The Universal Mummies

SEVEN STARS (NOVEL BY KIM NEWMAN)

Release Date: May 2, 2000 (Setting takes place over several time periods from Ancient Egypt to the 21st century)

Series: Seven Stars

Horror Crosses: Anno Dracula (See Notes); Mummy (Universal); Dracula (Bram Stoker); Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos; Carnacki the Ghost Finder; Gees; Lucius Leffing; Dr. Silence; Jules de Grandin; Jewel of the Seven Stars

Non-Horror Crosses: Sherlock Holmes; Howard’s End; Philip Marlowe; John Thunstone; Judge Pursuivant; Indiana Jones

The Story: A mystery gets handed down over the generations, spanning from ancient Egypt to the near future.

Notes: Characters that originate from Kim Newman’s Anno Dracula appear, but Anno Dracula is a divergent timeline to the Horror Universe. These are the Horror Universe counterparts of those characters. The character Whemple here is from the family of Whemples originating from the Mummy films from Universal. Kate Reed is a character appearing here who was meant to be in Dracula but ended up having her appearance cut. Al-Hazred is mentioned, known to have written the Necronomicon of the Cthulhu Mythos of Lovecraft. Carnacki is also mentioned. The book ties into Bram Stoker’s novel Jewel of the Seven Stars. Holmes and his supporting cast figure in this tale, as does a character from the novel Howard’s End. Philip Marlowe is another famed literary detective. Gees and Leffing are more literary occult detectives, who appear in Episode Three. A reference to the Lost Ark of the Covenant in Episode Three brings Indiana Jones into the Horror Universe, and appropriately so.

SCROLL OF THOTH “THE SCROLL OF THOTH” (SHORT STORY BY RICHARD L. TIERNEY)

Release Date: December 1997 (Setting is January 41 A.D.)

Series: Simon of Gitta; Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos

Horror Crosses: Mummy (Universal)

Non-Horror Crosses: Red Sonja

The Story: Simon Magus, immortal hero, pursues the Book of Thoth, aka the Scroll of Thoth-Amon.

Notes: This story brings Simon of Gitta into the Horror Universe using the rules for non-horror series. The Scroll of Thoth originates from the original Universal Mummy film, in which it plays a vital part in the plot. This story also features some bad guys from Red Sonja, bringing her into the Horror Universe as well, applying the same rules for non horror series.

THE CURSE OF THE OBELISK (NOVEL BY RON GOULART)

Release Date: 1987 (Setting is 1897)

Series: Harry Challenge

Horror Crosses: Mummy (Universal)

The Story: Challenge faces an immortal Egyptian, kept alive by the tana plant.

Notes: The tana plant comes from the Universal Mummy film series. Challenge is a character who is assisted by a magician who may have supernatural abilities, and sometimes faces werewolves, vampires, and other supernatural creatures, but I don’t consider him to be of the horror genre.

THE LEAGUE OF HEROES (NOVEL BY XAVIER MAUMEJEAN)

Release Date: 2005 (Setting is late 19th century)

Series: League of Heroes

Horror Crosses: The Mummy (Universal); Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos; Island of Doctor Moreau; Sweeney Todd

Non-Horror Crosses: Around the World in 80 Days; Sherlock Holmes; Tarzan; The First Men in the Moon; Peter Pan; Kid Colt; Le Baron Stromboli; Charlie Chan; Sinbad; Fantomas; Richard Hannay; Doc Ardan; The Coming Race; Lost Horizon; She; Wild Wild West; The Thinking Machine; Judex; Miss Mousqueterr; The Air Pirate and His Steerable Airship; At Bertram’s Hotel; The Mind of J.G. Reeder; The Nyctalope; Sexton Blake; The Lost World; James Bond; Poirot; Edgar Rice Burrough’s Moon series; From the Earth to the Moon; The Prisoner

The Story: Several heroes are gathered by Phileas Fogg to form the League of Heroes, protectors of Albion, against the evil forces of Peter Pan and others.

Notes: I could accept Peter Pan as a villain. I could accept England being called Albion. However, the appearance of Imhotep as one of the villains conflicts with the Universal film, so this must be a divergent timeline.

THE MUMMY’S HAND (FILM)

Release Date: 1940 (Setting is circa 1912)

Series: The Mummy (Universal)

The Story: A revived mummy is revived and goes on a murder spree.

