Craig Zablo’s Zone

Archive for July, 2009

There was a lot of news for MMA fans today, but the biggest news was something that didn’t happen.  First, let’s look at what did:

• Tito Ortiz has re-signed with the UFC.  He and Dana White have sorted out there differences and soon Ortiz will be back in the cage.  His first opponenet has not yet been named.
• Rich Franklin was scheduled to fight Dan Henderson at UFC 103.  That has been changed.  Franklin will now face Victor Belfort.  Henderson is in line to get the next title shot at Anderson Silva.  This should work out better for everyone involved.
• And now for what didn’t happen.  Fedor Emelianenko didn’t sign with the UFC.  Fedor was offered more money than he’s ever made plus a percentage of the ppv sales.  He was going to be allowed to wear M-1 logos [his manager's organization] in the cage and on whatever signs, shirts, he wanted.  He would still be allowed to fight in Sambo.  The only concession White wouldn’t concede was to make M-1 a partner with the UFC in the promotion of the fights.  If Fedor is truly the best or even just wants to fight the best, he should have made the deal.  Kevin Iole sums it up perfectly here.  Looks like Fedor will be sitting on the couch with his “belts” for the time being.  Bah.

Although I’ve never watched an episode of AMC’s “Mad Men” I felt compelled to see how my buddy, Jim Ivey and I would look drawn as “Mad Men” cartoon characters.  All things considered, I guess we came out okay.  If you want to see what you or your friends would look like, then click here.

There’s a funny scene in Woody Allen’s “Annie Hall” when Woody is standing in line at a movie and gets into an argument with a stranger about an author.  Woody ends the scene by saying, “If life were only like this.”

Not too long ago, I posted a comment at Chris Mill’s Atomic Pulp site asking whatever happened to a hardboiled writer named Wayne D. Dundee.  I figued Chris or one of his readers might know.  Today I received an e-mail from a guy who definitely has the scoop.  Yep, Wayne Dundee e-mailed to let me in what he’s been up to.  How cool is that?

Dundee is best known for his Joe Hannibal private eye novels which first started appearing in 1988.  Not only has his writing won critical acclaim, but authors such as Andrew Vachss, Max Allan Collins, Joe Lansdale and Bill Crider sing his praises.  So if you don’t take my word, you can take theirs.  Dundee is an author worth checking out.  Here’s a link to his site with more updates coming soon.

I guess Woody was wrong, sometimes life is like “this”.

Now THAT is the kind of poster that will peak my interest in “Solomon Kane”. You can see a slightly larger version at IMPAwards.com.

“Spartacus: Blood and Sand” is a new series premiering on STARZ in January.  The series looks like it might be something ZONErs would enjoy… even though, stylistically it borrows a lot from “300″.  Heck, maybe THAT IS why we’d like it!

Here’s a link to the official “Spartacus: Blood and Sand”.

My buddy, Jason Walker, worked up his take on Rambo and even colored it. I love the perspective on this one! I’ve been a fan of his work for some time and he just keeps getting better and better. Check out more of Jason’s art at his blog and his spot at the Deviant Art site!

I’m looking forward to seeing “Jonah Hex”. It’s been a while since there’s been a good western and from what I’ve seen so far, “Jonah Hex” will fill the bill. I like the poster above, but think it has a futuristic feel to it. Perhaps a more western style logo and earthtone colors would have been better?

Yesterday I posted a promotional poster for “The Book of Eli” directed by The Hughes Brothers and starring Denzil Washington. Today we have the trailer for the movie. Tomorrow I want to see it. Unfortunately it won’t be out until January 15, 2010. I can’t wait.

Here’s a new teaser for “Shutter Island”.   I am really looking forward to seeing how Martin Scorsese brings it to the big screen.   If he sticks to Dennis Lehane’s novel, he can’t go wrong.  You can see a slightly larger version of by clicking here and going to IMPAwards.com.

Tommy Lee Edwards worked as a concept artist on Denzel Washingon’s next film, “The Book of Eli”. Edwards also created the very cool promotional poster to help Warner Bros. promote the film at the San Diego ComicCon. You can see a bigger version and read more about the film here at Newsarama.com.