Author: Craig Zablo

Rucka & Robertson on Wolverine

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GREG RUCKA is one of my favorite writers. Best known for his Atticus Kodiac novels, RUCKA has also written quite a few comics [including the very popular “White Out” series].

It has been announced that RUCKA is going to be the writer when Marvel unleashes a new Wolverine series next May. DARRICK ROBERTSON is going to provide the artwork and has this to say about RUCKA’s take on Logan: “You will be getting a very, very different Wolverine… I think some fans aren’t going to like it all. Greg sees Logan like the Hulk in that he shouldn’t just go berserk all the time, but when he does, it’s a big deal and there will be so much building up to his explosion, that we he does cut loose, it will be momentous.”

The series seems to have a lot of potential. I know that I will be watching for the first issue.

Sometimes Wrong is Right?

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There’s been a lot of talk about “Joe Millionaire” the reality show on Fox. It scored high ratings with tons of people tuning in to see twenty single women competing for the attention of a bachelor that they are led to believe is a millionaire. The catch is that he isn’t. He’s a normal guy who brings down about $20,000 a year.

First of all, why anyone would care a bit about women fighting to “win” the attention of any guy is beyond me. I guess I’m alone in that respect though. There have been a bunch of shows just like it… “Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire”...”The Bachelor”… “The Bachelorette”… and now this… and I’m sure others to come.

What gets me is that if a guy was trying to pass himself off as a millionaire in order to get women, we’d call him a jerk. Yet a network does it and scores a ratings hit.

Bruce Willis’s Tears

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Anyone here like BRUCE WILLIS? Ok, hands down. Anyone here enjoy “Training Day?” Good, good.

Anyone want to see BRUCE WILLIS team up with the director of “Training Day” for an action – adventure movie? I thought so.

Well then, click below to see the trailer and HERE to visit the official site. Class dismissed. See you tomorrow!

FX is Coming

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This weekend JOHN “Big” BEATTY and I will be attending the FX Collector’s Toy, Comic and Fantasy Convention at Orlando’s Orange County Convention center. As if this weren’t reason enough to go, other guests scheduled to appear include LINDA [“The Exorcist”] BLAIR, DOUG [“Hellraiser”] BRADLEY, The Insane Clown Posse, and a whole bunch of comic book artists such as MARTIN NODELL, ALEX SAVIUK, and BILL BLACK.
JOHN will be selling some of his newly designed T-Shirts and doing some sketches while I will be checking out the place with my son and helping with the booth if it gets crazy. If you’re planning to attend, please make sure that you drop by and say, “Hi.”

Big Beatty

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JOHN BEATTY has been my best friend forever. So I’m really happy to say that he’s starting to kick his personal web site into high gear. It’s going to be a blast. Many of you probably know of JOHN through his work for Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, etc.

JOHN is still doing some work in comics [he’s currently inking Birds of Prey over CASEY JONES] but is also expanding into T-Shirt Design and more. The business “stuff” will be available online at Big Shot Graphics and the fun stuff will be on his personal site and I can promise you that it’s going to be a hoot. Be advised the humor and language will sometimes not be for kids.

Guns and Monsters

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STEVE NILES writes a mean hard-boiled novel. He also writes a wicked horror novel. What makes NILES unique is that he does this in the same book! Guns, Drugs and Monsters is actually the second in a [hopefully long-running] series featuring Cal MacDonald. Cal is a human with the gift / curse that he knows that monsters walk among us. He knows this because he hunts them. Well, a guy has to make a living somehow, doesn’t he?

NILES skillfully combines the best elements of CHANDLER and HAMMETT along with a dose of KING, plus a good bit of humor as well. I read through Guns, Drugs and Monsters in nearly one sitting [it’s that much fun]. It also features spot illustrations by ASHLEY WOOD that are the icing on the cake. I’ve already ordered Savage Membrane [the book that started the series]. If it’s just half as good as Guns then I’ll still have a winner.