Notes: This film introduces the classic Mummy known best in pop culture. Kharis is the Mummy featured here, who is in the Horror Universe through later crossovers such as Return of the Wolf Man. This movie almost seems like a remake of the earlier Universal film, the Mummy, but Universal considers it a sequel, and in fact, later crossovers will provide evidence that the Mummy’s Imhotep also exists in the Horror Universe. To further confuse things, Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy is the final sequel in the Universal Mummy series, though it features Klaris, not Kharis. Klaris has also been shown to exist in the Horror Universe via Return of the Wolf Man. Finally, the more recent 1990s Mummy films, starting with the remake of the original, also exist in the Horror Universe, but clearly that Imhotep is a completely different guy with the same name. This film is followed by The Mummy’s Tomb, the Mummy’s Ghost, and the Mummy’s Curse. It will be remade in 1959 as The Mummy. It has “non-cross” references in The Phil Silvers Show, The Tomb, the Mummy Lives, and others. It was also spoofed in Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy.

SCARY MONSTERS MAGAZINE # 52 “DRACULA VS. THE MUMMY” (DENNIS DRUKTENIS PUBLISHING)

Release Date: September 2004 (Set in 1932, during the events of the Universal film The Mummy)

Series: Dracula (Universal); The Mummy (Universal)

The Story: Dracula fights Imhotep.

Notes: Part of a series that pits classic Universal monsters against each other in fights. The mummy here is Imhotep, shortly after his revival. Dracula is actually the soul clone Armand Tesla.

THE MUMMY (FILM)

Release Date: 1932 (Setting starts ten years before present, then moves to contemporary setting)

Series: Mummy (Universal)

The Story: In Ancient Egypt, Imhotep is a priest who is in love with the king’s bride. She is killed for betrayal and Imhotep is mummified alive, and imprisoned, until in 1922, he is resurrected by the Scroll of Thoth and enacts a plan to resurrect his love in a new body.

Notes: Though the later Universal Mummy films feature Khlaris, this is still considered the first in the series and thus part of the same canon. (Indeed, even Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy is considered part of the same series.) A further complication is that the Mummy has been remade into a blockbuster action film, with a very similar origin story for Imhotep, though the rest of the film is very different in style and theme. That version also exists in the Horror Universe via crossovers, so we must assume that there were two Imhoteps and two queens named Anck Su Namun. This film was remade in 1940, 1959, 1998, and 2002. It has been referenced in non-crossover ways in such films as Dracula’s Daughter, Mad Monster Party, and the Monster Squad. It has also been spoofed in such films and shows as Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy, Scooby-Doo Where are You, and Transylvania 6-5000.

THE MUMMY (ANIMATED SERIES)

SEASON 1 EPISODE 6 “THE ORB OF ATAN”

Release Date: November 3, 2001 (Setting is 1935)

Horror Crosses: The Mummy (Universal)

Non-Horror Crosses: Simon of Gitta; Conan the Barbarian

The Story: I’ve only seen one episode of this series, when it was originally airing. I barely remember the episode, and I’m sure this wasn’t the episode I watched. I tried to do an internet search and came up with nothing.

Notes: The Scroll of Thoth appears in this episode. The Scroll first appeared in Universal’s The Mummy, which was remade into the film that this cartoon is a spin-off of. If the Scroll had appeared in the first remake film, I may have not counted it as a cross, and thus wouldn’t have included the remake for inclusion. But because it shows up here, we can use this as a cross with the original, and so both versions are in the Horror Universe. Incidentally, the Scroll was also seen regularly in sword and sandal series Simon of Gitta, and the Scroll is named for Conan’s adversary Thoth-Amon. My choice for including this series in supported also with the appearance of Shangra-La in Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.

DOC SAVAGE MAGAZINE # 6 “THE SKY STEALERS” (MARVEL COMICS)

Release Date: October 1976 (Setting is 1936)

Series: Doc Savage

Horror Crosses: Mummy (Universal); King Kong (original)

Non-Horror Crosses: Simon of Gitta; Conan the Barbarian

The Story: Doc and his team investigate a mysterious force that can destroy cities.

Notes: Like Holmes, Doc isn’t one to buy into the supernatural, but like Holmes, he’s had his fair share of encounters with it. Doc’s original tales are included in the Horror Universe, and all the crossovers mentioned in this book. The Scroll of Thoth appears in this story, which first appeared in Universal’s The Mummy. It was also regularly featured in the Simon of Gitta stories and is named for Thoth-Amon, an enemy of Conan. King Kong is referenced here when Ham jokingly makes a comparison between the beast and Monk. Of course, in “When King Kong Fell,” Doc and his assistants were present at the aftermath of the events of King Kong, so they would have direct knowledge. Though I didn’t mention it as a cross, there is also a mention of an archaeologist named Petrie. This man is important in an essay that appears in the collection “Myths for the Modern Age” entitled “Who’s Going to Take Over the World When I’m Gone?” This essay originated online, and though I don’t include online posted material, since this has since been published in book form, the essay should be considered valid for the Horror Universe.

THE MUMMY’S TOMB (FILM)

Release Date: October 23, 1942 (Contemporary Setting)

Series: The Mummy (Universal)

The Story: Thirty years after Kharis is defeated by Steve Banning, the mummy revives and travels to the United States to seek revenge.

