VAMPIRO: ROCKABILLY APOCALYPSE is raw, full-on, blue-collar pulp culture madness! It’s action, rock and roll folklore with a mythic guitarist–and like all strangers who come to town, Vampiro‘s got a secret. Crack that open and it’s AMERICAN VAMPIRE meets LUCHA UNDERGROUND in the best possible way! For horror fans, for wrestling fans, for midnight movie connoisseurs–don’t miss out! –Steve Orlando (Batman, Avengers Assemble, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter)
Cover A by Rafael Gallur
In 1991, a young, tall, pale white, rock star looking luchador arrived at Arena Mexico from Canada and immediately became an overnight sensation. “El Vampiro Canadiense” became an icon transcending lucha libre and extending his presence into telenovelas, magazines, music (including working with The Misfits) and more. Now, as, in front of sold-out crowds from north to south, as he says goodbye to competing in the ring in the country that made him a legend, Vampiro shifts his sights from battling rudos in the ring to harbingers of the apocalypse in his new comic book series Vampiro: Rockabilly Apocalypse from Masked Republic Comics (The Luchaverse) and Massive Publishing (Wesley Snipe’s The Exiled, American Psycho, Assassins’ Creed, Zorro: Man of the Dead, Ninja Funk)
WHO IS VAMPIRO?
Since his impressive debut in Montreal in 1984, Vampiro Candiense, real name Ian Hodgkinson, has transcended the world of wrestling to become a true cultural icon. His influence extends far beyond the confines of the ring. Early in his career Telenovela appearances were in demand, though over time his focus away from the ring shifted to the punk rock music that inspired his look and appeal to fans. As vocalist of gothic metal band Droch Fhoula and member of Psychopathic Records’ Dark Lotus, he has left his mark on music. His versatility also led him to venture into television, being a reporter for Mexico’s paranormal program Extranormal, demonstrating his ability to connect with the public across fan bases.
Vampiro‘s legacy in wrestling is immense. Long before he became familiar to wrestling fans outside of Mexico thanks to his time in WCW, he was the most in-demand foreigner for the entire lucha libre industry. At his peak, Vampiro was wrestling 4 shows in one day on a regular basis. With a career spanning several decades and a unique style, he has garnered generations of fans. His charisma, in-ring persona and passion have established him as a living legend. He has held wrestling championships throughout North and South America as well as in Europe and has been the subject of two award winning documentaries Vampiro: Angel, Devil, Hero and Nail in the Coffin: The Fall and Rise of Vampiro.
In 2014, the Robert Rodriguez and Mark Burnett produced TV series Lucha Underground catapulted Vampiro back into the spotlight around the globe. Once again, a fanbase of both old faithful and brand new converts wanted more Vampiro and that included following him and his world away from the ring in series like Vampiro: Unleashed which enjoyed a 24-episode run on the El Rey Network.
In his new role as host and producer of his own podcast, Vampiro has reinvented his popularity. With over 1 million followers on Facebook alone and a significant impact on video platforms, his content has generated over 62 million views in the last two years as he has captured the attention of audiences throughout Mexico and beyond.
In the world of lucha libre, has remained an integral part of the storylines of Mexico’s leading promotion, Lucha Libre AAA on their national television series in Mexico, throughout Latin America and now once again broadcast in the U.S. on TUDN and Galavision. His year long retirement tour from active lucha libre competition has drawn 100,000s of fans to arenas so far and his final Mexico City match at Triplemania XXXII had nearly 20,000 fans in attendance for the event which garnered more than 13 million social media impressions.
VAMPIRO: ROCKABILLY APOCALYPSE – THE NEW HORROR-ADVENTURE WITH MORE ACTION THAN A LUCHA LIBRE MATCH, BUT ALL THE SAME ATTITUDE AND SNARKY HUMOR YOU’VE COME TO EXPECT FROM VAMPIRO!
Now, for the first time ever, the legendary luchador stars in his own comic series as Masked Republic Comics and Massive Publishing get set to debut Vampiro: Rockabilly Apocalypse on October 16 with a SUPER SIZED 48-PAGE premiere!
Cover B by Diego Simone
“The character of Vampiro is truly one of legend,” Masked Republic President and series co-creator Kevin Kleinrock said, “The too-slick-not-to-be-dangerous, charismatic, silver-tongued devil that Vampiro is in real life was absolutely meant to transcend the lucha libre industry. Michael Kingston has brilliantly captured his personality of dark humor, quick quips and a rock-and-roll lifestyle and crafted one of the most fun comic stories I have ever read.”
