Well-Defined Productions

ZOMBIE-PROOF LIMITED EDITION HARDCOVER

2012-01-17T23:13:00.002-05:00

Finally in the pipeline! The ZOMBIE-PROOF LIMITED EDITION HARDCOVER is 144 pages of zombie-stopping goodness by yours truly and Vincent Spencer. It contains the original three-issue mini-series and the new 46-page story ZOMBIE-PROOF: ZOMBIE ZOO.

Meet BILLY BOB DRIWAHL and the eccentric denizens of SAN ROSINA, TEXAS!

More details soon!

JUST FOR THE RECORD...

2012-01-09T00:45:00.003-05:00

Although I wish it has lasted longer (and although I wish Dark Horse had put my credits on #3), I really enjoyed getting to work with Jim Shooter and Patrick Olliffe on Mighty Samson.

Despite having been at this a while and having known Jim for years, I learned a lot.

LONG-DELAYED PROJECT #1

2012-01-06T08:08:00.002-05:00

I have scripts in hand from several great writers. After the long delay, Bedtime Stories For Impressionable Children will return in 2012 and it ought to be pretty cool.

Details as things progress.

RETURN OF THE HUMAN

2012-01-06T02:33:00.002-05:00

A very cool piece of art by the super talented Mark Wheatley from Return of the Human, a project on which I'm working with Mark.

More details soon.

VAMPIRE, PA Limited Edition Hardcover NOW AVAILABLE!

2011-12-27T19:14:00.004-05:00

Finally! The Vampire, PA limited edition hardcover is now available!

Vampires in suburbia? Dean Marklin didn’t believe in vampires until a beautiful one tried to kill him! Now he’s a vampire hunter trying to hold onto what’s left of normal life. How do you think that’s working out for him?

Written by J.C. Vaughn, illustrated by Brendon Fraim and Brian Fraim, with color art and cover by Mark Wheatley, this new limited edition hardcover collects Moonstone’s three-issue Vampire, PA mini-series, bonus story pages, and the prose short story that inspired it, from the writer of Zombie-Proof and Bedtime Stories for Impressionable Children. Visit Western Pennsylvania’s oddly vampire-rich environment!

GREAT CHRISTMAS PARTY

2011-12-27T19:06:00.005-05:00

Getting into the holiday spirit, on Thursday, December 22, Rosina and I hosted Jim Shooter, Debbie Fix, JayJay Jackson and her partner Freddy, Adam Philips and his wife Julia Roberts, Joe James and his wife Yamilca, and my pal Rob Miller at Rosa Mexicano on East 18th Street in Manhattan.

It was a blast! Mr. Shooter even wrote about it over on his blog today. More photos there, too!

ZOMBIE-PROOF 12-Page Preview

2011-09-28T23:43:00.016-04:00

Extremely Limited ZOMBIE-PROOF at the Virginia Comicon

2011-09-10T01:44:00.003-04:00

One of the show exclusives at the Virginia Comicon will be the brand new, 46-page original Zombie-Proof one-shot, Zombie-Proof: Zombie Zoo.

It's written by me, illustrated by Vincent Spencer, and features a cover by Jacob Jordan.

More details soon!

ARTIST'S EDITIONS: Interview with IDW's SCOTT DUNBIER

2011-08-30T22:27:00.003-04:00

A real treasure and a boon for collectors of original comic book art, the ARTIST'S EDITION books from IDW Publishing have just got to be seen to be believed.

You can check out the interview with Scott in Scoop.

I love what he's done so far and can't wait for the ones he has lined up!

If you're a Walter Simonson fan, don't miss the Thor book!

A COOL DAY: ZOMBIE-PROOF "ZOMBIE ZOO" ART is FINISHED!

2011-08-16T23:54:00.002-04:00

Vincent Spencer, my partner on all things Zombie-Proof, sent me the final pages today on for the new, 46-page "Zombie Zoo" story that will go with the original mini-series in the collected edition.

There are some corrections, which he's already at work on, but we'll finish a couple days earlier than I expected. Getting to sit down and look at it, this is a cool story and the art is outstanding!

I'll post details as soon as possible on when it will be out.

OVERSTREET #41 for THE HERO INTIATIVE

2011-08-16T01:19:00.003-04:00

How cool was this year for the Guide? Let me tell you...

First, I got to work with Walter Simonson, fulfilling a goal I've had for more years than I care to count. And he was as cool as could be (which was no surprise because, hey, he's as nice as he is talented).

Second, I got to work with Amanda Conner, who was also as cool as could be me (this was no surprise since she and Jimmy Palmiotti are really good people, but it's still enjoyable).

And third, I got to work with John Romita, Sr. and Tom Palmer on The Hero Initiative version of the book. Both of these tremendous talents influenced how I looked at comics over the years, and they both were terrific to work with, too.

In case you haven't heard, the Hero version is hardcover only and limited to 500 copies. If weren't at Comic-Con International: San Diego or Wizard World Chicago, you can still get one online from Graham Crackers Comics, who handle all the online stuff for Hero.

Seriously, what a year!

And I don't want to leave out the colorists either! Laura Martin, who plied her craft on Walter's Thor cover, was superb.

Paul Mounts, who worked with Amanda on the Supergirl and Batgirl cover, was equally awesome.

And Dean White -- the only repeat creator from last year's 40th anniversary editions (again The Hero Initiative exclusive) -- just once again rocked it.

Of course this makes next year very challenging... but that's a fun kind of problem to have!

THE OVERSTREET COMIC BOOK PRICE GUIDE #41 is NUMBER ONE for July!

2011-08-14T23:23:00.006-04:00

The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #41 was the number one book distributed by Diamond Comic Distributors in July 2011.

The Supergirl & Batgirl HC by Amanda Conner sold out from Diamond on the day of its release (7/20/11) and the Thor HC by Walter Simonson is selling briskly, too. Gemstone still has a few copies of the Supergirl HC left but when they're gone they're gone.

At present the soft cover editions are still available.