Notes: Because this film has a contemporary setting, and states the previous film took place thirty years prior, we are able to place that film circa 1912. This film follows the Mummy’s Hand and is followed by The Mummy’s Ghost. It was remade in 1959 as The Mummy. This film has been referenced as a fictional movie in both The Leech Woman and Bones. It was also spoofed in Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy.

THE ABC SATURDAY SUPERSTAR MOVIE “THE MAD, MAD, MAD MONSTERS” (ANIMATED FILM)

Release Date: September 23, 1972 (See Notes regarding setting)

Series: Mad Monster Party?

Horror Crosses: Frankenstein (Universal); Frankenstein (Rankin/Bass); Dracula (Universal); Wolf Man; Mummy (Universal); Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Universal); Invisible Man (Universal); Creature from the Black Lagoon; King Kong

The Story: When Dr. Henry von Frankenstein creates a bride for his monster, he decides to throw his creations a wedding.

Notes: Dear God, Henry! What have you done? Playing God. Reanimating the dead. Creating a Phyllis Diller. So this is a prequel to Mad Monster Party?, which came out in 1967, so this must take place before then. See my notes for Mad Monster Party? for my notes on the individual characters involved.

CURSE OF THE BLACK PHARAOH (STORY BY LIN CARTER)

Release Date: January 1, 1989 (Setting is contemporary to when it was originally written by Carter, circa 1952 - 1953. The book was never published until 1989, and has since been reprinted in a few anthologies.)

Series: Anton Zarnak

Horror Crosses: Dracula (Novel); Frankenstein (Universal); Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos; Mummy (Universal)

Non-Horror Crosses: Simon of Gitta

The Story: Zarnak must face a risen mummy with supernatural powers.

Notes: Zarnak has a copy of Abraham Van Helsing’s The Vampire, thus a reference to Bram Stoker’s Dracula. He also possesses Dr. Pretorius’ Homunculi, a reference to the Universal film Bride of Frankenstein. The villain of this story, Khotep, seems to be intended to be the same character from three other stories. He may be Kephren from Lovecraft’s “Haunter of the Dark”, Kephren from Lovecraft’s “Imprisoned with the Pharaohs”, and Khephren from Richard Tierney’s story “Treasure of Horemkhu”. The latter features Simon of Gitta. There are also references to “tannah” leaves (as in tana leaves from Universal’s Mummy series.) In fact, this story seems to be Carter’s attempt to rewrite the Mummy as a Zarnak story.

ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET THE MUMMY (FILM)

Release Date: 1955 (Contemporary Setting)

Series: Abbott and Costello; Mummy (Universal)

The Story: The two bumblers, who go by Pete Patterson and Freddie Franklin, except for when they forget and do call each other Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, find themselves stuck in Egypt, trying to get home. They find the opportunity when they get a job escorting a recently discovered mummy back to the States, but before they can go, the professor that hired them is killed, and Freddie/Lou accidentally swallows the medallion needed to find the site. Some really bad people force the bumblers to help them find the tomb, while a cult wants to keep the mummy from being found, and the bumblers are again caught in the middle.

Notes: The mummy here is Klaris, apparently the cousin of Kharis. He is brought in and intentionally shown to be a separate guy in Jeff Rovin’s Return of the Wolf Man. This film has been referenced (as fictional) in Stand by Me, Back to the Future Part III, Futurama, and others.

MAD MONSTER PARTY? (ANIMATED FILM)

Release Date: March 8, 1967

Series: Mad Monster Party?

Horror Crosses: Frankenstein (Rankin/Bass); Dracula (Rankin/Bass); Invisible Man (Universal); Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde (Universal); Frankenstein (Universal); Hunchback of Notre Dame (Universal); Mummy (Universal); Wolf Man; Creature from the Black Lagoon; King Kong

The Story: Dr. Boris Frankenstein summons the members of the Worldwide Organization of Monsters to announce he has come up with the final solution for world destruction. He also invites his nephew, who is oblivious of his Frankenstein heritage, because Boris plans on passing everything on to him.

