Network Expands Relationship with Swamp Thing Artist Bernie Wrightson to Craft Images and Animation for
Daily Movie Features
New York, NY, January 29, 2007 – VOOM’s Monsters HD, the first 24-hour high-definition television network dedicated to horror and creature features, has once again enlisted one of the true visionaries of the comic and fantasy art world, Bernie Wrightson, to conceptualize a bold, new on-air image for its newest programming strand, Gruesome Twosome. The daily, thematic, double-horror feature strand will debut Thursday, February 1. Monsters HD is one of the VOOM HD Networks, the largest and most diverse suite of high-definition channels nationwide that is currently available on DISH Network.
Wrightson’s original imagery was a central component to VOOM Monsters HD’s American MonStar. Announced in July 2006 at ComiCon, American MonStar is an on-going grassroots outreach designed to discover and spotlight the broad range of aspiring talent in the horror community, including filmmakers, make-up and effects artists, actors, animators, illustrators, and musicians.
“The fact that Wrightson, a true Godfather of comic ghouls, is in charge of the art design for Gruesome Twosome’s graphics means viewers will get a double dose of fear features packaged and crafted by a true master of the genre,” said David Sehring, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Monsters HD. “Monsters HD has amassed the largest collection of classic and contemporary horror films in high definition and will continue to expand its library of deals from major studios and independents.”
Gruesome Twosome daily programming block features two horror flick movies back to back. Next month’s Gruesome Twosome highlights include on February 7 One-Eyed Monsters, February 8 Japanese Giant Monsters, February 18 The Human Robot, February 21 Killer Urban Legends and A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors.
The legendary Wrightson has been creating some of the most memorable images in horror art for over 30 years. Perhaps best known for co-creating DC Comics’ Swamp Thing and for his definitive illustration of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Wrightson also collaborates regularly with author Stephen King, having brought his captivating visual language to illustrated versions of King classics like The Stand, Cycle of the Werewolf, and the Dark Tower V. Over the years, his comic art talents have been featured in leading franchises including Spiderman and Batman, and most recently DC Comics’ Nevermore and Toe Tags. Wrightson’s horrifying, flesh-dripping illustrations have attracted a legion of fans, among them top Hollywood directors who have enlisted the artist to conceive and storyboard films including Ghostbusters, Galaxy Quest, Spiderman and George Romero’s Land of the Dead.
VOOM Monsters HD’s general manager David Sehring and creative director Jason Bylan worked closely with the artist on the imagery and its animation.
About VOOM HD Networks
The VOOM HD Networks are the largest and most diverse suite of high definition channels available anywhere. Produced exclusively in true high definition and 5.1 Dolby digital surround sound for distribution in the U.S. through satellite and cable operators, the 15 VOOM HD Networks carry programming in categories as diverse as sports, movies, fashion, music and art. The VOOM HD Networks are commercial-free and available nationally on Echostar’s DISH Network. Developed by Rainbow Media to meet the growing demand for quality high definition programming, the VOOM HD Networks build on Rainbow Media’s history of original programming innovation.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media creates and manages some of the country’s most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands including popular national and regional television channels AMC, fuse, The Independent Film Channel (IFC), WE tv, and three FSN affiliated regional sports networks managed by Rainbow Sports Networks. The company also manages Mag Rack and SPORTSKOOL, two original on-demand networks; VOOM HD Networks, the largest and most diverse suite of high definition channels available anywhere; IFC Entertainment, its film distribution, production and exhibition division; Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales division; and Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company.