Longer Preview from ZOMBIE-PROOF

2011-08-14T01:01:00.011-04:00

BEHIND THE SCENES on ZOMBIE-PROOF

2011-08-12T00:04:00.003-04:00

When we first started working on the Zombie-Proof story "Zombie Zoo," it was going to be an annual with different artists illustrating different chapters. The only part that worked out -- no surprise to anyone who has worked with them -- was the chapter supplied by Brendan & Brian Fraim, my artists on Vampire, PA and my abele collaborators on other projects, most notably Antiques: The Comic Strip.

Another frequent partner in crime, Gene Gonzales, posed for reference photos for the gruesome death at the hands (paws, actually) of the zombie chihuahuas. Here's one of the great pages by the Fraims. You'll see others in the Zombie-Proof collected edition when that eventually happens (it's getting very close now).

While we changed a bit of the pacing, you'll see we used the same "camera" direction and similar pacing with my Zombie-Proof co-creator Vincent Spencer took his take on this scene (see previous blog entry).

ZOMBIE-PROOF Four-Page Preview

2011-08-11T23:49:00.009-04:00

VAMPIRE, PA Limited Edition Hardcover in August PREVIEWS

2011-08-06T01:06:00.003-04:00

The Vampire, PA: Pittsburgh Noir limited edition hardcover is in the August 2011 issue of PREVIEWS from Diamond Comic Distributors; it's on Page 306 and is Item #AUG11 1133.

AMANDA CONNER's Overstreet HC Sells Out

2011-08-06T00:59:00.002-04:00

At Comic-Con International: San Diego with Amanda Conner, celebrating the first day sell-out of her hardcover edition of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #41.

It is seriously cool to work with nice people who are super-talented.

ZOMBIE-PROOF: Good Morning, Dallas!

2011-07-05T23:40:00.004-04:00

Just finished edits on Zombie-Proof: Good Morning, Dallas!, a prose prequel short story to the Zombie-Proof comic book series. It's fun and reminded me of how enjoyable it is when you really know your subject and just let loose.

I think it means I have to write a novel.

At any rate, more details -- such as where and when it will appear -- soon.

We'll see.

UPCOMING WORK

2011-06-09T00:32:00.004-04:00

Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #41
October 2011 - Vampire, PA Limited Edition Hardcover
November 2011 - Zombie-Proof Limited Edition Hardcover

More to come!

VAMPIRE, PA Collected Edition Mini-Preview

2011-05-31T12:20:00.018-04:00

The Vampire, PA collected edition hardcover will include four previously unpublished story pages, the original prose short story "Vampire Hunter Dean" that inspired the series (from the anthology Vampires: Dracula and the Undead Legions), character designs and more...

More details soon.

VAMPIRE, PA Collected Edition Coming Soon

2011-05-28T23:16:00.002-04:00

Details to follow...

Another ZOMBIE-PROOF Preview Page

2011-05-23T16:03:00.003-04:00

A Few More FREE COMIC BOOK DAY PHOTOS

2011-05-23T14:36:00.004-04:00

HERO and GEMSTONE OFFER LIMITED EDITION of OVERSTREET #41

2011-05-20T02:14:00.004-04:00

What happens when penciler John Romita, Sr., inker Tom Palmer, and colorist Dean White team up and use their powers and Marvel Comics characters for a good cause?

The answer is simple: magic!

Romita, Palmer and White have created The Hero Initiative’s exclusive, limited edition cover for The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #41, which will debut at The Hero Initiative booth at Comic-Con International: San Diego on Preview Night, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.

It features Spider-Man, Mary Jane, the Incredible Hulk, Captain America, Thor, The Thing, Daredevil, Wolverine and Iron Man.

Limited to only 500 copies and available only in hardcover, this edition of the Guide will serve as an important fundraiser for Hero. It carries a $35 retail price.

This marks the second year the Guide has done a limited edition for Hero. Last year, John Romita, Jr.’s recreation of Conan #1 inked by Klaus Janson and colored by White proved to be a nearly immediate sell-out. Given Romita, Sr.’s long association with many of these characters, we’re expecting good things this time around, too.

“When Gemstone Publishing approached us last year at the behest of Steve Geppi about doing the first special fundraiser limited edition in the Guide’s long history, it sounded like a really good idea. Once we actually received copies of the book, we knew it was actually a great idea. I called Gemstone’s J.C. Vaughn and said, ‘I don’t want to say can we do this next year, but… Can we do this next year?’” said Jim McLauchlin, President of The Hero Initiative.

The answer, of course, was yes.

“Raising awareness serves a purpose, but what we really wanted to do was raise money for this great cause,” said Steve Geppi, President and C.E.O. of Gemstone Publishing. “Like last year, I’m very pleased that we are able to donate the full print run of 500 copies to Hero because, also like last year, everyone really came together to help out this great cause. Starting with the awesome creative team, our friends at Marvel, and Quad Graphics, everyone donated their services and just look at the results!”

First published in 1970, The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide has been the Bible of serious comic book collectors – and those just starting out – for 41 years. As does every edition, this 41st volume includes all new insights, feature articles, Overstreet Hall of Fame entries, and tons of comic book data along with the most comprehensive listing of comics you’ll find.

“We’re very happy to be able to do this limited edition with Hero,” said author and publisher Robert M. Overstreet. “The reaction to last year’s limited edition was very gratifying, to say the least. Hero helps people who have brought enjoyment to so many, and helping them do that is a tremendous privilege.”

The Hero Initiative Limited Edition Hardcover version of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #41 is scheduled to go on sale at The Hero Initiative booth at Comic-Con International: San Diego on Preview Night, Wednesday, July 20, 2011 and afterward through a limited number of Hero affiliates. This version will be available in hardcover only and is limited to 500 copies. The retail price is $35. Information on special signings during the show will be released at a later date.

The standard editions of the Guide featuring Thor by Walter Simonson and Supergirl and Batgirl by Amanda Conner will also go on sale at the convention and at comic shops everywhere that same day.

