looking for books/articles on sci fi/ horror creatures

[outlander83]

Hey all, I am doing my college thesis on Sci Fi and horror creatures and was wondering if anyone could recommend any books or articles on the major Sci Fi/horror creatures since the 1970’s.



It can be anything from the Alien series to Pinhead in Hellraiser to the Graboids in Tremors to the District 9 prawns and everything in between.



I’m looking for material to do with the meanings, inspirations and influences behind each creature and their place in the social stratum of the time or where they stand now.


I would be really grateful for any and all help.
Thanks ;-)

 

[dask]

Probably not what you want but what the heck:

 

[merritt]

70's good read -
The Aluminum Man - GC Edmondson "mindbender" !:0)

 

[outlander83]

cheers guys, anything and everything is a help ;-)

 

[HoopyFrood]

I have a book called Beautiful Monsters, which looks with a fair amount of depth at the Alien and Predator films and that particular monster era of film. Don't know how accessible this book is, but it might be around on Amazon or the like.

 

[dask]

Keep an eye open for back issues of FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND.

 

[Metryq]

Artist Wayne W. Barlowe has published several books, among them Expedition: Being an Account in Words and Artwork of the 2358 A.D. Voyage to Darwin IV and Barlowe's Guide to Extraterrestrials.

I have a hardcover copy of EXPEDITION and did not realize it had appreciated as a collectible, until I looked it up on Amazon for this post. The cartoon RED PLANET (based on Heinlein's novel) has several creatures that were obviously inspired by Barlowe's paintings.

 

[Rodders]

Wasn't there a book released sometime ago about Stan Winston's effects house. I'd do a search on Ray Harryhausen.

 

[Galacticdefender]

Honestly, the Flood from Halo might be something to go on. A perfect example of the all-consuming hive mind sort of thing.

Also "The Thing" from "The Thing".

 

[outlander83]

ye are absolute stars,

HoopyFrood, good one with the alien/predator info

Rodders, i actually hadnt thought of ray Harryhausen, but deffo a good call if for nothing other then the Valley of gwangi

Galacticdefender, the flood is actually a really good example, cant believe i didnt think of that. love halo.

thank you all again, any more suggestions are very welcome