Every guitarist knows his name. His performances are the stuff of legend. He’s played all over the world, but his face has never graced a single concert poster.
He’s never advertised. He just…appears!
In this action-packed, double-sized first issue, we meet Everitt Holden, an Austin music vlogger who sets out to discover the truth behind the urban legend known only as Vampiro, an underground guitarist that’s seemingly existed for over a century. Instead, he finds himself dragged into the middle of a shadowy conflict of biblical proportions!
Join Vampiro, luchadora Estrella Nocturna, and Everitt as they hurtle down Route 66 in a 1955 Pontiac Bonneville on a quest to save the world! It’s a tale filled with monsters, muscle cars, luchadores, cops, clowns, nuns, guns, demons, blood and plenty of BBQ as our heroes race against time -and a whole host of enemies- to try and thwart a secret plan to jumpstart the apocalypse!
PreviewsWorld.com has a look inside the issue here
WHO IS CREATING THIS MADNESS?
While this is certainly not a wrestling comic, writer Michael Kingston is considered “the architect of the modern wrestling comics scene” and the top collaborator for bringing wrestler’s voices to comic pages. He as been producing the critically-acclaimed graphic novel series Headlocked since 2008. Additionally, Kingston has collaborated with over fifty wrestlers on stories and art for Headlocked’s companion anthology series, Tales from the Road which finds wrestlers co-creating stories and adventures in a variety of genres. Notable collaborators include cover artist Jerry “The King” Lawler, Mick Foley, Cody Rhodes, Lita, AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Danhausen, and Trish Stratus. Kingston has also penned several issues of the WWE comic from Boom Studios.
Martin Pouso, also known as El Terrorifico Dr. Napalm, is a cartoonist, illustrator, musician and tattoo artist in his hometown of Montevideo, Uruguay. A long time fan of both lucha libre and Vampiro himself, Napalm’s art style, which he defines as “fusing the most punk underground with the vibrant and neonic admiration for pop culture” is perfect for the series. He has illustrated dozens of independent press series internationally along with the upcoming NacelleVerse series Biker Mice From Mars: Toxic Earth.
Vampiro: Rockabilly Apocalypse #1 cover artist Rafael Gallur is considered by many to be the greatest cover artist in the modern Mexican comic book industry. A master of color, composition and anatomy, he was influenced by legends such as Hal Foster, Alex Raymond and Frank Frazetta, from whom he learned how to tell stories using images. This learning led him to create unforgettable covers for titles such as Sensacional de Luchas, La Leyenda de Blue Demon, Posesión y Demoníaca, and Pistolero for over 50 years now. Outside of Mexico, he is perhaps best known for his work on Topps’ Mars Attacks painted trading cards.
Vampiro: Rockabilly Apocalypse #1 lands on store shelves October 16th and has a Final Order Cutoff of September 16th at local comic shops worldwide where the title is distributed by Diamond Comics Distribution. The 5-part first arc will be released monthly in comic stores from Massive Publishing. Select covers are also available for home delivery through the MaskedRepublicComics.com and MassivePublishing.com websites.
WHAT EVEN MORE PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT VAMPIRO: ROCKABILLY APOCALYPSE #1
VAMPIRO: ROCKABILLY APOCALYPSE is a high-octane action, adventure story chock full of comedy, horror and over-the-top twists. If you like your comics cranked up to eleven, this book is for you.
–Brian Pulido (Publisher Coffin Comics, Writer/Creator Lady Death, Evil Ernie)
VAMPIRO: ROCKABILLY APOCALYPSE is the very exhilarating, very evil comic book tale of horrors and rock and or rolls that Danhausen was looking for. Cars and flames and vampires and blood oh my. And Danhauusen won’t spoil the end. (That’s good). Danhausen favorite part is this helps bridge the gap further between wrestling, horror, music and comic fans alike. 7 thumbs up. Read this book or be cursed. (That’s bad) –Danhausen (no introduction needed)
“Mix sharp writing and electric art and add in the unique style that only a legend can bring and you have the ingredients for a one of a kind experience for your pull list” – Ken (ODPH Podcast/Nerd Initiative)
“Vampiro Rockabilly is the perfect blend of comedic grindhouse horror filled with blood-wrenching action and kick ass characters sure to please fans of the supernatural” – Matt (Hops Geek News/Nerd Initiative)
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RELATED NOTE: News Blast: TV Series In Development, Video Game Announced, New Comic Series Launch – Masked Republic San Diego Comic Con Recap