FLASHBACK: HERO EDITION of OVERSTREET #40

2011-05-20T02:04:00.004-04:00

John Romita, Jr., Klaus Janson and Dean White labored on this killer recreation of Conan The Barbarian #1, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2010 just as did The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide. This version was limited to 500 hardcover copies with all the proceeds going to The Hero Initiative.

Here's what I had to say at the time about the effort to make this one a reality:

“This was truly a collaborative effort. Mark Huesman, the Guide's Creative Director, suggested the idea of a recreation of Conan The Barbarian #1 for the cover, since that landmark issue is also celebrating its 40th anniversary. Jim McLauchlin and the Hero Initiative secured the services of John Romita, Jr., Klaus Janson, and Dean White to provide the fantastic art.

Since John is exclusive with Marvel, Jim also got Marvel’s permission for him to do the project.

Dark Horse’s Mike Richardson arranged the permission to do the cover with the folks at Conan Properties International, LLC. Angelo Messina at WorldColor [now Quad Graphics] arranged for his company to donate the plate change and the limited edition portion of our print run. If any one of these things hadn’t happened, we wouldn’t have been able to do this project in this way.”

And of course none of it would have happened without Steve Geppi giving it the go-ahead or Bob Overstreet starting the Guide 40 years earlier!

FLASHBACK: ANTIQUES for HERO

2011-05-20T01:53:00.004-04:00

Other than covering them in Scoop, The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide and other publications, one of the first things I got to do for The Hero Initiative was donate the Week 33 original art from Antiques: The Comic Strip for a fundraiser auction. Artists Brendon and Brian Fraim and I signed the piece, as did special guest star Stan Lee. My biggest thrill was that Stan did not change my dialogue for him!

MORE PREVIEW PAGES from ZOMBIE-PROOF: ZOMBIE ZOO

2011-05-17T22:47:00.016-04:00

SOMETHING COOL BREWING at THE HERO INITIATIVE...

2011-05-16T15:19:00.004-04:00

Hero's Jim McLauchlin just posted this image by John Romita, Sr. and Tom Palmer mere minutes ago. I can say without reservation that that for a guy who is "retired," JRSR can still rock the pencils, and we also get to see why Tom Palmer is one of my favorite inkers of all time. Jim also asked folks to guess that this is image is for...

ZOMBIE-PROOF T-SHIRTS AVAILABLE

2011-05-11T01:09:00.002-04:00

Zombie-Proof t-shirts are now available! Aside from being practical, they're very cool. Stylish even. And doesn't it seem like something you might need?

PREVIEW PAGES from ZOMBIE-PROOF: ZOMBIE ZOO

2011-05-11T00:23:00.004-04:00

FROM STOP #2 on FREE COMIC BOOK DAY

2011-05-11T00:14:00.004-04:00

From left to right: Jim Shooter, Alan Paperin of The Comic Book Depot, JCV, and Billy Tucci.

It was a great day. Really enjoyed meeting lots of fans and going to three really good comic shops!

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY is SATURDAY, MAY 7

2011-05-06T00:53:00.003-04:00

Our second edition of THE OVERSTREET GUIDE TO COLLECTING COMICS is Gemstone Publishing's Free Comic Book Day offering. It's great for new collectors and those who are, shall we say, a tad more experienced. Seriously, it's got a little something for everyone.

To find a participating store near you, visit the FCBD website and enter your ZIP Code.

I'll be signing along with JIM SHOOTER and BILLY TUCCI and some surprise guests at three stores on Long Island. Check out the story in Scoop and come see us if you can.

MIGHTY SAMSON #3 On Sale MAY 25

2011-05-06T00:45:00.008-04:00

Jim Kuhoric Gets a New Job

2011-04-27T16:10:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to James Kuhoric, who will be joining Avatar Press as their new Vice-President of Publishing and Managing Editor at the end of the month. He’s leaving Diamond Comic Distributors, where he’s served in a number of roles for the last 16 years.

I worked with him for many years on getting The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide out to retailers on a timely basis, as well on a number of projects outside work.

There are lots of folks who know him as a writer instead of as a Diamond guy. He has written a lengthy and acclaimed run on Dynamite’s Army of Darkness and the hit Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash mini-series and its sequel for Wildstorm, and he created by the horror series Dead Irons and the all ages title Legendary Talespinners for Dynamite.

And yeah, he's "Award-Winning Jim Kuhoric," too. He won the 2006 Spike TV Award for “Best Movie to Comic Book” for Army of Darkness: Shop Till You Drop Dead and the 2009 ComicMonsters.com Horror Award for “Best Mini Series” for Dead Irons. He also won two Gem Awards for Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash. He has been nominated for three other Spike TV Scream Awards and a Bram Stoker Award (for Kolchak, the Nightstalker).

Along the way he also wrote Stargate SG-1 (Avatar), Battlestar Galactica (Realm Press, of which the less said the better, I think), and a number of other projects. We look forward to seeing what new things he'll cook up at Avatar.

Thanks, Jim, and good luck!

MIGHTY SAMSON #2 on Sale FEBRUARY 16, 2011 - PREVIEW

2011-02-14T23:45:00.009-05:00

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2011 (May 7, 2011)

2011-02-14T23:28:00.005-05:00

On Saturday, May 7, 2011, participating retailers across North America (and some around the world) will host Free Comic Book Day 2011. On that day, those retailers will hand our comic books from Archie, BOOM! Studios, Dark Horse, DC, Marvel, IDW and may others free of charge.

Among the free comics will be The Overstreet Guide To Collecting Comics - Free Comic Book Day 2011, our latest effort.

Revised and expanded in reaction to retailer and reader requests! How do you collect comics? How do you take care of the comics you buy? How do you grade comics? How do you sell your comics? How do you evaluate their worth? From the team that brings you The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide come answers to these questions and more facing new collectors and experienced enthusiasts alike!

32 Pages, Full Color, Free

It's written by me (with help from Bailey Ball and some of our Overstreet Advisors), illustrated by Gene Gonzales, with photographs by Michael Solof, and designed and edited by Mark Huesman.

