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All Pulp Interviews: Moonstone’s Return of the Monsters – Jay Piscopo

  • News
  • September 20, 2011
Cover: Dan Brereton

This Halloween, Moonstone heads back to their monstrous roots with the Return of the Monsters Event. Return of the Monsters features four stand-alone tales of pulp’s mightiest heroes facing off against some classic monsters. One of those titles called The Spider vs. The Werewolf by writer Martin Powell with art by Jay Piscopo. All Pulp sat down with Jay Piscopo about this upcoming book.

All Pulp: Tell us a little about yourself and your pulp interests.

Jay Piscopo: Well, I’ve been working as a commercial artist for over 20 years and I’m very engaged with my own company Nemo Publishing and The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli graphic novel series. As to pulp interests, I remember seeing Doc Savage paperback covers when I was little and when Marvel and DC created the comic adaptations of Doc, The Shadow and The Avenger I was hooked- and it prompted me to seek out the prose. I love the primal aspects of pulp heroes and created an homage character in Capt’n Eli named Commander X.

Art: Jay Piscopo

AP: You’re providing the art and tones for the Return of the Monsters Halloween event book, The Spider vs. The Werewolf. What can we expect from this titanic throw down

JP: As I mentioned before– the 70s pulp comic adaptations really hooked me- and finally to work on a pulp/comic was really a thrill. The Spider is primal, savage energy and The Werewolf is as well- Let’s just say when they clash, the fur is flying!

AP: The Spider Vs. The Werewolf has a pulp hero battling a classic monster, a combination that even though done in some regards hasn’t ever really been done the way Moonstone is doing it with the Return of the Monster event. What do these genres have in common and how do they differ in ways that complement each other?

Art: Jay Piscopo

JP: What is interesting to me is how The Spider is very much like a classic monster as well as a hero. The Werewolf and The Spider seem to be opposite sides of the same coin. Both are primal and savage, but the legend of the werewolf is rooted in tragedy, where The Spider always triumphs. And The Spider seems to be in control of his bloodlust and savage nature enough to focus it.

AP: The Return of the Monsters Halloween event brings back several classic monster archetypes to Moonstone’s lineup. How does this version of the werewolf compare and contrast to previous versions of the character?

JP: I think the writer, Martin Powell has added a new human element we haven’t seen before to the werewolf human host. I don’t want to spoil anything, but this werewolf is very much in the vein of other incarnations but has his own tragic twists.

Art: Jay Piscopo

AP: What appeals to you about pulp heroes battling classic monsters? What was it that excited you about visually pitting the Spider against a werewolf?

JP: To overuse a word, I’d have to say the characters are both primal.. Constantly in movement and unpredictable — pitting two characters like this against each other and drawing them in action is a dream.

AP: What, if any, existing pulp, monster, or comic book characters would you like to try your hand at drawing?

JP: I think like most pulp fans and creators- Doc Savage and The Shadow would be first choices-

Return of the Monsters Covers By Dan Brereton
Art: Jay Piscopo

AP: What does Jay Piscopo do when he’s not drawing?

JP: ah— i try to take a breath once in awhile.

AP: Where can readers find learn more about you and your work?

JP: www.captneli.com would be the best place and here’s a facebook link https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Art-of-Jay-Piscopo/112769612079000

AP: Any upcoming projects you would like to mention?

JP: Our 4th annual Commander Xmas free online book will be available this December at the Capt’n Eli website- featuring comic and new pulp creators-

And Ive got some new characters that are going to finally see print soon- as well as a third Capt’n Eli book on the way.

AP: Thanks, Jay.

JP: Thank You!

The Spider vs. The Werewolf is solicited in August Previews for an October in store release.

Sequential Pulp Visits King Solomon’s Mines!

  • Uncategorized
  • September 20, 2011
Art: Pablo Marcos

PRESS RELEASE:

Sequential Pulp Comics is thrilled to have adventure scribe extraordinaire, Mark Ellis and comics’ legend, Pablos Marcos team for a retelling of H. Rider Haggard’s KING SOLOMON’S MINES. Haggard’s Allan Quatermain stories have found new audiences over and over since the character was initially introduced in 1885.

