(Art by legendary cartoonist Gahan Wilson.)
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Seasons’ Bleedings!
A Merry Christmas to all you ‘Warp fans, and thanks for your ongoing support. Hope Santa and his elves have been working extra hard to make your Christmas a memorable one…
Gamers Enjoy the Guidance of “Terra Incognito”
It’s review time! Over at the RPG-themed site The Gaming Gang, reviewer and site founder Jeff McAleer gives his thoughts on Terra Incognito: A Guide to Building the Worlds of Your Imagination, SWC’s first how-to book on the particulars needed to create detailed fantasy worlds:
“I think Terra Incognito is a solid introduction to the subject of world building. The book succeeds in helping the aspiring writer in creating a skeletal framework for which to hang the moving parts required of a believable fictional setting.”
Read the rest of the review here.
In Terra Incognito: A Guide to Building the Worlds of Your Imagination, bestselling fantasy author Richard C. White (Gauntlet: Dark Legacy: Paths of Evil, The Chronicles of the Sea Dragon Special) 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 Times bestselling 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.
Terra Incognito: A Guide to Building the Worlds of Your Imagination is available in print and digital formats, so visit its product page for ordering information.
Posted in Reviews
Tagged reviews, richard c. white, terra incognito: a guide to building the worlds of your imagination, the gaming gang, world building, writing reference
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Paint a Jedi, He Has…Yeesss!
Unless you’ve been living in a cave this past year, you’re no doubt aware that yesterday saw the debut of Star Wars, Episode VII: The Force Awakens, the latest entry in the space-fantasy series that changed blockbuster movies—and science fiction fandom—forever.
But, you ask, why am I giving free publicity to a movie that doesn’t need it, here at ’Warp Central? Because SWC’s artistic legend, Bob Larkin, painted the covers for a few Star Wars–related projects!
What you see here is the cover of Marvel Super Special #16, the Marvel Comics adaptation (by writer Archie Goodwin and artists Al Williamson and Carlos Garzon) of 1980’s Star Wars sequel, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. If you were a Star Wars fan at the time, you probably recognize Bob’s magnificent painting—it was certainly reprinted enough times back then, on numerous reformatted versions of the comic (for example, a supersized treasury edition, a mass-market paperback, and a hardcover British Star Wars Annual). It still looks great, even thirty-five years later! (Click on it to see it in all its sci-fi glory.)
By the way, science fiction comic book fans, have you purchased a copy of The Bob Larkin Sketchbook? If not, you’re missing out on spectacular pencil drawings of Nova (from GotG’s Nova Corps), the X-Men, the Hulk, and a host of other characters by the talented Mr. Larkin. It’s 24 pages of artistic goodness, available in print and digital formats exclusively from the StarWarp Concepts webstore. Visit the Bob Larkin Sketchbook product page for all the ordering information, as well as sample pages.
And may the Force be with you!
Posted in Bob Larkin, Bob Larkin Sketchbook, movies
Tagged bob larkin, bob larkin sketchbook, star wars
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Darth Zwieback: The Vampire Strikes Back
That’s right, Star Wars fans, today is the U.S. release date for Star Wars, Episode VII: The Force Awakens—the latest entry in the space-fantasy series that changed blockbuster movies forever. So, what’s an epic space opera got to do with our resident teenaged monster hunter, Pandora Zwieback? Well, who better to be Dark Ladies of the Sith than a couple of Goth girls like Pan and her bestest friend, Sheena McCarthy—right? And with Marvel publishing blank “sketch covers” for its Star Wars titles, the Darth Vader #1 blank was, I thought, the perfect canvas for my latest “masterpiece”:
Surprised I’d try to tie in Pan to the biggest sci-fi movie franchise of all time? As a wise Muppet once said, “There is no try. Only do…or do not.” 😀 Also, I was in a drawing kind of mood, and once the sketch idea popped into my head I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see how Pan and Sheena would look in the Star Wars universe.
So, hey, Marvel, when do the girls get their own spin-off series…?
