Z-View – Criminal Special Edition by Brubaker and Phillips

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Criminal Special Edition is a one-shot published by Image.

Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Sean Phillips
Colorist: Elizabeth Breitweiser
Cover Artist: Sean Phillips

CRIMINAL COMES TO IMAGE! To celebrate the return of CRIMINAL to print, BRUBAKER & PHILLIPS return to their awardwinning title for the first time in years for a 48-page special sure to thrill their readers, old and new alike! It’s 1976, and Teeg Lawless is doing 30 days in county jail with a price on his head, his only safe company from the savagery a beat-up old comic magazine his dead cellmate left behind. It’s CRIMINAL like you’ve never seen it before, with a comic within the comic and all those slick ‘70s thrills!

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good

  • Brubaker and Phillips!
  • Criminal is back with a new story!
  • “I wasn’t done reading that yet.”
  • “It’s ****** jail, Wilson.  Just assume everything in here is bad.”
  • Cameo by Tracy Lawless.

The Bad:

  • Teeg Lawless.
  • When Mr. G wants to talk to you and you find out he doesn’t.
  • “So you understand you don’t have that protection? … You’re on your own Lawless.”
  • I could have done with less Savage Sword of Criminal and more Teeg Lawless.

The Ugly:

  • Magazine-Fu to the eye.
  • Nightsticks to the head and body topped off with a stomp to the wrist.
  • Meal tray-fu.  Cast-fu.  Thumb to the eye-fu.  Three on one with a cast in the shower-fu.  Bloody-beat down hanging on the jail cell followed by acid trip attack.

 

Criminal Special Edition

Rating:

Antonios Papantoniou Takes on Brian DePalma’s Union Station Scene

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Antonios Papantoniou breaks down Brian DePalma’s Union Station gunfight scene from The Untouchables where he pays homage to Eisenstein’s “Odessa Steps” scene from Potemkin.

If that sounds confusing, just sit back and enjoy classic film-making and tell me you’re not smiling ear-to-ear when Andy Garcia says, “I got him.” and shortly after “Two.”

BRIAN DE PALMA Shot by Shot from Antonios Papantoniou on Vimeo.

Z-View – Conan Red Sonja: The Age of Adventure #2 by Simone & Zub and Panosian

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Conan Red Sonja: The Age of Adventure is a mini-series published by Dark Horse.

Writer: Gail Simone, Jim Zub
Artist: Dan Panosian
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Cover Artist: Dan Panosian

Conan and Red Sonja unite to stop a sorcerer-priest from creating a new age in Hyborian warfare! Exposed to a deadly toxin, barbarian and she-devil race against time to save themselves!

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good

  • The art by Dan Panosian!
  • Pages 2 & 3 = Double page splash!
  • “She’s my sister, Conan.  You wouldn’t understand.”
  • “A world at peace.”  “Yes.”
  • “He’s quite good, you see.  And he tagged you, first try.”  “To be fair, you were busy looking at her at the time.”
  • Preview of the next cover by Panosian!

The Bad:

  • How Belit and Dark Annisia feel when Conan and Red Sonja become reunite.
  • Thoth-Amon!
  • “With you as its Lord and Master.”  “Yes.”

The Ugly:

  • “Go Bak Only Deth Lies Heer”

 

Conan Red Sonja #2

Rating:

15 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines”

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Mental_Floss posted 15 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines by Sean Hutchinson.  Here are three of my favorites from the list…

1. ARNOLD CAME BACK—BUT AT A PRICE …

Arnold Schwarzenegger was paid $29.25 million to star in T3.

11. THE PRODUCTION CREATED AN ENTIRE STREET FOR ONE SCENE …

Several city blocks used during the crane chase sequence were created because the production needed a level of destruction that wouldn’t be possible on a real street.

12. … AND SCHWARZENEGGER FOOTED PART OF THE BILL.

During the crane chase sequence, The Terminator—hanging from the crane—swings through an entire building façade. The studio didn’t want to foot the bill for the sequence, so Arnold Schwarzenegger put up his own money to complete the scene.

Z-View: Escape From New York #3 by Sebela and Barreto

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Escape From New York is an on-going series published by Boom Studios.

Writer: Christopher Sebela

Artist: Diego Barreto

Colorist: Marissa Louise

Letterer: Ed Dukeshire

Are you ready for…General Plissken? The independent state of Florida has forced Snake to train their troops for the inevitable war with the United States. But you know Snake, he’s not exactly “Employee of the Year.” He’s just trying to find his freedom, and may anger two warring factions in the process!

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good

  • The Snake Plissken character is what keeps me buying this book.  I’m starting to wonder if I’m not part of the audience they’re looking for.

The Bad:

  • I’m not a fan of the Declan Shalvey cover shown above.
  • The story isn’t working, at least for me.  Neither is the art.  Perhaps it’s because I want a grittier more mature Snake Plissken story.
  • Being unable to suspend by disbelief that any adults would follow Romulus and Remus.
  • Snake can break in and out of the compound easier than Hogan and his heroes.

The Ugly:

  • Trying to escape in broad daylight by climbing a high fence topped with barbwire and in direct line of sight to a guard tower.  Ugly and stupid.

Escape from New York #3 

Rating: 2 out of 5

Z-View: Men of Wrath #5 by Aaron and Garney

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Men of Wrath is a five issue mini-series created by Jason Aaron & Ron Garney published by Marvel.

Writer: Jason Aaron

Artist: Ron Garney

Colorist: Matt Milla

Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher

“Jason Aaron and Ron Garney pull no punches in this darkly magnetic read” – IGN “This is one messed up comic book that I took sheer delight in reading” – Comics Beat “These are talented creators telling a gut punching tale” – Comicosity Bear witness as JASON AARON (Southern Bastards, Original Sin) & RON GARNEY (Wolverine:Weapon X, Thor: God of Thunder) bring the story of the Raths to a bloody conclusion. It all started with some sheep. It won’t end until everyone is dead.

