Category: Crime

THE ART OF EDUARDO RISSO is Coming!

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If you missed out on THE ART OF EDUARDO RISSO Kickstarter, boy are you in luck!  THE ART OF EDUARDO RISSO will be released on January 19, 2027.  Here’s the lowdown…

Alien Books proudly presents THE ART OF EDUARDO RISSO, a carefully curated hardcover art book celebrating the legendary Argentine comic book artist!

Celebrate award-winning comics artist Eduardo Risso with this glorious new hardcover art book full of sketches, covers, and never-before-seen artwork!

Created in partnership with Eduardo Risso, this must-have volume includes behind-the-scenes looks at many of Risso’s most iconic works from his time at DC and Vertigo, including Batman, Jonah Hex, Flashpoint, Before Watchmen, and 100 Bullets; Marvel favorites such as Spider-Man and Wolverine; Image Comics’ acclaimed noir-horror series Moonshine; Valiant’s Bloodshot; classic adventure icon Zorro and much more!

EVERYBODY KNOWS by Jordan Harper / Z-View

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EVERYBODY KNOWS by Jordan Harper

First sentence…

Los Angeles burns.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Mae Pruett is a “black-bag” publicist working for Mitnick & Associates, the most powerful PR firm in LA.  Her job is not to spread positive news about clients. It’s to make sure that harmful, incriminating items about clients don’t get out.  Hollywood insiders call her PR firm “The Beast”.  Everyone working there is good.  Mae is one of the best.

Mae learned early on that it’s not that the truth is unimportant — it’s that the truth doesn’t matter.

Dan Hennigan, Mae’s mentor, gives Mae a cryptic message.  Dan wants to meet with Mae away from the firm.  Before they can meet Dan is gunned down in a failed car jacking.

Or so it seems.

Mae believes that Dan’s murder was anything but random.  If Dan was killed for what he knew, those behind Dan’s murder might believe Dan passed the information on to Mae.  Mae needs to know, so she begins an off-the-books investigation.

Chris Tamburro used to be Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department deputy.  Chris lost his badge after a controversial shooting.  Truth is, Chris and many on his squad could have been fired over other brutal and unethical activities.  Chris now works for Black Guard, a security firm that has ties to “The Beast”.  Chris is the perfect hire.  He’s an ex-cop, unafraid to use his tactical training, knowledge of the law, and willingness to bust heads as needed.

When Black Guard sends Chris to investiage Dan Hennigan’s murder, he crosses paths with Mae.  Chris and Mae had history, but it’s been a few years.  As Mae and Chris follow leads, they discover they still have chemistry… and Dan’s murder wasn’t random.

Now Mae and Chris have a choice. Walk away and go back to their lives protecting wealthy executives, celebs, politicians and influencers who feel they are above the law.  Or follow their leads and try to take down a powerful cabal behind human trrafficking,  blackmail, murder and more.

Mae and Chris aren’t going to walk away.

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Jordan Harper has another winner.  EVERYBODY KNOWS is fast paced and well written.  Harper spins a tale that takes us behind the curtain and could have come from today’s headlines.  EVERYBODY KNOWS gets my highest recommendation.

Rating:

“Massacre Mafia Style” (1974) written, directed and starring Duke Mitchell / Z-View

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Massacre Mafia Style (1974)

Director:  Duke Mitchell

Screenplay: Duke Mitchell

Stars:  Duke Mitchell, Vic Caesar, Lorenzo Dodo, Peter Milo, Louis Zito, Cara Salerno, Jimmy Williams and George ‘Buck’ Flower. 

Tagline: You’re IN… or… you’re IN THE WAY!

The Plot…

Mimi Miceli’s father known as The Padrone, was once a powerful and respected mafia crime boss.  That was before The Padrone was tried, convicted and deported.  Mimi tried to live a good life.  But when Mimi’s wife unexpectantly dies something in him snaps.

Mimi decides to get back into “the life”.  He heads to LA where he reconnects with his old time crime partner Jolly Rizzo.  Together Mimi and Jolly plan a move to take over west coast organized crime.  Step one: kidnap west coast Godfather Chucky Tripoli.