Posted in movies, Pandora Zwieback, Sketch Covers
Tagged darth vader, Pandora Zwieback, shameless plugs, sketch covers, star wars, steven a. roman
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The Troop Review at Comics for Sinners
Over at the news site Comics for Sinners, you’ll find my review of The Troop #1, now on sale from Titan Comics. Written and created by actor/director Noel Clarke (who’s best known to sci-fi fans as companion Mickey Smith of Doctor Who) and illustrated by Joshua Cassara, it’s the latest take on the superhero genre, with a quartet of metahumans hunted by a mysterious organization—think the Fantastic Four crossed with the X-Men, but with slight religious overtones. And nudity. And liberal dropping of F-bombs. Head over to C4S to learn more about it.
Speaking of super-teams, are you aware that StarWarp Concepts has its very own team of costumed crimefighters, known as Troubleshooters, Incorporated? No? Then allow me to fill you in…
Perfect for superhero fans, the graphic novel Troubleshooters, Incorporated: Night Stalkings is about a supernatural team of superfolk-for-hire, consisting of a wizard, a sorceress, a female ninja, a high-tech-armor-wearing rock concert lighting designer, and a werewolf. Not every superhero team has Tony Stark’s billions to play with, you understand, and the Troubleshooters are just looking to earn a living while fighting the monsters that have always lurked in the shadows.
Written by the husband-and-wife team of Richard C. White (Terra Incognito: A Guide to Building the Worlds of Your Imagination, The Chronicles of the Sea Dragon Special) and Joni M. White, and illustrated by Reggie Golden and Randy Zimmerman, Night Stalkings presents the TSI members on their first mission: protecting a multimillionaire from a trio of Middle Eastern demons out to raise a little hell! It’s available in both print and e-book formats, so visit the Troubleshooters, Incorporated: Night Stalkings product page for all the ordering information, as well as sample pages.
Posted in Comic Books, Reviews
Tagged comic book reviews, comics for sinners, the troop, troubleshooters incorporated
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Doctor Who: 12th Doctor 2015 Holiday Special Review at Comics for Sinners
Just in time for the holiday season, as well as the upcoming Christmas Day episode Doctor Who: The Husbands of River Song, over at the news site Comics for Sinners you’ll find my review of Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor 2015 Holiday Special, now on sale from Titan Comics. Written by author George Mann (Doctor Who: Engines of War) and writer Cavan Scott (Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor: Weapons of Past Destruction) and illustrated by Mariano LaClaustra (Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor), it’s both a Christmas-themed stand-alone adventure and the sixteenth issue of Titan’s “Season One” series of the new comic book adventures of the twelfth iteration of sci-fi’s immortal time traveler—as played by actor Peter Capaldi—and his trusty companion, Clara Oswald (while she was still on the show), played by Jenna Coleman.
Sure, Doctor Who doesn’t exactly fit into C4S’s focus on bad-girl comics—for one thing, you don’t find too many scantily clad ladies in Doctor Who—but every now and then management allows me to indulge myself. And if you’ve read this post and this other post from 2013, in celebration of the show’s 50th anniversary, you know I’m a major Whovian. Head over to C4S to find out what the Twelfth Doctor and Clara were up to in comic-land adventures while they still traveled together in the TARDIS.
Speaking of immortals and their plucky companions who protect the Earth from monsters, have you met Sebastienne “Annie” Mazarin, the 400-year-old, shape-shifting monster hunter who acts as mentor to teenaged Goth adventuress Pandora Zwieback in my young adult novel series The Saga of Pandora Zwieback? Pan is a 16-year-old Goth girl who’s spent the last decade being treated for mental health problems because she can see monsters. It’s only after she meets Annie that Pan discovers she’s never been ill—her so-called “monstervision” is actually a supernatural gift that allows her to see into Gothopolis, the not-so-mythical shadow world that exists right alongside the human world. You’ll find Annie battling evil in the following titles:
The Saga of Pandora Zwieback #0: A free, downloadable comic that serves as an introduction to Pan and Annie—with an 8-page story written by me and illustrated by Eliseu Gouveia—as well as Pan’s first novel, Blood Feud (via a pair of preview chapters).
