I have a story in Indie Comcis Horror #2 along with some mighty talented people.  I was also in the first issue of this series, which  was Aazurn presses bestselling book and was nominated for several horror awards.  

If you are interested, please remember to pre-order. As with many indie books, the shop will not carry it unless you do.

here is the information and a trailer:

9 complete thrillers! Joe Sergi unmasks a horrifying stalker, Paul Bradford's "Last Knight" defends against marauders, and Dan Rivera's "The Assistant" meets a fiendish clown. Tease Fabian Rangel, Jr.'s "Stinky" at your peril. Then, battle undead gunmen in Scott Schmidt's "Ghosts." Anthony Cacioppo visits Transylvania, and Glenn Møane introduces "The Drain." Terry Cronin looks at Bahamian mythos, and plunges us into a sinkhole. Plus, a monstrous Andy Bennett cover!

ORDER in April 2013's Previews comic book catalog ONLY at your local or online comic book shop! Mature themes!

It's Christmas Times in Hollis Queen. But also in Lanoka Harbor, NJ, where I'm visiting with family and amazed at both the destruction wrought by Sandy and at how quickly things  are being been repaired.

The day job has been incredibly busy, so I haven't had a cance to update this site and keep up with my other writing obligations. So here's what's been going on.

Indie Horror Comics

I got a great email from Gary
over at Aazurn Publishing that Indie
Comics Horror #1 is up for The Horror News Network's 2012 Horror Comic Award:

http://www.comicmonsters.com/award-vote-66-Best_Anthology_of_2012.html

My story, the Belt was in issue One.  So if you get a chance, please please please vote Indie Comics Horror in The Horror News Network's  2012 Horror Comic Award:
http://www.comicmonsters.com/award-vote-66-Best_Anthology_of_2012.html

You must register to vote. PLEASE take time to do this now! This is
just the kind of recognition a young indie publication needs! 

Especially since, I'm also  in Issue Two of the comic, I'll have more when it solicites.  

SKY GIRL LANDS IN A NEW HOME

I'm pleased to announce that Sky Girl and the Superheroic Adventures, the second book in the series, is due out from Martin Sisters Publishing,  I'mexcitedto be working with them.

I'll provide more information as it becomes available,.

GREAT ZOMBIES IN HISTORY IS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED

McFarland has listed Great Zombies in History on their site for preorder.  Hereis the link

http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/book-2.php?id=978-0-7864-7456-1

RECENT CBLDF ARTICLES AND A TASTE OF THINGS TO COME

I've been chugging away with my little column on the history of comics and censorship.  Recent posts have incuded:

Tales from the Code: How Much Did Things
Change After the Enactment of the Comics Code of 1954?

The Amazing Adventure of The Man of
Steel and the Psychiatric Censor — Superman vs. Doctor Wertham

The Incredible True Story of Joe
Shuster’s NIGHTS OF HORROR

A History of Censorship, NYCC Edition —
CBLDF Defends Manga

Tales From the Code: Whatever Happened
to the Amazing Amazon–Wonder Woman Bound by Censorship

A History of Censorship, Halloween
Edition — My Ears Could Hear the War but the Censors Wouldn’t Let Me Read
It

I have also been working on a new edjucation initiative with them that hasn't been announced yet ( think). And have a very different Christmas column going up later thst week with the amazing Dafu Yu and E.T. Dollman.  Here are some character designs.

And if you get a chance, you should check out my nephews first Scifi book. Info is  available at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/drsherrier

That's it for this month.  Happy Holidays to all, may all your gifts be geeky.

Joe 

I recently got a very complimentary email asking me where I have been lately because the person needed their "fix of fun anecdotes about the history of comics and pop culture."  I happily responded that I was still writing about the history of comics, just in a different place.

I started writing for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF.org).  I write about the history of censorship and comics.  I am proud and humbled to work with this amazing organization.

Recent columns have included:

I have many more articles planned and am actually working on one right now involving my favorite character of all time: Superman. 

But that's not all.  I was also happy to pass on that I am under contract to write my first nonfiction book. So, if you really need a fix of anecdotal comics.  More on that later as we get closer to publication.

On the new release front, look for these great issues available now in comic shops featuring some of my scifi and horror stories.

And finally, a preview of things to come.

And if you've made it this far. Hey, is that Sky Girl?

