G-FAN Travel Guide Cover Idea

We're nearing the home stretch in getting the G-FAN Travel Guide To Kaiju Japan completed, so now's the time to start thinking about an appropriate cover.

To differntiate the guide from a typical G-FAN issue, I think a photo cover would be the way to go (since G-FAN normally has artwork covers).

Here's one I came up with this morning. The photo is of the Godzilla statue in Hibiya, Tokyo that I took two years ago. I sent it to J. D. a little while ago, but I would appreciate your feedback (after all, three heads are better than one, or so says King Ghidorah).

Thanks!

(Click on image to see larger.)

UPDATE: A good friend of mine, Archie Waugh, who is a 20-year graphic designer, came up with this gem:



This certainly blows mine clear out of the water. I forwarded it to J. D. to get his opinion. Thanks a million, Archie!

UPDATE: Archie came up with a slightly different version:



Although I like the first one a little more, the second would be necessary to fit in the Daikaiju Enterprises logo at the upper left corner as shown.

G-FAN Travel Guide To Kaiju Japan: Making Progress

Above, Tokyo Tower, featured in several kaiju epics.

The G-FAN Travel Guide To Kaiju Japan is slowly, but surely, coming together.

J. D. Lees is now doing the proofing and I should be getting the proofs this coming week or so for reviewing and revisions, if necessary. So we're getting there!

I hope to get the final product completed by the holidays (cross your fingers) and maybe we'll unveil it (and have it available for sale) at Monsterpalooza in Burbank. It is better to take your time and do it right the first time than to rush and put out something substandard.

Since we started it early last year, and now are in the proofing process, we hope that the finished result will please all and will be a useful guide for your dream vacation trip to Japan to see those locations shown in your favorite monster movies.

Ever thought of taking a trip to Japan to see the locations used in giant monster movies but need to know what they are and how to get there? Well, we're about to remedy that quandary. The G-FAN Travel Guide To Kaiju Japan has been over a year in the making and we are now in the proofing process.

It will contain info on what the location is, what movie(s) it was featured in, how to get there, what other attractions are nearby, where to stay and general information on Japan itself.

Even if you're not planning to ever visit Japan, the Guide will be a fun read!

G-FAN Travel Guide To Kaiju Japan Progressing

Above, Shibuya Crossing, a location of several Gamera and Godzilla movies.

G-FAN Travel Guide To Kaiju Japan is progressing, albeit slowly. We were hoping to have it done by the end of May to have it available at G-FEST XVI, but convention planning and the usual G-FAN work (along with family obligations) have a way of demanding more attention.

But don't fret! As of last month, J. D. Lees informed me that he has about 3/4 of it completed and he's using some time now, during the summer vacation period, to wrap it up. We are hoping to have it completed by the end of August, just in time for the autumn travel shows, etc. (Yes, we plan to target travel shows along with the Japan Expo in Los Angeles.)

Although it is coming along slowly, it is best to do it right the first time!

As soon as it is completed, the big announcement will be made here, the usual kaiju forums and, most importantly, at the official G-FAN website.

Speaking of G-FEST XVI, my end of the wrap-up article has been completed and J. D. is working on his end of it as a collaborative piece. My photos of the convention have been sent on to him, so it should be an excellent feature in the upcoming G-FAN. J. D. loves the photos, especially of one taken during the final round of G-pardy.

G-FAN Travel Guide To Kaiju Japan Progress Report

G-FAN Travel Guide To Kaiju Japan progress report.

We didn't exactly meet our May deadline to get the layouts done for the G-FAN Travel Guide To Kaiju Japan, but J. D. Lees reports that he is 3/4 completed. Between getting G-FAN out, getting G-FEST organized as well as numerous family obligations, it is actually amazing that we have gotten this far.

Hopefully, we can get it finished before Fall, since there are a number of travel shows and Japan Expo to offer it to.

G-FAN Travel Guide To Kaiju Japan

Above, Yokohama, Japan's waterfront.

During my discussions with J. D. Lees last night I asked about progress on the G-FAN Travel Guide To Kaiju Japan project.

Family considerations, other obligations and getting G-FAN out has left him with scarce time to work on it. But, he also said:

I work best with a deadline. You need to tell me you'll kill me if I don't get it done.

Well, I can't kill him (maybe some water-boarding, perhaps), so I gave him a deadline of late-May. But to humor him, I told him he'd be "dead meat" if he doesn't get it done.

Why late-May?

Late-May would be enough time to get it to the printer and have copies available for G-FEST XVI and to promote it at travel shows, travel agents, etc. (Many travel shows occur in the Fall.) This also seemed to be a reasonable enough time for him to squeeze work in on it during the preceeding months.

G-FAN Special Update

G-FAN Special Update No. 6
Just when I thought I covered all of the locations, I found some more while watching Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster a few nights ago.

Here's the list to date:

Hokkaido


Sapporo


Honshu


Sendai

Fukushima Airport

Yokohama

Tokyo: Tokyo Overview; Nat. Diet Building; Dream Island Park; Odaiba; Shinjuku; Shibuya; Ginza-Hibiya; Kachidoki Bridge; Tokyo Tower; Ueno Park.

Yokosuka (Godzilla slide)

Matsumoto

Kurobe Dam

Atami

Hakone

Mt. Fuji

Seto Ohashi Bridge

Yaizu

Nagoya

Ise-Shima National Park

Osaka

Kyoto

Hiroshima



Kyushu


Fukuoka

Mt. Aso

Nagasaki

Sasebo

Ultramanland (Kumamoto area)


Information


Typhoon Season

Shinkansen History

So You're Going To Japan?

JR Rail Pass

Japanese Money Denominations

Immigration

Tipping/Taxes

Tokyo Subways & Trains