Blade by Gabriele Dell’Otto
I absolutely love this Blade piece by Gabriele Dell’Otto. That may be the best Blade piece I’ve ever seen.
Source: Longbox of Darkness.
Category: Art
Marv by Klaus Janson!
Marv from Frank Miller’s Sin City is one of my favorite characters. I love seeing different artist’s take on the big lug. Today we have an awesome Marv piece by frequent Miller collaborator, Klaus Janson.
Spidey vs Doc Ock by Joshua Hixson!
Spidey vs Doc Ock by Joshua Hixson is just what we need right now. To see a King-Size Annual sized version check out this post at The Bristol Board.
Tarzan by Rafael Kayanan!
I first met Rafael Kayanan when he was about 15 years old. We were at OrlandoCon and Raf had his portfolio with him. You could tell even then this kid was destined for great things.
Raf became not only an exceptional artist (working for Marvel, DC, Dark Horse and many other companies) but also a Master-level edged weapons expert and instructor in Sayoc Kali. Raf has choreographed and trained actors for feature films and television. He has served as set illustrator and story board artist on Broadway and major motion pictures. In other words, Raf can do it all.
The Rocketeer & Betty by Dave Johnson!
Dave Johnson is one of the top tier artists that can do it all. The Rev may be best known for his covers, but his sketches never disappoint. Here we have The Rocketeer and Betty.
“Dr. No” Alt Poster by Adam Hughes!
Check out this cool alt poster for Dr. No by Adam Hughes.
SCENE OF THE CRIME by Ed Brubaker, Michael Lark & Sean Phillips / Z-View
SCENE OF THE CRIME by Ed Brubaker (writer), Michael Lark (artist), Sean Phillips (artist)
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Jack Herriman is surprised when he gets a call from his dead father’s former partner, Detective Paul Raymonds. Jack’s dad was assassinated in the line of duty when Jack was a teenager. Jack didn’t deal with the loss well and made some bad choices. Detective Raymonds helped Paul along the way.
But that was years ago. Jack turned his life around. He got clean. Jack began working as a Private Investigator. Detective Raymonds wants Jack to find a missing woman named Maggie. Maggie is the daughter of Raymonds’ mistress.
Finding Maggie is surprisingly easy. She’s a free spirit. Jack follows the leads and meets her. After some back and forth, they decide to talk over a meal. Maggie agrees to call her mother and reassure her she’s safe. There’s chemistry between Jack and Maggie. As he drops her at her hotel room, they both agree they’ll see each other again.
The next morning Maggie is found murdered in her hotel room. In a bag is $10,000 in cash.
Now the case is personal. Jack is determined to find Maggie’s killer. The trail will lead to other crimes, a family conspiracy and secrets that are as sickening as they are shocking.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
SCENE OF THE CRIME was the first time that Ed Brubaker worked with both Michael Lark and Sean Phillips. Brubaker would go on to have celebrated runs on Daredevil and Gotham Central. Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips would go on to create the Criminal series and so many other classic tales.
The book also contains the following extras…
- Intro by Brian Michael Bendis
- Covers from the original comic series
- Gods and Sinners, a heartbreaking short tale featuring Jack Herriman
- The Untold Story of Scene of the Crime by Ed Brubaker
- Examples of Michael Larks pencils and Sean Phillips inks
SCENE OF THE CRIME by Ed Brubaker (writer), Michael Lark (artist), Sean Phillips (artist) rates 5 of 5 stars.
Rating:
Conan and Wench by Simon Bisley!
Conan has a nice dinner, a full-bodied wench… and it looks like there’s going to be a problem. Simon Bisley creates another winner!
Marv by Paul Pope!
Marv from Frank Miller’s Sin City is one of my favorite characters. I love seeing different artist’s take on the big lug. Today we have Marv by Paul Pope.
EERIE Archives Volume 9 featuring Esteban Maroto, Doug Moench, Tom Sutton, Steve Skeates, Luis Dominguez & more!
EERIE Archives Volume 9 will be released on December 17, 2024. It will contain 272 pages of horrific fun! Here’s what we get…
Enter the laboratory of Cousin Eerie as he prepares to throw the switch on another shocking collection of terror tales in Eerie Archives Volume 9, now in a value-priced paperback edition.
Prepare yourself for an extended series of forbidden experiments by comics masterminds Esteban Maroto, Doug Moench, Tom Sutton, Steve Skeates, Luis Dominguez, and more. By the way, who’s that strapped to the slab? Oh, it’s you! Don’t worry, the pain won’t last forever—but it’ll feel like it!
Collects Eerie magazine issues #42–#46.
Deal me in. Pre-Orders are available now.
Punisher by Cully Hamner!
