FORBIDDEN ZONE: THE NOVELIZATION

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Los Angeles, CA – In 1980, Richard Elfman’s musical absurdist nightmare FORBIDDEN ZONE made a splash at Midnight screenings around the world while launching Oingo Boingo. Then, like most alternative cinema of the era, it faded into obscurity and out of print—but not before leaving an indelible imprint on those lucky enough to experience it.

Fast forward to the 21^st Century and FORBIDDEN ZONE sees a huge resurgence in popularity following its re-release on DVD. The film has now been seen by millions of viewers who missed it in the 1980s (or weren’t born yet). A Director’s Cut followed, and the film currently lives for free on Tubi and available for rent or purchase on most VOD services.

Now, Encyclopocalypse Publications is set to release FORBIDDEN ZONE: THE NOVELIZATION, an irreverent reimaging oozing with sex, mayhem, and body horror. The book was written by former Dread Central Editor-in-Chief and author Joshua Millican (Deeper Than Hell, Septum). It isn’t for the faint of heart or easily offended.

“If you’re a loner, beware. Abused and misunderstood, beware. Proud and lustful, beware. Dregs and druggies and transgressive artists, beware. If you’re on your own, you might end up in—the Forbidden Zone!”

Experience the bizarre and musical tale of a girl who travels to another world through a gateway in her family’s basement. Follow the dysfunctional Hercules Family into the erotic and hellish catacombs of the Sixth Dimension. Meet the sinister and scintillating residents of the Forbidden Zone and party down with the Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo!

“Richard Elfman is a mad genius,” says Millican. “He’s one of the most influential underground artists of his generation, and it’s an honor to be part of FORBIDDEN ZONE’s enduring legacy!”

“How do you novelize a surrealist, absurdist musical?” asks Sean Duregger, Managing Editor of Encyclopocalypse. “Joshua Millican figured out a way—and it’s bonkers. Hysterical and disgusting! We think readers who purchased our recent novelization of Attack of the Killer Tomatoes will find this an excellent follow-up!”

Richard Elfman is thrilled to see his cult classic brought to novel form: “I’ve been a fan of Josh’s writing going back to Dread Central days. How strange is life that over forty years after making Forbidden Zone, it’s more popular than ever. I guess as King Fausto says, ‘I will have a whole army of zombies.’ Thanks for the help, Josh!”

Encyclopocalypse Publications was founded in 2020 by Hellraiser: The Toll author Mark Alan Miller. The independent publisher has already established itself as a destination imprint with an impressive library of novelizations, fiction, and non-fiction. Authors on their roster also include: Mick Garris, Peter Atkins, and John Penny.

FORBIDDEN ZONE: THE NOVELIZATION includes a foreword by 6-time Bram Stoker Award Winning Author Lisa Morton. It arrives wherever books are sold on September 26^th. You can pre-order the Kindle version via your favorite eBook retailer. There will be 2 paperback versions: a standard Trade size as well as a smaller “vintage” Mass Market Size. See links below.