Kill Bill Trailer Party

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I just saw the trailer to “Kill Bill.”
Four times.
I’ll watch it again after I post this. It’s that good. Everything works… the colors, the heightened reality, the MUSIC, the editing, the action… oh baby, the ACTION!
If you’re a fan of QUENTIN TARANTINO, UMMA THURMAN, kung fu, 70’s revenge flicks or movies that rock then stop reading and watch this trailer! Then head over to the “KIll Bill” site. You’ll be glad you did.
Talk to you later — I’m heading back to check out the trailer again!

Narc’s Buzz

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It’s been a while since there’s been a movie that I’ve really looked forward to as much as Narc. The positive buzz has been building, the trailer looks like the real deal and the web site made me want to see it even more.

“Narc” stars RAY LIOTTA, JASON PATRIC, and CHI McBRIDE. It’s written/directed by JOE CARNAHAN [who may be a guy to watch], produced by RAY LIOTTA and TOM CRUISE. I’m plan to catch Narc opening weekend.


The Shield Scores

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The Shield  premieres January 7th at 10PM. If you’ve missed some episodes along the way, I’d suggest that you check out “The Shield” Marathon starting tonight. FX will run back to back episodes each night at 10PM January 1st – 6th. This will lead right into the new season. “The Shield” is widely considered to be one of the best shows on tv. And rightly so.

MICHAEL CHIKLIS [the lead actor] earned basic cable’s first ever Primetime Emmy® Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. CHIKLIS also captured the Television Critics Association Award for Individual Achievement in Drama.
“The Shield” picked up Emmy nominations for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for creator SHAWN RYAN, and Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for CLARK JOHNSON, both basic cable firsts. The series also received Television Critics Association Award nominations in the categories of New Program of the Year, Outstanding Achievement in Drama and Program of the Year.

Even without all the awards, I’d still recommend it as a “don’t miss” show. Check out what I wrote way back on April 14, 2002! [Oh, and for you STALLONE fans reading this, CARL WEATHERS is set to appear in episodes later this season.]

Miss Ross, Indeed

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Although I’ve never met Diana Ross, the many reports that she expects people to treat her as royalty, that she demands that people never look her in the eye and that they must ALWAYS refer to her as MISS ROSS has never set well with me. MISS ROSS, indeed.

Well, this came over the news wire just seven minutes ago: TUCSON, Ariz. – Singer DIANA ROSS was arrested early Monday on suspicion of drunken driving, police said. A breath test showed the pop diva with a blood-alcohol level of 0.20 percent, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent… Police pulled ROSS over after someone alerted them to a swerving vehicle…

ROSS, 58, received misdemeanor citations for driving under the influence; driving with a blood-alcohol content over 0.08; and extreme DUI, or having a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.15 percent. Her initial court appearance was set for Jan. 13. After arresting ROSS, police gave her a ride to where she was staying, Altieri said.

I guess, instead of Miss Ross, we should just refer to her now as Miss Demeanor. [Yeah, I know but I couldn’t resist.]

New Years Means Twilight Zone

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One of our New Year’s Eve traditions [in addition to running movies, having good food, and setting off fireworks for my sons, nieces, nephews and well, myself] is to catch several episodes from Sci-Fi‘s Twilight Zone Marathon. I really love the idea of a TZ Marathon. Even though I rarely catch more than a few episodes, knowing that they’re available makes me smile.
For the last TZ Marathon, I recommended  Terror at 20,000 Feet and To Serve Man. They’re my favorites. If you can only catch two, then they’re the two.

Looking for more? The Invaders starts at 9:06pm on December 31st. An old woman alone, in a remote cabin with no neighbors or electricity is attacked when a small spaceship with invaders arrives!

The Shelter airs at 10:45 the same night. Several good friends who are also neighbors have gotten together to celebrate Dr. Stockton’s birthday. Everything is swell until there is an emergency announcement: the U.S. is in danger of an attack! The President warns everyone to seek immediate shelter — just the kind of shelter that Dr. Stockton has. Unfortunately there’s not room for everyone. Just what will friends do to each other in order to get a chance at survival? You’ll know if you watch!

