Cameron is Enough
I really don’t know much about “Avatar” other than James Cameron is directing it. That’s usually enough for me.
Chris Moreno’s “Cop Land”
Chris Moreno worked up this very nice color take on Sly from “Cop Land” for me at a convention last year. My buddy picked it up when I had to leave the show early and I didn’t end up getting it in my possession until just recently.
Man, I really like Chris’ art and my piece is an excellent example of “why.” He’s a talented artist with a huge sense of humor. What a great combination! You can check out more of Chris’ art here.
MMA News and NonNews
There was a lot of news for MMA fans today, but the biggest news was something that didn’t happen. First, let’s look at what did:
- Tito Ortiz has re-signed with the UFC. He and Dana White have sorted out there differences and soon Ortiz will be back in the cage. His first opponenet has not yet been named.
- Rich Franklin was scheduled to fight Dan Henderson at UFC 103. That has been changed. Franklin will now face Victor Belfort. Henderson is in line to get the next title shot at Anderson Silva. This should work out better for everyone involved.
- And now for what didn’t happen. Fedor Emelianenko didn’t sign with the UFC. Fedor was offered more money than he’s ever made plus a percentage of the ppv sales. He was going to be allowed to wear M-1 logos [his manager’s organization] in the cage and on whatever signs, shirts, he wanted. He would still be allowed to fight in Sambo. The only concession White wouldn’t concede was to make M-1 a partner with the UFC in the promotion of the fights. If Fedor is truly the best or even just wants to fight the best, he should have made the deal. Kevin Iole sums it up perfectly here. Looks like Fedor will be sitting on the couch with his “belts” for the time being. Bah.
“Mad Men” Yourself
Although I’ve never watched an episode of AMC’s “Mad Men” I felt compelled to see how my buddy, Jim Ivey and I would look drawn as “Mad Men” cartoon characters. All things considered, I guess we came out okay. If you want to see what you or your friends would look like, then click here.
Wayne D. Dundee Checks In
There’s a funny scene in Woody Allen’s “Annie Hall” when Woody is standing in line at a movie and gets into an argument with a stranger about an author. Woody ends the scene by saying, “If life were only like this.”
Not too long ago, I posted a comment at Chris Mill’s Atomic Pulp site asking whatever happened to a hardboiled writer named Wayne D. Dundee. I figued Chris or one of his readers might know. Today I received an e-mail from a guy who definitely has the scoop. Yep, Wayne Dundee e-mailed to let me in what he’s been up to. How cool is that?
Dundee is best known for his Joe Hannibal private eye novels which first started appearing in 1988. Not only has his writing won critical acclaim, but authors such as Andrew Vachss, Max Allan Collins, Joe Lansdale and Bill Crider sing his praises. So if you don’t take my word, you can take theirs. Dundee is an author worth checking out. Here’s a link to his site with more updates coming soon.
I guess Woody was wrong, sometimes life is like “this”.
Solomon Kane Poster
Now THAT is the kind of poster that will peak my interest in “Solomon Kane”. You can see a slightly larger version at IMPAwards.com.
Spartacus: Blood and Sand
“Spartacus: Blood and Sand” is a new series premiering on STARZ in January. The series looks like it might be something ZONErs would enjoy… even though, stylistically it borrows a lot from “300”. Heck, maybe THAT IS why we’d like it!
Here’s a link to the official “Spartacus: Blood and Sand”.
Jason Walker’s Rambo
My buddy, Jason Walker, worked up his take on Rambo and even colored it. I love the perspective on this one! I’ve been a fan of his work for some time and he just keeps getting better and better. Check out more of Jason’s art at his blog and his spot at the Deviant Art site!
“Jonah Hex” Scifi Western?
I’m looking forward to seeing “Jonah Hex”. It’s been a while since there’s been a good western and from what I’ve seen so far, “Jonah Hex” will fill the bill. I like the poster above, but think it has a futuristic feel to it. Perhaps a more western style logo and earthtone colors would have been better?
“Book of Eli” Trailer
Yesterday I posted a promotional poster for “The Book of Eli” directed by The Hughes Brothers and starring Denzil Washington. Today we have the trailer for the movie. Tomorrow I want to see it. Unfortunately it won’t be out until January 15, 2010. I can’t wait.
Someone is Missing on Shutter Island
Here’s a new teaser for “Shutter Island”. I am really looking forward to seeing how Martin Scorsese brings it to the big screen. If he sticks to Dennis Lehane’s novel, he can’t go wrong. You can see a slightly larger version of by clicking here and going to IMPAwards.com.
Edwards on Eli
Tommy Lee Edwards worked as a concept artist on Denzel Washingon’s next film, “The Book of Eli”. Edwards also created this very cool promotional poster to help Warner Bros. promote the film at the San Diego ComicCon.
“Boondock Saints” Too
CBR.com posted a larger version of the piece above along with a mini-interview with Troy Duffy, the man behind “The Boondock Saints.” You may remember that Duffy was a bartender in 1997 who scored a million dollar deal with addtional benefits based on his “Boondock Saints” screenplay. Before the film was completed, Duffy’s rampaging ego alienated his family, friends, and the production company behind his big bucks deal. Ultimately “The Boondocks Saints” was never given a wide theatrical release, Duffy had burned his bridges and gone through the money.
A funny thing happened when “The Boondock Saints” went to dvd and cable. It became a cult hit! Now, tweleve years later, and without any additional films in between, Duffy is coming back with “The Boondock Saints 2.” As a tie-in to the movie, Duffy has teamed with 12 Guage to create a comic that will expand “The Boondock Saints” story. Chris Brunner [an excellent artist] will provide covers to the series with an interior artist to be named later.
The movie and comic are projects to keep an eye on. Let’s hope that Duffy has become a bit of a “Saint” too.
Make Mine Marvel… Again
When I was in high school and college I bought a lot of Marvel comics. Then as I got older I found myself bying fewer and fewer Marvels. It even got to the point that I’d go months [years?] without getting anything from the house that Stan and Jack built. Of course I was buying fewer comics in general…
Imagine my surprise to find that my Preview order this month has nine comics and four of them are from Marvel [Punisher Annual #1, Punisher: Frank Castle Max #74, Dominic Fortune #2 and Criminal: Sinners #1]. Of course if Marvel continues to feature art by Dave Johnson, Jason Pearson, Howard Chaykin and Sean Phillips with stories by Rick Remender, Victor Gischler, Howard Chaykin and Ed Brubaker, how can I not buy ’em?
About Me with The Monkees
This was sent to me by my buddy, “The James” Howell. I thought of several musicians/groups that I could use [Billy Joel, The Beatles, Bob Segar, Michael McDonald, Elton John, etc), but opted to go with The Monkees. So using song titles from their albums, here are my answers…
Pick Your Artist: THE MONKEES
Are you male or female: A Man Without a Dream
Describe yourself: Daydream Believer
How do you feel about yourself: I Don’t Think You Know Me
Describe your current boy/girl relation situation: Heart and Soul
Describe where you currently live: Pleasant Valley Sunday
If you could go anywhere you wanted to go: Through the Looking Glass
Your favorite form of transportation: Last Train to Clarksville
Your best friend(s) is(are): A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You
Your favorite color is: Nine Times Blue
Favorite time of day: Sometime In The Morning
If your life were a TV show, what would it be called: Looking for the Good Times
What is life to you: Hard to Believe
What is the best advice you have to give: Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)
Thought for the Day: That Was Then, This Is Now
How I would like to die: Love is Only Sleeping
My soul’s present condition: I’m A Believer
