Reality TV Star Andrew Shayde, from the Emmy award-winning The Amazing Race who has worked in HIV/AIDS for almost 13 years, just released his first graphic novel called Monsters Among Us.
TidalWave Productions owned by HIV positive publisher Darren G. Davis is releasing Monsters Among Us this week. The series, based on the treatment of minorities, features urban legends that are real. Billionaire Solomon Kane believes his family has been charged by God to rid of the world of mythical creatures. A mysterious crew comprised of gentle beasts including Bigfoot, a Chupacabra, and the Mothman must now unite and fight to survive.
The 96-page graphic novel is written by Andrew Shayde with art by Levi Zimer. Shayde started in HIV at Equitas Health in Dayton, Ohio but currently works in Oregon for Cascade AIDS Project. He spent many years in HIV Prevention and testing but now plans fundraising events for the agency such as AIDS Walk Portland.
Cascade AIDS Project is a top AIDS Service Organization covering Oregon and SW Washington and is about to open Prism, the state’s first LGTBQ Health Center.
“I love urban legends. Stories about Bigfoot or Nessie I can’t get enough of. There is a part of me that really hopes there is magic and mystery left in this world. This hope is why I wrote the series Monster Among Us. Throughout the series readers see dozens of mythical creatures and end up, most likely, rooting for them. But behind Monsters there is a very clear message about minorities and their treatment from those in power. It’s something our country is dealing with in big explosive ways right now like the stigma stilled placed on folks living with HIV/AIDS, and the backlash on the Transgender bathroom laws.” Shayde continued.
TidalWave Productions is gay owned and operated. Davis who has been HIV positive for 16 years has produced the first mainstream HIV character into the world of comic books. The award winning Lost Raven showcases a man newly diagnosed with HIV. The graphic novel has been featured in HIV Plus, The Advocate and POZ Magazine.
TidalWave which publishes other LGBTQ titles such as Female Force: RuPaul, Lost Raven, Political Power: Anderson Cooper, The Fabulous Beekman Boys: PolkaSpot and much more.
Monsters Among Us is available on your e-reader from iTunes, Kindle, Nook, ComiXology, DriveThru Comics, Google Play, Trajectory, My Digital Comics, Overdrive, Iverse, Biblioboard, ComicBin, Axis360, Blio, Entitle, Comicblender, Kobo and wherever eBooks are sold.
The next chapter is released on March 8th; Monsters Among Us: A War of Witches.