COMIC BOOK MARKETPLACE #1 On Sale MARCH 2

2011-02-14T23:21:00.003-05:00

Comic Book Marketplace returns with a special one-shot that spotlights the short, turbulent history of the Atlas-Seaboard line of comics, their unusual staying power in the minds of fans, and their surprising rebirth that started at the 2010 New York Comic Con and continues with three new #1 issues in March 2011.

This issue also ties directly into the new Atlas exhibit which opens in March at Geppi’s Entertainment Museum (Mike Wilbur and I are Guest Curators for the exhibit).

32 pages, Full Color, $3.99

The cover features The Scorpion from The Scorpion #1 by Howard Chaykin.

MIGHTY SAMSON #2 on sale FEBRUARY 16

2011-02-04T01:44:00.002-05:00

Five hundred years after the end of the world, mutated monsters prowl the desolate wilds, and savage marauders from the wastelands of Jerz scourge the helpless N'Yark tribe.

Samson, the strongest man on Earth, defender of the N'Yark, singlehandedly invades the forbidding fortress of Terra, Queen of the Jerz. Ten thousand hardened Jerz warriors swarm to her defense. The odds for survival look grim. If only the Jerz had more warriors!

It's written by Jim Shooter and me, and illustrated by Patrick Olliffe!

And Comic Book Resources has a preview! Check it out!

MIGHTY SAMSON #1 On Sale DECEMBER 15

2010-12-14T01:37:00.003-05:00

MIGHTY SAMSON #1 PREVIEW

2010-11-17T20:42:00.016-05:00

MIGHTY SAMSON #2

2010-11-16T20:56:00.003-05:00

Five hundred years after the end of the world, mutated monsters prowl the desolate wilds, and savage marauders from the wastelands of Jerz scourge the helpless N'Yark tribe.

Samson, the strongest man on Earth, defender of the N'Yark, singlehandedly invades the forbidding fortress of Terra, Queen of the Jerz. Ten thousand hardened Jerz warriors swarm to her defense. The odds for survival look grim. If only the Jerz had more warriors!

On sale February 16, 2011.

Written by Jim Shooter & J.C. Vaughn
Illustrated by Patrick Olliffe
Cover by Raymond Swanland

EXCLUSIVE BEDTIME STORIES FOR IMPRESSIONABLE CHILDREN #1 at VIRGINIA COMICON

2010-11-07T00:57:00.010-04:00

Limited to 250 copies, the Virginia Comicon Exclusive edition of Bedtime Stories For Impressionable Children #1 will debut at the November 20-21, 2010 show in Richmond, VA.

This new horror anthology features three stories, including "One of Those Mother-Daughter Things" by yours truly, J.C. Vaughn, with Gene Gonzales (Tales of the Cherokee) and Mark Wheatley (Lone Justice, Blood of the Innocent) on art, "Life Stinks" by James Kuhoric (Dead Irons, Army of Darkness) and Joe Keatinge (PopGun), and "Madman / Dead Man" by Robert Tinnell (EZ Street, The Wicked West) and Rich Woodall. The host segments are illustrated by Michael Malbrough.

The covers are by Mark Wheatley (Cover A) and Jacob Jordan (Vampire, PA, Cover B). The sketch cover variant is by Wheatley.

In many ways, this is a dream project for me. Bedtime Stories was the first real attempt I made at writing a screenplay... as far back as high school. It represents that first time I have worked with Gene Gonzales and Mark Wheatley on the same project, and we have a lot of great creators working on stories for future issues.

MIGHTY SAMSON #1

2010-11-07T00:44:00.007-04:00

Five hundred years after the end of the world, amid the ruins of a once--great city scourged by mutated monsters, marauders, and savage subhuman predators, the primitive N'Yark tribe ekes out a meager, fragile existence. But from among them rises a champion, gifted with prodigious strength -- a warrior who can strike dead the most fearsome beast and stand alone against an army. Singlehandedly, he holds at bay the ravaging barbarian hordes of Jerz, thwarting the dark ambitions of beautiful, ruthless Queen Terra. At stake is the future of the world. Mighty Samson is the last, best hope of humankind.

Jim Shooter (Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom, Magnus, Robot Fighter and Turok, Son of Stone) is the writer, I'm the co-writer, and Patrick Olliffe handles the art.

It's due on sale December 15, 2010.

It features a regular cover by Raymond Swanland and a variant cover by Mr. Olliffe.

VAMPIRE, PA #3 at the Printer

2010-10-12T16:39:00.003-04:00

Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom #3

2010-10-12T16:29:00.011-04:00

Other than getting to read the script ahead of time, I don't have anything to do with Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom #3 from Dark Horse Comics, but it looks very much Jim Shooter and artist Roger Robinson really start clicking on this one...

And I'm sure that even Martha Stewart would think that's a good thing. Cover artist Michael Komarck rocks it, too.

VAMPIRE, PA #2 ON SALE SEPTEMBER 9

2010-09-06T22:59:00.005-04:00

VAMPIRE, PA #2 is scheduled to go on sale on Thursday, September 9, 2010.

Don't forget, new comics day is Thursday this week due to the Labor Day holiday.

VPA #2 includes a brand new 8-page back-up story featuring the return of ZOMBIE-PROOF!

ZOMBIE-PROOF: ZOMBIE ZOO in PREVIEWS

2010-08-31T16:49:00.005-04:00

An all-new one-shot, stand-alone story picking up from the back-up features in VAMPIRE, PA and the original ZOMBIE-PROOF mini-series...

It's on Page 290 in the September 2010 PREVIEWS and should go on sale in November.

The one-shot is by yours truly and Vincent Spencer, with a cover by VS and variant cover by Jacob Jordan.

VAMPIRE, PA #2 is at the Printer

2010-08-31T16:47:00.004-04:00

As soon as I have an on sale date, I'll post it!

FAN - FANDOM ADVISORY NETWORK

2010-07-30T13:42:00.000-04:00

PHOTOS FROM COMIC-CON 2010

2010-07-27T18:23:00.011-04:00

Comic-Con International: San Diego (July 21-25, 2010) was a ton of work since it was the launch of the 40th anniversary edition of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, but it was also fun because it offered the chance to catch up with good friends.

