BRIAN KEENE writes novels, comic books, short stories, and nonfiction. He is the author of over fifty books, mostly in the horror, crime, fantasy, and non-fiction genres. They have been translated into over a dozen different languages and have won numerous awards. His 2003 novel, The Rising, is credited (along with Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead comic and Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later film) with inspiring pop culture's recurrent interest in zombies. He has also written for such media properties as Doctor Who, Thor, Aliens, Harley Quinn, The X-Files, Doom Patrol, Justice League, Hellboy, Superman, and Masters of the Universe. Several of Keene's novels and stories have been adapted for film, including Ghoul, The Naughty List, The Ties That Bind, and Fast Zombies Suck. Keene's work has been praised by The New York Times, The History Channel, The Howard Stern Show, CNN, The Huffington Post, Bleeding Cool, Publisher's Weekly, Fangoria, Bloody Disgusting, and Rue Morgue. Keene also serves on the Board of Directors for the Scares That Care 501c charity organization. The father of two sons and the stepfather to one daughter, Keene lives in rural Pennsylvania with his wife, author Mary SanGiovanni.

CHARLIE BENANTE is an icon in the music world, best known as the drummer for Heavy Metal bands Anthrax and Stormtroopers of Death (S.O.D.). A pioneer of double-bass drumming, he is credited with creating and popularizing the blast beat in thrash metal and praised for his lightning-fast double kick technique.