Abyssmal Entertainment has announced that it’s independent animated sci-fi comedy Isla Monstro has completed production and will launch promotion at the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con. The feature-length project is directed and animated by Steven Shea (Surviving Supercon), written by Shea and James Schrader (Dr. Squatch Soap), who also voice stars in the project.
The indie film boasts a cast of Con-approved talents, including Juliana Harkavy (Arrow), John DiMaggio (Futurama), Harry Lennix (Man of Steel), Harland Williams (Half Baked), James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Spencer Grammer (Rick and Morty), Barry Bostwick (The Rocky Horror Picture Show), Christopher Sabat (Dragon Ball Z), Maurice LaMarche (Pinky and the Brain), Will Friedle (Batman Beyond), Dana Snyder (Aqua Teen Hunger Force), J LaRose (The Righteous Gemstones), Andre Gower (The Monster Squad), Kristina Klebe (Rob Zombie’s Halloween), Dia Frampton (The Voice) and LeeAnna Vamp (Ghosted).
Synopsis: When loser Duke, who has screwed up every hair-brained scheme he’s ever come up with, accidentally falls off a cruise ship and wakes up on a mysteriously abandoned, top secret government island, he discovers that it’s overrun with mutants and monsters from a failed 1980s DARPA “super soldier” project to stop the Second Cold War. He soon comes up with the incredible idea of turning the island into a world class getaway resort, utilizing the creatures as it’s staff, much to the dismay of the United States government
Isla Monstra features more than 86 minutes of original music composed by Rob Reider, as well as the work of illustrators Logan Van Der Wolf, Zia Izzy, Elly Karipides and Chickenz. The poster was illustrated by artist Kevin M. Wilson.
“This was a project born out of the pandemic,” says Shea. “Knowing that I’d be stuck in lockdown, I tried to figure out ways to produce content without anyone leaving their homes. Animation was the key. So I took online tutorials, taught myself animation and started to create this film with friends. I spent over a year in my basement animating, with an entire crew of 12 people and over 40 voice actors. This has snowballed into something much larger than I ever could have imagined!”
The L.A.-based Abyssmal Ent. team is building a Tiki Bar in Booth #1901 at San Diego Comic-Con, with cast autograph sessions, an exclusive comic book, merchandise and more on offer all week. There will be a film panel at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 27 in Room: 6DE, with a sneak peek of the film and Q&A with the filmmakers and cast.
Besides the feature film, the brand has a new comic-book series, merchandise and a video game app in development.
Isla Monstra is currently out to distributors.
Shea is represented by Anvil Entertainment.