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.

Ron Salas, Cons & Jesus Antonio

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Today I posted the Ron Salas Rambo sketch I picked up at MegaCon.  It’s my third piece from Ron and hopefully not my last.

The bad news is it looks unlikely that I’ll attend TampaCon this month. The great news is Big John Beatty is now a guest at FX.   I’m really psyched about this.  John and I have a blast hanging out at his table, seeing old friends, making new ones and generally having all kinds of fun.  He’ll be sketching and I’ll be attempting to get a few new additions to my Stallone sketch collection.  Good times.

I’ve also got two sketch commissions lined up with Jesus Antonio. Jesus is currently trying to raise some cash to help his mother with some doctor bills.  Check his art out and if you like what you see [I know you’ll like his prices!], order a commission or two for yourself.  You’ll be happy, Jesus Antonio will be happy, his mother will be happy, and the doctor will be happy.  Heck, even I’ll be happy.  How often does something like that happen?

  • Mood: Happy
  • Listening to: Your Smiling Face by James Taylor
  • Reading: The Hardcore Diaries by Mick Foley
  • Watching: Gangland on A&E
  • Playing: Internet Spades
  • Eating: Chicken Finger Sandwich
  • Drinking: Water

 

Craig Watches “The Watchmen”

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The Pitch: Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon’s classic comic story brought to life on the big screen by Zack Snyder.

The Overview: It’s 1985… Richard Nixon is President… superheroes are real… and someone is killing them off.

The Good: The story was considered unadaptable to film, but this is near perfect.  The direction is spot on.  The sets, the costumes, the special effects, and the casting are also on point.  Jeffrey Dean Morgan [The Comedian] and Jackie Earle Haley [Rorschach] own every scene they are in.  Matt Frewer as Molach.  The Night Owl’s flying machine.  The more I think about the movie, the more I like it.  Rorscach’s two classic lines while being threatened in prison.  Dr. Manhattan.

The Bad: At times Matthew Goode as Ozymandias reminded of Dana Carvey from Saturday Night Live.

The Ugly: Compound fractures in some of the fight scenes.  Blocking the prison cell door.

The Summary: Although I read the Alan Moore/Dave Gibbons Watchmen comic mini-series [it wasn’t published as a graphic novel until later] when it was first released, I wasn’t as taken with it as most.  I enjoyed it.  I liked the movie better than the source material. [Quit booing, it’s just my opinion.]  The story changes didn’t bother me a bit… in fact they may have made the movie better.

I wish that Alan Moore didn’t distance himself from the project.  It’d be interesting to hear his thoughts.  Dave Gibbons praised the film.  Who am I to agrue with Dave?

I can’t wait to see the movie again.  Who knows, after that I may even want to pull the graphic novel off the shelf and reread it.

RIP: Charles “Mask” Lewis

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I was sad to read that Charles Lewis, Jr, aka “Mask” was killed early today in an automobile accident.  Lewis was the founder of Tapout Clothing, Inc. and one of the stars of the reality series of the same name.  According to Lt. Jim Amormino, a public information officer with the Orange County Sherrif’s Department and  MMAWeekly.com:

At 12:57 a.m., a Newport Beach Police cruiser spotted Lewis’ red Ferrari and a white Porsche driving out of control…The Ferrari then struck the curb and hit a utility pole, tearing the car in half. After coming to a brief stop, the Porsche fled the scene. An unnamed female passenger was ejected from Lewis’ car in the crash. Newport Beach paramedics pronounced Lewis dead at the scene.

In all the times I ever saw him, Charles “Mask” Lewis, Jr. came across as a genuinely nice person.  It makes me sick to think that his life was cut so short.  The Tapout crew have announced that a memorial service is in the planning stages and details will be announced on the website once they are confirmed.

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

More Max No Mel

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George Miller, the writer/director behind “Mad Max”, “The Road Warrior” and  *cough*not as good *cough* “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome” is bringing back the character in a feature length animated film and a video game.  Neither of the projects involve Mel Gibson [who played Max in all of the previous films].  In addition, Miller would love to do another feature length live action “Mad Max” film.  If it happens, Mel Gibson won’t be involved.  Says Miller:

“The ideas we have for live action are very physical. The stories are pretty physical. It’s not like ‘Unforgiven,’ about an older person.”

With the right story a new “Mad Max” film could jump start the franchise.  I’d give it a shot, with or without Mel.  You can read the rest of the George Miller interview at MTV’s Movie Blog.