Look! Up in the Sky!
If you haven’t seen Robb Pratt’s “Classic Superman” animation, go ahead and view it now. It is slightly less than two and a half minutes of pure fun.
Category: Comics
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.
- Then in May of 2010, I posted that “Headshot” was being published with an English translation by Dynamite Comics using the title “Bullet to the Head.”
- 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.
The Art of Lesnar vs Velasquez
Want to see a summary of the recent Brock Lesnar vs Cain Velasquez fight told anime style? Sure you do, so click here. [Via Mixed Martial Arts.com]
Thomas Boatwright Gets Carter
This is the third, and at this point, last sketch by Thomas Boatwright that I have to post. My first was this First Blood piece. This sketch of Sly as Barney Ross from The Expendables was the second piece. I totally dig them all [although the Jack Carter is probably my favorite].
If you’d like to see more of Thomas Boatwright’s art check out his blog and his DA site. Send him some love. If you get commissions, you should consider a piece from Thomas. He keeps you totally in the loop on his progress, finishes his commissions on or ahead of schedule, has very reasonable prices and is a fantastic artist! – Craig
Dustin Harbin Goes to Cop Land
This week we have Dustin Harbin’s look at Freddy from Cop Land.
Dustin is a freelance illustrator working out of Charlotte, NC. I’ve known Dustin for years through his outstanding work with Heroes Con. It was only recently that I discovered Dustin’s talent for cartooning. So I hit him up for two Stallone sketches. You can see the first, Dustin’s take on Jack Carter, here.
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 Zonjic. Who is Jake Ellis? #1 is available at comic shops now.
Rob Smith’s Santa Stallone
I’ve known Rob Smith Jr. for over 30 years. In addition to being a talented artist, Rob is one of the most passionate, committed and dedicated people I’ve ever met. Rob absolutely loves the state of Florida, nature, art, politics, reading and more. Rob’s enthusiasm is contagious and he is always on the go. Another thing I admire about Rob is he doesn’t just talk about his passions, he gets actively involved.
Rob and I met up for breakfast with another old friend [Jim Ivey] earlier this week. As we were eating, talking and doing a lot of laughing, Rob whipped up his take on Sly as Santa. After our breakfast, Rob headed out to another meeting about preserving an old Florida school and then to an evening meeting with the Florida Trail Association. Whew!
You can check out Rob’s site and learn about more of his passions!
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.
Get Ready for Dark Horse Presents
Every so often I’ll post about Dark Horse Presents #1. That’s the first comic put out by Dark Horse. It was an anthology comic and over the years featured work from Frank Miller, Harlan Ellison, Matt Wagner, Mike Mignola, Eric Powell, Chris Warner, and many, many other talented folks.
Usually when I post about Dark Horse Presents, it’s to say it’s time to see a new Black Cross series by Chris Warner or at least a compilation of the stories in a nice trade edition. And although I’d love to see the return of Chris Warner’s Black Cross, the focus of this post is something else…
Dark Horse is bringing back the anthology comic Dark Horse Presents! The first issue will feature work from Frank Miller [Xerxes, the prequel to 300] and Paul Chadwick [Concrete]. Dark Horse Presents will definitely be worth a look and CBR.com has a preview of the covers for issue one.
Hero, Dynamite and Henchman
That’s the cover above to Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1. I can remember buying the first issue off the stands [cover date June 1972]. Lucas was sent to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. In an effort to get early release, Lucas agreed to an experimental treatment designed to boost a person’s immunity to illness. Instead it gave him super-strength and steel hard skin. Lucas used his new powers to escape prison and take on the identity of Luke Cage, Hero for Hire.
I loved the idea of a hero who took on cases like a private eye. And although Cage was a “Hero for Hire” he often took on cases for no pay when the cause was right. I really got into the comic. In “shop” class we had to create business cards, so while other kids were creating cards as lawyers, plumbers and the like, I created cards that read “Blackjack Joey, Hero for Hire.” I explained to the teacher that “Blackjack Joey” was my secret identity [taking the moniker of my favorite professional wrestler, Blackjack Mulligan, and combining it with my middle name Joseph].
That was over 38 years ago. So you can imagine my amusement when looking through the December issue of Previews to see these two comics coming out in the early months of 2011.
That’s the cover to Black Dynamite: Slave Island coming from Ape Entertainment. It’s a 48 page full color graphic novel based on the “Black Dynamite” movie which starred Michael Jai White. Black Dynamite: Slave Island was written by Brian Ash with art by Jun Lofamia. The book is suggested for mature readers and will set you back $5.95.
Harry Walton: Henchman for Hire is a 62 page full color graphic novel [$9.95] from Arcana Studio. Written by Zak Sherman with art by Tom Martinek and Jason Worthington, it is the story of a “disenfranchised ex-super-hero sidekick” who decides to “work his way up the ranks” and become a super-villain.
I’m not sure either of the two books are my cup of tea, but they did make me want to go back and re-read Luke Cage, Hero for Hire.
Andy Kuhn Gets Carter
Andy Kuhn does the best sketches! He is a master of spotting blacks and knowing just what needs to be put in and more importantly left out. I love Andy’s sense of design so I was extremely pleased to get on his sketch list at Heroes Con and asked him for Jack Carter. As you can see he rocked it. You can check out more of Andy’s art at his blog and his DA site.
Dustin Harbin Gets Carter
This week we have Dustin Harbin‘s look at Jack Carter. Dustin is a freelance illustrator working out of Charlotte, NC. I’ve known Dustin for years through his outstanding work with Heroes Con. It was only recently that I discovered Dustin’s talent for cartooning.
Well, you just know I had to see Dustin’s riff on Sly. I hope you dig it as much as me. Dustin will be back soon with his take on Sly as Freddy from “Cop Land.”
John Beatty @ Collectors Comics
Those mugs in the photo above are Keith Mallow and John Beatty. Mallow and Beatty have been my buddies for years. Yeah, I know. My mom used to warn me about the company I keep.
Anyway, Keith is having Big Beatty down to his Collectors Comics store today. Beatty will be drawing free headsketches for anyone who spends $25 bucks. I’ll be there to heckle Mallow and cheer on John. Heck, I may even try to finagle a new Stallone sketch. Look for live tweets and later a full report. If you’re within driving distance come on by! For more information call 1-772-878-9229.
Batman in Legends of the Superheroes
If you’re a fan of the 60’s Batman series, odds are high that you’ve never seen Batman in Legends of the Superheroes. It was a special that aired in 1979 and was even campier than the Batman series. Mark Evanier explains how the special came to be… in a situation that is so weird it just has to be true.
What’s Next for The Walking Dead?
Now that the first season of The Walking Dead has concluded [with the highest ratings of any drama on cable], Robert Kirkman sat down for an interview with the fine folks at CBR.com. You can read part one here and then come back tomorrow for part two.
