tobin for a drop-dead gorgeous, limited-edition print celebrating the film, which we’re excited and proud to debut here.
The stunning piece (on which Tobin and Ms. Crampton consulted with Re-Animator co-stars Jeffrey Combs and Bruce Abbott, and producer Brian Yuzna) lovingly depicts the classic iconography of the film, but with a bit of a romantic twist. Ms. Crampton shares the thought process and inspiration behind the piece with FANGORIA:
“In coming up with a theme for this 40th anniversary poster, Matt and I wanted to highlight many of the aspects of the movie that make it special to the fans, the remaining cast members, and to Brian Yuzna, the film's producer.
“Of course, we must have Jeffrey Combs as Dr. West, looming large over the scenario, with his hypodermic needle of ghoulish green serum. Fans love David Gale's performance as the psychotic Dr. Hill and the delightful, macabre humor carrying his own head around provides, so all those elements are there. Jeffrey’s delivery of the line ‘Cat dead, details later’ in the film is a favorite, oft-quoted remark, so we had to showcase Rufus, West’s first real victim after his arrival at Miskatonic.
“We also wanted to highlight Bruce Abbott’s Dan Cain, as the toll the movie takes on his character is so profound. West inserts himself between Meg and Dan, and the destruction of their love is the emotional core of the movie. Showcasing the tragedy of the romance was something we hadn’t seen in a poster before and a great way to celebrate the three remaining actors, who will be on the convention circuit all year, signing it for all the fans.”
Tobin adds:
“Working with Barbara to make this limited-edition poster for the film on its 40th anniversary was beyond special. I really wanted to pay tribute by telling more of the story I hadn't really seen depicted in previous Re-Animator art. I've always felt the heart of the story was Dan and Meg's romance, and featuring those characters in a Gone With The Wind-esque embrace amidst the absolute gleeful madness that is Re-Animator is just too perfect.”
The 18×24, numbered, giclée fine art prints will be limited to an edition of 300, with Tobin offering a variant edition limited to 100 pieces. Both versions of this officially licensed print will only be available from Barbara Crampton and Matt Ryan Tobin at horror conventions across the country this year.
