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Tuesday, March 25, 2014

ZOMBIES: 6 Concepts #TheWalkingDead ripped off from Permuted Press books

COMMON THEMES IN THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE FOUND BETWEEN 1ST WAVE Z-DAY PUBLISHING HOUSE AND 2ND WAVE Z-DAY TV SERIES
by
Bowie V. Ibarra


Alright, alright.  I know it's a bold statement.  'The Walking Dead' did not necessarily rip off themes from Permuted Press titles.

Or did they?

Seriously, though, when you're dealing with the zombie apocalypse and describing the stories in your own peculiar way, there's going to be overlapping themes.  A wiser writer than myself named Scott A. Johnson once said you can narrow storytelling down to two core concepts:  A stranger comes to town, or a protagonist goes on a journey.

There's nothing new under the sun, and when it comes to storytelling, there's always going to be themes that overlap.  Here are 5 concepts The Walking Dead ripped off overlapped with Permuted Press books, in no particular order.

1.  THE HANZO SWORD/KATANA IN THE ZPOC
Travis Adkins' 'Twilight of the Dead'

One of my first blog entries over two years ago now involved the idea that the katana is the best weapon to be used in the zombie apocalypse.  Using the ultimate katana as seen in the Tarantino flicks, 'Kill Bill', I demonstrated waaaaaaaaay before 'The Walking Dead' hit TV screens that the 1st wave title 'Twilight of the Dead' (2008) by Permuted author Travis Adkins had set that precedent.

In 'Twilight of the Dead', a group of elite soldiers are recruited and trained to use the katana as a weapon against the undead.  They are trained and become elite warriors with the katana.

In 'The Walking Dead' (2012), we get a chance to meet one of the comic book's mysterious heroes, Michonne.  Michonne walks with the dead with a katana, clearly showing training with the weapon, dispensing foes with the quickness and elegance the weapon requires.

Pretty cool shared idea, isn't it?

2.  THE FLU
Jackie Druga's 'The Flu'

Before I start with Jackie Druga's 'The Flu', I want to draw another example of how overlapping themes will always be prevalent in the storytelling of the zombie apocalypse.  Like vampires or werewolves, the storyteller typically has to find a logical reason for why the events are occurring.  An airborne sickness like the flu is a common theme.

The first book I seem to remember using common sickness as a sign of infection was the brilliant 'Flu' by WAYNE SIMMONS.  The book is outstanding and a great example of the author's work as a storyteller.

That brings us to Jackie Druga's Permuted Press title, 'The Flu'.  In it, a strain of the flu breaks out with deadly results.  Here's the synopsis: 

"Throughout history there have been several thousand different strains of influenza. Each year hundreds are active. Chances are, this year, you will catch one of those strains. You will cough, sneeze, and your body will ache. Without a second thought, you’ll take a double dose of green liquid, go to bed, and swear you’ll feel better in the morning.

Not this time.

In 1918 forty million people succumbed to a particular strain of swine flu. It appeared out of nowhere, and just as quickly as it surfaced, the Spanish Flu vanished. Gone for good. Or so we thought. Though mankind has anticipated its resurfacing for some time, mankind is ill prepared. Mutated and with a vengeance, the Spanish Flu returns.

In a world blackened with plague, a glimmer of light exists in the small town of Lodi, Ohio. They shine as a sanctuary because they are ‘flu-free.’ In the wake of the reality that they are spared, the spirit and strength of Lodi is tested. It becomes a fight against what is morally right or wrong in an increasingly difficult battle to stay healthy and alive until the flu has run its course."

That brings us to 'The Walking Dead' episode where the folks made it to the prison, but everyone got sick due to some flu-like illness in prison.

Overlap.

3.  BEEVILLE, TEXAS/WOODBURY, GEORGIA
Bowie Ibarra's 'Down the Road: On the Last Day'

In the ZBFbooks.com Permuted Press title, 'Down the Road: On the Last Day', a mayor named Hickland has rallied his south Texas town together to exterminate the living dead within its city limits and barricaded the roads leading into town.

In 'The Walking Dead', a man named The Governor has rallied his town together to exterminate the living dead within its city limits and barricaded the roads leading into town.

Pretty cool coincidence, huh?

4.  BURNED BODIES

Featured near the finish of the book (which you can purchase HERE), and without giving away any spoilers, a group of burned corpses attacks.

In one of the most recent 'The Walking Dead' episodes, a mysterious fire burning near a railroad track seems to have created a group of burning and still smoking walking corpses who stumble on to Daryl and his young friend near a railroad track near Terminus.