Blood Feud: The Saga of Pandora Zwieback, Book 1: This critically acclaimed novel is the beginning of Pan’s story, explaining how she, her parents and friends, and Annie are drawn into a conflict among warring vampire clans searching for the key to an ultimate weapon (or so the legend goes)—a key that just so happens to have been delivered to the horror-themed museum owned by Pan’s father. It’s a character-driven action-fest that leads immediately into the second novel:
Blood Reign: The Saga of Pandora Zwieback, Book 2: Pan and Annie face even greater challenges as the vampire clans draw up plans to go to war with humanity. Leading the charge is a fallen angel named Zaqiel, whose previous attempt at subjugating the world was stopped by Annie—who, back in the day, was Zaqiel’s lover!
The Saga of Pandora Zwieback Annual #1: A spinoff from the novel series, this 56-page, full-color comic special finds the teenaged Goth adventuress battling vampires and a jealous, man-stealing siren. It features stories by me and Sholly Fisch (Scooby-Doo Team-Up), art by Eliseu Gouveia (The Saga of Pandora Zwieback #0), comic-art legend Ernie Colon (Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld), and Elizabeth Watasin (Charm School), and cover art by award-winning artist Henar Torinos (Mala Estrella).
Heartstopper: The Legend of La Bella Tenebrosa: Long before she met Pan, Annie was the star of this short-lived “bad girl” comic book miniseries published in the 1990s. Here you’ll find Annie doing a bit of research for an article about gentlemen’s clubs in Times Square—research that includes actually performing as an exotic dancer (I did say it was a ’90s comic, didn’t I?). It’s that part-time gig that brings her into contact with Corum de Sade, a heavy metal singer with a deadly secret: he’s a soul-devouring incubus! All three issues are available for free from this very website, so download them today!
Blood Feud, Blood Reign, and the Pan Annual are available in print and digital formats. Heartstopper is a digital exclusive. Visit their respective product pages for ordering information, as well as sample pages and chapters.
Posted in Comic Books, Reviews
Tagged comic book reviews, comics for sinners, doctor who, doctor who: the twelfth doctor, heartstopper, sebastienne mazarin, the saga of pandora zwieback
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It’s “Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day” Again!
Hey, book lovers, today marks the sixth annual Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day! Founded in 2010 by author Jessica Milchman, the event, according to its Web site, “is about instilling a love of bookstores in children so that they will value and support this most precious of resources as they go on to enter and create communities of their own.”
Kids + reading + brick-and-mortar bookstores? Always a great combination!
For more information, including a map of the bookstores that are celebrating with events of their own, visit the TYCBD site by clicking on the banner up top.
Posted in Events
Tagged take your child to a bookstore day
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Happy Small Business Saturday!
Hey, shoppers! Sure, yesterday might have been Black Friday, the retail industry’s most notorious day of the year, but did you know that Small Business Saturday—that annual celebration of mom-and-pop companies that can always use your holiday-buying dollars—takes place this very day? And in case you hadn’t noticed, StarWarp Concepts just happens to be a small business!
And what better way is there to support our efforts than by purchasing copies of our popular titles for friends and family members—or even for yourself? After all, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa are right around the corner…
Writers and role-playing game enthusiasts: 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. In this nonfiction how-to book, author Richard C. White (Gauntlet: Dark Legacy: Paths of Evil) 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 Times bestselling 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.
Dark urban fantasy readers: The Saga of Pandora Zwieback is a young adult, dark-urban-fantasy novel series written by Steven A. Roman. It stars a 16-year-old Goth girl who’s spent the last decade being treated for mental health problems because she can see monsters. It’s only after she meets a shape-shifting monster hunter named Sebastienne “Annie” Mazarin, in the first novel, Blood Feud, that Pan discovers she’s never been ill—her so-called “monstervision” is actually a supernatural gift that allows her to see into Gothopolis, the not-so-mythical shadow world that exists right alongside the human world. But before Pan can learn more about what she can do, she and her parents are drawn into a conflict among warring vampire clans that leads into the second action-packed novel, Blood Reign.