Notes: This is a fun homage to the Universal monsters, even with putting up with Phyllis Diller as the Bride of Frankenstein. However, it’s unlikely any of the monsters here can really be the original versions from the classic movies. Dr. Frankenstein here is Dr. Boris Frankenstein, and at least the storyline acknowledges the family legacy theory. The story also names him as the creator of this monster and bride. However, in the prequel, The Mad, Mad, Mad Monsters, it is a Henry von Frankenstein who is shown to have created them. This is not the same Henry from the 1931 Universal film. Henry and Boris seem identical, and may be twins, or perhaps the same person (Henry Boris von Frankenstein). This helps explain the appearances of a Universal style monster (and sometimes bride) during the period of 1948 - 1998 when the actual Universal Monster is trapped in La Mirada. The werewolf is unnamed here, but in the prequel is named Ron Chanley , a tribute to the actor who played Lawrence Talbot, Lon Chaney. The Invisible Man here could be Geoffrey Radcliffe, though if so, he’d be a bit older (though sure doesn’t look it). In the prequel, he is shown to have settled down and has an invisible family. The Doctor Jekyll here is likely one of the many of the Jekyll family over the years to continue the research of the Hyde formula. This mummy isn’t Imhotep or Kharis, but it might be Klaris. Or it may just be another mummy. The Gill Man is likely another of the same species, and not the same from Creature from the Black Lagoon. The Hunchback also can’t possibly be the original. And the giant ape referred to as “It” can’t be the late King Kong, but is likely another of the same species. In the prequel, he is named Modzoola. Dracula is the only one who could be the same, if not for being so damn goofy. Let’s call this a soul clone. The prequel shows that this Dracula has a son. All the monsters die at the end, but that’s never stopped a good monster before from making a comeback. This film has been “non-cross” referenced in The Nightmare Before Christmas, Cleavagefield, and Hewy’s Animated Movie Reviews.

THE MUMMY’S GHOST (FILM)

Release Date: July 7, 1944 (Set in the future year 1970)

Series: The Mummy (Universal)

The Story: In the future year 1970, Kharis is once more revived for revenge.

Notes: This film follows the Mummy’s Tomb and is followed by the Mummy’s Curse. This film is spoofed in Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy.

CAPULINA CONTRA LOS MONSTRUOS (FILM)

Release Date: August 22, 1974 (Contemporary Setting)

Series: Capulina; Dracula (Universal); Frankenstein (Universal); Wolf Man; Mummy (Universal) -- See Notes

The Story: Capulina is a newspaper and magazine salesman who finds himself having to fight many resurrected monsters under the control of Dr. Who.

Notes: Don’t get excited. It’s not that Dr. Who. The monsters here are meant to be the classic Universal versions from Universal’s Dracula, Frankenstein, Wolf Man, and Mummy series of films. It’s very possible for this Dracula to be Armand Tesla. Frankenstein’s Monster and the Wolf Man are in suspended animation in La Mirada at this time. This is likely another monster, as there are so many, and Lawrence Talbot Junior. Likewise, based on the timeline of the Mummy series, this isn’t Kharis. However, it could be Klaris. Klaris was seemingly blown up in Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy, but he does resurface in Return of the Wolf Man. Capulina was a very famous comedic character in Mexico during that time period.

THE MONSTER SQUAD (FILM)

Release Date: 1987 (Contemporary Setting)

Series: Monster Squad

Horror Crosses: Dracula (Universal); Frankenstein (Universal); Wolf Man (Universal); Mummy (Universal); Creature from the Black Lagoon (Universal); Dracula (novel) [see Notes for all]

Non-Horror Crosses: Back to the Future

The Story: In 1887, Van Helsing uses an amulet to try to banish Dracula into the void. He failed. Exactly 100 years later the talisman ends up in an unnamed town that appears to be Hill Valley, California. So does Van Helsing’s notebook, that is needed to perform the ritual again. A group of kids must work together to stop Dracula, who has come to town as well, with a group of monster lackeys, to perform his own ritual and bring Hell on Earth, with him as ruler.

Notes: The monsters are all meant to be the Universal monsters (based on the director commentary). This was also the case with Van Helsing, and as with Van Helsing, we have to assume they are not. But at least in the case of this film, we are closer to the original film versions. The Dracula of this film uses the alias Alucard, as did the Dracula from Son of Dracula. Thus, I presume that this is the same vampire from that film, rather than Armand Tesla. The Frankenstein Creature of this film can’t be the one from the Universal series, who is in suspended animation in La Mirada, Florida at this time. But there certainly have been plenty of other creatures out there created by the Frankenstein family. The Wolf Man of this film claims to be Larry Talbot, but since the Universal Wolf Man is also in suspended animation in La Mirada, this must be his son, Larry Talbot Junior. The Mummy here likely isn’t Kharis, but it might be Klaris who did survive the events of Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy as revealed in Return of the Wolf Man. On the other hand, the Gill-Man present could be the same from the original films, or at least the same species. The Van Helsing in this film only appears in an 1887 scene. It may be Abraham from Bram Stoker’s novel. The downtown set used for the town setting is the same used for Back to the Future. There’s nothing to contradict it indeed being Hill Valley. That would bring the Back to the Future trilogy into the Horror Universe. A remake of this film is in development at this writing. This film has been referenced as fiction or paid homage to in numerous other films and on television.

THE MUMMY’S CURSE (FILM)

Release Date: December 22, 1944 (Set 20 years after the Mummy’s Ghost)

Series: The Mummy (Universal)

The Story: Kharis is again revived in the futuristic 1990s.

