Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
Diversions of a Groovy Kind recently posted Death-Hand and the Sun of Mordillo from Master of Kung Fu #35 from Master Of Kung Fu #35 (September 1975) written by Doug Moench with pencils by Paul Gulacy, inks Dan Adkins and published by Marvel Comics.
I spent the day yesterday with my buddy, John Beatty at the Infinity Toy and Comic Show in Orlando, Florida. When Big John wasn’t selling prints of his art or signing autographs for fans, much of the day was spent conversing with Mitch Hyman [in the photo above]. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much.
The Infinity Toy and Comic Show had a nice turnout and some surprisingly great cosplayers [for such a small show]. The show was big enough that it took up three hotel meeting rooms — and that may have been the biggest downside. I generally prefer one room for shows and my guess is most folks do as well. That aside (and it is a small quibble), the Infinity Toy and Comic Show made for a fun day. Of course hanging with Beatty and Hyman didn’t hurt either.
I am going to be all over this one.
From master author George Pelecanos, (HBO’s The Wire, The Pacific, Treme), comes a searing tale of warfare at its worst and fighting soldiers at their best. When the wife of a former Marine buddy finds herself a target of a vicious Mexican cartel, she ends up turning to her husband’s old squad for help. Sergeant James McQuade and five former members of the Five-One Sand Scorpions find themselves outnumbered and outgunned against the most lethal and unpredictable enemy they ever went head-to-head with. It was someone else’s war but it was their fight. Just the way they like it.
The Six, written by George Pelecanos with Andrew Ewington, art by Mack Chater from Michael Bay‘s 451 Media Group this November.
Source: Bleeding Cool.
Artyom Trakhanov posted the art above for a comic he’s developing with Brian Funk called Enforcer. This looks like one to keep an eye on.
As promised, the first caricature that my buddy, Jim Ivey, drew for me. I was probably 19 at the time. So that would date the art at around 1977. Don’t you love the broken sword?
For those who came in late, Jim Ivey had a 40 year career as a political cartoonist [Washington Star, St. Pete Times, San Francisco Examiner and the Orlando Sentinel]. When I first met Jim in the mid-1970’s he was running The Cartoon Museum in Orlando, Florida.
Jim had a lot of irons in the fire; working as a syndicated cartoonist [The Thoughts of Man], a political cartoonist [The Orlando Sentinel], a publisher [CartooNews], teacher [UCF cartooning class] and even a comic book convention organizer [OrlandoCon]. At the time, I was into collecting comic books and later original art. Jim’s Cartoon Museum was like heaven.
I was going through the vault and I came across a caricature that my buddy, Jim Ivey, did for me six years ago when he was just 84. I think if Jim sticks with it, he may have a career as an artist.
Actually, Jim Ivey had a 40 year career as a political cartoonist [Washington Star, St. Pete Times, San Francisco Examiner and the Orlando Sentinel]. When I first met Jim in the mid-1970’s he was running The Cartoon Museum in Orlando, Florida.
Jim had a lot of irons in the fire; working as a syndicated cartoonist [The Thoughts of Man], a political cartoonist [The Orlando Sentinel], a publisher [CartooNews], teacher [UCF cartooning class] and even a comic book convention organizer [OrlandoCon]. At the time, I was into collecting comic books and later original art. Jim’s Cartoon Museum was like heaven.
Tomorrow I’ll show you the first caricature Jim ever drew of me. It was drawn way back in the late 70’s when Jim was in his 50’s and I was still in my teens.
As a huge fan, I loved reading this week that Tom Hardy has teamed with New Line Cinema to bring Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso’s 100 Bullets to a theater near you. Hardy looks to direct and star in the adaption.
My guess is Hardy will play Lono which would work. If he doesn’t and needs help with the cast, I’ll stick with my 100 Bullets dream cast from 2011.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter.
Right now, this claymation Jonny Quest opening is the coolest thing going.
Shaunacy Ferro and Mental_Floss present 11 Mischievous Facts About Bugs Bunny. Here are three of my favorites…
1. He first appeared as an extra in a Porky Pig cartoon.
The then-unnamed rabbit was created in 1938 for a cartoon in which Porky Pig went hunting, but the actual character wouldn’t appear until years later.4. His mannerisms were partially inspired by Clark Gable.
Bugs’ nonchalant, carrot-eating manner was inspired by a scene in It Happened One Night, when the fast-talking Clark Gable snacks on carrots while leaning on a fence. The character also took inspiration from Groucho Marx.5. The creators were worried he would seem like a bully.
“It was very important that he be provoked, because otherwise he’d be a bully,” director Chuck Jones said in an interview in 1998. “We didn’t want that. We wanted him to be a nice person.”
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.
