Author Richard C. White at MystiCon 2020

Posted on February 24, 2020 by Steven

Rich-New-PicThis coming weekend, science fiction and fantasy fans will be gathering at MystiCon, being held at the Holiday Inn Tanglewood in Roanoke, Viriginia. And among the guests in attendance will be author Richard C. White, who’ll be there to promote his latest projects.

Rich, as SWC fans should know by now, is the bestselling author of the licensed novel Gauntlet: Dark Legacy: Paths of Evil, as well as an ever-growing list of titles published by SWC: the novel Harbinger of Darkness; the fantasy-adventure story collection For a Few Gold Pieces More; the writers and gamemasters aid Terra Incognito: A Guide to Building the Worlds of Your Imagination; the supernatural-superhero graphic novel Troubleshooters, Incorporated: Night Stalkings; and the pirate-adventure digital comic The Chronicles of the Sea Dragon Special.

Chasing-Danger_large_book_coverRich’s most recent SWC release is the dark-fantasy noir collection Chasing Danger: The Case Files of Theron Chase, in which the titular private eye takes on a quartet of supernatural cases—think Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe mixed with Lev Grossman’s The Magicians. Here’s the back cover copy:

Calasia: it’s a big town with big problems. Murder, thievery, extortion, corruption, magic, and monsters—just ask any native here: this ain’t a burg for the faint of heart. You don’t live in Calasia, you survive it.

Theron Chase walks these mean streets with a sap in one hand and a .45 in the other. Story is he used to be a hell of a cop in these parts—until his partner got dead in a hurry years ago. Now he makes a living as a private eye, offering his services to one and all while trying to stay on the good side of his secretary, a dishy-looking fae name of Kyra Sylvari. Ogres, werewolves, crime bosses, mages—as long as your money’s good and no one’s looking to turn him into a dead man (walking or otherwise), odds are he’ll be able to solve your problem.

Just don’t ask him to handle any magic-related items—he’s about as adept with the arcane arts as a troll in a knitting circle.

In this collection you’ll find four of Chase’s bizarre cases. From a sexy chanteuse who literally turns into a beast when the moon is full to a string of pearls that kills its owners, and from the ghost of a dead woman seeking justice to the Grim Reaper’s little girl seeking her stolen chicken, Theron Chase certainly has his hands full—of danger, death, and dames!

Chasing Danger: The Case Files of Theron Chase is available in print and digital formats, so visit its product page for ordering information.

MystiCon runs February 28–March 1. Rich will be selling copies of his books, so be sure to stop by his table in the vendors’ room to pick them up. For more information on the convention, visit the MystiCon website.

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From the Stars…a Vampiress Now On Sale!

Posted on February 18, 2020 by Steven

vampiress_LG_CoverHey, horror and comics fans! Today’s the day when our latest release, From the Stars…a Vampiress: An Unauthorized Guide to Vampirella’s Classic Horror Adventures, officially goes on sale! Written by Steven A. Roman (that’s me!), author of the Pandora Zwieback series and the tales of the Vampi-inspired succubus Lorelei, it’s an extensive look at Vampi’s early days, from the debut of her series in 1969 to the death of Warren Publishing in 1983.

Created in 1969 by comics publisher James Warren and writer/editor Forrest J Ackerman, Vampirella—the half-naked vampire from outer space who fights monsters while wearing nothing but a one-piece swimsuit and a pair of go-go boots—celebrated her 50th anniversary last year with the launch of a new series by her current rights owner, Dynamite Entertainment. Surprisingly, even though Fantagraphics Books published the late Bill Schelly’s in-depth biography James Warren: Empire of Monsters: The Man Behind Creepy, Vampirella, and Famous Monsters, in 2019 (and which is now out of print!), there was no book covering the behind-the-scenes history of Vampirella herself.

