Join us for the first in an ongoing series of profiles on some of FANGORIA’s most devoted followers—lifelong collectors and obsessives who have helped keep our lights on for 32 years and made killing all those trees mean something… First up, let me introduce you to one of our younger fans, 22-year-old Mark Bushey. He’s a lad who takes his Fango mania very seriously—and God bless him for it! And just because we were a decade old when he escaped the cozy confines of the womb doesn’t mean he hasn’t played some serious catch-up…

FANGORIA: When did you start collecting Fango?

MARK BUSHEY: I started around 2007, so about four years ago.

FANG: Does your mother approve?

BUSHEY: Absolutely. My mom is actually a horror film fanatic herself. Her favorite is the 1931 classic FRANKENSTEIN, featuring Boris Karloff as the Monster. She never had a problem with me reading FANGORIA. I don’t think some of my old teachers would have approved of my taste in horror films or the magazine, though. Here’s a little story: When I was in kindergarten, my teacher told the class to draw whatever we wanted. The kids drew the typical doodles a 5-year-old was capable of. I tried to be a little more creative and decided I would draw my horror idol at the time, Freddy Krueger. But not only did I draw him, I actually put a lot of action onto my paper when I used a red crayon to simulate blood, as if Freddy was killing one of his victims.

At this point, the teacher noticed me and was so concerned that she called my mom that same day, and advised her on what and how I drew. The teacher even went so far as to suggest that I see a school counselor, which my mom agreed to. The counselor determined that I was a healthy little boy and that there was nothing to be concerned about.

In the first grade, we were told to do the same thing, and this time I drew Frankenstein—but that teacher must have been a horror fan too, because that drawing was proudly displayed in the front of the classroom for the rest of the year.

FANG: Is the mag freely available where you live, or do you have to search for it?

BUSHEY: FANGORIA was and is to this day widely available at all major bookstores in my area. However, when I want to purchase older back issues in this day and age, there are certainly enough resources on the Internet such as eBay, which are a big help for me in obtaining any of those said and needed copies.

FANG: How many issues do you own?

BUSHEY: 126, which doesn’t include the various duplicates I own here and there.

FANG: What is the Holy Grail of your collection?

BUSHEY: Issue #1 from 1979, without a doubt. This issue contains the article about the original George A. Romero classic DAWN OF THE DEAD, which just happens to be on my list of top 10 favorite horror films of all time. I believe that most would say it’s an achievement to own the very first issue, especially if it’s in very good condition—and if they don’t own it, surely they must want to.

FANG: Which issue is your “white whale”?

BUSHEY: I’m missing quite a few, but I plan to fulfill my goal of owning every FANGORIA by the year’s end. As far as what issue is my “white whale” or has eluded me the most, I’d have to say issue #9, which features MOTEL HELL on the cover. It’s one of those issues that, like most earlier ones, commands a higher price than others, but this year…it will be mine.

Are you a fellow FANGORIA fan who wants to share pictures of your collection and swag? Let me put you under the hot lights, then stick you in the spotlight. E-mail me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and plead your case!