SHUDDER 2026 SPOOKTACULAR ANNUAL

The folks at Warrant Publishing survived their lawsuit some years ago when their title, THE CREEPS came under fire for infringing too close for comfort for the owner of the Warren property. As a result, they were forced to discontinue using the title and a few other things (see full story below reprinted from FEAR IN FOUR COLORS' companion blog, WORLD OF MONSTERS). Renamed SHUDDER, they haven't seemed to miss a beat and are still publishing regularly, even managing to stay on the newsstands.

Just announced is their 2026 SPOOKTACULAR ANNUAL, that collects stories from past issues. Pre-order it HERE.

Copies of THE CREEPS #1 are now selling for upwards of $100. I have more affordable copies of #1 and #2 for sale HERE.

From the publisher:

The Shudder 2025 Spooktacular recreates the iconic Warren horror annuals popular in the 1970’s by emulating Warren’s early page layouts and publishing work by original Warren artists and writers. This Annual edition collects the best stories from the early issues of Shudder magazine in a highly collectible perfect bound collector’s edition.

"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers"

- William Shakespeare

It had to happen sooner or later. After a run of over 30 issues, THE CREEPS magazine will be changing its name to SHUDDER. The reason? Richard Sala, publisher of the popular illustrated horror comics mag got sued for trademark infringement by the current owner of the rights to the original CREEPY. We'll never know all the details, but it seems Sala gets to retain his "Warrant Publications" name (an emulation of "Warren Publications"), but will be changing the magazine's title and host.

Why now? What finally triggered New Comic Company to lower the legal boom on a publication that was a faithful tribute to the original? After all, when is the last time you saw an issue of CREEPY on a newsstand alongside THE CREEPS? It's not like they were vying for shelf space.

I don't have a high regard for a lot (not all) lawyers, but it looks like they did their job here. Again, it appears that there were some consolations given to Sala. On the other hand, he must try and sell all his back stock by May, 2022, when he'll no longer be able to sell the title.

From THE CREEPS:

IMPORTANT ALERT!!! This Fall, 2021, the name of "The Creeps" magazine will be changing to "Shudder" magazine. Warrant Publishing Company and New Comic Company (the “Parties”) have both determined that to avoid the potential costs and time involved in litigating a court case, it is in the mutual interest of both parties to finalize a private, amicable settlement, which has been negotiated by the attorneys representing both Parties and executed. The Parties agreed to a non-disclosure clause in this agreement, and in accordance with the same we are limited in what we can disclose with respect to the settlement. However, we are discontinuing use of "The Creeps." The content of the magazine formerly published as “The Creeps” will continue to be published uninterrupted under the name "Shudder" magazine starting in Fall, 2021. The final issue of "The Creeps" magazine will be issue #32. The story contents of "Shudder" will be a continuation of the content in "The Creeps," but the numbering of "Shudder" magazine will re-set at issue #1. Subscribers to "The Creeps" will continue receiving their copies of "Shudder" every two months, without interruption. Thank you for your attention. With the resolutions of this case, we are excited about entering a new phase of business here Warrant Publishing Company. We look forward to continuing to bring you the World's #1 illustrated horror magazine for many years to come. 

Here's a news report regarding this topic that appeared last year (ironically during the Halloween season):

Happy (legal) Halloween: It’s Creepy vs. The Creeps in LA horror-comics lawsuit

By CITY NEWS SERVICE | news@socalnews.com | October 28, 2020

LOS ANGELES — The copyrights holder of Creepy magazine, a horror-comics magazine that lived for decades on newsstands, is suing the owner/publisher of The Creeps magazine in Los Angeles for alleged trademark infringement, according to court papers obtained Wednesday, Oct. 28.

The suit, filed in federal court on Tuesday by New Comic Company LLC, alleges that Richard J. Sala’s The Creeps is a “knock-off” version of now-defunct Creepy magazine, which was launched in 1964 by legendary horror magazine publisher James Warren and published by Warren Publishing Company.

According to the lawsuit, Sala’s use of the word Creeps as his mag’s name, and by calling his company Warrant Publishing Company, he is “intentionally seeking to take advantage of the popularity and goodwill of Creepy magazine, its prior publisher (Warren), and Creepy’s devoted fan base.”

In a statement posted on the Facebook fan group he oversees — Warren Publishing Fans and Friends — Sala said he cannot comment on pending litigation but that “our attorneys are dealing with this case.”

New Comic Company acquired the rights to Creepy and its sister publication Eerie from Warren in 2007 and published archival hardcover anthologies of the original magazines.

SHUDDER'S previous annuals: