Craig Zablo’s Zone

Archive for April, 2009

Congrats to Cully Hamner and Warren Ellis.  It looks like the movie adaptation of their comic mini-series “Red” has taken a huge leap forward.  The Hollywood Reporter has announced that Bruce Willis is in talks to star in the production and to make the potential movie even sweeter, Richard Donner is on the short list of directors.

Man, I would love it if Willis and Donner make the flick.

That sweet Reverand Dave Johnson cover will kick off a four-part mini-series by writer Victor Gischler and artist Goran Parlov.  Titled “Welcome to Bayou” begins in “Punisher: Frank Castle” #71, in stores June 10th. Gischler describes the mini-series as

‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ meets ‘Devil’s Rejects’ with a little ‘Deliverance’ thrown in,”

You can get a six page preview thanks to the good folks at CBR.com simply by clicking here.

I’ve said it before. I’ll say it again.  I can’t wait for Rick Remender’s “The Last Days of American Crime.”

“Here’s the best advice I can give you - - if you ever get a chance in your life to die, make sure you do!”

Talk about an opening line that makes you want to see more!  Ron Salas has posted up a five page preview of his comic Existence 2.0 which is coming soon from Image/Shadowline.  It’s for mature readers, so if you’re mature, then click here to check it out.

Here’s another gem from the ZONE vault.  I dug it then… and I digs it now.  This is a spot illustration created by Doug Hazzlewood back in 1977.  It’s of course a drawing of Oliver Reed from “Curse of the Werewolf.” What, you didn’t recognize ole Oliver under all that make-up?

Growing up I always thought that the wolfman was one of the coolest of all monsters and that the “Curse of the Werewolf” werewolf was the version of the wolfman that I liked best… and I still do!

The extremely talented, extremely nice, Gene Gonzales created his take on Sly from “The Lords of Flatbush” at the recent FX show.  Big John Beatty had requested that he have a table near Gene and it was a great move.  Gene is funny, knowledgeable and really nice.  [Did you hear that somewhere before?]

Although many artists said the FX show wasn’t as busy as they’d hoped, Gene was constantly signing autographs and sketching for fans.  At one point Gene even surprised me by singing the promotional song for “Lords of Flatbush.” That sealed the deal — I asked him if he would draw Sly as Stanley and Gene came through with flying colors.

You can see more of Gene’s work at his blog where he posts art DAILY!  Gene is also available for commissions and his prices are very reasonable.

Thanks again Gene!

Here’s another item from the ZONE vault.  This time we have a rarely seen Steranko sketch of Nick Fury.  It appeared as the back cover of a fanzine from around 1978.  Steranko was [and remains] one of my favorite comic artists so finding the, until then, unknown fanzine with some of his art made my day.

I can remember my excitement when I found the zine at a little comic book store in Tallahassee… or was it Gainesville?  John Beatty and I had driven up with Bill Black or to meet Bill or something… Big John, do you recall the specifics of that trip?

Do you have two minutes and 19 seconds to spare?  If so you can check out this really cool [and really short] film by Adam Berg.  One of the things that make it worth checking out is that NOTHING moves but the camera.

I guess in an effort to make full disclosure I shoud tell you that the film is also a commercial for the Phillips Carousel which is a new really widescreen tv [as in wider than other widescreen sets].  But don’t worry about the commercial — the set is never shown or mentioned and the movie really has a neat twist… if you’re paying attention!  Click here and enjoy!

Thanks and a tip o’ the clown mask to Mark Evanier for posting the link.

IDW has posted up a 19 page preview of Darwyn Cooke’s adaptation of Richard Stark’s The Hunter. Man, I want this book now!

Bailey deserves an Academy Award.