Burned corpses walking first seen in 'Down the Road: On the Last Day'.

5.  SMEARING THE ROT FROM A CORPSE ONTO YOUR BODY AS CAMOFLAUGE AGAINST THE DEAD
Bowie Ibarra's 'Down the Road:  The Fall of Austin

In the Permtued Press classic 'Down the Road: The Fall of Austin', a Native American character named Talltree breaks away from his cruel squad on the hunt for deserters, he neutralizes one of the living dead before cutting it open and rubbing its entrails all over him.  Following the Native American tradition of 'Spirit Walkers', the tactic proves effective and the military man walks without threat among the dead, disguised by the scent.

In one of the earliest episodes of 'The Walking Dead', the characters believe they can disguise themselves with the scent of the dead.  Neutralizing one of the living dead before cutting it open and rubbing its entrails all over themselves, the tactic proves effective and they walk without threat among the dead, disguised by the scent.

Unfortunately for them, a rainstorm hits, and the scent is quickly washed off of them, revealing their living selves to the walking dead.

That didn't happen to Talltree.  Something immensely cooler happened to him.  But you're going to have to pick up the book HERE to see how he makes his presence known at the finish.

6.  RULE CHANGE

And one of the biggest themes of 'The Fall of Austin' and, ultimately, 'The Walking Dead', and every other work devoted to zombie horror, the 'Rule Change' is at the heart of the predicament of the end of the world.  The desperation and lengths that people will go to survive is completely unpredictable.  Hence all the great fun and social dynamics of the zpoc.

Ironically enough, 'The Fall of Austin' ends with the real solution not only to the Zpoc, but life on earth in general.  What is that, you ask?  Pick up the book HERE to find out.

Look, I understand that 'The Walking Dead' did not necessarily rip-off these themes from these Permuted Press books or others on the market.  It's clear similar elements will always find their ways into not only zpoc stories, but every other story out there as well.  It's just interesting to note that pieces that were released well before 'The Walking Dead' debuted were first playing with the themes we see today.

That's why if you're enjoying 'The Walking Dead', you need to not only pick up the aformentioned books, but visit Permuted Press and explore their zombie apocalypse library of books.  The publishing house has grown by leaps and bounds, and some of the best new authors on the zombie horror scene will be found at the website.  So go check it out today.

Have you read a Permuted Press book and found a common theme/similarity with an episode of 'The Walking Dead'?  Leave a comment below and let us know.

BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the acclaimed 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press.  He earned a BFA in Acting and a MA in Theatre History from Texas State University.  His latest titles explore superhero themes, including 'Codename: La Lechusa', 'Room 26 and the Army of Xulhutdul', and 'Tejano Star and the Vengeance of Chaplain Skull'. 
 
Network with Bowie at his official website, ZBFbooks.com, the leader in Tex-Mexploitation literature.

ZOMBIES: #ZBFbooks Permuted Press Book of the week 3/25/14

ZBFbooks picks another title from Permuted Press' early days that helped pave the way to its current success
by
Bowie V. Ibarra


As Permuted Press was getting off the ground over a decade ago now near the beginning of the publishing revolution and creating the titles that many should consider as the 'first wave' of the modern zombie horror revolution, the previous owner was very choosey about the titles he gave a chance to.  One of those titles was an outstanding story entitled, 'Twilight of the Dead' by Travis Adkins.  The book was a solid story featuring the forerunner of the katana-wielding Michone of 'The Walking Dead' fame.  Here's the lowdown from it's Amazon.com page.

SYNOPSIS: 
Courtney Colvin was nearing the end of her teenage years when the undead apocalypse began. She survived, forsaking her youth and innocence, and five years later she continues to exist--albeit lonely--in the fortified town of Eastpointe. Nightmares and the unwelcome advances of Leon Wolfe are the worst things she's dealing with now in her otherwise mundane life. But when a newcomer arrives in town and claims to know the location of the antidote to the zombie plague, it sends Eastpointe into an uproar. To retrieve this cure, she and a group of other survivors must venture outside the relative safety of the compound's walls and into a world ruled and dominated by the flesh-eating undead. Twilight of the Dead puts a new spin on the zombie genre, yet remains true to the classic rules that have already been set forth. A sure-fire reading pleasure for anyone who loves character-driven horror. This Special Edition contains an Introduction by David Moody and three bonus short stories detailing important moments in the lives of other survivors

The book was followed up by an outstanding sequel entitled, 'After Twilight: Walking with the Dead'. 

