Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
Master of Comic Book Art was created in 1987, hosted by Harlan Ellison and features interviews with Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, Neal Adams, Berni Wrightson, Frank Miller, Moebius, Dave Sim and Art Speigleman.
Hard to believe that 30 years have passed since this was made. Of course that does explain why they look so young.
Enjoy!
Writer David Michelinie [Iron Man, The Avengers, Spider-Man] recently sat down to discuss his classic stories [including Iron Man: Demon in a Bottle; Armor Wars and more].
Source: Comic Book Resources.
Recently the bullet above was found by a treasure hunter. As you can see it was no ordinary bullet in that in contained not gun powder but a secret message. The message was written in code so the finder posted a picture to a World War II forum and received an answer…
My grandfather served in Italy, I inherited all of his military gear. He saved all of his daily code books, so looked it up. Here is the message:
QM is code for the officer that was tasked with coordinating forces for a particular engagement. This is an engagement status letter that is addressed to that officer.
The (6) 5 letter codes read as follows, from left to right, top to bottom:
THEY – THROW – GRENADES – WE – PULL – PINS – AND – THROW – BACK
The final code at the bottom is a phrase:
NOTIFY REINFORCEMENTS STAND DOWN – NOT NEEDED
Could this be some kind of joke that was never delivered? Apparently not. The Nazis were throwing grenades that weren’t armed until the Allied forces armed and then threw them back at the Nazis.
As Paul Harvey used to say, “And now for the rest of the story.”
Source: Sploid.
Thom Zahler is the creative powerhouse behind Love and Capes.
Zahler is just one of those guys who is multi-talented and fun to be around. Zahler’s humor and quick wit — not to mention his dead on impersonation of William Shatner can keep people entertained for hours. Someone should put this guy on tv.
Don’t believe me?
Judge for yourself. Recently Zahler did a running two-part commentary on a 1977 Star Trek coloring book. Here’s part one and part two.
Funny stuff, right? And you didn’t even hear it in Zahler’s Captain Kirk voice.
Brian Cronin at CBR.com has started a new feature in which he posts the first U.S. work of famous comic book creators. Recently Cronin shined his spotlight on the first work of one of my favorite comic book superstars, Frank [The Dark Knight Returns; Sin City] Miller.
One of my favorite comics, The Walking Dead, may soon become one of my favorite tv shows. It may also become one of my favorite novel trilogies. That’s right, it’s been announced that…
…Thomas Dunne Books, a division of St. Martin’s Press, will publish a trilogy of original novels set in The Walking Dead “universe,” beginning in 2011. Kirkman will conceptualize and outline the books, which will then be developed by horror novelist Jay Bonansinga (Perfect Victim, Shattered).
The other day Chris Mills posted that there is a new version of Hawaii 5-0 coming to CBS. The new show stars Alex O’Laughlin, Daniel Dae-Kim, Scott Caan and Grace Park. The new Hawaii 5-0 has tweaked a few things and looks interesting enough for me to give it a shot.
The one thing that I wish they hadn’t messed with was the theme song. Nothing beats the original version when it comes to Hawaii 5-0. Don’t believe me? Chris Mills posted the new theme along with the original [and even a third riff on it for a show that never made it to series].
While I’m still really looking forward to “The Book of Eli”, I have to admit that some of the anticipation has worn off. I read a couple of spoilers and if “the book” is what it is purported to be and the events take place just a few decades from now… well, it’s going to be tough to get over that plot conceit. Still, I’m hoping for a fun couple of hours.
Tommy Lee Edwards worked as a concept artist on Denzel Washingon’s next film, “The Book of Eli”. Edwards also created this very cool promotional poster to help Warner Bros. promote the film at the San Diego ComicCon.
I’m really looking forward to the movie adaptation of Robert B. Parker’s novel Appaloosa. The screenplay is co-written and directed by Ed Harris, who also takes a starring role as gunfighter, Virgil Cole. Viggo Mortenson plays his partner, Everett Hitch. If that’s not enough star power, to get your motor running, then consider that Rene Zelwegger, Jeremy Irons, Lance Henrikson and Rex Linn also will show up for the festivities.
Here’s a link to the official website. If you check it out you won’t findmuch other than a link to the movie’s poster and first trailer. It’s worth a click to see both.My hope is that Appaloosa will do well enough at the box office for Ed Harris to film the entire trilogy [Appaloosa, Resolution and the yet to be published Brimstone].
5] (Tie) The Terror by Dan Simmons is a novelization of the true doomed 1840s Franklin expedition to find a Northwest passage. History tells us there were no survivors and the men died from exposure, starvation and worse. Simmons’ story combines all of the interesting historical details and adds a new menace, a creature which feeds on men. The Terror was a national best seller. Stephen King listed it as one of his favorite books of the year. Who am I to argue with Stephen King?
5] (tie) No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy. You know how much I loved the book and movie. If you haven’t read it [or seen it], you should.
4] Duane Swiercznski jumped to my “must read” list with his very hip, very cool novel The Wheelman. Since then I’ve also read his Secret Dead Men and The Blonde. All of which get a thumbs up and The Blonde comes in at #4 on this year’s best of list.
3] No Dominion by Charlie Huston. C’mon, it’s Joe Pitt — and Charlie Huston. Enough said.
1] L.A. Rex by Will Beall. Beall is a real LA cop and LA Rex is his first novel. I hope that there are more to come because this tale of cops, gangbangers, drug dealers and the gritty life of those in South Central pulled me in and wouldn’t let go. LA Rex is currently a bargain book purchase if you click HERE. You can get the hard cover for less than the price of a paperback… but supplies are limited.
5. Already Dead by Charlie Huston. Modern day vampire clans are at war and Joe Pitt has a missing girl to find. Huston’s next Joe Pitt novel, No Dominion, is available now.
