The Hatter M finale is spectacular!

Hatter M: The Looking Glass Wars #4
Publisher: Desperado publishing
Writer: Frank Beddor, Liz Cavalier
Artist: Ben Templesmith

The Hatter M mini-series glows with brilliance!
By John L. Daniels, Jr.

The incredible finale of the Hatter M mini-series based on the novel The Looking Glass Wars is Brilliant!

The title Hatter M is based upon the character Hatter Madigan the royal bodyguard of Princess Alyss. The comic book produced by Automatic Pictures and published by Desperado publishing and Image Comics sweeps the reader into the realm of fantasy.






In Issue #3, a crucial part of the Hatter M mini-series, two deities scare the horse that Hatter M is riding. Hatter M falls and hits his head. The deity’s have the ability to see Hatter M’s thoughts while he is in a state of unconsciousness. Hatter M recounts how this extraordinary adventure starts from the universe of Wonderland starting with the coup by Aunt Redd and her followers; Cat (half-human and cat) and the treasonous Bitwit Harte.




In issue #4, the final issue of the mini-series, Hatter M is in a battle to regain Alyss from the Baroness Dvonna; a suspect who may have kidnapped Alyss. The Baroness drains the white imagination from the minds of little girls at the Baroness’s Orphanage for missed children. The Baroness wants to stop the children from extending imagination to others, but instead she is putting the grain and thoughts of black imagination into the girls’ minds.



This is an unprecedented tale of magical proportions. Hatter M has powers of teleportation and weaponry courtesy of his high topper hat and his fantastic cutlery of blades. On his mission, Hatter M has battled crazed zombies, weapon-carrying monkeys, and devout lunatics trying to find Alyss, capture her power of white imagination, and use it for there own purposes. As long as Alyss Heart emits her intense power of the glow, Hatter M will continue his duty to find her.

The stories written by Frank Beddor and Liz Cavalier are passionate, adventurous, and filled with mystery, horror, and action. The artwork by Ben Templesmith promotes an exceptional presentation of the chivalrous Hatter M in his quest to find Alyss. The expressionism of the characters is subtle in some boards and explodes with distinction in others.

I feel there is a presence of unmatched devotion and a glowing work ethic in presenting this mini-series. Hatter M: The Looking Glass wars is the best comic book series of the year! Do not miss your opportunity to be part of the glow.


Find out more about this amazing series as well as the novel The Looking Glass Wars at www.lookingglasswars.com

Read my reviews of Hatter M issue #1 and #2 and the informative interview with Frank Beddor at www.comiccritique.com and www.bigmonkeycomics.com

The sensational Looking Glass Wars Novel

The Looking Glass Wars
Publisher: Dial Books
Writer: Frank Beddor

The Mystique of The Looking Glass Wars
By John L. Daniels, Jr.

After viewing the murder of her mother at the hands of her Aunt Redd, Alyss escapes through a mirror with her bodyguard Hatter Madigan. Hatter Madigan is feeling guilty at losing her during their escape from the clutches of her Aunt Redd. Hatter Madigan must find Alyss, return her back to wonderland, and return her to her rightful place on the throne.

So begins the journey of a hero and and the search of a princess in the book titled:

The Looking Glass Wars

The book originally published by EGMONT Co. UK.




It was nominated for three literary awards in the United Kingdom: the 2006 Leicester’s book of the year award; the 2004 Carnegie Medal nominee, and the 2005 Staffordshire Young Teenage Fiction Award. The Looking Glass Wars have arrived in the U.S. with the vigor of a definitive literary masterpiece. This book is an impressive read with a comparison to the Alice in Wonderland story written by Lewis Carroll. Only The Looking Glass Wars written by Frank Beddor is astonishing in measure due to the historical background in this legendary tale. I had an opportunity to ask Mr. Beddor a question about the Looking Glass Wars.

What was your inspiration in writing the Novel –The Looking Glass Wars?

A number of years ago I was in London for the European premiere of THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY. I went to the British Museum and saw an exhibit of ancient cards. For instance, Napoleon hired artists to hand paint depictions of his many victories in battle. But what caught my attention, at the very end of the exhibit, was an incomplete deck of cards illuminated by an unusual glow, almost as though they were alive. I was intrigued by the exhibit and captivated by the images on the cards. This was a very, very different version of Wonderland.

For the remainder of my trip I was preoccupied with the images and told several friends, one of whom suggested I meet with an antiquities dealer he knew who specialized in collecting all sorts of ancient playing cards.

The next morning, on the way to the airport, I stopped at the dealer's shop. When I told him about the unusual exhibit, he revealed that he in fact owned the cards missing from the deck. I was stunned. He brought out this old, worn leather box filled with cards and told me the story as he flipped one card over at a time, revealing the saga of THE LOOKING GLASS WARS. It was a darker Alyss from a darker world and I knew I was meant to tell the story. Once I discovered the truth behind the deck of playing cards it soon became clear that Lewis Carroll had changed everything. I began putting all the pieces together and weaving the revelations of just how different the real Wonderland and its inhabitants were compared to the children's lit version the world had known and accepted for nearly 150 years. Carroll's choices in how he changed Alyss's story were so fascinating (he even changed her name!) - the monsters and heroes of her lost world became these cheery reinventions. It was such a betrayal on Carroll's part and was in fact, the reason for the rift that eventually occurred between the writer and his muse. For instance - the characters we know as the White Rabbit, the Red Queen, the Cheshire Cat and of course, the Mad Hatter all appear in The Looking Glass Wars as they were intended to by Alyss when she told Carroll her harrowing tale.

The White Rabbit was in fact Bibwit Harte, the six foot tall albino royal tutor for all Wonderland Queens (Carroll had anagrammed his name to create the White Rabbit), while the Red Queen was in truth Alyss's aunt Redd, the revenge maddened usurper to the throne ably assisted by her top assassin, The Cat, a man size feline who morphs from adorable kitten to giant mutant feline when called upon to kill. So you see, there is a lot of truth to be uncovered.

Mr. Beddor, Thank you for taking time to answer a question for
Comic Story-Arc blog.

After reading the LGW book, I have never been as enthusiastic about a novel or a comic series quite like this one. The Looking Glass Wars captures the reader’s imagination and keeps them in suspense concerning the search for Alyss and wondering if Alyss can ever be found and return to her rightful place on the Wonderland throne.

Frank Beddor uses his knowledge from Hollywood, for which he is the producer of the incredible comedy “There’s something about Mary” and brings forth followers of the glow with his dramatic and media savvy website www.lookingglasswars.com.




In addition, a soundtrack is forthcoming as well as an audio book of the novel, of which I have heard a sample. The audio book is entertaining and paced very well for listeners of all ages. Not since I have heard Jeff Wayne’s Musical version of “The War of the Worlds” featuring the late Sir Richard Burton have I heard such a regal interpretation of a novel. Also in production is The Looking Glass Wars will also become a card game.

The Looking Glass Wars novel and the Hatter M: Looking Glass Wars comic book is extraordinary reading that will amaze and astound its’ readers. Therefore, readers walk no run, read, and follow the glow read one of the most brilliantly written novels in modern history The Looking Glass Wars.

Amazing Award Winner Movie on DVD!

Tales From Beyond
Distributor: Anthem Pictures
Directors: Josh Austin, Nate Barlow, Eric Manning, Russell Scott.
Starring: ADAM WEST

Tales From Beyond is a great movie on DVD!
By John L. Daniels, Jr.

Great movies on DVD are released occasionally, but rarely great movies are released for Halloween. Until Now!

Tales From Beyond distributed by Anthem Pictures won two awards for Best Picture at the Shockerfest and Shriekfest festivals in California. The movie stars Adam West as a bookstore owner showing a unique collection of books to a couple. The couple is trying to find the perfect book for a friend. The four books shown to the couple involve tales of the supernatural. The story from each book engrosses the couple with each tale. The tales whisks the viewer into mystery and suspense reminiscent of the Night Gallery and the Twilight Zone TV series.

I had the opportunity to ask Nate Barlow a few questions about the movie Tales From Beyond.

Nate, first I want to thank you for taking time to answer a few questions for Comic Story-Arc Blog.

Which story out of the four stories did you direct in the film Tales From Beyond?

I wrote, directed, and starred in Life Replay, the third of the four stories. All four were initially written in early 2003 and then shot later same that summer. So for those viewers who note the similarity to Click, Life Replay was first! But without a studio’s backing, it took a lot longer for Tales From Beyond to see distribution. I believe Replay plays a lot darker, anyway.