Photo #1
Scoop photographer Michael Solof (right) and I had the chance to visit with our friend Ming-Na, star of Stargate Universe on SyFy (what was wrong with Sci Fi Channel I'll never know), who I've known since junior high and Mike's known since high school. It was a blast seeing her at the show, and it was funny getting stopped every 30 or 40 feet so folks could take pictures with her. It's cool when good things happen to your friends.

Photo #2
I did two signings (one on Preview Night and one on Saturday) with Insight Studios Group supremo Mark Wheatley (right) at his booth for Vampire, PA #1. We had about 100 advance copies on hand (it actually goes on sale in comic shops this week).

Photo #3
And though we work together just about every day, it was was the first time in a couple of years that I'd seen Bob Overstreet (center) because he lives in Mississippi. Mark Huesman (left) works in Timonium, Maryland (though I see him more frequently than I do Bob) and I work in New York. The online world makes so much possible!

There will be a LOT more photos in this week's edition of Scoop.

VAMPIRE, PA #1-3 COVER GALLERY

2010-06-17T00:47:00.010-04:00

BEDTIME STORIES FOR IMPRESSIONABLE CHILDREN

2010-06-17T00:38:00.006-04:00

A brand new horror anthology in the spirit of the classics!

Meet Alonzo Del Vecchio, a former construction work forced by the tough economic times to become, much to just about everyone’s regret, a babysitter.

Modern horror masters James Kuhoric (Dead Irons, Army of Darkness), Robert Tinnell (The Black Forest, The Living and The Dead), Mark Wheatley (Breathtaker, Blood of the Innocent) and J.C. Vaughn (Vampire, PA, Zombie-Proof) provide a series of terrifying tales the babysitter probably should have left at home.

Covers by Mark Wheatley and Jacob Jordan.

32 pages, B&W $3.99

In the AUGUST 2010 issue of PREVIEWS, on sale in October!

Gene Gonzales, artist on the acclaimed Tales of the Cherokee, is now on board for Bedtime Stories for Impressionable Children #1. Gene and I have worked together many times over the years, most recently on The Overstreet Guide To Collecting Comics, which was Gemstone Publishing's Free Comic Book Day 2010 offering.

More news to follow soon.

VAMPIRE, PA #3

2010-06-09T09:43:00.009-04:00

The concluding chapter of the first Vampire, PA mini-series finds Dean desperate to track down the vampires who grabbed Dee-Dee, and he’s not about to let their minions stand in his way. It’s an all-or-nothing series of battles across Dormont with one life and many un-lives hanging in the balance. Also in this issue: two more chapters of Zombie-Proof: Zombie Zoo, leading into the upcoming Zombie-Proof one-shot! 30 pages of story and art. Covers by Brendon & Brian Fraim (75%) and Jacob Jordan (wraparound, 25%). 32 pages, full-color, $3.99

Look for it in the August 2010 PREVIEWS, on sale October 2010!

Vampire, PA is written by yours truly, J.C. Vaughn, illustrated by Brendon and Brian Fraim, colored by Mark Wheately, lettered by Marshall Dillon and edited by Charlie Novinskie. The Zombie-Proof back-up feature is written by JCV and illustrated by Vincent Spencer.

BEDTIME STORIES AD

2010-05-27T22:20:00.003-04:00

This will be featured on the inside back cover of Vampire, PA #2.

JCV PUBLICATION SCHEDULE

2010-05-22T21:05:00.008-04:00

From this month (May) through the fall, I'll have something out every month except September (hey, a guy's got to sleep sometime!). In addition to these projects, I have several more brewing at the moment.

The Overstreet Guide To Collecting Comics - FCBD 2010 - May 1 (Gemstone Publishing)
Vampire, PA#1 - June (Moonstone Books)
Creepy Archives - Volume Six (Introduction) - July
The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #40 - July (Gemstone Publishing)
Vampire, PA#2 - August (Moonstone Books)
Bedtime Stories For Impressionable Children - October (Moonstone Books)
Vampire, PA#3 - October (Moonstone Books)
Zombie-Proof: Zombie-Zoo - November (Moonstone Books)

If you on Facebook, look me up under "Jeffrey Vaughn" and join see what's cooking.

VAMPIRE, PA #3 COVERS - First Look!

2010-05-22T20:59:00.003-04:00

Vampire, PA #3 cover A by Brendon Fraim, Brian Fraim and Mark Wheatley, and Vampire, PA #3 cover B (wraparound) by Jacob Jordan.

BEDTIME STORIES FOR IMPRESSIONABLE CHILDREN

2010-05-22T13:09:00.006-04:00

Sometimes a good idea just won't die. Of course it sort of helps when it's undead to start with.

To say that Bedtime Stories For Impressionable Children has been percolating for a long time would be something of an understatement. I had read Creepy and Eerie, of course, but years and years before I got to work on The EC Archives, even before I discovered Bruce Jones' Twisted Tales, the first screenplay I tried to write while I was still in high school was Bedtime Stories For Impressionable Children.

Sometimes, as was the case with Antiques: The Comic Strip, you just don't know enough to do a good job writing a project when it first hits you. Then later -- sometimes much later -- how to actually do it hits you suddenly. That's the case with this one.

I was having lunch with James Kuhoric, my good friend and the only comic book writer who has made Army of Darkness really come alive (so to speak) for me (he's also the creator of the great Dead Irons and Legendary Talespinners). We weren't even talking about horror anthologies are first, but then (with a nod to Ross Richie and company) ... BOOM!

A couple of minutes later we had the whole first issue figured out.

That same night I had dinner with two other good friends, photographer Michael Solof and multi-media artist Mark Wheatley (creator of, among other things, Vertigo's Breathtaker and the recent graphic novel EZ Street). We talked it over, and it really got rolling.

I wrote up a quick proposal about the one-shot (we're ready to do more if it's a success), sat on it a few days, good some feedback, and then sent it off to Joe Gentile and our friends at Moonstone.

