BELA LUGOSI RISES TO TELL MORE "TALES"

The second issue of the acclaimed comic book title, BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE has at long last, been released. MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD received this press release regarding the premier of the book, as well as a companion publishing project, FLESH AND BLOOD:

(Los Angeles, CA) MONSTERVERSE (MV) premiered the second issue of its critically acclaimed "BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE" (cover by Academy Award winner RICK BAKER) at MONSTERPALOOZA (MPZ) in advance of its general release on May 2nd in comic shops everywhere.

Monsterpalooza was host to the West Coast's major horror event held at the Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel, April 13th-15th. "BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE" #2 was one of the highlights of MPZ for the horror creators and monster makers in Hollywood! Everyone from collector Bob Burns to director John Landis agreed the new issue was a spectacular addition to the Monsterverse line of books.

MONSTER MAN - CLEVE HALL of the hit SyFy make-up effects reality series is happy to show off his copy of "BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE" #2 during the MPZ 2012 festivities.

The Monsterverse Table along with the adjourning the Lugosi family table was a very popular spot at MPZ 2012. Many fans and pros were able to have their Lugosi comic signed by Bela Lugosi, Jr.

MV West Coast Editor Sam F. Park with director John Landis.

MV publisher Kerry Gammill at the table.

"BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE" #2 is a double-sized horror comic book that offers 52 "gore-geous" pages of freaky art and disturbing text and can be found at finer comic shops on Wednesday, May 2nd and for a mere $4.99. That's double the horror of other sorta-kinda-maybe scary comics (Use Diamond order # JAN121179 for back-ordering. Diamond Distribution will honor ALL re-orders.)

"BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE" #2 includes work by Kerry Gammill, Neil Vokes, Mike Hoffman, Jack Herman, Sam Park, James Groman, Kamil (Kurt) Kochanski, Joe Freire, Mike Dubisch and more. Five new tales of freakish horror and blood-curdling terror and all twisted with black humor as delivered by the supreme horror icon, BELA LUGOSI!

Make-up artist Emma Jacobs shows off her BLTFTG #2.

GREMLINS and THE HOWLING director Joe Dante looks up from reading his BLTFTG #2 while at the TRAILERS FROM HELL table.

THE WALKING DEAD TV series's special make-up effects creator Howard Berger of KNB FX has his eyes glued to the latest issue of BLTFTG.

The beautiful Hammer horror actress Veronica Carlson of the epic terror film, DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE, shows off her FLESH AND BLOOD graphic novel at MPZ 2012.

Famed horror artist DAN BRERETON provides the monster action for the cover of Volume 2 of FLESH AND BLOOD, the acclaimed horror graphic novel series from MONSTERVERSE (MV).

Vampires! A Werewolf! And Baron Frankenstein collide in the second book of the award-winning graphic novel series from Monsterverse!

Plus two back-up features! OPERATION: SATAN by Tinnell and artist Bob Hall and the new FRANKENSTEIN by Tinnell and Adrian Salmon. No graphic novel series delivers pure unadulterated horror entertainment like FLESH AND BLOOD!

FLESH AND BLOOD VOL. 2 arrives in May but tell your comic shop to order NOW with: Diamond order # MAR121120.

MONSTER COMICS WORLD: BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE #2 SNEAK PEAK

Kerry Gammill's second issue of the acclaimed BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE is due on the spinner racks this coming July. That it coincides with the San Diego Comic Convention is no surprise. Independent comic books such as this are up against fierce competition from industry giants Marvel and DC, so it makes sense to capitalize on whatever marketing one can to promote a book.

I loved the first issue and am looking forward to the second. A special Halloween issue is in the works, too. The cover of issue #2 depicting one pissed-off Popeye is by none other than make-up artist extraordinaire Rick Baker. He rendered the digital image using the new super graphics design software ZBrush. Kerry Gammill added the background art for the finishing touch.

There is an article in the L.A. Times blog called "Hero Complex" that discusses more of the making of this excellent indie comic. Click HERE to read.

BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE "MOTION AD"

A nicely done "motion ad" by Kerry Gammill for his new comic book series, BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE.

[Music by Lamb of God - "Vigil"]

COLLECTOR'S WEB

Welcome to the newest blog roll feature at MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD, the COLLECTOR'S WEB! Like our currently running feature EYE ON EBAY which spotlights monster mags and similar items found on eBay, I'm expanding the topic from collecting monster magazines to 'zines and related ephemera and memorabilia. I'll also provide some of the insights and knowledge that I've gained over the 40+ years that I've been reading this stuff, as well as the on-again, off-again 30+ years that I've been seriously collecting the same said stuff.

Today I'm sharing with you an amazing find . . . a monster-themed comic book still for sale on the stands selling at a collector's price! That's right Kerry Gammill's excellent new comic, BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE #1 variant comic is selling for $11.50 on a website -- that's over TWICE the cover price! Granted, it's a "Cassidy Cover" variant and not as many have been published -- but it's not like they disappeared off the shelves. I'll spare the dealer's website identity and requisite rant, just 'cause I'm a nice guy.