If JL Bourne paved the way for the rise of Permuted Press, then Travis Adkins opened the door for me.  Travis had read my book when I self-published it and enjoyed it enough that he offered to edit it and get it in to Permuted Press.

True story, I had already submitted the story to Permuted Press before he did what he did.  It was Adkin's recommendation that got me in the door with Permuted, and I haven't looked back.  Travis helped nurture my writing art, took the time to edit all three of my early Permuted zombie titles, and is an all-around good guy.  The guy is an amazing person, and I owe my opportunity in writing to him.

Wherever you're at, Travis, thank you.

Pick up a copy of Travis Adkin's 'Twilight of the Dead' in paperback or Audio at the book's Amazon.com page.

BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the acclaimed 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press.  He earned a BFA in Acting and a MA in Theatre History from Texas State University.  His latest titles explore superhero themes, including 'Codename: La Lechusa', 'Room 26 and the Army of Xulhutdul', and 'Tejano Star and the Vengeance of Chaplain Skull'. 
 
Network with Bowie at his official website, ZBFbooks.com, the leader in Tex-Mexploitation literature.

Nominees for the first ZBFbooks.com Award! VOTE TODAY!

MODEST NOMINATIONS FOR NEW ANNUAL EVENT PRODUCE TWO INDY HEAVY-HITTERS
By
Bowie V. Ibarra

The nomination process for the First Annual ZBFbooks.com Award is complete.  And we have two great indy authors we can recognize as the first recipients of the ZBFbooks.com award.

JACK KILBORN

 
Our first nominee is a real heavy-hitter. His name is JACK KILBORN and the title specifically nominated was 'Afraid - A Novel of Terror'.  Jack Kilborn is actually the name JA Konrath uses when writing horror.  He has sold over 1 million ebooks, and has been lauded by writing luminaries such as James Rollins, F. Paul Wilson, and Jonathan Mayberry among many others.
 
Here's the back page of the specifically nominated book, grabbed from the Amazon.com page.
 
WELCOME TO SAFE HAVEN, POPULATION 907...

Nestled in the woods of Wisconsin, Safe Haven is miles from everything. With one road in and out, this is a town so peaceful it has never needed a full-time police force. Until now...

A helicopter has crashed on the outskirts of town and something terrible has been unleashed. A classified secret weapon programmed to kill anything that stands in its way. Now it's headed for the nearest lights to do what it does best. Isolate. Terrorize. Annihilate.

Soon all phone lines are dead and the road is blocked. Safe Haven's only chance for survival rests on the shoulders of an aging county sheriff. And as the body count rises, the sheriff realizes something even more terrifying - maybe death hasn't come to his little town by accident...

WELCOME TO SAFE HAVEN, POPULATION 907... 906... 905...

AFRAID by Jack Kilborn
Are you afraid of the dark? You will be.


 

KIRK ALLMOND

The second nominee actually comes out of a publishing house very familiar to me:  Permuted Press.

KIRK ALLMOND started writing the first bestselling What Zombies Fear novel in 2010 as an online story as part of his website The Zombie Preparedness Initiative. When the idea to write a novel struck him, he took his own "Zombie Apocalypse" plan and turned it into a story. That story has now spawned six novels and two short stories, and is showing no sign of letting up.

In addition to books set in the What Zombies Fear 'universe', Kirk is also working on two other (non) zombie novels, and several short stories.

When he's not writing or talking about zombies, the Michigan born writer holds firmly to the southern roots of his family. He grew up in Chicago IL, and Roswell, GA. Kirk has an amazing little boy who was born in 2007, who is the basis for the character Max in his novels. His time growing up in the south with his grandparents taught him the value and skills to live off the land. He is an avid outdoorsman, loves hunting, fishing and backpacking. When he's not honing his survival skills, Allmond is often found sitting at a role-playing game table, either as the GM of his own Zombie Apocalypse role playing game or as a participant in games run by one of the members of Grown as Gamers, the premier podcast for all things geek and pop culture.

Like 'Afraid', 'What Zombies Fear' is a series.  Since no specific book in the series was suggested, we'll use the first book as the marker for Allmond's nomination.

Here's the lowdown on 'What Zombies Fear:  A Father's Quest' from the book's Amazon.com page.

"When Victor Tookes went to work that beautiful spring day, he never expected to see a man eaten alive in the street in front of his office. After convincing himself that they really were zombies, he makes a trip from his house in Pennsylvania to his family home in Virginia, battling zombies all the way. His three and a half year old son was bitten on the leg, but doesn't turn into a zombie. Instead, he turns into something more than human.

