Dionysus Wept is the place to get the latest news on the next sensation in sequential art. As well as the universe-expanding musings of writer Eric C Hayes.
Woot! I just received my first shipment of OUTER SPACE MEN compatible figures. Working in concert with the Glyos joint system from Onell Design, these Callgrim figures offer even greater alternatives to expand your army of action figures. Lately, I've been attempting to expand my 5yr olds brain capacity, while at the same time playing with toys. These Glyos compatible figures give us that perfect opportunity. Please note: Callgrim took about three weeks to ship my order, so...don't order if you are in to the instant gratification thang. But it was worth the wait! Viva la Glyos Compatible toys!
Looking back, it was destined to happen. Nothing was going stop THE OUTER SPACE MEN from making their galactic return to the TOY-VERSE. It Couldn't have been a coincidence that I, Eric HAYES, wrote the epic Graphic Novel of OUTER SPACE MEN epicness that was the highlight of New York Comic Con '09. Or that MASTER toy-design, Eric "Cornby" MAYSE (also attending NYCC '09) had an interest in reviving the imaginative toyline from the '60's. Ironically, a face-to-face meeting never took place there. Probably for the best, as my beautiful girlfriend Michelle was alone in our booth as the rest of us were speaking on a panel. Michelle's importance cannot be minimized as a bad first impression could have killed this mission at it's inception. Ultimately, I was able to set up a dialogue between THE OSM creator Mel Birnkrant, and Cornboy's FOUR HORSEMEN DESIGN STUDIO. Something for which I am always quick to pat myself on the back for. Everything culminated with the unexpected package I received from THE FOUR yesterday. My very own Alpha Phase wave 1! This wave of figures are the ultra-limited series which was all the rage at SDCC '10. My 4yr old and I had a blast interchanging their expertly sculpted parts. As I write this, I'm expecting a delivery of CALLGRIM figures that also feature ONELL DESIGN'S GLYOS joint system. Socially shunned by my unforgiving peers, I spent my childhood engrossed in autonomous play, mainly 3 3/4 STAR WARS and GI JOE action figures. Due to their size and articulation, these OSM figures are right at home in my STAR WARS vehicles. But due to their playability, I'm afraid to put METAMORPHO into my precious DEWBACK for fear I might lose his legs. Thanks go to THE FOUR HORSEMEN for this amazing gesture with their limited supply of OSM exclusives. Stay tuned for more talk of destiny...and pics of my toys.
For anyone that might be interested, I'm posting my original story pitch for DIONYSUS WEPT. Ultimately, Sean O'Reilly at ARCANA STUDIOS saw something he liked. Judge for yourself.
Nietzsche’s Overman exists, but are we ready for him?
DIONYSUS WEPT Submission Proposal
DIONYSUS WEPT is the hard-boiled bastard child of MARATHON MAN meets THE FRENCH CONNECTION meets FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS. Presented in a crime/noir comic style and steeped in mythologically inspired violence, DIONYSUS WEPT focuses on a family of apparent immortals. These seemingly ageless doctors, soldiers, artists and philosophers whose unorthodox lifestyle (consisting of a life-extending diet and drug regimen) and unconventional philosophy (marked by a Nietzschean code of ethics and universe expanding hallucinogens) have forced them to embrace anonymity...until now.
A chance meeting between Dr Robert Staver, and world-renowned Nazi Hunter, Simon Friedman ends in brutal murder. The subsequent NYPD investigation reveals: 1) An unseen ancient order, sworn to protect The Twelve Tribes of Israel by any means necessary. 2) An insidious group of neo-Nazi Hitler worshipers with a deadly policy against those they perceive to be race traitors. 3) An extended family of apparent immortals whose mysterious past has come back to haunt them. 4) A pharmaceutical representative obsessed with profiting from a miracle cure. 5) And the African-American NYPD Detective struggling to uncover secrets that noone wants revealed.