The source material is in public domain. There have been numerous films based on KSM. The latest coming in 2004 from Hallmark Entertainment and starring Patrick Swayze as Allan Quatermain. The most famous version would still be MGM’s 1950 big budget epic staring Stewart Granger and Deborah Kerr. It has just been reported that Dreamworks and Aussie heartthrob, Sam Worthington will tackle the role of Quatermain in a futuristic version of the novel.

Our writer/adapter Mark Ellis had this to say when asked how he plans to keep the material fresh when it has been in front of the public for so many years. “We plan to maintain the spirit of the story but alter sections in the original source material in order to streamline the narrative. We want to make the whole thing a bit more palatable to a contemporary graphic novel reading audience. That means tweaking characterization to some extent. Pablo Marcos, of course, is one of the few living legends of the comics and graphic novel field, and it’s quite the privilege and honor to work with him.”

Sequential Pulp is committed to honoring the wonderful writers who have come before us and we respect their vision and the integrity of their work. That being said I’ve read Mark’s story synopsis and it is fantastic. He has remained true to Haggard,his style and the essence of his storyline. He does it with great finesse taking us to the same place Haggard took us so many years ago. We hope you’ll join us on our journey to bring you one of the finest adventure tales ever written to graphic novel format.

The image above is of Pablo Marcos artwork and is designed by Melissa Martin-Ellis and Michael Hudson for promotional purposes. This will not be the actual cover for the graphic novel.To learn more about Sequential Pulp’s titles, please visit http://www.sequentialpulpcomics.com.
UPDATE! Below is the cover sketch by Pablo Marcos.

Cover sketch by Pablo Marcos

‘FORTUNE’S PAWN’ MAKES FIRST MOVE FOR NEW AUTHOR AND ROUNDS OUT PRO SE’S PUBLISHING YEAR!

  • News
  • September 20, 2011

DEBUT NOVEL FROM FANTASY SCRIBE IS 12TH IN PRO SE’S PUBLISHING YEAR!

Pro Se Productions, a company specializing in New Pulp magazines and books, is proud to announce that the debut novel from Pro Se Author Nancy Hansen is the closing salvo to Pro Se’s first full year of active publishing.  And this first book, entitled ‘Fortune’s Pawn’, in a trilogy is also currently Pro Se’s best selling title to date!


“We started out,” Tommy Hancock, Pro Se’s Editor in Chief said, “specializing solely in magazines and at that time our mantra was ‘Putting the Monthly Back Into Pulp!’  When we moved away from magazines for a bit and went into anthologies and novels, the slogan didn’t change and neither did the commitment behind it.  The magazines are back now and still Pro Se is all about making sure that there’s a new Pro Se title on an average of once a month!  And we are extremely pleased that the work that closed our first year of Publishing was Nancy Hansen’s first novel.”

“The basic premise is classic and familiar,” states Barry Reese of ALL PULP in a review of the book.  “A prophecy warns that a red-haired child will rise up to overthrow the bad guys so the villains are out killing everyone with red hair. One infant survives such an attack and grows up to become our protagonist. Callie is an enjoyable character and her motivations and emotions are well depicted.”

‘Fortune’s Pawn’ is the first of a trilogy, but it comes from the mind of Nancy Hansen, a writer who made her debut in the Pro Se magazine line.  Almost instantly, Nancy gained the title of being one of the most prolific writers in New Pulp, turning out more than twenty stories and juggling no less than three or four universes, most largely fantasy of some sort, almost instantly.   “Nancy’s a godsend,” Hancock stated.  “There such a richness and vitality to her take on fantasy, plus she writes as frequently as most people eat it seems, so it’s a win-win for her fans and for Pro Se.”


The inaugural publishing year of Pro Se not only ended on a high note with ‘Fortune’s Pawn’, but was filled with several notable works.  8 issues of the initial magazine lines kicked off the company and now, although down to one magazine, ‘Pro Se Presents’ has recently brought Pro Se back to the magazine business.  That combined with the debut novel from New Pulp author Tommy Hancock (YesterYear) and the continuation of the New Pulp Classic series created and penned by Barry Reese, “The Rook: Volume Six.” Pro Se also created and coordinated PULP ARK, the first New Pulp Convention, this past May.