After that it’s top of the world, ma!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Duke Mitchell co-produced, wrote, directed and starred in Massacre Mafia Style.  Before this, Mitchell was best known as the cartoon singing voice of Fred Flinstone or one half of the Mitchell / Petrillo nightclub act.  Mitchell and Petrillo were a knockoff of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.  Mitchell sang and Petrillo acted goofy.  Mitchell and Petrillo appeared with Bela Lugosi in the low-budget Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla.

Mitchell went on to have a solo nightclub career.  Mitchell often crossed paths with many celebrities including Frank Sinatra.  Mitchell would use money he saved from singing in an attempt to make low-budget movies.  Most were never completed or released.  Massacre Mafia Style was the exception.

Duke Mitchell died in 1981.  In 2011, a work print of Mitchell’s next film Gone with the Pope, was discovered.  It was restored and released on dvd by Grindhouse Releasing.  Grindhouse Releasing was co-founded by Academy Award winner Bob Murawski and Sage Stallone (Sylvester Stallone’s son).  Grindhouse Releasing also remastered and released Massacre Mafia Style in 2011.

Massacre Mafia Style was released under the following titles: The Executioner, Massacre Mafia Style and Like Father, Like Son.  Mitchell preferred Massacre Mafia Style.

Frank Sinatra reportedly responded to Mitchell’s request to appear in his film by saying, “Duke, I love you, but I get real money to make real films.”

Massacre Mafia Style (1974) rates 2 of 5 stars.

Jack Carter and John Wick by Rich Hennemann!

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Rich Hennemann is one of the first artists I look to commission each year at HeroesCon (and also a couple of times through the year).   At HeroesCon 2026, I gave Rich a request of Jack Carter and one of three other characters.  He would make his pick and surprise me at the show.

Rich chose to pair Carter with John Wick and I couldn’t be happier.  If you’re a sketch collector, you owe it to youself to have a piece by Rich in your collection.

“Mobland” – The Season 2 Trailer is Here!

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The Mobland Season 2 trailer has arrived.  I loved season 1.  Looking forward to season 2.

Deal me in.

Season 2 of MobLand premieres September 18 only on Paramount+.

The Harrigans, heads of North London’s largest criminal empire, are on the brink of civil war, and their rivals are starting to notice. As tensions within the Harrigan family intensify, their ‘fixer’ Harry Da Souza is the only one that can keep them from falling apart.

“The Hollow Point” (2016) starring Patrick Wilson, Ian McShane, Lynn Collins, Jim Belusia and John Leguizamo / Z-View

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The Hollow Point (2016)

Director:  Gonzalo López-Gallego

Screenplay: Nils Lyew

Stars:  Patrick Wilson, Lynn Collins, Ian McShane, John Leguizamo and Jim Belushi.

Tagline: Good men can do bad things

The Plot…

Wallace returns to his hometown of Leland on the Mexico/Arizona border. Wallace comes back as the new Sheriff. Leland, the former Sheriff, was forced out of office after a routine stop ended in tragedy.

What Wallace doesn’t know, but will soon learn, is Atticus, one of the cartel’s deadliest hitmen is coming to town.  Atticus has his machette and a list.  Everyone on the list is marked for death.

As Wallace tries to figure out who was involved in the event that triggered the hitman’s arrival, Wallace learns his estranged girlfriend, Lynn’s name is on the list.

Leland, the former Sheriff who is old and drinks too much, offers help.  But can Leland be trusted?

Atticus has his list.  He’s killing people and checking off names.  Soon Atticus will come to Lynn’s name.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

John Leguizamo is good as Atticus the relentless killer.

There’s a pretty shocking scene fairly early on.  It was a pretty bold choice.

The Hollow Point (2016) rates 4 of 5 stars.

Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rope” Alt Poster by Sahin Düzgün!

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Rope is perhaps Alfred Hitchcock’s most under-rated film.  It’s one I love and enjoy revisiting. Sahin Düzgün has created a very cool alt poster tribute to the movie.

Here is what Sahin had to say about his design:  A visual exploration of Hitchcock’s classic psychological thriller.

Brandon: Nobody commits a murder just for the experiment of committing it. Nobody except us.

