It was a caption that always ran on “Fang Mail,” the letters page of Famous Monsters of Filmland—the magazine that inspired generations of actors, writers, directors, producers, and makeup and special effects magicians to follow their dreams—above the photographs of loyal readers and Monster Kids who’d submitted headshots.
And so, what better way to present a note I recently received from Horrorwood, Karloffornia, resident and grown-up Monster Kid Sam Irvin, with regard to our critically acclaimed nonfiction examination From the Stars…a Vampiress: An Unauthorized Guide to Vampirella’s Classic Horror Adventures:
“Everything you always wanted to know about Vampirella and then some! I was particularly enthralled reading about Hammer Films’ never-made film version of VAMPIRELLA and the big ballyhoo that happened at the 1975 Famous Monsters Convention—with Peter Cushing presenting Barbara Leigh—because I was there as Ingrid Pitt’s aide-de-camp! It brought back such a torrent of jaw-dropping memories! Bravo to author Steven A. Roman and Foreword legend Sean Fernald!”— Sam Irvin, director of Elvira’s Haunted Hills and co-executive producer of Gods and Monsters
That’s right: someone who’s worked with Ian McKellen, Brendan Fraser, director Bill Condon, and Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, and who back in the day got to hang out with Hammer legends Ingrid Pitt and Peter Cushing, enjoyed the horror-comics history I wrote! Which is the sort of top-notch endorsement that indicates perhaps you would as well, if you’re a fan or horror and/or Vampirella!
From the Stars…a Vampiress: An Unauthorized Guide to Vampirella’s Classic Horror Adventures, by Steven A. Roman (that’s me!) is a nonfiction history that takes an extensive look at her early days, from the debut of her series in 1969 to the death of Warren Publishing in 1983. I provide an in-depth guide to all her Warren stories, a checklist of all her Warren appearances (plus the publications from Harris Comics and Dynamite Entertainment that reprinted her Warren adventures), and an overview of the six novelizations by pulp sci-fi author Ron Goulart that were published in the 1970s by Warner Books.
Most important of all, there’s the section of the book that enthralled Sam Irvin so much: what may be the first time anyone has actually told, in chronological order, the story behind the rise and fall of Hammer Films’ proposed Vampi movie of the 1970s that was meant to star Playboy model Barbara Leigh and horror icon Peter Cushing—along with a peek at Peter Cushing’s personal copy of the ’70s Vampirella screenplay. Plus there’s my look at the awful 1996 direct-to-cable-TV movie that was made, produced by b-movie icon Roger Corman and starring Talisa Soto (Mortal Kombat) as Vampirella and rock god Roger Daltrey, legendary lead singer of the Who, as Dracula.
There’s also a foreword by Official Vampirella Historian Sean Fernald, a frontispiece by Warren artist Bob Larkin, and photographs from the personal archives of Vampi’s cocreator (and creator/editor of Famous Monsters of Filmland), Forrest J Ackerman.
From the Stars…a Vampiress is available in print and digital formats. Visit its product page for ordering information.
With all the havoc caused by the pandemic over the past couple of years, and its effects on the publishing industry as general, it’s true that, like other houses, releases have been slow in coming from ’Warp Central, but we’re slowly making headway—as evidenced by our newest upcoming title.
On Wings of Steel is a sci-fi steampunk adventure novel from Richard C. White, author of the SWC books Terra Incognito: A Guide to Building the Worlds of Your Imagination, Chasing Danger: The Case Files of Theron Chase, Harbinger of Darkness, For a Few Gold Pieces More, Troubleshooters, Incorporated: Night Stalkings, and The Chronicles of the Sea Dragon Special. Here’s the back-cover copy to pique your interest:
Erica Halgrim is a proud new member of the Angels of Steel: a courier service whose all-female members navigate through the streets of Underworld and the skies of the Aerie with the aid of winged flying devices that allow them to traverse the toxic Dark Cloud that separates the downtrodden masses on the ground from the wealthy socialites who live aboard enormous airships.
Her job becomes secondary, however, when Erica attends a soiree at the Aerie with her fellow Angels and witnesses what appears to be an unfortunate accident—but could it perhaps have been murder?—and she becomes a suspect.