Going through the Zablo vault I found this cool Punisher character study by Cully Hamner. Not sure where it appeared, but I’m glad I saved it.
BROOKLYN BLOOD by Paul Levitz and Tim Hamilton / Z-View
BROOKLYN BLOOD by Paul Levitz (writer) and Tim Hamilton (artist)
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Detective Billy O’Connor suffers from PTSD. His time in Afghanistan took a heavy toil. O’Connor has occasional hallucinations and blackouts. He’s been able to keep it together, but things that trigger episodes are becoming more frequent.
Detective Nadira Hasan is O’Connor’s partner. She’s aware of O’Connor’s issues, but has his back. They’re a good team. That’s why they get the assignment when a serial killer begins leaving gruesomely mutilated bodies in public places.
As O’Connor and Hasan work the case, O’Connor’s visions begin to change from Afghanistan to terrible images from Brooklyn’s past. He’s seeing things that make no sense, but are somehow connected. O’Connor thinks a psychic may have some answers. When O’Connor tells Hasan, she’s skeptical. But as bodies pile, up, anything is worth a shot.
As O’Connor and Hasan get closer to the killer, he turns his sights on them.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I knew Paul Levitz from his days as a writer and editor for DC Comics. I liked his one sentence summary for BROOKLYN BLOOD: In Brooklyn, a serial killer is on the loose–and when strange clues lead down a paranormal path, a detective confronts his inner demons to solve the case.
I wasn’t familiar with Tim Hamilton’s art, but that’s what got me to pull the trigger on the purchase. His storytelling is straightforward with interesting camera angles. I especially love Hamilton’s inking. He has an open art style, then comes in with bold inks. He’s great at spotting blacks and creating a page that pops. I definitely will keep my eyes open for more from Hamilton. I’d love to see him take on additional crime/noir stories.
BROOKLYN BLOOD definitely leans into the paranormal aspect of the case with Lovecraftian monsters showing up at the end of the tale. If that’s you’re thing, you’re going to like the story even more than me. I was entertained and enjoyed the ride.
BROOKLYN BLOOD by Paul Levitz (writer) and Tim Hamilton (artist) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Rating:
Conan by Ron Salas!
Conan by Ron Salas. THAT is a cool take on the Cimmerian.
LAST FAIR DEAL GONE DOWN By Ace Atkins & Marco Finnegan / Z-View
LAST FAIR DEAL GONE DOWN By Ace Atkins (writer) and Marco Finnegan (artist)
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Nick Travers is a Tulane University blues historian. You’d never know that by just looking. Nick played pro ball for the New Orleans Saints. But those glory days are behind him. Now still a young man, Nick spends time at JoJo’s bar drinking too much and listening to Fats make his sax sing.
Fats is an old-time bluesman and Nick’s friend. Fats’ gambling and drinking often eat up his paycheck before the week is over. So when Fats takes a break, Nick offers to buy him a meal. As they’re talking Fats says that he’s in love. Real love. He’s found a woman and she’s something.
Two days later Fats is dead. Self-inflicted gun shot is the reported cause.
Nick is given the task to clean out Fats’ apartment. It’s a sad job. Too many memories. Then it gets worse. Nick realizes that Fats’ beloved saxophone is missing. Nick is determined to learn who took it.
As Nick begins looking for the sax, he gets information that leads him down a different path. One that involves human trafficking, rich and powerful men and the woman that Fats loved.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I first became aware of Ace Atkins when he took over writing Robert B. Parker’s Spencer novels. Atkins was the perfect choice to continue the series. Which led me to Ace Atkins’ Quinn Colson novels. Each new novel became a must read. So when I learned that Ace had done a graphic novel with Marco Finnegan, it was a quick buy. I wasn’t let down.
Atkins has created a great protagonist. A college professor built like a thug. A bluesman. Someone willing and able to right wrongs and go the distance for a friend. The Nick Travers novels have now moved to my “must-get” list.
Marco Finnegan was a great choice to create the art for this graphic novel. Finnegan was an Atkins fan and actually reached out to Ace with samples of his art. The two hit it off and the end result was LAST FAIR DEAL GONE DOWN. Finnegan’s art is black and white with gray wash which is an excellent choice for a noir story. I’m a fan of Marco’s art thanks to LAST FAIR DEAL.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Chris Brunner’s wraparound cover. It’s the icing on the cake.
LAST FAIR DEAL GONE DOWN By Ace Atkins (writer) and Marco Finnegan (artist) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Rating:
“The Big Sleep” Poster by Richard Amsel!
Here’s Richard Amsel’s poster for The Big Sleep. Back in the 1970s, Amsel was one of the most popular artists working. His art graced record and magazine covers, movie posters and more. Sadly, Richard Amsel died when he was just 37 years old.
