Greeley now has a place in the comic book world.

Greeley’s own Daniel Crosier, 31, and Greeley-based Distortions Unlimited are collaborating to develop a new comic book series called “Distortions Unlimited.”

Distortions Unlimited has been in business in Greeley for 30 years manufacturing masks, Halloween props and animatronics. The company is best known for its reproductions of the 16-foot queen alien from the film “Alien,” cast from the original molds, as well as designing the stage props for music industry icon Alice Cooper’s Brutal Planet tour, according to a press release.

The three-issue series is based on characters created and licensed by Distortions.

“It’s kind of cool,” said Ed Edmunds, president of Distortions. “I don’t think it’s necessarily we did something amazing. It’s because of the bizarre-looking creatures we create that fit into the comic book industry.”

Growing up in the area, Crosier knew of Edmunds’ company but never visited because he didn’t know how. Because of this, Crosier’s friends brought him Distortions’ catalog and eventually, he started collecting them.

One day, everything changed for Crosier when he met his soon-to-be high school art teacher, Ron Nehrboss. Nehrboss had some students working at Distortions and was able to arrange an occasional tour for Crosier.

The collaboration began in January when Crosier was hired by Washington-based publishing company Bluewater Productions. Darren Davis, Bluewater’s president, was looking for a company that made licensed products. Upon hearing this, Crosier suggested the company he grew up around with the pitch of a horror comic. Davis liked the idea and thought it would be an interesting cross-promotion between the two companies.

One of the main characters in the comic is Rage. An animatronic and one of Distortions’ most popular characters, Rage is described as a muscle-bound Neanderthal who is bigger than California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and is similar to the Incredible Hulk — except he’s not green.

“Rage has been a fan favorite for years. The sheer size of the piece commands attention and really gives people a good scare,” Edmunds said in a release. “He’s a great character to base the series on.”

The first issue of the series delves into the horror resulting from a mine collapse, the release stated. The plot was crafted with multiple, intertwining layers that combine fantasy and true-life events ripped from today’s headlines, the release stated.

According to Crosier, Rage accidentally unleashes holy hell on Earth because the human characters in the story antagonize him.

“The way I got it set up, he’s essentially a gatekeeper to a realm that could be interpreted as Pandora’s Box,” Crosier said. “It leaves things open-ended.”

If this story isn’t unique as it is, Crosier will be illustrating the comic on wooden poplar panels, which should give the books a distressed, organic look. Crosier said poplar is a really fine grain of wood to use and is very clean.

“I’ve always been an illustrator all my life,” Crosier said. “I thought it would be fun to throw in different elements.”

Edmunds added, “It gives it an organic feel to the art.”

This unique piece of art can be hard to execute though. Crosier said it takes about three weeks to create a comic, and he spends an entire day illustrating the cover.

“It’s hard and it can be time-consuming,” Crosier said.

The first issue of the series is expected to be released in January. The second and third issues will follow in February and March.

If successful, as many as six series of the comic could be completed if all parties agree.

http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20080706/BUSINESS/157518954/1006&parentprofile=1001