4. Persuader by Lee Child. I’m coming to this series late in the game, but that doesn’t make me like it any less. Child has a winner with his Jack Reacher novels. In this outing, Reacher is working undercover with the FBI to catch an international gun-runner.
3. The Road by Cormac McCarthy. A father and young son journey south through a bleak post-apocalyptic world. Food is scarce and only what they can scavenge. They must make the journey to escape the brutal winter that is almost upon them. If they don’t starve odds are one of the roaming bands of cannibals will find them. Still they press on.
2. World War Z by Max Brooks. A haunting book that Chad Hunt also recommends!
1. Stealing Home / Six Bad Things / A Dangerous Man by Charlie Huston. Yeah, he’s the same Charlie Huston that wrote Already Dead. In this trilogy we meet Hank Thompson. When we first meet Hank he’s ten years out of high school and working as a bartender in New York City. Had it not been for a badly broken leg, he would have been a big league baseball player. Now he’s the nice guy who drinks too much and lacks real ambition. That is until the night two strangers yank him over the bar and beat him nearly to death. When he gets out of the hospital he gets more visitors and another beating. Soon he’s on the run from crooked cops, mobsters and hit men. If he lives maybe he’ll get a piece of the millions of dollars that they believe he has. Six Bad Things and A Dangerous Man complete Hank’s story. I loved every page and wish that it didn’t have to end.
Ray Stevenson died today. He was 58. No cause of death has been released.
Ray Stevenson was an Irish actor known for his roles in theater, television and feature films. He is best known for his starring roles as The Punisher in Punisher: War Zone and Volstagg in Thor franchise films,
Some of Ray Stevenson’s television appearances include: The Dwelling Place (3 episodes); The Tide of Life (3 episodes); Band of Gold (9 episodes); City Central (21 episodes); Walking the Dead (2 episodes); Rome (22 episodes); Dexter (9 episodes); Black Sails (11 episodes); Rellik (6 episodes); Reef Break (13 episodes); Vikings (11 episodes) and Das Boot (9 episodes).
Some of Ray Stevenson’s feature films include: The Theory of Flight; King Arthur; Punisher: War Zone; Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant; The Book of Eli; The Other Guys; Kill the Irishman; Thor; G.I. Joe: Retaliation; Thor: The Dark World; Cold Skin; Thor: Ragnarak; Accident Man; RRR and Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday.
My favorite Ray Stevenson role was in Punisher: War Zone. He was excellent in the role and I’m surprised that they didn’t do sequels with him. It was also a pleasant surprise to see him in RRR.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ray Stevenson’s family, friends and fans.
The Beast in Me (2025)
Created by: Gabe Rotter
Directors:
Teleplay:
Stars: Claire Danes, Matthew Rhys, Brittany Snow, Natalie Morales, Tim Guinee, Hettienne Park, Deirdre O’Connell, Julie Ann Emery, Amir Arison, Peter Grosz, Bill Irwin, Kate Burton and Jonathan Banks.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Aggie Wiggs was on top of the world. She was an award-winning author with a beautiful wife and child. They lived in a big old house in a wooded remote area. It was a beautiful life.
Then it all fell apart when a driver crashed into her car killing her son. Aggie suspected the man was drunk, but he was not charged. After that Aggie’s marriage fell apart. It’s been several years now. Things haven’t gotten better for Aggie. Her next book is way overdue and the publisher wants it.
Aggie is surprised when Nile Jarvis moves in next door. Jarvis is the the super rich real estate magnate suspected of killing his first wife. Although Jarvis was never charged, his wife disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Jarvis is a ruthless business man used to getting his way in every aspect of his life. He’s also a narcissist and perhaps a sociopath.
When Aggie decides to write a book about Jarvis, it brings her into his orbit. Which is a dangerous place to be.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Beast in Me was executive produced by Claire Danes, Jodie Foster and Conan O’Brien.
Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys had no idea how the series would end when they signed on to star.
Claire Danes, Matthew Rhys, Natalie Morales and Jonathan Banks are excellent. The series is well written and well directed. It gets my highest recommendation.
The Beast in Me (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars.
BLOOD AND MAGICK by James R. Tuck
First sentences…
I should have known.
There were signs. I’m supposed to be the damn expert. I should have caught the warnings.
I should have.
But I was completely clueless until the minute the restaurant exploded in a wave of eldritch flame and burning glass.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Deacon Chalk knows the truth about things that go bump in the night. Chalk looks like a stereotypical biker. Bald head. Tats. Tall, broad-shouldered and muscular. But Chalk is anything but stereotypical. Several years ago, he almost died along with his family. Vampires took them out. But Chalk was saved by an angelic blood transfusion. Yeah, angel’s blood.
Now Chalk and the small circle of friends that surround him are monster hunters.
But not tonight.
Chalk, his girlfriend Tiff, and their friends are having a quiet dinner. Then all hell explodes. Literally. Members of a coven known as the Wrath of Baphomet attack. They’re after the “Blood of the Trinity”.
Chalk and his team are no longer the monster hunters… tonight the monsters hunt them.
+++
BLOOD AND MAGICK is the third book in James R. Tuck’s Deacon Chalk: Occult Bounty Hunter series. I’ve read and enjoyed all three.
I love crime, noir and detective/anti-hero stories. Add the right mix of humor and violence and I’m on board. The tales don’t normally feature werewolves, vampires, witches or demons. But Tuck’s Deacon Chalk yarns do, and they work.
Chalk is the type of anti-hero I like. Smart (but not brainy), tough and with enough attitude to get him in tight jams as he tries to (mostly) do the right thing. While I’m not ready for a constant diet of this genre, when I do want another taste, I know James R. Tuck is open for business with other tales.
Rating:
