As mentioned before, from time to time here at MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD I will be covering products and publications that aren't necessarily movie monster magazines, but may be somehow related. This is one of those times. The announcement of this new comic anthology series helmed by Kerry "Monsterkid" Gammill has got more buzz going for it than THE INVASION OF THE BEE GIRLS! The press release is a little old and the news may have circulated for a while already, but I think it's worth keeping it boiling on the cauldron. Matter of fact a quick check at the MONSTERVERSE PROJECTS Blog shows not much in the way of any updates. Word has it that it was scheduled for release by the end of May. Here we are and I don't recall even seeing it advertised for sale in Diamond's Comic Shops Catalogue yet. Well, you can't rush greatness as they say, and let's hope it's worth the wait. In the meantime, feast your Lugosi-starved eyes on the great cover art by Gogos. I think this tops his Lugosi Count Dracula for the upcoming FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND re-launch.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ASTOUNDING ARRAY OF MAJOR TALENT LINING UP FOR BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE! Celebrated writers, comic book professionals and Hollywood horror veterans offer their imagination for the highly anticipated terror anthology series
Dallas, TX August 1, 2009 -- Comic book and horror fans are ecstatic over the incredible talent lining up for Bela Lugosi's Tales from the Grave, which is scheduled to premiere in early 2010.
The new full-color anthology to be done in the classic EC and Warren tradition will have each fantastic tale hosted by iconic horror film star Bela Lugosi. The book will be the premier publication from Monsterverse Comics, which will launch other horror and monster related titles in the months ahead. Editors Kerry Gammill (Powerman and Iron Fist, Deadly Foes of Spider-Man, Superman, THE OUTER LIMITS) and Kez Wilson (Hammerlocke, Scarlett, Power of the Atom, SPACE JAM) will be adding their artistic talents throughout the series, along with associate editor and writer Sam F. Park (Horror films: HALFWAY HOUSE, DEATH'S DOOR and the upcoming "The Need" for screenwriter turned producer Stiles White of BOOGEYMAN and KNOWING).
In addition to leading comic professionals, several famous horror filmmakers will also be contributing to help celebrate Bela Lugosi's new role as presenter of these weird tales of terror.
The stellar roster of artists and writers includes two major names among comic book fans. Premier horror writer Steve Niles (30 Days of Night, Gotham After Midnight, Dead, She Said) will be crafting a new story to make readers' skin crawl. Top artist John Cassaday (Planetary, Astonishing X-Men, Captain America) will be writing and drawing a story as well as providing an alternate cover for the first issue. The cover will be a portrait of Bela Lugosi by legendary horror magazine cover artist Basil Gogos (Famous Monsters of Filmland, Monsterscene).
Other writers, artists and filmmakers that readers can expect to see in future issues of the series include:
John Landis, film director (AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON, MASTERS OF HORROR)...
Rick Baker, make-up artist/sculptor (AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON, THE RING, HELLBOY, THE WOLF MAN)...
Mick Garris, film director/writer/producer (MASTERS OF HORROR, THE STAND, TALES FROM THE CRYPT)...
Bruce Timm, artist/producer (BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES, Vampirella)...
Stiles White, screenwriter (KNOWING, BOOGEYMAN, POLTERGEIST remake)...
James Farr, creator of XOMBIE, the highly successful online animated series and comic book. Soon to be a major live-action feature film from DreamWorks...
Brian Denham, artist (Iron Man, The X-Files, Nova, The Avengers)...
Rick Klaw, writer (Weird Business)...
Joe R. Lansdale, writer (Weird Business, Savage Season)...
John Lucas, artist (Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, Star Trek, Weird Business)...
Rob Brown, artist (Bane of the Werewolf, Marvel Comics Presents, Spiderman, Conan)...
Erik Gist, painter (Upper Deck, DC Comics, Boom! Studios)...
Neil Vokes, artist (The Black Forest, Superman Adventures, Untold Tales of Spider-Man)...
Robert Tinnell, film director/writer (FRANKENSTEIN AND ME, The Black Forest, The Wicked West)...
Martin Powell, writer (Moonstone Comics' The Spider, Scarlet in Gaslight, Frankenstein)...
Larry Blamire, film director/artist (THE LOST SKELETON OF CADAVRA, Tales from the Pub, Steam Wars)...
Frank Dietz, cartoonist/animator (Sketchy Things, Disney's TARZAN, TREASURE PLANET)...
Terry Beatty, artist (Ms. Tree, Scary Monsters).
The interest in honoring Bela Lugosi has been overwhelming, so look for more great contributors to sign on in the coming weeks.
Kerry Gammill - Publisher/Editor/Artist
Kez Wilson - Co-Editor/Artist
Sam F. Park - Associate Editor/Writer
Ahh this sounds amazing! I sincerely hope it gets off the ground and that it isn't trapped within the infernal bowels of development hell!
ReplyDeleteLove the Gogos cover! (It's in his book.) The comic sounds like fun!
ReplyDelete