Last year, comic creators Lee Robson and Dan Hill, working with ace designer and writer Andi Ewington and others, released the horror anthology Mansion of Madness, featuring stories from some of the best and brightest creators in the comics world today.
Well, now they appear to have gone one step further and stepped up previously-announced plans to revive Mallet Productions, the production studio that inspired the anthology… except no-one in the film industry seems to remember the company, despite its impressive list of ground-breaking film dating back to the 1930s and the short-lived TV show Mansion of Madness, which Lee insists resulted in a spin-off comic in the 1970s.
An original Mansion Of Madness promotional poster for the TV series, faithfully restored by Andi Ewington.
Could it be that in reviving the studio – online at www.malletproductions.co.uk and on Twitter @malletprods – Lee and his team, are subtly re-shaping reality, aided by some impressive graphics by Andi Ewington, bending our wills into believing the existence of a production house whose output rivalled that of Hammer Films?
Or could it be that these enthusiastic comic creators minds and energies are being influenced by arcane forces into bringing something into our world we have yet to understand – but should be ready for (perhaps with lighted torches and pitchforks?)
Whatever the truth of the matter, we urge you to keep an eye on both web site and Twitter account… and be ready for what is to come, good, ill, or spectacular…
The cover of the first issue of the short-lived 1970s Mansion of Madness anthology
Mallet Productions “The Nine Brides of Satan” film poster, courtesy collector Carl Feringo
In the mean time, you should definitely check out the still available 48-page digital only collection available through Comixology, Mansion of Madness, containing six brand new spine-tingling tales of terror, guaranteed to leave you sleeping with the lights on.
This anthology offers work from Andi Ewington, Maura McHugh, Maan House, Alex Paterson, Dan Hill, Alfie Gallagher, Clay McLeod Chapman, Adam Kindred, Bryan Coyle, Matt Soffe, Paul Moore and Jasper Bark – and also marks the comics debut of fantasy author Ruth Frances Long.
“I’m beyond thrilled to be able to work with such a fantastic roster of people,” co-editor Lee Robson says of the anthology. “Seeing what each of them brings to the table has been a rare honour, and being able to work with them hand-in-hand, to tell these stories, has been a truly amazing experience.”
Lee is also, of course, busy promoting the latest “Velicity Jones” adventure, currently running in Aces Weekly.
The Mansion of Madness anthology also features an exclusive extract from the forthcoming book about the history of Mallet Productions by noted comics scholar Colin Smith, which may offer some clues about what these ardent horror fans are really planning.
Be ready for anything!
• The Mansion of Madness collection is available via Comixology here, priced $3.99 / £2.49
• Mallet Productions is online at www.malletproductions.co.uk and on Twitter @malletprods – be sucked in…
Mansion of Madness Checklist
Mansion Of Madness spearheads a revival of Mallet Productions, featuring six stories by some of the finest creators working in – and out – of comics today that are the perfect scary read as the end of the year creeps even closer.
Ultimately, Lee Robson and Dan Hill curated this collection with one thing in mind: to have a new generation of readers experience the same thrills and chills the original fans did.
Dan himself – teamed with Alfie Gallagher – brings you a slice of terror that’s very now, in “Traffic Stop”…
Andi Ewington and Maan House spin a macabre tale of professional jealousy in “Ghost Writer”…
Jasper Bark and Paul Moore join forces to weave a strange and chilling yarn of revenge in “The Whispers of The Stones”…
Maura McHugh and Alex Paterson delve into the history of Mallet’s publishing wing for the weird and sinister “Words Are Not Real”…
Clay McLeod Chapman and Adam Kindred bring you an unnerving story of dreams unfulfilled in “A Nest Of Plaques And Tangles”…
Making her comics debut, fantasy author Ruth Frances Long teams up with Bryan Coyle for a terrifying tale of alien invaders and urban legends in “Black Dog”…
All stories are lettered by Bolt-01.
Rounding out the collection is an exclusive extract from the soon to be released book about the history of Mallet’s ill-fated soujourn into publishing, Waiting For The Resurrection by noted comics scholar Colin Smith.
• The Mansion of Madness collection is available via Comixology here, priced $3.99 / £2.49
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The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Film, Other Worlds
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