Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
This is one of my favorite plates from the Punisher Portfolio Volume 1 by Mike Zeck.
Everything about this piece works… from the Punisher’s Clint Eastwood snarl to the creep grasping for his salvation knowing that he’s about to be sent to his damnation.
Isn’t it about time for a new Punisher Portfolio, Mr. Zeck?
Source: Brian Michael Bendis.
Diversions of a Groovy Kind recently posted Cyclone at the Center of a Madman’s Crown from Master Of Kung Fu #34 (August 1975) written by Doug Moench with pencils by Paul Gulacy, inks Dan Adkins and published by Marvel Comics.
Had a great visit today with my old buddy, Jim Ivey. The stars aligned because several of our friends were able to join us.
That’s Mike Sikes in the first row seated next to our guest of honor. Second row is Cliff Weikal, John [Who is that again?] Beatty, Wild Bill Black and me. Rob Smith took the photo!
Jim Ivey is a legend… celebrated political cartoonist… author… owner of The Cartoon Museum… one of the founding fathers of OrlandoCon… known in some circles as the Inside Straight Man and all-round nice guy.
We had a great time reminiscing [some of us have been friends for forty years or more] and catching up. Hopefully we’ll be able to do it again in the not-to-distant-future.
Diversions of the Groovy Kind is a regular stop on my daily website visits. You’ll always find something cool like this post of Super Giant DC covers.
My favorite of the bunch is Joe Kubert’s Top Guns of the West shown above. What kid wouldn’t want to pick up that comic to find out how the outgunned marshal gets his man?
Long time readers will know how much I love the Gravedigger crime comics created by Chris Mills [writer] and Rick Burchett [artist]. Hard to believe I’ve been talking Gravedigger up for over a decade.
The great news is that Gravedigger is back in print and the first issue is available now. If my hyping it hasn’t been enough to get you to spring for one of the best crime comics going, then maybe the preview of the first issue provided by TMStash will.
Before you click over, know that the comic contains explicit language and bad guy-on-bad guy violence. Oh, and there’s a thug in there named Zablo but I’m sure any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Mike Henderson drew this really cool Gotham By Gaslight Batman.
You can see more of Mike’s art here.
Jake Rossen and Mental_Floss present 12 Things You May Not Know About Mad. Here are three of my favorites…
1. No One Knows Who Came Up with Alfred E. Neuman.
Mad creator Harvey Kurtzman was in the offices of a Ballantine Books editor discussing reprints for the fledging publication when he noticed a grinning, gap-toothed imbecile staring back at him from a bulletin board. The unnamed figure was ubiquitous in the early 20th century, appearing in everything from dentistry ads to depictions of diseases. A charmed Kurtzman adopted him as Mad’s mascot beginning in 1954. Neuman later become so recognizable that a letter was delivered from New Zealand to Mad’s New York offices without an address: the envelope simply had a drawing of Alfred.3. They Predicted John F. Kennedy’s Election in 1960.
But it was a cheat. In the run-up to the 1960 Presidential election, Mad printed a cover that featured Neuman congratulating Kennedy on his victory with a caption that read, “We were with you all the way, Jack!” But the issue was shipped long before votes had been tabulated. The secret? It was a dual cover. Flip it over and Neuman is celebrating Richard Nixon’s appointment to office. Stores were told to display the “right” side of the magazine depending on the outcome.5. They Didn’t Run Any (Real) Ads for 44 Years.
From the beginning, Gaines felt that printing actual advertisements next to the products they were lampooning would not only dilute their edge but seem more than a little hypocritical. After some back-and-forth, Mad cut ads starting in 1957. The decision was a costly one—most print publications survive on such revenue—but led to the magazine’s keeping a sharp knife against the throat of seductive advertising, including cigarettes. Faced with dwindling circulation in 2001, Mad finally relented and began taking ads to help pay for a switch to color printing.
If you’re a fan of Charlie Adlard, artist on The Walking Dead, then you’ll probably want to check out the interview with him at What’s On. (Since the original interview with Charlie Adlard is no longer available, I present a more recent one! – Craig, 2021)
No words needed!
I love this trailer.
The most interesting part of any apocalyptic story to me is the very start of things. You know, when we [the audience knows what is happening] but the people are trying to figure out things and ultimately the best way to survive.
Bring on Fear the Walking Dead!
Diversions of a Groovy Kind recently posted Wicked Messenger of Madness from Master Of Kung Fu #33 (July 1975) written by Doug Moench with pencils by Paul Gulacy, inks Dan Adkins and published by Marvel Comics.
Frank Miller, Joel Schumacher, Paul Dini and other filmmakers discuss details of the Batman films that nearly made it to the big screen in Aaron Couch’s Before ‘Batman Begins’: Secret History of the Movies That Almost Got Made for The Hollywood Reporter.
I’m still holding out hope that someday someone will take Batman: Year One and/or The Dark Knight Returns all the way (and do it/them right).
Frank Miller recently shared his favorite things with the Wall Street Journal.
How cool is it that Frank’s favorite things are not expensive and extravagant? I was a bit surprised that nothing from Sin City made the cut… unless you count the model car.
Master of Kung Fu #31: Snowbuster from May 1975 by Doug Moench, Paul Gulacy, and Dan Adkins. THAT is a splash page worthy of being a movie poster.
Netflix’s Daredevil is a really well-done show that is deeply embedded in the Marvel Universe. Check out the Easter Eggs in the video below to see how deep.