I just got back from a free Advance Preview screening of Brave at  the Hoffman Theater (Thank, Disney!). I took my seven year old daughter, who, as a result of her recent birthday, already owns eight Brave dolls, a bow and arrow, a costume, the Brave: Temple Run app and several story/coloring books about the movie. Needless to say, she was vested.

Brave tells the story of Princess Merida and her quest to change her fate. Until now, Princesses have been the purview of Disney's traditional  animation division.  With Brave,  Pixar breaks the royal seal and, as usual, who works excels.

I've heard Tiana from Princess and the Frog described as the modern princess role model who works for her goals and doesn't need a prince to  make her whole.  However, at the
end of the day, Princess and the Frog is a love story and, like it or not, a  prince was a necessary prerequisite for a happy ending.  Brave is an  action movie, so Merida is allowed to take the modern princess to another  level.  Merida is as fiery as her  hair and challenges both fate and tradition to become the first truly free  spirited Princess.

But this is a Pixar movie, so while there is some great action and comedy, there is an emotional core and the movie has heart. This time, the focus is on the relationship between and mother and her daughter.  I should note that this is the first Pixar movie in a while that didn't  make me cry like a baby. But, perhaps I didn't relate as closely to the theme as I did in Toy Story 3 and Up!

Is this Pixar's best movie? Not by a long shot. While the animation is top notch (there is a close up of Merida's hair that boggle the mind with its detail), the movie lacks the whimsy of Toy Story, the characterization of  Finding Nemo, and the pure emotional of Up!  Still, Brave is a top notch film that is worthy of the Pixar name. And Merida easily stands with Cinderella, Snow  White, Aurora, Rapunzel, Ariel, Jasmine, and the other Disney princesses.  Brave could easily be adapted into a  Disney Channel Show, which expands the world of Merida and her family (of  course, I thought the same thing about the Incredibles, but it never happened.)

I should add that I did overheard some audience members say they were
disappointed that the themes in Brave not as "mature" as Wall-E, Up, or 
Rattatouile.  I'm not sure these people are correct since Brave takes on some
pretty lofty issues about the effects of tradition on society and the
ramifications of deciding whether to challenge that tradition.

I did want to mention La Luna, the short before the movie. La   Luna tells the story of three workers (a father, son, and grandson) with a unique  job.  But, really the short is
about finding your place in the world.  Like their other shorts, Pixar delivers a lot in a short amount of time and will clearly be a contender come Oscar time.  I really do like that Disney (and Pixar) have continued the trend of having shorts, since that is how Walt started.  But, I digress. 

My daughter wanted to pass on the following when I wrote my review. She says (and I quote), "Daddy, please tell them that you thought it was  great, but I only thought it was good. Some parts were too scary for me and kids should know that." When I asked her if she regretted getting all the  merchandise, she smiled and said, "don't be silly Daddy, the movie was only good. But Princess Merida, she's AWESOME!" And then mimicked shooting a bow and  arrow for emphasis.

Someone sent me a link to a shaky cam/found footage horror movie made for the Baltimore 48 Hour Film Project called the Munchies. 

Participants in this festival put out some top notch entries.  I attended a screening of a couple superhero ones.  On Friday, On Friday night, participants get a character, a prop, a line of dialogue, and a genre to include in their movie. 48 hours later, the movie must be complete. Then it will show at a local theater, usually in the next week.  A lot of them  are surprising good (some, sadly, are not).  But, this is one of the best I have seen.  It is a horror with a really creative premise, so obviously don't let the kiddies watch--unless your kiddies are into horror. :-)   I really enjoyed it even though I am kind over the shaky cam/found footage genre.

I hope you enjoy it.

I am very excited to be in Indie Comics Magazine Summer Issue (#6).  Even more so because I am joined by incredibly talented people like Rob Anderson, Frederick Kim, Don McMillan, Glenn Møane, and others. 

I should note that this is my first comic in Preview, which, if you don't know, is the Holy Grail of Comics.  Except that I am pretty sure that the Holy Grail is slightly easier to find than it is to get into previews.  That means that if you make it in there, you need to have enough orders to be respectable.  Sadly, Indie Comics Magazine is, as the title implies, an Indie Comic.  That means that if people don't go in to their comic shops and preorder the book, the shop probably won't order any.  But, sometimes, if they get people who ask or orders for a few copies, they order extra for the store.

