RIP: Steve "Croc Hunter" Irwin

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When I first read the news this morning that Steve “Croc Hunter” Irwin had been killed by a stingray, I have to admit that I thought it might have been a sick hoax. So I immediately started checking legitimate news sources and found that the news was true and had spread all over the internet and tv.

Irwin became an international celebrity in 1992 when his “Croc Hunter” television show was picked up by the Discovery Channel. Irwin’s genuine love of nature and animals was infectious and I don’t know anyone who didn’t know and enjoy his work.

Steve Irwin leaves behind a wife and two children as well as a world of fans. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them all.


Andrew Robinson Gets Carter [2006]

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I first met Andrew Robinson when he was crashing at my buddy John Beatty‘s joint years ago. Andrew was just breaking into comics with his creation “Dusty Starr.” A blind man could see that this kid had TALENT. Andrew was also cool to hang with because he was so friendly and humble. I wasn’t back in to collecting original art then and so I missed my chance at a Andrew Robinson “Stallone.”

 

I was excited to see that Andrew was going to be a guest at this year’s Heroes Con. I figured that if I was lucky Andrew might agree to a Stallone drawing [if I could get on his sketch list]. I shouldn’t have worried. Beatty stopped by Andrew‘s table and it was as if the years melted away. They were like brothers who hadn’t talked in months. As it turned out, after Heroes, Andrew was coming to Florida to visit his family [who now lived less than an hour from Daytona]. One thing led to another and Andrew decided to ride back with Beatty and John Highasi. The bad news was that I would miss out on the drive back since I had other commitments. The good news was that Andrew was going to do a Stallone drawing for me… and he wanted to wait until he got to Florida to do it!

 

Andrew ended up drawing Sly as Jack Carter during one of his visits to Big Beatty’s. Not only did Andrew do a killer job, but he was having so much fun that he decided to throw some colors on it as well! Here’s the original, the first color piece the second color piece and even the third!

If you like what you’ve seen of Andrew‘s art, then be sure to check out Next Exit Productions which is Andrew‘s home on the web. You’ll also be glad to hear that Dusty Starr #1 is now available. If you can’t get it from your local comic book shop, you can get it straight from Andrew by clicking HERE. Be sure and also check out the first ever Dusty Starr Sketchbook. Like everything else that Andrew works on, it will make a fine addition to your collection!

Star Trek – Updated and Better?

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CBS Paramount has announced that all 79 episodes of the original Star Trek series are being digitally remastered and an updated a CGI makeover before heading into syndication next month. Everything from Kirk‘s “where no man has gone before” opening to the Enterprise and every “spaceship that passes by” will be recreated using modern computer graphics. But that’s not all that’s being tweaked…”battle sequences, ship exteriors, galaxy shots and landscapes (which previously came courtesy of matte paintings) will be given more shading, depth and computer-generated authenticity.”

I always have mixed feelings about projects like this. On one hand, I like the idea that more [make that younger] people may check out and enjoy the original Star Trek series. On the other hand, it does bother me that they won’t be seeing the series as it originally aired. I guess the bottom line is that CBS Paramount owns the rights and can do whatever they want with the property.

I just hope that the original series is always available with the original sound and graphics. And that way I [and everyone] can choose between the versions that they like best.


Ultimate Fighting – Legitimate Sport or Guilty Pleasure?

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One of the most popular topics on the ZONE and SZ Messageboards is Ultimate Fighting. I’ve become a fan despite the fact that I refused to watch the stuff for years.

It wasn’t until I started tuning in to The Ultimate Fighter [season one] that I came to realize that the majority of these fighters are trained martial artists [wrestling, judo, boxing, etc.] and not just a bunch of knuckleheads who love to fight. Don’t get me wrong, they DO love to fight, but most have skills and love to test theirs.

Another reason that I avoided watching UFC fights is that I didn’t want to see people getting their bones broken or worse in an “athletic” event. And while it is true that many fights do end up with one or both contestants bleeding, and it isn’t unheard of for a knockout to occur; these injuries are similar to what one could get in a boxing match. Sure, I understand that UFC fights do sometimes end with broken bones, but that is pretty rare. My guess is that more bones get broken in football games than UFC matches.

Still, there are times that I feel that watching a UFC fight is something of a guilty pleasure. I wouldn’t want to see two guys brawling on the street and yet I find myself watching The Ultimate Fighter and UFC Unleashed every week.

I guess I’ll ponder this a bit more during commercials. The Ultimate Fighter is coming on SPIKE TV now…

"Jazzman" Does It All

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Ernest “Jazzman” Resendes is something of a throwback. He’s a talented artist, musician, actor, director… and a heck of a nice guy on top of everything else. Jazz still has that childlike wonder about the world, no, make that the universe. He’s constantly branching out and using his talents on various projects.
Want to see what Jazz has been up to? Then check out his site, you’re sure to find something that appeals to you!

Collector’s Comics — Full Report

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As I told you in an earlier post, this past weekend John “Johnny Star Warz” Higashi, and I drove down to Fort Pierce with “Big” John Beatty who was making an appearance at Keith and Monica Mallow’s  Collector’s Comics shop. [That’s Keith and Monica pictured below. ]

Beatty and I have known Keith for about 20 years, so we were both looking forward to catching up with him. He’s a pretty funny guy [maybe not as funny as he thinks he is, but he still has a pretty good batting average for humor]. We knew it would be a fun day.

Keith had advertised for weeks that Beatty would be at the shop signing autographs and sketching for fans. You can even see that Keith spared no expense with the sign to welcome John to his store.


A steady stream of fans joined those who had been waiting for Big John‘s arrival. Most wanted to get an autograph or sketch, but a few artists showed up so that John could offer advice on their work. You can see the look of joy on the little guy’s face in the picture above. Of course the pic was snapped right before Keith tried to bogart the kid’s sketch. Luckily the little feller’s dad set Keith straight and he returned the drawing straight away.

Big Beatty sketched throughout the day. Every sketch was a winner from his billionth drawing of the Punisher to his first attempt at Captain Marvel.

 


As the minutes turned into hours, Beatty continued to autograph and sketch for fans. Monica sensed that Big John was starting to fade, so she offered up one of her famous massages. [Personally, I think that Big John was faking it in order to get a backrub!]
Never one to be left out, John Higashi put down the manuscript that he was working on in order to get a massage of his own! As for me, well…

 

When six o’clock rolled around it was time to go. Everyone was having such a blast that Keith offered to take us out to dinner [again] and put us up for another night. Unfortunately, we had planned to get back home [and I really needed to]. Keith attempted to bribe us not only with another meal, another night in the hotel, but even tempted us with a poker game!


Next time, Keith! Next time!

 

If you’re in the area of Fort Pierce, Florida, check out Collector’s Comics. Tell Keith and Monica I sent you. Who knows, you may even luck out and get a massage in addition to some great deals on comics!

 

Third Time a Charm for Shamrock?

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On October 10th, Ken Shamrock and Tito Ortiz will meet in the octagon for the third time. Despite the fact that Ortiz has won both previous fights, there has always been enough “controversy” to bring the two [and fans around the world] back for a rematch. That and the fact that Shamrock and Ortiz have a REAL dislike for each other.

This time the fight will be televised on SPIKE tv for free. My guess is that the third time won’t be a charm for Shamrock. I look for Ortiz to win… but there is a chance that Shamrock could pull off the upset.

Which of course would pave the way for another rematch.

Way of The James

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Regular ZONE readers will recognize that the picture above features James “The James” Howell, yours truly and John “Big” Beatty. ZONErs will also be happy to hear that “The James” has finally started his own blog, “Way of the James.”

Anyone who says, “if you took Athos, Keyser Souze, Snake Plissken, Zatoichi, Bill, Miyamoto Musashi, Josey Wales, Roland of Gilead, Odysseus, Tom Ripley, Bruce Campbell, and Gene Wilder…blended them together with an obsession for all things Batman — you’d get me” is worth a read.

And I’d say that even if I didn’t give “The James” his name.

Collector’s Comics — Update

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It’s about 3:45 and the John Beatty show is still rolling on at Keith Mallow’s Collector’s Comics in Fort Pierce. [How’s that for another plug, Keith?]

Fans have been keeping Big John pretty busy signing autographs and sketching. John‘s done some nice Captain America, Punisher and Batman sketches. He’s currently working on a Captain Marvel [Shazam] sketch.

We’ll be here until about 6pm, so if you’re in the area, swing on it!

Live Blogging from Collector’s Comics

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So here I am “live blogging” from Keith Mallow’s “Collector’s Comics” in Fort Pierce, Florida!

 

Keith invited my good buddy, John Beatty, to come down to his shop to sign and sketch for fans. Beattty asked John Higashi and I to make the trip — and how could we refuse? We’re always up for a trip, and Boy! is Keith Mallow a trip.

Keith is actually a pretty funny guy — and I’m not just talking about his looks. Ok, ok, all kidding aside. Keith has a really nice comic shop that carries action figures, statues, dvds, trade paperbacks and, oh yeah, comics. When I found out that the shop also had a wireless internet connection I decided to give “live blogging” a try. If you’re reading this, I was successful and we’ll have more updates as the day continues.

Vampires, Anyone?

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I’ve been into vampires lately. Remember back here when I told you about the new Blade comic series that Howard Chaykin was going to draw? 

I’m currently reading Underland by Mick Farren. It’s got modern day vampires, as well as modern day Nazis, conspiracy theories, UFO’s and more. I’m digging it and am only about 1/2 way through.

Before Underland I read Already Dead by Charlie Huston. Huston has quickly become one of my favorite writers. Already Dead also features a modern day vampire, uh vampyre. As much as I’m enjoying Underland, Already Dead is even better. It combines The Godfather, Raymond Chandler, Mickey Spillane and the end result is pure Charlie Huston. I highly recommend this one!Okay… enough about me and vampires. I’d write more but I’m off to watch the latest episode of Blade.

Survivor: Race to the Finish

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This season on Survivor contestants will be divided into four tribes by ethnicity [blacks, whites, Latinos and Asians].

Does anyone really think that this is a good idea?

On one hand, it does add a twist to the series which has teamed men against women, and young against “old.” One the other mit, I know what the reaction would be if making up teams along racial lines was done in professional or amateur sports or even other game shows. Insert your own jokes here.

Prison Break Premiere

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I just finished watching the season two premiere of “Prison Break.” It’s no secret that the first season dealt with a goup of convicts who despite their differences banded together to plan an escape from prison. Each episode focused on several characters and most commercial breaks would end with a cliffhanger leaving us on the edge of our seats. This combination of characters and pacing made for a fun ride. Naturally, season one ended with the escape. My fear was that once they made it out of prison, the series might lose the feel that made it so enjoyable. So I anticipated the new season with mixed emotions.

After watching tonight’s premiere I’m happy to report that not only were they able to keep the feel of the first season, but they had the cajones to kill off a major character! If tonight’s episode is an indication of what season two has in store, we’re in for another great ride!