A Double Shot of Chaykin
Howard Chaykin is back in the news again. Newsarama caught him with him and they discussed the return of Dominic Fortune and in a separate interview the return of American Flagg.
UFC 100 Predictions
Lesnar vs. Mir – Although Mir tapped out Lesnar in the first round the last time they fought, Vegas Odds have Lesnar as the favorite [as do fans voting on the UFC website]. How can you go against Vegas Bookmakers AND the fans? My prediction is Lesnar wins [but I’d take Mir if I could could decent odds].
GSP vs. Alves – GSP is looked at as either the greatest pound-for-pound fighter fighting today or second to Anderson Silva. If GSP can beat Alves [who is currently on a long win streak], he gets that much closer to the hall of fame legacy he wants. Alves is a beast. He’s huge. He’s skilled. He wants the title. My prediction is a GSP victory and we’re one step closer to him fighting Anderson Silva.
Henderson vs. Bisbing – I like both of these guys. I’m surprised that Henderson is the big favorite. While it’s true that Bisping has had the most trouble with good wrestlers, I thought Henderson’s age would be more of a factor. My prediction: Henderson wins a tough fight by decision.
Fitch vs. Thiago – I can’t come up with a better prediction than Ryan Cody when he said: Fitch wins by crazy beard.
Bonnar vs. Coleman – A lot of the popularity of the UFC can be traced back to the first Ultimate Fighter finale when Bonnar and Forrest Griffin stood toe-to-toe for three rounds. It’s said that the ratings for that event continued to go up as the fight went on because fans were calling friends and saying to tune in. Unfortunately, Bonnar’s career since that fight has gone on a very different path than Griffin’s. My prediction: Bonnar wins and perhaps gets a bit closer to becoming a headline UFC fighter.
Cap Ain’t No Bas– Watch Your Mouth!
It’s been a long day. Went in to work early for three hours [well, for summer anyway when I’m supposed to be off] — then ran some errands, came home and did some major spring [summer cleaning] and worked to get my computer up and running again. Actually, things went pretty well. Then I came across the latest poster for Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds” and things got even better. It kind of reminds me of an old Captain America cover. Of course Cap wouldn’t have machine gunned the Nazis.
“Day One” Over “District 9”
Have you seen this trailer for the new NBC series, “Day One”, which premieres this fall? It makes me want to check out the show.
The Return of… Mike Zeck!
Hey! I dug into the ZONE vault and found another of my favorite Master of Kung Fu covers from back in the day. That is of course, the great Mike Zeck who did the pencils and inks on this bad boy.
District 9 Poster
The new poster for “District 9” is starting to pop-up around the web. I sure hope this movie lives up to my medium-high expectations! This poster does at least.
Happy Birthday, Sly!
Happy 63rd Birthday to Sylvester Stallone! Just one question, “Where do you keep the time machine?”
Scotty Shumaker’s Rambo
This week’s piece is Sly as Rambo by Scotty Schumaker. I’d been following Scotty’s work at his Deviant Art site for a while, so when he offered up sketch commissions, I had to jump on board. Scotty was great through the whole process, keeping us all informed on where he was on his posted commission list. He sent the art in a package that a tank couldn’t have destroyed.
Thanks to Scotty for a wonderful commission experience.
Happy 4th of July!
I want to wish everyone a happy 4th of July. If you’re in the USA, it’s Independence Day, if you’re not in the states, feel free to celebrate anyway. Just remember, don’t eat or drink too much and if you plan on playing with fireworks, be sure not to blow up any pets or family members. Other than that, have at it.
Cousin, It Ain’t My Bidness
IMPAwards.com has four new character posters for Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds”. I like ’em all, but this one is my favorite. They really should have written “business” as “bidness” though.
CNN Michael Jackson Video
CNN.com has posted video of Michael Jackson rehearsing with dancers during a June 23rd session at the Staples Center. In that one minute and 34 seconds, we can see just how magical it was when MJ was on stage. Anyone doubt that when the rehearsal tapes are released on dvd, they’ll shoot straight to number 1… as will the CD?
Alexis Arguello & Karl Malden – R.I.P.
Alexis Arguello and Karl Malden passed on today.
Alexis Arguello, who was a champion in three weight divisions, died at the age of 57 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Arguello, was a charismatic champion who compiled an amazing 82 – 8 record before finally retiring in 1995. Although Arguello never lost a fight 130 pounds he is best known for his first brutal and controversial war against Aaron Pryor in 1982. Arguello moved up in weight with the hope of being the first champion in four weight divisions. Pryor won the fight by knocking out Arguello in the 14th round of the epic fight which had seen both fighters taking and giving as good as they were getting. Arguello seemed to be gaining the advantage, but in the respite before the 14th round, Pryor’s trainer, Panama Lewis, called for a specific water bottle — “the one I mixed” — the mysterious drink seemed to revive Pryor who went on to win. The fight against Pryor was voted Fight of the Year and Fight of the Decade by Ring magazine. Arguello fought for 13 more years and remained a popular figure after leaving the squared circle. He appeared in commercials, carried his country’s flag in the Olympics and was currently the mayor of Managua, the capital of Nicaragua.
Karl Malden, 97, died today from natural causes. An Oscar winner for Best Supporting Actor in 1951 for his role in “A Streetcar Named Desire” which starred Marlon Brando. Malden also appeared with Brando in “On the Waterfront” and “One-Eyed Jacks” as well as several dozen movies without him. Malden had a five year run with Michael Douglas in the popular “Streets of San Francisco” tv series which ran from 1972 – 1977.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends and fans of Alexis Arguello and Karl Malden.
“Carriers”
I’m a sucker for movies about a small band of folks working to survive against insurmountable odds. This trailer and especially this trailer for “Carriers” makes it look like it will fit the bill.
More Collected Chaykin Goodness
It’s no secret that I’m a huge Howard Chaykin fan. It’s also no secret that Chaykin’s classic American Flagg series is being reprinted in nice hardcover editions. What I didn’t know until reading this interview with Chaykin at Newsarama today, is that Power and Glory, Black Kiss and Midnight Men are going to be collected and reprinted in their own hardcover editions!
The Nocturnals Together Again
CBR.com caught up with Dan Brereton and he gives us the lowdown on the Nocturnals collected editions. I dig the Nocturnals, but would really love to see Dan’s work on The Black Terror reprinted in a nice hardcover.