“We are beyond amazed,” Hancock said, “at how quickly and how successful this year has been for Pro Se.  And there’s no sign it’s slowing down with all the things in the works that I can’t even talk about right now.  I will say this, though.  The mantra, the slogan, it’s not changed one bit.”

Pro Se is definitely Putting the Monthly Back into Pulp!


Pro Se Productions- www.pulpmachine.blogspot.com
Fuller Bumpers-Chief Executive Officer
Tommy Hancock- Editor in Chief
proseproductions@earthlink.net

ComicMix’s Bob Greenberger Chronicles Career of Howard Chaykin

  • Uncategorized
  • September 20, 2011

Legendary for what he has done on the page and infamous for what he has said off it, Howard Chaykin ranks among the superstars of modern comics. In [[[The Art of Howard Chaykin]]], written by Robert Greenberger, go behind the scenes with the creator whose pioneering works include American Flagg!, The Shadow, Batman, New Avengers, Dominic Fortune, Black Kiss and more. Experience the stories of Howard Chaykin’s life as only he can tell them. Filled with no-holds-barred perspective from his longtime friends and colleagues, and featuring an extensive selection of artwork from throughout his career, including many never-before-published pieces from Chaykin’s own archives, The Art of Howard Chaykin takes readers on an in-depth journey from the 1970s to today with one of the medium’s great storytellers.

“Big thanks to everybody at Dynamite for the incredibly flattering job they’ve done, making me look good in this volume,” stated Howard Chaykin.  “Since I’m always willing to mistake attention for affection, I’m basking in the love.”

“At a time when many fresh new art styles while gracing the pages of comics, there was a boldness to Howard Chaykin’s figures that set him apart,” states The Art of Howard Chaykin writer Robert Greenberger. “He carved his own path, first as an artist, then as a writer exploring the limits of what can be done in graphic arts, informed by the great illustrators that came before him. Like his work, the man is larger-than-life filled with provocative observations that are always informed and defensible. Getting to know him has never been less than fascinating and getting to write his story was an opportunity to learn more about what him tick.”

“Howard Chaykin is a good friend and is an unparalleled creator in the comics medium,” says Dynamite President and Publisher Nick Barrucci!  “We made sure to pull out all the stops to make this the definitive guide for Chaykin fanatics everywhere.  Also, having a Brian Michael Bendis forward and afterward by Walter Simonson is just icing on the cake!”

YO HO HO-MORE PIRATEY INTERVIEWS FROM PULP EMPIRE!

  • Uncategorized
  • September 20, 2011

PulpEmpire.com is proud to offer our newest anthology Pirates & Swashbucklers, a seventeen story collection of great pirate pulp fiction! Pirates & Swashbucklers author Kameron W. Franklin interviewed his fellow writers of the new Pulp Empire anthology out now!


Today he sits down with Pam Bitner, author of “The Mark of the Brotherhood”.


When did you first realize you were a writer?
In middle school, though my writing back then would better serve as toilet paper. By high school, I only allowed my close friends to read anything and they encouraged me to go beyond that.


What authors influence or inspire you?
First and foremost, David Morrell. He was the first author I really, really started looking forward to the next book to come out. Lately, Brent Weeks has caught my attention. Not only is he a great guy, he tells a great story. Both make reading a joy.


What book(s) have you read more than once? What drew you back?
Brotherhood of the Rose by David Morrell. The characters drew me back. It’s the only book I’ve ever read twice.


Do you consider yourself a “pulp” writer? Why? Is there another genre you like to write?
I’ve written pulp, but it’s not the only genre I write, so I don’t consider myself exclusively ‘pulp’. I have a couple of alter egos out there writing anything from young adult and beyond. For me, it’s not about writing in one genre. It’s about taking it and writing a story well. I haven’t found a genre I didn’t like yet.


In 25 words or less, how would you define “pulp” as a genre?
Gritty. It’s got that character you sometimes love to hate, and perhaps to some level, it’s got a bit of cliche cheese, but in a good way. A femme fatale doesn’t hurt either.