Until now, that is! In From the Stars…a Vampiress: An Unauthorized Guide to Vampirella’s Classic Horror Adventures you’ll find a wealth of information in its chapters:

The Vampire Who Fell to Earth: It’s the story of the life of Vampirella at Warren Publishing: her 1969 development by cocreators James Warren and Forrest J Ackerman, with the assistance of artists Frank Frazetta and Trina Robbins; the adventures she went on via the writing and artistic talents of such visionaries as Archie Goodwin, Bill DuBay, Jose Gonzalez, Enrich, Gonzalo Mayo, and many others; and the cancellation of her series in 1982 when the company collapsed. It also features probably the most you’ll ever see reported about four Vampi writers who were just as talented but not as well known: Mike Butterworth, who wrote under the pseudonym Flaxman Loew; T. Casey Brennan; Rich Margopoulos; and Gerry Boudreau.

The Vampirella Episode Guide: The largest section of the book, it examines every story starring Vampirella during the Warren Era: over 100 entries, some with little known behind-the-scenes details. Plus stories behind some of Vampi’s unpublished adventures!

Vampi Goes to Hollywood: In 1975, Hammer Films announced the development of a Vampirella movie starring model/actress Barbara Leigh and the legendary Peter Cushing (later known the world over as Grand Moff Tarkin of Star Wars). The project crashed in spectacular fashion, but the details have always been murky. I try to clear up the confusion surrounding it, detailing the production from its launch to its unfortunate ending. And then I take a critical look at the awful Vampirella movie that was made in 1996, starring Talisa Soto and rock god Roger Daltrey of the Who—and probably shouldn’t have been!

The Literary Vampiress: From 1975 to 1976, Warner Books published a series of Vampirella novelizations by sci-fi author Ron Goulart. I take a look at each novel, and explain why they’re worth tracking down…if you can find copies!

The Vampirella Warren Era Checklist: A list of every Warren Vampi story! Every reprint volume from Harris Comics and Dynamite Entertainment! Plus little known trivia!

From the Stars also features: A foreword by Sean Fernald, the Official Vampirella Historian! A peek at Peter Cushing’s personal copy of the 1976 Vampirella screenplay! A frontispiece by legendary artist Bob Larkin, who painted covers for Warren’s Vampirella, The Rook, Eerie, and Famous Monsters of Filmland! Photos of Barbara Leigh in costume as Vampirella at the 1975 Famous Monsters Convention, held in New York! If there’s only one Vampirella history book you pick up—and let’s be honest, this is the only Vampirella history book that’s been published—then be sure to add it to your collection!

From the Stars…a Vampiress: An Unauthorized Guide to Vampirella’s Classic Horror Adventures is available right now in print and as a PDF e-book, so visit its product page for ordering information. The print edition can be purchased from us as well as through your usual reailer outlets like Amazon and Barnes & Noble; the e-book is available through the SWC webstore and DriveThru Fiction.

This book is unofficial and unauthorized. It is not authorized, approved, licensed, or endorsed by Dynamite Entertainment or any of its licensees. Vampirella is a trademark of Dynamite Entertainment.

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Love and Horror for the Romantic Soul

Posted on February 10, 2020 by Steven

CarmillaValentine’s Day—the world’s favorite day for romance and outpourings of love—is close at hand, and coincidentally it just happens to fall smack-dab in the middle of Women in Horror Month. If you’re a horror fan, what better way to celebrate both holidays by snuggling up with your significant other and reading the story of Carmilla, the vampiress in search of love…and blood?

In 1871, J. Sheridan Le Fanu’s classic vampire tale, Carmilla, debuted in serialized form in the pages of the magazine Dark Blue and was then reprinted in Le Fanu’s short story collection, In a Glass Darkly, published in 1872. If you’re unfamiliar with what’s probably Le Fanu’s most famous work, here’s the back-cover copy from our edition, which has become the most popular title in our Illustrated Classics line:

Before Edward and Bella, before Lestat and Louis, even before Dracula and Mina, there was the vampiric tale of Carmilla and Laura.

Living with her widowed father in a dreary old castle in the woods of Styria, Laura has longed to have a friend with whom she can confide; a friend to bring some excitement to her pastoral lifestyle. And then Carmilla enters her life.

