ABC Kills “Life on Mars”

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I was disappointed to just read that ABC has cancelled Life on Mars. The good news is that the series starring Jason O’Mara, Gretchen Mol, Harvey Keitel, Michael Imperioli, Jonathon Murphy and occasional guest star Lisa Bonet will be allowed to complete the season and resolve the mystery that propelled the series.  Namely why a modern day cop “suddenly, mysteriously finds himself transported back to the 1970s, where the rules are dramatically different.”

I really hate to see this series end.  I’d been with it since the premiere and enjoyed every episode.  At least “Life on Mars” will get to resolve the mystery that kept fans coming back for more.

Dave Johnson & Howard Chaykin Pull No Punches

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It’s no secret that I’m a Dave Johnson fan.  It’s no secret that I’m a Howard Chaykin fan.  Up until today I did not know that Howard Chaykin is a HUGE Dave Johnson fan.  At WonderCon this past weekend Chaykin helped moderate a panel along with and about Dave Johnson.  As you can imagine, it was insightful, funny, informative and pulled no punches.  Here’s a taste from a CBR.com report:

Chaykin: . “Dave is consistently the finest cover designer working in the field today. He finds the bridge between the intellectual and the emotional.”

Johnson {when he was praised and not fired after submitting a radical cover): “I realized I just had to be fearless (when creating a cover).”

Johnson (on his influences): “John Byrne, Michael Golden. Byrne is a total *******, though—I met him once and I vowed never to do that again.” Chaykin chimed in again: “The good thing about Byrne is, as long as he’s alive, you know you never have to be the most despised man in comics.”

The piece by Dave Sikula is really well written and informative.  It goes on to tell how Steranko vindicated Johnson after he was over-ruled by an editor, why it’s tough to be the cover artist for Eduardo Risso, what Byrne, Art Adams and Michael Golden have in common, how Johnson approaches covers and much more.  You can read the whole piece right here.

The Last Days of American Crime

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It was nearly six years ago when I first posted about, the very talented writer and artist, Rick Remender.  It’s funny to note, that even in that very first piece, I was excited to hear about Rick’s proposal for “The Last Days of American Crime.” As the years have rolled by Rick has gone on to write, draw and create some really cool comics [Fear Agent, XXXombies, etc.], but it has always been “The Last Days of American Crime” that I’ve wanted to see.

The great news is the wait is almost over. “The Last Days of American Crime” will debut later this year in a three issue [48 pages each] mini-series with art by Greg Tocchini.

Another Bad Day for Jack

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Although there’s a lot of discussion about Jack Bauer’s methods and use of torture, fans of the show have been given some relief.  24 is scheduled to begin filming it’s eighth season starting in May.  Bauer will be back [along with potential love interest Annie Werching].

MegaCon Report

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I made it over to MegaCon yesterday. I got to touch base with John Higashi, Hal, Matt Haloub, Andy Smith, John Beatty [with Bob McLeod and Jason Sobel at the tables on either side], Mark Dail, Pat Broderick, Mike Kott, Joe Pekar, Derek Donovan, and Jimmy Sanders. I split the day between hanging out at Beatty’s table [he got me in on a guest pass] and walking the show with Hal. It was a really enjoyable day.

I picked up two pieces for my Stallone collection. Ron Salas did a very nice Rambo headshot [usually it’s Rambo giving someone a headshot and not the other way around] and Mitch Byrd [who I’d wanted to get a piece from for years] did an amazing Jack Carter sketch. I’ll post them soon.

FX is coming up in April. I plan to attend.  Anyone else going?
4 Comments

Mood: Tired
Listening to: Every Time I Move I Lose by LTD
Reading: Another Life by Andrew Vachss
Watching: Medium
Playing: Internet Spades
Eating: Muffin
Drinking: Diet Coke [goes good with the muffin]

~whoisrico Mar 1, 2009 Professional General Artist
Aw man, I’ve never seen Mitch Byrd at a show! I woulda sent you some cash to get me a saucy Batgirl if I was paying attention!

