Horror2Comic Contest Results

 

 

While the comic world awaits the Eisner Awards at this week's San Diego Comic-Con, another contest is making headlines. And it promises to deliver more than a trophy or plaque. Here's all the info from AMP Comics:

 

HATTER WINS GRAND PRIZE IN 2025 HORROR2COMIC CONTEST

 

HORROR2COMIC CONTEST CROWNS NEW CHAMPIONS Mike Haas' Psychological Thriller "Hatter" Claims Grand Prize in Genre-Bending Competition Four Winning Scripts Fast-Tracked for Comic Publication and Film/TV Development The Horror2Comic Contest, the genre­ focused sister competition to the acclaimed Script2Comic Contest, has announced its 2025 winners, with Mike Haas' haunting psychological thriller "Hatter" taking the coveted Grand Prize. The winning scripts will be published as comics by AMP Comics and simultaneously developed for film and television adaptation. "Hatter," which re-imagines the man who killed John Wilkes Booth as he descends into madness to become Lewis Carroll's iconic Mad Hatter, stood out among hundreds of submissions for its bold fusion of historical fact and dark fantasy. The script exemplifies the kind of high-concept, mind-bending storytelling that has made the Horror2Comic Contest a launching pad for breakthrough genre creators. "We had some incredible entries this year that pushed the boundaries of what horror can be," said Don Handfield. "Mike's 'Hatter' perfectly embodies our mission to find stories that don't just scare audiences, but challenge them to think differently about familiar narratives." The Horror2Comic Contest has quickly established itself as a premier destination for genre writers since launching as a specialized offshoot of the successful Script2Comic Contest, which began in 2020. Previous Script2Comic winners have achieved remarkable success, with titles like "She Bites" becoming bestselling indie comics and attracting attention from major Hollywood production companies for film and television development.

2025 HORROR2COMIC WINNERS: GRAND PRIZE WINNER "Hatter" by Mike Haas A psychological horror following Thomas Corbett, the man who killed John Wilkes Booth, as he descends into madness and fantasy to become "The Hatter" of Wonderland. FIRST PRIZE WINNER "Methfoot" by Joseph Lint When a meth lab RV crashes in the Pacific Northwest, Bigfoot gets into the stash-and now a small group of men must survive the world1s first cryptid tweaker on a paranoid, homicidal rampage. SECOND PRIZE WINNER "Black Hills" by JP Bradham A coming-of-age horror exploring the challenges of teenage girlhood-puberty, periods, sibling rivalries, and self-acceptance-during a zombie apocalypse. THIRD PRIZE WINNER "Eat Me" by Jason Tostevi A desperate food influencer crosses the wrong restaurant and is cursed with an escalating hunger that can only be satisfied by one terrible thing. ABOUT THE WINNERS: Mike Haas brings a unique perspective to horror storytelling, having worked in behavioral programs for over 20 years and witnessed mental illness firsthand throughout his life. Following his 2022 Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis, Haas channeled his experiences into mind-bending mixed-genre horror that explores mental illness, trauma, and physical disability with unflinching honesty. Joseph Lint is an award-winning screenwriter from Southern California who grew up in Ridgecrest, California—dubbed “the earthquake capital of the world.” His natural disaster upbringing clearly influenced his ability to craft visceral, survival-based horror narratives. JP Bradham made her directorial debut in 2023 with the award-winning satirical horror short Consumed, which screened at 30 film festivals worldwide. Her work consistently explores the "terrifying truths that already exist all around you.”  Her latest feature project Egg Bound was selected for the prestigious 2025 Antigravity Academy program for first-time feature filmmakers. Jason Tostevi is a writer and filmmaker specializing in "funny, grim and provocative human stories.” His short genre work has earned recognition in competitions and festivals globally, with features in outlets ranging from The New York Times to Short of the Week. The 2025 Horror2Comic Contest was sponsored by AMP Comics, a publisher committed to bold, high-concept storytelling that prioritizes quality over quantity. AMP’s transmedia approach ensures that winning concepts don't end with comics­—characters and stories expand into board games, video games, XR/VR experiences, film, television, and beyond. Contest Information: Website: www.script2comic.com Submissions: malkin@ampcomics.com General Inquiries: josh@ampcomics.com     ABOUT AMP COMICS AMP stands for bold, high-concept ideas, strong characters, and well-crafted stories that draw readers in and make them feel something. The company focuses on quality over quantity, prioritizing fewer releases to give maximum attention to every title launched. AMP believes creators should be actively involved and well-informed, ensuring royalties are accurately reported and promptly paid. AMP stories don't end with comics---characters, concepts, and ideas expand into board games, video games, XR/VR, film, television, and beyond. CONTACT: AMP Comics 1005 Broxton Ave. Los Angeles, California 90024 Email: josh@ampcomics.com Submissions: malkin@ampcomics.com Please read submission guidelines before submitting materials to AMP Comics. AMP®. We Bring The Noise.® For more information about AMP Comics: www.ampcomics.com   Thanks to AMP Comics for sharing this announcement with us.

