Marv by Ibrahim Moustafa!
Marv from Frank Miller’s Sin City is one of my all-time favorite characters. I love seeing artists do their “take” on the big lug. Today we have a Marv by Ibrahim Moustafa.
Thobias Daneluz’s Art for David Morrell’s FIRST BLOOD!
Yesterday I shared First Blood pieces by Thobias Daneluz. They were personal pieces. Today we get to see art Thobias created for David Morrell’s FIRST BLOOD novel released in Portugal.
Check out Thobias’ Instgram to see more of his art.
“I don’t think you understand. I didn’t come to rescue Rambo from you. I came here to rescue you from him.” – Colonel Trautman
“Blood Star” (2024) starring John Schwab & Britni Camacho / Z-View
Blood Star (2024)
Director: Lawrence Jacomelli
Screenplay: Victoria Taylor, Lawrence Jacomelli, George Kelly
Stars: John Schwab, Britni Camacho, Sydney Brumfield, Travis Lincoln Cox, Felix Merback, Wyomi Reed and Brandon Brown.
Tagline: There is just one law. Run.
The Plot…
Bobbi Torres is driving a remote strip of New Mexico highway. When Bobbi sees a gas station she pulls in for a fill-up. At another pump is Sheriff Bilstein who tries to strike up a conversation with Bobbi. The cop definitely gives off a strange vibe. When Bobbi declines his offer of a soda, he drives off.
Bobbi pays for her gas and heads out. A few miles down the road Bobbi is surprised when a cop car falls in behind her and hits the lights. Bobbi pulls over. Up walks Sheriff Bilstein. Bilstein says that trash Bobbi threw out of her car broke his light-bar. Although not true, Bobbi realizes that arguing is not going to get her anywhere. Then Bilstein takes her cell phone and demands she drive back to the gas station.
Soon enough Bobbi realizes that Bilstein is a psycho who intends to kill her. Alone on a deserted road her options are limited… but Bobbi’s not giving up without a fight.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Blood Star is better than you might think. Although not a classic, it’s a fun ride.
Blood Star (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Thobias Daneluz’s “First Blood” Art!
These First Blood pieces by Thobias Daneluz are fire. I’ve said before it would be cool to see Thobias adapt all of the Rocky films. Well, let’s add the Rambo franchise to the list. Check out Thobias’ Instgram to see more of his art.
“I could have killed ’em all, I could’ve killed you. In town you’re the law, out here it’s me. Don’t push it! Don’t push it or I’ll give you a war you won’t believe. Let it go. Let it go!” – John Rambo
“Bad Blonde” (1953) starring Barbara Payton and Tony Wright / Z-View
Bad Blonde aka The Flanagan Boy (1953)
Director: Reginald Le Borg
Screenplay: Guy Elmes, Richard H. Landau; based on THE FLANAGAN BOY by Max Catto
Stars: Barbara Payton, Frederick Valk, Tony Wright, Sid James.
Tagline: Sure, I accept favors from men!
The Plot (beware of spoilers)…
When Johnny Flanagan beats a carnival boxing champ, he’s introduced to boxing promoter Giuseppe Vecchi. Vecchi decides to become Flanagan’s manager. Vecchi is impressed with with Flanagan’s skills. Problem is, Lorna, Vecchi’s young wife, is impressed with Flanagan as well.
At first Flanagan wants nothing to do with Lorna. But she’s relentless.
Soon enough Lorna and Flanagan want Vecchi out of the way. And they have the perfect plan to make it happen.
Or do they?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Bad Blonde is the title The Flanagan Boy was released under in the United States.
Bad Blonde comes off as a low-budget, uncredited reworking of The Postman Always Rings Twice.
Bad Blonde aka The Flanagan Boy (1953) rates 2 of 5 stars
“Hope” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
The poster and trailer for Hope is here. The poster piques my curiosity and the trailer pulls me on board. Hope has already been released to great reviews in France. It premieres in the US this fall.
Deal me in.
In the remote South Korea village of Hope Harbor, police chief Bum-seok (Hwang Jung- min) and officer Sung-ae (Hoyeon) are called to find a mysterious creature that has wreaked havoc on the village.
In the nearby forest, a coterie of hunters, including Sung- ki (Zo In-Sung) set out to track the beast and find themselves hunted instead.
But all is not as it seems, and perceptions can be misleading. What begins as ignorance plants the seed of disaster, escalating through human conflict into a tragedy of cosmic proportions.
HOLE by Gerry Brown with art by Eduardo Risso / Z-View
HOLE by Gerry Brown with art by Eduardo Risso
First sentences…
They came for Hole while he was in the library.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Emile Hole’s size didn’t fit his demeanor. Emile was very large, long haired man with small round glasses that looked too small for his face. Emile’s voice didn’t help either. It was way too light. You wouldn’t find Emile in the weight room. No, he’d be found in the prison library sitting alone in a small chair reading.
Even in the best conditions prison would be rough on men like Emile. Moundsville State Prison was about as far as you could get from the best conditions. The guards either were crooked or looked the other way. Gangs ran Moundsville. Davie and his Warlords were at the top of the heap.