Personally, I think you should buy  this book because it will be awesome.  All I am asking is that if you think you want to buy it, please preorder it. (or if you aren't going to buy it but still want to do us a solid, you can ask a comic shop if they plan on carrying it.)  Glenn Møane's site has these simple instructions on how to preorder:

"If you go down to your local comic shop you should find the newest edition of the Diamond Previews catalog (the June 2012 issue). Flip it to page 228 and you'll find both a solicitation for Indie Comics Magazine #6 and an ad for the issue taking up half the page. Tell your shop that you would really like to order one or more copies of this issue, and that the Diamond order code is JUN120752.

Or in the case that you don't have a comic shop in your immediate area, you can order the book online through stores such as Comics America or Midtown Comics." I will add my favorite online seller, DCBService.com to Glenn's list, who are offering the book at 30% off.

Here is a flyer you can print out and a youtube video for what is in the issue.  Thanks for the help. The Order Cut Off Date is June 27th, 2012.  I have a feeling, there won't be reorders filled (again, the word Indie is in the title)

So I got an email from Disney entitled, “Celebrate Mother’s Day the Disney Way.”  I was surprised that the picture they used was for Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother. My wife and I got to talking about it about Disney’s lack of maternal figures, (yes a strange  conversation topic, but I'm strange). Cinderella and Snow White’s mother were evil queens and Jasmine, Nemo, Belle, Ariel, Pinocchio, Pocahontas, and a host of other characters had only fathers. But, we realized that there were also some pretty strong female role models.  This is list I came up with.  See if you have any to add.

Helen Parr, Elastagirl-The
Incredibles

She can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan, and catch burglars on put them in the can.  Mrs. Incredible Nee ElastaGirl has the whole package.  In addition to her powers, Helen is also an experienced jet pilot (coming from having a close friend who flew her around the world when she was a Super). Her sharp wit and superb espionage skills, as well as her experience as a superhero, make her an excellent tactician and leader. I haven’t even got to the fact that her super suit is designed to stretch as far as she can and still retain its shape, is virtually indestructible “yet it breathes like Egyptian cotton."

Eudora/Mamma Ode--Princess and the Frog

Although Tiana’s father, James, is given the credit for his daughter’s strong work ethic, we cannot forget her mother Eudora
(voiced by Oprah Winfrey), who helped raise the Frog Princess. 
And while Eudora only gets one real scene, her supportive nature
certainly comes through.  Plus, if you have Oprah in your corner, how can you lose?  Now, if only she would endorse Sky Girl.


I also list Mama Odie, voiced by Jennifer Lewis,because she is at least as relevant as Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother. “Open up de windows/bring in de light!”

Kala--Tarzan

No list would be complete without Kala (voiced by Glenn Close), Tarzan's adopted
mother who found and raised him after losing her last biological son to Sabor. It wasn’t easy being Tarzan’s mother.  Kala proves that genetics are not necessary to create a maternal bond.  She protects him until the day he is strong enough to protect himself.  Her anthem is Phil Collins, “You’ll be in my heart”, which won both the Oscar and the Golden Globe for best Song in 1999.  

Mrs. Jumbo—Dumbo

Speaking of protective mother, Mrs. Jumbo get so angry at a group of boys for making fun of her son, she loses her temper and is locked up and deemed mad.  But, we see from the look in her eyes that she would do it again when Timothy Mouse takes Dumbo (Jumbo Jr) to see her. “Plus she gets to sing a great Oscar Award winning song, “Baby Mine.”  (It won in 1941 if you are keeping track). Mrs. Jumbo was voiced by Verna Felton, who was uncredited.

Fa Li and Grandmother Fa—Mulan

Mulan’s mother and grandmother want what’s best
for her.  Of course that doesn’t
necessarily align with Mulan’s goals, but that’s what family is all about.

Mrs. Davis–Toy Story

Andy’s mother is a single mom raising two
kids. And although she really
doesn’t have a huge role in the films, she has a big presence. 
Admit it, you bawled like a baby when she had to send her child Andy off to school.  As a parent, I can
relate. 

As long as we are on the subject of Toy Story, honorable mention goes to  Mrs. Potato Head, who, along with her husband, adopted the three green aliens.

Sarabi—TheLion King
Nala—The Lion King
2, Simba's Pride


Sarabi -The venerable wife of Mufasa, queen of the Pride Lands, mother of Simba.  During the Lion King Simba ends up with Nala , who gives birth to
Kiara.  Sarabi and Nala are instrumental to both stories. 

