Bring Back Black Cross

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The drawing above is of a character created by Chris Warner called Black Cross. He made his first appearance [Black Cross, not Chris Warner] in Dark Horse Presents #1. DHP #1 was an anthology and the first comic published by the folks who would go on to give us Frank Miller’s Sin City, Eric Powell’s The Goon, Hellboy by Mike Mignola, and on and on and on.

Black Cross was popular enough to spin off into a mini-series, a couple of stand alone short comic stories and a one-shot. At one point, Black Cross was close to becoming a big screen feature with Howie Long in the title role. At about the same time another Black Cross mini-series was in the works called “My War.” Neither it or the movie ever happened.

I always hold out hope that one day Chris Warner will bring back Black Cross.

Thomas Jane Joins Stallone in “Headshot”

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JoBlo broke the news today that Thomas Jane is set to join Sylvester Stallone in “Headshot.” Walter Hill is set to direct the adaptation of the crime comic published as “Bullet to the Head.” Stallone plays a hitman and Jane a NYC detective who are brought together after a series of murders.  According to Jane…

  • He’s a hitman, I’m a cop, and we’re just opposite in every ******* way, and we need each other to get this job done. And of course I’m like, ‘As soon as this job’s over, I’m going to take you to jail, you know, you’re a killer.’

Lee Marvin, Mel Gibson & Jason Statham

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Variety reported today that…

  • Jason Statham is in negotiations to star in the thriller “Parker” with Taylor Hackford directing… based on the book series by Donald Westlake [aka RIchard Stark], [and] revolves around a thief who, though at times is forced to be a killer, still lives by a code of honor that includes never stealing money from people who need it. His word is his bond, and if he is crossed he will strike back relentlessly.

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Richard Stark’s Parker novels as well as the graphic adaptations by Darwyn Cooke.   I also enjoyed Lee [“Point Blank”] Marvin and Mel [“Payback”] Gibson in movies based on the Parker character.  I have little doubt that Taylor Hackford directing Jason Statham will be welcome additions to the Parker legacy.

Return to Ape Greatness?

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The original “Planet of the Apes” is still one of my all-time favorite movies.  Unfortunately, as with most movie series, the sequels got progressively worse.  And let’s not even talk about the Tim Burton remake.

So, with that said, I have no idea how good the new “Apes” movie, “Rise of the Apes” will be.  I do like the concept art that I’ve seen, so maybe there is hope for a return to greatness.

Wham-O Daredevils

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This 1966 commercial for the Wham-O Wheelie Bar really brings back a lot of memories.  I would have been 7 or 8 years old depending on when the commercial first appeared.  I had a sting ray bike.   I rode/loved that bike like a singing cowboy loved his horse.    I never had a Wham-O Wheelie Bar though.

Besides the nostalgia factor of the commercial, I also found it interesting that kids riding the bikes in the commercial were riding with no helmets, barefoot, and down the middle of the street.  They were also standing on the seat and doing tricks [things that we all did or at least tried back in the day] but that would never pass the safety standards of today.

[Via Neatorama]

Matthew Warlick’s Sketchbook Deal

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Want to hear about the best deal in comics today?

It’s Matthew Warlick’s 2011 Sketchbook.  Longtime readers will remember when Matthew drew Jack Carter and videoed the process.  Ah, but I digress, you want to hear about the great deal Matthew is offering on his sketchbook.  Okay, here’s the skinny.  The sketchbook is 48 pages for five bucks, PLUS you get a free quickie sketch in the back of the book!

How can you beat that?  You can’t.  My sketchbook came today with a drawing of Rocky. [I’ll post it soon.]  As they say on tv, get your orders in quick, because this deal is too good to last long!

Breaking Bad is So Good

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If you don’t watch Breaking Bad on AMC, you’re missing out on one of the best shows currently running.  Seriously.  I’m surprised I don’t hear more people talking Breaking Bad up.  It’s that good.  If you don’t know about it, don’t feel bad.  I only recently discovered Breaking Bad and now I’m hooked.   AMC is about to start running the series again from the start, so this would be a great time to jump on board or at least give it a try.

Saul Goodman [pictured above] is a sleazy lawyer on the show, but he’s  not the main character.  Saul is just one of the many great characters.  Saul’s card might make you think that Breaking Bad is a comedy, but it’s not.  Sure, there are some funny moments, but Breaking Bad ain’t no sitcom.  It is one of the best shows on currently on tv.