Dear False Positive Readers,

This is Ashley Walton, Mike’s sister and editor of False Positive. I have really terrible, awful news and a tiny bit of good news.

You might have noticed it’s been a couple years since we’ve posted anything on this website. Well, brace yourself for the saddest update I’ll ever share. 

The lovable, brilliant creator of False Positive, my brother, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. Monday, January 22nd marks the two-year anniversary of his passing, and you can read Mike’s obituary here.

It’s taken me two years to write this update because I’ve been consumed by grief. I think about Mike and miss him every single day. He was my creative collaborator and singular best friend. The world is not as fun, bright, or delightful without him.

Reading comments from all of you has really helped me through this difficult time. Thank you for the support and enthusiasm you’ve shared for False Positive over the years. It meant the world to Mike, and it means everything to me, too.

I wish you all could have known Mike better. Stories flew out of him, and he always worked on more than one at a time, easily distracted and motivated by his own new ideas. His brain was always writing and rewriting stories, and he was always creating artwork. I’ve never met anyone who was such a constant, passionate, and consistent creator. 

Mike was a brilliant artist and storyteller, and this website became a repository for some of his artwork and writing, and he lovingly, regularly updated it for over a decade. 

Over 10 years, Mike and I discussed False Positive constantly. We regularly emailed each other drafts, dreams, possible dystopian futures, notes on our favorite final girls, links to must-read books, alternative story endings, ideas for stories, rants, puns, and commentaries.

Several times a week, Mike would call me to discuss potential story ideas and different possible endings to his stories. For every story he wrote, Mike would map out at least three potential endings, and we’d workshop them together, discuss the merits of each, and debate which one packed the most punch and had the biggest impact and why. We’d dissect, discuss, and debate. We lived in a bubble of artistic creation and collaboration– one I miss very much and haven’t been able to find again.

But there’s a bit of good news. Because Mike was such a prolific creator, I have so much more False Positive content to share with all of you: artwork, stories, alternative endings, process videos, blog posts, and more. Mike was his own harshest critic. He created so many things that he didn’t share, for fear of it not being good enough, and I’m here to tell you: it’s all really, really exceptional. He had a truly unique mind.

So, stay tuned. I’ll be updating False Positive, as well as sharing exclusive content on his Patreon, in the hopes of keeping his memory alive through his stories and artwork. If you’ve loved False Positive over the years, please consider sharing it with a friend. I’d love for as many people as possible to experience Mike’s work.

Thank you for following along, and thank you for the support in keeping this website– and Mike’s memory– alive.

Above all, I believe in the power of stories to connect us as humans and to help us through this life, which can be brutally difficult at times.

Thanks for being here. You make a difference.

In Gratitude,

Ashley

The post Good News for People Who Like Bad News appeared first on False Positive: A Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy Webcomic Anthology.

False Positive Tips: Top 13 Best Horror Films of All Time-

False Positive shares Tales of the Surreal, Fantastic, & Macabre.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Let’s make a list of my All-time Favorite Horror Movie Recommendations.

Ask me tomorrow and I might give you a slightly different list.

Top 13 Favorite Horror Flicks

WARNING: Some of these trailers contain SPOILERS.

… 

13. Dawn of the Dead (1979)

… 

12. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

… 

11. The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

…

10. Halloween (1978)

… 

9. The Devil’s Backbone | El espinazo del diablo (2001)

…

8. Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

… 

7. It Follows (2014)

…

6. Get Out (2017)

…

5. Psycho (1960)

…

4. The Thing (1982)

…

3. Pan’s Labyrinth | El laberinto del fauno (2006)

…

2. Alien (1979)

…

1. The Shining (1980)

…

Favorite Horror Franchise

…

Final Destination 1–5 (2000–2011)

I like some of the Nightmare on Elm Street films and some of the Halloween, Hellraiser, and Friday the 13th movies, too, but no slasher series succeeds like the Final Destination franchise. A lot of horror movies, especially slasher movies, remind me of spook alleys. The plots of these sorts of movies string together a series of horrifying tableaus — a sequence of scary special-effects scenes — just like a spook alley. Final Destination does this better than any other franchise. Plus, each film in the series is a blast. And, to top it all off, the 5 film series gives audiences a fun arc/payoff.

