Category: Art

Steranko Sketch

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Here’s another item from the ZONE vault.  This time we have a rarely seen Steranko sketch of Nick Fury.  It appeared as the back cover of a fanzine from around 1978.  Steranko was [and remains] one of my favorite comic artists so finding the, until then, unknown fanzine with some of his art made my day.

I can remember my excitement when I found the zine at a little comic book store in Tallahassee… or was it Gainesville?  John Beatty and I had driven up with Bill Black or to meet Bill or something… Big John, do you recall the specifics of that trip?

Mike Zeck’s Hulk

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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.

Jeff Warmester’s Rocky

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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

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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.

Chris Lopez & FX Countdown

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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!

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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

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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 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” Again

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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

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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

Viking #1 Sells Out

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I can’t wait to pick up my copy of Ivan Brandon and Nic Klein’s first issue of Viking.   If you feel the same, I hope that you’ve already put your order in with your local comic retailer.  If you haven’t you could be out of luck — at least if you’re hoping for a first printing.

What’s crazy about this unprecedented situation is that the comic hasn’t even reached stores yet and won’t until April 22nd.  It’s sold out at from Image Comics and the distributor.   Stores will still get the copies that they’ve ordered, but once they’re gone, they’re gone.  The good news is there will be a second printing.

Killer of Demons Kills

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The Pitch: “Frailty” plus a sense of humor meets comic books as presented by writer Christopher Yost and artist Scott Wegner.

The Overview: Dave Sloan wakes up to see actual demons from hell are living among us.  Only Dave can see them.  Well, that‘s not quite true.  The little heavenly cherub angel can see ’em and, between puffs on his cigar,  is telling Dave to kill them all.

The Good:  Wegner’s art works really well with Yost’s story.  Demons and humans, seen through Dave’s eyes as they go about their daily activities.  The ad for “Old Scratch.” The last page.

The Bad: What happens if you look like a demon to Dave.

The Ugly: The second issue isn’t available NOW.

The Summary:  Killer of Demons is a lot of fun.  Yost and Wegner have created a winner!

Mike Torrance, FX w/ Beatty & Killer of Demons

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Today I posted a sketch that I got from Mike Torrance back in 2007.  Mike, Jason Walker and Gary McKee had joined together to create a sketchbook and they were offering free head sketches to anyone who purchased one.  Talk about a great deal!

The FX Convention is a week closer.  Man, I am so looking forward to the down time.  It’ll be great to hang with my bro, John Beatty.  He’s a blast to be around — you never know what he’s going to say or do — and he’ll be sketching too.  John has created his own Big Beatty Stimulus Bucks Coupon which gives fans a discount on any art purchased from him.  If you’re going to be at FX, drop me a line.

Anyone reading Killer of Demons by Christopher Yost and Scott Wegener?  It’s a lot of fun and even better than I thought it would be… and I thought it would rock.

2 Comments
:iconjohnbeatty:
Mood: Optimism*johnbeatty Mar 29, 2009

I’ll be watching you at the FX-Show, too! My eyes are always on you…:eyepopping:

-John

Reply

:iconcjz:
Mood: Joy~CJZ Mar 29, 2009

LOL!… Remember the quote: “If you can see me, it means I can see you. If you can’t see me it means I could be about to attack!”

Oh, sorry… that’s not me the quote is about, it’s Chuck Norris!

We’re going to have fun at the show, Mr. Beatty!

– Craig

Reply

  • Mood:  Joy
  • Listening to: My Life by Billy Joel
  • Reading: Batista Unleashed by Batista
  • Watching: Hell’s Kitchen
  • Playing: Fast and Loose
  • Eating: Salsa, Ham & Cheese Omlette
  • Drinking: Diet Coke