Notes: The oddity is that the past few films and this one take place in Mapleton, Massachusetts, but suddenly in this film, Mapleton is in the Bayou. I can only theorize that there is a swamp in Eastern Massachusetts and there is a Cajun section of the town. This film follows the Mummy’s Ghost and is the final film in the Universal Mummy Sub-Franchise that began with the Mummy’s Hand. This film has been spoofed in Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy and Deathrow Gameshow.

GARGOYLES (ANIMATED SERIES)

SEASON 2 EPISODE 31 “GRIEF”

Release Date: December 28, 1995

Horror Crosses: Mummy (Universal)

The Story: While touring the world, the gargoyles are in Egypt where they stop a plot to enslave Anubis.

Notes: Tana leaves are used, which come from the Universal Mummy film series.

RETURN OF THE WOLF MAN (NOVEL BY JEFF ROVIN)

Release Date: 1998 (Contemporary Setting)

Series: Wolf Man (Universal)

Horror Crosses: Frankenstein (Universal); Dracula (Universal); White Zombie; The Deadly Mantis; The Monolith Monsters; Werewolf of London; Creature from the Black Lagoon; Man Made Monster; The Mad Monster; Night Key; Invisible Man (Universal); Mummy (Universal)

Non-Horror Crosses: Abbott and Costello

The Story: Caroline Cooke inherits a castle in LaMirada, Florida. The town ends up soon being threatened by a monster as Larry Talbot has returned, after having been frozen in suspended animation for 50 years.

Notes: This novel brings together pretty much all of Universal Horror into the Horror Universe, and is a sequel to Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein. Both Talbot and the Frankenstein monster had been in suspended animation in LaMirada for the past 50 years, negating the possibility of any Talbot or Monster appearances being related to the Universal characters during that time frame.

DISNEY ADVENTURES # 200008 “SOCIETY OF HORRORS: THE WRAITH NEXT DOOR” (DISNEY)

Release Date: August 1, 2000 (Contemporary Setting)

Series: Society of Horrors

Horror Crosses: Creature from the Black Lagoon; Legend of Sleepy Hollow; Dracula (Universal); Frankenstein (Universal); Wolf Man; Mummy (Universal)

Non-Horror Crosses: You Can’t Do That On Television

The Story: A Gill-Man, a headless horseman, and an alien are roommates, who have to deal with a wraith neighbor.

Notes: The monster roommates have portraits of the Universal versions of Dracula, the Frankenstein Monster, the Wolf Man, and the Mummy hanging in their apartment. They also have green slime, like that used on Nickelodeon shows but first introduced on You Can’t Do That On Television.

THE MUMMY’S KISS (FILM)

Release Date: 2002 (Contemporary Setting)

Series: Mummy’s Kiss

Horror Crosses: The Mummy (Universal); Frankenstein (Donald F. Glut); The Occult Files of Doctor Spektor; Countess Dracula

Non-Horror Crosses: Dinosaur Valley Girls

The Story: An Egyptian mummified sorceress is accidentally revived in modern times and she seeks to seduce a woman who strongly resembles her past lover.

Notes: The Mummy’s Kiss is followed by The Mummy’s Kiss: 2nd Dynasty. The setting is Whemple University, clearly named for the archeologist from Universal’s The Mummy. Additionally, in the films credits, the estate of Stephen Banning is thanked. Banning was also from the Mummy. The sorceress of this film previously appeared in Donald F. Glut’s novel Frankenstein in the Mummy’s Tomb. The closing credits of the film also thank Dr. Adam Spektor. Three university students mention the Scarlet Countess nightclub, which is from the film The Erotic Rites of Countess Dracula. Dr. Benjamin Michaels also appears (sort of, on the other end of the phone), who is from Dinosaur Valley Girls.

BUBBA HO-TEP (FILM)

Release Date: 2002 (Contemporary Setting)

Series: Bubba Ho-Tep

Horror Crosses: Mummy (Universal)

The Story: Years ago, Elvis Presley had grown tired of his celebrity life, so when he met his greatest impersonator, he proposed they trade identities. From that moment forward, everything we think we know of Elvis was actually his impersonator, including his death! Now, the real Elvis lives in a retirement home where he finds strange goings-on and ends up having to take down a resurrected Egyptian mummy sorcerer.

Notes: Elvis reads from an ancient text on the occult that tana leaves can be used to raise mummies. Indeed, tana leaves were used to raise Kharis in the Universal Mummy films. A sequel, Bubba Ho-Tep: Curse of the She-Vampires, is in development at this writing. This film has been referenced as fictional or paid homage to several times, including in Fantastic Four, My Name is Bruce, and Poker Night 2. It has also been spoofed in Valley Party Girls.

