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Features Archive:

2011 Archive:
 Paranormal Peeps and Holiday Traditions
December 29, 2011


Littlest Mummy (A Christmas Story) By Richard Senate
December 21, 2011


Wartime UFOs with Mack Maloney
December 20, 2011

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP) with Mike Markowicz
December 13, 2011

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Ghostly Lowdown on American Horror Story By Deonna Kelli Sayed
December 7, 2011


The Curse of H.H. Holmes with Jeff Mudgett
November 29, 2011

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Paranormal Roundtable with David Rountree and Paul Browning By Deonna Kelli Sayed
November 17, 2011


Legends Are Born in October By Christopher Balzano
October 17, 2011


Halloween Nation with Lesley Pratt Bannatyne
October 11, 2011

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

The Haunting of Major Graham Mansion by Deonna Kelli Sayed
October 5, 2011


The Hunt for Ohio's River Styx Ghost Train by Ken Summers
September 29, 2011


Evidence of Ancient Aliens with Peter Robbins
September 27, 2011

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Southern New England Haunts with Andrew Lake
September 20, 2011

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Pop Paranormal Culture and Middle Eastern Legends with Deonna Kelli Sayed
September 13, 2011

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Legend Tripping with AdventureMyths by Deonna Kelli Sayed
September 12, 2011


Out of Place in Time and Space with Lamont Wood
September 6, 2011

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

TAPS Academy Comes to Town by Deonna Kelli Sayed
September 1, 2011


The Amityville House with Christopher Quaratino (Lutz)
August 30, 2011

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Springfield, Missouri’s 150th by Debra Prosser
August 26, 2011

Column - regular feature

Paranormal Pastoring by Rev. Sherrie James
August 22, 2011


Live-ish From the Haunted Fearing Tavern
August 16, 2011

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

In Defense of Paranormal Reality TV by Deonna Kelli Sayed
August 8, 2011


Gone From Sight by Debra Prosser
August 3, 2011

Column - regular feature

The Psychology of Being Watched By Wayne Harris-Wyrick
August 2, 2011


The Paranormal Pastor Robin Swope
July 26, 2011

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Living Voices: Dr. Dave Oester By Deonna Kelli Sayed
July 20, 2011


Living Voices: Richard Senate By Bobby Garcia
July 13, 2011


What's in a Name? Let's Try "Paranormalogy!" By Rev. Sherrie James
July 6, 2011


Caged and Staged by Katie Mullaly
June 23, 2011


The Haunted Dibbuk Box with Jason Haxton
June 14, 2011

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Spring of Culture at Ghostvillage - Ghost Hunter's Grant Wilson
June 13, 2011


The Haunted Book by Lee Prosser
June 10, 2011

Column - regular feature

Raymond Cass - EVP Pioneer by Bobby Garcia
June 9, 2011


Illinois Haunts with Michael Kleen
June 7, 2011

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Spring of Culture at Ghostvillage - Artist Paulina Cassidy
June 2, 2011


Alien/Human Hybrids with Barbara Lamb
May 31, 2011

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Spring of Culture at Ghostvillage - Author Marley Harbuck Gibson
May 26, 2011


Biblical Apocalypse Prophecies with Dr. Robert M. Price
May 24, 2011

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

America's Strangest House by Deonna Kelli Sayed
May 23, 2011


Two-Year Anniversary Special
May 17, 2011

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Spring of Culture at Ghostvillage - Artist Jackie Williams
May 13, 2011


Wiliford by Lee Prosser
May 12, 2011

Column - regular feature

The Spirit Box with Psychic Chris Fleming
May 10, 2011

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Violating the 13th Amendment Paranormal Style by Reverend Sherrie James
May 6, 2011


Inside the Church of Satan with Joshua P. Warren
May 3, 2011

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Spring of Culture at Ghostvillage - Terri J. Garofalo, creator of Entities-R-Us
April 28, 2011


Haunted San Francisco with Loyd Auerbach
April 26, 2011

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Future Predictions with Dr. Louis Turi
April 12, 2011

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Spring of Culture at Ghostvillage - H.C. Noel, Creator of Tara Normal
April 7, 2011


Pennsylvania Bigfoot with Eric Altman
April 5, 2011

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Spontaneous Human Combustion with Larry Arnold
March 29, 2011