Almost immediately, her life is put in danger as various forces attempt to either jail her or shut her up—permanently. Most terrifying of all, though, is that it may be one of the people closest to her who is looking to clip her wings…
Cover art is provided by Beto Lima, whose digital paintings have graced the covers of such role-playing game supplements and collectible card games as Eternal, Fey Encounters, The Mahrym Project, and Monsters of Murka.
On Wings of Steel will soon be available in print and digital formats. Stay tuned for further information!
That’s right, comic book fans, today is Free Comic Book Day at brick-and-mortar and online comic shops around the world.
Held the first Saturday in May, this year’s event is timed to coincide with yesterday’s release of Marvel Studios’ latest blockbuster, the Benedict Cumberbatch–led Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, director Sam (Spider-Man, The Evil Dead, Army of Darkness) Raimi’s highly anticipated follow-up to last December’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, which brought the dreaded, maddening multiverse into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And in keeping with FCBD’s fine tradition of gifting comics to fans everywhere, here’s a list of StarWarp Concepts’ offerings that you can download—for free—directly from us!
Heroines & Heroes: A collection of comic stories and pinups all drawn by me, dating back to my days in the early 1990s small-press movement—that age of dinosaurs in which creators like me used to make our comics by printing them out on photocopiers and then stapling them by hand. In H&H you’ll find mainstream heroes and small-press heroines, and even a couple of anthropomorphic bikers. Leading off is “V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N (in the Summertime),” a three-page Wonder Woman vs. Harley Quinn story that I wrote and drew in the late ’90s as a sample for a DC Comics editor who thought I’d be a good fit for their Batman: The Animated Series comic (it didn’t work out). The WW/Harley matchup is followed by an adventure of small-presser Jeff Wood’s rabbit-eared superspy, Snowbuni; three pages from the long-canceled indie comic Motorbike Puppies; and an adventure of the indie superheroine The Blonde Avenger.
The Saga of Pandora Zwieback #0: A full-color introduction to the young adult novel series of the same name, hosted by Pan herself. Pan is a 16-year-old New York City Goth who’s not only a horror fangirl but someone with the rare ability to see the for-real monsters that regular humans can’t (she calls it her “monstervision”), and with the help of a 400-year-old, shape-shifting monster hunter named Sebastienne “Annie” Mazarin, she’s learning how to protect her family, her friends, and the world from the supernatural dangers out there—and maybe even have some fun while doing it. This 16-page comic features a seven-page story written by me, with art and color by Eliseu Gouveia (The Saga of Pandora Zwieback Annual#1, Carmilla, A Princess of Mars), and includes two sample chapters from Blood Feud, the first Pan novel.
Heartstopper: The Legend of La Bella Tenebrosa#1–3: Before she became Pan’s monster-hunting mentor, Sebastienne “Annie” Mazarin made her debut in this short-lived, 1990s Mature Readers series from Millennium Publications. A nefarious heavy metal band has arrived in New York City, and its lead singer is more than just a sex magnet for his female fans—he’s a soul-stealing incubus! Will Annie put an end to his plans for worldwide chaos, or fall prey to his supernatural charms? Written by me (of course), issue 1 is drawn by Pan and Annie co-creator Uriel Caton (JSA Annual) and inker Alan Larsen (Femforce), and colored by Dan Peters; issue 2 is penciled by Uriel, Holly Golightly (School Bites), and David C. Matthews (Satin Steele), inked by Larsen, and colored by Zeea Adams; and issue 3 is penciled by Holly, with four pages of inks by “Chainsaw” Chuck Majewski (Harvey Kurtzman’s New Two-Fisted Tales). As a special bonus, issue 3 includes a brief look at the never-published Heartstopper/Trollords, a crossover special that would have had Annie meet Harry, Larry, and Jerry, the Three Stooges–inspired trolls created by Scott Beaderstadt and Paul Fricke for their popular comic series of the 1980s. H/T was to be written by me with pencils by Holly and Scott and inks by Bill Lavin (Troubleshooters, Incorporated: Night Stalkings), but unfortunately it just never got past the starting gate.
(Warning: Heartstopper is designated a “Mature Readers” comic for violent scenes and some sexual innuendo, so younger Panatics should avoid it.)
All these comics are available for download right now, so visit their respective product pages for more information.
So get to downloading, and have a happy Free Comic Book Day!
