Gene Simmons' Dominatrix TPB from IDW

This is an official IDW press release, but before I bring you this, I would just like to commend IDW, Gene Simmons, and all involved for using the correct plural form of "dominatrix." I will get into this more in just a second on Weird Ink, but thank you, thank you, thank you. And now, on to our regularly-scheduled press release:

San Diego, CA (April 9, 2008) - Rock legend Gene Simmons' Dominatrix, his leather-clad heroine with an attitude, promises not only compelling action but also to raise thermometers a degree or two when she hits store shelves this April as a trade paperback from IDW Publishing and Simmons Comics Group. This is definitely not your father's comic book. The groundbreaking first arc tells the story of a professional dominatrix, Dominique Stern, who becomes ensnared in a world of government cover-ups and international conspiracies. Simmons describes the story as "T&A meets CIA."

The TPB, which includes six stories that were originally run as individual comics issues, is written by Sean Taylor, who also authored Fishnet Angel, and is illustrated by artists Flavio Hoffe and Esteve Polls (who also illustrated a tale in the debut Simmons Comics Group release, Gene Simmons House of Horrors). Adding to the package is a new introduction from Gene Simmons; a photo collage from a Dominatrix party featuring Gene and some real-life dominatrices; an art gallery with all of the original cover art; and an outro and new Dominatrix prose story by Taylor.

Dominatrix is the story of Dominique Stern. After a client loses his composure during an intense session and blurts out top-secret information, Dominique finds herself a reluctant superhero who must save herself, her friends, the jerk who got her into the mess, and quite possibly her country.

"Dominatrix came to me in a flash," says Simmons. "Comic books and pop-culture in general have always toyed around with the leather/rubber-bound heroine. It's sexy and kick-ass. [But] they always skirted the sexuality issue. I decided to meet it head-on, so to speak."

Simmons based the character on a semi-real dominatrix he knows socially. "After talking with her about the lifestyle," he says, "[I] combined it with clandestine Manchurian Candidate and Nick Fury's Hydra stuff [a super-spy from Marvel Comics], oh, yes, and pills. Special pills."

To complete the spicy story and package, the comic TPB is graced with a sexy, painted cover by CVO creator Alex Garner.

The Gene Simmons Dominatrix TPB will be in stores April 9^th, 2008.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Gene Simmons' House of Horrors TPB from IDW

This is an official press release from IDW:

San Diego, CA (April 7, 2008) - Rock legend Gene Simmons has taken the stage in an all-new capacity--as the mysterious master of ceremonies for his own horror anthology, Gene Simmons House Of Horrors. Released by IDW Publishing and Simmons Comic Group, the anthology brings readers the best in horror, fantasy and science fiction. "The stories range from gore to psychological thrillers to everything in between," says Tom Waltz, editor at IDW Publishing.

Initially run as a three-issue quarterly, the series has been critically acclaimed by fans and reviewers alike, both for the quality of the stories and the art. The TPB includes the original intros and outros written by the book's host, Gene Simmons, as well as a new collection introduction from Simmons. In addition, Nick Simmons -- Gene's son, budding co-star on Gene Simmons Family Jewels, the top-rated A&E reality show, and the creator of the upcoming Platinum Studios comic Skullduggery -- has three short prose stories included in the TPB. Top that off with 15 different and terrifying stories by some of the hottest new talent in comics today with a cover by Matt Busch, and you've got all the makings of a deliciously scary treat.

"I had always loved the Twilight Zone. I never missed an episode," says Gene. "I read Amazing Stories and Analog. In short, I loved the anthology horror/sci-fi canvas and wanted to re-introduce the format into comic books. [Gene Simmons House of Horrors] is a chance to showcase the best in professional talent, and to introduce new talent, as well. Each story will be written and drawn independently, with wraparound commentaries by myself. The fact that I'm powerful and attractive will only add to the stunning effect of the stories."

Stories are written by a range of authors, including Chris Ryall (Zombies Vs. Robots); Tom Waltz (Children of the Grave); Dwight MacPherson (Dead Men Tell No Tales); Sean Taylor (Fishnet Angel); Nick Simmons; and two talented progenies, the daughter of comic writer Alan Moore's (Watchmen and V for Vendetta), Leah Moore, and her husband John Reppion (Raise the Dead). Artists include Andy Kuhn (Fire-Breather), Jeff Zornow (American Werewolf), Steph Stamb (Angel: Masks), Matt Busch (Star Wars), Esteve Polls (Dominatrix), Grant Bond (Revere), Jon Alderink (City of Fire), and others.

