Category: Movies

Andrew Charipar’s Cobra

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Here’s Andrew Charipar’s take on Stallone as “Cobra” and a humorous story that goes with it.  I got this sketch from Andrew at the 2009 FX con.  Although I regularly visit Andrew’s blog, I’d never met him.  A few weeks before FX, Andrew posted that he’d take requests for sketches to have ready for anyone attending the show.  I put in for the Stallone character of his choice.  A few days later, Andrew posted the Stallone piece you see here and said I could pick it up at FX.

The weekend of the show arrived and I found Andrew’s table.  He had art available for sale, his sketchbook, and comics spread out.  A small group of folks were around his table ordering or picking up sketches.   I waited my turn, stepped up and said, “Hi.  I think you have a Cobra for me.”  A puzzled look crossed Andrew’s face and he replied, “I don’t think so.”  Now I was the one looking confused.  Andrew asked, “Are you sure you requested a Cobra from me?”

Now I know that he’s drawn the piece — I’ve seen it on his website, but I can tell by the look on his face that he has no idea why I would think that he’s drawn me a Cobra sketch.  I go on, “My name is Craig Zablo.  I requested the sketch through your website and you decided to do Stallone as Cobra.”  It’s like a light went on and Andrew replied, “Oh, a Stallone Cobra!  My buddy and I were just talking about GI Joe and we thought you were referring to ‘that’ Cobra.”  Andrew then proceeded to pull out the piece you see above.

Andrew’s a cool guy with very reasonable prices for his sketchbook and originals.  Check out his blog and give him some props.

Mills’ SpyFi Channel

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Hey, if you’ve got some time to kill [and you must or you wouldn’t be here], then you might want to check out Chris Mills‘ latest blog, which he calls the SpyFi Channel.  I don’t know which I like best, the name or the header that Chris created.

At the SpyFi Channel,  Chris will cover the world of spies — movies, books, tv — the whole enchalada.  Be advised that Chris won’t update regularly, but when he does, it will definitely be worth a view.  He’s started off with a look at Robert Conrad’s spy series [no, not The Wild, Wild West – one of my all-time favorite shows] A Man Called Sloane.

It’s cool that Chris has another blog going… as long as it doesn’t take away from getting the next Gravedigger story out.  And I still think a Gravedigger novel could really work! Until then, you’ll find me at the SpyFi Channel!

Insignares’ “Expendable”

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Miguel Insignares gifted me with this cool shot of Sly from “The Expendables”.  Miguel said that once I send him a high-res copy, he’ll color it and add Sly’s tats.  Miguel always has several irons in the fire and he’s currently developing a very cool concept for a comic/movie.  I can’t say any more about it at this time, but believe me, I’ll keep you posted as it develops.

Big thanks to Miguel for hooking me up!

Two Legends – One Cover

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Two legends grace this cover of Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #14 published by Marvel back in 1975.  Who’s the other legend, you ask?  Well, it depends on which you see.

Action fans immediately know that it’s Bruce Lee shown on the cover.  Comic art fans just as quickly see that Neal Adams did the art.  My guess is, if you regularly read the ZONE you recognized both,

Dan Panosian “Gets Carter”

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Dan Panosian gifted me with this Jack Carter drawing at the recent FX Show.  Dan is a Stallone fan and decided on “Get Carter” with no prompting from me.  I love Dan’s work, so to get a piece from him was a thrill.  I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.

Check out more of Dan’s art here and here.  Plan to spend some time, because everything he draws is worth a look!

Marshall Rogers’ Bruce Lee

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Time for another dip into the ZONE vault.  This time we come up with the front piece to “The Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #26” published by Marvel and cover-dated July 1976.  Ah, that was a great time.  My senior year in high school had yet to start… ah, but I digress.

The front piece is a tribute to the legendary Bruce Lee as drawn by Marshall Rogers.

“Give ‘Em Hell Malone”

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I first heard about “Give ‘Em Hell Malone” back in January.  I was surprised then that more people weren’t talking it up since it stars Thomas Jane and Ving Rhames in what looks to be a very hip, on-point genre movie.

I’m diggin’ everyrhing about “Give ‘Em Hell Malone” – from the way cool styized poster above [as well as these others] to the latest trailer which premiered at Cannes.  I am ready to see this bad boy in a theater NOW.

“The Mercury Men”

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If you’re a fan of “The Twilight Zone,” “The Outer Limits,” sci-fi, drive-in movies, or cliffhangers then you really should check out “The Mercury Men.” I love the feel of this.  Of course I’m in to “The Twilight Zone,” “The Outer Limits,” sci-fi, drive-in movies…

Roth is What Pitt is.

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IMPAwards scored the first look at another “Inglorious Basterds” poster.  I’m really diggin’ these character posters.  Let’s hope the Tarantino film is as enjoyable.  See it in it’s full glory here.

CultRetro Goes Live

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That’s me lookin’ shocked.  You would be too if a giant woman was about to stomp you.  Don’t worry, you’ll understand in a second.

My buddy, Wild Bill Black, has put together a very hip website called CultRetro to showcase his movies.  In addition to the 75 or so dvd movies that he has available for immediate purchase, there are also downloadable films, video production blogs and more.  If you’re into vampires, monsters, horror hosts, rocket men, detectives, giant women, and, well you get the idea, then check out CultRetro.

If you’re still not convinced, then check out this extended trailer.  Not only will you get a better feel for what CultRetro is all about, but you also understand why I was about to get stomped.