What made you decide to submit a story for the Pirates & Swashbucklers anthology?
I belong to a private writer’s site called Scribophile. A couple of the ladies and I have a group there and when a good anthology waggles its bum in our direction, we announce it. I’ve always liked the arrogance of a swashbuckler and how, no matter what, they get out of trouble and snag the girl in one swoop.


Read more of Kameron’s interviews at PensAndSwords.com.




Pulp Empire Presents: Pirates & Swashbucklers is now available at Pulp Empire.com. Until October 10th, use the code “62QUSQGC” at our CreateSpace bookstore to receive 15% off on the book!

Tom Wilson: 1931-2011

  • News
  • September 20, 2011

Tom Wilson, the creator of the comic strip Ziggy and artist from 1971 to 1987, passed away in his sleep last Friday at the age of 80.

Born August 1st, 1931 ,Wilson served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. He attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, graduating in 1955. He was a former faculty member of the Cooper Union Art School from 1961 to 1962.

Wilson’s career began in 1950 doing advertisement layout for Uniontown Newspapers, Inc. In 1955, he joined American Greetings as a designer, becoming Creative Director in 1957 and vice-president of creative development in 1978. While at AG, he developed the Soft Touch greeting card line. He also served as president of Those Characters From Cleveland, AG’s character licensing subsidiary.

Ziggy first appeared in the 1969 collection When You’re Not Around, published by American Greetings. The newspaper strip began in June, 1971. He retired from the strip in 1987 and the strip was continued by his son, Tom Wilson, Jr.

Ziggy was licensed in a wide variety of forms, including greeting cards and calendars, and an Emmy-award winning Christmas special called Ziggy’s Gift:

Our condolences to his family and friends.

Warner Home Video to unveil Catwoman animated short, first ‘Justice League: Doom’ footage at NYCC

Warner Home Video, Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation proudly present an action-packed hour of first looks at DC Universe Animated Original Movies properties on Friday, October 14 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. at New York Comic Con.

Central to the panel will be the premiere of the animated short Catwoman, starring Eliza Dushku (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dollhouse) as the voice of title character. The 15-minute short will be included on the release of Batman: Year One, which streets October 18 on Blu-ray, DVD, for Download and On Demand.

The panel will also include the very first footage to be seen from Justice League: Doom, the highly-anticipated next entry in the ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original Movies.

The panelists, which include the ultimate voice of Batman, Kevin Conroy, DCU executive producer Bruce Timm and casting/dialogue director Andrea Romano, will offer a glimpse into the 2012 DC Universe Animated Original Movies slate, give away some exclusive prizes to inquisitive audience members, and quite possibly welcome a few surprise guests to the stage.

An autograph session with the panelists will immediately follow the panel.

EXTRA! EXTRA! BITS O’ NEWS FROM ALL PULP!

  • Uncategorized
  • September 20, 2011

BALLADS FOR THE BALLADEER

Joe Nazare, author and professor, has begun a celebration of original pulpster Manly Wade Wellman’s JOHN THE BALLADEER stories by posting a series of mini-ballads on his blog Macabre Republic under the title “On the Road with Silver John”!



BLOGGING FLASH GORDON
William Patrick Maynard (The Terror of Fu Manchu) is at it again, with his in-depth look at Alex Raymond’s Flash Gordon strip over at the BLACK GATE MAGAZINE blog!
BLOGGING BURROUGHS’ VENUS
Over at the BLACK GATE MAGAZINE blog, Ryan Harvey is celebrating the upcoming anniversary of ER Burroughs’ Martian stories with a look at the author’s second sword & planet series-Carson of Venus! 

THE LATEST ‘FLYING GLORY AND THE HOUNDS OF GLORY!”
FLYING GLORY AND THE HOUNDS OF GLORY
“I think I’ve got it retuned to Ms Clay…” The strange scanner allows
the vicious Dr. Molly Payne witness those early moment when Debra first began to fly and even more about Flying Glory
in the latest two pages of “Reverberations” our 10th Anniversary Issue.

MICHAEL DAVIS: Mr. Fantastic

  • Uncategorized
  • September 20, 2011

davis-column-art-110920-3072302When asked as a kid what superhero I wanted to be my answer was Batman. I loved Batman. I mean, I really loved Batman.