In case you were unaware of it, this coming Saturday is National Bombshells’ Day, a promotional event that, according to the National Day Calendar, was launched by a well-known lingerie company: “Victoria’s Secret created Bombshells’ Day as a day for women to celebrate themselves and their best friends with numerous in-store activities and surprises for customers. The registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed National Bombshells’ Day in March 2015 to be held annually on the first Saturday in May.”
…Okay.
Well, if bombshells are your thing, then might I suggest that you check out two of StarWarp Concepts’ leading—and sometimes lethal—ladies, and one very special guest…
Lorelei is a soul-stealing succubus, and SWC’s First Lady of Horror, having made her small-press-comic debut all the way back in 1989. She currently stars in three critically acclaimed titles:
Lorelei: Sects and the City is a Mature Readers graphic novel in which Lori battles a cult of Elder God worshipers attempting to unleash hell on Earth. Basically a love letter to 1970s horror comics like Vampirella, Tomb of Dracula, and Satana, the Devil’s Daughter, it’s written by yours truly, Steven A. Roman (From the Stars…a Vampiress: An Unauthorized Guide to Vampirella’s Classic Horror Adventures, X-Men: The Chaos Engine Trilogy), and illustrated by Eliseu Gouveia (The Saga of Pandora Zwieback Annual, Lady Death), Steve Geiger (Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection: Kraven’s Last Hunt, Incredible Hulk Epic Collection: Going Gray), and Neil Vokes (Tom Holland’s Fright Night, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark). It also features art by a trio of comic-art legends: a cover painting by Esteban Maroto (Vampirella, Zatanna, Lady Rawhide), a frontispiece by original Vampirella artist Tom Sutton (Ghost Rider, Man-Thing, Werewolf by Night), and a one-page history of succubi illustrated by Ernie Colon (Vampirella, The Grim Ghost).
Lorelei Presents: House Macabre is Lori’s first outing as the hostess of a horror comic anthology, introducing the four tales of terror you’ll find behind the eye-catching cover art by fan-favorite artist Louis Small Jr. (Vampirella, Vampirella Strikes).
• “The Old, Dark Manse” is written by me and illustrated by Uriel Caton (JSA Annual, The Ex-Mutants, Heartstopper: The Legend of La Bella Tenebrosa) and “Chainsaw” Chuck Majewski (Harvey Kurtzman’s New Two-Fisted Tales), and has Lori welcoming readers to this special.
• “All in Color for a Crime” is another tale from me, with art by Lou Manna (T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, Young All-Stars). Two comic book collectors clash over a rare back issue—and only one of them will be adding it to their long boxes!
• “The Basilisk,” from me and artist John Pierard (Graphic Classics: Horror Classics, My Teacher Fried My Brains), is a “Lori’s Feary Tale” that examines the history of a supernatural creature that’s a cross between a deadly snake and a…chicken?!
• Wrapping up the special is “Requiem for Bravo 6,” by New York Times bestselling author and comic writer Dwight Jon Zimmerman (She-Hulk, Steve McQueen: Full-Throttle Cool) and artist Juan Carlos Abraldes Rendo. A special-ops team goes on a life-or-death mission…but will they be prepared for what awaits them at mission’s end?
And Lorelei: Genesisis a 24-page, one-shot digital-exclusive comic that collects the original small-press Lori stories that I wrote and drew back in the late eighties and early nineties. Behind that brand-new cover drawing by yours truly (and colored by Eliseu Gouveia), you’ll find a pair of stories: “Lorelei” is an 8-pager from 1991 in which Lori journeys through the streets of New York on an important mission: to pick up her dry-cleaning! It’s followed by “In the Midnight Hour,” the 1989 story that introduced horror-comic fans to our favorite redheaded succubus, who steps in to rescue a couple being menaced by a street gang. If you’re curious about Lori’s early days as a horror heroine, then be sure to order yourself a copy from our webstore—it’s available at the low, low price of just 99¢!
