Rotten Tomatoes has the Tomatometer. Futurama invented the Cool-O-Meter. But only Storm King Comics can boast to being the home of the “Oh F**k! Meter,” created by its married founders, master of horror John Carpenter and producer Sandy King.  

“When my managing editor and I are thinking about selecting a comic, I always give the script to John,” King explains to ADWEEK. “If partway through reading it, he’s going, ‘Oh f**k, oh f**k,’ then I say, ‘OK, get that one.’”

That four-letter measurement scale has served Carpenter and King well as they’ve expanded the comics division Storm King Productions, which encompasses the duo’s many film, television and music projects. Launched in 2012 with a single flagship title, the label now publishes multiple horror titles and has also ventured into science fiction and kids’ comics. All of those wares will be on display when Storm King makes its annual pilgrimage to San Diego Comic-Con from July 25-28.

“We don’t do superheroes, and we don’t do manga,” King says of how Storm King Comics stands out from the rest of the publishers and production companies in San Diego. “What we do well is tell scary stories in a cinematic style. And that’s working pretty successfully.”

Streaming scares

One area where Storm King is still searching for a breakout success is in the streaming realm. Last year, Carpenter and King partnered with Peacock for an anthology series, John Carpenter’s Suburban Screams—their first production for a streamer. The Halloween writer/director even helmed one of the six episodes, each of which re-told a freaky story from the wilds of American suburbia through re-enactments and interviews with some of the real people involved.

Launched in October in the run-up to Halloween, Suburban Screams received mixed reviews from critics and fans. Still, Peacock encouraged Carpenter and King to prep material for a second season, according to the pair. However, the couple says that the second season won’t be happening.

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