One Halloween my mother brought me a Batman costume and I also wore it the day after Halloween when I went outside to play.

I was laughed out of the park when I got there.

Those little bastard kids made me run home so fast my sister (my mortal enemy) felt sorry for me… until her friends came over and she joined them in making me feel like bat shit.

The next day was Monday and I begged my mother to let me stay home from school. I knew I would be ridiculed something terrible. She told me I had nothing to worry about because no one knew it was me.

“Everybody saw me!” I cried.

“You were wearing a mask.” She said.

I don’t think that I’ve ever gone from “my life is over” to “oh happy day” so damn fast.

Last night at an Emmy party I was asked what superhero I would be by a laughing asshole who thought working in comics was a joke.

My mind instantly went back to my bat run from the park.

“Mr. Fantastic.” I said.

“That’s the guy who can stretch really far, right? Why him?” said the asshole.

“Because your wife would enjoy that.” I answered, in my fuck you and your opinion of what I do voice.

No reply from the asshole. He just looked at his wife. “What superhero would you want to be?” I asked.

Still no answer from the guy who was now regretting all those shots he had at the party.

“Wait, I know. Little Bitch Man!” I said.

Yeah, I take comics and superheroes seriously.

WEDNESDAY: Mike Gold

PULP EMPIRE BRINGS ALL PULP PIRATE PULP FICTION AND INTERVIEWS!

  • Uncategorized
  • September 19, 2011

To celebrate “Talk Like a Pirate Day”, PulpEmpire.com is proud to offer our newest anthology Pirates & Swashbucklers, a seventeen story collection of great pirate pulp fiction! Pirates & Swashbucklers author Kameron W. Franklin interviewed his fellow writers of the new Pulp Empire anthology out now!


Today he sits down with Jason Kahn, author of “Voyage of the Hangman”.


When did you first realize you were a writer?
It changes depending on my mood. Sometimes I think it was when I sold my first short story. Sometimes I think it was my first (and thus far only) professional short story sale. Sometimes I don’t really consider myself a writer at all because I don’t write fiction for a living. Sometimes I think that’s ridiculous because I do make a living writing and editing, just not fiction. Then there are other times when I think that if and when I have an actual novel published, like I hopefully will with the one I just finished writing, I can then honestly look in the mirror and say, Chum, you’re a writer, you are.


What authors influence or inspire you?
Early on, I would say authors like Raymond Feist and David Eddings influenced me the most as I tried to write fantasy-adventures, but lately, much more James Ellroy, Elmore Leonard, Joseph Wambaugh, and Donald Westlake as I’ve been writing more noir crime fiction. I read several detective fiction authors as I worked on some of my recent pieces. Raymond Chandler, Peter Lovesey, and then I read Ellroy. The Black Dahlia, L.A. Confidential, and many more. I wasn’t prepared, my mind exploded. I could not put them down.


Do you consider yourself a “pulp” writer? Why? Is there another genre you like to write?
Some of the writing projects I’m involved with currently are very pulp-ish, noir detective type stuff, so at the moment I definitely feel that way. But I also write fantasy and hard scifi, so it varies. Basically I just like to write a good story. Whatever style fits is okay with me.


What book(s) have you read more than once? What drew you back?
The first book I remember reading more than once was A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin. I read it when I was a boy, and it was my first real introduction to fantasy literature. Quite a primer, right? I re-read it constantly, the language, the world-building, the characters. It was all there.


In 25 words or less, how would you define “pulp” as a genre?
Pulp as a genre takes me back to the old serials: over the top heroes and villains, nonstop thrill-ride action. That’s only 20!


What made you decide to submit a story for the Pirates & Swashbucklers anthology?
I always wanted to write a sword-and-sorcery adventure on the high seas with people who go “argh!” This was the perfect opportunity.



Read more of Kameron’s interviews at PensAndSwords.com.




Pulp Empire Presents: Pirates & Swashbucklers is now available at Pulp Empire.com. Until October 10th, use the code “62QUSQGC” at our CreateSpace bookstore to receive 15% off on the book!

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