Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
Gene Gonzales did this quick sketch of Sly as Ray Tango from “Tango and Cash” as a bonus for buying his new sketchbook. He offers this deal to anyone picking up a copy, so check out Gene’s art and if you like what you see put in your order. You won’t be disappointed.
I spent last Saturday at the 4th annual Florida SuperCon and had a blast. It was my first time to the FSC, so I really didn’t know what to expect. I’m happy to report that the show was well run, and contained plenty of media guests, artists, activities, and panels to keep fans of all interest levels entertained.
If you like checking out convention photos, then you can click on the individual links in the post or here to see a slideshow of photos [with additional ones not linked below].
I walked onto the convention floor just a bit before the doors opened to find Pat Broderick setting up. It was cool talking to Pat, and refreshing to hear that he still collects art. In fact, Pat was disappointed to learn that legendary artist Gene Colan wasn’t going to be able to make the show due to health reasons. Pat had hoped to get something from him.
Dick Giordano was surrounded by fans the entire day. Dennis Calero was set up and sketching. I had hoped to get him to sign my copy of Duane Swierczynski’s Severance Package novel [Dennis did art for it] and it was the first place I ever saw his work. Can you believe that I accidentally left my copy at home? [I didn’t forget my Walking Dead hardcover and was able to get Tony Moore to sign it.] Still, it was nice to meet Dennis.
Another artist that I met for the first time was Mitch Breitweiser. Mitch was twittering from the show and cracking me up with some of his tweets. It’s also possible that Mitch has some magical powers, since I took at least one photo of him and when I got home none were on my camera!
Sean Shaw was set up and drawing when he wasn’t talking up the UFC! In fact artist alley was hopping with folks like: Saint James Comics, Derrick Fish, Chris Darden [who was painting], Alex Ferrer, Austin Janokowski, Richard Green and so many others. I picked up two Stallone sketches at the show: Andrew Charipar gave me his take on Deke from “Nighthawks” and newcomer, Cayce Moyer took a shot a Rambo.
It seemed that every third person was in a costume and man, there were some really good ones. Like this one, or this one, and especially this one. I taken more photos of the costumed guests and you can see them here.
Brian Thompson, Ted Raimi and Bruce Campbell were the main media guests. Ted Raimi did a one hour panel where he talked to the audience and then led folks chosen from the crowd to join him in a skit of “How a Movie Gets Made in Hollywood.” Bruce Campbell won the crowd over with a one hour session where he simply took questions from the audience. Talk about rapport with the fans, stage presence and great sense of humor. I enjoyed that panel more than any I’ve ever seen and I’m not a HUGE Bruce Campbell fan… or maybe I should say I wasn’t…
As you can probably tell, if you’ve read this far, I had a great day at the Florida SuperCon. I expect that next year will be even better since I’m going to try to make it for more than one day. If you can, you should too!
I missed out on Heroes Con last year. Normally, we plan the family vacation so that we’re in Charlotte the weekend of the show. It just couldn’t be worked out last year. Up until a week ago, I thought I’d miss the convention again. But thanks to some buddies who’ve invited me to join them, I’ll be there when the doors open on Friday, June 19th and plan to hang around until they throw us out on Sunday, the 21st.
I’m excited because I’ll get to hang with a group of friends I haven’t seen in a while – “The James”, Hal, Will, Matt, Jason, Gary,,, I’ll get to see some artists/writers whose work I love – Ed Brubaker, Otis Frampton, Chris Brunner, Eric Canate, Evan Bryce… aw, you can check out the guest list here for yourself. Then if you get the urge, make plans to come to the show. [ I’d hate for you to miss out. Trust me, I know how that feels, and it ain’t fun.]
We were just talking about The Walking Dead yesterday and today Newsarama.com posted a preview of the latest issue. And to sweeten the deal, Newsarama also posted previews of the latest issues of Viking [you are reading Viking, aren’t you??] and Proof. Click on over.
The Walking Dead has been one of my favorite comics since it first appeared. Now, 62 issues later, The Walking Dead is still the first one I read each month when I pick up my comics. Although not many members of the original cast have survived the zombie apocalypse, Kirkman hints that more are about to meet the grim reaper in this interview [with potential spoilers] at CBR.com.
Francesco Francavilla is a talented artist. I visit his art blog and pulp blog regularly.
Here’s Francesco’s take on Freddy from “Cop Land.” The sketch was free since I purchased Francesco’s Chiaroscuro sketchbook. Chiaroscuro is 70 pages full of Francesco’s black and white work. It features everything from quick sketches to more detailed work of characters like Hellboy, Batman, Kong, Marv, and so many others. It arrives securely packaged [which is a major plus knowing my mail carrier] and the last page contains the quick sketch.
Francesco has another sketchbook available. Schermoscuro is a classic horror movie guide in artbook form. Francesco offers the same deal on it. How could I pass up such a bargain? I couldn’t. I love that Francesco tied my drawing to the sketchbook’s theme by making Jack Carter a zombie.
Here’s another vintage piece taken from the ZONE vault. Legendary Batman artist Marshall Rogers did the pencils and John Beatty worked up the inks. Man, this brings memories… good times.
While diggin’ in the ZONE vault I came across this cool Mike Zeck spot illustration of the Hulk that appeared in a fanzine over thirty years ago. Like a fine wine, it just gets better with age.
The drawing above is of a character created by Chris Warner called Black Cross. He made his first appearance [Black Cross, not Chris Warner] in Dark Horse Presents #1. DHP #1 was an anthology and the first comic published by the folks who would go on to give us Frank Miller’s Sin City, Eric Powell’s The Goon, Hellboy by Mike Mignola, and on and on and on.
Black Cross was popular enough to spin off into a mini-series, a couple of stand alone short comic stories and a one-shot. At one point, Black Cross was close to becoming a big screen feature with Howie Long in the title role. At about the same time another Black Cross mini-series was in the works called “My War.” Neither it or the movie ever happened.
I always hold out hope that one day Chris Warner will bring back Black Cross.
The photo above of Josh Brolin as “Jonah Hex” is showing up all over the web. They’ve definitely got the look of the character down.
If the movie is half as good as the latest Jonah Hex comic by Gray/Palmiotti and Gulacy we’ll really be in for a treat!
This is the splash page to the first Cody Starbuck story that I ever read. In fact it may be the first Cody Starbuck story that Howard Chaykin ever created. It was part of an independent anthology comic called Star*Reach that I picked it up at the first comic book convention that I ever attended, OrlandoCon 77. That’s a lot of firsts, isn’t it?
Cody Starbuck was good stuff. It reminded me of an Errol Flynn movie in outer space, but created for a modern audience. Someone should reprint all the stories in a nice new hardback edition. Then once that’s done they can check back here to see what I else I’d like.
Next week is the Florida SuperCon in Miami. With over 100 media celebrities and comic guests in attendance [including Bruce Campbell, Ted Raimi, Chris Claremont, Tony Moore, Dick Giordano, Dennis Calero, Mitch Breitwesier and scores of others], costume events, video gaming, panels and more, there should be something for everyone.
I’ll be there on Saturday checking things out. Hope to see you there!
Earlier this month I posted this Howard Chaykin drawing of his Dominic Fortune character. I also spoke of how much I loved Chaykin’s work on the Dominic Fortune stories. The drawing was from nearly thirty years ago, about a little known [at least to the masses] comic book character.
Last night as I was looking through the latest issue of Previews I was surprised to read that Howard Chaykin is bringing back Dominic Fortune in a new story that Chaykin is writing, penciling and inking! That’s the solicitation art above and here’s what they say about the story:
“The depression’s going strong, so when Dominic Fortune is hired to bodyguard Jock Madison, Vaughn Lorillard and P.T. Oakley, three drunk and disorderly Hollywood stars, he jumps at the chance to pick up what looks like a few easy bucks, and maybe have a few laughs in the bargain. But when the trio of old school hambones and horndogs prove to be a bigger pain than he anticipated — and he accidentally stumbles across a conspiracy headed by mysterious American businessman Malcolm Upshaw and Delatriz Betancourt, the recklessly sexy granddaughter of Confederates who fled Reconstruction for South America — Fortune finds himself in hot water…with the fate of the USA at stake. Explicit Content …$3.99 In stores August 5th“
It’ll be fun to see what Chaykin has cooked up. Who knows, maybe if I post some drawings of Cody Starbuck and Monark Starstalker, Chaykin will revisit them as well!
You probably read this blog because we like a lot of the same things. If that’s the case, then you’re probably going to really get a kick out of Doc Monster!
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!
