James Murray
Writer and creator of Hard Coal Studios horror comics
đź“Ť Zhuhai, China
James Murray’s journey from the coal regions of Pennsylvania to the international comics scene reads like one of his own stories—full of unexpected twists, hard-earned wisdom, and monsters both literal and metaphorical. As the creative force behind Hard Coal Studios, he’s been producing horror comics, prose, and poetry since the early 2010s.
Growing up in Shamokin, Pennsylvania—a town shaped by its coal mining heritage—Murray developed an early love for classic horror films and comics. After studying at Bloomsburg University, he became a high school social studies teacher. But the teaching path took an unexpected detour when he spent five years teaching English in South Korea, where he continued to write as a hobby.
Upon returning to the US in 2011, he made a bold decision: take a year off to self-publish his work and attend conventions. The experiment proved successful enough that he returned to Korea for one more year, but the seed had been planted. Hard Coal Studios was born, named for the anthracite coal region of his home state.
His Righteous Hands webcomic, illustrated by James B. Emmett, exemplifies his approach to horror—supernatural tales that explore themes of possession and exorcism through the lens of working-class America. The series has developed a dedicated following among horror fans.
The Classic Horror Comics series brings literary horror to the comics page. Titles include Curse of the Mummy’s Stone and Bride of Prometheon, showcasing Murray’s ability to adapt classic horror narratives for sequential art. His Frankenstein: The Illuminatus Complex continues his exploration of the Frankenstein mythos.
Beyond horror, Murray has written Billy the Kid Meets the Masked Striker, combining Western adventure with superhero action. His Ed Gein/No Gein Stories anthologies explore real-life criminal psychology through the lens of true crime comics.
His diverse background includes stints as a professional wrestling announcer, world traveler, and educator—experiences that inform his storytelling with authenticity and energy. He currently lives in Zhuhai, China, while maintaining connections to the US comics convention circuit.
Notable Works
- Righteous Hands (Hard Coal Studios) - Supernatural horror webcomic with James B. Emmett
- Classic Horror Comics: Curse of the Mummy’s Stone - Literary horror adaptation
- Classic Horror Comics: Bride of Prometheon - Frankenstein mythos exploration
- Frankenstein: The Illuminatus Complex - Original Frankenstein continuation
- The Masked Striker - Western superhero mashup
- Ed Gein/No Gein Stories - True crime horror anthologies
Connect
Sources: Hard Coal Studios, jemurr.wordpress.com, Tell Craig Your Story podcast