The story’s main character, Dr Robert Staver, runs a small clinic in the economically desperate neighborhood of Manhattan’s Spanish Harlem. Dr Staver is beloved in the community for his tireless effort to provide affordable medical care to its residents. Although a celebrity in the neighborhood, the doctor rejects publicity that might draw unwanted attention to the clinic or himself. And with good reason, for Dr Robert Staver was born Hubertus Strunghold in 1915 near Leipzig, Germany. Dr Strunghold and his unusual family were uprooted as part of a collaborative covert US military operation to smuggle members of Hitler’s elite doctors and scientists into America prior to World War II. Strunghuld’s life-changing decision to betray the Third Reich was made easy upon the Doctor’s horrific discovery of Hitler’s Final Solution. But a decision with consequences, as leaving Hitler’s Master Race Research Team, cost the doctor his identity (not to mention a finger from his right hand.) Dr Staver’s safety and secret identity are permanently jeopardized when Simon Friedman recognizes the four-fingered man outside his clinic.
While maintaining his persona as an internationally known Nazi hunter, Friedman was also a high-ranking member of a clandestine group of assassins dubbed THE CHILDREN OF ESAU. His vicious murder triggers an unrelenting quest for retribution by the members of this unforgiving militant group. The NYPD homicide investigation alerts the hierarchy of Stormwatch, a corporate structured organization of psychotic Hitler acolytes with influence among the city’s police and government. Stormwatch views both Hubertus Strunghold and his family as the ultimate traitors to the white race and therefore subject to the ultimate penalty...death. It’s up to newly promoted Detective Jean-Luc Pedanou to stay alive long enough to uncover the nefarious actions that have set this mystery in motion.
This story was originally conceived as an 8-issue story arc and will appeal to both crime/noir and sci-fi readers. And it has Nazis!
It is with great excitement that I can officially announce the signing of my latest comic, DIONYSUS WEPT, to ARCANA STUDIOS. Slated as a two volume graphic novel series, with the first to be completed later this year, DIONYSUS WEPT seeks to expand the reader's internal universe with Nazi-era eugenics experimentation, murder and psychedelic mind travel. Upon reviewing my original story pitch it was clear that Arcana Studios was the only publisher capable of such a groundbreaking endeavor. From Arcana Studios website:
Arcana began in 2004 as a studio. Since then Arcana has established itself as an innovative leader in developing content in various mediums. Working in websites, comics and graphic novels, video games, short-form animation and live action shorts, toys and merchandise, as well as feature length films, Arcana focusses on a transmedia approach to the the scaffolding process of developing brands and intellectual properties. Arcana's primary method for establishing new brands has been through comic book publishing and in just over four years, Arcana Comics has published over 150 original comics and books, reaching sales of over 1,000,000 units. Arcana is found on 15 different countries and translated into seven languages across the globe. Winning the Shuster Award for Top Publisher, the Moonbeam Award for Top Children's Graphic Novel and BIV's Top 40 Under 40 Award are just a few of the accolades that Arcana has achieved.
And of course, DIONYSUS WEPT will feature the amazing draftsmanship of 2010 RUSS MANNING AWARD Nominated artist, Marc Borstel. I'm overcome with joy to see that Marc's talents are being recognized by the industry that he loves so dearly. And it is with great anticipation that I await Marc's pages on this book, as he work has matured significantly since our time together on THE OUTER SPACE MEN Graphic Novel.
DETECTIVE COMICS #555 COVER PRICE - $.75 COVER DATE - OCT 85 WRITER - JASON TODD PENCILER - GENE COLAN AND BOB SMITH
My comprehensive trip through DC COMICS uber-event, CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS has taken me to Gotham. In a stroke of editorial genius, DC decided to credit the character of Jason Todd as the writer of the issue. Most likely because he has a running commentary throughout in the form of a journal entry. Or simply because Doug Moench, the actual writer, was embarrassed about his effort here. Doubtful, because this bad-ass issue rocked the house! It seems that two of Central City's biggest rogues, Mirror Master and Captain Boomerang, have set their sites on Batman's home turf as well as a priceless jade necklace being exhibited at the Gotham Museum. The Dynamic Duo skillfully employ the help of the surly GCPD Detective Harvey Bullock to thwart the baddies and save the necklace. This book features the legendary artwork of Master Illustrator Gene Colan as well as an enjoyable Green Arrow back-up story.
WHAT'S THIS GOT TO DO WITH CRISIS? Apparently, the epic cosmic battle of matter vs anti-matter has the atmospheric affect of turning Earth's skies red. Even the night sky is red. Bullock is moved to compare the sky'e unusual color to the rubies from the film GUNGA DIN. Interesting, as Bullock himself admits, "even though it was filmed in black an' white."
ALL STAR SQUADRON #51 COVER PRICE - $.75 COVER DATE - NOV 85 WRITER - ROY THOMAS PENCILER - MIKE CLARK & ARVELL JONES
We remain on Earth 2 for my detailed analysis of CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS. In this issue the ALL STAR SQUADRON goes up against one of my all-time favorite comic villains...Mr. Mind! He was originally a FAWCETT COMICS character and was created by Otto Binder and C. C. Beck in 1943. As you might expect Mr. Mind gained notoriety going up against FAWCETT hero Captain Marvel. But here, he's got his sights set on Earth 2's ALL STARS. This issue of ALL STAR SQUADRON is WHY I READ COMICS! Mr. Mind has built a MINDTRIPPER machine and travels the universe like an obseesed TWILIGHT fan in an effort to meet his favorite Earthling radio star, Charlie McCarthy. Poor Mr. Mind soon discovers the awful truth, mainly that Charlie McCarthy is actually a wooden dummy controlled by, the other guy from the show, Edgar Bergen. The pain felt upon this discovery is too much for Mr. Mind to bear. He devises a plan to assemble a MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL and destroy his second favorite Earth celebrities...THE ALL STAR SQUADRON. The issue ends during a classic ALL STARS vs MONSTER SOCIETY puch-up.
WHAT'S THIS GOT TO DO WITH CRISIS? During Mr. Mind's epic journey from his homeworld to Earth, he witnesses the inter-dimensional flight of Harbinger and Firebrand continued from the previous issue. Mr. Mind even remarks how "impressive" these females appear. Impressive for mammals...of couse. It is Harbinger's energy trail that ultimately leads Mr. Mind to Earth. But it is the last page that is most CRISIS-tastic! We see a trio of ALL STARS find themselves lost after trying to follow Firebrand through a dimensional barrier. Liberty Belle, Johnny Quick and Green Lantern are suddenly greeted by a surly Captain Marvel. But stay tuned, I have a feeling we'll find out why Shazam is acting so "emotional" soon.
It is with great excitement that I learned my friend and collaborator on DIONYSUS WEPT, Marc Borstel, has been nominated for a prestigious MANNING AWARD. THE RUSS MANNING AWARD is an award presented to a comic book artist whose first professional work appeared within the previous two years. It was named after the famous American comic book artist Russ Manning. The winner is chosen from a list of nominees picked by judges from the West Coast Comics Club and Comic-Con International, and is given at the Eisner Award ceremony. Marc was nominated based on the stunning work he did for THE MISADVENTURES OF CLARK AND JEFFERSON published by APE ENTERTAINMENT. Art Adams, one of my artistic idols, won the MANNING way back in '86. For Marc to be included with a name like that must be incredibly flattering. I'm truly fortunate to have met Marc in person during NYCC '09. And we have plans to put NYCC '10 in a headlock and punch it in the teeth this October. Marc's work on DIONYSUS WEPT is STUNNING! The feedback I've been getting from publishers is overwhelming. Stay tuned in the coming days for an exciting announcement regarding the publication of DIONYSUS WEPT. Hopefully, I will be able to include the quote "Illustrated by MANNING AWARD WINNER Marc Borstel" on the front cover. Good Luck Marc!
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