Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
The piece above was drawn by Jeff Johnson at last year’s Heroes Con. Jeff is one of the founding fathers of Drink and Draw [along with Rev. Dave Johnson and Dan Panosian]. When I asked him to autograph my hardcover Drink and Draw, Volume 2, I also asked Jeff about doing a Stallone piece for my collection. Jeff was up for it and chose Cobra. He then proceeded to kill it with this sketch.
Hopefully, Jeff will be up for another Stallone piece in the future.
Last night the Ultimate Fighter Season 14 finale aired live on SPIKE. The fight I was really looking forward to was Bisping vs Miller. I figured Bisping would win in a fairly close, hard fought match. Boy, was I wrong. Bisping dominated Miller before earning a third round TKO. It was such a lopsided win that Dana White said we may not see Miller back in the UFC.
Dennis Bermudez vs. Diego Brandao. A lot of people were surprised when Bermudez took it to Brandao in a standup battle. There were a lot of powerful exchanges and Bermudez appeared to be in control and on his way to a victory when Brandao grabbed Bermudez’s arm and spun into an armbar forcing the tap at 4:51 in round one.
John Dodson vs. T.J. Dillashaw. This was shaping up to be an interesting fight until Dillashaw got cracked across the face and went down. He quickly tried to stand up but was wobbly and when he went down again, Dodson jumped on him with hammerfists. The fight was stopped although Dillashaw wasn’t out and was attempting to get a single leg. Dodson proceeded to run around the cage doing flips, gyrating and screeching his “laugh”. Pretty classless.
Yves Edwards vs. Tony Ferguson. Ferguson won via a unanimous decision.
Johnny Bedford vs. Louis Gaudinot. Bedford won via 3rd round TKO.
Tonight the Ultimate Fighter Season 14 finale airs live on SPIKE at 8PM. It’ll be the first time in years that the coaches actually fight on the same card… and that’s the way it should be. Here are the bouts we have to look forward to…
Michael Bisping vs. Jason “Mayhem” Miller
Dennis Bermudez vs. Diego Brandao
John Dodson vs. T.J. Dillashaw
Yves Edwards vs. Tony Ferguson
Johnny Bedford vs. Louis Gaudinot
Although I think we’re in for an entertaining evening of fights, it’s the main event that I’m really looking to see. Bisping goes in as the favorite, but Miller shouldn’t be a pushover. I think the fight is going to go to a decision and I’m taking Bisping.
While we’re on the subject of MMA, have you see this preview for the Brock Lesnar vs Alistair Overeem fight. THAT fight is going to be entertaining. I can’t wait to see those two giants enter the octagon.
Don’t you love the look of the new editions of Max Allan Collins’ Nolan crime novels coming for Perfect Crime Books? For those not in the know, Nolan is an aging thief and Max Allan Collins is the author of the Nate Heller series, the Quarry series, and many, many other books. I’ve never read anything that wasn’t excellent that was written by Max Allan Collins.
Oh, by the way, our buddy, Chris Mills designed the Nolan covers and did a fantastic job. Take a bow, Chris!
About a month ago we posted a link to some rare photos of Marilyn Monroe taken in 1953 when she was filming [my favorite Monroe film], River of No Return [with Robert Mitchum]? The link cam thanks to The Huffington Post.
If you have any interest in Marilyn Monroe and/or historical fiction you should check out Bye Bye, Baby by Max Allan Collins. It’s one of my favorite Nate Heller books and they are all excellent.
Justified.
If you’re not watching it, you should give it a go. If it’s not my favorite show it’s definitely in the top 3 [Breaking Bad and Walking Dead are right there, too]. The new season starts in January, but FX has released three new teasers to get our attention,
The first teaser is the weakest of the three, but still makes me want more. The second teaser is my favorite. The third teaser is the most creative in that it makes you think one thing and then realize that you’re totally wrong… the third teaser also hints at what could be a major plot point of the third season.
This his week Ryan Cody is back with Sly from Rhinestone.
Ryan is still running an unbelievable sale [where you get a free sketch with every purchase. That’s right. Buy Volume 1 of his sketchbook for five bucks and get a free sketch. Same if you buy Volume 2 or the Icarus Convention Issue].
If you want to see more of his art then check out Ryan’s blog and his DA site.
Thanks to Ryan! – Craig
Yesterday we saw the very cool 12 Angry Men cover that Sean Phillips did for the Criterion dvds. Today we feast our eyes on Phillips’ cover for Fatale 3.
Ah, life is good.
Today is Thanksgiving and many of us will come together with family and friends to pause and give thanks for what we have and perhaps what we’ve been spared. Charles Dickens may have said it best…
Of course not everyone gives thanks. The Sexy Pilgrim doesn’t. Instead he says, “You’re welcome.”
I hope that you and yours have one of the best Thanksgiving Days ever. Count your blessings, eat too much turkey, ignore that family member who irritates you, make big plans, eat too much pie, doze in front of the tube, have a bit more turkey, and remember to watch a bit of the parade and some football!
If you pick up either the Blu-Ray Criterion edition or the regular Criterion DVD of 12 Angry Men you’ll be treated to the awesome cover art of Sean Phillips.
I just received the following e-mail from Sly Stallone:
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The poster that everyone is seeing on line is completely unofficial and bogus. The official poster is far from being completed so unfortunately people like to pull pranks. Please everyone spread the word that the real poster won’t be out for several months.
Best,
Sly
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So there you have it. Someone with some skills decided to have a bit of fun. Thanks to Sly for letting us know. – Craig
Have you ever seen Alfred Hitchcock’s Halloween starring Kim Novak and Robert Mitchum? Well, of course you haven’t unless you’ve checked out Sean Hartter and his alternative universe movie posters.
This is Sean Hartter’s second appearance here. I first discovered him with his Bruce Lee in The Matrix poster.
The photos above are of the most dangerous bike path in the world. The Cliffs of Moher are located in Ireland and are just one of the seven most extreme paths available to adventurous souls.
I like this teaser poster for Rampart even better than its trailer… and the trailer ain’t bad… although Woody Harrelson’s character is!
SZoner, Gerardo Moreno is back with a piece he calls She Believes in Me.
Bravo, Gerardo! To see more of his art, click here.
