One of the things I’ve always admired about people in the comic book industry is their creativity. They express their talents between the pages, but that’s not always where it ends. Many of them go beyond making comic books and unleash their creativity in various, often new, ways. Whether it’s their website, the banners they use behind their tables at conventions, signing appearances, and other promotions. But this past Halloween, one celebrated writer took it upon himself to elevate the trick-or-treat experience… moreso than he usually does.
Justin Zimmerman, a filmmaker & the owner of Bricker-Down Productions and the media director at Battle Quest Comics, has made it a habit of going above and beyond for the consumer. He regularly visits local Portland, Oregon comic shops such as Cosmic Monkey Comics and Excalibur Comics to sign copies of his published comic book titles, such as THE KILLING JAR, THE 27 RUN: Crush and THE 27 RUN: CRASH. Imagine purchasing a comic book, trade paperback, or graphic novel and finding the copies on the shelves are signed! TBH, that’s a touching surprise and experience for anyone to discover.
Outside of his regular published work and appearances at local comic shops, Zimmerman did something quite remarkable last week that needs to be heralded.
Every year, Justin goes to great lengths to create a Halloween Haunted Garage featuring lights, a smoke machine, monsters (including an animatronic clown) and, most notably, free comic books for kids! For Halloween 2025, Justin took it to another level by making a comic book for the adults accompanying their little boils and ghouls.
Zimmerman hired the creative team, on his own, to put together a mini-comic – a twelve (12) page comic book – and published it under the Bricker-Down Productions label. He reached out to new Battle Quest talent, artist/illustrator Patrick Macchi, superstar colorist Carlos Lopez, and designer/editor/letterer Pete Carlsson. The frightful foursome created the mini-comic E IS FOR EXTRA CREDIT. So last Friday, costumed kiddos got a spooky experience with Zimmerman’s holiday-themed garage and comics to boot. For the grown-ups, they got something really special – a comic book created solely to distribute to parents & adults accompanying their little ones during their All Hallows’ Eve outing.
What’s more? Justin reached out to us at Comics Bodega and blessed us with the opportunity to share his Halloween 2025 passion project. And something as unique and innovative as this will always have a place at the Bodega! So take a look at E IS FOR EXTRA CREDIT, brought to you by the team of Zimmerman, Macchi, Lopez, and Carlsson, with a sharp cover (no pun intended) by cover artist powerhouse Leo Colapietro.
E IS FOR EXTRA CREDIT
Written by Justin Zimmerman
Art by Patrick Macchi
Colors by Carlos Lopez
Letters & Design by Pete Carlsson
Cover Art by Leo Colapietro
You can follow artist/illustrator Patrick Macchi on Facebook, X, Instagram, and Bluesky.
You can follow colorist Carlos Lopez on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
You can follow designer/letterer/editor Pete Carlsson on Facebook and on the webz.
You can follow cover artist Leo Colapietro on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky.
About Justin Zimmerman:
Justin Zimmerman, MFA in Film, is a nationally recognized comic writer, director, and professor, and his script and comic work has been optioned on multiple occasions. He currently serves as the Media Director for Battle Quest Comics. You can see more of his personal creations at www.brickerdown.com.
About Bricker-Down Productions:
Bricker-Down Productions® is Justin Zimmerman, and Justin Zimmerman and his friends make and distribute cool stuff.