The result will be a 32-page comic book of horror tales by the aforementioned creators along with one by writer-director Robert Tinnell (The Black Forest, The Wicked West). It should be fun, and I already have a lot of other really talented friends ready to roll if people like this one.

We've already started a Facebook page on it, so check it out.

More to follow.

CREEPY ARCHIVES - Volume 6

2010-05-22T13:02:00.004-04:00

Due out in July 2010 from Dark Horse Comics, Creepy Archives - Volume 6 is a great collection. It features the material from Creepy #26-32 (not including the stories reprinted in previous volumes of this series, all of which I recommend heartily). The bulk of the art is by Ernie Colon and Tony Williamsune, but there's also work by Reed Crandall, Tom Sutton, Angelo Torres and one really interesting collaboration between Harlan Ellison and Neal Adams. It also has an introduction by yours truly.

VPA: BRENDON & BRIAN FRAIM INTERVIEW

2010-04-12T15:28:00.004-04:00

Dinosaurs For Hire creator, TV scribe, and all-around writer-guy Tom Mason has interviews Vampire, PA artists Brendon and Brian Fraim about their work on the series on the Comix 411 site. Check it out!

JCV INTERVIEW on ComicMonsters.com

2010-04-05T19:43:00.003-04:00

A very nice interview about Vampire, PA is now posted on a great site, ComicMonsters.com. Check it out!

VAMPIRE, PA #1 Eight-Page Preview

2010-03-24T00:03:00.021-04:00

VAMPIRE, PA #1 (of 3)
J.C. Vaughn, Brendon Fraim, Brian Fraim

From the writer of Zombie-Proof comes this trip to Western Pennsylvania’s oddly vampire-rich environment.

Cover A by Mark Wheatley. Cover B by Jacob Jordan.

VAMPIRE, PA #1 will be listed in the April 2010 PREVIEWS from Diamond Comic Distributors under MOONSTONE BOOKS and is set to go on sale in June!

The three-issue, bimonthly mini-series is based on my short story "Vampire Hunter Dean," which appears in the prose anthology Vampires: Dracula And The Undead Legions, also from Moonstone Books, and which is on sale now.

BRENDON and BRIAN FRAIM are the artists on the series. In addition to working previously on Antiques: The Comic Strip, they have also done The Odd Squad from Devil’s Due Publishing and America, Jr. from Image Comics, and other cool stuff.

The mini-series is being colored by multiple award-winning creator MARK WHEATLEY, the driving force behind such projects as Breathtaker, Blood of the Innocent, Mars, EZ Street, Lone Justice, Radical Dreamer, and more.

My previous credits include Moonstone’s mini-hit in 2007 Zombie-Proof, the adventures of Jack Bauer in 24 from IDW Publishing (based on the Fox series), Billy Tucci’s Shi from Crusade, Avatar and Dark Horse, and other stories. I’m also the Associate Publisher of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide and the writer of Gemstone’s Free Comic Book Day entry, The Overstreet Guide To Collecting Comics.

This issue features 32 pages of story and art! Vampire, PA #2 and #3 will feature a Zombie-Proof back-up story (and at least 28 pages of story and art each) leading into the upcoming new one-shot, Zombie-Proof: Zombie Zoo.

VAMPIRE, PA #2 COVER

2010-03-17T23:38:00.007-04:00

Vampire, PA#2 (Cover A) by Brendon and Brian Fraim. Not only is it the second issue of our three-issue mini-series from Moonstone Books, it also touts the return of Zombie-Proof in the form of a back-up feature by Vincent Spencer and me.

Updates: The art for the lead story for Vampire, PA #2 is already being colored and lettered. The back-up story is being drawn. I'm at work on the script for the lead story in #3. There are two Zombie-Proof back-ups in that one. The script for one is already finished, and the art for the second is done. So, things are progressing nicely.

Vampire, PA #2 will be in the June 2010 Previews from Diamond Comic Distributors. It will be on sale in August 2010. More to come...soon!

FIVE MORE PAGES from VAMPIRE, PA #1

2010-03-09T20:47:00.005-05:00

DARWYN COOKE'S OVERSTREET COVER

2010-03-09T20:24:00.002-05:00

Another of the cool things about my job is having friends like Jimmy Palmiotti, writer-editor-inker-artist and all-around cool guy. So last year, right after The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #39 came out, Jimmy called me.

"Darwyn wants to do an Overstreet cover for you," he said. I did not ask "Darwyn who?"

Not a phone call an editor is likely to forget, right?

Known for his fluid art style and highly respected storytelling skills, Darwyn Cooke won an Eisner Award for Best Limited Series and a Joe Shuster Award for Outstanding Canadian Comic Book Cartoonist for his work on DC: The New Frontier.

In 2009, he won further acclaim (and a very impressive amount of mainstream media coverage) for his graphic novel adaptation of the classic Donald Westlake – Richard Stark novel The Hunter, featuring the character Parker. The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, and Entertainment Weekly were just a few of the outlets to recognize his efforts.

If you haven't checked out The Hunter and you like crime comics, what the heck are you waiting for? If you haven't read DC: The New Frontier, and you like Silver Age comics, likewise, get with it!

In the meantime, make sure you order either this or Mark Chiarello's great Batman cover on The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #40, due out this July and in PREVIEWS right now.

VAMPIRE, PA #1 in April PREVIEWS

2010-02-25T08:10:00.007-05:00

Vampire, PA #1 (of 3)
J.C. Vaughn, Brendon Fraim, Brian Fraim

Vampires in suburbia? Dean Marklin didn’t think so. In fact, he didn’t believe in vampires at all. Then he met one. Then he met lots more, and they all wanted to kill him! Now he’s a vampire hunter, and he’s pursued by a beautiful vampire while he tries to hold onto what’s left of normal life. How do you think that’s working out for him? From the writer of Zombie-Proof comes this trip to Western Pennsylvania’s oddly vampire-rich environment. Cover A by Mark Wheatley. Cover B by Jacob Jordan.

VAMPIRE, PA #1 will be listed in the April 2010 PREVIEWS from Diamond Comic Distributors under MOONSTONE BOOKS and is set to go on sale in June!

