Search Results for: eric powell

Did You Hear What Eddie Gein Done? by Eric Powell and Harold Schechter is Coming!

Posted on by

It seems that everyone has heard of Charles Manson, The Boston Strangler, Jack the Ripper, Ted Bundy, The BTK Killer, and other infamous psychos.  Not as many folks have heard of Ed Gein.  Gein is a true life wacko who inspired Psycho (the book and film), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and even The Silence of the Lambs (book and film).  Eric Powell is teaming with Harold Schechter to tell Ed Gein’s story.  Here’s the synopsis from Amazon:

One of the greats in the field of true crime literature, Harold Schechter (Deviant, The Serial Killer Files, Hell’s Princess), teams with five-time Eisner Award-winning graphic novelist Eric Powell (The Goon, Big Man Plans, Hillbilly) to bring you the tale of one of the most notoriously deranged serial killers in American history, Ed Gein.

Did You Hear What Eddie Gein Done? is an in-depth exploration of the Gein family and what led to the creation of the necrophile who haunted the dreams of 1950s America and inspired such films as Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Silence of the Lambs.

Painstakingly researched and illustrated, Schechter and Powell’s true crime graphic novel takes the Gein story out of the realms of exploitation and gives the reader a fact-based dramatization of these tragic, psychotic and heartbreaking events. Because, in this case, the truth needs no embellishment to be horrifying.

If this sounds like something you’d like, you can use this link to pre-order Did You Hear What Eddie Gein Done?

Here’s an interview with Eric Powell on the killer behind the monster in DID YOU HEAR WHAT EDDIE GEIN DONE?

The Art of Eric Powell is Coming!

Posted on by

Eric Powell, best known as creator of The Goon has an art book coming out on October 23rd.

Eric Powell is perhaps best known for his critically acclaimed series THE GOON. The premise of this art book is quite hilarious and has a definite tongue in cheek vibe. This is what Powell said about his new art book: “Ten years ago I thought to myself, ‘I’m a multiple award-winning artist who has been at this for a while. It’s probably time to put out an art book.’ … And here we are. On the verge of the publication of a biography about a backwoods idiot who taught himself how to draw pictures for money.”

THE ART (AND MANY OTHER MISTAKES) OF ERIC POWELL will definitely have a spot in my library!

Eric Powell Previews “Hillbilly”

Posted on by

Eric Powell is best known for his creation The Goon.  Recently Powell decided to give The Goon a rest and start up with another of his creations, Hillbilly.  

What?  You’ve never heard of Hillbilly?  Well, of course you haven’t.  He’s a new character.

Hillbilly may be new to us but the character has been “sitting in (Powell’s) sketchbook at least ten years.” Since this is such a personal project it makes great sense (but will it make dollars and sense?) that Powell self-publish the comic through his  Albatross Funnybooks company.

That’s what he did to get The Goon going.  And we all know how that turned out.

If you’d like to learn more about Hillbilly and see some preview art from the first issue you can at CBR.com’s  ERIC POWELL UNLEASHES HIS “HILLBILLY” ON THE COMICS INDUSTRY.

Something Different from Eric Powell

Posted on by
Today’s banner looks like something that you might expect in an Eric Powell drawing. As I’m sure most of you’re aware, Eric is the creator of the hugely popular The Goon series. The Goon frequently finds himself up against all manner of mobsters and monsters [werewolves, witches, zombies, etc].

So yeah, that’s a typical monster from The Goon in today’s banner, right?

Wrong.

Actually it’s part of this cover that Eric did for Marvel Westerns: The Two-Gun Kid! Although Eric didn’t do the enterior art [Eduardo Barreto did], it should still be worth a gander.

Eric Powell Takes the Goon Through Rough Stuff

Posted on by

Eric Powell writes, pencils and inks The Goon, which is one of the few comics that I buy EVERY time it comes out. Dark Horse just picked up The Goon so if you wanna beat the crowd, get on board now! You’ll also find Eric’s work on the covers to DC‘s Arkham Asylum: Living Hell six issue mini-series starting in May.

Eric did his version of Sly when I caught up with him at MegaCon. I was so tempted to get a Goon sketch but just had to have Eric in the SZ Gallery. Eric‘s take reminds me of a sports drawing from the ’30’s.

Rough Stuff, a trade paperback which collects The Goon‘s first three issues is now available.

I’ll bet it’s the first graphic novel to come with a “director’s commentary!” Yep, a trade paperback book with a director’s commentary.

Isn’t that just goony?

