Interview: John Parker of Post Mortem Comic Studios by Emmanuel Paige

Post Mortem Comic Studios, based out of western North Carolina, is launching a series of independent horror comics, joining stories and authors from the Southern Horror Writers Association with talented artists spanning the world.

John Parker, the Owner of Post Mortem Studios, is the head of the Southern Horror Writers Association, a screenplay and fiction writer and artist. He is the creator of the comics: Fever, Ink, The Cursed and the Damned, Dorothy Rising, and The Magic Eight Ball. Parker has been vigorously promoting and building the foundation for Post Mortem Comic Studios for the past year and he is excited by the new trends and changes in the comic book industry.

Parker has teamed up with Scott Nicholson, a novelist famous for writing supernatural thrillers set in the seminal Southern Appalachians.

“I used to make comic books as a kid,” said Nicholson, “fold up the paper and make the panels and drawings. I was always creative and enjoyed that type of escape into my imagination. I guess I just never grew up.”

Parker has also joined forces with Clayton Murwin, a freelance comic artist located in Charlottesville, VA, called: The Untold Stories from Iraq and Afghanistan. It is a project to raise money for disabled solders who have served their country in Iraq and Afghanistan. The graphic novel will be going to print sometime in June. This is a collaborative effort with artists from Indy comics, Marvel, Image and DC working on it together.

Post Mortem Comics Studios currently has a talented team of artists: David Magitis, Kewber, Justin Braden, Michael Harris, Derek and Nikki Davis, Clayton Murwin, Rich Cunningham and Tony Savage. They are always looking to expand their artist roster and add bold new horror titles to their lineup. Additionally, they also would like to form a network with other independent studios and comic book stores for cross-promotion and distribution.

The initial release for titles from Post Mortem Comic Studios is set for May 1, 2009. You can visit the PMCS website, www.postmortemcomics.com, and order copies now.

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Macabre Cadaver: What is Post Mortem Comic Studios?

John Parker: Post Mortem Comic Studios is a horror genre based horror comic book press, based out of Canton, NC. Our writers for the comic book company are active members of the Southern Horror Writers Association. We are dedicated to bringing horror back into the main stream public eye. Also to give younger horror writers a chance to get some of their work published in some fashion or form.

MC: Tell us a little about yourself, John Parker, on and off the clock.

JP: Well I am 35 years old. I pursued music as a career for about 20 years; playing death metal and black metal. After I settled down and got married I went back to something I have always loved (HORROR). I have written 6 screenplays, tons of short stories and scripting 11 different comic books of Post Mortem Comic Studios. I am the owner of Post Mortem Comic Studios and the President of the Southern Horror Writers Association. Not much else to me . . . I am horror and business 100% of the time.

MC: What inspired you to start Post Mortem Comics Studios?

JP: I have always been a huge comic book fan. Not so much as the super hero comics but, the old Tales from the Crypt stuff, Judge Dredd and The Punisher. I have also always had a comic book style to my artwork. After founding the Southern Horror Writers Association back in 2007 I decided to take my work a different route than just novels and novellas. My screenplays were what drove me to do what I do and I decided to turn some of those screenplays into comics. At that point I pulled Scott Nicholson aboard with me along with Ben Larken; both officers of the association.

MC: What is your favorite comic book and/or character?

JP: My fav. is split between Judge Dredd and The Punisher.

MC: Your comics deal with horror and the macabre. This is exciting to see graphic horror comics coming back. Are we seeing a resurgence in comics that will rival “Tales from the Crypt” and any of the darker themed comics from Marvel?

JP: Our comics will pass Tales from the Crypt and the darker stuff of Marvel. Scott’s titles lean more towards the Tales from the Dark comics and mine well let’s say go towards Clive Barkers dark side and beyond. Some of the material will be 18 and up based stuff. Dipping down into harder hitting subjects and more satanic roots.

MC: How does an artist or writer go about submitting work for consideration in your comics? Do you accept unsolicited material?

JP: Yes we accept unsolicited material. We are always looking for up and coming writers and artists. I have always strived to help the underdog. The only condition is to be able to meet deadlines and to have crisp clean work. Any artist or writer can submit to us any time by emailing either me at johnparker@southernhorror.com or Scott Nicholson at hauntedcomputer@yahoo.com. We will gladly look over anyone’s work and take it into consideration.

MC: I was introduced to you through Scott Nicholson. We did an interview with him back in September 2008. He is a really nice guy, and a great writer. What’s it like working with a writer of his caliber?

JP: It is outstanding working with Scott. Scott is one of the nicest guys in the industry. His long term knowledge of the horror genre helps out time after time. Also his editing skills are top notch. I wouldn’t think of having anyone else as a partner is this venture.

MC: There seems to be some unrest in the publishing industry due to the economy. Does the “economic crisis” scare you as a new startup company?

JP: Not at all. In times of depression where does the public turn to, to take their minds off their own troubles. They look more towards the horror, thriller and action genres. It lets them see others in trouble worse than they are and takes the edge off their lives for a few short moments. Also horror is always there. People love to be scared.

MC: Do you think the economy will damage sales for comics, magazines, and other periodicals?

JP: I think that people are staying home more now. TV, books, comics and magazines will go on the rise. People aren’t traveling as much as they use to. So in some ways maybe, but I think you will see an increase in sales of periodicals again. People spend money no matter what. Picking up a book is cheaper than spending $100 to go out and eat and to a movie.

MC: Who would win in a dual between Eric Draven from “The Crow” and Johny Blaze from “Ghost Rider?”

JP: Tough one there . . . but, I would have to go with Johnny Blaze . . . .

MC: I can’t resist, how about Judge Dredd vs. The Punisher?

JP: Judge Dredd hands down . . . he is the mother fuckin’ law. Judge, jury and executioner . . .  .

MC: That’s it. We’re done. Anything else you would like to add?

JP: Yeah, would like it if you could mention a few other things . . . Right now I am working on a project with Clayton Murwin called the Untold Stories from Iraq and Afghanistan. It is a project based on helping give money to the disabled solders who have served their country in Iraq and Afghanistan. The graphic novel will be going to print sometime in June. We have guys from the Indy Comics, Marvel, Image and DC working on it together

Also would love to mention some of our artists . . . they are the guys behind the magic . . . for Post Mortem that is . . . David Magitis, Kewber, Justin Braden, Michael Harris, Derek and Nikki Davis, Clayton Murwin, Rich Cunningham and Tony Savage. These are some really talented guys and gals and it makes our lives a lot easier working with such a top notch crew.