HEX AND THE CITY (NOVEL BY SIMON R. GREEN)

Release Date: February 22, 2005 (Contemporary Setting)

Series: Nightside

Horror Crosses: Frankenstein (all of them); The Picture of Dorian Gray; Carnacki Ghost Finder; Evil Dead; Phantom of the Opera; Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos; The Mummy (Universal)

Non-Horror Crosses: Alice in Wonderland; Maltese Falcon; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; Casablanca; The Tempest; The Office; Shadows Fall; The Wasteland; Isaac Asimov Universe; Doctor Who; Eaters of the Dead; Moonchild; Allan Quatermain; League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

The Story: John Taylor is hired to investigate the origins of the Nightside.

Notes: Taylor and his secretary dine at a restaurant that serves exotic animals including some to be from Wonderland. Wonderland of course is one of the magical realms of the Horror Multiverse. The Nightside is a nexus of time and space. There is a club that caters to all the various creatures that have been created by the Frankenstein family over the years. An auction is selling Dorian Gray’s mirror. A later Nightside tale reveals it has the power to kill immortals. Taylor reveals that his mentor was Thomas Carnacki. Taylor says his phone was once possessed by Kandarian demons, which originate from Evil Dead. Below the city, a boat guide is Erik the Opera Ghost. As usual, there is Cthulhu cult graffiti on the walls of the Nightside. The Nightside uses tanna leaves as a drug. Tanna leaves were important in the Universal Mummy series. Three allegedly authentic Maltese Falcons are sold. It appears that Willy Wonka and Rick Blaine have opened establishments in the Nightside. There is a Prospero and Michael Scott Memorial Library. Prospero is from Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Michael Scott is from the American version of The Office. Michael Scott is not dead by the way. Shadows Fall is mentioned as the possible new home of a god. Nightside’s homeless live in Rat’s Alley, a reference to T.S. Elliott’s The Wasteland. Also living in Rat’s Alley are robots with positronic brains, a concept first proposed in the works of Isaac Asimov. Taylor says that he learned about fighting poisons with broccoli from the travelling doctor. He’s actually referring to the fifth Doctor. Later, a flashback to the 1960s features the second Doctor and his companions. Taylor is warned about the Eaters of the Dead, a reference to a Michael Crichton novel about a Muslim abducted by vikings. Taylor is called a Moonchild, a reference to an Aleister Crowley novel about a wizard war. Another drug of the Nightside is taduki, a favorite of Allan Quatermain. In the 1960s flashback, Orlando (of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) is seen.

THE MUMMY’S KISS: 2ND DYNASTY (FILM)

Release Date: 2006 (Contemporary Setting)

Series: The Mummy’s Kiss

Horror Crosses: The Interconnected Works of Donald F. Glut; Occult Files of Doctor Spektor; Dracula (novel); Mummy (Universal); Frankenstein (Donald F. Glut)

Non-Horror Crosses: Dinosaur Valley Girls

The Story: An aging beauty makes a pact with an Egyptian goddess for eternal youth and finds it to be a curse.

Notes: Setting is the Marshall Museum of Ancient History, a connection to Glut’s other works. Doctor Spektor is an attendee at a museum lecture. (He is played by himself according to the credits!!!) A Renfield attends the lecture as well, likely a descendant of the Renfield from Bram Stoker’s Dracula. There are numerous references to the Universal Mummy series including Whemple University, Imhotep, tana leaves, the High Priest of Karnak, the Banning family, Youssef Bey and Klaris. Hor-Shep-Sut was also mentioned in Frankenstein in the Mummy’s Tomb. Tony Markham also is mentioned, who is from Dinosaur Valley Girls. This is of course a sequel to the Mummy’s Kiss.

THE UNNATURAL INQUIRER (NOVEL BY SIMON R. GREEN)

Release Date: December 30, 2008 (Contemporary Setting)

Series: Nightside

Horror Crosses: Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos; War of the Worlds (novel); Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde; Elvira; Doctor Strange; Doctor Druid; The Wicker Man; The Addams Family; The Mummy (Universal)

Non-Horror Crosses: 2001: A Space Odyssey; Lassie; Doctor Who; Get Smart; James Bond; The Avengers (TV); Shadows Fall; Maltese Falcon; Star Trek

The Story: A man claims to have proof of the afterlife on DVD, and the Nightside’s top rag hires John Taylor to find him and the DVD.

