PopCultHQ

“Pants Optional” is a new Zoom video interview feature where we connect with individuals within the comic book community. It’s a way to see/hear what creators have been doing during a quarantine, projects which may be in motion during this downtime, and noteworthy events and happenings taking place in lieu of conventions, appearances, and the weekly NCBD grind.

For Episode VIII, I spoke with Mark London, writer and CEO/CCO of Mad Cave Studios. London is a writer on indie comic books, such as KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN SUN, the seven-issue series WOLVENHEART, a couple of BATTLECATS titles, and HONOR & CURSE. Mark is also has a hefty plate on his hands with his publishing company and has been CRAZY BUSY during this pandemic!

The Mad Cave Showcase was a virtual event held by the publisher which featured comic creators and industry professionals, giveaways, a meet-and-greet with the Mad Cave team, as well as announcing four fall debut titles and details on their 3rd Annual Talent Search. If that’s not enough, Mad Cave and numerous fans raised nearly $13,000 to help comic book retailers by way of a COVID Relief Fund. I’ll provide details on their upcoming titles, as well as the 2020 Talent Search info after the interview. You will also learn more direct from London as we chat comics on this latest episode of Pants Optional, Cave Dwellers!

Special thanks to Mark London for taking the time to speak with us. Be sure to follow Mark and Mad Cave Studios online (links below). Here’s a look at Mad Cave’s slate of fall debuts:

Hollywood Trash #1

Writer: Stephen Sonneveld
Artist: Pablo Verdugo Muñoz
Colors: Jose Expósito
Letters: Justin Birch

Release Date: Oct. 7

Ah, Hollywood! Famous for celebs, sun– and murder cults! The Privy Council is the most exclusive club in town, headed by the entertainment industry’s top mogul, a ruthless exec who enlists his famous underlings to kill the people who stole from him, two local garbage men. James and Billy must survive one epic day of sword fights, forest fires, and giant mechs! At least there’s hazard pay. Hollywood Trash​ is five-issues of all-out action and wacky satire!

Villainous #1

Writer: Stonie Williams
Artist: Jef Sadzinski
Colors: Joana Lafuente
Letters: Justin Birch

Release Date: Oct. 14

Villainous ​follows Tilly, one of the newest super-powered beings to join the Coalition of Heroes through their sidekick program, as she navigates the dizzying world of Super-Heroes. Working with her idols should be a dream come true, but when she learns too much too soon, Tilly’s dream quickly turns into a nightmare. As she learns more about the sordid history of the CoH, Tilly has to make a choice – Get in line and stand with her heroes or take a stand and risk becoming something more… Villainous.

Pantomime #1

Writer: Christopher Sebela
Artist: David Stoll
Colors: Dearbhla Kelly

Release Date: Nov. 4

Haley and her brother Max are all alone after their mother’s death and a fresh start at Wayfair Academy, a special needs boarding school, isn’t what she expected. Normally, Haley would withdraw back into herself, but when she finds a family with other deaf kids, she embraces her new life and begins to come out of her shell. Until one night where the group dips their toes into crime, and the thrill is too much to leave behind. Though they soon find out by stealing from the wrong person, that this world isn’t for kids. With no one to turn to but each other, they will have to make a choice, one where no one will come out the same on the other side.

Terminal Punks #1

Writer: Matthew Erman
Artist: ​Shelby Criswell
Letters: Micah Myers

Release Date: Nov. 11

Four lousy, grimy and greasy gutter punk teens are en route to their big show in the big apple but when things go monstrously wrong and mutant animals are unleashed in the airport, our four punk heroes must put on their combat boots, fly their Black Flag and try to survive a viral genetic mutant nightmare.

A hilarious, wild, and fun thrill-ride! ​Terminal Punks​ is a blaring colorful love letter to the music and attitude of rebellion. It is also a tongue-in-cheek takedown of rich idiots doing stupid things for bad reasons.

The moment you all have been waiting for. For the third year in a row, Mad Cave Studios is looking to discover and publish new talent in the comics industry. This year is a little different, as three artists and three writers will be chosen to take part in Mad Cave’s first-ever anthology!

Since the first talent search in 2018, Mad Cave Studios has continued the trend of bringing fresh voices to comics with exciting titles like Show’s End, Savage Bastards, Over the Ropes, and many more…

How Do Creators Sign Up?

The Mad Cave Studios talent search has some guidelines you need to follow in order for their editorial team to review your submission. Below is a brief overview of the contest details:

● Contest runs from June 1, 2020, through September 1, 2020

● Each submission entered must be set in the universe of a Mad Cave IP (Battlecats, Honor and Curse, Knights of the Golden Sun, Show’s End, etc.)

● Six Winners (Three writers and three artists) will be announced on Wednesday, October 2nd, 2020, on PREVIEWSworld and PREVIEWSworld Weekly

● Visit the Mad Cave Talent Search Page for complete submission guidelines

~~~~~

If you are an industry professional and are interested in being featured in our “Pants Optional” segment, drop me a line at tahoejbennett@popculthq.com and let’s see what we can put together!

Writer – Mark London

Mark London’s central focus is to provide a compelling experience through action-driven storytelling and immense world building. His goal is to give readers more than just a comic and London achieves just that.

`

`

`

Publisher – Mad Cave Studios

Mad Cave Studios is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded by Mark London in 2014, driven by madness and committed to quality.  From horror and fantasy to sci-fi and adventure, Mad Cave Studios has a comic for you!

`

`

`

`