Mike Zeck Covers Shang-Chi

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Today we have Mike Zeck’s cover to Master of Kung Fu #86 from March 1980.

Although Master of Kung Fu might sound like a silly title, it was actually a fairly serious series about the son of Fu Manchu [Shang-Chi] who teams with a group of British agents a la James Bond.  The series ran from 1974 to 1983.  Although several writers and artists worked on the series over the years, the writer most associated with the title is Doug Moench and artists Paul Gulacy and Mike Zeck.

Moench & Gulacy began their run in issue #22 and despite an occasional fill-in continued on the series through issue #51.  Although other artists worked on the series, [and Mike even did a few issues] it was with issue #64 that Mike became the regular artist on Master of Kung Fu.  The team of Moench and Zeck stayed with the series until Mike left after completing issue #101.

But back to the cover at hand… I like the intensity of this cover and Mike really caught the look of Shang-Chi.  He doesn’t have a generic super-hero face [or even a generic Asian super-hero face].

We’ll be back tomorrow with a classic Paul Gulacy Master of Kung Fu cover.

Mike Zeck & the Blue Beetle Drop In

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Here’s the April 1977, Mike Zeck cover to RBCC [Rocket’s Blast Comic Collector] #135 that I promised to post.  As you probably know Mike was a regular contributor to RBCC back in the day.   Although I’ve never read any Blue Beetle comics, I always liked this piece by Mike.  Hope that you do too.  And since we’re on a Mike Zeck kick, we’ll keep it going tomorrow with a classic Zeck cover from Master of Kung Fu!

Sketch of the Dead

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Since many of the folks that drop by here are fans of zombie movies, I thought that they [and hopefully you are part of “they”] would get a kick out of this short humorous take on two guys hoping to survive a zombie outbreak.  Without further adieu I give you Sketch of the Dead.

Mike Zeck: Vintage Spidey

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Happy New Year, ZONErs!

I thought we’d jump into the new year by taking a trip back to April 1977 to see a Mike Zeck spot illustration that appeared in RBCC [Rocket’s Blast Comic Collector] #135.  Mike was a regular contributor to RBCC back in the day.  In fact, Mike drew the cover for the very same issue.  If you come back tomorrow you’ll see it here!

Happy New Year!

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Happy New Year!

I’m usually not one that’s happy to see a year end.  Most years, even though they have their ups and downs are good ones.  2009 was no exception.  Overall it was a good year, with a few bumps along the way.  Nothing major.  Everyone is in good health.  We all have jobs.  So, I don’t know why I’m really looking forward to 2009 being over.  Maybe it’s because I think that 2010 is going to be so much better.

Many folks make New Year’s resolutions.  Not me.   I know I should eat less of this and more of that.  I know I should exercise more.  Appreciate what I have.  Focus on the positive.  Etc. Etc. Etc.  My every day resolution is to try and make things better.  I’m not perfect and I don’t always live up to my goal, but each day I go out and try again.

And in 2010, I hope to be even better.  Here’s to a new year.  May all of your wishes come true.

Happy New Year!

Evans vs Silva

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UFC 108 features only one fight that interests me.  It’s the main event match-up between Rashad “Suga” Evans and Thiago Silva.  Both men are fighting to stay in contention for the title head by Lyoto Machida.  Interestingly enough, Evans and Silva have each only lost one time.  Yep, you guessed it, to the champ Machida.

Let’s cut to the chase.  I’m going to pick Evans by decision… but I wouldn’t want to bet much on it!

Tom Hodges’ Jack Carter

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This week we have Jack Carter as realized by Tom Hodges. I discovered Tom’s art through his DA site and then last August, Tom had a 24 Hour Draw-A-Thon live on UStream. I got on board and commissioned the Jack Carter above and a Rambo which will be posted in a few weeks. Tom still draws regularly on UStream and it’s always fun watching him go at it.

Merry Christmas…

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Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Merry Kwanza, and of course there’s Festivus for the rest of us.  Oh, and if you don’t celebrate any of these, than good day!  I hope that you’re surrounded by friends and loved ones and that the day brings you all that you desire.

I Want a Gutshot Straight

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It’s not often that the same day I discover a new author that I’ll order up a new hardback of his work.  But that’s what did today after hearing about Lou Berney’s novel Gutshot Straight.  My interest was raised when I saw a tweet from Bookgasm.com.  So I headed over to the site and saw this trailer for the novel.

I liked the trailer, so I found Berney’s site.  I read a bit about Berney and an excerpt from Gutshot Straight and was sold.  So I headed over to Amazon.com and pre-ordered a copy.  If Gutshot Straight sounds like something you’d like, go ahead and order one too!  Consider it an early Christmas present to yourself.

A Look @ “The Last Days of American Crime”

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CBR.com is running a 17 page preview of Rick Remender’s “The Last Days of American Crime”.  It’s a mature crime comic, but definitely worth a look if you’re into that kind of thing.

It’s hard to believe I’ve been talking up “The Last Days of American Crime” for years [I first mentioned it in 2003!]. Now it’s finally here.  And from the looks of things, “The Last Days of American Crime” was more than worth the wait.

Dave Wachter’s Cosmo

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This week we have Dave Wachter’s take on Sly as Cosmo Carboni from “Paradise Alley”. I’d never seen Dave’s art until this year at HeroesCon. I immediately got on board for the sketch above. Since then I’ve picked up two more small pieces from Dave. He’s talented and very reasonably priced. You can see more of Dave’s art at his site. Plan to spend a while!