Left by her mother in the care of Laura’s father, Carmilla is young, beautiful, playful—everything that Laura had hoped to find in a companion. In fact, the lonely girl is so thrilled to have a new friend that she is willing to overlook the dark-haired beauty’s strange actions…which include a disturbing, growing obsession for her lovely hostess.

Carmilla, it seems, desires more than just friendship from Laura….

Critics love Carmilla, too!

“What makes Carmilla so endearing is the fact that the story is centered around two female characters, whose complicated relationship is colored by thinly veiled lesbian undertones.”—Slate

“Carmilla manages to pack in a lot of creepiness, narrative complexity, and moral ambiguity. It is worth reading both as a progenitor of the vampire genre and as a nuanced portrayal of a female relationship—part romance, part horror story—that exists outside the confines of masculine power.”—The Toast

Carmilla is available in print and digital formats, and features six spectacular black-and-white illustrations by artist Eliseu Gouveia (Lorelei: Sects and the City, The Saga of Pandora Zwieback Annual #1). Visit its product page for further information.

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Ready to Rev Your Harley?

Posted on February 7, 2020 by Steven

Birds-of-Prey-posterToday is the U.S. release date of Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), the latest entry in Warner Bros.’ DC Comics movie universe, in which star Margot Robbie reprises her well-received portrayal of the Clown Princess of Crime, Harley Quinn, last seen busting out of Belle Reve prison with her “puddin’,” the Joker, in 2016’s Suicide Squad.

Well, if you’re a fan of Dr. Harleen Quinzel’s villainous alter ego, then perhaps you’d be interested in checking out a free digital comic available exclusively from your friends at StarWarp Concepts…

heroines_large_coverHeroines & Heroes is a collection of comic stories and pinups written and drawn by Steven A. Roman (that’s me!), dating back to my days in the early 1990s small-press movement—that age of dinosaurs in which creators like me used to make our comics by printing them out on photocopiers and then stapling them by hand. In H&H you’ll find mainstream heroes and small-press heroines, and even a couple of anthropomorphic bikers!

Leading off is “V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N (in the Summertime),” a three-page Wonder Woman vs. Harley Quinn story that I wrote and drew in the late ’90s as a sample for a DC Comics editor who thought I’d be a good fit for their Batman: The Animated Series comic (spoiler warning: it didn’t work out). It’s followed by an adventure of small-presser Jeff Wood’s rabbit-eared superspy, Snowbuni; three pages from the long-canceled indie comic Motorbike Puppies; and an adventure of the indie superheroine The Blonde Avenger.

Heroines and Heroes is a free digital exclusive. Visit its product page for ordering information, as well as sample pages.

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On the Road Again…

Posted on February 6, 2020 by Steven

OpenRoad-LinneaMallette-PubDomPics

With the 2020 convention season already under way (did you check out my report on SWC’s trip to Pow Con 2020 last week?), that means it’s time to get back to meeting the fans. Here’s where you’ll find us during the year:

February 28–March 1: MystiCon: Author Rich White (Chasing Danger, Terra Incognito, For a Few Gold Pieces More, Harbinger of Darkness) makes his annual pilgrimage to the Holiday Inn Tanglewood in Roanoke, Virginia, for this three-day genre gathering whose media guests this year include award-winning sci-fi author Larry Niven and actor Daniel Logan (young Boba Fett of Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones).

April 24–26: RavenCon: You’ll find Rich White hawking his goods at this sci-fi and fantays gathering being held at the DoubleTree Hilton Williamsburg, in Williamsburg, Virginia. This year’s big guest is Terry Brooks, the award-winning author of the Shannara series of fantasy novels.

July 10–12: Shore Leave 42: Rich will be making his annual trek to this sci-fi and fantasy con, being held at the Delta Hotels Baltimore in Hunt Valley, Maryland. They’ve already lined up a bunch of authors who’ll be there to greet the fans, and somewhere among them—and no doubt hosting or participating in half the panels—you’ll find Rich!