…

If the List Kept Going…

The Fly (1986)

Train to Busan | Busanhaeng (2016)

30 Days of Night (2007)

Poltergeist (1982)

Frailty (2002)

The Wailing | Gokseong (2016)

Under the Skin (2013)

Green Room (2015)

Jennifer’s Body (2009)

Ready or Not (2019)

Seven (1995)

The Mist (2007)

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

…

>>SEE ALL 31 DAYS of RECOMMENDATION LISTS>>

Do you have a Favorite Horror Movie?

The post 31 Days of Halloween Day 31: Top 13 Horror Movies of All Time appeared first on False Positive: A Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy Webcomic Anthology.

False Positive Tips: Top 13 Best Dark Sci-fi Flicks –

False Positive shares Tales of the Surreal, Fantastic, & Macabre.

Fantastic Part 2: Science Fiction- Action Sci-fi, Horror Sci-fi, and Thriller Sci-fi movies.

Let’s make a list of my Favorite Science Fiction Movie Recommendations. At the top, we’ll list the best 13 Horror Science Fiction Films. And, we’ll follow that with a long list of the other best science fiction flicks that inspire the making of False Positive.

Most of the great time-travel movies were left off this list, but they have their own list: Best TIME-TRAVEL Films.

Top 13 Favorite Macabre Science Fiction FIlms

WARNING: Some of these trailers contain SPOILERS.

… 

13. Overlord (2018)

… 

12. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

… 

11. 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

…

10. Upgrade (2018)

… 

9. Under the Skin (2013)

… 

8. Annihilation (2018)

…

7. Predator (1987)

…

6. Dark City (1998)

…

5. Aliens (1986)

… 

4. Jurassic Park (1993)

…

3. The Fly (1986)

…

2. The Thing (1980)

…

1. Alien (1979)

…

If the List of Best Dark Sci-fi Kept Going…

Cube (1997)

Ex Machina (2014)

Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

Scanners (1981)

The Thing (2011)

The Terminator (1984)

…

The Rest of the Best Science Fiction Films…

Total Recall (1990)

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Blade Runner (1982)

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

The Matrix (1999)

Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)

RoboCop (1987)

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Starship Troopers (1997)

Brazil (1985)

Prospect (2018)

Pitch Black (2000)

Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

The Fifth Element (1997)

Galaxy Quest (1999)

Planet of the Apes (1968)

Her (2013)

They Live (1988)

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

…

>>SEE ALL 31 DAYS of RECOMMENDATION LISTS>>

Do you have a favorite Science Fiction flick? Did I leave off your favorite?

…

While on the subject, why not read one of False Positive’s Dark Sci-fi tales?

Specimen -- 36 PAGES

Vol. One: Season 3: Story 3

Exiled -- 24 PAGES

Vol. One: Season 1: Story 12

Newton's Apple -- 10 Pages

Vol. One: Season 1: Story 3

The post 31 Days of Halloween Day 30: Top 13 Dark Science Fiction Films appeared first on False Positive: A Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy Webcomic Anthology.

False Positive Tips: Top 13 Best Fantasy Films –

False Positive shares Tales of the Surreal, Fantastic, & Macabre.

Fantastic Part 1: Fantasy- High Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Sci-fi Fantasy, and Sword & Sorcery movies.

Let’s make a list of my Favorite Fantasy Movie Recommendations.

Related Lists:

Best GHOST Horror Movies

Best VAMPIRE Flicks

Top 10 Scary Horror Movies about DEMONS & DEVILS

Top THIRTEEN Favorite Fantasy Flicks

WARNING: Some of these trailers contain SPOILERS.

… 

13. Doctor Sleep (2019)

… 

12. 300 (2006)

… 

11. Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

…

10. Willow (1988)

… 

9. The Wizard of Oz (1939)

… 

8. The Green Mile (1999)

…

7. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon | Wo hu cang long (2000)

…

6. Dune (1984)

…

5. The Princess Bride (1987)

… 

4. Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)

…

3. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

…

2. Star Wars (1977)

…

1. Pan’s Labyrinth | El laberinto del fauno (2006)

…

If the List Kept Going…

Highlander (1986)

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Clash of the Titans (1981)

Hero | Ying xiong (2002)

Star Dust (2007)

More Dark Fantasy Film Favorites…

Final Destination (2000)

The Craft (1996)

Carrie (1976)

The Exorcist (1973)

Pet Sematary (1989)

Constantine (2005)

>>SEE ALL 31 DAYS of RECOMMENDATION LISTS>>

Do you have a Favorite Fantasy – High Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Sci-fi Fantasy, or Sword & Sorcery – Movie?

