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Zomblog – The Larger World Of Shared Universes

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We all have those faint dreams of what we’d do in a zombie apocalypse. Just how things would go down if we were in a state of complete control. Everyone has their over-prepared checklist of things they’d do, places they’d go, and people they’d save. For Double Take’s universe – this is decidedly more difficult to imagine.

This comes from a “different” approach to telling zombie stories. Often we’re treated to one side of a story. The narratives always slide into familiar territory – a fixed perspective with a given protagonist and their set of goals. Well, with the Ultimate Night of the Living Dead things are a little different.

You know those big universes filled with superheroes from Marvel and DC. Well, imagine if those universes were just different books in the same zombie apocalypse. Yeah, it’s not about one perspective anymore – it’s about ten. The books in the Big Bang imitative are meant to share a unique world, but show the different kinds of people who inhabit this apocalypse.

It’s worth mentioning that these books are meant to function on their own, but read together will give you a fundamental understanding of a world in ruin. It’s hard to embody that bigger world in just one book. With my own book, “Race” I was briefed continually on the larger mechanics of the world. It was imperative that I understood just how the world works. I was given an “escalation schedule” that broke down, in detail the events of the first three nights, beginning with the titular Night of the Living Dead.

Here’s a taste:

Sunday – April 24, 1966
Midday
Murders start.
Murderers band together.
4:00pm
Local Posses begin to form.
LBJ deploys Z-Men.
Radio/TV signals start to fail.
5:00pm
Road blocks are set up within and around the affected area.
Like most crises, however, life for most goes on as usual.
7:00pm
Federal government learns of zombies. They decide to deploy “advisors.”
Advisors reflect those deployed in the early days of Vietnam and other late 20th Century conflicts. Helicopters fly overhead.

This should show you just exactly how detailed everything fits into the framework of a shared universe. My story had to fit within a specific timeline that adhered to what was laid out here.

Previous to this, my idea was just to throw my story into their world. Perhaps this was ignorant of me but writing a story in a shared universe isn’t that easy. You know, if DC kills off Bruce Wayne, and you want to feature him in “Superman” well that’s too bad. You’ve got to go with the pulse of the universe.

Now, I know it’s not that groan worthy. It’s more to the idea that you need to learn the rules and the how’s and whys of these “zombies.” Once I had the escalation schedule it provided an incredible backdrop to the world of my writing. I knew exactly what was happening 50 miles away with a certain degree of intimacy. And, the best part is, as the events of my book begin to unfold they are weaved into the larger canon of the universe.

Suffice to say – there has been nothing like this in the zombie genre – ever. It’s why we’re all so excited at Double Take, and it’s why you should be too.

This Zomblog will run every Monday and Friday until I run out of things to say about zombies. 

Until then check out Double Take’s blog – Double Take Universe to keep up to date on the incredible comics that will be coming your way in September. And their Kickstarter Just got FUNDED.

 

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‘The Wicked Trinity’ – Preview New Archie Comics One-Shot Inspired by ‘The Craft’ [Exclusive]

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From Sabrina’s Magical World, Bloody Disgusting has learned this afternoon that Archie Comics will be releasing brand new one-shot comic The Wicked Trinity this coming June.

You’ll be able to meet The Wicked Trinity in the 32-page comic on June 12, 2024.

In The Wicked Trinity, “Sabrina’s magical nemesis Amber Nightstone and her sidekicks, Jade Kazane and Sapphire Gill, are intent on becoming the most powerful witches in the world. Isolated from so many around them, the three have formed a coven based on their individual needs for vengeance and true freedom.

“But when there is some dissent among the ranks, their small coven is threatened to be obliterated from within.”

The Wicked Trinity features a script by Sam Maggs, art by Lisa Sterle, colors by Ellie Wright, letters by Jack Morelli, main cover by Lisa Sterle, and variant cover by Soo Lee.

Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante tells Bloody Disgusting, “When Editor-In-Chief Mike Pellerito came up with the idea of the Wicked Trinity—Amber Nightstone, Jade Kazane, and Sapphire Gill—I was immediately intrigued. I even had the good fortune to work on the script for Jade and Sapphire’s first appearance in last year’s SABRINA ANNUAL SPECTACULAR comic for younger readers. What I especially loved about these magical teens is that they could seamlessly transcend from classic-Archie stories into more mature, even horror stories. I was eager to start developing their world with a modern sensibility, taking cues from the great work of Kelly Thompson and Veronica Fish on our SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH series, and Sarah Kuhn and Carola Borelli on our recent DARKLING one-shot. Inspired by series like Charmed and films like The Craft, I knew there was so much potential to build up this coven in a story that beautifully blends magical fantasy with horror.”

Writer Sam Maggs previews, “Real witches writing real witches—that’s how we do things over at Archie Comics! I was named after a famous witch—Samantha from Bewitched—and so I grew up absolutely obsessed with everything witchcraft, devouring every book series I could about teen witches. That makes WICKED TRINITY a dream project for me. The power and energy of teen girls is absolutely unmatched (just look at the engine behind fandom culture) and being able to harness that metaphorically for a story like this is such a delight. Everything I write focuses on the power of female friendship, and this story is no exception. And what’s better than a morally grey female character? I struggle to think of anything. Cat familiars, maybe? Also, I’m totally a practicing witch now. So maybe if you read this, you’ll find yourself imbued with magical powers, too.*

Artist Lisa Sterle adds, “I can’t wait for people to be re-introduced to The Wicked Trinity! Witches, fashion, and Archie Comics; this is truly a magical trifecta and I’m so happy to have the opportunity to put my own personal stamp on this. I love to create stories in which girls find their own power, both from within themselves and through their friendships and coven. If you’re a fan of my Modern Witch tarot, you’ll find this comic just as magical.”

Exclusively check out the two covers for The Wicked Trinity one-shot comic below!

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