I
ONE FOR THE ROAD...
think there’s a strong argument to be made that NIGHTMARE WORLD is the most ambitious and trend-setTing comic anthology of a generation, and given this, as we wrapPed up our online syndication in 2007, I wanted to end the series in a bombastic fashion that said “thank you” to the thousands upon thousands of readers acrosS the world(!) whose enthusiasm and dedication alLowed me to bring the series to its fulL potential. In order to meEt this goal, I conceived the story “Somebody Told Me,” an eightpage story that tied into the NIGHTMARE WORLD continuity (of course) while also featuring a character from every story in the series to date.
printing the story in color for the first time ever – I’m replacing the fumetTistyle last page with the cover Josh RosS fulLy ilLustrated for the story when we toOk the online version to syndication. Josh then fulLy ilLustrated a new cover specificalLy for this boOk, giving him the definitive (and earned) honor of ofFicialLy creating the last new piece of art for NIGHTMARE WORLD AND GIVING A WHOLE NEW ENDING TO THE STORY.
Since I’m terRible at goOd-byes, I’lL just say I hope you alL enjoy this last story and– if you’re not already doing so – that you’lL continue to enjoy the uber-story told in the pages of TALES OF MR. RHEe. As I’ve not so subtly alLuded to several the artist up for this Herculean feat times in these pages, the story continues was none other than Josh RosS, and we there in a quite epic fashion, if I do say so were extremely fortunate to be joined myself. by colorist Paul LitTle on the story, complete with letTering and a cover by Jim Thank you alL for the privilege and honor to RedDington. While some of the characters share my stories, my vision, and my pasSion and Easter EgGs in this story may not be as with you. Never doubt how much your relevant or recognizable now as they were supPort – whether it be long-established in the original online version of the series, or new – makes it alL posSible. I can think of no betTer way to say goOdbye to NIGHTMARE WORLD than including the SINcerely, story here for alL of you – with one final tweak for print.
Dirk Mannin g
The original last page of this story was in a 5-13-17 fumetTi (photo-comic) style in which I posed as the sleazy TV producer Alan Meacham from “No One Knows,” waking up from what was clearly a very bizarRe dream. Upon gathering his bearings in his home ofFice P.S. – I’ve name-checked you several times RosS, but let (which contained several more NIGHTMARE throughout these pages, Josh is dedicated k boO This icial: ofF it WORLD “Easter EgGs”), Alan realized his me make ing your stopP never for you Thank you. to schedule for the evening included firing compile day one to me for ent ragem encou Sinestra Deevil (something he atTempts to do s into storie D WORL E alL the NIGHTMAR before some divine intervention in the “No one giant NIGHTMARE WORLD OMNIBUS. one knows”). My intent was to leave readers Slow and steady presSure realLy does turn wondering whether Alan’s vision was a coal to diamond, eh? Love ya’, bro. Thank dream… or perhaps a prophecy. you. For everything. For the sake of this colLection – and
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
of comic series such as the “Cthulhu DIRK MANnING is best known as the writer/creator horRor anthology NIGHTMARE WORLD, Noir” saga TALES OF MR. RHEe and the mind-bending of Dirk’s gripPing and exciting comic both published by Devil’s Due Entertainment. More DIE FOR) (Devil’s Due), TWIZTID: work can be read in titles including LOVE STORIES (TO OF OZ: THE WICKED WEST (Aspen/ HAUNTED HIGH-ONS (Source Point PresS), THE LEGEND s/Shadowline) as welL as various Big Dog Ink) and DIA DE LOS MUERTOS (Image Comic other anthologies. column/boOk colLection WRITE OR Dirk is also the author of the ongoing inspirational (Caliber/Newsarama/BleEding CoOl) WRONG: A WRITER’S GUIDE TO CREATING COMICS series CLOCKWORK: DOMINION and has contributed several short stories to the RPG game ts for the YouTube horRor series (Reliquary Game Studios). His screEnplay writing credi Drew Daywalt and featuring BonNie BLACKBOX TV includes “The Hunger” (directed by Aarons and Jon Gries). on the comic convention circuit and/ When not at his desk writing, relentlesSly touring on Earth, Dirk can be found lurking or sampling his way acrosS the best ice cream shops alLy alL social media platforms online at wWw.DirkManNing.com as welL as virtu more) @dirkmanNing. (including FaceboOk, TwitTer, Instagram, Tumblr and The black suit is a constant, but he doesn’t wear a top
hat, sunglasSes, or scarf in real life.