The Gene Simmons House Of Horrors TPB will be in stores April 9, 2008.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Last Night's Gene Simmons' Family Jewels

Did you catch either or both episodes of the new season of Gene Simmons' Family Jewels last night?

The first one documented the concert on the night that Paul Stanley collapsed, as we reported here when it happened. Other than that, there is so much manufactured nonsense on this show now that it's gotten out of hand.

I mean, most of the time, it's just amusing silliness you can overlook - like when they "found" a snake in their van on their camping trip - but the whole lost dog scenario last night, with the animal rescuer that had the same attitude as the captain from Jaws... I mean, "over-the-top" doesn't begin to describe it.

And what's with all the "suspense" surrounding the lie-detector test? We already have the answer! Though I admit Gene's lawyer did a damned good job of covering that up. And that's a good thing, because that tape is about as hot as watching your granddad get laid - which, when you think about it...

Gene Simmons' Family Jewels is still a really entertaining show, but all the manufactured stuff that goes along with it is getting to be a bit much. I mean, so what if they're just a "regular" family and nothing much interesting happens on a day-to-day basis? He's a frigging rock star, married to a former Playboy Playmate, with a kid that writes and draws his own comic book line! If you can't find enough interesting footage from all of that, then you don't really deserve a reality show!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Lawyer Confirms Gene Simmons Sex Tape

Gene Simmons' lawyer has confirmed that the man appearing in a sex tape is, in fact, Gene Simmons.

His lawyer sent a cease and desist letter to the owners of a website that appeared Tuesday, claiming all sorts of reasons for them to remove the video, including KISS licensing infringements.

While The Rundown cannot link to the video, nor the bios, nor really any sites that have anything to do with this because The Rundown is not an adult blog and The Weirding is not an adult site, I have seen portions of the video.

First of all, the God of Thunder is definitely guilty of exaggeration; while he certainly has nothing to be embarrassed over, I don't think you will be hearing much more of his Plaster Caster braggadocio. Further, the chick is an adult "model" (read: working whore) who has apparently at least performed solo-action previous to this "hardcore" appearance. Lastly, this is an awful sex video; nothing hot about it at all.

This is the first I've heard about it and, for no real reason other than that I couldn't think of anything else to listen to, I was rocking-out to KISS videos on YouTube just last night!

I am not sure that porno-related prescience would have been my superpower of choice. But hey, you work with what you got - right, Gene?

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Stanley Sits Out KISS Gig After Heart Stopped

KISS frontman, Paul Stanley, had to have his heart stopped and restarted after it jumped to 190 beats-per-minute on its own and stayed there for over an hour. Doctors forced him to sit-out a KISS gig Friday night. Gene Simmons, Eric Singer, and Tommy Thayer played the gig as a trio - the first time the band has ever worked as a trio.

Stanley, 55, called the experience “exhausting.” There is no word as to when, or even if, he will return to performing.

Simmons Family Invades Comicdom

Gene Simmons is a one-man army. A world-renowned rock star, film actor, businessman, marketer, TV star, and bestselling author, the KISS bassist is now turning his hand to comics. Teaming with IDW (Doomed, 30 Days of Night), Simmons will release the new imprint, Simmons Comics Group.

There are already 5-6 titles in the works for the fledgling company, including a cover by Todd McFarlane and Greg Capullo for the flagship quarterly, Gene Simmons' House of Horrors. Titles will include Dominatrix, Zipper, and more. In interviews, Simmons refers and compares the titles to more popular ones from longstanding powerhouses, Marvel and DC, but assures fans that they are very original, very different concepts.

Further, Gene's son, Nick Simmons, will also be involved in comicdom - both with his father's new company as well as his own title, Skullduggery, from IDW. I can't be certain, but it appears that Nick will be the entire creative team, both writing and drawing. Skullduggery is a graphic novel that will premiere in the Fall. Gene Simmons' House of Horrors will be available in July.

Dresden Files... Bitches!

Oh, snap!

Did you see Dresden Files tonight?

Y'all, I ain't kidding: that's a great show. I mean, that's a really great show! Tonight's episode in general was so good that I had to post about it: just rocked. Just flat-out rocked. The problem with writing about shows is that they play indefinitely and, with the advent of DVD, they'll just always be around, so I don't want to spoil them. Having said so, tonight's episode really plumbed Dresden's depths (HOT, right?) and really pulled the whole thing together.

The thing about having a whole series about a character is that it has to be a real character study - and if that doesn't make sense to you, you shouldn't write/create a character-based series. It's a writing-type thing and that's that.

By the by, is Gene Simmons the coolest guy to have ever walked the planet? I think - and I'm just saying - I think he may well be. That guy is the coolest guy, period.