It's based on my short story "Vampire Hunter Dean," which appears in the prose anthology VAMPIRES: DRACULA AND THE UNDEAD LEGIONS, also from Moonstone, and which is on sale now.

BRENDON and BRIAN FRAIM are the artists on the series. In addition to working with me previously on Antiques: The Comic Strip, the have also done The Odd Squad, America, Jr., and other cool stuff.

The mini-series is being colored by multiple award-winning creator MARK WHEATLEY, the driving force behind such projects as Breathtaker, Blood of the Innocent, Mars, EZ Street, Lone Justice, Radical Dreamer, and more.

VAMPIRE, PA #1 Five-Page Preview

2010-02-25T08:00:00.007-05:00

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY OVERSTREET

2010-02-05T11:19:00.003-05:00

As even the establishment media has been forced to notice over the last few years, Free Comic Book Day has become a sensation. Fueled part by the success of the comic book movies and record prices paid for high grade back issues, the social acceptance of comic characters has never been higher.

So, wouldn't this be a great time to introduce some new people to the notion of reading, enjoying and collecting comics?

The Overstreet Guide To Collecting Comics FCBD 2010 Edition tackles comic book collecting, grading, storage, conventions, prices, and more. It showcases the issues facing new collectors and experienced enthusiasts alike.

Free Comic Book Day is May 1, 2010.

It's written by me, illustrated by Gene Gonzales (it's a comic book-text hybrid), with lots of photos, a cover by the Fraim brothers, and I hope it's some fun.

THE ROCKETEER RETURNS

2010-02-03T20:01:00.004-05:00

The publishing history of the late Dave Stevens’ most famous creation almost takes longer to tell than it does to read, but even though the volume of the output is relatively small, its impact on the imaginations of its readers has been just the opposite.

The Rocketeer first appeared on an ad on the back of Pacific Comics’ Starslayer #1. The feature itself ran in Starslayer #2-3, and Pacific Presents #1-2 before Pacific went under.

The Rocketeer Special Edition #1, which had been intended to be Pacific Presents #5, was published by Eclipse, as was an album-format collected edition of those installments.

The Rocketeer Adventure Magazine #1-2 were published by Comico, and then #3, the final issue, was published by Dark Horse Comics, which subsequently collected the three issues into the a second album-format graphic novel subtitled “Cliff’s New York Adventure.”

The story, of course, spawned the 1991 feature film and sparked the renewed interest in pin-up Bettie Page, but it became a cherished favorite of many of its readers.

For those who have never experienced it, the tale of pilot Cliff Secord and his friends is steeped in pulp and classic adventure strip style. It’s set in the rip-roaring 1930s, with aerial circuses, tough guys, heroes, Nazis, and more, including Cliff’s beautiful girlfriend, Betty.

The Rocketer: The Complete Adventures collects all of the previous installments in a single, hardcover volume. The work has been completely re-shot from Stevens’ original art pages, giving it the best reproduction it has ever had. The beautiful paper stock combined with all new coloring by Laura Martin, who Stevens picked before his untimely death due to Leukemia, makes the book a treasure that is hard to put down.

There are two editions, both in hardcover. The standard edition is beautiful .

The deluxe edition is simply dizzying. Larger and including more than 130 pages of supplemental material, it’s actually hard to describe how cool a package this slipcased version is. The extra contents include rough pages, earlier versions, revisions, script notes, cover roughs, interviews with various contributors, unused covers, and more. For Rocketeer fans, it’s not to be missed.

Bravo to editor Scott Dunbier and everyone at IDW Publishing for presenting this important portion of Dave Stevens’ legacy in such stunning fashion!

MARK CHIARELLO'S OVERSTREET COVER

2010-02-03T19:46:00.003-05:00

One of the great pleasures for me since my move to New York is the ability to hop a train and be at the offices of DC Comics just a few minutes later.

When DC's Adam Philips let me know that DCU Editorial Art Director Mark Chiarello was a big Overstreet fan, I asked to meet him.

Adam introduced us, and I'm happy to say he turned out to be a great guy. The reason that made me particularly happy was that I've been a big fan of his work for a long time (I think the Terminal City covers were the first time I noticed is work).

At any rate, we chatted and I asked if he'd be interested in doing a cover for the 40th anniversary edition of the Guide. He said yes rather emphatically, and here we are!

VIRGINIA COMIC-CON PHOTOS

2009-12-09T23:25:00.019-05:00

I had a blast at the Virigina Comic-Con! I sat next to my pal Jim Kuhoric, who has written a ton of Army of Darkness and other horror comics (including his own Dead Irons), but he had people stopping by left and right to see the cover art from his new book, The Legendary Talespinners. It's in Previews right now, so check it out.

Jim Kuhoric

Xena. Don't mess with her.

Jim and I hosted a panel on working on license properties.

Elijah Pipkin entered the costume contest as me. It's an outrage that he didn't win!

My pal Alex Saviuk was there and it was great to get to hang out with him. We're hoping to work together in 2010. He still inks the Amazing Spider-Man daily strip and draws the Spidey Sunday page.

Artist Mark McKenna, who is another really nice guy on top of being so talented. It's always cool when guys whose work you like turn out to be awesome people.

Brett Carreras, co-promoter of the show, was a great host with his staff, friends and family!

It was also very cool to get to meet writer Chuck Dixon after years of having friends in common!

Here I am with a new fan whose name of course I lost. We sold copies of Zombie-Proof, Shi: Ju-Nen, the 24 Omnibus, Antiques: The Comic Strip and more. It was a fun show supported by great fans, most of whom seemed really happy to have a good comic show in their hometown. I'm definitely looking forward to them putting on another one so I can go back!

Thanks to Mike Solof for the great pictures!

VIRGINIA COMIC-CON: November 21-22, 2009

2009-11-16T22:20:00.004-05:00

I'm looking forward to attending the Virginia Comic-Con this weekend in Richmond. It looks like Brett Carreras and Guy Rose have put together a great show with Larry Hama, Chris Claremont, Chuck Dixon, my frequent collaborator Billy Tucci, John Gallagher, Steve Conley, yours truly, and many others.