September 12: CT Horrorfest is Connecticut’s sole horror convention, and this one-day gathering of monster kids keeps getting bigger every year, especially now that it’s held at the Naugatuck Event Center in the town of Naugatuck (located in New Haven County). This year, their guests so far include Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes, Weird Science), C.J. Graham (Jason Voorhees of Friday the 13, Part VI: Jason Lives), and Quinn Lord (demon-boy Sam of Trick ’r Treat).

More news to come on other SWC convention appearances as the information becomes available!

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Coming February 18, 2020: From the Stars…a Vampiress!

Posted on February 5, 2020 by Steven

If you’re a horror fan or comics fan—or even better, a combination of both—then you’re familiar with the character Vampirella. She’s the half-naked vampire from outer space (or hell, depending on who’s writing her origin) who fights monsters while wearing nothing but a one-piece swimsuit and a pair of go-go boots. Created in 1969 by comics publisher James Warren and writer/editor Forrest J Ackerman, she celebrated her 50th anniversary last year with the launch of a new series by her current rights owner, Dynamite Entertainment. But for all the new comics, classic reprints, and histories of Warren Publishing that were released last year, surprisingly the one topic that was never covered was the behind-the-scenes history of Vampirella herself.

Until now, that is (click to embiggen, as they say)…

From-the-Stars-FullCvr

Coming February 18, 2020 is From the Stars…a Vampiress: An Unauthorized Guide to Vampirella’s Classic Horror Adventures. Written by Steven A. Roman (that’s me!), author of the Pandora Zwieback series and the tales of the Vampi-inspired succubus Lorelei, it’s an extensive look at Vampi’s early days, from the debut of her series in 1969 to the death of Warren Publishing in 1983, in seven heavily researched chapters:

The Vampire Who Fell to Earth: It’s the story of the life of Vampirella at Warren Publishing: her 1969 development by cocreators James Warren and Forrest J Ackerman, with the assistance of artists Frank Frazetta and Trina Robbins; the adventures she went on via the writing and artistic talents of such visionaries as Archie Goodwin, Bill DuBay, Jose Gonzalez, Enrich, Gonzalo Mayo, and many others; and the cancellation of her series in 1982 when the company collapsed. It also features probably the most you’ll ever see reported about four Vampi writers who were just as talented but not as well known: Mike Butterworth, who wrote under the pseudonym Flaxman Loew; T. Casey Brennan; Rich Margopoulos; and Gerry Boudreau.

The Vampirella Episode Guide: The largest section of the book, it examines every story starring Vampirella during the Warren Era: over 100 entries, some with little known behind-the-scenes details. Plus stories behind some of Vampi’s unpublished adventures!

Vampi Goes to Hollywood: In 1975, Hammer Films announced the development of a Vampirella movie starring model/actress Barbara Leigh and the legendary Peter Cushing (later known the world over as Grand Moff Tarkin of Star Wars). The project crashed in spectacular fashion, but the details have always been murky. I try to clear up the confusion surrounding it, detailing the production from its launch to its unfortunate ending. And then I take a critical look at the awful Vampirella movie that was made in 1996, starring Talisa Soto and rock god Roger Daltrey of the Who—and probably shouldn’t have been!

The Literary Vampiress: From 1975 to 1976, Warner Books published a series of Vampirellanovelizations by sci-fi author Ron Goulart. I take a look at each novel, and explain why they’re worth tracking down…if you can find copies!

The Vampirella Warren Era Checklist: A list of every Warren Vampi story! Every reprint volume from Harris Comics and Dynamite Entertainment! Plus little known trivia!