Sebastienne “Annie” Mazarin is an immortal, shape-shifting, monster-hunting mentor who currently appears in my Saga of Pandora Zwieback novels, mentoring a teenaged Goth chick on the finer points of handling the creatures of the night. In addition to co-starring in the novels Blood Feud and Blood Reign, you’ll find Annie in the following comics:
The Saga of Pandora Zwieback #0: A full-color introduction to the young adult novel series of the same name, hosted by Pan herself. Pan is a 16-year-old New York City Goth who’s not only a horror fangirl but someone with the rare ability to see the for-real monsters that regular humans can’t (she calls it her “monstervision”), and with the help of a 400-year-old, shape-shifting monster hunter named Sebastienne “Annie” Mazarin, she’s learning how to protect her family, her friends, and the world from the supernatural dangers out there—and maybe even have some fun while doing it. This 16-page comic features a seven-page story written by me, with art and color by Eliseu Gouveia (The Saga of Pandora Zwieback Annual #1, Carmilla, A Princess of Mars), and includes two sample chapters from Blood Feud, the first Pan novel.
The Saga of Pandora Zwieback Annual #1: A spinoff from the novel series, this 56-page, full-color comic special features cover art by award-winning artist Henar Torinos (Mala Estrella). Annie appears in “Shopping Maul,” a short story by Steven A. Roman with title-page art by Elizabeth Watasin (Charm School), in which Pan and Annie, along with Pan’s boyfriend, Javier, and her best friend, Sheena, run into a group of Gothic Lolita vampires out to do more than a little window shopping. The special also contains “Song of the Siren,” a 24-page full-color comic adventure by writer Steven A. Roman and artist Eliseu Gouveia, in which the Pan matches wits with a man-stealing enchantress who’s set her sights on Javier, and “After Hours,” by writer Sholly Fisch (The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries), and comic-art legend Ernie Colon (Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld), about a demon who walks into a bar to unwind after a long day of scarifying.
But before she became Pan’s monster-hunting mentor, Annie made her debut in a short-lived, 1990s Mature Readers series that you can download for free from our webstore:
Hearstopper: The Legend of La Bella Tenebrosa#1–3: The nefarious heavy metal band Hellfire has arrived in New York City, and its lead singer, Corum de Sade, is more than just a sex magnet for his female fans—he’s an incubus! Will Annie put an end to his plans for worldwide chaos, or fall prey to his supernatural charms? Written by me (of course), issue 1 is drawn by Pan and Annie co-creator Uriel Caton (JSA Annual) and inker Alan Larsen (Femforce); issue 2 is penciled by Uriel, Holly Golightly (School Bites), and David C. Matthews (Satin Steele) and inked by Larsen. Issue 3 (which Millennium never published) is penciled by Holly, with four pages of inks by “Chainsaw” Chuck Majewski (Harvey Kurtzman’s New Two-Fisted Tales). As a special bonus, issue 3 includes a short preview of the also-never-published Heartstopper/Trollords, a proposed one-shot special that would have had Annie meet Harry, Larry, and Jerry, the Three Stooges–inspired trolls created by Scott Beaderstadt and Paul Fricke, written by me with pencils by Holly and Scott and inks by Bill Lavin (Troubleshooters, Incorporated: Night Stalkings).
(Warning: Heartstopper is designated a “Mature Readers” comic for violent scenes and some sexual innuendo, so younger Panatics should avoid it.)
Last but not least, Vampirella is best known to comic book fans around the world as the half-naked vampire from outer space—created by comics publisher James Warren and writer/editor Forrest J Ackerman, and currently published by Dynamite Entertainment—who fights monsters while wearing nothing but a one-piece swimsuit and a pair of go-go boots. If you’re a new fan of hers, someone interested in learning about her background, or a longtime fan, we have a book that’s perfect for you:
From the Stars…a Vampiress: An Unauthorized Guide to Vampirella’s Classic Horror Adventures, by Steven A. Roman (that’s me!) is a nonfiction book—not a comic—and a history of Vampirella that takes an extensive look at her early days, from the debut of her series in 1969 to the death of Warren Publishing in 1983. I provide an in-depth guide to all her Warren stories, a checklist of all her Warren appearances (plus the publications from Harris Comics and Dynamite Entertainment that reprinted her Warren adventures), an overview of the six novelizations by pulp sci-fi author Ron Goulart that were published in the 1970s by Warner Books, and most important of all, what may be the first time anyone has actually told, in chronological order, the story behind the rise and fall of Hammer Films’ proposed Vampi movie of the 1970s that was meant to star Playboy model Barbara Leigh and horror icon Peter Cushing. It also includes my look at the awful 1996 direct-to-cable-TV movie that was made, starring Talisa Soto and Roger Daltrey; a peek at Peter Cushing’s personal copy of the ’70s Vampirella screenplay; a foreword by Official Vampirella Historian Sean Fernald, a frontispiece by Warren artist Bob Larkin, and photographs from the personal archives of Forrest J Ackerman.