Victor quickly discovers that everything he knew about zombies was wrong. Not all of them were mindless, uncoordinated, rotting ghouls; some of them were bigger, faster, stronger or smarter than when they were human.

A small percentage of humans are genetically immune to the parasite. Instead of turning these humans into mindless shamblers, they gain enhanced abilities. These new abilities will be pushed to their limits in their quest to carve out a safe haven to call home.

How will he keep his son safe when the world crumbles around him?"

These are two amazing choices for the first ZBFbooks.com awards.  Who will win?  Well, that's up to you.

Come join the official ZBFbooks.com Facebook page HERE to cast your vote.  Only page members can vote on the 'voting' thread.  Simply join the page and cast your vote in the thread.

We will be taking votes until 11:59 Sunday, March 30th, so you've got plenty of time to vote.

Come join the fun and recognize the author who best represents the spirit of ZBFbooks.com.

Join our Facebook group HERE.  Only ZBFbooks Page members can vote.

Saturday, March 22, 2014

FIGHTS: Fun at the Feb. 2014 Ring of Honor show in #SATX

HARD HITTING ACTION AND GREAT FUN, ROH STYLE, FOUND ITS WAY BACK TO THE ALAMO CITY
by
Bowie V. Ibarra

Ring of Honor found its way back to San Antonio, Texas, for another night of fun-filled and wild action.  ZBFbooks.com was there.

Check out these snaps from the show.

Jessica James took on Angel Blue.


 
ROH Champ Briscoe got wild with Adam Cole.



 
I got a chance to take a mark photo with Kevin Steen.

 
I like the floating roll of streamer.

 
A strike from BJ Whitmer to Ray Rowe.


 
RD Evans showed up to the joy of all the Texas indy fans who knew of his legend in Texas.
 

 
I met my doppleganger.  Isn't that crazy?

 
Another Briscoe having some fun.
 

 
Maria, Maria....


 
Red Dragon took on ACH and Tadarious Thomas.

 
Lots of streamers for the main event.


 
Some dude in the crowd heckled Steen as he was giving his emotional final speech, and Steen dressed him down in hilarious fashion.

Good times.  Good times.

FIGHTS: Another Retro #WWE Program from the early '80s

COOL WRESTLING NOSTALGIA FINDS ITS WAY INTO THE ZBFBOOKS.COM BUNKER
by
Bowie V. Ibarra

 
 
I'm sure you already saw how cool the first retro WWE program from the 80s was.  Well, my buddy had two of them that his grandmother gave him.  Here's the second, featuring Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine.  Check out what's inside this one.
 


CAN GREG VALENTINE HAMMER HIS WAY OVER BOB BACKLUND TO TAKE W.W.F. TITLE?

The Grand Wizzard has very lofty plans for Greg Valentine.  He feels in the blond bomber he has found a man capable of defeating Bob Backlund for the coveted W.W.F. Heavyweight Championship.

Valentine's ring style will prove hard to top.  The blond bomber simply tears into his opponents, literally pounding them into submission.  Over the years he has earned the reputation of 'The Hammer', for use of wicked elbow smashes that have demolished all wrestlers put in his path.

In addition Greg is very effective with the figure four leglock.  He has the holds and desire, but will they be enough to overcome Bob Backlund, one of the greatest champions in modern wrestling history?


Take a look at these featured grapplers.

THE MAGNIFICENT MURACO - The muscular young man from Hawaii claims that the Inter-Continental Heavyweight Championship is just the first of many honors that he intends to capture.

PEDRO MORALES - If this former champion has anything to say about it, Muraco's title reign may end being a very short one.  Pedro feels that Muraco used a foreing object to steal the crown from him in the first place.

KING KONG MOSCA - This big man is used to having things go completely his way, with his size and power he can usually back up his demands and get them.  An All-Pro nine years in a row in football before turning to pro-wrestling.

DOMENIC DeNUCCI - One of the most beloved all time stars of the W.W.F. grappling scene, Domenic is neer too busy to sign an autograph or pose for a fan picture.  Another cagey veteran, he knows all the tricks.


 
WHO WILL KILLER KHAN CRIPPLE NEXT?
 
W.W.F. promoters are finding it hard to sign opponents for Killer Khan.  Many wrestlers point out the fact that they normally don't mind wrestling any other wrestler, but in Khan's case they run the risk of permanently being put out of action.
 
It is true that the big man from Mongolia has managed to cripple two of the sport's top stars in recent weeks.
 
