In 2002 Robert Steven Rhine and Asylum Press collaborated on a trilogy of horror anthologies entitled Selected Readings from Satan's Powder Room, Chicken Soup for Satan, and Satan Gone Wild. Then the entire trilogy was collected into a giant trade entitled Satan's 3-Ring Circus of Hell where they added new stores for a total of 200 pages of horror, humor and gore.

We caught up with Robert Steven Rhine to talk about Satan's 3-Ring Circus of Hell.

The Big Bad Wolf: Robert, thanks for taking time to talk with me about The Satan anthology books you did with Asylum Press.

Robert Steven Rhine: Thanks for having me.

The Big Bad Wolf: First of all lets talk about you. Who are you and what do you do?

Robert Steven Rhine: I am know as 'Corpsy' to the fans and readers of Girls and Corpses Magazine -- and I am also the Publisher / Deaditor-In-Chief. Girls and Corpses is a comedy/horror/satire magazine that is a blend of Maxim meets ‘Dawn Of The Dead’ meets MAD Magazine. Our front cover says it all: Babes, Death, Music, Comedy, Horror, Comics, Sex, and Morgues. There is no nudity in the magazine just raw dark comedy. Each issue also features exclusive interviews with the biggest stars in horror. We also interview people of notorious interest, top bands and feature artists of all kinds.  There are comedy gags, cartoons and comic book art in every issue from the best illustrators in the business. We also focus on the world of the macabre and death. We are, in fact, “the first comedy magazine about death.”  The magazine has become a juggernaut. We have full newsstand distribution through Ingram, Diamond and we are also sold in Barnes & Noble. We are also translated into German and sold in Germany. Check us out online here, if you dare: http://girlsandcorpses.com/

The Big Bad Wolf: How did you find yourself getting into making comics?

Robert Steven Rhine: I had worked as a writer for Cracked Magazine in the 80's and I had always been a huge fan of comic books, collecting the first two hundred MAD Magazines. I felt like a traitor writing for Cracked when my dream was to write for MAD -- which was like my bible. During the 1990's I wrote and sold over 100 fiction stories to magazine and published book anthologies and even won  a couple awards, including Best Short Fiction from World Horror Con and a Bram Stoker Award, for the anthology "Dark Delicacies," in which my story "The Seer" was included.  Then, one of the stories I sold to a magazine was illustrated by artist Frank Forte.  I really dug Frank's style and more importantly his dark twisted mind which matched my own warped sense of humor. Frank had a successful comic book titled Vampire Verses series and others and he asked me to write for his Insidious Tales comic book.  It was a lot of fun and I got to thinking about creating my own comic book -- but I didn't have comic book publishing experience. I had made some money from a successful ten year studio publicity career and I suggested to Frank that I wanted to finance a comic book and release it through his Asylum Press Publishing company. Anyhow, that led to my first published comic book, an anthology I created and wrote titled, "Selected Readings from Satan's Powder Room."  Frank beautifully illustrated the covers and we were off and running.  We premiered "Selected Readings From Satan's Powder Room" at Comic-Con San Diego and we got a very favorable write up in Comic Buyers Guide (one of only four comic books featured in that special Comic-Con issue). We sold out "Satan's Powder Room" comic book at that show. This was seven years ago when Comic-Con was still a comic book convention and hadn't been taken over (ruined?) by the studios.

The Big Bad Wolf: What's it all about?

Robert Steven Rhine: The stories in "Selected Readings From Satan's Powder Room" are all twisted morality stories in the vein of Tales From The Crypt but with more humor. The idea for the title was that I wanted to write the kind of stories that Satan might like to read while sitting on the toilet.  So, that's the cover... Satan reading on the toilet with his helper, a sexy winged devil girl, on his knee.

The Big Bad Wolf: So how did you come up with the idea for this book?

Robert Steven Rhine: I have brain damage... literally. My first book was called, My Brain Escapes Me, and the cover has an X-ray of my skull after a skull fracture that nearly killed me.  Maybe that helped my mind spring off the deep end.  I don't have trouble coming up with ideas. It's getting the voices in my head to shut up that is the problem. Here is my home website where you can buy "My Brian Escapes Me": http://www.robertrhine.com/

The Big Bad Wolf: Who are the main characters?

