R.C. Samo
Editor-in-Chief
In life, choices are often made, whether for the best of intentions, spiritual growth, rebellious in nature or just in the name of fun. Often, in youth, choices are made by parents with the intent of protecting the child at all costs from the things that go bump in the night to the evils of society.
JP Roth
JP Roth’s family was no exception. Their intention was to protect their children all-the-while giving a sound, spiritual upbringing in a nontraditional forum. The goal was to live with a community of believers, to live a charitable life and evangelize the world in a faith that was shaped solely to promote a heavenly out reach. Unfortunately, the road to hell is paved with good intentions and Roth’s family choice to join that was more detrimental than advantageous. Reliving Roth’s past by naming said religious affiliation will only focus on where she came from instead of surviving there behaviors and who she has become.
Roth born Jo Perfilio, lives beyond those choices made for her in youth and in this life, the one forged after escaping, the one created by the chooses she made of her own volition is the life that is most significant.
“JP are my initials and ‘Roth’ came out because my brother said we will be richer than the Roth family,” said Roth over dinner in Newport Beach, CA.
Roth is the creator of Ancient Dreams a book intended to reawaken the nearly forgotten deities of Greece and Rome. A god is only as strong as their followers and Roth wants to shake up the world by bringing them attention.
“I think the Greeks have the oldest myths. Their mythology was the most flashy in their story telling. The Romans were constantly warring with their slaves, but the purest myths, the ones that have the least external influence are those of the far east, from China and Japan,” said Roth.
While growing up, Roth was not allowed to read princess stories. As members of the disguised charitable organization, she and her sister would escape from the adults into a realm of fantasy and wonderment.
“Jo and I would hide in the bathroom for hours and hours. She would pretend to type in my hair or on a toilet paper roll and tell me these amazing stories, about knights and monarchs. Even then I knew she had something special,” said, Clare Bendandi, Roth’s sister and manager.
If you are familiar with Roth’s sister, Bendandi worked closely with Thomas Tull of Legendary Pictures, the ones responsible for Batman Begins, 300 and Sucker Punch.
Tull suggested that Roth turn her novelized version of Ancient Dreams into a comic book, which in its original form, is an eight book serious similar to, “Dark Towers.”
“Thomas said comics is where the magic started and where movies should be. I should have embraced that mindset earlier,” said Bendandi.
According to Bendandi, Tull said that either he could turn Ancient Dreams into a feature film now and purchase the rights for a fair profit, or grow the product, turning Roth into the next J. K. Rowling, forcing studios to come to them when the time is right.
Through perseverance, Roth is a survivor and in learning those survival skills, in avoiding harms way, she has developed great patience. The timing that Tull mentioned is key and as it appears with Ancient Dreams, the stars are aligning.
Once leaving the religious commune at 16, Roth traveled Europe to live beyond the shadows and limitations set for her.
“I learned Latin, I learned to read Aramaic and Germanic. I went for it and reached for it all. What I came to find in me was the power that existed in us all along,” said Roth about stretching her imagination beyond personal limitations.
Roth’s next projected will be teased this weekend at the San Diego Comic Con, entitled, “Southern Nightgown,” dealing with demonology.
“It’s Steampunk meets Gothic, it’s ‘Rothic,’” smiled Roth.
Visit Ancient Dreams at www.ancientdreams.com like Ancient Dreams on Facebook and follow JP Roth on Twitters @IamJPRoth. Swing by the Zenescope booth to not only meet Roth, but pick up other great fairy tale adventures including Roth’s Wonderland Annual.