A short time ago Killer became the first man ever to hand Andre the Giant a broken bone.  'The Eighth Wonder of the World' was forced to spend some painful time in a hospital bed recovering from his wounds.
 
And more recently Khan injured Rick 'Quickdraw' McGraw during a torrid T.V. encounter.  Khan suplexed McGraw with such force, neck first into the canvas, that now Rick won't be able to wrestle for months.
 
The question is who will Killer Khan injure next?  His manager Fred Blassie has boasted that Bob Backlund, popular W.W.F. Champion will be the next to feel the wrath of the vicious Killer Khan.
 

 
 
More featured grapplers!
 
ROBERTO SOTO - Like his big brother Manuel, Roberto has become a big fan favorite with W.W.F. fans with his fast and exciting ring style.  Although he prefers to wrestle within the rules, he has an explosive temper when fouled.
 
S.D. JONES - Many fell that the reason S.D. Jones' great success since his return to the W.W.F. has been his tremendous conditioning.  Also an important factor is that Jones has now developed a true killer's instinct, and knows when to go for a pin or submission.
 
JOHNNY RODZ AND JOSE ESTRADA - These two veterans stars are always difficult to defeat in the ring.  From time to time Jose and Johnny form a very effective tag team combination.  Needless to say in those situations they tend to become double-tough.
 

BARON MIKEL SCICLUNA - The big man from Malta is another veteran star who really knows his way around the ropes.  At one time he was one half of the W.W.F. Tag Team Champions.  On a good night he still has all that it takes to defeat the toughest of opposition.
 
And check out who gets the back page.
 
 
 
NEW W.W.F. TAG TEAM CHAMPS GAREA AND MARTEL HAVE STIFF COMPETITION IN DUO OF JAPAN'S SAITO AND FUJI
 
Fans everywhere were happy when the smooth working duo of Tony Garea and Rick Martel were able to defeat The Moondogs in a rematch for the W.W.F. Tag Team Titles.
 
But they won't be able to rest on their past glories, already new and dangerous competition have been eye-balling the coveted title belts.
 
Leading the list of serious title threats is Japan's top rated team of Saito and Fuji.  Fuji of course is no stranger to either the W.W.F. or the tag team title.  In the past he has worn those same belts with Prof. Tanaka.  Fuji has complete confidence in his new tag team partner and feels it is just a matter of time before they go on to win the title.
 
Tony and Rick certainly will have something to say about that!  Now that they have rewon the title, they have vowed to defend against all worthy contenders, but are determined not to leave a ring as ex-champions once more.
 
How cool was all that?
 
You want to read something else that's just as cool?  You need to pick up the best combat sports themed book on the market today.  'Pit Fighters: Baptism by Fire' features fighters from across the globe converging on Texas during the early days of MMA.  It even includes a star of lucha libre trying his hand in MMA.
 
Get 'Pit Fighters: Baptism by Fire' today in paperback or Kindle HERE.
 
 
 
BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the acclaimed 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press.  He earned a BFA in Acting and a MA in Theatre History from Texas State University.  His latest titles explore superhero themes, including 'Codename: La Lechusa', 'Room 26 and the Army of Xulhutdul', and 'Tejano Star and the Vengeance of Chaplain Skull'. 
 
Network with Bowie at his official website, ZBFbooks.com, the leader in Tex-Mexploitation literature.



FIGHTS: Retro #WWE souvenir programs from the early '80s

LEGENDS OF THE TIME PERIOD FEATURED IN CLASSIC WWE KEEPSAKE
by
Bowie V. Ibarra


 
 
A buddy of mine I used to work with told me about some retro WWF programs his grandmother gave to him.  At first, I thought they were going to be those glossy ones from the 90s.
 
But holy cow was I surprised when I saw they were actually from the very early 80s.  Andre before the singlet was featured on the cover of the 'Major League Wrestling Official Souvenir Program' from the Wrestling News.  WWF was apparently headquartered out of Tokyo, Japan, with Hisashi Shinma the official president.  He was succeeded by Jack Tunny.


This thing was so cool, I just had to share it with ya'll.  Check out these pics and write ups.

NAMES IN THE NEWS

BOB BACKLUND - It looks like 1981 will be another banner year for the popular W.W.F.  He has enjoyed having the fans behind him 100% as he continues to turn back an impressive number of challengers.

PEDRO MORALES - The popular Inter-Continental Heavyweight Champion is another who has had to face a lot of stiff competition in recent weeks.  Pedro has been meeting and beating them one by one.

RICK MARTEL - The high flying young wrestler from Montreal was very upset about losign the W.W.F. Tag Team Titles to The Moondogs.  He and Tony Garea hope they rewin the belts in a rematch.

THE MOONDOGS - One man who was overjoyed at The Moondogs' victory was their manager Captain Louis Albano.  He had predicted that there will be no stopping Rex and King, that they will reign a long time.

 
 
SERGEANT SLAUGHTER - He says that it is very hard to concentrate on arch rivals such as Bob Backlund and Pat Patterson when fans insist on disrupting his train of thought with 'Gomer Pyle' chants.
 
STAN 'THE LARIAT' HANSON - 'The Bad Man from Borger, Texas' not only continues to win matches, but also send hapless opponents to the hospital.  It is said Stan will wrestle to hurt anyone if the pay is right.
 
KILLER KHAN - Fres from a tour of The Orient, Killer Kahn returns to the rings of W.W.F. more deadly than ever.  Bob Backlund and his championship belt are Kahn's prime objectives.
 
YOSHIAKI YATSU - The young rookie from Japan has become a real favorite with fans throughout the W.W.F. Crowds love his moxie and willingness to mix it up with bigger and more experienced ring opponents.
 

 
 
Here's a write up by James C. Melby
 
Seargeant Slaughter may have stirred something up with pat Patterson that he won't be able to finish.  The blond bomber can roughhouse just as much as Slaughter if the occasion calls for it.  Pat is out to prove to the fans and Sergeant that he is stilla  top notch competitor, in addition to be one of the best wrestling T.V. commentators around today... S.D. Jones has to be the most improved wrestler in the W.W.F.  He has shed a few pounds since he last campaigned here, and looks better than ever in the squared circle.  He now has all that it takes to obtain main event status... Another veteran who opponents should watch out for is Domenic DeNucci.  The Italian mat craftsman on a good night can take the measure of anyone who he wrestles against.
 

 
Also, can anyone identify the dude with the noose?
 
All I know is these programs were pretty cool glimpses into wrestling's past.  You can see the talent today is very different than the talent from the past.  Here's to all those keeping the sacred traditions of wrestling's past alive today.
 
And if you're looking for a book that honors pro-wrestling, then you need to check out 'Pit Fighters: Double Cross'.  The book features a Mexican luchador pursued by a devious woman who will stop at nothing to get his mask.  Check it out and the other stories in its pages today in paperback or Kindle HERE.
 
 
Here's the official final book trailer.
 
 
BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the acclaimed 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press.  He earned a BFA in Acting and a MA in Theatre History from Texas State University.  His latest titles explore superhero themes, including 'Codename: La Lechusa', 'Room 26 and the Army of Xulhutdul', and 'Tejano Star and the Vengeance of Chaplain Skull'. 
 
Network with Bowie at his official website, ZBFbooks.com, the leader in Tex-Mexploitation literature.
 

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

FIGHTS - Link - Borderland Beat: Autodefensas Message: We have been betrayed by the...

Amateurs protecting themselves from government corruption and murderous cartels.



Look for the upcoming 'Mexican Cartels vs. Zombie Apocalypse' book coming soon from ZBFbooks.com...

Borderland Beat: Autodefensas Message: We have been betrayed by the...: Chivis Martínez for Borderland Beat-translated by Boli "they called us allies, were advancing together, photos were removed with us,...

Friday, March 14, 2014

FIGHTS: Link - Borderland Beat: Dr Mireles: "Autodefensas are not dedicated to res...

Regular folks continue to fight for their lives against the most brutal criminal enterprise in the world.



Check out the link below and get ready for the ZBFbooks.com 'Cartel vs. Zombie' story coming soon...



Borderland Beat: Dr Mireles: "Autodefensas are not dedicated to res...: Chivis Martinez for Borderland Beat- Translated by Borderland Beat volunteer "Boli"   "we regret that in the recent oper...

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

ZOMBIES: #ZBFbooks Permuted Press Book of the Week

ZBFBOOKS SALUTES ONE OF PERMUTED PRESS' EARLIEST HITS
by
Bowie V. Ibarra


Welcome to the first ZBFbooks.com Permuted Press 'Book of the Week'.  I wanted to start with one of Permuted's earliest titles.  It's the one that raised the bar on the Permuted Press brand and took it to another level.  The book is J.L. Bourne's legendary 'Day by Day Armageddon'.  It's a book that started as an online journal which eventually was turned into a book.  It garnered a huge following and earned Permuted Press exposure with Simon and Schuster.

