Category: Art

Comics on the Fringe

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If you’re a regular viewer of Fringe, then you know all about the alternate universe which is very similar to ours.  It’s an interesting concept and fun to see how things are just tweaked a bit and yet those tweaks make all the… I would say “all the difference in the world,” but I guess I should instead “all the difference in the universe.”

One of the characters on the show likes comics books and so several slightly different prop comics were created for the alternate universe.  Bleeding Cool compares the alt. reality comics with those from our universe.  Slightly tweaked comics can be seen here.

Preview of Stark/Cooke’s The Outfit

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Newsarama recently ran a six page preview of Darwyn Cooke’s adaptation of Richard Stark’s The Outfit.  It’s the sequel to Hunter [also an adaptation of a Stark novel] and it…

…won the 2009 Diamond Gem Award for Original Graphic Novel of the Year, is nominated for a 2010 Eisner and was a New York Times bestseller.

If that doesn’t make you want to check it out, nothing will.

Mark Pennington’s Rambo

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Mark Pennington graduated from the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art in 1985.

Upon graduation Mark became a toy designer at Hasbro. Mark created designs for the G.I. Joe line of action figures including a Rocky Balboa GI Joe that never saw production! Mark’s first work as an inker in the comic book industry was for SQP on Judge Dredd!

When I started collecting original sketches of Sly, Mark was one of the first artists that I approached. I was excited to get this Rambo head sketch from him. In the next few weeks I’ll post Mark’s take on an “older” Jack Carter. Like today’s Rambo sketch, it’s another winner.

The Frazetta/Stallone Connection

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A couple of days ago when I was looking for art to accompany my post about Frank Frazetta’s passing, I considered a ton of pieces.  The decision was a tough one because Mr. Frazetta had created so many iconic images throughout his career and because so many had made such an impression on me.  One that I had considered was the Judge Dredd cover that Frazetta had painted for Mad magazine.  I thought that the cover might be an interesting choice since it had a Sly Stallone connection.  Ultimately, I decided against it.

Today, as I was reading Mark Evanier’s blog, I came across a piece about Frank Frazetta that included a story about how that Mad cover came to be and why the painting’s background had to be yellow.  It’s an interesting post even if you’re not a Stallone or Judge Dredd fan, but even more so if you are.  Plus it gave me the opportunity to post the Frazetta/Stallone connection art.

Joel Carroll’s Topaz

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Today Joel Carroll started his new weekly web comic, Topaz.  Topaz is…

… a space trucker with a heart of gold, blasting from world to world, hoping to make the galaxy a better place.  But trouble seems to follow her…

If this sounds like something you’d like, then check out Topaz by Joel Carroll.

Frank Frazetta – RIP

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Frank Frazetta died today.  He was 82.  Although Mr. Frazetta had been in failing health for many years, the news of his passing is shocking.  Perhaps it’s because his paintings had such strength, such life.  And perhaps because Frank Frazetta’s art has always have been a part of our lives. Mr. Frazetta’s art appeared on the cover of over 150 books and comics, as well as movie posters, album covers, comic book stories, newspaper strips and more.  Equally as important are the number of artists and writers who have been influenced by Frank Frazetta’s talent.  Thankfully, Frank Frazetta’s art will live on to influence future generations.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Frazetta’s family, friends and fans.

Two Guys Talkin’ The Guns of Shadow Valley

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Dave Wachter and Jim Clark created a web comic, The Guns of Shadow Valley, which was recently nominated for an Eisner award.  Although Jim’s name may be new to you, regular ZONE readers should know Dave’s because of my posts about the Stallone pieces he’s drawn for me.

At any rate, here’s an interview from the good folks at Fandomania with both Dave and Jim about their creation The Guns of Shadow Valley…

“Somewhere in the mysterious Shadow Valley lies a secret that could forever change the face of the frontier. To protect that secret, a posse of gunmen with special abilities must come together and defend against a tribe of ghostly warriors, an advancing army led by a deranged Colonel, and the perils of the valley itself.”

Everyone Needs A Bullet to the Head

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That’s the partial cover to Bullet in the Head #2 published by Dynamite.  I’d actually meant to post about the series sooner, but it’s still not to late to get on board — the first issue won’t be out until June.  Bullet in the Head was first published in France back in 2004.  It went on to win “Best Story” at the Prix Saint-Michel comics awards.  In 2009 the film rights were optioned by Warner Bros.

So, what’s Bullet in the Head about you ask?  [And I’m glad you did.]  Bullet in the Head is a crime noir about a pair of buddy cops, a pair of buddy hitmen, some femme fatales and a ever-increasing body count.  Written by Matz, with art by Colin Wilson, the series is geared toward mature audiences.

You can read more about the series and see the first two covers here.

Rambo Statue Pre-Order

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Hey SZoners! Mark from Hollywood Collectibles wanted us to get a heads-up…

The Rambo statue is now up for pre-order;
http://hollywood-collectibles.com/rambo_18.html
If your guys use the code “Rambo” at checkout, they will get a 10% discount!

How cool is it that the Rambo statue is once again created by Edinho Maga who was discovered here at the StalloneZone?

Thanks to Mark and the good folks at Hollywood Collectibles for giving us another discount. Remember that the last Rambo statue sold out quickly. So put in your order, or drop some hints for a birthday, Father’s Day or even Christmas gift!

As always, any SZoner who orders one and sends me a photo with it, will have it posted on the StalloneZone!

From the Hollywood Collectibles website:

RAMBO IV 1:4 SCALE STATUE

“Heroes never die……..they just reload”

Standing an impressive 20” tall including base (to top of head – not including bow), this Quarter Scale statue captures Rambo’s raw intensity, as the “boatman” reveals his true colors to the mercenaries he is accompanying.


Featuring an accurate likeness of Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo from the latest Rambo movie, this amazingly detailed statue portrays Rambo with his now iconic bow in hand, poised to dispense instant justice with another arrow!
This incredible piece of art is constructed from heavyweight polystone and then hand painted to the finest detail.

Limited to just 500 pieces worldwide

There is no HCG Exclusive version of this piece. However if you like low serial #’s, we are reserving # 1 to # 100 for retail customers only. So the first 100 retail orders will receive the desirable low edition numbers!

Sculpted by Edinho Maga.
Painted by Dan “Danno” Cope.