“Top Gun: Maverick” (2022) starring Tom Cruise / Z-View

Posted on by

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Director:  Joseph Kosinski

Screenplay:  Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, Christopher McQuarrie from a story by Peter Craig, Justin Marks based on characters created by Jim Cash, Jack Epps Jr.

Stars: Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connelly, Miles Teller, Val Kilmer, Bashir Salahuddin, Ed Harris, Jon Hamm, Charles Parnell, Lewis Pullman, Danny Ramirez, Glen Powell, Jack Schumacher, Kara Wang, Greg Tarzan Davis, and Raymond Lee

Tagline: Feel the need… The need for speed.

The Plot…

Over thirty years into his military career, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell is still pushing limits… as a test pilot and the tolerance of his superior officers.  By now, Maverick should have been a two-star admiral or better.  Maverick’s love of altitude and his attitude have hindered advancement.  If not for Maverick’s friendship with Admiral Tom “Iceman” Kazansky (Kilmer), the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, Maverick might have been discharged.

Now Maverick is tasked with training a team of the very best Top Gun pilots for a nearly impossible suicide mission.  Four U.S, Super Hornets will fly below radar to slip into an enemy area guarded by surface to air missiles and the latest enemy fighter jets.  The U.S. pilots will have one shot at taking out an underground bunker that will house a nuclear arsenal.

The mission is on a strict timeline.  Maverick needs to devise a plan, train the pilots and pick four for a mission they likely won’t survive.  To complicate matters, Maverick’s superior officer disapproves of Maverick’s methods and one of the trainees is Lt. Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw (Teller), the son of Maverick’s best friend, Nick “Goose” Bradshaw.  Rooster blames Maverick for his father’s death and for slowing his Naval advancement.  If Maverick picks Rooster for the mission, he may be responsible for his friend’s son’s death.  If he doesn’t pick him, Rooster will blame Maverick for again hindering his career.

The clock is ticking…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Top Gun: Maverick‘s writers have created a plausible reason for Maverick to still be a test pilot.  Their storyline creates a logical rationale for Maverick to lead the mission instead of a younger Top Gun pilot.  There are several great call backs to the original film.

Having Rooster feel Maverick is responsible for his dad’s death isn’t surprising.  It adds drama to the situation.  The added twist of Maverick slowing Rooster’s career advancement is a nice touch.  Most movies would have Maverick explain to Rooster that Rooster’s mother requested it.  Maverick say why he doesn’t, “Rooster would always resent me for what I did. Why should he resent her too?”  That is gold.

Making sure that Val Kilmer was in the film was a no-brainer.  Having his character suffer from cancer (as Kilmer did in real life) adds gravitas to his character.  Having Kilmer’s character be Maverick’s “protector” takes things to a whole other level… and then when Kilmer’s character dies, all bets are off.

Giving Maverick a love interest rounds out his character.  This whole subplot was well done.  It adds context and broadens Maverick’s universe.

The training and mission is full of exciting and tense moments (with just the right amount of humor).  Getting Maverick and Rooster together behind enemy lines was inspired.  As was their method of escape.

Kudos to director Joseph Kosinski.  He had the chops to handle a $170 million production starring one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.  Plus Kosinski had to deal with a large cast giving each their moment to shine.  There was also pressure to make a sequel to a beloved film from 36 years ago.  Kosinski succeeded all on counts.

Top Gun: Maverick features a great cast.  Cruise and Kilmer were essential.  It would be hard to find a better love interest than Jennifer Connelly.  Miles Teller is excellent and looks like he could be Anthony Edwards’ son. Jon Hamm and Ed Harris are welcome additions to the cast.

I saw Top Gun on it’s initial release.  I liked Top Gun, but didn’t love it.  Top Gun: Maverick exceeded my expectations.  It works on every level.  You don’t need to see the original film to enjoy Maverick, but if you have seen it, viewing the sequel should be an even better experience.

Top Gun: Maverick earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Interview with the Vampire” Season 1 (2022) starring Jacob Anderson, Sam Reid, Eric Bogosian, and Bailey Bass / Z-View

Posted on by

Interview with the Vampire Season 1 (2022)

Directors:  Alan Taylor (episodes 1-2); Keith Powell (episodes 3-4); Levan Akin (episodes 5-6); Alexis Ostrander (episode 7)

Teleplay: Rolin Jones (episode 1); Jonathan Ceniceroz & Dave Harris (episode 2); Rolin Jones & Hannah Moscovitch (episode 3); Eleanor Burgess (episode 4); Hannah Moscovitch (episode 5); Coline Abert (episode 6); Rolin Jones & Ben Philippe (episode 7)

Stars: Jacob Anderson, Sam Reid, Eric Bogosian, Assad Zaman, Bailey Bass, Rae Dawn Chong and Dana Gourrier

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Interview with a Vampire is an adaptation of Anne Rice’s novel, Interview with a Vampire.