BLACK FRIDAY AT MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD

That's right. MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD has its own BLACK FRIDAY and two of Horrorwood's finest actors run the show at this gore store. Need a brain transplant? They've got 'em cheap!  Check out the action in the "Vid Clips" tab under this blog's main title.

IN THE NEWS: LUGOSI PARDONS THANKSGIVING TURKEY

Quoth the turkey . . . "nevermore"!

MONSTERS UNLEASHED: NEW COMIC 'ZINES NOW ON SALE

BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE UPDATE

The folks at MONSTERVERSE are making it easy to order up the first issue of BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE. Just print out a copy of the order form below and take it to your local comics shop. Oh, and the illo depicting the seductive Nosferina by Bruce Timm ain't bad, either! And don't forget to visit the MONSTERVERSE website by scrolling down to the link at the bottom of this here MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD blog and "Pull de String"!

BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE UPDATE

Pictured at left is the cover image by comics artist John Cassady of the "variant" cover edition of the upcoming BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE from MONSTERVERSE ENTERTAINMENT. Now, a firm release date has been set as October 21, 2010. Cute -- just around Halloween! Advance orders can be made in this month's (August) Diamond Previews comics catalogue. Below is the most recent news release explaining more.

(HURST, TEXAS) MONSTERVERSE ENTERTAINMENT reveals the JOHN CASSADAY variant cover for its upcoming BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE horror anthology comic book series. One copy of the special Cassday cover edition will be included with every five copies ordered by retailers. The standard cover features a striking portrait of Bela Lugosi by legendary monster painter Basil Gogos.


John Cassaday is one of the most popular comic book artists in the world and was the illustrator of DC Comics' acclaimed PLANETARY series and Marvel Comics' hugely successful ASTONISHING X-MEN for which he received the Eisner Award for best penciler. He has recently brought his story-telling talents to the film medium, having directed an episode of the noted science fiction/action series, DOLLHOUSE. Joss Whedon (Cassaday's X-MEN collaborator) created DOLLHOUSE along with BUFFY, THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and FIREFLY and is both writing and directing THE AVENGERS for Marvel Studios and Disney.

 BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE will be in comic shops during the coming Halloween season. The comic will be a double-sized 48-page color quarterly for $4.99. The first issue contains stories and art by such notables as Kerry Gammill, (SPIDER-MAN and SUPERMAN) James Farr (whose XOMBIE online animated and comic book series is being brought to theater screens by Dreamworks in a live-action production by top writer/producers Orchi and Kurtzman), Chris Moreno (WORLD WAR HULK), John Cassaday, Rob Brown (named last year's horror artist of the year in an online vote), Derek MacCaw, Rafael Navarro (creator of the Xeric Award winning series SONAMBULO), Martin Powell and Eisner Award- winning artist Terry Beatty (THE BATMAN STRIKES), Brian Denham (IRON MAN, ANGEL) and Bruce Timm (designer for Warner Bros animated BATMAN series) and more. The book also features an article by leading Lugosi researcher and author Gary D. Rhodes.

 Upcoming issues will feature work by some top names in movies and comic books. Directors John Landis and Joe Dante, make-up genius Rick Baker and others are bringing their talent for horror from movies illustrated page for the first time. Other contributors will include Steve Niles, Benton Jew, Neil Vokes, Jack Herman, Mike Hoffman, Brian Denham, Hank Mayo, James Groman, and Joe and John Lansdale.

 The Diamond Item # Code is: AUG101080 with the title, BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE. This information is for fans to inform their comic book shops exactly what to order.

 The MONSTERVERSE editorial staff will be in attendance at the international SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON 2010. Publisher/editor Kerry Gammill will be signing at the Vanguard Productions Booth 1709 at times to be announced. You can receive TWITTER updates at Comic-Con from MONSTERVERSE at: http://www.twitter.com/monsterverse for the latest convention news and information.

 October will feature many launch events for the Lugosi comic book including a MONSTERVERSE/LUGOSI NIGHT at the American Cinematheque in Hollywood at the Egyptian Theater. Details coming soon.

 MONSTERVERSE ENTERTAINMENT is a transmedia company headed by its publisher and editor, the comic book and film design artist, Kerry Gammill. Keith Wilson, formerly of DC Comics, is a co-editor and writer/artist. Producer/writer Sam F. Park is the West coast editor and a writer/artist.

BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE UPDATE

According to the ad pictured to the left, we'll be seeing BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE this fall. Creator Kerry Gammill is attending the FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND CONVENTION (unfortunately, MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD will only be there in "spirit") and I'm sure he'll be spending a good portion of his time crankin' up the buzz. Best of luck, Kerry. Judging from the excellent ad artwork, I'm fully expecting this to be a monsterkid's comic book dream come true . . . and may even give the resurrected CREEPY comic book series from Dark Horse a run for it's money. Capitalism, competition and a free market in the monster comic industry -- amazing!

BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE

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