The Warlords ran a profitable business. One of their best money-making endeavors was to video-tape the beating of a new inmate. They’d then send the video to the inmate’s family with a request for on-going payments to prevent further beatings. It always worked.
So when the gang gave Emile a tune-up and sent the video to Emile’s brother Vint, they expected the money to come rolling in.
Man, were they wrong.
Vint’s going to pay the Warlords, but not in the way they’re expecting. See Vint’s got skills. Skills better left contained. But now, Vint’s got reason to let loose. And he’s going to.
+++
Eduardo Risso’s art was what got me interested in HOLE. Then I read the sample and was hooked. Gerry Brown has crafted a fun prison/revenge story that’s a fast, fun read.
HOLE is only available on Kindle but the price is less than a buck. It’s worth a buck just to see Risso’s illustrations.
Rating:
“War Machine” (2026) starring Alan Ritchson / Z-View
War Machine (2026)
Director: Patrick Hughes
Screenplay: Patrick Hughes, James Beaufort; story by Patrick Hughes
Stars: Alan Ritchson, Stephan James, Jai Courtney, Esai Morales, Keiynan Lonsdale, Daniel Webber and Dennis Quaid.
Tagline: None.
The Plot (beware of spoilers)…
Soldiers wishing to become Army Rangers are called by numbers, not names. These warriors are put through months of grueling training. Each week a percentage of the GIs wash. In the final days the remaining potential rangers are sent on a mission. If successful, they become Army Rangers.
Despite his avoidance of leadership roles in training, Soldier #81 is put in charge of the final mission. Dropped in a remote wilderness area, the trainees are on there own. Against all odds, the potential rangers find themselves fighting an unstoppable war machine from another planet.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Alan Ritchson performed many of his own stunts.
Director Patrick Hughes appears onscreen in a cameo as Master Sergeant Hughes.
Dennis Quaid is great in a small, but important role.
War Machine (2026) rates 4 of 5 stars
The Original John Severin Art for Cracked #143 – The Issue Where They KO Rocky!
Here’s a photo of the original John Severin art used for Cracked #143 published in August 1977. This image is from the Sylvester Stallone Heritage Auction.
Sly Stallone is Marion Cobretti by Trav Hart!
Trav Hart created his cool riff of Sly Stallone as Marion Cobretti at HeroesCon 2018. It got placed in the vault without ever being posted until now.
You can see more of Trav’s art at his site.
Rare Action Shot from”Rocky III” w/ Sly and Mr. T!
Check out this awesome and rarely seen action shot from Rocky III featuring Mr. T and Sly Stallone. Photography By Christine Loss.
Click on the image to see a My_Mother_Hits_Harder-sized view. – Craig
“Ballerina” (2025) starring Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane and Keanu Reeves / Z-View
Ballerina (2025)
Director:Len Wiseman; Chad Stahelski (uncredited for reshoots)
Screenplay: Shay Hatten; based on characters created by Derek Kolstad
Stars: Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane and Keanu Reeves.
Tagline: The past can be a trigger.
The Plot (beware of spoilers)…
Eve Macarro was the child of assassins. After the death of her mother, Eve was being raised by her father. When a cult came to kill him, Eve’s father helped her escape before he was murdered. Eve was then raised by the the Ruska Roma.
The Ruska Roma appeared to be an academy that trained children to become experts in ballet. It is actually a front. Although trained to be dancers, the children’s real instruction was so they would become proficient assassins and body guards.
Eve becomes one of the best.
After one of her missions, Eve discovers that her target was in the same cult that killed her father. Despite being warned to take no action against them, Eve is determined to avenge her father’s death.
Even if it turns the Ruska Roma against her.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Ana de Armas did most of her own stunts.
Ballerina is set in the world of John Wick and takes place between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4.
Director Len Wiseman’s original cut fell short of expectations. Chad Stahelski reportedly reshot much of Ballerina without Len Wiseman’s involvement. This pushed back the release date about a year.
Ballerina (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars
Andrew Robinson’s Two Face is Absolutely Amazing!
I’m not up to speed on DC’s Absolute heroes and villains, but I sure do dig Andrew Robinson’s riff on Absolute Two Face.
“Bent” (2018) starring Karl Urban, Sofía Vergara and Andy García / Z-View
Bent (2018)
Director: Robert Moresco
Screenplay: Robert Moresco; based on DEADLY CODES by JP O’Donnell
Stars: Karl Urban, Sofía Vergara, Andy García and Vincent Spano.
Tagline: Corruption has its own set of rules.
The Plot (beware of spoilers)…
Detective Danny Gallagher was framed and sent to prison. He’s out now and bent on revenge. Danny trusts his mentor Jimmy Murtha and a sexy government agent named Rebecca.
But his trust may be misplaced.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I’m a fan of Karl Urban, Sofía Vergara and Andy García. I was hoping Bent would be a lot better.
Bent (2018) rates 3 of 5 stars
