Caught in my Web

The jaystephens.com website is in the midst of a major, and long overdue, update. Check out the new Gallery images, updated Checklist, Bio, and more. I'll try and maintain it better from now on, I swear!

Out Now!

The latest issue of Cartoon Network Action Pack (#39) is on the shelves, with a story described thusly, "The Secret Saturdays discover a strange and ancient relationship between a cryptid and an Italian village". It's a good one! And next month, in issue #40, "The Secret Saturdays get to the bottom of a mystery involving a strange species of cryptids called Flying Rods"... featuring the return of Piecemeal!

Goodbye John A. Keel

Loren Coleman at Cryptomundo has reported that eminent Cryptozoologist John A. Keel passed away on Friday, July 3rd. Keel was a controversial and influential writer and investigator, best known for his work 'The Mothman Prophesies' about a cryptid sighted in West Virginia in the late 1960's, that was later made into a Hollywood film of the same name. Keel's theories about cryptid sightings, which combined other paranormal and occult areas of study with cryptozoology, influenced the creation of The Secret Saturdays. As a tribute, I recommend checking out one of his many weird, wonderful books out from your local Library. See you on the other side, John.

July Is Saturdays Month...

... and not just because that's our month on the CN 2009 Calendar (check out that sasquatch Nood above!). July is also the month we launch the Toy line... all this cool stuff is out now, so do me, the series, and cartoons on Cartoon Network a big favour and support the Secret Saturdays! Later this month (the 21st) will see the release of the first Saturdays DVD, too, and the second one has just been announced. It's starting to get exciting!

R.I.P. Michael Jackson

I was 12 years old when the mind-blowing video for Thriller was released. It's an understatement to say that this 14 minute horror musical, with it's zombies, werewolves, and Vincent Price narration, did more to popularize the horror genre for folks my age than any single film from that period. Michael Jackson and John Landis created lasting horror-pop with this video that influenced and inspired a generation. Monsterama gives props. At the other end of Michael Jacksons' career, we have the mysterious, long-haired, masked weirdo, who lived in a twisted theme park with a mansion full of the world's oddest curiosities (like the skeletal remains of Joseph Merrick, the 'Elephant Man'). No matter how horrible he became, he retained a legion of fans, many of whom actually enjoyed reading about his latest bizarre exploits. It ought to come as no surprise that the character of Argost from my show The Secret Saturdays is partially inspired by this late-period Jackson. From the Jackson 5 songs of my youth, to the eccentric stranger of recent years, I own Michael Jackson a great debt for the inspiration received.

Doc Talk

Newsarama has posted a wonderful interview with one of my favourite people, Phil 'Doc Saturday' Morris. The talk is primarily about the Brave And The Bold show, but leave it Phil to make sure the Saturdays got some mention! From the link--
NRAMA: ...any favorite cartoons?
PM: Jonny Quest was absolutely huge, which is why I’m so glad to be playing Doc Saturday on the Secret Saturdays. It’s very much like Jonny Quest meets Herculoids...

Strange Tales

Not sure which issue of Strange Tales my four-pager featuring Morbius and The Beast will appear in, but I'm sure glad this stuff is finally seeing print! And check out that cover by my pal Pope on the first issue-- excelsior!!!

Saturdays Hype

Here's a little hype about all the wicked Secret Saturdays merch heading your way this summer. The cryptids are taking over the world! (Saturdays computer screen image by Geno)