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Japanese Earthquake Ghosts, 2011 by Lee Prosser
March 28, 2011

Column - regular feature

UFOs with Stanton Friedman
February 8, 2011

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Ophiuchus with Astrologer Christopher Renstrom
February 1, 2011

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Crashing the Ghost Adventures Shoot
January 11, 2011

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Marjorie Myrene Hart by Lee Prosser
January 3, 2011

Column - regular feature



April 28, 2011

Spring of Culture at Ghostvillage

Terri J. Garofalo, creator of Entities-R-Us

By Deonna Kelli Sayed

Ghostvillage is launching Spring of Culture to celebrate the emerging scene of paranormal inspired creative arts. "The shows" -- paranormal reality TV -- often dominate the discussion in media culture. That is only a small part of the story! Off of the TV screen is a growing community of artists who engage paranormal themes (ghosts, paranormal investigation, and other supernatural elements) in web cartoons, comics, tarot card art, and in other distinctive outlets. Plus, some cast members from "the shows" are doing creative stuff in their free time. Consider Spring of Culture as an online Festive of the Haunted Arts -- and only at Ghostvillage!

This week, Deonna Kelli Sayed speaks with Terri J. Garofalo, the creator of the online, daily comic, Entities R Us. Terri has developed quite a following of enthusiasts, from paranormal reality TV fans to the cast members themselves (who have found their way into Entities as a guest draw). The comic features the daily adventures of a paranormal investigative team filled with colorful, creative charaters. One element of the comic is in presenting the perspective of the ghosts doing the hauntings! Terri is a Ghostvillage friend, and has featured Ghostvillage Mayor, Jeff Belanger, in the comic! Her toon provides humor, as well as stylish, comedic commentary on paranormal pop culture.

Who is Terri J. Garofalo, the artist/cartoonist?

I'm a regular hominid just like the rest of you, except I've been cursed with the dreaded disease: creativity. I draw and write the paranormal daily webcomic Entities-R-Us. I am an illustrator, graphic designer and wordsmith. Yes, I investigate ghosts.

At what point did your interest in the paranormal merge with your art?

I think the art merged with the paranormal. I decided to become a paranormal investigator after I launched the comic. Prior to this, I had many paranormal and psychic experiences to inspire the cartoon. My spiritual journey continues to feed the direction of Entities. Now investigations become part of the fabric of content for the comic strip.

Tell us how the world of Entities-R-Us came about.

For many years I have created comic strips. This one evolved out of one called "In Spirit," where a skeptic moved into a haunted trailer. He calls in Entities-R-Us, Ghost Hunters to help. They were so hilarious, the paranormal guys ran away with the strip, so I offered 'em their own seriesÉ

Many paranormally inspired artists feature strong female characters. You have a few in your comic, notable the Boom Boom Buxom that appears to be satirical of how women are featured on TV. Moreover, it seems that your guy characters sometimes poke fun at male images featured in the media, as well. Do you agree with this? Are you deliberately trying to be satirical?

Historically, I have always steered away from female characters. In the past, I had trouble writing for them. I tend to be a little crunchy...Also, I am not a fan of stereotypical women, especially when I see them in reality playing that persona. Some women feel the need to be that way to be accepted. God forbid you try to pigeonhole me into that genreÉ someone is bound to get hurt! HA!

Erna was the original female. She is a bit like me in my "hippie" attire, though better at being relaxed and "zen" about things. She fits in with the boys without disturbing the peace. Vera showed up and immediately began to create tension. She is angrierand opinionated, like me in my 20s. Recently, I added Boom Boom. She grew out of increasing commentary the paranormal TV industry was filling their docket with "hot babes" for ratings. I'm not one to say it's true or not, I don't focus on it. I did choose to flip the character from the usual "dumb blond" image into a learned, capable person. I am curious to see if anyone can look past her huge "rack" and really see who she is. I think a lot of attractive women actually suffer for it. I'm glad I don't look like a seductress; it would really screw up what I want to do in this world. For the record, I do "clean up well."



Do you feel women experience the paranormal differently than men?

Many women tend to be more sensitive. I know I am. So, we might bring more psychic experience to an investigation. Women tend to be more nurturing and therefore able to lure out a reluctant entity.

