A Batman That Can TRULY Strike FEAR into the Hearts of Evildoers by Gerardo Zaffino!
Now THIS is a Batman that could strike fear into the hearts of evildoers. I’d love to see an entire Batman graphic novel (or any graphic novel) by Gerardo Zaffino.
“His & Hers” (2026) starring Tessa Thompson & Jon Bernthal / Z-View
His & Hers (2026)
Developed by: William Oldroyd; based on HIS & HERS by Alice Feeney
Directors:
- William Oldroyd (Eps. 1-2; 6)
- Anja Marquardt (Eps. 3-5)
Teleplay:
- William Oldroyd (Eps. 1; 3)
- Tori Sampson (Ep. 2)
- Erika Sheffer (Ep. 3)
- Dee Johnson (Ep. 4)
- William Oldroyd and Tori Sampson (Ep. 5)
- Bill Dubuque (Ep. 6)
Stars: Tessa Thompson, Jon Bernthal, Pablo Schreiber, Marin Ireland, Sunita Mani, Rebecca Rittenhouse, Crystal Fox, Kristen Maxwell, Leah Merritt, Tiffany Ho, Isabelle Kusman, Dave Maldonado and Chris Bauer.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
A murder brings television news reporter Anna Andrews back to her small hometown. Her estranged husband, Jack is a Detective working the case. Things take a turn when Anna finds evidence that Jack may have been the killer. At the same time Jack is finding clues pointing to Anna as the murderer.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I’m a Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal fan.
Pablo Schreiber and Chris Bauer co-starred together in Season 2 of The Wire.
As we were watching I told my wife who the real murderer was. She laughed and said that would be too crazy. I then said, “No, it’s really _____.” My wife replied, “That would be even more out there.” Guess what? I wasn’t wrong.
His & Hers (2026) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“Rambo, First Blood: Part II” Overseas Soundtrack Art by Tony Stella!
Tony Stella created this cool album cover for the release of the Rambo, First Blood: Part II overseas soundtrack.
“Sir, do we get to win this time?” – Rambo
Otis Frampton Goes to “Paradise Alley”
Otis Frampton did his take on Sly from Paradise Alley way back in 2009 when every Sunday [okay, ALMOST, every Sunday], Otis had a live UStream broadcast that he called the 7×7 Sunday.
Lucky fans could get a head sketch of ANY character drawn live by Otis on a 7X7 inch bristol board for 7 bucks postage paid. It was the best deal going. Watching Otis drawing live and interacting with fans kept me up even if I wasn’t a sketch winner. As you can see above, sometimes I was.
Good times!
“Perdita Durango” aka “Dance with the Devil” (1997) starring Rosie Perez, Javier Bardem and James Gandolfini / Z-View
Perdita Durango aka Dance with the Devil (1997)
Director: Álex de la Iglesia
Screenplay: Barry Gifford, David Trueba, Jorge Guerricaechevarría, Álex de la Iglesia; based on 59° And RAINING: THE STORY OF PERDITA DURANGO by Barry Gifford
Stars: Rosie Perez, Javier Bardem, Aimee Graham, Demián Bichir, Santiago Segura, Don Stroud, Roger Cudney and James Gandolfini.
Tagline: Get On The Road
The Plot…
Perdita Durango, in Mexico to scatter the ashes of her dead sister, meets Romeo Dolorosa who is on the run. Dolorosa is a drug dealing, bank robbing satanist. The two hook-up and devise a plan to kidnap a couple of college students and use them in a cannibalistic ceremony.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Álex de la Iglesia has a very visual style. He was joined by terrific leads in Rosie Perez, Javier Bardem and James Gandolfini. But the subject matter was too over the top gross for me. I tapped out at about the 20 minute mark when a coked-up Dolorosa was hacking up a dead body in front of tourists. He then threw the limbs in a boiling pot of blood and drank from it.
The character of Perdita Durango first appeared as a minor character in WILD AT HEART another novel by Barry Gifford. On film she first was played by Isabella Rossellini in the adaptation of the novel.
Javier Bardem’s hairstyle in Perdita Durango is worse than his in No Country for Old Men.
Perdita Durango was released in the United States as Dance with the Devil.
Perdita Durango aka Dance with the Devil (1997) rates 1 of 5 stars.
“The Beast in Me” (2025) starring Claire Danes, Matthew Rhys and Jonathan Banks / Z-View
The Beast in Me (2025)
Created by: Gabe Rotter
Directors:
- Antonio Campos (Eps. 1-2; 7-8)
- Tyne Rafaeli (Eps. 3-4)
- Lila Neugebauer (Eps. 5-6)
Teleplay:
- Gabe Rotter and Daniel Pearle; story by Gabe Rotter (Ep. 1)
- Gabe Rotter (Ep. 2)
- Erika Sheffer (Ep. 3)
- C.A. Johnson (Ep. 4)
- Daniel Pearle (Ep. 5)
- Ali Liebegott (Ep. 6)
- Mike Skerrett (Ep. 7)
- Howard Gordon & Daniel Pearle (Ep. 8)
Stars: Claire Danes, Matthew Rhys, Brittany Snow, Natalie Morales, Tim Guinee, Hettienne Park, Deirdre O’Connell, Julie Ann Emery, Amir Arison, Peter Grosz, Bill Irwin, Kate Burton and Jonathan Banks.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Aggie Wiggs was on top of the world. She was an award-winning author with a beautiful wife and child. They lived in a big old house in a wooded remote area. It was a beautiful life.
Then it all fell apart when a driver crashed into her car killing her son. Aggie suspected the man was drunk, but he was not charged. After that Aggie’s marriage fell apart. It’s been several years now. Things haven’t gotten better for Aggie. Her next book is way overdue and the publisher wants it.