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good

  • Another nice cover!
  • “There’s somethin’ else I sure hate to tell ya…”  “Then don’t.”
  • Love the last panel on page 10.
  • Being smart enough to build your house to withstand bullets — you’re a killer after all.
  • “Molotov cocktails.  Shoulda done that first, ya morons.”
  • Page 17 – panels 2 and 3 are sweet.
  • Saying grace before a meal…
  • Nice twist at the end of the scene in the hospital between Rath and his daughter-in-law.
  • Final page is Rath true to form.

The Bad:

  • Read the first bullet to “The Ugly” and then jump back to read the rest of this…. “Oh wait, … we’re already in a hospital.”
  • Being the cop that shows Rath his son has been killed.
  • Not knowing Rath is behind you with a gun to your head as you finish saying grace before a meal…

The Ugly:

  • The opening splash.  “Oh my God! Somebody get this man to a hospital!”
  • Finding Rath’s bear trap when you’re on your way to kill him.
  • When the last thing you see says “Front Towards Enemy.”
  • What happens when Rath is behind you as you finish grace before a meal.

 

Men of Wrath #5 is for mature readers due to mature language and violence.

Rating:

Every “Rocky” Movie, Ranked

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On February 27, 2015, USAToday posted Every “Rocky” Movie, Ranked by Chris Chase.

For details check out the piece, but here are Chris’ rankings and mine. We differ quite a bit, but there’s nothing wrong with that.

Chris Chase
Craig Zablo
6. Rocky V 6. Rocky V
5. Rocky Balboa 5. Rocky II
4. Rocky II 4. Rocky IV
3. Rocky 3. Rocky III
2. Rocky III 2. Rocky Balboa
1. Rocky IV 1. Rocky

 

 

Grzegorz Domaradzki’s “First Blood” Limited Edition Prints

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Grzegorz Domaradzki created the poster above and now Grey Matter Art under license from StudioCanal has announced new officially licensed, limited edition screen prints with two variant editions for Sylvester Stallone and First Blood fans.

For more information and to see the above poster and the variants in larger format check out Gotham News and Grey Matter Art.

Z-View: Shaft #3 by Walker and Evely

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Shaft #3 is part of an on-going series published by Dynamite. Shaft created by Ernest Tidyman.

Writer: David F. Walker

Artist: Bilquis Evely

Colorist: Daniel Miwa

Cover Shown: Denys Cowan, Bill Sienkiewicz & Ivan Nunes

John Shaft didn’t go looking for trouble; it came looking for him, and in the process, a lot of people died. Devastated by the murder of a friend, Shaft wants answers and revenge-though not necessarily in that order. With vengeance on his mind and cold steel in his hand, Shaft finds himself caught up in a brewing gang war that threatens to consume the city. Everyone from the Mafia to the police wants Shaft to do their dirty work, but no one realizes that’s all part of his plan.

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good:

  • “This guy Shaft is a bad…”  “Vic, What would Mama Anderozzi say if she heard you talkin’ like that?”
  • “I’m going to regret this.”
  • The construction site used to dispose of bodies.

The Bad:

  • The cover isn’t as cool as the two previous [but not many rise to that level].
  • Returning to Arletha’s apartment.
  • Wedding nightmares.
  • Compared to the first two issues Shaft #3 felt a little slow.  I look forward to #4 kicking it back up a notch or two.

The Ugly:

  • What they’ve done and what they do to Jimmy Style.

 

Shaft #3 should appeal to fans of the Shaft movies and is for mature audiences due to adult language.

Rating:

Norm Macdonald Takes Behind the Scenes for the SNL 40th Anniversary

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Like millions of other viewers I enjoyed the recent Saturday Night Live anniversary special.  Like any series that spans 40 years, SNL has had its ups and downs.

Truth be told, I haven’t watched SNL regularly for years… more like decades.  But I sure tuned in to see the special.

My favorite parts were the scenes from the first years with the original cast and Celebrity Jeopardy, but even the stuff that wasn’t great was enjoyable.

Norm Macdonald sent out a series of tweets about preparations in the week leading up to the SNL 40th Special and they’re entertaining and informative.  Thankfully the Gothamist pulled them all together for an easy read.

Z-View: The Martian by Andy Weir

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The MartianThe Martian by Andy Weir

 The Martian by Andy Weir is one of the most unique and enjoyable novels that I’ve read in years. Weir’s stranded [on Mars!] astronaut, Mark Watney, is intelligent, witty, and just enough of a wise guy.

I loved how real science was used. I loved how Weir widened the scope of the story to include not only the people on Earth [who’ve learned of Watney’s plight] but also the only astronauts in a position to attempt a rescue.

Rating:

Remembering Leonard Nimoy – RIP

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Leonard Nimoy died today at the age of 83 from the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Although best known for his role as Spock [which spanned the Star Trek  tv and movie series], Leonard Nimoy was not only an actor, but also a director, author, and photographer.

Had Mr. Nimoy only been known for his role as Spock, that would have been enough to merit a post in my blog. Spock as played by Leonard Nimoy was one of my first and longest-lasting heroes. I wasn’t alone in that thinking. I was able to convince my mom to let me have a Spock haircut, but thankfully, she drew the line when I asked for my ears to be made pointed.

After the original Star Trek  series went off the air I continued to be a Leonard Nimoy fan enjoying his performances on new television shows and movies, and discovering his past performances in both media as well.

It’s cliché but true for many baby-boomers when we lost Leonard Nimoy, we also lost a big piece of our childhood.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Leonard Nimoy’s family, friends and fans.