BASIL GOGOS Returns To Comic Book Shops with NECK BOLT PUBLISHING!

Basil Gogos, the definitive master of movie monster portrait art, makes
his return to comic books in June as cover artist for the upcoming
graphic novel, THE TRAP-DOOR MAKER: A PREQUEL TO THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
from Neck Bolt Publishing. Written & illustrated by Pete Bregman, and
originally published in three parts, THE TRAP-DOOR MAKER is the
critically acclaimed graphic novel that tells the story of Erik prior to his
infamous life as "The Phantom Of The Opera," when the disfigured genius
traveled the globe as a magician and sideshow horror. His unique skills
and inventions eventually earned him a job as the palace architect and
political assassin for the Shah of Persia. THE TRAP-DOOR MAKER tells
the tale of Erik?s origins, actions, and ultimate betrayal.This 168-page
Collected Edition trade paperback will also include a bonus comic
adaptation of Gaston Leroux's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Chapter 1.

Basil Gogos is best known for his striking portraits of movie monsters
which appeared on the covers of Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine in
the 1960s and 70s. Created by publisher James Warren and editor
Forrest J Ackerman, Famous Monsters of Filmland premiered in 1958 and was
aimed at young readers who were then discovering the classic horror films
of the '30s and '40s on television. Gogos' first work for Warren was
the cover of Famous Monsters of Filmland #9 in 1960 featuring an
impressionistic portrait of Vincent Price from House of Usher painted in
shades of red, yellow and green. Over the next two decades, he created
almost 50 covers for Famous Monsters, many of which have become iconic
images of that period. Gogos also provided cover art for several other
Warren magazines including Creepy, Eerie, Spaceman, Wildest Westerns and The
Spirit.

Basil Gogos' Famous Monsters cover art featured most of the classic
horror characters such as The Phantom of the Opera, Frankenstein's
monster, Dracula, The Wolf Man, The Mummy, King Kong, Godzilla and The
Creature from the Black Lagoon, expertly portraying them as both frightening
and sympathetic. Due to a resurgence of interest in classic horror films
and collectibles, Gogos returned to the horror genre in the 1990s.
During this time, new Gogos monster portraits appeared on trading cards,
lithographs and magazine covers. He has also painted CD covers for rock
stars Rob Zombie, The Misfits and Electric Frankenstein.


"Some of the first classic monster images that I can remember being
exposed to were Basil's stunning cover paintings for Famous Monsters Of
Filmland. His work is one of the things that got me hooked on monsters as
a kid, and I think that I can safely speak for millions of other
monster fans when I say this," says Bregman. "Words can't express the
excitement I felt when Basil agreed to paint the cover of my book! It feels
great being able to introduce his iconic work to a whole new generation.
Quality never goes out of style!"

THE TRAP-DOOR MAKER: A PREQUEL TO THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA will be
distributed by Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. and available in comic book
stores everywhere in June 2008.

To find a comic book store near you, call the Comic Shop Locator
Service, toll free, at 1-888-COMIC-BOOK, or use the CSLS online at
http://www.comicshoplocator.com

For more information about THE TRAP-DOOR MAKER and Neck Bolt
Publishing, please visit neckboltpublishing.com. For more information about Basil
Gogos, please visit basilgogos.com.