I have just learned (from Ted Geoghegan on X) that David J. Skal was killed by a drunk driver on Jan 1st. Skal wrote some of my favorite books on the horror genre and Halloween. Essential reading for horror fans to understand the context in which the iconic monsters were born and popularized.

Glass Eye Trivia: in the TALE FROM BEYOND THE PALE episode entitled THE VAMPIRE PARTY, which was based on a true story, the movie “critic” that the filmmakers were hoping to meet was in fact David J. Skal whose attendance was assured by our hosts. In real life, he didn’t show.