From the Stars also features: A foreword by Sean Fernald, the Official Vampirella Historian! A peek at Peter Cushing’s personal copy of the 1976 Vampirella screenplay! A frontispiece by legendary artist Bob Larkin, who painted covers for Warren’s Vampirella, The Rook, Eerie, and Famous Monsters of Filmland! Photos of Barbara Leigh in costume as Vampirella at the 1975 Famous Monsters Convention, held in New York! Photos of Talisa Soto in costume on the set of the 1996 Vampirella movie! Rare photos from the collection of Forrest J Ackerman! If there’s only one Vampirella history book you pick up—and let’s be honest, this is the only Vampirella history book that’s been published—then be sure to add it to your collection!

From the Stars…a Vampiress: An Unauthorized Guide to Vampirella’s Classic Horror Adventures goes on sale February 18, 2020 in print and as a PDF e-book.

This book is unofficial and unauthorized. It is not authorized, approved, licensed, or endorsed by Dynamite Entertainment or any of its licensees. Vampirella is a trademark of Dynamite Entertainment.

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Author Richard C. White Interviewed by the Dicegeeks

Posted on February 4, 2020 by Steven

terra_ingoc_lg_coverThe popularity of role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons (which is currently going through a resurgence) and the like remains as healthy as ever these days, and among the handy reference books that are available for gamers and gamemasters you’ll find our own how-to book, Terra Incognito: A Guide to Building the Worlds of Your Imagination, by fantasy author Richard C. White (Chasing Danger: The Case Files of Theron Chase, Harbinger of Darkness).

In Terra Incognito, Rich takes you through the step-by-step process of constructing a world for your characters, from societies and governments to currency and religion. Included is an interview with New York Timesbestselling author Tracy Hickman (Dragonlance) that discusses his methods of world building, as well as his creative experiences during his time as a designer for gaming company TSR, the original home of Dungeons & Dragons.

Recently, Rich appeared on the podcast series Dicegeeks Tabletop RPG Show (actually recorded last October) for the episode “World Building, Writing and Role-Playing Games with Richard C. White,” in which he and host Matt Davids discuss his writing background and gaming history before getting into the meat of world building. Head over there now and give it a listen.

Terra Incognito: A Guide to Building the Worlds of Your Imagination is perfect for budding authors as well as RPG fans interested in building their own fantasy and science fiction environments, and is available in print and e-book formats. Visit its product page for further information.

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Happy Women in Horror Month 2020!

Posted on February 3, 2020 by Steven

white_fell_large_book_cover2017Women in Horror Month is here again, that annual celebration that shines the spotlight on the contributions of all the female creators—writers, artists, movie directors, producers, special makeup artists, special effects experts, etc.—who’ve brought thrills and chills to generations of fans around the world.

And speaking of women writers, we happen to have a title you just might be interested in checking out in celebration of this special month…

White Fell—The Werewolf, by Clemence Annie Housman, was originally published in 1896 as The Were-wolf, and is regarded by scholars as perhaps the first feminist werewolf story. In it, a beautiful woman named White Fell wanders into a snowbound village—and into the hearts of twin brothers, one of whom immediately becomes smitten by her. The other brother, however, soon grows suspicious of the enigmatic White Fell. Where did she come from? Why does she always carry an ax? And is her sudden appearance somehow related to the recent sightings of a bloodthirsty wolf in the area?He may come to regret being so inquisitive…

White Fell—The Werewolf is available as an e-book, so visit its product page for further information. If you enjoy tales of horror and empowered women (and werewolves!), be sure to give it a read!

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Tomorrow Is Take Your Child to the Library Day 2020!

Posted on January 31, 2020 by Steven

library-something-wicked-5

Tomorrow, February 1, is the 9th annual Take Your Child to the Library Day.

Founded in 2011 by librarians Nadine Lipman and Caitlin Augusta, the event is held the first Saturday in February and encourages librarians to reach out to their communities and show folks just how wonderful reading can be.

Before the Internet, libraries were the source for information and reading, and these days they can use our support. So head out now, introduce your children to that big brick building with all the free books to borrow, update the library card that’s been stuck in the back of your wallet for all these years, and renew your acquaintance with a vital partner in the ongoing literacy campaign.

For more information, including the list of participating libraries, visit the TYCLD website.

