Press Info

Forbidden Panel, Inc. is an independent publishing company and event coordinator, specializing in graphic novels, comic books, and multimedia.

Formed in 2006 by A.J. Herrera, Forbidden Panel provides a home for revolutionary writers and gifted artists whose talents have gotten lost in the shuffle of mainstream comic companies. With properties ranging from creepy pets to zombie-killing farm girls, FP offers a wide variety of titles in numerous genres and styles, and is the developer of the Inland Empire Comic Expo and Inland Empire Zombie Beauty Pageant.

A.J. Herrera – Founder, Editor-In-Chief, Chief Executive Officer

Creator and grand architect of Forbidden Panel, A.J. is a lifelong fan of all things comic book. His desire to provide a platform for overlooked ideas and a community for ignored talent inspired him to open a comic publishing company that would cater to the strange and unusual. Schooled in computer technologies as well as the written word, he has developed FP as a sanctuary for independent comics, recruiting talented artists and writers from across the country. His experience in event coordination and film/radio production was highlighted with the creation and success of the bi-annual Inland Empire Comic Expo in 2011. As creator and head writer of Zombie Kill Squad, he has paved the way for Forbidden Panel to rise as a leader in the production and distribution of independent comics and graphic novels.

Justin White – Art Director, Chief Creative Officer

For as long as he can remember, Justin has spent his free time creating and drawing monsters, villains, and superheroes. But it wasn’t until seeing the artwork of Arthur Adams in Marvel’s X-Men Annual #9 that he realized his destiny as a comic book style artist. After receiving a degree in graphic design, he opened Necro-Sapien Press, a freelance company that has achieved great success with illustration and creative design projects for a number of businesses. In 2008, Justin joined Forbidden Panel as a partner and head of the art department, and became sole illustrator/artist of Zombie Kill Squad.

Brandi Auset – Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer

Published author and a lover of all things artsy, Brandi Auset is a proud partner in Forbidden Panel. Though her nonfiction titles have garnered the most attention, she has been writing and winning awards for her fiction and poetry since her pre-teens. Combining her fascination with mythology and steampunk culture has lead to the creation of her first comic series, Homecoming, due for release in Fall 2011. Before she became a writer by trade Brandi worked as an accountant for pay, and now uses her financial knowledge and Business Administration training to manage FP’s clerical and economic processes.

Meet the rest of our team here: The Staff of Forbidden Panel, Inc.

PUBLISHED WORKS

El Super Maximo:

El Super Maximo - Available June 2011. Created, written and drawn by Junior L. Ruiz.

In the coastal town of Monte Prieto, crime is rampant and bizarre, unexplained happenings are becoming the norm. A small group of luchadors (Mexican wrestlers) work to protect the city from supernatural happenings and the crime war from spilling out into the streets. While these champions are mysteriously accepted by the townspeople, they don’t necessarily have the community’s best interest at heart.

A.D.A.M. Security Services:

Security – Available May 2011. Webcomic. Written by AJ Herrera, Illustrated by Various Artists.

Looking to protect your family and property by any means necessary? Call A.D.A.M Security Services, where offenders are damned for eternity.

Zombie Kill Squad:

ZKS #0 – Available March 2010. Written and Illustrated by AJ Herrera, Justin White, Bryan Kreusch and R. Christopher Cain.

The Zombie Apocalypse has come and decimated the world. What little government remains has gathered aboard an old aircraft carrier named “The Afterlife.” Sailing from port to port, these officials have gathered the few remaining survivors and trained them as an elite force: the Zombie Kill Squad. One city, one building at a time, ZKS works to reclaim the world, and bring the living back from the edge of oblivion.

ZKS: Field Manual #1 – Available April 2010. Written and Illustrated by AJ Herrera and Justin White.

Think you’ve got what it takes to become a member of the Zombie Kill Squad? Study this ashcan to educate yourself on the top five ways to identify a zombie.

ZKS Spotlight: Kayla (24 Hour Comic Day) – Available June 2010. Written and Illustrated by AJ Herrera, Justin White, and Bryan Kreusch.

Meet Kayla, a Midwestern farm girl struggling to adapt and survive in a world overrun by the undead.

This Special Edition issue of Zombie Kill Squad is the result of Forbidden Panel’s participation in the 2010 worldwide event, 24-Hour Comics Day.

ZKS: Rancid Visions (Pin Up Issue) – Available November 2010. Various Artists.

In this Special Edition release, over a dozen new and established comic book artists pay tribute to Forbidden Panel’s original comic book series, Zombie Kill Squad.

The Plagued:

The Plagued - Written and drawn by Daniel Whitfield, Cover and letters by Camille Alaras.

When an airborne virus consumes the planet turning a tenth of the human population into flesh devouring monsters, life as everyone had known it was over. Family members turned on each other. People killed themselves in masses, and the world fell to the sicn and the dead. Watch the infection spread as the world falls apart following the dead in Lives of the Dead. Written and drawn by Daniel Whitfield with the cover and letters done by Camille Alaras.

Draw Till It Bleeds:

Draw Till It Bleeds (Sketchbook) – Artist Richard Duron.

Our newest addition to the Forbidden Panel family, Richard Duron comes out the gates with his premier issue and debuts his new company, Krooked Smile Art. This sketchbook features his artistic tribute to all the things that helped shaped his childhood and influenced his growth into the amazing artist he is today.

EVENTS

INLAND EMPIRE COMIC EXPO

In February 2011, Forbidden Panel became the proud creator and developer of the Inland Empire Comic Expo, an independent comic book convention. Held bi-annually at the historic Fox Theater in Redlands, California, IECE offers an equal display of vendors, gamers, cosplayers, comic books, and collectables. Complete with live bands and celebrity guests, the Inland Empire Comic Expo is a one day event filled with vendors and comic creators from all over the country.

Visit the IECE website for more information and vendor applications.

Forbidden Panel, Inc. is also a vendor, participant, and/or attendee at the following events:

24 Hour Comic Book Challenge

Alternative Press Expo

Claremont Packing House Comic Book and Collectibles Show

Free Comic Book Day

Geeks Con

Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention

San Diego Comic-Con

WonderCon

Phoenix Comicon