What makes Entities-R-Us different from other paranormal comic/cartoons?

Entities is a daily comic strip, just like the newspaper comics. I still draw it the old fashioned way with quill pen and ink. The dailies are black and white, Sundays in color. It works on a gag basis for the most part. Sometimes there is a storyline, but often it's just a good joke. Entities is a little like Scooby Doo matured and finding ACTUAL paranormal evidence, not solving crimes of the living. It is often written from the ghost's perspective, something I'm passionate about. Spirits are people too. Carl and Thor will show you that. Thor has his own Facebook fan page, he definitely has an opinion...several.

How do you get into the "world of the ghost"?

Just like you would get into the world of your best friend you can enter the world of ghost by having a chat. They can hear you. If you can be really quiet, you might hear them. Otherwise, get out your recorder.

Comic-wise, you draw energy. They exist where my living characters do, except they do not have fully drawn bodies, just a gesture or squiggle and some clever PhotoShopping. It took me a while to sort that out...I drew a lot of screwy ghosts at first.

You sometimes showcase paranormal reality TV cast members. How did the "guest draw" emerge, and what has been the response from those featured in Entities-R-Us?

The Guest Draw came out of an encounter with Brian Harnois on Twitter. I jokingly ask him if he would like to "guest star" in my comic strip. He thought it was a hot idea. So, I drew him in. People liked it. So, I began to ask various celebs if I could draw them. I prefer to do this with their okay, as I don't think it's appropriate not to have permission. However, I have relaxed that to some extent because of fan requests. Many celebs contact me asking to be drawn. I even draw regular paranormal groups or people who are not famous occasionally. Everyone is important to me. Besides, it's the joke that carries the comic. Fans just love this concept, so I keep doing it. For some reason they want more and more of Ghost Adventure's Zak Bagans to show up in Entities. Josh Gates is another huge fan favorite. Jeff Belanger should be proud. I sold a print of his Guest Draw to someone in New Zealand. He must be huge thereÉ Over all, most of the people I draw really enjoy it. People like Zak Bagans, Ryan Buell and Josh Gates are fans. Most of Ghost Hunters International are Entities-R-Us supporters.

What personalities inspired you as an artist?

This could be a large laundry list...Depends on the genre. Comic-wise: I would have to say Charles Shultz and Peanuts gave me the desire to create a comic strip. Berke Breathed took Bloom County to the edge with every cartoon; his drawing was fantastic. The Far Side's humor was spot on. Writer-wise: Kurt Vonnegut's ability to tie in weird story threads and spin them into separate novels is genius. It doesn't hurt his sarcasm is deep and dark either. Tom Bodett is wonderful with appreciating character in his novels. Film-wise: Monty Python is just awesome. I'll never tire of watching their skits and movies. Art/illustration-wise: One of the best illustrators ever is Ralph Steadman who drew or Gonzo, journalist Hunter S. Thompson (another great writer). I love and appreciate all forms of art from minimalism to cave drawings. If it shows me something I've never seen before, then it's great art, the more innovative the better.

Where do you see Entities-R-Us going in the future, and what are your plans as an artist?

I would like to see Entities-R-Us become a syndicated cartoon...or at least have the following of what a popular syndicated cartoon would have in the heyday of such things. I also want to see it become an animated series.

Currently, I am working on my Masters Degree in Media Design. Once I reach a critical point with that, I want to put some serious energy into transforming Entities into an interactive website.

Order the book, Entities-R-Us. Also available at Amazon.


Deonna Kelli Sayed is the author of the forthcoming book, Paranormal Obsession: America's Fascination with Ghosts, Hauntings, Spooks, & Spirits (Lewellyn, September 2011). Learn more about Deonna by visiting her Facebook Page.




2014 Haunted New England Wall Calendar by Jeff Belanger photography by Frank Grace
Check out the 2014 Haunted New England wall calendar by Jeff Belanger and photography by Frank Grace!


Paranormal Conferences and Lectures
Don't miss the following events and lectures:

Jeff Belanger and “The Bridgewater Triangle” at Dedham Community Theatre - April 6, 2014 9:00PM

The Spirits of the Mark Twain House - Hartford, Connecticut - April 12, 2014

Paracon Australia - East Maitland, New South Wales, Australia - May 10-12, 2014