“Trap House” starring Dave Bautista, Jack Champion, Sophia Lillis, Whitney Peak, Kate del Castillo and Bobby Cannavale / Z-View

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Trap House (2025)

Director:  Michael Dowse

Screenplay: Gary Scott Thompson, Tom O’Connor; story by Gary Scott Thompson.

Stars:  Dave Bautista, Jack Champion, Sophia Lillis, Tony Dalton, Whitney Peak, Inde Navarrette, Zaire Adams, Kate del Castillo and Bobby Cannavale.

Tagline: This isn’t a raid, it’s a reckoning.

The Plot…

Ray Seale is a DEA Agent.  On one of his drug house raids, they encountered heavy resistance.  One of his agents was killed.  Ray’s son, Cody, attended high school with the killed agent’s son.  Cody was upset that his friend’s family would now face financial hardship and the DEA wasn’t doing anything to help.

When Ray takes Cody to an active crime scene, Cody gets an idea.  He and his high school friends will use DEA info and equipment to rip off cartel drug houses.  They will give the drug money they steal  to his friend’s family.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I like Dave Bautista and Bobby Cannavale.  Bautista and director, Michael Douse worked together on Stuber, which I rated 3 of 5 stars.  Unfortunately Trap House fell short.  I tapped out early on.

Bautista takes his son to an active crime scene and let’s him walk around?  The high school kids are smarter than the DEA agents?  They are easily able to get DEA equipment?  Without any experience they are able to take down cartel houses?  Yeah, no.

As always, your mileage may differ.

Trap House (2025) rates 1 of 5 stars.

Sly Stallone is “Cobra” by Mark Stegbauer!

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At HeroesCon 2026, I commissioned Mark Stegbauer for two sketch cards: Sly Stallone as Marion Cobretti from Cobra and Stallone as Stanley Kowalski from Lords of Flatbush.  You probably think that you’re looking at the Cobra commission.

If so, you’re wrong!

When I went to Mark’s table, he presented me with my two sketch card commissions.  Mark then gifted me with the much bigger Cobra drawing above!  What an amazing piece of art!  When I offered to buy it, Mark said you don’t pay for gifts.  He also refused when I tried to tip him.  Mark was adamant that he enjoyed doing the drawing and it was a gift.

Since Mark often does drawings and donates a good portion of his commissions to charity, I said I wanted to give him money to donate to the Alzheimer’s Association.  Mark agreed to that.

Click on the art above to see a “long arm of the law-sized” version.

I will post the two sketch card commissions Mark did for me in the near future.

In August Mark will once again be doing an Action Against Alzheimer’s art campaign.  It’s a great way to pick up cool art and at the same time help a wonderful cause.

“Beverly Hills Cop” (1984) starring Eddie Murphy / Z-View

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Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

Director: Martin Brest

Screenplay:  Daniel Petrie Jr.; story by Danilo Bach, Daniel Petrie Jr.

Stars:  Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Lisa Eilbacher, Ronny Cox, Steven Berkoff, James Russo, Jonathan Banks, Stephen Elliott, Gilbert R. Hill, Paul Reiser, Frank Pesce, Paul Reiser and Bronson Pinchot.

Tagline: He’s been chased, thrown through a window, and arrested. Eddie Murphy is a Detroit cop on vacation in Beverly Hills.

The Plot…

Axel Foley is a quick-witted Detroit street cop who doesn’t play by the rules.  Axel is surprised when Mikey, his ex-con childhood friend,  suddenly shows up.  Mikey says he’s doing well and living in Beverly Hills now.

That night Mikey is killed.  It turns out he was in possession of German bearer bonds.

Axel takes vacation time and heads to Beverly Hills to find Mikey’s killers.

The heat is on!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

At one point, Sylvester Stallone was attached to star in Beverly Hills Cop.  Although it was intended to be a comedy, Stallone’s rewrite took out the humor and made it more of a straight action film.  That wasn’t want the producers wanted.  Sly bowed out with the understanding he could keep his script ideas.  Stallone turned those ideas into his film Cobra.

Eddie Murphy, John Ashton and Judge Reinhold improvised many of their lines.

