Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
I’m a big fan of Victor Gischler’s Go-Go Girls of the Apocalypse. Yesterday at his blog Victor announced:
I’m happy to report that producer Brad Wyman — the dude responsible for some pretty cool films — has optioned my novel Go-Go Girls of the Apocalypse. Mr. Wyman is eager to make the film version as close to the novel as possible, and I’m thrilled as hell.
Me too, Victor, me too.
The first teaser for Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterd” is finally here. I’m looking forward to the movie and can’t wait to see more.
I thought “Crank’ was okay and am not expecting much from “Crank: High Voltage.” In fact I’d be willing to bet that I’ll like this poster better than the sequel.
Rick, over at his On My Mind blog, posted up a very rare clip which features The Beatles in a live performance taped at a concert in Manchester, England in 1963. The video showcases two songs as well as some of the behind-the-scenes stuff that happened before the show. It runs a little less than seven minutes and if you’re a Beatles fan it’s more than worth you time.
It’s no secret that I love crime novels, movies and comics. Since 100 Bullets [the partial cover to number 99 is pictured above] is getting ready to end it’s 100 issue run, I was glad to read that DC’s Vertigo line is gearing up to produce a series of crime comics. You can read all about their upcoming titles by clicking here. Filthy Rich, by Brian Azzarello and Victor Santos sounds the most promising to me. I like Azzarello’s writing and after checking out Santo’s blog really dig his art.
Things are looking up for crime comic fans.
I work as an Assistant Principal at a local high school. A while back I posted about talking to former World Lightheavy Weight Champ, Antonio Tarver at one of our basketball games. Tonight I was working the game as our girls basketball team played for the district title. Kevin Nash [movie actor and professional wrestler] came to watch. Nash is friends of the family of one of the players.
What was cool was that many people recognized him, but no one went over for autographs or to talk to him. Kevin Nash wasn’t there for that and people seemed to realize it. A group of students did walk by to get a closer look, but even they didn’t bug him. Too bad that most celebrities aren’t given the same respect when they are trying to enjoy some time away from the limelight.
Unfortunately our girls lost. The good news is that coming in 2nd place in the district moves us into the regional tournament with a chance to still go to state. If we make it, maybe Kevin Nash will make a return visit.
My buddy, Bill Black, has moved AC Comics into the 21st century!
Everything, and I mean everything that a fan could love about Bill’s diverse product line is available with a click. Femforce is here. Giant Women [yes, giant women] are here. Bill’s dvd line is available [with selected trailers]. If you’re into Golden Age Heroes, then click here. Western Reprint fans will want to click on this. You can even click here to read Femforce:Origins.
I can’t wait to see what Wild Bill has planned for the 22nd century!
Bus ads are supposed to be good advertising, so I, uh, got on board. You can create your own bus ad by clicking here.
I’ve been a fan of Robert Kirkman’s Walking Dead comic series since the first issue. I generally pick up my comics once and month and invariably the first that I look to read is The Walking Dead. Part of the reason is you never know who is safe or what is going to happen. This series has had more jaw-dropping-I-can’t-believe-that-just-happened moments than any other series I’ve ever read.
The current issue is no exception. There is a scene so tough to read [not because it is gory and not as much for what is happening, but more for what is about to happen] that I actually paused to think, “Kirkman wouldn’t really do THAT, would he?” I honestly didn’t know. After what he did to the Governor and many of the major cast members, perhaps he would. [And no I am not going to spoil it for those of you who haven’t read the issue yet.]
Suffice it to say that the panel shown above made me as happy as when Burt Reynolds showed up with his crossbow in “Deliverance.”
I’m not much of a Hawkman fan, but I’m a big enough fan of writer and artist Kyle Baker that I’ll give his new Hawkman comic a look. In fact you can check out a sample page posted at Kyle’s site by clicking here.
So many ZONErs are eagerly anticipating “The Watchmen” movie that I’d be shot if I didn’t mention that there will be an Art of the Film Watchmen book. CBR.com has a few exclusive photos. In addition to the Art of the Film Watchmen book, there will also be The Watchmen: The Official Companion and Watchmen Portraits… not to mention the original graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. Oh, and that reminds me that Dave Gibbons has a book coming out called Watching the Watchmen: The Definitive Companion to the Ultimate Graphic Novel.
Whew! After we read all those books perhaps the movie will be out.
Let’s take a look at my predictions and the results:
Nate Diaz vs Clay Guida — my prediction: Diaz. Winner: Guida by split decision.
Manny Gamburyan vs Thiago Tavares — my prediction: Tavares. Winner: Tavares by unanimous decision.
Karo Parisyan vs Dong Hyun Kim — my prediction: Karo. Winner: Karo by split decision.
Jon Fitch vs Akihiro Gono aka “The Japanese Sensation.” — my prediction: Fitch. Winner: Fitch by unanimous decision.
Stephan “The American Psycho” Bonner vs Jon “Bones” Jones. — my prediction: The Psycho. Winner: Bones.
Lyoto Machida vs Thiago Silva. — my prediction: Flip a coin. Winner: Machida via 1st round KO
BJ Penn vs George St. Pierre for the UFC Welterweight Championship — my prediction: GSP. Winner: GSP byTKO when Penn can not answer the bell for the 5th round.
Tonight the UFC is putting on a really good card. Predictions are that it will be the biggest UFC pay-per-view ever. Although I’m not sure about that [I think that they could have picked a better date — this is the second pay-per-view this month and the day before the Super Bowl] — but I do believe it’s going to be an excellent card.
Nate Diaz vs Clay Guida should be very entertaining. Both are agressive, in your face fighters. Diaz has height, reach and youth on his side and Guida has experience. I’m going with Diaz.
Manny Gamburyan vs Thiago Tavares could be a technical battle. I think that Tavares is going to be too much for Manny though. I don’t think this will go the distance.
Karo Parisyan vs Dong Hyun Kim should be a great fight. Kim is undefeated. Karo has crazy skills and a ton of experience against tough opponents. He may not be favored, but I’m pulling for Karo.
Jon Fitch vs Akihiro Gono aka “The Japanese Sensation.” I’ll be surprised if this one goes the distance. Fitch for the victory.
Stephan “The American Psycho” Bonner vs Jon “Bones” Jones. Jones is undefeated and Bonner is coming off an extended layoff due to injuries. However, their nicknames alone seal the deal. The Psycho will defeat Bones.
Lyoto Machida vs Thiago Silva. How often do two undefeated, 13-0, fighters match up? Not very. They’re both 6’1″ and weigh 205. Flip a coin, then sit back and enjoy the fireworks.
BJ Penn vs George St. Pierre for the UFC Welterweight Championship. This is the second time that they will meet. GSP won the first battle in a tough split decision match. Both fighters are much better now and they were very good then. This should be a war. I’m going with GSP. He’s the current title holder. Penn is coming up in weight to fight him. These two facts give GSP a slight edge, at least in my book.
A series that I’m looking forward to is “Viking” by Ivan Brandon [writer] and Nic Klein [artist]. Who wouldn’t want to read a Viking crime comic set in the 9th century? If this sounds like something you might like, then check out this Newsarama interview with Nic Klein [who also previews more of the art].
It’s only January, but it wouldn’t surprise me if in December, this was still one of my favorite posters of the year.
