Month: December 2016

Robert B. Parker’s Kickback (A Spenser Novel) by Ace Atkins

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Robert B. Parker’s Kickback (A Spenser Novel) by Ace Atkins

Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Putnam

First sentence…

Maybe he shouldn’t have gone out and celebrated.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Spenser faces one of his greatest challenges when he goes against a corrupt judge with organized crime ties.  Spenser takes on the case of a 17 year old kid, denied a lawyer and sentenced to a year in a youth prison that is run by a corporation with ties to, you guessed it, the judge.

Spenser won’t back down in his quest to right this wrong and finds himself up against cops with think they’re backing a zero-tolerance judge, and thugs who know the true score.

Not just another excellent Spenser tale by Ace Atkins but one of the best Spenser novels.

Rating:

America’s First Theme Park Was All Santa, All the Time

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Anyone know where Santa Claus lives?

North Pole, right?  Yeah, that’s a correct answer, but so is Santa Claus, Indiana!

I can vouch that Santa Claus, Indiana exists because I visited it as a kid back in the 1960’s.  Of course then it was called Santa Claus Land (or at least that’s what my grandparents called it when they took me).

When I asked my grandparents about Santa living in our home state and not the North Pole, they explained that Santa did live at the North Pole with the elves and reindeer but sometimes the jolly ole fellow liked to escape the cold.

If you’d like to learn more about Santa Claus, Indiana, Erin Blakemore and Mental_Floss have the full story in America’s First Theme Park Was All Santa, All the Time.

The Story of Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas

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Eddie Deezen presents The Story of Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas.  If you click over you’ll learn How the Grinch Stole Christmas went from simply being a follow-up to the best selling The Cat in the Hat to become not only another best seller but a loved Christmas tradition for millions.

Oh, you’ll also learn who the Grinch was based on as well.

Source: Neatorama.

The Naked Edge by David Morrell

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The Naked Edge by David Morrell

Hardcover: 396 pages
Publisher: Morrell Enterprises, Incorporated

First sentence…

The sniper had a partner.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Cavanaugh is a retired Special Forces vet, and Security expert.  Now living the quiet life on an isolated Wyoming ranch with his wife, Jamie, their world is literally blown apart when an old friend and fellow vet shows up with a team to kill them.

Cavanaugh and his wife barely survive thanks to Cavanaugh’s training.  Cavanaugh learns that other operatives across the country have been killed.  When Cavanaugh and his wife are attacked again while under police protection, Cavanaugh realizes that the killers will stop at nothing to eliminate him.  Before it is over Cavanaugh discovers that his old friend is leading a group set on a terrorist act that will kill thousands.

David Morrell is the king of thrillers and Naked Edge is another great example of how he earned that title.

 

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Ken Meyer Jr.’s Ink Stains 16: Steranko, Black and Much More!

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If you’re a fan of fanzines, then you’ve got to check out Ken Meyer, Jr.’s monthly column Ink Stains.  Each month Ken (who is an amazing artist) posts… well, let’s let Ken explain…

I have a collection of over 200 fanzines from the 60’s-80’s that I plan to scan and talk about, one at a time. I hope to have some of the participants answer a few questions. Many of those participants are established comics professionals now, while some have gone on to other things. I will show a few snippets from each zine and give you a link to download a pdf of the whole thing, which I hope all of you will do!

For Ink Stains 16, Ken took a look at Comic Crusaders 10 from 1970.  Edited and published by Martin L. Greim.

Comic Crusaders 10 aka The Convention Issue.  I’d never seen this issue before Ken’s column and I’m glad I didn’t miss out.  The highlight of the issue is of course the Steranko full pager [posted above] but I also got a real kick out of seeing my buddy, Bill Black’s photos [man, he was young!] and art.

Other highlights include: a cover by Martin Greim, photos of legendary comic artists taken at a 1970 convention, an article on Super Heroes on Film with art and written by Bill Black, spot illos by Dan Adkins, Bill Black, Dennis Fujitake, Rich Corben, and more!

Ah, the memories of the glory days of fanzines.  Thanks to Ken Meyer, Jr. for making these available!

Robert B. Parkers Cheap Shot (A Spenser Novel) by Ace Atkins

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Robert B. Parkers Cheap Shot (A Spenser Novel) by Ace Atkins

Hardcover: 308 pages
Publisher: Putnam

First sentence…

I had dressed for Chestnut HillL a button-down tattersall shirt that Susan had bought me, a crisp dress khakis, a navy blazer with gold buttons, and a par of well-broken in loafers worn without socks.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Spenser is hired by super star New England Patriots linebacker Kinjo Heywood’s sports agent.  Kinjo has had some shady characters following him and although Kinjo fells he can handle it, Spenser is given the task of looking into it.  Before Spenser can make a determination, Kinjo’s son is kidnapped.

The stakes have been raised and Spenser knows that the boy’s life may rest in Spenser discovering the kidnapper(s) identity.

Another excellent Spenser tale by Ace Atkins.

Rating:

The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

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The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

Director: Michael Curtiz, William Keighley

Screenplay: Norman Reilly Raine and Seton I. Miller based upon the legends of Robin Hood

Stars: Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, Claude Rains, Patric Knowles, Eugene Pallette, Alan Hale, Melville Cooper and Ian Hunter.

The Pitch: “Hey, let’s make the definitive Robin Hood movie…”

Tagline: Excitement…Danger…Suspense…as this classic adventure story sweeps across the screen!

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

 

Sometimes lightning strikes and a perfect movie gets made.  The Adventures of Robin Hood is such a film.

Perfectly cast with each supporting character getting a chance to shine, Errol Flynn was born to play Robin Hood.  He is everything you’d want in a hero.  Brave, dashing, handsome and humble.  The Adventures of Robin Hood hits all the right marks in telling the tale of Robin Hood and his merry men – meeting Little John, bringing Friar Tuck into the fold, going to the archery contest with a price on his head and winning – and leading his band of Merry Men in revolt against the King’s brother who is attempting to take over the kingdom.

The Adventures of Robin Hood is a classic.

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The Traditional Jim Ivey Bi-Annual Get-Together

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Earlier today, I picked up Jim Ivey [the gent getting the finger-point] and we headed to Robinson’s Diner in Apopka.

Once at Robinson’s, Jim and I met up with (from left to right) Rob Smith, Mike Sikes, Cliff Weikal, and Bill Black.  We’ve all been friends since the 1970’s and met through Jim Ivey’s Cartoon Museum.

I try to get the group together a couple of times a year [Jim’s birthday and Christmas] and it is always a blast spending time with the crew and reminiscing.  This time was no exception.  We always bring Jim gifts and this time he received some of his favorites: cigars, lottery tickets, and a Roy Crane book.  After breakfast Jim and I made the traditional trip to pick him up some Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream for him for later.

It’s always a blast seeing Jim [still “full of prunes and macaroons” at 91] and the gang.  Hopefully John Beatty will be able to join us next go round.

If any of Jim’s old friends are reading this — he loves snail mail.  Contact me and I’ll forward you his address!

Eduardo Risso’s Punisher and Travis Bickle [Updated]

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I just can’t get enough of Eduardo Risso’s Punisher and Travis Bickle piece.  I love it.

Also it makes me think about potential commissions of Sly as Jack Carter with…

  • Digger McCrae from Gravedigger
  • Marv from Sin City
  • Bolo from 100 Bullets
  • and although not a comic character, John Wick

Source: Cool Comic Art.

 

Update: I’ve pulled the trigger and commissioned Drew Moss for  Sly as Jack Carter with…

  • Digger McCrae from Gravedigger
  • Marv from Sin City
  • Bolo from 100 Bullets
  • and although not a comic character, John Wick

The Brides of Dracula (1960)

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The Brides of Dracula (1960)

Director: Terrence Fisher

Screenplay: Jimmy Sangster & Peter Bryan & Edward Percy and Anthony Hinds (uncredited)

Stars: Peter Cushing, Martita Hunt, Yvonne Monlaur and David Peel.


The Pitch: “Hey, let’s make a Dracula movie without Dracula…”

Tagline: The most evil Dracula of all!

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

If you come to this movie looking for Dracula or even a focus on the Brides of Dracula you’re in for a let down.

Instead you get…

  • A vampire who is kept chained up by his mother.  Yes, his mother.
  • A vampire hunter who always arrives right before the vampire is to rise for the evening — even though he knows vampires are powerless during the day.
  • A vampire who isn’t smart enough or cunning enough or strong enough to escape from the chain around his ankle put there by his mother.  Yes, his mother.
  • A supposedly intelligent woman who releases the vampire (not knowing he’s a vampire — Hey! But maybe he’s chained up by his mother for a reason) and falls in love with him after one meeting.
  • A vampire hunter bitten by a vampire who takes a hot metal branding iron and places it on the bites on his neck and then pours Holy water on the wound… and fully recovers! [Who knew he had that cure in his back pocket.]
  • A vampire who has blonde hair and is supposed to be good-looking and scary but isn’t much of either.
  • A vampire hunter who kills vampires with a shadow.
  • A movie that only die hard vampire or Peter Cushing fans should seek out.

 

 

Rating:

Holy Death (A Billy Lafitte novel) by Anthony Neil Smith

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Holy Death (A Billy Lafitte novel) by Anthony Neil Smith

Paperback: 264 pages
Publisher: Down & Out Books

First sentence…

One-thirty in the morning in a truck stop outside of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Holy Death is the fourth yarn in Anthony Neil Smith’s Billy Lafitte series.  If you’re not familiar with it and you like crime stories, then you’re in for a treat.

Billy Lafitte is an ex-cop, an ex-con and is on the run from a prison escape.  Lafitte’s in bad shape from steroid abuse and the wear and tear of escaping from the joint during a prison riot.  Lafitte wants to make it back to his one true love to give her the merciful death she wants and then he hopes to disappear.

As luck [at least Lafitte’s luck] would have it, he crosses paths with DeVaughn Lagrenade, a professional gambler, ex-gang banger and brother of a kid that Lafitte killed.  Now in addition to all the cops looking for him, Lafitte has Lagrenade, his psycho girlfriend and members of Lagrenade’s gang hunting him down.  As they close in on him, Lafitte knows it’s his last chance to make it right [or as right as he can] for the love of his life and his dead child’s mother.

Holy Death is not for the faint of heart of the sqeemish, but if you like a gritty, modern crime story, then this may be for you.  Holy Death is the fourth in the Billy Lafitte series and I’m hoping there’s more.

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