Remembering Dan Seals

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I just read today at Ivan Shreve’s blog that Dan Seals has died after a long bout with cancer.  If you didn’t recognize the name, perhaps you knew him better as “England Dan” of the popular 70’s recording duo England Dan and John Ford Coley.

Between 1976 and 1979, England Dan and John Ford Coley had six top 40 singles [“I’d Really Love to See You Tonight,” “Nights Are Forever Without You,:” “It’s Sad to Belong,” “Gone Too Far,” “We’ll Never Have to Say Goodbye Again,” and “Love is the Answer”] with four hitting number one on the charts.

Dan Seals’ older brother, Jimmy Seals was half of the extremely popular recording duo Seals and Crofts.  Not wanting to cash in on his brother’s name, Dan went with his nickname, “England Dan” which was given to him as a child because of his love for The Beatles.  In 1980, England Dan and John Ford Coley broke up, and Dan went on to have a successful career as a country singer.

Although I’m a huge fan of England Dan and John Ford Coley [I almost posted a link to this video less than a week ago], I didn’t know about Dan Seals’ country career.  After seeing/hearing his cover of “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight” I’ve decided that I’m going to have to correct that.

Our thoughts and prayers go out the family, friends and fans of Dan Seals.

Are You Ready for Red?

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I’ve been singing the praises of the Warren Ellis/Cully Hamner mini-series for years.  It’s got a cool story and great art by Cully.  Red has even been optioned for the big screeen.

So why am I writing about Red today you ask? (And I’m glad that you did.)  Because on June 9th, for the first time ever, it will be released as a standalone graphic novel!  It will also include the Warren Ellis’ script to the first issue and never-before seen development art by Cully!  You can pre-order your copy by clicking here.

A Whole Lot of Walking Dead

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If you’re a Walking Dead fan… or if you’ve been waiting for the right time to jump on board one of the best regularly published comics in recent history…  or if you’ve been hoping to score some back issues but just can’t find them or they’re too expensive… then you may want to pre-order a copy of The Walking Dead: Compendium One.  This big boy is 1,088 pages reprinting The Walking Dead issues 1-8 in one massive trade paperback edition.

Talk Like William Shatner Day!

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Today is William Shatner’s birthday.  He’s 78.  Wow.  Hard to believe that Captain James T. Kirk is pushing 80.  Denny Crane, yes; Captain Kirk, nope, not possible.  But it is.

So in honor of the Shat’s birthday, I suggest we all participate in the first annual TALK LIKE WILLIAM SHATNER DAY!  Not to worry, here are instructions on how to talk just like Willam Shatner.  Once you’ve listened and learned, jump right in.

Oh, and… Happy… Birthday! [SHORT INHALE and SHARP BREATH] Mr. Shatner!

Jason Walker, Frank Miller, Watchmen & FX

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I got the Jason Walker quick sketch that I posted today, two years ago at an Orlando Con. Jason, Gary McKee and Mike Torrence had joined together to do a sketchbook. All three were giving free head sketches to anyone who picked up a copy. Since I consider all three guys friends (and I dig their art), of course I was down for a copy. I’ll post Gary and Mike’s quick sketches soon.

Anyone here caught any of the History Channel’s new series, BC Battles? It’s really well done, but Frank Miller should be getting a kickback on every episode. Not only is the action made to look like scenes from the movie “300” but the type face on logos and any lettering looks just like Miller’s from the comic. Well, we all know what they say about homage and all that.

I’m a bit surprised at how fast “Watchmen” dropped at the box office. I liked the movie a lot. Of course, I’m a comic fan and don’t think that the graphic novel is the “be-all, end-all,” so I’m probably the perfect audience for the film. Still, I thought it would do better…

I’m really looking forward to the FX show. Beatty and I always have a blast and the guest list is really packed. If you’re planning to be there, post a comment and let me know.

Mood: Glad

Listening to: Can’t Get Enough of Your Love by Barry White

Reading: Patient Zero by Jonathon Mayberry

Watching: BC Battles on the History Channel

Playing: Catch-up

Eating: Salsa & Cheese Omlette

Drinking: Diet Coke

Matt Hughes Toys with Crazy Idea

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On May 23rd, Matt Hughes will finally get a chance to fight Matt Serra.  Although neither fighter is in his prime, this is a match that I’m really looking forward to.  These guys truly don’t like each other and have wanted to mix it up for a while.

The weeks leading up to the battle could be pretty entertaining and I have no doubt that the fight will be as well.  I think that Hughes will win and may even be able to do it via a submission or ref stoppage.  Serra may surprise us though.  Look what he did to GSP — and Matt Hughes is no longer on that level.  That’s what worries me.  Because if he wins his fight with Serra, Hughes says:

“I’m toying with the idea of moving to 185 to fight Silva.”

Is Matt Hughes nuts?  He’s lost 3 of his last 4 fights at his [lower] weight class.  What makes Hughes think that he can go up in weight and take on the best pound-for-pound fighter in the game?

For the full article click here.

The Face of Evil Lookin’ Old

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I’ve always considered Charles Manson to be the poster boy for “The Face of Evil.” That may have to change because…

California corrections officials released a photograph taken today of aging convicted mass murderer Charles Manson, replete with receding hairline, fading forehead Swastika carving and a thick, heavily graying beard.

Manson is 74 years old and won’t be eligble for another parole hearing until 2012, but since he’s been unsuccessful in 11 other parole bids, I doubt 12 will be his lucky number.

You can read the full LA Times piece by clicking here.

The Goon Vs. Dethklok

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The one genre of music that I’m not much into is metal.  That might mean that I’ll get a bit more joy out of seeing Eric Powell’s The Goon kick a bit of metalhead butt in the one-shot called, appropriately enough, “The Goon Vs. Dethklok.” It’ll be written and drawn by Eric Powell and should hit local comic shops in July.  You can get a sneak peak of the full cover and a see an exclusive MTV promo for “The Goon Vs. Dethklok” by clicking here.

FX International – Join Beatty & Zablo for a Funny Photo

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That’s me and John Beatty back in 1991.  Although it looks like we’re either Siamese twins or getting ready to cut a WWE promo, we’re actually fooling around at a comic book show.   John and I have been attending comic book conventions since we were in high school [a few years before he became a professional funny book tracer] and we’re still doing it.  Guess [Hope] we’ll never grow up.

John will be a guest at FX International next month.  He’ll be there with a ton of other comic book artists, movie and tv celebs and thousands of fans.  If you happen to be one of the above and are going to the show, swing by and say, “Hi!”  Who knows, maybe you can join us for a funny photo.

Ron Salas’ Rambo

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I’m a Ron Salas fan.  He’s an extremely humble and talented artist.  I try to get something from him as often as possible.  He’d already done a Jack Carter and Rocky for me.  So when I saw Ron at MegaCon, I asked for a Rambo sketch.  Ron created my favorite piece from him so far!

You can check out Ron Salas’ work here and here.