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He created the flesh-covered, fiendish-faced Book of the Dead – able to release any number of horrors into the world. He’s caused hair to whiten and flowers to wilt. He’s animated the deceased and runs a traveling museum of gore.

Should the public fear this seemingly powerful necromancer as he comes to visit Oshkosh Saturday? Should the masses hide away their children and lock their doors?

Sure, but only if they want to miss out on an entertaining evening of horror and intrigue.

Tom Sullivan, 50, is a special effects artist who did much of the creative effects work for the cult-classic “Evil Dead” movies. In addition he is a huge fan of the original “King Kong” and has written a comic book coming out in July called “Tom Sullivan's Books of the Dead: Devilhead Chapter One,” which is an original story that, in earlier drafts, was a prequel to “The Evil Dead.”

He is coming to Oshkosh’s House of Heroes comic shop to sign autographs and display props and pictures from the “Evil Dead Trilogy,” which includes the movies, “The Evil Dead,” “Evil Dead II” and “Army of Darkness,” all directed by Sam Raimi and starring Bruce Campbell.

The movies tell the story of Ash (Cambell), who, among other things, finds a book that releases an evil force and the undead unto the world.

In lieu of being paid, Sullivan was able to keep props from the films. Among other things, his traveling museum includes two original Books of the Dead, about 20 fan-made books, a dagger from “Evil Dead II,” lost pages, masks, gloves, stop motion puppets, photos and artwork.

“They have held up rather well considering the 25 years that have passed,” Sullivan wrote in an email interview.

Sullivan enjoys his specialized brand of notoriety and meeting fans at conventions gives him a “huge rush.”

“I have met many artists, special effects artists and others that were inspired to choose creative careers and claim it was my work that lit the fire,” he wrote.

Sullivan himself was influenced at a young age by “King Kong” and Ray Harryhausen. “Frank Frazetta in art,” he declared, after the popular fantasy artist he worshiped in high school.

Sullivan’s largest claim to fame is the book he designed for the “Evil Dead” films, a book which he is currently making replicas to sell.

“Due to a material shortage I have had to make new molds for a new cover material,” Sullivan said concerning the replicas, which should be available soon. For updates on availability, check his website, darkageproductions.com.

Although Sullivan retained the copyrights to the work he did on Raimi’s films, keeping those rights secure hasn’t been an altogether pleasurable experience for Sullivan.

“The Book of the Dead has been kind of a curse,” he explained. “To maintain the
copyright I have to stop all the rip-offs I run across or my property can become public domain.”

For example, in March Sullivan had problems with British retailer The Monster Company, which sells “a huge and diverse range of collectables through mail order and exhibitions,” according to their Web site, themonstercompany.co.uk. The company was selling an illegal replica on eBay.

“I asked them to remove it,” Sullivan said. “David Bidwell, The Monster Company owner, promised me he would not sell his book and send me one of his product. His book never arrived and he posted two new eBay auctions selling the same book. I demanded again he cease and desist, and he removed the auctions. My attorney has him on our list.”

Sullivan offers a drawing of a screaming skull to the first fan to alert him to any copyright infringement sale and encourages people to send him fan-made Books of the Dead – which he promises to include in his museum – in exchange for signed prints.

As for his work in comics, “The Horror Show #1,” an anthology of stories published by Dead Dog Comics, includes a Sullivan-written supplemental preview story for his upcoming “Devilhead” series, illustrated by Josh Medors. “The Horror Show #1” ships in July according to the publisher’s website, deaddogent.com. It will be distributed by the giant Diamond Comics, guaranteeing it a widespread readership.

“Devilhead is today an asylum for the criminally insane nestled in the wilderness of Upper Michigan,” Sullivan said. “Originally it was built in huge and opulent luxury in the 19th century to house the unfortunate relatives of America's wealthiest families. Through scandal and disrepair it is now all but shut down. A lone modern wing holds a hundred crazed souls. Into this location two characters are dumped after being found guilty by reason of insanity of mass murder. But the story starts in Iraq, 1983.”

In the past Sullivan’s other jobs included being roll-playing game publisher Chaosium Inc.’s main H.P. Lovecraft artist and producing a slew of clever covers for American Atheist Magazine.

But what lies ahead in Tom Sullivan’s future?

Although there is a remake of “The Evil Dead” currently in the works according to a November 17 story at Variety.com, there is no word if Sullivan is to be involved.

“I'd love to make the Book and Dagger,” he said. “Fans should write in and
insist on it.”

Rumors are also flying around about an “Evil Dead 4,” for which director Raimi wants to include some familiar faces.

“It'd be crazy to make that without him,” Raimi remarked regarding Sullivan in a recent interview at JoBlo.com.

“I won't do Effects work for anybody except Sam on ED 4,” Sullivan pointed out. “Any other films I make will be my own. Evil Dead 4 is something I hope happens.”

Furthermore, Sullivan recently contributed to a book entitled "Smash or Trash: Independent Film-making, The Common Sense How to Guide as Told by Movie Industry Veterans" by Robert Long II and Leanna Chamish, which has not yet been published.

He is also an actor in director Patrick Desmond's “The Absence of Light,” a New Illusions Pictures Production released last year.

“I play Dr. Corrigan, head of Research and Development for a corporation bent on influencing world events. I invent stuff for the agents. It was a blast filming.”

“An action packed thrill ride that doesn't forget story!!” reads the tagline at the low-budget film’s official site, savini.com/ldintro.html.

Soon Sullivan plans on making his own films, mostly centered in the fantasy genre he adores.

This Saturday he will be signing autographs and selling prints from 12 to 5 pm at House of Heroes, located at 407 N. Main St.

Sullivan will then host a question and answer session at 7:30 before a screening of “The Evil Dead.”

Don’t hide away your children from this master of horror and herald of decay. Like his own creative cinematic heroes, he only wants to entertain. And, besides, it is only just make-believe. Just mind his copyrights and you’ll do fine.