Category: Crime

Breaking Bad is So Good

If you don’t watch Breaking Bad on AMC, you’re missing out on one of the best shows currently running.  Seriously.  I’m surprised I don’t hear more people talking Breaking Bad up.  It’s that good.  If you don’t know about it, don’t feel bad.  I only recently discovered Breaking Bad and now I’m hooked.   AMC is about to start running the series again from the start, so this would be a great time to jump on board or at least give it a try.

Saul Goodman [pictured above] is a sleazy lawyer on the show, but he’s  not the main character.  Saul is just one of the many great characters Saul’s card might make you think that Breaking Bad is a comedy, but it’s not.  Sure, there are some funny moments, but Breaking Bad ain’t no sitcom.  It is one of the best shows on currently on tv.

Cooke, Stark, Parker: A Better Martini

Earlier today I posted about Hunter: The Martini Edition which will combine The Hunter and The Outfit into an oversized 9×13 package with 65 pages of additional material [344 total page count]  for a very reasonable $75.00 price tag.  At Wondercon, today, the cover of the edition [shown above] was previewed.  In addition, Scott Dunbier, the editor of the project said that Hunter: The Martini Edition will…

contain both of the graphic novels that Darwyn did — both of them were pretty widely acclaimed. It’ll have a number of illustrations, sketchbook material, a lot of cool little extras. One of the best is, it’ll actually have an original eight-page story that will only be available in this Martini Edition.”

Now, more than ever I think that IDW should print up an edition of extras for those of us who have supported the books from the start.

[Via CBR.com]

Cooke, Stark, Parker & The Martini Edition

If you missed out on Darwyn Cooke’s two best-selling, award-winning adaptations of Richard Parker’s Stark novels, you’re in luck.  This July, IDW is publishing them together in a deluxe format they’re calling Parker: The Martini Edition. The new edition will combine The Hunter and The Outfit into an oversized 9×13 package with 65 pages of additional material running the total page count to 344.  It is set to retail at $75.00.

While I’m happy that the books are doing well enough to warrant the special treatment, it bugs me that fans who bought the original editions from the start will miss out on the bonus materials.  I understand that in order to make the “special edition” special, bonus materials are needed.  I guess it’s a catch-22, but wouldn’t it be nice if IDW published a “bonus materials only” special for folks who had supported the books from the start?  They could even do it in the same format as The Man with the Getaway Face and I’d love it.  Plus it would be another revenue source to help support the production of the next Cooke/Stark Parker graphic novel.

Sly Stallone Scores a Headshot

  • Way back in October of 2008, I posted about a French crime comic called “Headshot” that had been optioned by Warner Bros“Headshot” was about a hitman and cop who, when their partners are killed, form an uneasy alliance to get revenge on the powers that set them up.  At that time, I said that I’d love to see an American edition of the comic and that I’d keep an eye out on the progress of the movie.
  • Today I’m happy to report that “Headshot” is moving forward with Sylvester Stallone playing one of the hitmen and Wayne “Running Scared” Kramer set to direct.
  • Here’s how /Film describes “Headshot”… In the film, Stallone’s character “teams with a young NYPD detective in a high-stakes investigation that leads from the dingy back alleys of New Orleans all the way to the power corridors of Washington, D.C. The unlikely duo, brought together by two vicious murders, take on all who stand in their way, and are willing to sacrifice everything to exact revenge.”
  • IM Global [the company making “Headshot”] CEO Stuart Ford said… Headshot is exactly the type of fast-paced, universally themed project that suits our business model. Sylvester Stallone is an international icon and we’re really excited to be in business with him.”
  • “Headshot” is set to being filming in May and I couldn’t be happier.

Stallone Not Capone

Since some of you may not be regular readers of my StalloneZone site, I thought I’d share this cool Stallone poster here too.

I found this overseas movie poster for “Capone” and really liked the art. Of course the poster design is pretty deceptive in that Sly doesn’t star or even play Capone in the movie. Most SZoners know that Sly had a small, but important role as Frank Nitti. Ben Gazara played Capone. Did you notice that Sly was even given top billing in the poster credits?

Oh well, that doesn’t change the fact that it’s still a pretty cool poster.

Blood Out Welcomed In

I’ve never heard a word about “Blood Out” until I say the poster above.  Odds are it’ll be a “drive-in” movie or what folks today would call straight-to-dvd.  Still, there’s nothing wrong with an action-packed B movie and that’s exactly what “Blood Out” looks to be.  So, yeah, I’ll give it a shot when I get the chance. [Via IMPAwards]

Justified / Walking Dead: Bring ‘Em Home

If you’re a fan of Justified, then you may be interested in a the great bargain that Amazon is offering on Season OneThe complete first season on blu-ray is only 21.99 [56% off the retail price] and the regular dvd for the complete first season is just 19.99.

While we’re on the subject of excellent tv shows which are coming to dvd, let’s not forget that The Walking Dead: Season 1 dvd drops on March 8th.  Since season 2 won’t start until the fall, there’s a strong possibility that “Dead Heads” are going to want to pick up this one to ease their wait.

Who is Jake Ellis?

I don’t read many comic books these days, but one I am really looking forward to is, Who is Jake Ellis.  Written by Nathan Edmondson and with art by Tonci Zonjic, this comic series looks to be not only a change of pace, but a lot of fun. Here’s how Josh Wigler at CBR.com describes, Who is Jake Ellis?

  • “The story centers on Jon Moore, a highly sought-after espionage expert working in the European underground. Unknown to his clients — to anyone, for that matter — is the fact that he’s assisted by Jake Ellis, a seemingly all-knowing entity that nobody can see. Nobody, that is, except for Jon himself. The high-octane comic book series spans five issues and multiple European locations, providing fans with a reading experience that sits comfortably alongside the tensest thrillers the spy genre has to offer.”

And speaking of CBR.com, they are running the first eight pages of issue one with commentary by Nathan Edmondson and Tonci ZonjicWho is Jake Ellis? #1 is available at comic shops now.

Howard Chaykin: Marked Man

Yesterday I suggested that we get ready for the relaunch of Dark Horse Presents.  Dark Horse announced that the first issue would feature work from Frank Miller [Xerxes, the prequel to 300] and Paul Chadwick [Concrete].   Today CBR.com has a preview page [two panels shown above] for Marked Man — a story that Chaykin will write and draw.

Miller, Chadwick, and Chaykin — I can’t wait to get Dark Horse Presents in my mitts.

Who Needs a New Mechanic?

I like this poster.  Shows a bit more creativity than a couple of photoshopped heads, right?

Although I’m looking forward to seeing this updated “The Mechanic”, the original which starred Charles Bronson and Jan-Michael Vincent is going to be hard to top.  This remake, at one point, was touted to star Sylvester Stallone in the Bronson role and Statham as the J-M Vincent character.  I think THAT would have worked.  Statham is a bit young to be the “older” hitman… then again, maybe he was to old to be the younger one.   [Poster via IMPAwards.com]