…

While on the subject, here are some Macabre Fantasy False Positive tales:

Stink Eye -- 20 PAGES

Vol. One: Season 2: Story 2

Dig -- 25 PAGES

Vol. One: Season 2: Story 5

Séance -- 16 PAGES

Vol. One: Season 2: Story 1

The post 31 Days of Halloween Day 29: Top 13 Fantasy Films appeared first on False Positive: A Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy Webcomic Anthology.

False Positive Tips: Top 13 Best Surreal Films –

False Positive shares Tales of the Surreal, Fantastic, & Macabre.

Let’s make a list of my Favorite Surreal Movie Recommendations.

Top Thirteen Favorite Surrealist Flicks

WARNING: Some of these trailers contain SPOILERS.

… 

13. Pi (1998)

… 

12. Run Lola Run (1998)

… 

11. Schizopolis (1996)

…

10. Blue Velvet (1986)

… 

9. Brazil (1985)

… 

8. Donnie Darko (2001)

…

7. Amelie (2001)

…

6. Pleasantville (1998)

…

5. Snowpiercer (2013)

… 

4. Edward Scissorhands (1990)

…

3. Being John Malkovich (1999)

…

2. Tampopo (1985)

…

1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

…

If the List Kept Going…

Suspiria (1977)

Adaptation (2002)

Wild at Heart (1990)

The Fall (2006)

The City of Lost Children (1995)

Like Water for Chocolate (1992)

The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002)

Dogtooth (2009)

Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005)

The Lobster (2015)

Mandy (2018)

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)

The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover (1989)

>>SEE ALL 31 DAYS of RECOMMENDATION LISTS>>

Hard to make a list like this without including a lot of Charlie Kaufman.

Do you have a Favorite Surreal Movie?

The post 31 Days of Halloween Day 28: Top 13 Surreal Movies appeared first on False Positive: A Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy Webcomic Anthology.

False Positive Tips: Favorite Schlock, Camp, + Kitsch Horror Movies –

Nostalgia tends to give me rose-colored glasses. So, I can’t trust my own judgment on all these.

These movies are flawed. They’re beautiful. They’re bonkers. They’re fun. And, they’re probably an acquired taste. But, I love them.

These crazy horror movies inspire me.

I tried to omit titles that I put on other lists.

There’s a similar, but different, list here: Top HORROR COMEDY Movies

Best Schlock Horror Flicks

In no particular order.

WARNING: Some of these trailers contain SPOILERS.

… 

So Bad, They’re Awesome Horror Movies…

Chopping Mall (1986)

… 

Death Spa (1982)

… 

Ninja 3: The Domination (1984)

Not quite a horror flick, but wonderful.

… 

Campy Fun Horror Films

They Live (1988)

…

Scanners (1981)

… 

Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)

… 

April Fool’s Day (1986)

…

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)

…

Army of Darkness (1992)

…

More Favorite Campy/ Bonkers Horror Movies…

Wishmaster (1997)

Night of the Creeps (1986)

The Return of the Living Dead (1985) 

Creepshow (1982)

Creepshow 2 (1987)

Trick ‘r Treat (2007)

So Bad They Might Be Good Horror Movies…

The Stuff (1985)

Troll 2 (1990)

Basket Case (1982)

>>SEE ALL 31 DAYS of RECOMMENDATION LISTS>>

Do you have a Favorite Schlock, Camp, or Kitsch Horror Movie?

The post 31 Days of Halloween Day 27: Favorite Schlock, Camp, and Kitsch Horror Movies appeared first on False Positive: A Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy Webcomic Anthology.

False Positive Tips: Best Genre TV Shows –

Here’s a list of some recommendations for some of my favorite pulp tales of the surreal, fantastic, and macabre in live-action TV series format.

There’s a list for Best Animated TV Series and another for Best Anthology TV series.

Favorite Genre/ Pulp TV Series

In no particular order.

WARNING: Some of these trailers contain SPOILERS.

Still On the Air:

Locke & Key (2020–)

… 

Stranger Things (2016–)

…

Ozark (2019–)

…

The Mandalorian (2019–)

… 

Completed Series…

Hannibal (2013–2015)

If you happened to watch Bryan Fuller’s other show, Dead Like Me, Hannibal delivers the most awesomely meta crossover ever.