~CJZ Mar 1, 2009
Rico,

I’d been hoping for a piece from him for a couple of years. You would have died to see some of the art he had. His Hellboy piece was amazing. He did a King Kong for a guy that was so cool. He charges twenty bucks for a basic commission. More for pre-done pieces. The highest price I saw was $75. Many of his pre-done sketches were five bucks a piece.

I think he is going to be at FX in April. I plan to attend and will let you know as the date gets closer.

~whoisrico Mar 2, 2009 Professional General Artist
Aw man! 5 bucks?! dang!

~CJZ Mar 2, 2009
Yeah, it was amazing.

RIP: Paul Harvey

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Radio legend, Paul Harvey passed away today at the age of 90.  The cause of death was not immediately known.  Mr. Harvey, known for his distinctive voice and speaking style, became a national icon when his radio program went national in 1951.  In time he became the most popular and most listened-to radio personality in America.

I remember enjoying his broadcasts even as a youngster.  Mr. Harvey had two catch phrases: “Stand by for news!” [which began his broadcast] and “Now you know the rest of the story.” Paul Harvey’s broadcasts had the feel of a trusted friend commenting on items from the daily paper.  He will be missed.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Harvey’s family, friends and fans.

What’s the Difference?

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A policeman pulled over a car, walked up to the driver’s window, and asked the man if he knew why he was pulled over.

“No,” the man replied.

“You failed to stop at the stop sign,” the cop explained.

“But I did slow down!” the guy argued.  The cop shook his head. “You are required to stop. That’s why they’re called stop signs.”  The man started to get belligerent. “Stop, slow down — what’s the difference?”

The cop pulled out his baton. “I can show you. I’m going to start hitting you with my baton. You tell me if you want me to stop or slow down.”

MegaCon This Weekend!

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MegaCon starts tomorrow.

I love me some MegaCon.  There’s a ton of guests, including my buddy, John Beatty.  Although I won’t be there tomorrow, I do plan to attend on Saturday.  If you’re there swing by Beatty’s table.  Odds are I’ll be there.  The main reason to swing by though is to check out the really cool sketches John will be kicking out.  Big John is even offering a coupon for a discount on his sketches!

Hope to see you there!

Robert B. Parker Speaks!

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Robert B. Parker is a busy author.  He writes the Spenser series, the Jesse Stone series, the Sunny Randall series, young adult novels, and has just finished up his western trilogy.  It all averages out to about three new books a year.  You’d think that at age 76 that would be a bit much.  Not for Parker.

He even found time for this interview with the Wall Street Journal.

A Duck Walks Into A Bar…

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A duck walks into a bar. And he says to the bartender “Got any grapes?” The bartender says “No, I don’t have any grapes.” The duck walks out, sorely disappointed.

So the next day, he walks back into the bar, asks the same question, gets the same answer.

The day after, he walks back into the bar, and again, asks the bartender, “Do you have any grapes?” The bartender, having still not figured out why this duck seems to think he may have some grapes, says to the duck, “No, and if you come back in here tomorrow and ask me if I have any grapes, I will nail your bill to the bar!”

The duck frowns, turns around, and walks out of the bar. So the next day, the duck walks back into the bar, and asks the bartender “Got any nails?”

The bartender says, “No.”

So the duck says, “Got any grapes?”

[A raised bill to Neatorama.com for the link]

Derek Fridolf’s Rambo

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My buddy, John Beatty turned me on to Derek Fridolf’s artwork.  I was visting John and he handed me Derek’s latest sketchbook.  I was instantly into the art.  I said to John that I bet that Derek could do a pretty cool Stallone.  Beatty laughed and handed me the sketch above.  I was floored.

Derek offers a free headsketch with every sketchbook purchased.  John wanted the sketchbook, but doesn’t collect art.  So he asked Derek to do a Stallone piece that he would give to me.   Derek agreed and created his very cool take on Rambo.  You can check out more of Derek’s work here.  And of course John Beatty can be found here and here.

Thanks to Derek and John.