Lorelei: Sects and the City, Lorelei Presents: House Macabre, and From the Stars…a Vampiress are available in print and digital formats. Lorelei: Genesis is a digital exclusive. Heartstopper is a free digital exclusive. Visit their respective product pages for ordering information.
Neal Adams (l.) and friend and fellow artist Bob Larkin reminisce at The National comic con, in 2004. Photo by Steve Roman.
The comics industry was stunned last Friday upon hearing the news that comic-art legend Neal Adams had passed away on April 28th, at the age of 80.
Adams, if you’re unaware, was one of the most influential creators in the business—not just the artist who revitalized characters like DC’s Batman, Superman, Deadman, and Green Lantern and Marvel’s X-Men and Avengers in the 1970s, but he was also an outspoken advocate of comic creators’ rights, most famously in the way he forced DC Comics to not just publicly acknowledge that one of their biggest cash cows, Superman, was the creation of writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster but also get them to agree to provide Siegel and Shuster with pensions derived from all those millions and millions of dollars Superman had made for the company since his debut in 1938. And he’d remained active as a writer/artist in the years that followed, his final projects involving his return to Batman, the character he was probably most known for.
I only got to speak with the esteemed Mr. Adams once, but it’s a moment that’s always stuck with me, in a humorous way. Let’s turn back the clock…
It was sometime in 1993 that I dropped by the offices of Adams’s Continuity Studios in midtown Manhattan, at the invitation of Louis Small Jr., the artist who’d helped Harris Comics relaunch Vampirella that year with a sold-out, multiprinted run of the first issue, and who’d also helped StarWarp Concepts enter the full-size-comic publishing market by providing the cover art for Lorelei issues 1 and 2. Louis had joined Continuity after a temporary breakup with Harris, and was penciling what would turn out to be Ms. Mystic: Deathwatch 2000 #3, starring the catsuit-clad environmental witch who was an Adams creation and Continuity’s best-known character.
I meet Louis at the reception desk and he asks me to wait in the company meeting room while he finishes up work on the page he was penciling, so I went in and took a seat. A few minutes later, into the room steps Neal Adams. He stares at me for a moment, appearing confused by my presence there.
“Oh…hello,” I say. I couldn’t think of anything pithier.
“Are you here looking for work?” he asks.
“Uhh…no,” I say.
Adams nods. “Good.”
And he leaves.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, was my one personal encounter with comic-art legend Neal Adams. Not the greatest experience, but certainly a memorable one, if I’m repeating it almost 20 years later!
Rest in Peace, Mr. Adams. After all the good you’ve done for the comics industry, you’ve certainly earned it.
Happy Independent Bookstore Day, owners of indie bookshops around the world! Are you interested in adding StarWarp Concepts titles to your shelves? Given the quality of our releases, of course you are! Well, here’s how you can do it!
SWC’s in-print titles (as opposed to our e-book exclusives) are all print-on-demand releases available through our distributor, Ingram Book Group—and POD means they’re never out of print, so they’re always ready to appear on your shelves!
Our ever-growing list of titles ranges from the young-adult thrills of supernatural heroine Pandora Zwieback and the Lovecraftian chills of the graphic novel Lorelei: Sects and the City to the nonfiction books Terra Incognito: A Guide to Building the Worlds of Your Imagination (perfect for writers and RPG game masters) and From the Stars…a Vampiress: An Unauthorized Guide to Vampirella’s Classic Horror Adventures, and from the Illustrated Classics A Princess of Mars and Carmilla to the swashbuckling adventure of the fantasies Harbinger of Darkness and For a Few Gold Pieces More. StarWarp Concepts has a book sure to appeal to your customer base!
