Category: Comics

Scalped… a Sly Recommendation

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Today I’d like to recommend Scalped, a new comic series which premieres in January. It’s a crime comic set in the “world of gambling, gunfights, G-men, Dawg Soldiers, massacres, meth labs, trashy sex, fry bread, Indian pride -”

Hey! Wait a minute. Did you say Indian pride?

Yep [and thanks for asking].

Scalped comes to us from Vertigo comics [for mature readers] and is written by Jason Aaron with art by R.M. Guera. For a preview of the issue click HERE.

The first cover is by fan favorite Jock and can be seen here. Now is it me or does the face on the Native American look a bit like Sylvester Stallone from this Herb Ritts photo? Want to see them both together? What do you think?

Truth be told, it does look like Jock used a Herb Ritts’ photo of Sly for reference, but it may have even been another photo from the same session. I can’t lay my fingers on the photo, but here’s a digital painting that John Beatty did of it.

It’d be cool if Jock was a Stallone fan… but either way, I’d still recommend Scalped.

2 Guns and 4 Issues

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In January writer Steven Grant is teaming with artist, Mataes Santolouco, to bring us the crime comic mini-series “Two Guns.” Grant, probably best known for his work with Mike Zeck and John Beatty on Marvel’s first Punisher mini-series and subsequent graphic novels, is joining forces with Boom Studios for this creator owned release.

Full of betrayals, gunplay and plot twists, Grant’s tagline for the series [“Imagine the perfect crime. Now get it wrong.”] hints at the fun readers should have if they pick up the series.

After reading this interview with Grant, I’ve added the series to my “pull list.” You may want to do the same!

Steve Niles & 28 Days… What a Treat!

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Longtime ZONErs know that I really dug “28 Days Later.” The sequel, “28 Weeks Later” will be out next year. I can’t wait.

Now there is word of a graphic novel [written by Steve Niles!] called 28 Days Later: The Aftermath. It will serve as a bridge between the original movie and the sequel.

Want to know more… click HERE!

Oh yeah, trick or treat!!

 

Almost Time for Tampa

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If all goes according to our plan, in two weekends [November 12th to be exact], I will join my buddies, “Big” John Beatty, John “Star Wars” Higashi, and “The James” Howell for our tri-annual trip to Tim Gordon’s Tampa Comic Book and Toy Show. That’s Tim pictured above. He’s the guy not wearing a mask.

The show is always a blast. If you’re a long-time ZONE reader, then you’ve heard me speak about the show many times before. If you’re new to these parts, then click HERE and you’ll get a preview of the fun.

Hope to see some of you at the show. I’ll be the guy looking for Stallone sketches!

"Smokin’ Aces" and Frank Miller

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I loved “Narc” and was excited to hear that Joe Carnahan was coming back with a new movie called “Smokin’ Aces.” I must admit that when I first saw the trailer a couple of months ago, I wasn’t knocked out. I went back and watched it again tonight, and I’m definitely on board now. I wonder how I’ll feel after I see the movie.

On another note, there’ s nice little interview HERE with Frank Miller who talks about “300,” “Sin City 2” and “The Spirit.”

 

Hellboy vs the Universal Monsters

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If this news comes to pass it would be the coolest…

Universal has acquired the rights to Hellboy. Guillermo del Toro [who co-wrote and directed the first Hellboy movie] and Mike Mignola [creator, writer and artist of Hellboy] are excited about the prospects of not only a sequel [or two] to the 2004 movie, but the fact that a Hellboy movie could now feature some of the classic Universal monsters! That’s right, Frankenstein, the Wolfman, Dracula, the Creature from the Black Lagoon and more!!

Mignola and del Toro have discussed the possibilities. Here’s a couple of quotes from del Toro: “I must say that I’m having a great experience right now at Universal, because I find that their understanding of Hellboy as a possibility is so great… My hope is that if everything goes well and we continue [the franchise], Hellboy can start fighting the Universal monsters! I would love to see that.”

So would I. For the full article, click HERE.

Chaykin’s Blade

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If you’ve been keeping up, then you know that I’m looking forward to Howard Chaykin’s art on the soon to be released Blade comic series from Marvel. Heck, you’ve probably read my post about it here and here. And since you’ve been keeping up, you probably already read this interview with Chaykin.

I guess the only thing left is to buy the comic!

 

Atomic Pulp and Other Meltdowns [2006]

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Tonight I want to tell you about a blog run by Chris Mills. It’s called “Atomic Pulp and Other Meltdowns” and it’s definitely worth bookmarking. Chris writes about pop culture as well as occasional glimpses into his life as a struggling writer.

The fact that Chris is “struggling” speaks volumes about how hard it is to make it as a writer. You see, in 2004, Chris wrote a universally well-received one shot, Gravedigger: The Scavengers [which remains my favorite single issue comic of the last 2 years].

Chris was also the editorial director on Mickey Spillane’s Mike Danger [where he worked with Spillane and Max Allan Collins]. Chris was also the editorial director on Neil Gaiman’s Lady Justice. Chris wrote a year-long run on Leonard Nimoy’s Primortals comic series.

Chris was also the creator and editor of Noir, an illustrated crime fiction magazine that featured art and stories from some of the biggest names in both the comic and mystery fields. I could continue to list Chris‘ credits, but you’d probably prefer me to shut up so you can check out his blog.

But one more thing before I close… if you ever get the opportunity to pick up a copy of Gravedigger: The Scavengers [with art by Rick Burchett], please do. I first wrote about the one shot here and then again here.

I love this comic and would love to see more Gravedigger stories by Mills and Burchett. If after reading it, you feel the same way, please let your local comic dealer know… and it wouldn’t hurt to drop Chris a line as well!

Higashi’s Kindness Knows No Bounds

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John “Johnny Star Warz” Higashi is one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. In addition he has one of the most unbelieveable art collections you’ll ever see [if you click HERE].

John hits more conventions than many pros and is constantly getting new additions to his collection. The cool thing about John is despite the fact that he’s one of the most active collectors you’d ever meet, he’s a real down to earth guy. And his kindness is legendary. Last weekend he was at Baltimore Con. John took 125 artists, their relatives and friends to the Orioles vs Yankees game. Can you imagine?

So of course when Johnny SW came to Sketch Society today, he treated everyone to donuts. Yeah, it ain’t a trip to a pro baseball game, but then again Sketch Society ain’t the Baltimore Con either! – Snort –