Local cartoonist’s screenwriting debut ‘Heartland Harmony’

Gazette & News
ZED cartoonist Duane Abel’s screenwriting debut “Heartland Harmony” (previously titled “The Green Oak Guardian”) was re-released to streaming services on Nov. 12 after being obtained by One Tree Entertainment, according to a news release.

Abel’s cartoon ZED about a lovable laundry dweller who has become part of a family has appeared weekly in both The Dalton Gazette & Kidron News and The Barberton Gazette & Norton News for more than a year.

The family-friendly romantic comedy feature film, directed by Lana Read, was called “one of the best romantic comedies to come along in a while” by film critic Michael Szymanski. The film is about Hollywood movie star Grayson Kane who is about to bring the hottest comic book superhero to the big screen, but first he must travel to Carrollton, Ohio, and gain the creator’s approval – and she is no pushover, according to information provided.

The film stars Abi Van Adel (“Dark Waters”), Houston Rhines (“Christmas on the Ranch” which just premiered on Hulu) and 1980’s go to movie villain Vernon Wells (Mad Max 2, Weird Science and Commando).

Costarring in the film is cartoonist Duane M. Abel as Hollywood super agent Cy Glasbury. Abel also wrote the screenplay and served as an associate producer. Duane is a professional cartoonist with his comic strip series ZED appearing in over 75 weekly newspapers nationwide. He is a member of The National Cartoonists Society, listed as a noted Ohio cartoonist with the Billy Ireland Cartoon Museum and an original ZED comic strip is housed inside of The Charles M. Schulz Museum.

His previous screen credits include “Christmas Collision” and “A Reluctant Heart”.

Filming on Abel’s next screenplay offering “A Christmas Drawn Together” will begin in February in Abel’s hometown of Carrollton, with Abel serving as co-star and co-producer.

“Heartland Harmony” is available to stream on Amazon, Hoopla, Direct TV, Dish, ITunes, Google, Microsoft and VUDU/Fandango.