Notes: It’s not unusual for the Nightside stories to have Lovecraft references, and this one has at least five that my Nightside researcher John D. Lindsey Jr. has found. The character Harry Fabulous has access to the drug Martian Red Weed from War of the Worlds. He also has a version of the Hyde formula. This wouldn’t be the first story to see the Hyde formula as a street drug. In an old issue of the Inquirer is a story of Jacqueline Hyde, one of Henry’s descendants, who was in love with her male alter ego of Mister Hyde. In an interesting twist, the film Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde features a male descendant of Jekyll who transforms into a beautiful but evil female Hyde. A personal ad in the Inquirer reads “Desperately Seeking Elvira”. Seen gathered in conference are the Travelling Doctor (Doctor Who), the Strange Doctor (Doctor Strange) and the Druid Doctor (Doctor Druid). “The Collector” has “the Wicker Man” with dead police officer inside. At the bar is a living active disembodied hand, most likely Thing from the Addams Family. A drink at the bar is Mummy’s Favorite, with tanna leaves as the main ingredient. Another old Inquirer article mentions the monoliths on the moon (from 2001: A Space Odyssey). The newspaper has a personal ad that reads “Lassie come home, or the kid gets it”. At a bar, Taylor compares a jukebox to the TARDIS. Three secret agents matching the descriptions of Maxwell Smart (Get Smart), James Bond, and John Steed (The Avengers) are seen comparing gadgets. There is a train that goes to Shadows Fall. Reporter Betty Devine wonders if “the Collector” has the Maltese Falcon. Also at the bar is what appears to be a tribble from Star Trek.

CABIN IN THE WOODS (FILM)

Release Date: April 13, 2012 (Contemporary Setting)

Series: Cabin in the Woods

Horror Crosses: Alien; Half-Life; Evil Dead; Poltergeist; Frankenstein (Universal); Child’s Play; Creature from the Black Lagoon; Corpse Bride; Killer Klowns from Outer Space; Stephen King Universe; Killjoy; Devil’s Rejects; Clownhouse; Drive Thru; Funhouse; Amusement; Circus of Fear; Clown Camp; Demonic Toys; Demons; Night of the Demons; Supernatural; Charmed; Gremlins; Ghoulies; Creeps; Troll; Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde; Frankenstein (novel); Dr. Giggles; The Human Centipede; House on Haunted Hill; The Dead Pit; Buffy the Vampire Slayer; The Strangers; Underworld; Attack of the 50 Foot Woman; Troll Hunter; Anaconda; Python; Mega Snake; Snakes on a Plane; Resident Evil; Hellraiser; Cannibal Holocaust; Creepshow; Legend of Sleepy Hollow; Attack of the Jack-O-Lanterns; Pumpkinhead; Frankenfish; The Mummy! Or a Tale of the Twenty-Second Century; The Mummy (Universal); The Hills Have Eyes; Wrong Turn; Chernobyl Diaries; 28 Days Later; Signal; the Works of Quentin Tarantino; Left 4 Dead; Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos; Re-Animator (film); Siren; The Exorcist; The Exorcism of Emily Rose; Reptillicus; Jurassic Park; Abomidible Bigfoot; The Legend of Boggy Creek; Ape Canyon; Curse of Bigfoot; Night of the Bloody Apes; Wendigo; Night Beasts; Night of the Scarecrow; Scarecrows; Husk; Scarecrow Gone Wild; The Scarecrows Walk at Midnight; The Town that Dreaded Sundown; The Craft; Witches of Eastwick; Hocus Pocus; Jack Frost; Hellboy (film); Rumplestilskin; Lephrechaun; Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters; Gingerbread Man; The Vampyre; Dracula (novel); Nosferatu; The Wolf Man; An American Werewolf in London; The Howling; Wolf; Texas Chainsaw Massacre; Friday the 13th; Night of the Living Dead; Return of the Living Dead; F.E.A.R.; The Blob; Feast; Horrors of the Wendigo; Frostbiter; Ghost; Bram Stoker’s Dracula (film); The Cyclops; Cyclops Giant; Nightbreed; Leeches!; Attack of the Giant Leeches; Rows of Teeth; The Birds; Killing Birds; Birdemic: Shock and Terror; Silent Hill; Attack of the Killer Lane Gnomes; Alligator; Lake Placid; Them!; Legion of Fire: Killer Ants!; Ants; Empire of the Ants; King Kong; Centipede Horror; The Giant Claw; The Ring; Attack of the Giant Gila Monster; The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms; Tarantula; Eight Legged Freaks; Jaws; Frogs; Lord of Darkness; House of the Dead; The Grudge; Chopping Mall; BlinkyTM; The Kraken; Kraken: Tentacles of the Deep; Octopus; The Beast; Deep Rising; It Came From Beneath the Sea; Tentacles; Eye of the Beast; Mega Shark; Giant Octopus; Castle Freak; Tokyo Gore Police; Septic; Mutants; Ogre; Blood Pool; Legend of the Ogre; Killing Floor; Little Shop of Horrors; The Breed; Hatchet; Phantasm; See No Evil; Thinner; Monster House; Attila; Dead Snow; Frankenstein’s Army; Manhunt; The Monster in the Closet; Killer Eyes; Demomata; CSP-682; Parasite Eve 2; Dead Space; Night of the Lepus; Creature from the Haunted Sea; Tremors; Hostel; The Collection; The Butcher; Dead Rising; My Bloody Valentine; The Exterminator; Willard; War of the Worlds; Signs; Lollipop Chainsaw; Ghost Ship; Curse of the Pirates; Jolly Roger; Lead Soldiers; Vampire Vikings; The Witch; Blair Witch Project; The Village; The Thing; Vampire Breath; Goosebumps; Angel; King Cobra

