Tom Skulan

Tom Skulan has been an entrepreneur since childhood. He started working at age 11 delivering newspapers. By age 14 he had his own comic book mail order company which sold back issue comics, In 1978, at age 24, he founded FantaCo Enterprises Inc.which had four distinct businesses: a retail comic book store, a mail order company, a publishing company and a large convention called FantaCon.

With the assistance from valued employees like Roger Green, Raoul Vezina, Sinisa Milenkovic, Hank Jansen, Augustus Mattick, John Moore, Tim D'Allaird and dozens of others, the FantaCo businesses thrived.

The flagship retail store in downtown Albany, NY stayed open 7 days a week and became legendary for carrying the widest line of comics and magazines from undergrounds to Marvel and DC and especially a wide selection of imports which Skulan would purchase overseas on buying trips..-

The publishing company produced hundreds of book, magazine, and comic titles which were distributed around the globe at a time when independents had difficulty even getting local distribution. This attracted major talent like Bernie Wrightson, Jeff Jone, Michael Kaluta, Fred Hembeck, Stephen R. Bissette, Chas Balun and a host of many others.

The mail order company (which was a continuation of the mail order company Skulan started in 1968 under his own moniker) hooked in early to the hugely popular & growing horror market and often attained more sales volume than the other three companies combined.

FantaCon, which started in August of 1978 was a collectors' dream come true. Not just another comic book con, it mixed comics, horror, film, TV and signings to the delight of the many attendees. The convention is still owned and operated by Skulan and it is one of the oldest most established conventions in the U.S., and the only one with the original founder at the helm.

Skulan has created many dozens of books and magazines and is the creator and Editor in Chief of the wildly popular horror comic book, Gore Shriek. The title just obtained its 30th year. Skulan also created the popular FantaCo's Chronicles Series. Book 6 in that series is being released soon. It is called the Famous Monsters® Chronicles and it certainly looks like it will be THE gift book this year for monster fans. Amazon will be selling the book in September. Skulan was also the co-creator, with Raoul Vezina, of the character Smilin' Ed- a wisecracking rat who simply cannot stay out of trouble. All of Ed's adventures and appearances have been collected into a large trade paperback which is being sold on Amazon as you read this (search "Smilin' Ed Comics").

Currently Skulan is busy dreaming up new stories for Gore Shriek along with creating his next business venture.