And our titles are critically acclaimed, with enthusiastically positive responses from reviewers:
“Far and away one of the best young adult supernatural fantasy novels in recent years. Pan is exactly the kind of teen heroine that readers should be standing up and cheering for.”—HorrorNews.net on Blood Feud: The Saga of Pandora Zwieback, Book 1
“This is without a doubt the essential, authoritative reference book for anything related to the Warren-era Vampirella. There are lots of books out there with good information, but none offers such a broad, all-encompassing look at the history of this character.”—Vampirella of Drakulon (news blog) on From the Stars…a Vampiress: An Unauthorized Guide to Vampirella’s Classic Horror Adventures
“A solid introduction to the subject of world building. The book succeeds in helping the aspiring writer in creating a skeletal framework on which to hang the moving parts required of a believable fictional setting.”—The Gaming Gang on Terra Incognito: A Guide to Building the Worlds of Your Imagination
“A satisfying romp and one that feels like it would have made an excellent seventies horror film (especially one made by Hammer). The story is funny at times, graphic at times, and horrific at others, and it’s always delivering its stuff at full volume.”—Strange Amusements on Lorelei: Sects and the City
“A visceral adventure through a world of magic with well-developed characters, dynamic dialogue and a good dose of two-handed sword fights.”—Experience Writing on Harbinger of Darkness
“With a cover that looks like it belongs on the paranormal romance shelf in a bookstore and half a dozen illustrations provided by Eliseu Gouveia, this edition stands a good chance of tempting some younger readers to pick up this classic vampire tale. I wish I’d picked this book up in seventh grade instead of slogging through Dracula.”—The Gothic Library on Carmilla
Take a look at our backlist to see what we offer, and thencall Ingram Books at (800) 937-0152 if you don’t already have an account with them. If your store is outside the United States, call (615) 213-5000.
After all, why should Amazon have all the business—and the fun?
What a great time it is to be a fan of superheroes! Spider-Man: No Way Home and The Batman set box office records, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness opens next week, Moon Knight is nearing the end of its six-episode run on Disney+, The Batman 2 was just greenlit yesterday, on the very same day that Advent Comics started the relaunch of The Formidables comic series I edited for creator/writer/artist Chris Malgrain—and today is National Superhero Day!
According to a number of websites, National Superhero Day “was created in 1995 by employees of Marvel Comics, who sent a team of interns out in central Pennsylvania to hear what the public thought about superheroes and what super powers they’d most want to have. Today, the day is about honoring all the superheroes in our lives, both the fictional and the real-life heroes who give their all every day.”
It sounds like an apocryphal story (Why would Marvel send out interns to do a poll? Why only central PA and not the entire United States?), but in a country that celebrates National Chocolate Custard Day (that’s May 3, in case you were wondering—mark it on your calendar!) it shouldn’t be all that surprising that even a probably made-up story can get its own holiday.
Still, it’s superheroes we’re talking about, and if you’re looking for some around these parts, we have a couple of titles you might be interested in:
Troubleshooters, Incorporated: Night Stalkings is a general readers’ graphic novel about a group of supernatural-superheroes-for-hire taking on their first case. The team consists of a wizard, a female ninja, a sorceress, a werewolf, and a rock ’n’ roll lighting designer wearing high-tech armor. Sure, they might not be on a power level with the Avengers or Justice League, but they get the job done. (However, they have been compared to the JL’s supernatural offshoot, Justice League Dark and Hellboy’s Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense, although TSI predates both organizations.) The graphic novel is written by Richard C. White (The Chronicles of the Sea Dragon Special) and his wife, Joni M. White, and illustrated by Reggie Golden and Randy Zimmerman, and features cover art by Richard Dominguez (El Gato Negro).
And Heroines & Heroes is a collection of comic stories and pinups all drawn by me, dating back to my days in the early 1990s small-press movement—that age of dinosaurs in which creators like me used to make our comics by printing them out on photocopiers and then stapling them by hand. In H&H you’ll find mainstream heroes and small-press heroines, and even a couple of anthropomorphic bikers. Leading off is “V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N (in the Summertime),” a three-page Wonder Woman vs. Harley Quinn story that I wrote and drew in the late ’90s as a sample for a DC Comics editor who thought I’d be a good fit for their Batman: The Animated Series comic (it didn’t work out). It’s followed by an adventure of small-presser Jeff Wood’s rabbit-eared superspy, Snowbuni; three pages from the long-canceled anthropomorphic indie comic Motorbike Puppies; and an adventure of the indie superheroine The Blonde Avenger.