Nani--Lilo

Nani (voiced by Tia Carrere) is technically Lilo’s sister. But, as in many Disney stories, Lilo and her sister are orphans. So, Nani has to step up and teach her sister that Ohana mean family. And family means nobody gets left behind, or forgotten. 

Perdita--101 Dalmatians

Perdita is the deuteragonist from the film 101 Dalmatians. She is the pet of Anita, wife of Pongo, and the mother of fifteen Dalmatian puppies as well
as adoptive mother of other eighty-four puppies. Perdita along with Pongo goes on the heroic journey to rescue the puppies. Did you know that are 6,469,952 spots on the Dalmations? Pongo has 72 spots, Perdita has 68, and each puppy has 32.

Ariel--Little Mermaid II, Return to the Sea


I’m not sure if you have seen the Little Mermaid II, Return to the Sea, but it’s a fine tale of mother/daughter relationships
(and Eric gets to be more than furniture).  Ariel’s daughter is Melody, by the way.

Bambi’s Mother--Bambi

I end with Bambi’s Mother. 
Bambi’s mother is never given a name in either the movie or the book. (Fans affectionately refer to her as Fawn).  But, not having a name is the least of her problems. If this scene doesn’t get you—you have no heart.

Did I miss anyone?

Happy Mother's Day!

Just a quick reminder that Rex, Zombie Killer by Rob Anderson and Dafu Yu comes out tomorrow.  I previously wrote about how to pre-order the book here.

The book will be in stores tomorrow.  You should buy it.  It's good.  but,don't take my word for it.  Look at all of these amazing reviews (from their website):

Praise for Rex, Zombie Killer #1

"...the talented Rob Anderson offers a wonderfully fresh and different take...charming
and highly entertaining...it's pure fun, but so much more...Dafu Yu's artwork is
bright and energetic..."
-- Lee Gambin, Fangoria magazine

Rated 9 out of 10! "Rob Anderson has created a simple, straightforward story of heroism and camaraderie but spares us the cutesy  pretentiousness inherent of most animal tales...If that final splash page is any indication, Rob Anderson has much more story to tell, and it will only get better from here. I highly recommend this."
-- Jeff Marsick, Newsarama

"...one of the most unique horror comics in years... It does feel like a story that takes place in the universe of The Walking Dead right down to the character interactions...this comic is FUN, plain and simple."
-- Spencer Perry, Shock Till You Drop


"Anderson's Rex, Zombie Killer is that rare breed, a fresh take on the zombie genre. He endows his animal protagonists with heart and intelligence, a winning combination that leaves you wanting to read more, more, more!"
-- Corinna Bechko (Writer, Betrayal of the Planet of the Apes)

"What’s great about Rex is that it gives us a view of Armageddon through a fresh set of eyes...watching this gang of misfit creatures try to navigate danger (survive the zombies, encounter a biker gang) is a real hoot...and I can’t wait for the next issue. Like the little animals running through it, Rex has a lot of heart."
-- Mr. Pasty, Ain't It Cool News

"...solid and fast-paced, with good character development and funny moments thrown in...the $3.50 price tag is a sweetheart deal."
-- Kurt Anthony Krug, Comic Buyer's Guide

"...the action starts up right away and never really backs off...a very well written and engaging story that goes far beyond just a simple gimmick...I loved this book, and I think you will too."
-- Bob Leeper, Nerdvana

"It’s We3 meets The Walking Dead, as this one-shot follows a group of animals trying to survive zombies."
-- Johanna Draper Carlson, Comics Worth Reading

"Slick art...Really well written...definitely doesn't skimp on the zombie action...a
book that keeps you turning pages and leaves you wanting more."
-- Charles Suffel, Pop Culture Network

"If you enjoyed Beasts Of Burden, and if you love zombies, then I have just the comic for you...This story is a fresh and very interesting take on the zombie genre...I
happily recommend this title."
-- McPierce, A Little Dead podcast

"For decades, we've seen the grim results of confrontations between zombies and human beings--but Rob Anderson and DaFu Yu reveal that the walking dead can be just as troublesome for the animal  kingdom!"
-- Cliff Biggers, Comic Shop News

"We may have found a zombie comic the whole family can enjoy...how can you NOT like a gorilla with a baseball bat clobbering no-good greasers while the undead are swooping down on them? You CAN'T not like it!"
-- Michael Holmes, Zurvived: Episode 41