While directing a film in this genra, how difficult is it between directing this style Horror as to directing a Comedy?

I don’t really find one more difficult than the other, though each has its own set of requirements to be successful. The key to directing horror is in first properly setting the atmosphere. Lighting, music, cinematography, production design… whether you’re setting up a seemingly normal situation to turn on its head or whether you’re trying to unnerve the viewer from the get-go, all are critical elements. Once the mood is right, it all comes down to making the twists sudden enough or the images horrific enough that the audience will actually be scared.

The number one rule of comedy, on the other hand, is timing. No matter how funny the dialogue or situations might actually be, if the director and actors don’t understand comic timing, the jokes will fall flat. Conversely, no matter how good one’s timing may be, if the writing isn’t funny, there is no saving the film. The actors really are critical in comedy, and good comic acting rarely receives the recognition it deserves when compared to dramatic acting.

In directing the sequences in the bookstore, how was it working with a legend such as Adam West?

Working with Adam was awesome. He was a complete professional and an absolute gentleman. I wrote the bookstore sequence, and at one point Adam took me aside to tell me how much he loved my words, especially the line, “Only you know you’re friends.” He said that when he first read the script, it was the one line that he hated, but as he lived with it more and more, that line grew to be his favorite. He delivers it perfectly—the nuances are very subtle.

To receive such a compliment—what a thrill!

Describe the feeling how you felt when 1) the movie was completed 2) Receiving Best Picture Awards at not one but two at the Shockerfest and the Shreikfest festivals?

At the end of almost every shoot I’ve ever worked on, I’ve always had this sense of sorrow. You work so closely with the same group of people for so long that the parting can be quite sad. Despite the sporadic nature of the shoot (nights and weekends as opposed to straight through), Tales was no different. But when it finally came to completing post-production and having a finished film, I simply felt relieved.

As for winning the Best Pictures awards… honored, excited, exhilarated. It’s amazing to have one’s work so recognized. ShockerFest and ShriekFest were on the same weekend. Eric and I attended ShockerFest; Josh and Russ, ShriekFest. We only found out later in the evening by phone that we had actually won two awards in the same night!

Will there be a sequel to the movie "Tales From Beyond"?

We have no immediate plans for a sequel. Tales was funded out of pocket, and we certainly don’t want to do that again! Now that the film is finally being distributed, if it does well and somebody else wants to fund a sequel, I’m sure we’d all be on board in a heartbeat.

More so than a sequel, what I would really like to see happen is for the movie to act as a backdoor pilot from which to spin-off a TV series in the vein of The Twilight Zone, Amazing Stories and Tales from the Crypt. I think that would be the perfect long-term venue in which Tales From Beyond could continue to take shape and evolve.

Who is your favorite director, and your favorite film of this genra?

My favorite directors are Hitchcock, Kubrick and Gilliam. I also really enjoy John Ford. Several people have told me that they see elements of Hitchcock and Kubrick in Life Replay, which I consider the highest of praise. As for favorite film of this genre… since Tales crosses the horror, sci-fi and fantasy genres just as The Twilight Zone TV did, it doesn’t really fall into one specific genre, but my favorite horror films are The Shining and Psycho.

Finally yet importantly, are there any other projects the fans should know about in the future?

Eric and I are working on one horror concept, I have another all my own, and another friend and I are about to start in on a children’s fantasy. I also have several scripts already written in several different genres, some of which I would like to direct myself, others which I would be happy to sell to a studio or larger production company. I don’t have plans to enter production any time soon, but hopefully the release of Tales From Beyond will be a big step in finding financing for my next project.

Any agents, managers or producers out there… give me a call!

Thank you so much and great success to you and your fellow directors of the feature film Tales From Beyond. The movie Tales From Beyond is on DVD and is distributed by Anthem pictures and sold at fine bookstores and retailers in the continental U.S.A

Tales From Beyond is one of the most enjoyable movies of horror on DVD I have seen in a very long time. The production quality was fantastic. Very definitive acting and excellent directing makes a great movie and Tales From Beyond is a great movie. The directing by Josh Austin, Eric Manning, and Russell Scott along with Nate Barlow put the “C” into creepy with their collective skills in directing.