Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
Although I try to limit political discussion [this blog is supposed to be about fun stuff], I do love talking art [comics, movie posters, paperback covers, etc.]. President Obama had a series of political posters which made such an impact with their design that the style is being copied everywhere.
I decided that it would be cool to create a “Obamicon” using a vintage photo and favorite saying of my buddy Jim Ivey.
It’s no secret that I love crime novels, movies and comics. Since 100 Bullets [the partial cover to number 99 is pictured above] is getting ready to end it’s 100 issue run, I was glad to read that DC’s Vertigo line is gearing up to produce a series of crime comics. You can read all about their upcoming titles by clicking here. Filthy Rich, by Brian Azzarello and Victor Santos sounds the most promising to me. I like Azzarello’s writing and after checking out Santo’s blog really dig his art.
Things are looking up for crime comic fans.
My buddy, Bill Black, has moved AC Comics into the 21st century!
Everything, and I mean everything that a fan could love about Bill’s diverse product line is available with a click. Femforce is here. Giant Women [yes, giant women] are here. Bill’s dvd line is available [with selected trailers]. If you’re into Golden Age Heroes, then click here. Western Reprint fans will want to click on this. You can even click here to read Femforce:Origins.
I can’t wait to see what Wild Bill has planned for the 22nd century!
I’m not much of a Hawkman fan, but I’m a big enough fan of writer and artist Kyle Baker that I’ll give his new Hawkman comic a look. In fact you can check out a sample page posted at Kyle’s site by clicking here.
So many ZONErs are eagerly anticipating “The Watchmen” movie that I’d be shot if I didn’t mention that there will be an Art of the Film Watchmen book. CBR.com has a few exclusive photos. In addition to the Art of the Film Watchmen book, there will also be The Watchmen: The Official Companion and Watchmen Portraits… not to mention the original graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. Oh, and that reminds me that Dave Gibbons has a book coming out called Watching the Watchmen: The Definitive Companion to the Ultimate Graphic Novel.
Whew! After we read all those books perhaps the movie will be out.
A series that I’m looking forward to is “Viking” by Ivan Brandon [writer] and Nic Klein [artist]. Who wouldn’t want to read a Viking crime comic set in the 9th century? If this sounds like something you might like, then check out this Newsarama interview with Nic Klein [who also previews more of the art].
Joe Bluhm’s drawings are dead-on. Folks say Joe Bluhm has “crazy skills.” “Mad talents” cry others. I’m starting to wonder if maybe both groups are right… and not just about his skills and talents. See, Joe has a new art book coming out called Sketch Infectus. And that’s where things start to head into crazyville.
Joe’s Sketch Infectus is an 80 page hardcover art book filled with nearly 400 of Joe’s drawings. He’s selling this sweet package for just $19.95. That comes to less than 20 cents a sketch. Insane, right? Well, it gets better my friends.
Joe also went out and gathered quotes, tips and advice from some of the top artists working today. People like Tom Richmond, Steven Silver, Phillip Burke and others. Did Joe raise the price? Nope.
Then to show you how out there Joe is with this offer, let’s quote the man himself:
Anyone who pre-orders by February 5th (happens to be a good friend’s birthday!) will get an original sketch. And by sketch, I don’t mean I’ll draw a little 5 second scribble… I mean I’ll actually be cutting out the sketches from these and other sketchbooks and giving them to you! You might get something IN the book and you might get something else! Your sketch might have a doodle on the back. Who knows!
Now that deal is insane and crazy. And if you don’t jump on it, you’d have to be too.
If Rev. Dave Johnson aka “The Potentate” draws it, I’m there. So today we have a link to Rev. Dave’s trailer for “Flatulene.” What is “Flatulene” you ask? Well, here’s how “The Potentate” describes it:
Farting for fun and profit… About 3 days of work to put this together for Titmouse Studios second annual 5 second animation day… As I worked on it, her story started to write itself… My inspiration was Russ Myers ‘Faster Pussycat, Kill Kill’… I might even try to pitch this to Adult Swim.
So if a smokin’ hot chick with irritable-bowel syndrome, fast cars and a partner who’s a flesh-eating zombie sounds like something you’d like to check out, then click here. VROOM! VROOM!
I’ve talked about what a great artist and writer Kyle Baker is many times. On many occasions I’ve encouraged you to visit Kyle’s site. Tonight, I’m going to once again suggest that you stop by. If you do, check out Kyle’s graphic novel, I Die at Midnight,
Kyle posted up the entire book which can be read for free, and told me:
I thought this might be a cool experiment, since I had the PDF anyway. If people respond well, I’ve got about 20 books to follow it up with. It might be nice to turn my site into a public library. We’ll see if people download it. The fascinating thing about the web is the access to statistics. I’m often surprised at which posts get the most hits. We’ll see if this is popular.
How cool is that? Most folks would post up a preview and then try to get you to buy the book. Kyle not only posts it up in its entirety, but talks about doing the same with his other books.
Kyle Baker is a great artist and writer — he’s a generous one as well.
Big congratulations (on the first issue sell out of Icognito) to Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. Ed Brubaker discusses the situation over at Newsarama and it’s worth a read.
Today I received my limited edition, Rambo statue from the good folks at Hollywood Collectibles. The statue was placed inside a molded styrofoam shell which was then put in a well designed packaging box which was then placed in a larger shipping container filled with packing nuts. If you think I’m making too big a deal about how pleased I was with the secure packaging, then you don’t know my delivery guy.
The statue, about 12 inches tall, is a thing of beauty. Sculptor, Edinho Maga shows Rambo standing triumphant. Each statue was hand painted by Dan Cope who did a wonderful job. Hollywood Collectibles always turns out quality items and this Rambo statue is no exception. Although this piece is sold out, there are other Rambo collectibles, Rocky items, and many other movie collectibles as well.
I want to thank Mark from Hollywood Collectibles. Mark contacted me once I had posted photos of Edinho’s work on the StalloneZone. Mark was impressed. I put the two into contact with each other and the rest, as they say, is history. Throughout the whole process Mark kept me informed on the statue’s progress. It was also Mark who made it possible for SZoners to get a discount if they ordered a statue. Mark and Hollywood Collectibles have been great to deal with. I hope that future Stallone projects are given the same treatment. I could say more, but it’s time to go clear off a place on the mantle for my Rambo statue.
I’ve got a new hangout on the net. Surprisingly, it’s at DeviantArt.com.
My buddy, John Beatty recently got a spot there and started posting his art. Naturally I swung by. I was surprised to see how many artists [and friends] hang out there. I wanted to leave some comments, and decided to open an account — it’s free. Then John suggested I post up some of my Stallone drawings in a gallery. I did. Next thing I knew I had friends and artists leaving me comments.
So why not drop on by and check it out. I’m slowly getting my collection up, but I can guarantee you’ll find plenty of cool stuff to check out if you look around.
I’m not an artist, but I’ve always loved art. I believe that comic books were the start of it all. Like most kids of my generation, I loved comic books. Unlike most, I never outgrew them.
In junior high I met John Beatty. He was also into comic books and original art. He wanted to be a comic book artist. During our high school and my college years, Beatty and I spent a lot of time at Jim Ivey’s Cartoon Museum. Jim’s was THE place for comics and original art. We also started attending conventions. I was in college and Beatty had become a comic book artist.
I sold off my art collection when I was ready to graduate college. I kept just one piece, a Paul Gulacy commission of Sylvester Stallone [my favorite actor]. Over the years some of my artist friends gifted me pieces of Stallone art. When my sons were in their mid-teens we started attending comic conventions. I realized that getting sketches of Stallone from my favorite comic artists was a perfect mesh of my hobbies.
So, no, I don’t draw ’em, I just collect ’em.
Mood: Joy
Listening to: 70’s Music
Reading: The Wildwood Boys by James Carlos Blake
Watching: “Serenity”
Playing: Internet Hearts
Eating: Wings
Drinking: Tea
Chris Mills made my day when he posted the cover above to Darwyn Cooke’s adaptation of Richard Stark’s novel The Hunter. If anyone is more excited about Cooke’s plans to adapt Stark’s work than me, it’s probably Chris Mills. He is not only an author himself, but also an expert in the crime genre… and do I have to remind any ZONErs how much I dig Chris’ character Gravedigger?
Ed Hall recently sent in the piece above that he created for his portfolio. Ed is an award-winning political cartoonist who has decided to branch out into other areas. As he journeys into these new waters, Ed regularly posts his thoughts and art on his blog. Check it out and let him know your thoughts.