Bronson Pinchot’s Serge was supposed to interact with another store salesman and Axel Foley. Pinchot’s improvs and accent were so funny, the other salesman’s part was substantially reduced and Pinchot’s role increased.

The movie proved so popular in test screenings, Paramount approved sequels before the film’s official release.

Beverly Hills Cop features the feature film debut of Damon Wayans.  He is listed in the credits as Banana Man.

The mansion that appears in the final shootout was once owned by silent film star Harold Lloyd.  The estate was also used in the final shootout in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s film Commando.  Ironically, in both films a character named Jenny was being rescued.

Director Martin Brest appears as the desk clerk who checks Axel out of the hotel at the end of the film.

Beverly Hills Cop is a great comedy/action film.  It leans more into comedy than action, but there is a heaping helping of both.

Beverly Hills Cop (1984) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Psycho Killer” (2026) / Z-View

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Psycho Killer (2026)

Director: Gavin Polone

Screenplay:  Andrew Kevin Walker

Stars:  Georgina Campbell, James Preston Rogers, Malcolm McDowell

Tagline: Meet your new nightmare.

The Plot…

Jane Archer, like her husband Mike, is a Nebraska Highway Patrol officer.  Jane is going off duty when over the radio she hears that Mike has pulled a car over.  Since she’s near Jane decides to swing by.

Mike says for Jane to head on home.  It’s a simple traffic stop.  As Jane drives away, she sees her husband gunned down.  The killer takes off as Jane’s attempts to save Mike fail.

Jane is convinced that her husband was killed by a serial killer the press has named The Satanic Slasher.  This psycho killer is a behemoth who has left dozens of corpses all across the Midwest.  At each crime scene the police find bizarre occult symbols.

Jane takes time off.  She believes that The Satanic Slasher isn’t randomly traveling the country.  She’s convinced the killer has a destination in mind.  If she can figure it out and get there first, she can finish him.

What Jane and no one knows is this psycho killer has an endgame in mind that will exponentially increase his number of victims and shock the world.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Psycho Killer took a looong time to get made.  Andrew Kevin Walker finished the script in 2007.  In 2009, Fred Durst was set to direct with Eli Roth as the producer.  Gavin Polone, who ended up directing the film, signed on in 2010!

I was surprised. Psycho Killer was better than I expected.  It remined me of the type of movies I’d see at drive-ins in the 70s.  Perhaps nostalgia got the best of me.  Your mileage, as always, may vary.

Psycho Killer (2026) rates 3 of 5 stars.

DOWN THERE aka SHOOT THE PIANO PLAYER by David Goodis / Z-View

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SHOOT THE PIANO PLAYER by David Goodis

First sentences…

There were no street lamps, no lights at all.  It was a narrow street in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia.  From the nearby Delaware a cold wind came lancing in, telling all the alley cats they’d better find a heated cellar.  The late November gusts rattled against the midnight-darkened windows, and stabbed at the eyes of the fallen man in the street.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Eddie Lynn is a piano player in a small jazz club. Eddie comes in each night, plays the piano and keeps to himself. Eddie is an enigma. Always quiet.  Never talks about his past.  But boy, can he make the piano sing.

One night when Eddie is playing, a man rushes in. He’s Eddie’s estranged brother on the run from two thugs who aren’t far behind. Eddie wants no part of his brother’s problem, yet he can’t stand by and do nothing. The choice to get involved will expose Eddie’s past, drag him into a world of crime and result in several murders.

Will Eddie survive?

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DOWN THERE, David Goodis’ classic crime novel was written in 1956.  It was adapted into a 1960 French film by François Truffaut.  The film was titled Shoot the Piano Player. Some reprints of Goodis’ novel use the SHOOT THE PIANO PLAYER title.

Although based on David Goodis’ classic noir novel, DOWN THERE, the screenplay makes significant changes to the protagonist.  In the movie his name is Charlie, in the novel it is Eddie. In the movie Charlie is small, shy and passive.  In the novel, Eddie is physically imposing and he projects confidence.  Eddie chooses to be private for an unknown reason.  Charlie is naturally introverted.

I like the film adaptation, but the novel is better.  Much better.

DOWN THERE is one of my all-time favorite novels.  It’s hardboiled noir at its best.

Rating: