A Vampire in Hollywood, And Other Tales of Supernatural Law by Batton Lash
Introduction by Jeff Smith
192 pages, b/w interior
Beware the creatures of the night—They have lawyers! Alanna Wolff and Jeff Byrd have an unusual law practice: defending monsters and the supernaturally afflicted! A Vampire in Hollywood is volume 7 in this ongoing graphic novel series that mixes humor, horror, and the law to produce a unique and fun reading experience. The previous volumes collect issues 1-40 and the spinoff series Mavis 1-4. This volume collects Supernatural Law issues 41-45 and Mavis 5.
Issue 41: “The Works Speak for Themselves” First Amendment issues come to the fore in an unusual way as Alanna Wolff and Jeff Byrd are called in when works of art begin to talk, make chit-chat, and sound off! This special free speech issue was also used as a fund-raiser for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. This issue also marks the first appearance of Desmond, the new receptionist.
Issue 42: “Werewolves . . . and the Women Who Love Them” and “Stakeout” In the first story, “Dr. Fill” interviews a woman who has a thing for werewolves, especially “Lawrence T,” one of Wolff & Byrd’s clients. The second story introduces fifth-generation vampire Christopher Leach who is trying to come to terms with his heritage while W&B protect him from the press. [Note: This story is also included in Zombie Wife in color.]
Issue 43: “A Vampire in Hollywood” Vampire Christopher Leach has become a celebrity and heads to Hollywood to star in his own biopic but ends up being accused of murder, engaging in a high-speed freeway chase, and encountering a vampire lord. [Note: This story is also included in Zombie Wife in color.]
Issue 44: “Wolff & Byrd: The Movie” While they’re in Hollywood on behalf of their vampire client, Wolff and Byrd find out that a movie is being made based on their law firm. Who’s behind it? What’s got them frightened? In the course of the issue, we get to see four different movie pitches—each scarier than the next, and each based on true pitches Batton received from Hollywood producers.
Issue 45: “The People v. Toxic Avenger” Wolff and Byrd have a change of venue when they travel to Tromaville to defend none other than the Toxic Avenger! But can they prevail in a courtroom presided over by Judge Lloyd Kaufman?
Mavis 5: “Weird Eye for the Normal Guy” Mavis gets to leave work early for once and plans to spend the evening with her main squeeze, Taylor Christopher. But she has forgotten a prior promise to an old high school friend to attend a birthday party that has some surprise guests: “The Creeps,” a spooky trio of W&B clients.
Funding for this book will be used to complete the production work (preparing files for the printer); pay for the printing, shipping, and storage of the books; and cover production costs of backer premiums.