Category: Art

Jim Ivey Christmas Celebration!

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That’s me (in blue) and Jim Ivey (in red).  The photo was taken last Friday at our (now resumed) Jim Ivey Celebrations.  Prior to COVID, about every six months I would invite friends to celebrate Jim Ivey (on either his birthday or Christmas).

Jim Ivey is one of our oldest and dearest friends.  Jim was the owner of The Cartoon Museum in Orlando, Florida. At the same time, Jim also worked as a syndicated cartoonist [The Thoughts of Man], a political cartoonist [The Orlando Sentinel], a publisher [CartooNews], teacher [UCF cartooning class] and comic book convention organizer [OrlandoCon].  Jim made a lot of life-long friends through these activities and many of Jim’s friends became friends.

Getting back to today’s celebration… the line-up included Jim, his caretaker Joy, Rob Smith, Steve Martinez, me, Charlie Moffitt, Santa & Mrs. Claus (Joy Underwood and her husband Dennis).

In the second photo you can see (going left to right) Robert Smith, me, Charlie Moffitt, Mike Kott, Mike Sikes, Cliff Weikal and his wife, Steve Martinez, Joy Underwood and her husband Dennis (Santa & Mrs. Claus) and our Guest of Honor: Jim Ivey.  Bill Black and John Beatty wanted to attend but family obligations kept them away. 

Jim received many Christmas cards, lottery tickets (he loves ’em), homemade cookies (he loves ’em).  Jim gave as good as he got, making sure each person in attendance got a Christmas Card and lottery ticket!  There were so many great stories shared.  It was a wonderful time. 

Our next Jim Ivey Celebration will be for his 97th birthday in April!   

“Run & Gun” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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I’m not a big fan of the Run & Gun poster, but since it is art and not Photoshopped heads I won’t complain too loudly.  The trailer isn’t great but by the end it had grown on me.  I think Run & Gun might be an okay way to spend a late night when nothing was popping.

After leaving a life of crime and violence, Ray is a reformed good guy, enjoying a quiet family life in the ‘burbs. But when his past is discovered, Ray is blackmailed into one last job to collect a mysterious package. After a deadly double-cross, he finds himself wounded and on the run from ruthless assassins who will stop at nothing to get what he has. Now, with the lives of his loved ones hanging in the balance and danger at every turn, Ray’s only hope is to draw upon his violent past to survive.

Featuring: Ben Milliken, Brad William Henke, Janel Parrish, Mark Dacascos, Celestino Cornielle, Angela Sarafyan, Alison Thorton, Hudson Yang, Michelle Campbell, Ari Barkan, Rafael Cebrián, Richard Kind

RINGSIDE CINEMA: Boxing Movie Posters: How Hollywood Sold the Sweet Science is Coming!

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RINGSIDE CINEMA: Boxing Movie Posters: How Hollywood Sold the Sweet Science is a book that will appeal not only to movie and boxing fans but also to Sylvester Stallone and Rocky fans.

Ringside Seat magazine presents Ringside Cinema, the first book dedicated to boxing movie posters and lobby cards from the past 100 years. Rarely seen international posters are also represented here. This beautiful, 170-page book includes an introduction by TCM host and author Eddie Muller and foreword by Steve Kronenberg, Noir City magazine’s managing editor and frequent contributor to Ringside Seat magazine. From Alfred Hitchcock’s The Ring to film noir’s The Set-Up to 2010’s Creed, it’s all here and a feast for the eyes. Ringside Cinema is essential for every boxing fan and movie aficionado’s bookshelf.
“Kudos to Ringside Seat and designer Michael Kronenberg for creating a book that combines three of my great passions: boxing, movies, and poster art. This one’s a keeper.” – Eddie Muller

Check out the video preview below.  Once it hits 1976, Rocky movie posters dominate all the way through!

RINGSIDE CINEMA: Boxing Movie Posters: How Hollywood Sold the Sweet Science comes in two versions:

Oleg Zatler’s Amazing Movie and Television Art!

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Oleg Zatler has created art for both for movies and television.  You’ve probably seen his art on posters for theatrical blockbusters like Batman, Hunger Games, District 9, Rambo, The Expendables and Star Trek.  On television Zatler has created art for the Star Trek franchise, AEW, Longmire and Sons of Anarchy to name just a few.

Mr. Zatler has a website where you can see more of his art.  He also has three sections for his posters (used and rejected) for The Expendables, The Expendables 2 and The Expendables 3.  It’s interesting to see how far out some of the designs were as well as those that weren’t used but should have been!

ONE-HIT WONDER Crime Graphic Novel is Coming!

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One-Hit Wonder by writer Fabrice Sapolsky and artists Ariel Olivetti, Stephen Thompson, Ivan Fiorelli, Dennis Calero and Joe Suitor looks interesting. 

Richie Reese was a (terrible) child actor. He was the worst. Seriously, he couldn’t act his way out of a paper bag. His heart filled with anger, he found solace in violence and everything Mafia related. Until he joins the mob for real.

That’s where we meet Richie. He’s at the top of his game. He’s internalized every bit of crazy that Hollywood has thrown at him over his decades living in Tinseltown, but he’s become very efficient hitman in the process.

When, one of the only people tethering him to the last shreds of his humanity is murdered, Richie starts looking for answers. But what he finds is more terrifying than he could ever have imagined…

If One-Hit Wonder sounds like something you’d like, you can pre-order it here or ask your local comic shop to reserve you a copy!

Amazing Rocky Painting by Brian Stelfreeze!

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Brian Stelfreeze created this amazing painting of Sly Stallone as Rocky.  I was hoping to make it on Brian’s commission list at the Heroes Giant-Size MiniCon.  Not only was I lucky enough to make the list, but Brian was into the idea of creating some Rocky art.  He surpassed all of my expectations (which were high since it was Brian Stelfreeze doing the art).

For those just learning about Brian Stelfreeze, he is one of the most amazing artists working today. He can do it all… pencil, ink, color, design. I have never seen a bad piece by Brian. Yet, he is one of the most humble, approachable and appreciative artists you’ll ever meet. This is my third piece by Mr. Stelfreeze. [You can see my first here and my second here.]