Flash forward 10 years. \u00a0Ryan has since moved on and I have all but abandoned the Apt. \u00a0I got married and relocated to the Inland Empire. Redlands, CA to be exact. \u00a0During which time I began working on another project called ZKS Zombie Kill Squad. \u00a0In the search for an artist for this book I met Justin White and Bryan Kreusch. \u00a0This was about 5 years ago.<\/p>\n
Putting out our first 10 page book was a dream come true but it also opened up my eyes. \u00a0See, while looking for the perfect artist to complete this book I ended up meeting and discovering a virtual well of untapped artists in the Inland Empire. \u00a0I also found that these amazing people had no where to show off their fantastic skills that wasn’t San Diego or out of state. So, I turned Forbidden Panel from being just a place for us to put out our book, but also a home for other like minded individuals. \u00a0We also began posting comic book, movie, and video game news and reviews. \u00a0We also began publishing comic books from local creators. \u00a0We wanted geeks to finally feel like they had a home.<\/p>\n
3 years ago, with an ever expanding staff, we put on our for comic book convention called the Inland Empire Comic Book Expo. \u00a0We invited local artists and creators to come down and display their talent while also giving comic book fans a place locally to dress up and geek out. \u00a0It was an instant success. \u00a0That same year we hosted the first annual Inland Empire Zombie Beauty Pageant. \u00a0I got the idea from, then new to FP, Martin Bright. \u00a0It too was an amazing success.<\/p>\n
See, I wanted to give not only the artists and creators a way to show their skills locally but to also wake up the Inland Empire and let them see what they were missing in their own backyard. \u00a0And it worked. I wasn’t doing it for fame or to make money. \u00a0In fact, we are constantly in the black. \u00a0But, we don’t care, or at least, I don’t.<\/p>\n
Growing up I had no where to do such these and very little in the way of friends to do it with. \u00a0My geekdom involved many late night D&D gatherings and random trips to the comic book store. \u00a0Not to mention, ditching school to head to the theater to see such films as Transformers (animated movie) and Terminator. \u00a0I wanted to be able to provide a place, now, where other could do such things without having to travel far or pay an obscene amount of money.<\/p>\n
Now FP plays host many different events. \u00a0We host the Midnight Movie Maniacs<\/a>. \u00a0A group of movie lovers that are to impatient to wait til the weekend to see new releases. \u00a0We also host 12 hr Create Something Days. \u00a0This is where we open up our secret headquarters (clubhouse in my apt complex) and invite EVERYONE and ANYONE to come down and create something, anything. \u00a0My idea with this was to take away the excuses of not having any time or place to be able to do these things. \u00a0We also play host to something I am particularly proud of, The Inland Empire Comic Book Club<\/a>. \u00a0Think book of the month club but with comic books. \u00a0I wanted to do this so that people that want to get into comic books but were afraid to enter a comic book store would now have a reason. \u00a0This club is aimed at people that are just getting started with their collection. \u00a0Not to mention, it’s nice to be able to geek out with people you have never met before and be introduced to comic books that you would never hear about. \u00a0Of course, our first book, Powers.<\/p>\n The point I am trying to make with all of this is plain and simply, the Inland Empire has more to offer than meets the eye. \u00a0It’s a home to comic book and movie and video game geeks. \u00a0And now we have a place and way to finally show off our love of such things without having to be disappointed that we didn’t get tickets for Con or couldn’t afford a booth at a big convention.<\/p>\n So please, try to make it out to one of our events. You will be surprised at how many of us are out there. \u00a0I am not trying to make a million bucks, but I am trying to make new friends. And I promise, if you keep coming or suggest another type of event you want to see, I will keep hosting them.<\/p>\n Thanks for taking the time in reading this. \u00a0And thanks to those that have come out to our shows or events. \u00a0I hope to see you at the next one.<\/p>\n
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