Category: Comics

“Bullet to the Head” (2012) directed by Walter Hill, starring Sylvester Stallone, Jason Momoa, Christian Slater and Sung Kang / Z-View

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Bullet to the Head (2012)

Director:  Walter Hill

Screenplay: Alessandro Camon; based on the comic Du plomb dans la tête by Matz 

Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Momoa, Christian Slater, Sung Kang, Sarah Shahi, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Holt McCallany, Brian Van Holt, Weronika Rosati, Dane Rhodes, Marcus Lyle Brown and Jon Seda.

Tagline: Revenge never gets old.

The Plot…

James Bonomo, a.k.a. Jimmy Bobo, and Louis Blanchard are hitmen hired to take out a dirty cop named Hank Greely.  After the successful mission, an attempt is made on Bobo and Blanchard by a large killer.  Blanchard is murdered, but Bobo survives.

Washington Police Detective Taylor Kwon is sent to investigate the execution of Hank Greely.  When corrupt cops attempt to kill Kwon, he is saved by Jimmy Bobo.  Kwon’s a police officer and Bobo is a killer.  Neither trusts the other, but Bobo and Kwon will have to work together if they want to survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Bullet to the Head is based on the French comic Du Plomb Dans La Tête (“Lead in the Head”).

Wayne “Running Scared” (2006) Kramer was originally set to direct.  He dropped out because he wanted a darker film than Sly Stallone.  Stallone then reached out to Walter Hill.

Thomas Jane was originally set to play the cop who teams with Jimmy Bobo.  Producer Joel Silver wanted a more “ethic” actor to increase overseas sales.  Jane was replaced by Sung Kang.

Sly Stallone’s character’s name is James “Jimmy Bobo” Bonomo.  In the film Oscar, Stallone’s gangster character says that he once worked with James “Jumpin’ Jimmy” Bonomo.

Bullet to the Head (2012) rates 4 of 5 stars

Jack Carter vs John Wick by Andrew Farago!

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When I saw artists were doing commissions in support of The Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco. How could I pass on a chance to get a new commission for my Stallone-themed Sketch Collection AND support a good cause at the same time?

I couldn’t.

I looked at the list and decided to go with Andrew Farago. Andrew is not only an artist and author but also the Chairman of the Northern California chapter of the National Cartoonists Society and the curator of the Cartoon Art Museum! I asked for Jack Carter and John Wick and Andrew came through like a champ!

If you’re a sketch collector, The Cartoon Museum’s Sketch-A-Thon gets my highest recommendation. The prices are super reasonable, there are several artists to choose from and there is even a digital sketch option!

Thanks again to Andrew Farago for the cool sketch and super service!

Tony DeZuniga Draws Rambo Too!

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Antony de Zuñiga who worked primarily under the name Tony DeZuniga, was an exceptional comics artist and illustrator.  Mr. DeZuniga was the co-creator of Jonah Hex and Black Orchid. He was the first Filipino artist to work for Marvel or DC Comics.  He paved the way for other talented artists.

Most folks know Tony DeZuniga for his beautiful inking.  As you can see above, with the Rambo commission I was fortunate to get from Mr. DeZuniga, he was a consummate penciler as well.

Barry Windsor Smith’s Beautiful Cover Art for Conan Saga #1!

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This is the cover art (without the cover dressing) used for Conan Saga #1 by legendary Conan artist Barry Windsor Smith.  Here’s what part of what Smith said about the piece:

“I consider this work my definitive Conan. The strange background edifice and the mystical decoration are hallmarks of my early Conan comics stories…”

You can see the rest of the quote (and a larger version of the art) here.