Year-end review for 2007

If you head on over to the NOES Companion MySpace blog, you can read the Nightmare on Elm Street year-end review for 2007. You can also check it out here by clicking on the link below.

It was a busy year for A Nightmare on Elm Street fans in 2007.  Even though a new film did not hit theaters, merchandise releases and fan attractions kept fans on their toes. 

Kicking off the year, Wildstorm Publishing announced their ongoing A Nightmare on Elm Street comic book series would end with issue eight, released June 27th.  This was a welcomed announcement to some fans who were none too happy with the comic’s cardboard plots and other redundant story elements. 

In March, Wildstorm announced they had a planned six issue mini-series in the works for A Nightmare on Elm Street, which was to be released at a later date.  This mentioned mini-series has not been released, though most fans speculate they meant the Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash mini-series released in November.

The new television station, ChillerTV, brought Freddy’s Nightmares: A Nightmare on Elm Street the Series back to the airwaves.  Though most episodes were edited, it was nice to see this old series back on television.  

Also in March, the Horror Collection began their UK only magazine focusing on New Line Cinema’s “House of Horror” characters.  Each issue focuses on A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, or The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, with a specialized figure included.  The Nightmare on Elm Street Companion was given various credits in issue two of the series, focusing on A Nightmare on Elm Street (pt. 1 and 2). 

Nike SB announced in July, a Nightmare on Elm Street dunk low shoe was scheduled to be released in November.  Since the announcement, the shoe has yet to hit the marketplace.

Mezco Toyz announced their new Cinema of Fear line, which included a plush Freddy, Freddy figure (from A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors), and a “screen grab” (diorama still A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors).

Wildstorm announced new trade paperback collections for their New Line titles.  The trade paperback for A Nightmare on Elm Street was released in September, featuring issues 1-3 and 5-7.

Flashback Weekend’s Sixth Annual Chicago Horror Convention held on July 20-22, focused on a cast reunion for A Nightmare on Elm Street.  Appearing at the convention was Robert Englund (Fred Krueger), Heather Langenkamp (Nancy Thompson), John Saxon (Lt. Thompson), Amanda Wyss (Tina Gray), Ronee Blakley (Marge Thompson), and Jsu Garcia (Rod Lane).  In addition, Lisa Wilcox (Alice Johnson) from A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master and A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child also attended.  The cast signed autographs, and took part in a group panel discussion.  You can view this discussion courtesy of JohnnySwitchBlade from the forums. 

Ending out the month, Wildstorm announced their New Line’s House of Terror comic book series, featuring short stories showcasing A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.  The first (and so far only) issue was released on September 5th.   

August provided many new announcements for Nightmare fans: 

Universal announced the Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights 2007 haunted attraction would focus on the New Line House of Horror characters, with interactive sets and character setups.  The attraction opened in October to rave reviews online.

Wildstorm announced they had partnered with Dynamite Entertainment to produce Jeff Katz’s treatment of Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash.  The planned Freddy vs. Jason sequel would be released as a six issue comic book mini-series, with the creative team of Jason Craig, James Kuhoric, and Thomas Mason.  The first issue was released in November. 

Germany announced they changed its rating for the Nightmare on Elm Street series to age 16+ (from 18+). 

Lastly, it was announced Australia would finally get a Nightmare on Elm Street DVD boxset, released in November.  This collection contains films 1-7, with the collector’s booklet and eight deluxe collector’s cards.   

The Nightmare momentum carried over into October, with Freddy making an appearance in South Park’s “Imaginationland” trilogy, and A Nightmare on Elm Street, A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child and Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare being shown throughout the month on HBO.  Sadly, no Nightmare films were shown during last year’s AMC’s Monsterfest.  

Overall, 2007 was a pretty big year for Nightmare fans.  Many new merchandise releases made their way onto store shelves, along with some fun fan attractions and conventions.  Hopefully, 2008 will prove to be just as entertaining…