Comic book and graphic novel fans: Got a comic book reader on your shopping list, or even them yourself? The Saga of Pandora Zwieback Annual #1 features stories by author Steven A. Roman and comic writer Sholly Fisch, with art provided by Eliseu Gouveia, Elizabeth Watasin, and comic-art legend Ernie Colon. Lorelei: Sects and the City is a Mature Readers graphic novel involving a succubus battling a cult of Elder God worshipers, written by Steven A. Roman and illustrated by Eliseu Gouveia, Steve Geiger, and Neil Vokes. Lorelei Presents: House Macabre is a one-shot anthology comic containing tales written by Steven A. Roman and Dwight Jon Zimmerman, with art by Uriel Caton & Chuck Majewski, Lou Manna, John Pierard, and Juan Carlos Abarldes Rendo. Troubleshooters, Incorporated: Night Stalkings is a graphic novel starring a group of supernatural superheroes for hire on their first mission, written by the husband-and-wife team of Richard C. and Joni M. White, with art by Reggie Golden and Randy Zimmerman. And The Chronicles of the Sea Dragon Special is a digital-only, 48-page pirate-fantasy adventure by writer Richard C. White and artist Bill Bryan.
Comic art lovers: The Bob Larkin Sketchbook is a collection of rarely seen pencil drawings by the acclaimed cover painter for Doc Savage, Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel Comics, and our own Saga of Pandora Zwieback. Included is a pair of original Doc Savage–related pinups done especially for this book.
Classic literature lovers: Know a reader with a passion for genre literature? They might be interested in our line of illustrated classics. Carmilla, by J. Sheridan Le Fanu, is a 19th–century paranormal romance between a vampire and her next intended victim—or lover—that contains six black-and-white illustrations by Eliseu Gouveia. A Princess of Mars, by Edgar Rice Burroughs, is a science-fantasy epic about Civil War veteran John Carter, who finds love and adventure on the planet Mars; black-and-white illustrations are provided by Eliseu Gouveia. And Snow White is the timeless Brothers Grimm fairy tale, made even more enchanting by a collection of full-color illustrations first published in 1883.
Now, get busy shopping! And enjoy the holidays!
Lorelei vs. Frankenstein’s Monster?
Alert the villagers and grab the pitchforks: today is the U.S. release date for Victor Frankenstein, the latest big-screen adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel, starring James McAvoy (X-Men: Days of Future Past) as Frankenstein, Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter, himself!) as his assistant, Igor, and Jessica Brown Findlay (Downton Abbey) as…Lorelei?!
Unfortunately, it’s not the Lorelei we here at ’Warp Central want to see on film. Still, while we’re on the subject of horror characters named Lorelei, have you met StarWarp Concepts’ resident soul-stealing succubus? Making her comics debut in 1993, Lori has remained SWC’s first leading lady of horror, and currently stars in two critically acclaimed projects:
Lorelei: Sects and the City is a Mature Readers graphic novel in which Lori battles a cult of Elder God worshipers attempting to unleash hell on Earth. Basically a love letter to 1970s horror comics like Vampirella, Tomb of Dracula, and Satana, the Devil’s Daughter, it’s written by yours truly, Steven A. Roman (The Saga of Pandora Zwieback, X-Men: The Chaos Engine Trilogy), and illustrated by Eliseu Gouveia (Vengeance of the Mummy, Lady Death), Steve Geiger (Web of Spider-Man, Incredible Hulk), and Neil Vokes (Flesh and Blood, Fright Night). It also features a cover by legendary artist Esteban Maroto (Vampirella, Zatanna, Lady Rawhide), a frontispiece by original Vampirella artist Tom Sutton (Ghost Rider, Man-Thing, Werewolf by Night), and a one-page history of succubi illustrated by Ernie Colon (Vampirella, The Grim Ghost).