…

Fringe (2008–2013)

Do yourself a favor, skip Season 1: Episodes 9 and 12.

…

The Haunting of Hill House (2018)

…

Brand New Cherry Flavor (2021)

… 

Game of Thrones (2011–2019)

Yes. I’m the one who liked the entire series. It had pacing issues at the end, but I appreciated the payoffs.

… 

The Magicians (2015–2020)

… 

Partial Series…

Carnivále (2003–2005)

Canceled after 2 seasons.

… 

Firefly (2002)

Canceled during the first season, but the movie finishes the story: Serenity (2005). Skip the opening series title theme song.

…

Penny Dreadful (2014–2016)

Watch seasons 1–2. Skip s3 and pretend it doesn’t exist.

…

Supernatural (2005–2020)

Watch seasons 1–5. Skip the rest or find a best-of list of episodes to guide your viewing.

…

Castlerock (2018–2019)

Watch season 2. Skip the first season.

…

American Horror Story (2011–)

Watch season 1 & maybe, Season 9. Skip the rest.

… 

If the List Kept Going, Maybe…

Ash vs Evil Dead (2015–2018)

Angel (1999–2004)

Fargo (2014–)

The Orville (2017–)

Dollhouse (2009–2010)

Babylon 5 (1993–1998)

Continuum (2012–2015)

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994)

Watch seasons 3–7 and skip s1 & 2. Or find a best-of list of episodes to guide your viewing.

…

>>SEE ALL 31 DAYS of RECOMMENDATION LISTS>>

What are some of your favorite science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery, crime, or sword & sorcery TV series?

The post 31 Days of Halloween Day 26: Best Genre TV Shows appeared first on False Positive: A Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy Webcomic Anthology.

False Positive Tips:

Favorite Comic Artists & Best Comic Art Books  –

I’ve been fortunate enough to collect some useful and beautiful books.

Here’s a list of some of my favorite books about making comics, comic art, and comic art reproduction. 

Top Books About Comic Art + Some Favorite Comic Artists

Books About Making Comics

Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud

Hands-down, the best book about sequential art and storytelling.

…

Comics and Sequential Art: Principles and Practices from the Legendary Cartoonist by Will Eisner

Will Eisner was a master cartoonist.  This is part of an excellent series of instructional books on the craft.

…

Working Methods: Comic Creators Detail Their Storytelling And Artistic Processes by John Lowe

This book shows how different artists translate a script into comic art. 

…

The DC Comics Guide to Pencilling Comics By Klaus Janson

From one of the biggest comics publishers, a comics veteran lays out the fundamentals of comics penciling. 

…

Foundations in Comic Book Art: SCAD Creative Essentials by John Paul Lowe

It’s an alternative to a few of The DC Comics Guide series. As described, this volume presents an overview of the fundamentals of comic art. It includes a bit at the end about using digital tools to help with perspective, etc.

…

Framed Ink: Drawing and Composition for Visual Storytellers by Marcos Mateu-Mestre

This book focuses on inking, but it offers valuable insights about lighting and composition in comic storytelling.

…

Comic Art Reproduction Books

Four Color Fear: Forgotten Horror Comics of the 1950s 

A great collection of reprinted pulp horror from the golden age of comics.

…

Marvel Covers – Artist’s Edition

Reproducing some iconic Marvel cover art at original size: ~12×17 inches

…

EC Covers Artist’s Edition

This thing is massive and I love it. 17.58 x 2.48 x 25.33 inches. 

…

Comic Artist Books

The Art of Hellboy by Mike Mignola

…

Modern Masters Volume 6: Arthur Adams 

…

Modern Masters Volume 1: Alan Davis 

…

Berni Wrightson: A Look Back

…

Pulphope: The Art of Paul Pope

…

And to top it off, here’s a list of some of my favorite comic artists.

Art Adams

Gabriel Bá

John Byrne

John Cassaday

Becky Cloonan

Alan Davis

Geoff Darrow

Max Fiumara 

Rafael Grampá

James Harren

Bryan Hitch

Junji Ito

Jason Latour

Andrew MacLean

Steve McNiven

Joshua Middleton

Mike Mignola

Fábio Moon

Katsuhiro Otomo

Sara Pichelli

Paul Pope

Frank Quitely

Esad Ribić

Chris Samne

Naoki Urasawa

Barry Windsor-Smith

Bernie Wrightson

And many more.

