Free Comic Book Day

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Today is Free Comic Book Day.  Comic shops all over the country will be giving away free comics, having store signings with comic book writers and artists, offering big discounts on comic related items, having drawings, costume contests and all sorts of fun.  Although I love going to comic conventions, meeting artists and writers, and having all sorts of fun, I’ve never attended a FCBD event.  Today that changes.

The Queen and I have been up since 4:30am [had to drop my son & his girlfriend off at the Orlando airport] and have already driven well over 100 miles.  In an hour or so, we’re getting back on the road and heading down to Famous Faces & Funnies in West Melbourne, Florida.  Derec Donovan and Karl Moline will be there sketching and signing autographs.  We’re going to check out the festivities [and maybe see about a Stallone sketch or two].

Then it’s back on the road and down to Collector’s Comics in Port St. Lucie, where my buddy, John Beatty will be sketching and defacing comics with his signature.  His lovely wife, Bella, will also be there and it will be a chance for her and the Queen to get together and compare notes.  Oh, and store owners Keith Mallow and Monica will be on hand to keep Beatty and I in line.  A good time for all is guaranteed.

Then the Queen and I will get back on the road to head for home.  If we time it right a dinner a Dixie Crossroads is in the plans.  Yeah, this looks to be a great day.

CultRetro Goes Live

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That’s me lookin’ shocked.  You would be too if a giant woman was about to stomp you.  Don’t worry, you’ll understand in a second.

My buddy, Wild Bill Black, has put together a very hip website called CultRetro to showcase his movies.  In addition to the 75 or so dvd movies that he has available for immediate purchase, there are also downloadable films, video production blogs and more.  If you’re into vampires, monsters, horror hosts, rocket men, detectives, giant women, and, well you get the idea, then check out CultRetro.

If you’re still not convinced, then check out this extended trailer.  Not only will you get a better feel for what CultRetro is all about, but you also understand why I was about to get stomped.

Welcome to the Bayou

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That sweet Reverand Dave Johnson cover will kick off a four-part mini-series by writer Victor Gischler and artist Goran Parlov.  Titled “Welcome to Bayou” begins in “Punisher: Frank Castle” #71, in stores June 10th. Gischler describes the mini-series as

‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ meets ‘Devil’s Rejects’ with a little ‘Deliverance’ thrown in,”

You can get a six page preview thanks to the good folks at CBR.com simply by clicking here.

Ron Salas’ Existence

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“Here’s the best advice I can give you – – if you ever get a chance in your life to die, make sure you do!”

Talk about an opening line that makes you want to see more!  Ron Salas has posted up a five page preview of his comic Existence 2.0 which is coming soon from Image/Shadowline.

“Curse of the Werewolf” Werewolf

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Here’s another gem from the ZONE vault.  I dug it then… and I digs it now.  This is a spot illustration created by Doug Hazlewood back in 1977.  It’s of course a drawing of Oliver Reed from “Curse of the Werewolf.” What, you didn’t recognize ole Oliver under all that make-up?

Growing up I always thought that the wolfman was one of the coolest of all monsters and that the “Curse of the Werewolf” werewolf was the version of the wolfman that I liked best… and I still do!

Gene Gonzales: Lords of Flatbush

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The extremely talented, extremely nice, Gene Gonzales created his take on Sly from “The Lords of Flatbush” at the recent FX show.  Big John Beatty had requested that he have a table near Gene and it was a great move.  Gene is funny, knowledgeable and really nice.  [Did you hear that somewhere before?]

Although many artists said the FX show wasn’t as busy as they’d hoped, Gene was constantly signing autographs and sketching for fans.  At one point Gene even surprised me by singing the promotional song for “Lords of Flatbush.” That sealed the deal — I asked him if he would draw Sly as Stanley and Gene came through with flying colors.

You can see more of Gene’s work at his blog where he posts art DAILY!  Gene is also available for commissions and his prices are very reasonable.

Thanks again Gene!

Steranko Sketch

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Here’s another item from the ZONE vault.  This time we have a rarely seen Steranko sketch of Nick Fury.  It appeared as the back cover of a fanzine from around 1978.  Steranko was [and remains] one of my favorite comic artists so finding the, until then, unknown fanzine with some of his art made my day.

I can remember my excitement when I found the zine at a little comic book store in Tallahassee… or was it Gainesville?  John Beatty and I had driven up with Bill Black or to meet Bill or something… Big John, do you recall the specifics of that trip?

Clowns vs SWAT

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Do you have two minutes and 19 seconds to spare?  If so you can check out this really cool [and really short] film by Adam Berg.  One of the things that make it worth checking out is that NOTHING moves but the camera.

I guess in an effort to make full disclosure I should tell you that the film is also a commercial for the Phillips Carousel which is a new really widescreen tv [as in wider than other widescreen sets].  But don’t worry about the commercial — the set is never shown or mentioned and the movie really has a neat twist… if you’re paying attention!

Enjoy!

Thanks and a tip o’ the clown mask to Mark Evanier for posting the link.

Is That Snake Plissken?

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Here’s another item from the ZONE vault… at first glance it appears to be a publicity shot of Kurt Russell as Snake Plissken from John Carpenter’s “Escape from New York.” But it’s not… not really.   The photo is actually a pre-production still meant to help nail the look for Snake Plissken.

Look closer and you’ll see that Kurt has a snake tat on his arm — in the movie he had a huge snake tat on his stomach.  Also Kurt’s arm isn’t as big as it was in the movie — he hadn’t yet pumped up for the role.  Even though this photo of Snake isn’t quite the Plissken of the movie — it shows that Carpenter had a handle on the character’s look from early on.