“I can honestly say that I enjoyed the hell out of this book…. The art is solid, the story is full of lots of things that make the horror genre so great, and the overall quality of the book is top notch.”—Die-Screaming
“Kudos to Roman for capturing the essence of 1970s fare like Vampirella. Filled with ghouls, chicks, and some strong artwork, this is a title that might’ve piqued Hammer Studios’ interest back in the day.”—Dread Central
Lorelei Presents: House Macabre: It’s Lori’s first outing as the hostess of a horror comic anthology, in this one-shot special that contains four tales of horror, behind eye-catching cover art by fan-favorite artist Louis Small Jr. (Vampirella, Supergirl, Batman 80-Page Giant).
- “The Old, Dark Manse” is written by me and illustrated by Uriel Caton (JSA Annual, The Ex-Mutants, Heartstopper: The Legend of La Bella Tenebrosa) and “Chainsaw” Chuck Majewski (Harvey Kurtzman’s New Two-Fisted Tales), and has Lori welcoming readers to this special.
- “All in Color for a Crime” is another tale from me, with art by Lou Manna (T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, Young All-Stars). Two comic book collectors clash over a rare back issue—and only one of them will be adding it to their long boxes!
- “The Basilisk,” from me and artist John Pierard (Graphic Classics: Horror Classics, My Teacher Fried My Brains), is a “Lori’s Feary Tale” that examines the history of a supernatural creature that’s a cross between a deadly snake and a…chicken?!
- Wrapping up the special is “Requiem for Bravo 6,” by New York Times bestselling author and comic writer Dwight Jon Zimmerman (She-Hulk, Steve McQueen: Full-Throttle Cool) and artist Juan Carlos Abraldes Rendo. A special-ops team goes on a life-or-death mission…but will they be prepared for what awaits them at mission’s end?
“This is like a cross between Elvira and House of Mystery, where you’ve got a very sexy hostess who loves the Macabre and tells you stories that are supposed to chill and thrill you…. This whole book is such a pleasant surprise, [and] something that should be sought out by everyone.”—Reading With a Flight Ring
“Any fans of the old-fashioned horror anthology comics (Eerie, Creepy, Tales From the Crypt, etc.) is gonna want to take a look at this one-shot from StarWarp Concepts…. If campy horror fun is your thing, this should be a hit for you.”—The Pullbox
Both titles are available in print and digital formats, so visit their respective product pages for ordering information, as well as sample pages.
Posted in Lorelei, movies
Tagged lorelei, lorelei presents: house macabre, lorelei: sects and the city, shameless plugs, victor frankenstein
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Gothic Librarian Entranced by Carmilla
Review time! Over at the site The Gothic Library, gothic librarian (and site owner) Julia—who stopped by the StarWarp Concepts booth at this year’s Brooklyn Book Festival, and who previously reviewed The Saga of Pandora Zwieback #0—gives her thoughts on Carmilla, The ’Warp’s most-popular entry in our Illustrated Classics genre.
“With a cover that looks like it belongs on the paranormal romance shelf in a bookstore and half a dozen illustrations provided by Eliseu Gouveia…this edition stands a good chance of tempting some younger readers to pick up this classic vampire tale…. I wish I’d picked this book up in seventh grade instead of slogging through Dracula.”
You can check out the rest of her review by going here.
Carmilla is the blood-drenched temptress of a 19th-century novella by author J. Sheridan Le Fanu—a vampiress who desires not just blood but love from her victims. And when she enters the life of a young woman named Laura, Carmilla decides that her new friend will become her next great love—and won’t take no for an answer. Regarded as the one of the earliest lesbian vampires—if not the first—Carmilla was an influence on author Bram Stoker in the creation of the vampire brides in his seminal novel, Dracula, and remains a popular character in fiction to this day. The StarWarp Concepts edition contains six exclusive, captivating illustrations by artist Eliseu Gouveia (The Saga of Pandora Zwieback, Lorelei: Sects and the City).
Carmilla is available in print and digital formats, so visit its product page for ordering information.
Posted in Carmilla, Classic Fiction, Reviews
Tagged carmilla, illustrated classics, the gothic library
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