Do you have some favorite comic art books? Or books on making comics?

Who are some of your favorite comic artists?

The post 31 Days of Halloween Day 25: Favorite Comic Artists & Best Comic Art Books appeared first on False Positive: A Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy Webcomic Anthology.

False Positive Tips: Best Genre Animated Movies –

Here’s a list of some recommendations for some of my favorite pulp tales of the surreal, fantastic, and macabre in animated movie format.

Favorite Genre/ Pulp Animated Films

In no particular order.

WARNING: Some of these trailers contain SPOILERS.

… 

ParaNorman (2012)

… 

Coraline (2009)

… 

Spirited Away (2001)

… 

Akira (1988)

…

Watership Down (1978)

… 

The Iron Giant (1999)

… 

The Incredibles (2004)

…

Tekkonkinkreet (2007)

…

Do you like superhero stuff? I recommend checking out the DC animated films.

Don’t confuse the DC Animated Universe movies with The DC Universe Animated Original Movies, or, with the DC Animated Movie Universe films—a multiverse, indeed. (Somebody at HBOmax needs to better organize these awesome collections.)

Let me clear things up, because they all have worthwhile animation to explore…

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000 – Part of DCAU)

The DC Animated Universe (DCAU), also called Timmverse or Diniverse, titles continue the Batman: The Animated Series shared continuity in animated shorts, TV series, and movies. 10 series and at least 6 movies.

…

Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths (2010 – Part of DCUOM)

The DC Universe Animated Original Movies (Let’s go with, DCUOM) usually offer stand-alone stories inspired by popular DC works. The DC Showcase shorts also fall under this umbrella.

…

Constantine: City of Demons (2018 – Part of DCAMU)

The DC Animated Movie Universe (DCAMU) is made up of 16 films in a shared universe mostly based on DC’s The New 52 continuity. SIXTEEN movies in a shared universe with an overarching story. This is pretty great.

…

More Favorite Animated Movies…

Blood: The Last Vampire (2000)

Perfect Blue (1997)

Monster House (2006)

The Black Cauldron (1985)

The Secret of NIMH (1982)

The Last Unicorn (1982)

Princess Mononoke (1997)

Avatar (2009)

Robot Carnival (1987)

Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

Ghost in the Shell (1996)

Cowboy Bebop (2001)

How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

Ninja Scroll (1993)

>>SEE ALL 31 DAYS of RECOMMENDATION LISTS>>

What are some of your favorite science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery, crime, or sword & sorcery animated film titles?

My anime education is sorely lacking—what do you recommend?

The post 31 Days of Halloween Day 24: Best Animated Genre Movies appeared first on False Positive: A Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy Webcomic Anthology.

False Positive Tips: Best Genre Animated TV Series –

Here’s a list of some recommendations for some of my favorite pulp tales of the surreal, fantastic, and macabre in animated series format.

Favorite Genre/ Pulp Animated TV Series

In no particular order.

WARNING: Some of these trailers contain SPOILERS.

Still On the Air:

Invincible (2021–)

… 

Genndy Tarakovsky’s Primal (2019–)

… 

Rick and Morty (2016–)

…

Harley Quinn (2019–)

…

LOVE DEATH + ROBOTS (2019–)

… 

Completed Series…

…

Castlevania (2017–2020)

…

Over the Garden Wall (2014)

…

Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005–2008)

… 

Gravity Falls (2012–2014)

… 

More Animated Favorite TV Series…

Junji Ito Collection (2018)

Death Note (2006–2007)

The Legend of Korra (2012–2014)

Hilda (2018–)

Ninja Scroll: The Series (2003)

Blood+ (2005–2006)

Devilman Crybaby (2018)

Solar Opposites (2020–)

Cowboy Bebop (1998) 

Young Justice (2010–)

I’m also a fan of The DC Animated Universe, also called Timmverse or Diniverse, with shows like Batman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond, and Justice League Unlimited.

>>SEE ALL 31 DAYS of RECOMMENDATION LISTS>>

What are some of your favorite science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery, crime, or sword & sorcery animation series?

My anime education is sorely lacking—what do you recommend?

The post 31 Days of Halloween Day 23: Best Genre Animated TV Shows appeared first on False Positive: A Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy Webcomic Anthology.