Troubleshooters, Incorporated: Night Stalkings is available in print and digital formats; Heroines and Heroes is a free digital exclusive. Visit their respective product pages for ordering information, as well as sample pages.
Third time’s the charm? Well, that seems to be the case for the superhero comic series called The Formidables—a series that I was involved with as editor—because its first issue hits comic shops today, courtesy of Advent Comics!
A bit of history, first: Originally self-published digitally by creator/writer/artist Chris Malgrain through his Oniric Comics company, its print rights were picked up by Red Anvil Comics in 2017. However, when that arrangement didn’t work out, Chris elected to go back to self-publishing, in print this time, and so he relaunched the series with a reprint of issue 1 and continued on through last year’s series finale in issue 8 (I scripted issue 5, BTW).
But now the Formidables have returned to comic shelves via the Unbound Realms imprint of indie publishing house Advent Comics, with The Formidables #1 (version 3) on sale right now. Apparently the series is on a quarterly publishing schedule, considering issue 2 has been solicited for July 2022 release.
The Formidables are a quintet of superheroes battling evil and bigotry in 1950s America, with their first challenge coming in the form of a Communist super-villain…who’s disguised as a white supremacist! It’s a unique take on the genre, with Chris examining topics like race relations and sexual identity in a Cold War setting, but there’s also an old-school Marvel vibe to the proceedings with an appropriate amount of punching and explosions mixed in, of course—we aretalking superhero comics, after all!
So if you missed it before, then face front, true believer (again!), and head on down to your local comic shop to pick up The Formidables #1!
This coming weekend, science fiction fans from far and wide will be gathering for RavenCon, being held at the Virginia Crossings Tapestry Collection hotel in Glen Allen, Virginia. And among the exhibitors will be fantasy and sci-fi author Richard C. White, who’ll be there to promote his many projects—including his StarWarp Concepts titles, of course!
If you’re attending the show, be sure to purchase books directly from Rich, who’ll be selling copies of his fantasy adventure novel Harbinger of Darkness, his fantasy story collection For a Few Gold Pieces More, his dark fantasy collection Chasing Danger: The Case Files of Theron Chase, his supernatural/superhero graphic novel, Troubleshooters, Incorporated: Night Stalkings, and, of course, his popular nonfiction worldbuilding book for writers and gamemasters, Terra Incognito: A Guide to Building the Worlds of Your Imagination.
Raven Con 15 runs April 29 to May 1. For more information on the show, visit the RavenCon website.
Happy World Book Day in the United States! Run by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), World Book Day (aka World Book and Copyright Day, and the International Day of the Book) is, to quote their website:
“World Book Day is a celebration! It’s a celebration of authors, illustrators, books and (most importantly) it’s a celebration of reading. In fact, it’s the biggest celebration of its kind, designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and marked in over 100 countries all over the world.”
To explain this event further, let’s turn to Wikipedia for its origin story:
“The original idea was of the Valencian writer Vicente Clavel Andrés as a way to honour the author Miguel de Cervantes [author of Don Quixote], first on October 7, his birth date, then on April 23, his death date. In 1995 UNESCO decided that the World Book and Copyright Day would be celebrated on 23 April, as the date is also the anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare and [16th-century Spanish author] Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, as well as that of the birth or death of several other prominent authors.”
So then it’s really World Book Death Day? Hey, as long as it gets people to read…
Around the world (except for Ireland and the United Kingdom), World Book Day is held every April 23—so for more information, visit the World Book and Copyright Day site for all the latest news and events listings.
But the celebration doesn’t end at sundown, because April 23 is also World Book Night in the United Kingdom! Run by The Reading Agency, this annual gathering of book lovers is, to quote their website:
“World Book Night is a national celebration of reading and books which takes place on 23 April every year. Books are given out across the UK with a focus on reaching those who don’t regularly read, and are gifted through organisations including prisons, libraries, colleges, hospitals, care homes and homeless shelters, as well as by passionate individuals who give out their own books within their communities.”
A whole day and night dedicated to reading? Well, that should actually be every day, shouldn’t it? Of course! Anyway, start celebrating and get to reading!
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