From Comics To Screen At SDCC 2024

 

The Comic Creators Guide to Hollywood

San Diego, CA – July 22, 2024 – Comic and manga creators, industry professionals, and fans alike are invited to join an extraordinary panel discussion at the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con: "The Comic Creators Guide to Hollywood” offering an in-depth exploration of the transformative journey from indie comic creation to big-budget film and television success.

This engaging and insightful panel will feature top Hollywood executives and comic creators who have successfully transitioned their works into major screen productions. Attendees will gain valuable insights from industry leaders who have been instrumental in producing hits such as Cobra Kai, BreakingBad, Maleficent, and Akira.

Panelists Include:

• Jeff Frost – Former Head of Sony Television

• Yuki Takamatsu – Kodansha Japan

• Don Handfield – Creator of The Rift and Unikorn

• Alyssa Altman – Roth Kirschenbaum

• Scott Chitwood – Red 5 Comics, creator of Afterburn

They will delve into the creative process of developing a hit indie comic and the steps needed to bring it into development as a TV series or film.

Event Highlights:

• Insights from top Hollywood executives and successful indie comic creators

• Discussion on the process of adapting indie comics into films and TV series

• Highlighting the requirements for a successful sale and the do’s and don’t’s of IP management

"We are thrilled to bring together such a talented and diverse group of industry professionals to share their experiences and knowledge with aspiring creators," said Don Handfield. "This panel is a unique opportunity for attendees to learn from the best in the business and gain a deeper understanding of the path from indie comic creation to Hollywood success."

About the Panelists

Jeff Frost is President and CEO of Bristol Circle Entertainment and former President of Sony Pictures Television Studios where he oversaw all aspects of production(including creative, business and physical production) for such series as Better Call Saul, The Boys, Cobra Kai, Outlander, Wheel of Time, Twisted Metal, The Night Agent, The Good Doctor and Shark Tank. 

Alyssa Altman is a development executive at Roth/Kirschenbaum Films, the production company of Revolution Studios founder Joe Roth which served as producer for Alice in Wonderland, Maleficient and Anyone But You.

Don Handfield is a writer/producer and founder at Motor and AMP Comics. He was the producer of The Founder, starring Michael Keaton, executive producer and showrunner of Knightfall on History Channel and creator of the upcoming Unikorn.

Yuki Takamatsu is the head of international licensing at Kodansha Ltd., the largest manga publisher in the world and home of such well known franchises as Akira and Attack on Titan.

Scott Chitwood is the co-founder and publisher of Red 5 Comics and creator of the forthcoming Afterburn, starring Dave Bautista and Samuel L. Jackson, based on his comic.

About Script2Comic: Script2Comic is a first of its kind contest giving writers a chance to take have their best unproduced scripts redeveloped as a comic and produced for the graphic novel audience. For more information visit script2comic.com.

About Kodansha: Kodansha is one of Japan's largest publishing companies, known for its extensive catalog of manga, including world-renowned titles like Attack on Titan and Akira. For more information, visit kodansha.com.

About AMP Comics: AMP Comics is a new boutique label, partnering with high-powered collaborators including Kodansha and Maximum Effort and committed to supporting and promoting independent comic creators. For more information, visit ampcomics.com.