Aggie is surprised when Nile Jarvis moves in next door. Jarvis is the the super rich real estate magnate suspected of killing his first wife. Although Jarvis was never charged, his wife disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Jarvis is a ruthless business man used to getting his way in every aspect of his life. He’s also a narcissist and perhaps a sociopath.
When Aggie decides to write a book about Jarvis, it brings her into his orbit. Which is a dangerous place to be.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Beast in Me was executive produced by Claire Danes, Jodie Foster and Conan O’Brien.
Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys had no idea how the series would end when they signed on to star.
Claire Danes, Matthew Rhys, Natalie Morales and Jonathan Banks are excellent. The series is well written and well directed. It gets my highest recommendation.
The Beast in Me (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars.
“Sympathy for the Devil” (2023) starring Nicholas Cage & Joel Kinnaman / Z-View
Sympathy for the Devil (2023)
Director: Yuval Adler
Screenplay: Luke Paradise
Stars: Nicolas Cage, Joel Kinnaman.
Tagline: Revenge is a hell of a ride.
The Plot…
David Chamberlain is worried he won’t make it in time for his child’s birth. As David pulls into the hospital parking lot, a man with a gun jumps into the backseat and orders David to drive. The gunman appears crazy and David’s car was picked at random.
Things aren’t always as they appear.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Sympathy for the Devil is a fun ride.
Sympathy for the Devil (2023) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Marv by Paul Grist!
Marv from Frank Miller’s Sin City is one of my all-time favorite characters. I love seeing artists do their “take” on the big lug. Today we have a Marv by Paul Grist.
“Escape from New York” by Leo Leibelman!
Leo Leibelman is a freelance artist who has provided art for comics, trading cards, novels, instructional materials, film storyboards and more. Leo Leibelman takes commissions.
Leibelman presents his take on John Carpenter’s Escape from New York!
“You go in, find the President, bring him out in 24 hours, and you’re a free man.” – Bob Hauk
“The Smashing Machine” (2025) written & directed by Benny Safdie, starring Dwayne Johnson & Emily Blunt / Z-View
The Smashing Machine (2025)
Director: Benny Safdie
Screenplay: Benny Safdie
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Ryan Bader and Bas Rutten.
Tagline: The unforgettable true story of a UFC legend.
The Plot…
Mark Kerr was a high school state wrestling champion. He was a NCAA Division I collegiate wrestling champion, a World Cup freestyle wrestling gold and silver medalist, and silver medalist in the Pan American Games. Kerr was one of the first UFC fighters and a two-time UFC Heavyweight tournament champion.
This is his story. Warts and all.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Bas Rutten, Kerr’s former coach and friend plays himself.
Dwayne Johnson is transformed into Mark Kerr. The make-up is amazing. Also Johnson gets to show real acting chops in his most “real” performance.
The Smashing Machine (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars.
“Diabolique” (1955) directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot, starring Simone Signoret, Véra Clouzot, Paul Meurisse, and Charles Vanel / Z-View
Diabolique (1955)
Director: Henri-Georges Clouzot
Screenplay: Henri-Georges Clouzot, Jérôme Géronimi, René Masson, Frédéric Grendel, based on CELLE QUI N’éTAIT PLUS by Boileau-Narcejac
Stars: Simone Signoret, Véra Clouzot, Paul Meurisse, Charles Vanel
Tagline: Don’t Reveal the Ending!
The Plot…
Michel Delassalle is a cruel man. Michel is the Principal of a boys’ boarding school owned by his wife, Christina. Christina also works as a teacher at the school. Michel enjoys flaunting his authority over his teachers including his wife. He gets off on humiliating them at every opportunity. To make matters worse, Michel has an on-going affair with Nicole Horner, another teacher at the school, who he also mistreats.
Surprisingly, Christina and Nicole have developed a friendship… and a plan. They’ve devised the perfect albi so when they kill Michel, they will be above suspicion.
Or so they thought.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Alfred Hitchcock reportedly wanted the rights to the original novel but was beaten by just a few hours by Henri-Georges Clouzot who went on to direct Diabolique.
Véra Clouzot died suddenly of a heart attack five years after the release of Diabolique. She was only 46. Her character in the film suffered from a weak heart.
Diabolique was ahead of it’s time. It inspired filmmakers from William Castle to Alfred Hitchcock. And what a twist ending!
Diabolique (1955) rates 4 of 5 stars.
“The Godfather” in 70mm by Tony Stella!
Tony Stella created this beautiful poster for the overseas 70mm release of The Godfather.
Michael: My father is no different than any powerful man, any man with power, like a president or senator.
Kay Adams: Do you know how naive you sound, Michael? Presidents and senators don’t have men killed.
Michael: Oh. Who’s being naive, Kay?
“Night of the Living Dead” by Mat Peg!
I love Mat Peg’s art. Peg gives Night of the Living Dead (one of my all-time favorite movies) a new poster.
Brilliant.
The Hulk by Mike Zeck!
I’ve always liked the way Mike Zeck draws the Hulk. This is one of the first by Zeck, I ever saw. It appeared in TCP Vol. 2 #3 way back in 1976. My buddy, John Beatty introduced me to the world of fanzines and this issue of TCP was one of my favorites.
Source: Ken Meyer, Jr., who posts a complete issue of a fanzine each month.
Sly Stallone as Cosmo Carboni & Tom Waits as Mumbles from “Paradise Alley” by Thomas Boatwright!
Going through the Zablo vault I came across this watercolor of Sly Stallone as Cosmo Carboni and Tom Waits as Mumbles from Paradise Alley by Thomas Boatwright. Mumbles was Tom Waits first movie role.