With its phenomenal success, it was followed up by two full-length titles, 'Beyond Exile' and 'Shattered Hourglass', as well as a short story, 'Grey Fox'.  They've even been translated into German as well.

This book was brought in along with several other early Permuted titles, including ZBFbooks.com's first zombie horror story, 'Down the Road'. 

The book is not only one of the best books of the first wave of zombie horror titles, but the book that changed the game for Permuted Press and provided the opportunities a new wave of authors are now sharing with Permuted Press.

Get it HERE today.

DESCRIPTION

Day by Day Armageddon (Book 1)

BY

J.L. BOURNE

START INTERCEPT
 
SPORADIC NEW REPORTS INDICATE CHAOS AND VIOLENCE SPREADING THROUGH U.S. CITIES. AN UNKNOWN EVIL IS SWEEPING THE PLANET. THE DEAD ARE RISING TO CLAIM THE EARTH AS THE NEW DOMINANT SPECIES IN THE FOOD CHAIN.
 
INTERCEPT COMPLETE

SURVIVOR,

In your hands is the handwritten journal depicting one man's struggle for survival. Trapped in the midst of global disaster, he must make decisions; choices that ultimately mean life, or the eternal curse to walk as one of them.

J.L. BOURNE is an active duty military officer and currently resides in the Washington D.C. area. He has completed numerous tours of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, logging more than sixty combat missions over Iraq, earning three Air Medal Strike/Flight awards. Despite the ongoing war efforts, he somehow finds the time to put pen to paper in order to bring to you the fall of humanity in the Day by Day Armageddon universe.
www.JLBourne.com

BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the acclaimed 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press.  He earned a BFA in Acting and a MA in Theatre History from Texas State University.  His latest titles explore superhero themes, including 'Codename: La Lechusa', 'Room 26 and the Army of Xulhutdul', and 'Tejano Star and the Vengeance of Chaplain Skull'. 
 
Network with Bowie at his official website, ZBFbooks.com, the leader in Tex-Mexploitation literature.

FIGHTS: Link - Borderland Beat: Mex Goverment shields the truth: it was autodefens...

Looks like the Mexican Government is taking all the credit for the big blow against the Caballeros Templarios.  Brave folks fighting for their lives in Mexico right now, in the heart of the biggest narco-state in the world.

And coming soon from ZBFbooks.com:  A Mexican Cartel vs. Zombie Apocalypse story.  Coming soon.


Borderland Beat: Mex Goverment shields the truth: it was autodefens...: Chivis Martínez for Borderland Beat   The government makes no mention of autodefensas  in press conferences, why do they fear the pub...

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

FIGHTS: Review - Hollywood cannot leave well enough alone in 'RoboCop' 2014

NOT TOTAL 'ROBOCRAP', BUT NOT AS MUCH FUN AS THE ORIGINAL
by
Bowie V. Ibarra

I don't know if its like this in your part of the world, but there's a grocery store here in south Texas called HEB.  Month after month, paycheck by paycheck, you can go to the store and find all the food you're looking for.  After months and months, even years, you know exactly where everything is at.

Then, for whatever reason, at that two or three year mark, someone decides they're going to change up the entire setup for the store.  Someone in management decided they needed to give some dude work and let some new guy change things up.  Things you once knew in one place are now in another.  Everything's there, but its all mixed up.  That bugs me.

That's kind of what I felt like when I saw the 'Robocop' remake.  Yes, it had elements from the first movie.  Yes it delivered some great action sequences.  But you moved everything around so much, you still bugged me.

In short, you get a similar storyline and payoff as the first movie with a little modern references to update the flick.  The main one being the use of US government-made drones to police the world.  That's the same technology by the same company that develops the updated Robocop. 

The satirical commercials are replaced by a 'Bill O'Reilly'-esque political show that sings the praises of the global police state created by OmniCorp (once Omni Consumer Products in the old one).  It's hard to say anything bad about Sam L. Jackson as a right-wing neocon mouthpiece.  In fact, his supporting role was one of the bright spots in the movie for some laughs.

The movie, though, emphasizes the relationship between Murphy and his wife, which the original didn't touch on for very long, as well as with his child.  It's that relationship that propels the rising action and conflicts in the movie.

Micheal Keaton does a great job as the villainous Raymond Sellers, head of OmniCorp.  And the best performance from the flick that actually elevated the movie is from Gary Oldman, who plays Dr. Dennett Norton, who develops the human aspect of the robot technology.

I can understand how they had to change the role of Lewis to a man.  Having a female partner would have been a distraction to the story Hollywood was trying to tell with Murphy's wife.  They're too dumb to pull off such a simple platonic relationship between folks in a film.  Micheal Williams did an okay job with the part.