In 1910, Louis de Pointe du Lac (Anderson) is a successful black business man.  He owns several brothels and rubs shoulders with many of the city’s civic leaders.  Louis meets and befriends  Lestat de Lioncourt (Reid).  Lestat is handsome, charismatic and somewhat mysterious.  He’s also a vampire! As Louis and Lestat spend time together, their friendship grows.  Ultimately, Lestat turns Louis into a vampire.

Louis is shocked and sickened by what he’s become.  He vows to never see Lestat again… but that doesn’t last.  Lestat teaches Louis how to hunt, the things that will kill a vampire, and how to blend in among humans.  Louis makes Lestat agree to some concessions.  They will prey only on the worst humans.  Lestat agrees, but he’s a remorseless killer.  The promise is a sham. There is more that Lestat keeps secret.

When a fire breaks out in a poor part of town, Louis pulls Claudia (Bass), a young girl, from a burning building.  Claudia is on the verge of death.  Louis saves Claudia by turning her.  Louis and Lestat become her “uncles” and the three vampires live together.

Over time Claudia sees the differences between Louis and Lestat. Louis is compassionate and caring.  Lestat is self-centered and heartless.  A rift forms.  Louis and Lestat are already having issues with their toxic relationship.  Problems increase with Claudia’s need for independence. Plus rumors are growing about strange goings on in Louis and Lestat’s mansion…

All of this is relayed in flashbacks as Louis is interviewed by Daniel Malloy (Bogosian), a cynical writer planning a book on Louis’ life.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Interview with the Vampire Season 1 is a tour de force.  Well written with extremely well cast actors joined by top notch direction results in a wonderful viewing experience.

Jacob Anderson (Louis) and Sam Reid (Lestat) have chemistry.  I knew Anderson from his impressive role on Game of Thrones.  I had seen Reid a decade ago in the mini-series Hatfields & McCoys, but didn’t remember him until looking up his credits.  Reid makes an impact here! Baily Bass as Claudia is an actress to watch.  I’d never seen her before, but imagine she’ll be a household name soon.  She’s that talented.  Eric Bogosian is great as the cynical writer.  I’ve never been a big fan of Bogosian’s but he’s perfect here.

Interview with a Vampire isn’t your typical vampire tale.  These vampires have more desires than just drinking blood. It’s interesting how different aspects of a vampire’s life are explored.  First there’s the loneliness. A vampire is a rare creature that if discovered by humans would be killed.  All of a vampire’s relationships change.  Family and friends know something is different.  Vampires never age.  They are rarely seen during the day.  How  to get rid of the bodies they feed on?  How long before missing people are linked to the vampire?

Interview with a Vampire Season 1, like Anne Rice’s novel, doesn’t shy away from the homosexual aspects of Louis and Lestat’s relationship.  Nothing graphic is shown.  Louis was a closeted homosexual in 1910.  Lestat was uninhibited and took whatever he desired whether it was a woman or a man.  Who’d think that a toxic vampire relationship would make great television.

I loved every episode of Interview with a Vampire Season 1.  There’s a lot of ground to cover between 1910 and 2022.  While many questions were an answered even more were not.  I look forward to Season 2.

Interview with the Vampire Season 1 earns 5 of 5 stars.

Z-View – Criminal Macabre / The Goon: When Freaks Collide by Niles, Powell and Mitten

Posted on by

Criminal Macabre / The Goon: When Freaks Collide is a one-shot published by Dark Horse Comics.

Writers: Steve Niles, Eric Powell
Artist: Christopher Mitten
Colorist: Michelle Madsen
Cover Artist: Fiona Staple

Cal McDonald, the drug-fueled paranormal private dick, goes head to head with Lonely Street’s zombie-pulverizing Goon, in a weird in-between world full of monsters, horror, and humor!

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good:

  • Nice cover by Fiona Staple.
  • Chris Mitten‘s art is a treat.
  • Having Steve Niles and Eric Powell co-write their creations is a plus.
  • “Talking like that just makes me want to kill you twice.”
  • “Don’t touch me. Seriously.”
  • The guest appearance on the last page.
  • Bonus pinup by Ben Templesmith.

The Bad:

  • When you say, “Hey Mo, Check it, The Little Rascals did steroids like Carrot Top” to the Goon and Frankie.
  • “This is a LOT more than I expected.”  “Yep. Me too.”

The Ugly:

  • Wooden stake to the eye.

Criminal Macabre / The Goon: When Freaks Collide

Rating: 5 out of 5