I'll be on a panel with my good friend James Kuhoric (Dead Irons, Army of Darkness, Battlestar Galactica) talking about licensed properties, among other things.

It ought to be fun, and I hope to see you there!

VAMPIRES: DRACULA AND THE UNDEAD LEGIONS

2009-11-16T21:45:00.001-05:00

The blood runs red under the moon as Moonstone follows up its first monster anthology, Werewolves: Dead Moon Rising, with Vampires: Dracula and the Undead Legions. This second “Moonstone Monsters” anthology features Dracula stories (which open and close this collection) and eight other new vampire tales.

Contributing authors from screenwriters and novelists to comic book scribes, including L.A. Banks (2008 Essence Storyteller of the Year), P.N. Elrod (The Vampire Files), Elaine Bergstrom (Kolchak: The Night Stalker Chronicles), Martin Powell (Scarlet In Gaslight) and yours truly, with “Vampire Hunter Dean,” the short story from which my new comic book project grew.

24 OMNIBUS

2009-11-16T21:33:00.005-05:00

IDW Publishing, which had released four one-shot graphic novels and one five-issue mini-series based on the series, is set to release the 24 Omnibus in November 2009. The compendium will feature their complete 24 output to date.

I collaborated with screenwriter Mark L. Haynes on the first three one-shots (24: One Shot, 24 Stories, and 24 Midnight Sun) and the 24: Nightfall mini-series, and writer Beau Smith (Wynonna Earp) penned 24: Cold Warriors. An interview with us ran in Scoop.

I expect to have copies with me at this weekend’s Virginia Comic-Con, but I haven’t seen them yet.

Pirate Alphabet - Part 3

2009-11-16T21:28:00.001-05:00

A LITTLE MORE ZOMBIE-PROOF

2009-06-09T18:53:00.004-04:00

Click for larger images.

THE PIRATE ALPHABET - Part 2

2009-06-09T18:52:00.001-04:00

ZOMBIE-PROOF LIMITED EDITION

2009-06-07T20:47:00.003-04:00

Billy Bob Driwahl lives! The original Zombie-Proof mini-series will be collected into a limited edition trade paperback. So far it looks really cool.

Details to follow...

VAMPIRE HUNTER DEAN - Four-Page Preview

2009-06-07T20:31:00.007-04:00

Vampire Hunter Dean is illustrated by those whiz kids Brendon and Brian Fraim, and it's based on my short story that is schedule to appear in an anthology from Moonstone Books. In fact, the comic book story picks up where the short story left off, but both pieces work fine without the other.

As usual, the guys' work has been outstanding and seems to be getting better page by page. That was my experience with them on Antiques: The Comic Strip, so I probably should have expected as much.

This is a four-page sequence from early in the story. You can click the images to see them much larger.

BACK ISSUE #34

2009-06-07T20:18:00.004-04:00

From TwoMorrows Publishing

Experience a “New World Order” in Back Issue #34, featuring the soul-searching story of Counter-Earth’s Adam Warlock, with Jim Starlin and Roy Thomas, and the behind-the-scenes history of the revolutionary Marvelman, with Alan Davis and Garry Leach. Also, Jim Shooter stands tall in an exclusive interview and we look back at Marvel’s New Universe. Plus: Logan’s Run, Star Hunters, Bob Wiacek on Star Wars and Star-Lord, the conclusion of the Steve Skeates interview, a new AA COMICS chapter, Dick Giordano and Pat Bastienne revisit Crisis on Infinite Earths, and “The Post-Crisis DC Universe You Didn’t See”! Contributors include Gerry Conway, Tom Defalco, David Michelinie, Paul Ryan, and more. All behind an incredibly cosmic Warlock and Thanos cover illustrated by Jim Starlin! Edited by Michael Eury.

I'm very happy to finally be contributing to this outstanding publication on comics history. Michael Eury has done a mindboggling job of finding enthusiastic writers to provide articles about a very wide range of subjects from my favorite era of comics. Just the day before this issue arrived, I wondered if anyone could be the inside view on Star Hunters, and then suddenly here it is!

My article on Jim Shooter is derived from one part of a lengthy interview he and I are working ourselves through, and this portion of it is something that I can't recall Jim commenting on before. I hope you'll take a look. Thanks.

THE PIRATE ALPHABET - PART 1

2009-06-07T20:05:00.001-04:00

Study this. There will be a quiz.

ART REMNANTS

2009-05-03T20:58:00.000-04:00

HUGH JACKMAN PLUGS FREE COMIC BOOK DAY

2009-04-18T08:58:00.001-04:00

FREE SHIPPING on ANTIQUES (one week only)

2009-03-27T17:27:00.007-04:00

From now until Friday, April 3, 2009, Gemstone Publishing is offering free shipping on Antiques: The Comic Strip, by Brendon Fraim, Brian Fraim, and yours truly. It's one of my favorite projects that I've ever worked on.

It was nominated twice for Harvey Awards (due mainly to votes from my co-workers, I'm sure), both for best comic strip (2007) and best collected edition (2008).

The story concerns two cousins, one American and one British, who are the last of their once proud trans-Atlantic dynasty. They're both antiques dealers, they both end up at the largest auction ever of vintage pop culture collectibles and fine art, and they don't speak to each other. There's also a lot more than meets the eye. What is it? That's the story.

Is it an honor just to be nominated for Harvey Awward, you know, the way everyone always says? Well, actually, it was an honor just to get to do this strip that floated around in my head for so long... and to do it with such talented artists. And seriously, since these awards are voted on only be working comics professionals, I really do owe it to my co-workers and their support of the book that it was even considered.

If you haven't already checked it out, let the free shipping be your incentive to do so now!

If you're read this blog before, you might have noted that I've done a pilot teleplay based on Antiques. There are some important differences in pacing, but the characters are pretty true to what we've seen in the comic strip (or this collected edition). It would be great to see this one come to life on the small screen.

I recently did an interview with the Comix 411 site and blogged about it in an earlier entry.