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Pow Con 2020 Wrap-up

Posted on January 28, 2020 by Steven

PowCon2020-BadgeThis past weekend, the StarWarp Concepts crew rolled into Brooklyn for the second annual Pow Con. So, how’d it go? Well…it could’ve gone better…

Having launched last year at a Brooklyn-based hotel, Pow Con this year expanded to the Brooklyn Expo Center, a glass-paneled gathering place in the fashionable neighborhood called Greenpoint. If the weather hadn’t been so lousy—it rained all day Saturday, sometimes heavily—the view outside might’ve been really nice.

As you can see below, we had a two-table setup in artists’ alley. And since this seemed to be more of a comic-related con, I focused the merchandise being offered to mainly comics, graphic novels, and copies of the X-Men: The Chaos Engine novel trilogy I wrote in the early 2000s—complete with a homemade Cosmic Cube to catch the eye of potential buyers! (Hey, you have to be inventive when it comes to trying to recoup your con expenses.)

PowCon20-SWCBooth

 

Our first sale came about a half hour after the doors opened, but sales overall would be few and far between; at times there seemed to be more vendors than attendees. Maybe the rain chased away a lot of folks, or maybe everybody was over at the New York Boat Show, at the Javits Center (I kid).

Around the time of the first sale, the sweet location we’d snagged became a mixed blessing with regard to the booth diagonally across from us, because that’s where the deejays (whaaat?) were located to serenade us all with almost eight uninterrupted hours (minus panel announcements) of loud, pounding, conversation-killing club music. Imagine being stuck in an endless loop of the rave scene from the first Blade movie—only without the blood sprinklers and vampires—with your seat right in front of the speakers. (And I like Pump Panel’s remix of New Order’s “Confusion.”) But…yeah. Well, at least they were having a good time.

Not that everything was dire, mind you—the rain clouds parted long enough for a rainbow to form high above the streets of Brooklyn! And the people were great, too! Our next-door neighborhood was an extremely talented artist named Sha-Nee Williams, whose work you should definitely give a look-see. Lee Whitley, cohost of the YouTube series The Nerdy Life Show, stopped by to chat about what we do here at ’Warp Central, though the musical accompaniment made it difficult to go into any real depth. And I got into a discussion with Eric Tapper of the digital comic distribution company GlobalComix about the possibility of SWC’s comics joining their growing ranks of titles.

Toward the end of the day, a large crowd gathered around the SWC booth. Unfortunately, they weren’t there to check out our wares, but to attend a raffle drawing and win prizes!

PowCon20-Crowd

“Bet this is the most people you’ve had at your table all day, huh?” a member of the horde asked with a laugh. I smiled and shrugged. He was right…if you overlook the fact that everyone there is looking in the opposite direction! And once all the prizes were given away, the crowd quickly dispersed.

That was when I happened to notice the wad of packing newspaper that had fallen out of one of the boxes of books during setup and lay on the floor all day under the table. When I picked it up, I was surprised to find it was damp. The heating in the expo center hadn’t kept the cold, rainy air outside from seeping into the building, particularly across the tiling under my feet. I’d thought it odd when I noticed fliers and book covers on the tables starting to curl at corners, but when I ran my hands over every box I’d stored underneath, the dampness was confirmed.

PowCon20-RainbowWell, after the low sales and the daylong aural barrage, that was the final indicator it was time to pack up and head home; we wouldn’t be back for day two. After all, I couldn’t leave all my stuff in there and run the risk of damaging the books. So with a heavy sigh, the crew and I tore down the setup and headed to White Castle for some much-needed comfort food. (All right, it’s my idea of comfort food, but still.) And so our excursion to Pow Con 2020 came to an end.

Bottom line? Pow Con is an enthusiastically run show, in a great location (as long as it’s held on dry, sunny days, I suppose), but between the soft sales and the blaring music it’s just not a venue for us. But we wish you nothing but continued success, Pow Con, and thanks for letting us check you out!

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