This City is Going to Hell: The Making of Maniac Cop

By Paul Downey

261 pages / Published 2026

FULL COLOR

Buy Paperback on Amazon

Buy Premium Hardcover on Amazon

Buy Kindle on Amazon

In 1988, audiences were introduced to Officer Matt Cordell, a wronged cop turned slasher-avenger who stalked the streets of New York City and carved out a permanent place in horror history. Two sequels and nearly four decades later, Cordell’s status as a genre icon remains firmly cemented.

​

Now, author Paul Downey takes readers deep inside the making and legacy of the Maniac Cop series with his new book, This City is Going to Hell: The Making of Maniac Cop. Drawing on extensive research and exclusive interviews, Downey delivers the most comprehensive chronicle of the trilogy ever assembled.

Packed with never-before-seen photos, untold stories, and firsthand accounts from the filmmakers, the book offers an unflinching look at the creative triumphs, behind-the-scenes conflicts, and enduring appeal of one of horror cinema’s most unique franchises. The volume also features a capstone discussion with legendary trilogy director William Lustig, reflecting on the films’ origins, challenges, and legacy.