The Hunter Preview
IDW has posted up a 19 page preview of Darwyn Cooke’s adaptation of Richard Stark’s The Hunter. Man, I want this book now!
Category: Comics
Mike Zeck’s Hulk
After all that talk yesterday about how cool Mike Zeck’s Hulk and frontpieces were, I decided to dig into the ZONE vault and see what I could come up with. So today we have a Mike Zeck frontpiece that appeared in The Hulk magazine #14 dated April 1978.
A couple of interesting tidbits:
The frontpiece originally was published flipped horizontally so that the Hulk’s left hand appeared to be in a fist [to the viewer’s right]. Because it was flipped, Mike’s signature appeared to be SECK. So, 31 years later, I post the art the way Mike meant it to be seen… but unfortunately my scan cuts off his signature… : (
I may be remembering wrong, but I believe the taxi driver is meant to be Mike Zeck his own bad self.
Mike Zeck’s Conan
I was going through some of my old files and came across this xerox of a Mike Zeck Conan sketch that has to be close to 30 years old. Mike is best known for his work on The Punisher and Captain America, and this sketch gives us a little taste of how cool Zeck’s Conan could be.
FX Photos
That’s me and horror host Lon Midnight at the FX show on this past weekend. I’m the mug on the left.
One of the fun things about comic conventions is the number of people who show up in costume. Here are pictures of a few. John Beatty posted some nice photos of some of the artists at the show.
As you look at the photos sometimes it’s hard to tell who’s in costume and who’s simply dressed as they usually do!
Jeff Warmester’s Rocky
I first discovered Jeff Wamester on his ComicSpace page. I really liked Jeff’s art and thought his concept pieces for a futuristic bounty hunter graphic novel had a ton of potential. I’ve continued to follow his postings at DeviantArt.
When Jeff recently offered his sketchbook [along with a free headsketch], I immediately put in my order. Jeff was quick to respond that he got my request. The sketchbook arrived in no time at all and was securely packaged. [If you had a mail carrier like mine, you’d appreciate that!] The sketchbook rocks and contains a nice cross section of Jeff’s work. I’m not sure if it’s still available, but if so, you can’t go wrong by ordering one.
100 Bullets Hits 100
100 Bullets by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso has consistently been one of the best comics published each month during it’s 100 issue run. I’m sorry to see it end, but 100 Bullets was designed to go for just 100 issues. And it did. And with the same creative team [including Dave Johnson‘s magnificent covers] in every issue. CBR.com has a spoiler heavy review right here.
I’m going to miss my monthly 100 Bullets fix… but have to admit I am looking forward to whatever Azzarello, Risso and Johnson do next.
Walking Dead Preview
CBR.com has a preview of the best regularly published comic going today. That’s right, by clicking here, you can get an advance look at Walking Dead 60 by Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn.
Chris Lopez & FX Countdown
Today’s Stallone sketch is by Chris Lopez. I love his work, but Chris’ website disappeared years ago and unfortunately I have no idea what happened to him.
Chris Lopez is a very talented artist who used to run SpaceBop.com. I sent Chris an e-mail praising his work and the next day this digital sketch and explanation appeared in my e-mail:
“The Lords of Flatbush is one of my favorite flicks. So I figured I’d do one of Stanley. I loved the scene with him in the pigeon coop, or when he goes to buy the engagement ring and gets pressured into buying the more expensive one. Oh yeah, swinging around 2 football helmets!!! Classic stuff.
So anyway, here it is. I hope you like it. I really had fun doing it. I tried not to fall back on the stereotypical Sly caricature features (eyes, lip) and give him a more realistic approach.”
That was about eight years ago. I lost track of Chris when SpaceBop.com went offline. [There is a site with the same name now, but it’s not Chris’.] Periodic searches for Chris on the internet haven’t turned him up.
Maybe one of you know him??
We’re less than a week away from FX and the fever is growing. I had breakfast yesterday with Big John Beatty [who else has a milkshake with a sausage & cheese omelet?] and he’s ready to rock some sketches. LOL. Mike Zeck is putting us up for the weekend. Too bad we can’t get Mike to join us for some FX fun. Mike, like Bella [John’s wife] and Doralya [my wife] will probably enjoy the quiet while Beatty and I are at the show.
- Mood:
Sunny Mood - Listening to: Smiling Faces by The Undisputed Truth
- Reading: Patient Zero by Jonathon Mayberry
- Watching: Pitch Black
- Playing: Dead
- Eating: Easter Dinner soon!
- Drinking: Diet Coke
FX is a Week Away!
We’re a week away from FX International. My buddy, John Beatty will there as a guest along with other comic book artists, movie and tv celebs and thousands of fans. I’ll be hanging out at Big John’s table on Friday and Saturday as he autographs and sketches. [Oh, and if you plan to get a sketch from John be sure and print out his Big Beatty Stimulus Bucks Coupon! It will get you five dollars off any sketch purchased!]
Speaking of sketches, I’ll be hoping to get a few more additions to my Stallone theme, as well as a couple of autographs.
Drop me a comment if you plan to attend. A fun time will be had by all.
Darwyn Cooke’s Big Update
Yesterday Darwyn Cooke wrote a guest article for Jimmy Palmiotti’s blog and gave us quite an update! Here are a few highlights:
- Darwyn is providing covers for The Last Resort which he describes as a “Horror/Comedy… kind of a cross between an Irwin Allen picture and some of the great serials that you’d get back in the day from Heavy Metal.” It’s written by Jimmy Palmiotti and will be published by IDW this summer.
- Darwyn is designing and contributing color for the dustjackets on The Complete Torpedo Collection, the five volume set which for the first time ever collects the entire Sanchez Abuli and Jordi Bernet classic series.
- Our buddy, John Highashi got a shout out for his bowling prowess!
- Darwyn’s work on Richard Stark’s The Hunter is nearly complete and the book is scheduled for a July release!
- Darwyn’s friend Calum Johnston hosts “Almost Darwyn Cooke’s Blog” which provides updates on what the main man is working on. Until yesterday I didn’t know this blog existed and now it’s on my must read list.
Speaking of must read — if you want to check out Darwyn’s entire guest article, then click here.
“28 days later” Gets a Criminal Cover Artist
Sean Phillips announced that he will be providing the covers for the 28 days later comic series. Sean is an excellent choice for cover artist. I’m interested to hear whose going to be writing and drawing the stories. It might be cool to have a rotating art team.
“28 days” Again
I’m a fan of “28 days later” and its sequel “28 weeks later” so I was happy to read Boom Studios announce that a new comic series will premiere in July bridging the events between the two movies. Although a creative team has yet to be announced, this project sounds like it could be a winner. Especially if the art for the new series is as good as the cover above.
Gary McKee and Jeff Wamester
Today I posted a quick sketch that I got from Gary McKee in 2007. Gary, Jason Walker and Mike Torrance were offering free head sketches to anyone who purchased their sketchbook. That’s always an enticing deal!
In fact Jeff Wamester just made the same offer and being a fan of his work, I couldn’t pass it up. Here’s the link if you’re interested, but check to make sure he still has sketchbooks available! [link]
- Mood:
Satisfied - Listening to: September by Earth, Wind and Fire
- Reading: Patient Zero by Jonathon Mayberry
- Watching: Apocalypto
- Playing: with your emotions
- Eating: Scallops & Artichoke-Mushroom Pasta
- Drinking: Diet Coke
20 All-Time Coolest Heroes in Pop Culture
Entertainment Weekly.com listed their choices for the 20 All-Time Coolest Heroes in Pop Culture. (Sadly the list is no longer available.) I decided to play along. Just using their list, I came up with my top ten:
10. Spider-Man: Who wouldn’t want spider-senses, be able to swing through the city, and girlfriends like Mary Jane Parker and Gwen Stacy? I’m talking the comic book versions of course.
09. Superman: When I was a kid I loved tv series. The first movie with Christopher Reeves also rocked. Everything after that — not so cool.
08. Mad Max: If it wasn’t for Beyond Thunderdome, Max might have rated higher!
07. Dirty Harry: Who doesn’t love Clint as Harry Callahan?
06. John McCane: Yippe-kiaaaaaa!
05. Indiana Jones: Harrison Ford’s signature role is nerdy cool!
04. Batman: So many versions [Neal Adams, Marshall Rogers, Frank Miller, Adam West, Tim Burton’s, Christopher Nolan’s, etc.] and each one works.
03. Jack Bauer: No matter how bad things get, Bauer stays cool.
02. James Bond: Like Batman, so many versions, but Connery and Craig are the coolest Bonds.
01. Captain James T. Kirk: Star Fleet Captain and ladies man. Now THAT is cool.
Okay, I played fair and used EW’s list… but what about John Rambo, Riddick, Marv from Sin City, and James West to name just a few who didn’t make the cut?
DC Comics Bloggin’ It
Did you know that DC Comics — the folks that publish Batman, Superman, 100 Bullets, Incognito, Criminal, well, you get the idea — has their own official blog?
