BEHIND THE MASK: The Secrets of Hollywood’s Monster Makers — Salisbury & Hedgcock (Titan Books, 1994) — Foreword by John Carpenter

A must-have for any serious horror or special-effects collector. Published by Titan Books in 1994, this out-of-print paperback is arranged chronologically and pulls back the curtain on the artists behind cinema’s most iconic monsters — taking readers from Dick Smith’s groundbreaking work on The Exorcist and the Star Wars phenomenon of the 1970s, all the way through to the dawn of computer-generated effects in the 1990s. 

Dedicated chapters cover legendary make-up effects artists including Dick Smith, Rick Baker, Rob Bottin, Stan Winston, and Steve Johnson, with interviews, concept sketches, storyboards, and behind-the-scenes photography throughout. The book reveals the make-up and special effects techniques behind The Howling, The Thing, Alien, Gremlins, E.T., Terminator 2, Batman Returns, and Jurassic Park  — plus classics like Aliens, as covered in the book’s filmography.

Also includes a full bibliography, a list of useful industry addresses, and a glossary of special effects terms — making it as much a reference tool as a great read.

Condition: Good used paperback condition, light shelf wear to cover corners, spine intact, no marks inside.

A brilliant, image-heavy read for anyone who grew up on practical monster effects — Predator, Xenomorphs, the Terminator — before CGI took over. Increasingly hard to find in good condition. Grab it before it’s gone!