Flagler College to host the next Whedonverse Conference

Just when I started to think Flagler College could never beat out SCAD for odd-ball events, they surprise me with this. Turns out Flagler will be this years host for the Fourth International Whedonverse Conference, a conference designed around famed writer, director, producer Joss Whedon (creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, Dollhouse).

Whedon has been a mover and shaker in the business of ground breaking television. Buffy was one of the first heroines who didn't have to dress in a skimpy outfit while contradicting herself with "girl power" slogans left and right (which is usually a big turn off for guys). That, along with Emmy gold episodes like Buffy's "Hush" and the Space Western Firefly made his stories and worlds something all aspiring artists and writers could gush over week after week on television.

I myself was highly inspired by Whedon's work while creating Flagler's Few. Often when I try to explain my book I say something along the lines of: "It's Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Ghostbusters...in Saint Augustine..." I've also had the opportunity to meet George Jeanty, the comicbook artists responsible for "Season 8", even gave him a ghost tour while he was down in Savannah a few years back.

So it figures that the liberal arts college will host this event, and I'm sure it's going to be amazing. Sadly, Joss Whedon himself will probably not be in attendance, but the event will spotlight Flagler professors, guest speakers and seminars dealing with the creative writing styles, stories and character developments of some memorable Whedon fashion.

The event is open to the public, for more info go check it out here...

ENCOUNTERS LIVE!

Hey all,

I've been asked by Tim Yancey of Encounters Live to come onto his show and talk about Flagler's Few on May 29th. Encounters Live is a South Florida based radio broadcast that has a huge listener base and brings on some of the best people in the paranormal community. Tim Yancy has over 35 years of experience in the paranormal and along with his wife, Trish, puts on one of the most informative and fun paranormal radio shows out there.

With that said, check out the latest broadcast video, and on May 29th, 6pm EST, tune in to hear us talk about the upcoming Flagler's Few and Victor's Revenge, as well as what's in the works for Destination: Unknown and Flagler's Few and the Pirate's Skull of Fury!

AZTECA

Hey everybody! Some great news! I can finally start talking about my secret project work on Azteca, a brand new up-and-coming series created and written by the amazing Enrica Jang and illustrated by my totally talented long time friend, Jhazmine Ruiz.

I'm currently functioning as inker and colorist on the project. I'd like to give a great show of thanks to Jhaz and Enrica for letting me be a part of the team. It's different from what I'm used to on Flagler's Few (which by the way is not being put on the back burner fans! More F.F. to come!) but it's a great opportunity!

This is no paranormal comic book though, the series is a darker, grittier, real life-esque series that will leave you grinding your teeth and begging for more. Enrica and Jhazmine have really got an amazing talent for bringing a story to life. I can't say much more...if you want to discover everything about Azteca check out their Kickstarter page, it recently got onto the "Recommended List".

Show your support, and spread the word of this great new upcoming series (but don't forget about Flagler's Few either now. :-P)

Feels good to finally air that out...

New Interview with Jim Harold!

Got a chance to speak with Jim Harold of Paranormal Podcast! Jim was the first ever radio host I interviewed with a year or so ago in the paranormal field about Flagler's Few. Check out our chat about my book, fiction in the paranormal/supernatural field and my thoughts on the direction of paranormal television.

Thanks Jim!

Click here for the link to the podcast!

Kevin Days of the Week!

So last year when I went to Saint AuGHOSTine 2009 Conference, I brought down to Saint Augustine with me the very talented trio, Jarrett Williams, Rashad Doucet and Kevin Burkhalter, fellow sequential art alumni of SCAD and fellow comic book artists. (Check out Jarrett Williams new book Super Pro K.O. coming out from Oni Press Books)

Well, Kevin does a great web journal called Kevin Days of the Week ,but because he illustrates them it takes him a couple of months to catch up...so this week I was fortunate enough to be included in Kevin's online journal.

So here's what happened...


Check out more Burkhalter Adventures at kevinsjournalcomic.com

Coquina Online Magazine is featuring an article about Flagler's Few and the Reaper of Saint George Street. Special thanks to Tracey Eaton, creator and editor of the Coquina, and Alex Scarborough who wrote the article!

Go here to check it out.

Besides featuring info on my book, check out the Coquina for all things Saint Augustine! Great source for interesting news and updates for the community of the nations oldest city!

The Milhopper Devil

In Gainesville, Florida (where I'm originally from) there is a place called the Devil's Milhopper, so named by early settlers who found bones and fossils at the bottom of a large sinkhole that they believed was the hole that fed bodies to the devil.

It is a local legend, that long ago the devil fell in love with a beautiful native maiden. She refused his advances and proposal of marriage. One night, while she lay sleeping, she was kidnapped by the demon and carried screaming into the forest. Her tribe's bravest warriors gave chase, and when they had just about caught up with the Devil, the fiery demon whirled on them and transformed the posse into stone. At that same spot he opened a great chasm in the earth and disappeared along with his maiden prize to the depths of hell, leaving nothing but the stone warriors and the sinkhole known today as the Devil's Milhopper.

It is said on the night of a full moon, you can still hear the cries and moans of the young maiden.

On a cool Fall night in 2004, my best friend and I were driving to a friend's house down Milhopper Road on the way to a friend's house. As we drove we talked of all sorts of important events (girls, college classes, girls, the Gators, girls, video games, girls, etc. etc.) When all of a sudden "something" ran in front of my friend's Chevy Blazer. We both fell silent for what seemed several minutes. To break the silence I finally said: "Did you see that?" and my friend (a non-believer in ALL things supernatural and paranormal) said "YOU SAW IT TOO?"

Recently, I have revisited that night in an interview with a member of the Florida BFRO (Bigfoot Field Research Organization) who upon discovering my artistic background requested that I try to sketch what exactly it was I saw. Below is a sketch of what I have dubbed "The Milhopper's Devil".