Author: Craig Zablo

Darwyn Cooke & The Man with the Getaway Face

Richard Stark fan?   Check.

Darwyn Cooke fan?   Check.

Crime stories fan?   Check.

Comic Book fan?   Check.

Loved Darwyn Cooke’s adaptation of Richard Stark’s Hunter?  Check.

Okay.  If that’s the case, and you have two bucks and are going to attend WonderCon next week, then you may be one of the lucky folks who can pick up an…

…exclusive prelude to The Outfit, the second of Richard Stark’s Parker novels that Cooke is adapting… This 8″x12″ preview book offers one entire chapter of The Outfit and will be included in the finished graphic novel, coming in October.

What’s that?  You won’t be able to attend WonderCon?  Well, don’t fret because…

…the preview will be available in comic stores everywhere in July at the same low price and large size.

Be sure and let your local comic shop manager know that you’re going to want a copy.   Check.

UFC 111 Results

UFC 111 was last night.  Here are my predictions and the results:

  • Ricardo “Big Dog” Almeida vs Matt “The Immortal” Brown.

Prediction: The Immortal will put the Big Dog down.  Brown by TKO.
Result: Brown lost via tapout making me 0-1 for the night.

  • Nate Diaz vs Rory Markham.

Prediction: Diaz by stoppage [even if he takes a beating before doing it].
Result: Diaz by stoppage in the first round, so I go to 1-1.

  • Jon Fitch vs Ben “Killa B” Saunders.

Prediction: The “Killa B” loses by decision.
Result: The “Killa B” loses by decision and I jump to 2-1.

  • Kurt “Batman” Pellegrino vs Fabricio “Morango” Camoes.

Prediction: Pellegrino will earn the victory.
Result: Pellegrino earned the victory via tapout and now I am 3-1.

  • Frank Mir vs Shane Carwin.

Prediction:  Mir in an upset.
Result: MIr lost via 1st round stoppage and I drop to 3-2.

  • Georges “Rush” St-Pierre vs Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy.

Prediction: GSP will arrest the outlaw.
Result: GSP wins all rounds and I end the night at 4-2.

60% ain’t great, but puts me ahead of the game.

Mir Dislikes Lesnar & Carwin’s More Dangerous

Frank Mir dislikes Brock Lesnar.  Watch this video and you’ll hear Frank explain why.

Original video link: Fight Magazine.

Mir also talks about why Carwin is more dangerous than Lesnar and how both of them could beat him.  The funny thing is, although I’m writing this several days before the fight, by the time you read this, we’ll know if Carwin was able to beat Mir.

Original video link: Yahoo Sports!

R.I.P. Dick Giordano

Dick Giordano passed away today.  He was considered a legend in the comic business having literally done it all over the course of his long career.  Many learned of Mr. Giordano’s passing through an e-mail sent out by his good friend and fellow artist, Bob Layton.  Here’s how Bob broke the news:

Dear Friends & Colleagues,

It is my sorrowful duty to announce that legendary artist/editor/entrepreneur Dick Giordano passed away today.  Few could ever hope to match what he accomplished in his chosen profession, or to excel while maintaining great humor, compassion for his peers and an unwavering love for the art form.  His unique vision changed the comic industry forever and all of those who work in the business continue to share in the benefits of his sizable contributions.

I have been honored to call him a business partner, mentor and dear friend throughout the majority of my lifetime.  We will not see his like again.

Regretfully,

Bob Layton

I’m honored to have met Dick Giordano several times over the years.  He was always gracious and kind.  As many of you probably know I have several Dick Giordano “Demolition Man” headsketches in my collection.  Mr. Giordano did them in preparation for his work on the comic book adaptation of the movie.  Last week, I received another headsketch drawn by Mr. Giordano.  This sketch is Dick’s take on Sly as Jack Carter.  It was gifted to me by my buddy Steve Lipsky [who also owns the sketch on today’s post].  I plan to post the Jack Carter piece with tomorrow’s update.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Giordano’s family, friends and fans.

Bob Layton is right, we will not see the like of Dick Giordano again.

UFC 111 Predictions

UFC 111 is tonight.  That means it’s time for predictions:

  • Ricardo “Big Dog” Almeida vs Matt “The Immortal” Brown.

Prediction: The Immortal will put the Big Dog down.  Brown by TKO.

  • Nate Diaz vs Rory Markham.

Prediction: Diaz by stoppage [even if he takes a beating before doing it].

  • Jon Fitch vs Ben “Killa B” SaundersSaunders is taking the fight on very short notice.  He was prepared to fight on the undercard, so he’s in shape and he asked for the fight when Alves didn’t pass the pre-fight physical.  I like Saunders, and really admire his willingness to step up, but think that Fitch will be a bit too much.

Prediction: The “Killa B” loses by decision.

  • Kurt “Batman” Pellegrino vs Fabricio “Morango” Camoes.

Prediction: How can you go against “Batman”Pellegrino will earn the victory.

  • Frank Mir vs Shane Carwin.  THIS is the fight that I’m really excited about.  Carwin is a BEAST.  He’s 11-0 and never been past the first round.  How can I take Mir?  How could anyone?

Prediction:  Mir in an upset.

  • Georges “Rush” St-Pierre vs Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy.  The odds-on favorite is GSP, but Hardy does have a punchers chance.  [Anyone remember Matt Serra?]

Prediction: GSP will arrest the outlaw.

If you want to see some different predictions and some cool art to boot, then check out how Ryan Cody sees the night going.

[Not the] Greatest Cartoons in History

Earlier this week CoedMagazine.com listed their choices for The 10 Greatest Saturday Morning Cartoons in History.  So, using just their top ten, here is my top four:

  • 4.  The Superfriends
  • 3. Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends
  • 2.  H.R. Pufnstuf
  • 1. The Wacky Racers

I have to tell you, their choices stink.  First of all, how are H.R. Pufnstuf, Sigmun the Sea Monster and Land of the Lost considered cartoons?  If these shows qualify as “cartoons” then The Monkees and The Banana Splits should have made the list.

I’d always thought that “cartoon” indicated animation.  Using that criteria then why didn’t Jonny Quest, Space Ghost, Tom & Jerry, The Roadrunner, and others not make the cut?  Bah!