Robert Steven Rhine: There are two "hosts" of the Satan series: Satan, of corpse, and his sexy devil girlfriend, Lucy Fur. Each story is a tale unto itself.  But they are all extreme slices of life with an unique twist leading to a graphic violent, gory endings.  Because they are also funny story you want to look away... but can't... like seeing a dead clown in a car wreck.

The Big Bad Wolf: If you were to give this book a movie style rating (G, PG, PG-13, R,  X) what would it get, and why would you say that?

Robert Steven Rhine: I like to walk the knife edge, so I would say 'R.'  I find very little X-rated material to be very creative since it is only grabbing your attention with nudity -- which is much easier than having a compelling story. The only porn that is the exception to that rule is "Clown Porn," starring my XXX pal Hollie Stevens.

The Big Bad Wolf: What are you hoping readers can take away from this book?

Robert Steven Rhine: A distraction from life. A laugh and a shiver. And something to slide under the short leg of the table to stop it from wobbling.

The Big Bad Wolf: After Selected Readings you wrote Chicken Soup for Satan. Can you tell me a little about this book?

Robert Steven Rhine: It was the second in the Satan series.  I always wanted to spoof the "Chicken Soup For The Soul" books and here was my chance. But it's really just more twisted macabre stories. Frank Forte did a great illustration on the back cover based on an idea I had for the Last Supper with a corpse and the top TV chefs: Emeril Lagasse, Julia Childs, Iron Chef Sakai (from Iron Chef) and Martha Stewart.  I actually gave Emeril Lagasse a copy of the comic book in New Orleans at his restaurant, Nola.  I think he used it to swat a mosquito.

The Big Bad Wolf: The final book in the trilogy was Satan Gone Wild. Who were the creators in this fine tome?

Robert Steven Rhine: I created and wrote Satan Gone Wild and it was based on my many travels to New Orleans. The French Quarter really is Hell on earth... but in a good way. 'Anything goes' on Bourbon Street, which is reflected on the cover (illustrated by Frank Forte) and the ribald nasty stories in the comic book. This second in the series was longer than the first, with four instead of three stories.

The Big Bad Wolf: Is this a series that we can expect more from in the future?

Robert Steven Rhine: I hope so. Satan never dies... he's currently working on the Home Shopping Network.    

The Big Bad Wolf: You collected all three Satan books into a giant Trade called Satan's 3-Ring Circus of Hell.  Can you explain the ups and downs of putting together such a large project with so many creators?

Robert Steven Rhine: It took four years to put together the 200 page "Satan's 3-Ring Circus of Hell."  Frank and I gathered the best artists and illustrators in the world but a few we couldn't get, such as Bernie Wrightson and Gahan Wilson. But I am extremely proud of that book and you can buy it here:  http://www.robertrhine.com/id_circus.html or at Asylum Press: http://www.asylumpress.com/.   One of the biggest challenges was getting artists to meet the deadline.  I told them the deadline was six months before it actually was and they still barely got their work under the wire for the real deadline. But there at forty-three amazing horror artists in the book: WILLIAM STOUT, TIM VIGIL, JOHN CASSADAY, FRANK FORTE, HILARY BARTA, ALAN. M. CLARK, SPAIN RODRIGUEZ, JIM SMITH, VINCENT WALLER, TONE RODRIGUEZ, MATT HOWARTH, ERIC PIGORS, FRANK DIETZ, STEVEN MANNION, OMAHA PEREZ, JOE VIGIL, D.W. FRYENDALL, SHANNON WHEELER, MIKE SOSNOWSKI, TOMMY CASTILLO, BRYAN BAUGH, JOHN HOWARD, DAVID HARTMAN, JACOB HAIR, GAK, NENAD GUCUNJA, JOE BUCCO, KEVIN COLDEN, MARK COVELL, STEVE COBB, ANDY BRADY, ALEX PARDEE, DAVID PALEO, FRANKIE B. WASHINGTON, JOHN WATKINS CHOW, RICH LONGMORE, RAFAL HRYNKIEWICZ, STEPH DUMAIS, ALEKSANDAR SOTIROVSKI, JEFF GAITHER, CLAY HENSS, ALASTAIR FELL and NORMAN CABRERA.  

The Big Bad Wolf: I'm told the 3 smaller issues are becoming very rare and almost completely sold out?

Robert Steven Rhine: There are very few left. #1 sold out.  But can still buy Chicken Soup For Satan, Satan Gone Wild and also Girls and Corpses Magazine at Corpse Mart here:  http://girlsandcorpses.com/store/index.html. 

The Big Bad Wolf: So in summary, give me a quick recap on Satan's 3-Ring Circus of Hell and why fans should give it a try.

Robert Steven Rhine: If you want no holes barred entertainment that let's it really fly you should give it a read.  You might be disgusted and toss it in the trash but you won't be bored.  It is truly the book that your parents wouldn't want you to read -- which is why you should.  

The Big Bad Wolf: Can we expect more from you horror comic wise in the future?  Or are you planning on doing more mainstream books?

Robert Steven Rhine: I want to write another book but the magazine is drawing all my focus at the moment. It's a bear to get it out. I'm going to ride it and see where it takes me.  

The Big Bad Wolf: Can you talk a bit about your experiences so far with working in comics?

Robert Steven Rhine: I've had a blast working in comics. And Frank has been a great partner. There is no money in it, so I do it for love and passion.  I have met great talented people and had a blast doing shows and events with Asylum Press.  The first five years at Comic-Con were fantastic and back then Frank and I could get back our investment plus a few beers.  Also, comic books led to my creating Girls and Corpses Magazine. So, I see comic books as stepping stones. Literally... I use them in my garden. 

The Big Bad Wolf: Were you into any horror titles growing up that lead you to want to create a book like this?

Robert Steven Rhine: Tales From The Crypt, Twilight Zone, SCTV, MAD and National Lampoon Magazine all were great influences in my youth.  By the way, I also liked to read Richie Rich and Archie... go figure. I'm not so much a superhero guy. I also loved R Crumb and still have the first Fritz the Cat. I loved underground comics the most and would hang out in "head shops.' I was also a stoner, so made a comic book into a bong.  I remember getting the first three ZAP comics and I would read them over and over. Also, Crumbs: Self Loathing, Mr. Natural. Truly brilliant and freeing comics. My favorite cover was R. Crumbs 'ID' comic. 

The Big Bad Wolf: What comics are you currently reading?

Robert Steven Rhine: Who has time to read anymore? My magazine sucks up every free waking moment.  I have piles of books and comic to read, CD's to listen to and a zillion models resumes.  But I am working on a comic books with Road Rage Films Called "Body Trade."  We just ran a four page sample in our last last of Girls and Corpses.  Frank Forte and I also have several projects that we talk about but never seem to have time to get to. Hopefully, this year. 

The Big Bad Wolf: You're currently publishing Girls and Corpses Magazine, does every issue feature a horror comic?

Robert Steven Rhine: Yes, each issues does feature comic books stories and comic art and illustration.  I am not an illustrator myself but I appreciate great artists and love to feature their work. Some of the artists we have featured in Girls and Corpses include: Tim Vigil, Jim Smith (Ren & Stimpy) D.W. Frydendall, Nenad Gucunja, Brian Orwolski, Dick Starr, Eric Pigors, Hilary Barta, Big Tasty, Mike Hampton, John Watkins-Chow, Jeff Gaither, Butch Von Dreaux, Mitch O'Connell and, of corpse, Frank Forte. We also feature fine artists like Basil Gogos (Famous Monsters). Suzzan B, Madame Talbot, Christopher Ulrich, Amer Shihab, Mike Sosnowski, Ben Strawn, Karl Persson, Tom Baxa and Laurie Lipton amongst others. 

The Big Bad Wolf: What creators can we expect to see illustrating comics in GNC in the future?

Robert Steven Rhine: We are featuring artist Lou Rosconi in our upcoming Spring issue of Girls and Corpses. He's an extreme artist who doesn't censor anything so we are proud to feature him. Lou was part of an art show I organized at Hyaena Gallery (in Burbank) last month featuring twenty artists who had been in Girl and Corpses Magazine. Our Spring cover, out this March, was painted by Brian Johnson, who did a beautiful job. The issue is a tribute to George Romero and the best cover artist of all time, Basil Gogos. I am always open to new illustrators.  If you would like to be in Girls and Corpses Magazine, please email me a link to your artwork: Info@girlsandcorpses.com.

The Big Bad Wolf: Did Joe Francis (Girls Gone Wild) ever see the book?

Robert Steven Rhine: Probably not -- there are no boobs.  

The Big Bad Wolf: Thanks so much for your time Robert.

Robert Steven Rhine: Of corpse, my pleasure.

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