Non-Horror Crosses: Harry Potter; Wizard of Oz; Great Expectations; Batman; Labyrinth; Land of the Giants; The Wrath of Paul Bunyan; Dreamscape; Last of the Mohicans; Blood Meridian; Scalps; Savage Sam; Sin City; Kevin Spencer; We Need to Talk About Kevin; Jacob’s Ladder; Doctor Who; Black Swan; Pan’s Labyrinth; Nutcracker; Blade Hunter; The Chronicles of Narnia; Time Bandits; The Princess and the Frog; Pirates of the Caribbean; Futurama; The Incredible Shrinking Man; Pee-Wee’s Playhouse; Red Planet; Terminator; Zathura; Hardware; Robot Wars; Bacterial Contamination; Firefly; Clash of the Titans; Team Fortress; Man from Planet X; Starship Troopers; Silence of the Lambs/Hannibal; Twisted Metal

The Story: A group of teens head out for a weekend in a cabin in the woods, not knowing that they have been chosen as sacrifices to an ancient deity in order to save the world from his wrath.

Notes: This film exposes the secret truth behind modern horror. Behind it all is a secret organization, chosen to sacrifice youth to ancient gods. All of the above named crossovers have been linked in this film, and revealed to be part of this secret conspiracy. Most of the crossovers above come from the monsters and artifacts contained in the facility. While some of the monsters and artifacts are clearly from certain films above, many are based on certain types of horror films, in which case I included the more well-known of these film types. I recommend the well-researched Cabin in the Woods Wiki for a more detailed listing of the monsters and their inspirations. Note that I included in the above crossovers some monsters that only appeared in the official novelization and the official Universal Theme Park attraction tie-in. With this film, I break one of my major rules of crossover connecting. Though some of the crosses are direct crosses, like Evil Dead and Left 4 Dead, most of them are only connected because the films represent the more well-known films of the trope from which a certain monster comes. Normally, I would not count something that is “like something from”, but there is dialogue within the film that makes me break my rule. In one scene, referring to the monsters, security officer Daniel Truman says “They’re like something from a nightmare.” Lin, a head scientist, responds, “No, they’re something nightmares are from.” She goes on to explain that these monsters are the creations of the Ancient Ones, having been around since the beginning, and different cultures have told stories that interpret them in different ways. Thus, in the instance of this film, “like” is enough because of the author’s intent. And thus my love/hate relationship with Joss Whedon, for expanding the Horror Universe dramatically but making me do a lot of work to write this entry. Note that this film ends with the start of an apocalypse, so the end must veer into a divergent timeline. We must presume in the main Horror Universe, the virgin shot the fool. And if you haven’t seen the movie, that last sentence probably seems very bizarre. This film has been referenced as fictional in South Park, The Cinema Snob, Scary Movie 5, and Doc of the Dead. It is also paid homage to in Red Dawn when Chris Hemsworth and his friends once more wind up in a cabin in the woods. The film has also been spoofed in Robot Chicken and Scary Movie 5.

LIVE AND LET DROOD: A SECRET HISTORIES NOVEL (NOVEL BY SIMON R. GREEN)

Release Date: June 4, 2013 (Contemporary Setting)

Series: Secret Histories

Horror Crosses: Nightside; Carnacki Ghost Finder; Ghost Finders; Evil Dead; The Mummy (Universal); Frankenstein (novel); Dracula (novel); Gravel

Non-Horror Crosses: Doctor Who; She; Excalibur (Marvel)

The Story: Eddie Drood is the last of his family, carrying on a legacy of protecting the world. But now he has learned that his family still lives, trapped in an alternate reality.

Notes: Secret Histoires is a series of novels by Green involving Eddie Drood, who protects the world from supernatural threats. This cross brings that series into the Horror Universe. Green’s Nightside is mentioned. Drood visits the Carnacki Institute, from Green’s Ghost Finders series, and named for Thomas Carnacki. There is a Kandarian reference, as in the Evil Dead. Tana leaves are also mentioned, which come from the Mummy series. Castle Frankenstein is mentioned. Eddie mentioned having fought Dracula. Finally, and the most fun in my opinion, when a character’s bow tie is mocked, Eddie says that bow ties are cool. His friend, the Travelling Doctor, said so. The Travelling Doctor is often used by writers as code for the Doctor from Doctor Who, and in this case, this is a direct reference to the Eleventh Doctor.