Death Falcon Zero vs. the Zombie Slug Lords - an Illustrated Novel |
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The idea for "Death Falcon Zero vs. the Zombie Slug Lords" was hatched in a living room on the West Side of Charleston, W.Va., by two middle-aged wrestlers. Bill had a few good scenes for a movie, and I had years of experience as a screenwriter/director. Over the tens of thousands of miles we would travel together as pro wrestlers, the story took shape. It began as a movie, with the Czech Republic and Tanzanian scenes actually being shot, but the project eventually became unrealistic as a motion picture. With our mutual love of both pulp horror fiction and comic books, an illustrated novel seemed the natural evolution. Special thanks first and foremost go to West Virginia State University, the institution that has supported and stood by me and my diverse projects for some 25 years. In particular, WVSU's Research & Development Corporation, Student Activities, the Department of Communications, and the Media Studies Program. And their people: Charles Byers, Brunetta Dillard, David Wohl, Susan Marrash-Minnerly, Mary Wickiser, Tiffany Lipscomb, Steve Gilliland, and Matt Wood. Our WVSU student crew was made up of: Amy Trent, Lisa Bragg, Doug Currence, Joseph Ng, Curtis Baskerville, Chad Williamson, and Mike Riley. From the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Abdullah H. Mohammed, Sikalion Rwabona, Gabriel Kiiza, Samson Thomas, and Gervas Kassiga. In Prague, Jana Masakova and Thomas Maliszewski provided production support. The book was edited by A.V. Gallagher and designed by Joel Gibson, with the assistance of Joseph Ng. Annie Harbison served as our legal intern. Frank Austin provided business guidance as he has for every PFI production @ WVSU. We received great outside advice and direct financial support from Robert Tinnell and Kelley "The Angry Filmmaker" Baker. Other valued consultants were Jason Pell, Keith J. Rainville, Bobb Cotter, Alfonso Sahagun, and the West Virginia Film Office. A very special thanks to the stars, our wrestling friends who donated their likenesses: "Luscious" Johnny Valiant, Joe E. Legend, Samu Anoai, John Rambo, Flex Tolley, Breeze, Gorgeous JC, Shane Storm, The Cuban Assassin, Eric Steel, The Juggulator, Sol De Oriente, Smokey, Bobby Blaze, Awesome Allen Lynch, and of course, Special Agent Casey Gunnar, Raw Talent, Professor Danger, and Death Falcon Zero. Also, The Reverend James D. Ealy, Rudolf Krejcik, Grace Mahumbuga, Wande, Rebecca, Chahya Mtiro, Tiffany Lipscomb, Wayne Stanfield, Robin Boyd, Joe Hitchen, We are so very grateful. |
William Bitner is a life-long fan of both comic books and professional wrestling, with his tastes running distinctly old school in both mediums. At the age of 46, he decided to train to become a professional wrestler himself, and has since dragged his increasingly aching bones through over 300 matches, and a dozen title belts. Mr. Bitner is also the author of a short story collection, M Is for Monster, and currently resides in Charleston, W.Va. |
Daniel Boyd is an acclaimed filmmaker with dozens of films, including three features, Chillers, Strangest Dreams: Invasion of the Space Preachers, and Heroes of the Heart to his credit. A film professor at West Virginia State University since 1985, Boyd has also taught around the world including in Tanzania as a three-time Fulbright scholar. Like Bitner, Boyd became a pro wrestler late in life, first entering the ring at 48. www.danielboyd.com |
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| Brendon and Brian Fraim are identical twin illustrators who made their mark on Kenzer & Company's Knights of the Dinner Table comics and HackMaster role-playing game. They have also illustrated the award winning web comic America Jr., the Harvey Award nominated Antiques: The Comic Strip, The ODD Squad from Devil's Due Publishing, and the Random House novel Wolf Boy, which was optioned to be made into a movie. They are only in their 30s and are not yet old enough to start a pro-wrestling career. www.brosfraim.com | |
copyright 2008 PFI @ WVSU |
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