But I think the big failure came from the casting of the lead.  Though Joel Kinnaman did alright as the lead, I couldn't get past the fact that he looked like Johnny Knoxville.

In the end, the movie was fine.  I was entertained, but let down.  Like Hollywood has been doing over the past decade or more, they take a great story and try to make it their own.  Like at HEB, they can't keep things the way they are.  With all the Hollywood cooks in the kitchen wanting to get their cut, things get changed to the point of almost becoming unrecognizable.

That's pretty much what happened with this movie.  It was enjoyable, yes.  Did I find what I came for.  Sure.  But I came in wanting to get a bag of beans and you put the shampoo section where my beans used to be.

What you need to do is check the sexy supernatural action/adventure story 'Codename: La Lechusa'.  It's the story of a strong-willed single mother who works as a secretary by day, but works as an assassin for a clandestine government organization by night.  It's available right now in paperback and kindle HERE.

Check out the trailer below:

 
BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the acclaimed 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press.  He earned a BFA in Acting and a MA in Theatre History from Texas State University.  His latest titles explore superhero themes, including 'Codename: La Lechusa', 'Room 26 and the Army of Xulhutdul', and 'Tejano Star and the Vengeance of Chaplain Skull'. 
 
Network with Bowie at his official website, ZBFbooks.com, the leader in Tex-Mexploitation literature.

BLOOD: ZBFbooks.com checks out BloodThirsty Thursday's 'Demons' I and II

MONTHLY EVENT SCORES AGAIN WITH CLASSIC ITALIAN HORROR DOUBLE FEATURE
by
Bowie V. Ibarra


Horror fans in San Antonio, Texas, were treated yet again to another quality exhibition of two of Italy's finest horror titles:  Demons and Demons 2.  Bloodthirsty Thursday's montly horror movie screenings has sliced its way into the consciousness of the SATX Horror Community and for good reason.  Every month they bring quality horror to the big screen.  Yet again, this month was no exception.

I thought it was cool that they were able to procure a Demons replica movie poster.


And, naturally, my Catholic consciousness felt a little guilty when I saw on this day there was actually a screening of a movie called 'Son of God'.  What?  Really? 

 
Don't tell the Pope I went to see 'Demons' instead.
 
The flick was amazing, as usual.  The movie was not ridiculous as much as it was a surreal nightmare, as all Italian horror movies seem to be (see 'The Beyond', Zombi 3, Suspiria, etc.).

Here's the trailer for 'Demons'.  It's the story of two friends who were given two tickets to a movie by a mysterious figure.  It's just as wild as the trailer makes it out to be.

 
'Demons 2' is just as wild.  The Demon plague from the first movie has been cut off.  But they return through wildly supernatural means that modern horror movies have ripped off (The Ring, anybody?).
 
 
One of the funniest elements from the first movie was the soundtrack, featuring Rick Springfield, Go West, Billy Idol, and Accept to name a few.  You are going to crack up during the dirtbike demon fight with 'Fast as a Shark' in the background.
 
Getting to see these flicks back to back also treated us to an unexpected laugh as featured actors from the first film are recast in different roles in the second flick.
 
Fast Custom shirts was also in attendance again.  A company out of Corpus Christi, Texas, these guys put out affordable and cool shirts of various designs.  This time around, I picked up the Italian 'City of the Living Dead' shirt, and this commemorative 'Demons' tribute shirt.
 
 
All in all, it was another awesome night of beer, food, and horror with the Bloodthirsty Thursday crew.  Incidentally, it was the BTT sponsor's bday party as well.  Happy Bday, Kelly Warren Hammond.  Thanks for bringing a monthly horror movie party to SATX!
 
And if you like horror, pick up this recent horror title from ZBFbooks.com.  'Alamo Rising' is the story of a group of amateur ghost hunters who fall ass backwards into a dark conspiracy to unleash a curse on the Alamo that could destroy downtown SATX.  Get 'Alamo Rising' today in paperback or kindle today HERE.  Check out the trailer below.
 
 
 
BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the acclaimed 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press.  He earned a BFA in Acting and a MA in Theatre History from Texas State University.  His latest titles explore superhero themes, including 'Codename: La Lechusa', 'Room 26 and the Army of Xulhutdul', and 'Tejano Star and the Vengeance of Chaplain Skull'. 
 
Network with Bowie at his official website, ZBFbooks.com, the leader in Tex-Mexploitation literature.