Interview With Johnny Necro: The PBS Of Horror

Craig Lucas March 31, 2024 Interviews, News Comments Off on Interview With Johnny Necro: The PBS Of Horror

Johnny Necro has a drive that can’t be matched by most. He constantly has some kind of quest to dabble in. Between Frozen Dead Comics, custom designs for Horrordorables, and making music, he doesn’t know the meaning of the word rest. He is constantly creating. This year he celebrated Frozen Dead’s 24th anniversary.

PopHorror: You have a lot going on. How do you balance all your time?

Johnny Necro: Time is an abstract concept. No seriously, I rotate my focus to whatever project needs it at that particular time. Since the cliffhanger series break at the end of my last story arc, Frozen Dead has been primarily in reruns online in my private fan group “Tomb of The Frozen Dead” for the last couple of years. Not only has that been allowing newer readers to play catch up on the series, but it also gave me plenty of time to launch and build both the Horrordorables, and Moreadorables product lines for my wife’s Facebook page “Ann-Tastic Creationz,” back in September 2022.

Once that was starting to be a more established brand, I had time to finally build my long-awaited Evil Shred Studios in our home and remodel some other parts of the house. When I began the upcoming 11th F-D graphic novel, Horrordorables went on hold once more until I completed it. Now I am caught up on all of that, I can turn my attention back to releasing new music, as well as a couple film-related projects in the works.

PopHorror: When did you start this incredible quest? What was your drive?

Johnny Necro: I have ALWAYS been driven to entertain. I started reading comics as early as first grade. Drawing right around the same time. I also started trying to imitate the voices of cartoon characters. I started music in my early teens and wrote my first complete song by high school, recording it on a cassette tape. Sadly, that one might be lost to time, but I do still have an early industrial recording that I did in the summer of 1994 called “Fascistic Gehenna.” As for my drive? I just try to create the comics and music that I have searched for my entire life.

PopHorror: Are you going to stay a solo act, or will there be a live band at your performances?

Johnny Necro: I might decide to do an occasional show, but I’m not really looking to expand my lineup any time soon. I have a few people interested in it if I change my mind, but not many that can match my crazy schedule, or location. I do plan on having a few guest musicians in future recordings, but I am primarily recording all of it myself for now. As for shows, I’ve already lived that life. I’m good just making a surprise guest spot now and then, or online live performance at this point. I might change my mind if the right opportunity ever came up.

PopHorror: What passion drives you to keep up with all your projects?

Johnny Necro: I have to keep moving like a shark, stay inspired, and keep busy, or my mental illness takes over.

PopHorror: In a nutshell, what inspired you to create Horrordorables?

Johnny Necro: Money. No, really, I’m not a greedy man, but by publishing my comic series FREE all year round, I only really make a little profit for expenses by selling merch, or occasional books, which of course, cost me money first. Horrordorables started as what I half-jokingly call my sell out art. Making our products is also my wife Ann’s primary job. It allows her to work at home, and still get the chance to feel creative.

PopHorror: You also did work for Troma. How did that come about?

Johnny Necro: Although technically I only have a loose affiliation, I love and promote Troma Entertainment. I had been talking to a guy who suggested I create a commercial for Troma Now, so I and a few of my friends did just that. I’m not saying it’s “official,” but it came out good. I have offered the use of my music to a few upcoming filmmakers at no charge, as long I’m credited.

So far, I am blessed to have one person taking me up on my offer. I have also gotten to know quite a few of the incredible behind-the-scenes people, a few actors and actresses, as well as Troma’s backbone on the streets – the many awesome merch booth workers that make Troma so great. The heart of that company is the people that love it! I was super happy to include a few in my upcoming graphic novel, alongside Lloyd himself!

PopHorror: What music would you say is your inspiration?

Johnny Necro: Punk, horror rock, rockabilly, metal, movie scores, classic rock, 80’s rap, you name it. It depends on my mood at the time or the theme of what I am working on.

PopHorror: When can we expect your comic release?

Johnny Necro: April 13th at the Great Media Comic Con, in Media Pa, will be the official release to the public. Recently though, we have already started mailing out books to some of my awesome loyal readers who preordered the book. In addition to that, I am also giving out original comic artwork from the series to a few that generously donated $100 or more to the printing of the book.

PopHorror: We know you had celebrity appearances in the new book. What are some names we can look forward to seeing?

Johnny Necro: Butch Patrick, C Ernst Harth, Beatrice Boepple, Lloyd Kaufman, Patty Mullen, YOU! The list goes on!

PopHorror: What are some other projects you are working on?

Johnny Necro: I am back to work on my new music, as well as music for the upcoming Aaron Markham film “Bloody Bones.” I already have at least four finished tracks that Aaron liked enough to include. I am proud to say, one is the actual theme song to the film now. I also plan on getting more involved in the film myself.

I am currently working out a script for a short film. Already have it pretty much cast. Just by sharing the summary. I am also now a freelance writer for the horror magazine MonstahMag, as of issue #3. I plan on staying as long as they’ll have me.