"The book really sings! ...a fun concept, great execution...and it’s got heart. And that’s what a lot of comics  today seem to be missing—-a good story, well told, with a reason to exist. Rob and DaFu are actually telling a story that’s about the human spirit..."
--  Andy Schmidt (Writer, 5 Days to Die, former Marvel & IDW Editor)

"The idea is brilliant...art here is top notch...This is an action-packed zombie story...[and] despite being a first issue, we get a really complete story."
-- Rob McMonigal, Panel  Patter

"Just think how shocking it would have been if an ape with a Louisville Slugger came blasting out of Herschel's barn...Not only is it a  unique take on the zombie sub-genre, but it's one helluva bargain at just $3.50 for a book over 50 pages long!"
-- Doctor Gash, Dread Central

"...a dog’s eye view of the genre...makes for fresh storytelling...Anderson weaves a charming yet horrific tale...Yu does a fantastic job of showing the world through the eyes of the animals..."
--Shaun Daniels, Horror Haven Reviews

"...[the] interior art is done by DaFu Yu who has a very unique style...I wouldn’t be
surprised if DaFu Yu becomes a household name in the future...if there is a
follow up, which I hope there is, I’ll put my pre-order down on it the day it’s
announced!"
-- Skott Jimenez, ComicBooked.com

"[Rex, Zombie Killer] proves that heroines don’t need to wear high heels and capes...Buttercup the Corgi is sweet and brave in this story...I couldn’t help but tweet, 'Go, Buttercup! Go!' when I got to the climactic scene..."
-- Elizabeth Amber, Amber Unmasked

"A fun twist on the zombie genre...it has real heart...I want to see what happens next!"
-- Mike Raicht (Writer, Stuff of Legend, The Pack, Godzilla: Legends)

"The character designs are great, the zombies look GORE-Geous, and the consistency from panel to panel is spot on. The writing is full of action...[and] tells a story about survival on a different level than what we are bombarded with every month."
--  Decapitated Dan, From the Tomb Magazine

"Rex, Zombie Killer features a gorilla who fights zombies with a baseball bat.
But, he's not Rex. Rex is a talking dog. Which means this might be the greatest
idea since Hef said, 'add a naked girl in the centerfold.'"
-- Forces of Geek

"...a quick-paced story which lives up to the premise...a pleasure to read...a great start to another innovative creator-owned series which deserves the attention of the quality-seeking comic fan..."
-- Alex Widen, Examiner.com

"Rex isn't like any other zombie story out there....Before you know it, you'll be
falling in love with the characters and if you're anything like me, cheering
them out loud... It's true. If you'd been in my bedroom while I was reading
this, you'd have heard me muttering, 'Go, Buttercup..Go...' You'll be cheering
them on and then looking at your own pets just a little bit closer."
-- Life with Katie

"My pick of the month!...DaFu's art is absolutely gorgeous...really structured and meticulous...a really cool book!"
-- Mike Gallagher, Comic Geek Speak

"What if Homeward Bound had zombies in it?...Anderson really brought different
personalities to all of these animals...there's clearly more to each of them
than the basics of their breed... This is a heartfelt tale about a group of
animals in search for a home.  Anyone that's ever rescued a pet will find a
connection to one of the creatures in this comic.  The fact that they fight
zombies is a plus..."
-- James Ferguson, Horror Talk

"If you love animals, you’ll enjoy this book. If you love zombie-themed worlds, you’ll enjoy this book. If you love a great illustrated comic, you’ll love this book...I can’t say enough good things about this one..."
-- Stuart Conover, BuyZombie.com

"I  really enjoyed this...and I guess I have to say that I was really surprised that
I enjoyed it...it has an awesome hook...and beyond that I really liked the team
dynamic between all the animals."
-- Dan Horn, Comic Book Bin podcast

"Dafu Yu, whose art is clean and crisp...is a very nice companion to Anderson's story, which despite the dark nature in the subject is ultimately a story of hope that Yu expresses in the characters to great  effect..."
-- J.R., Game On! Comics

"A zombie comic that's going to the dogs!"
-- Matman, Secret Identity Podcast

Pick it up in shops starting tomorrow.  If you are in the Virginia Area, Rob will be signing at Laughing Ogre Comics on Free Comic Book Day.