  • Updated 5/14/23

Herb Ritts – RIP

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HERB RITTS died today. He was only 50 years old… and such a talent. RITTS was best known for his celebrity photographs. The black and white photo that Mr. RITTS took of SLY is one of the most requested on my StalloneZone site.

Although best known for his black and white celebrity photos, “unglamorized portraits of glamorous people,” as David Fahey, RITTS‘ gallery representative, once told the Los Angeles Times, he was equally adept with moving pictures. In 1991 RITTS won MTV‘s Director of the Year for both the Male Video of the Year [CHRIS ISAAK] and Female Video of the Year [JANET JACKSON]. HERB RITTS photographed just about everyone ranging from MADONNA to the DALAI LAMA.

HERB RITTS is survived by his mother, Shirley Ritts; a brother, Rory; a sister, Christy; and his partner, Erik Hyman. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them.

RIP – Kenneth Tobey

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I really wasn’t planning an update on Christmas, but I just read that Kenneth Tobey died on December 22nd at the age of 85. Mr. Tobey appeared in 100 movies and nearly as many tv shows usually playing a cop or soldier. He is probably best known for his role as Captain Patrick Hendry in the original “The Thing From Another World.”  Reading that Mr. Tobey had passed, reminded me of just how many times he entertained me.

Some of Kenneth Tobey’s feature film appearances include: He Walked by Night; Twelve 0’Clock High; The Gunfighter;  The Thing From Another World; The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms; It Came from Beneath the Sea; The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit; Gunfight at the O.K. Corral; Marlowe; Billy Jack; The Candidate; Walking Tall; Dirty Mary Crazy Larry; Baby Blue Marine; Airplane; The Howling; Strange Invaders; Innerspace; Big Top Pee-wee; and Single White Female.

Some of Kenneth Tobey’s television appearances include: The Lone Ranger; Rawhide; Dragnet; Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier; Father Knows Best; The Magical World of Disney (5 episodes); Wanted: Dead or Alive; Alfred Hitchcock Presents; Bat Masterson; The Rebel; 77 Sunset Strip; Bronco; Death Valley Days; The Danny Thomas Show; Have Gun – Will Travel; Sea Hunt; Perry Mason (3 episodes); Our Private World (10 episodes); Daniel Boone; Daktari (2 episodes); I Spy (7 episodes); Judd for the Defense; Family Affair; It Takes a Thief; The Virginian (4 episodes); The F.B.I.; Lassie (6 episodes); Bonanza (2 episodes); Longstreet; Cade’s County; Cannon; Gunsmoke (4 episodes); Night Gallery; Alias Smith & Jones (2 episodes); Kung Fu; Mannix (3 episodes); Adam-12 (3 episodes); Ironside (2 episodes); The Rookies (3 episodes); McMillan & Wife; Police Story (2 episodes); Get Christie Love (2 episodes); Columbo; Starsky & Hutch; Little House on the Prairie; The Streets of San Francisco (3 episodes); Days of Our Lives (4 episodes); The Rockford Files (2 episodes); Emergency! (4 episodes); Barnaby Jones (3 episodes); Falcon Crest; The Twilight Zone (1986); Hunter; Night Court (2 episodes); LA Law (2 episodes) and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

I’m not sure where I first saw Kenneth Toby.  He appeared on so many favorite television shows and movies of my youth.  I’ll always remember him best from The Thing From Another Planet.  Any production that he appeared in was better for him being part of it.  If any actor had just his movie or just his television resume, they would have a fulfilled career.  Kenneth Toby had both and that speaks to his level of talent and professionalism.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kenneth Toby’s family, friends and fans.
– Revised 5/14/23

Dick Giordano, “Demolition Man” and More Breasts!

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There’s an old saying, “Be careful what you ask for… because you just might get it.” Dick Giordano tells a great story that illustrates that point.

Mr. Giordano is one of comics’ legends. In addition to inking all of the best artists of the last 50 years, Dick Giordano was the head of DC Comics, worked with Neal Adams at Continuity Studios and currently co-owns Future Comics (with Bob Layton).

Now to Dick Giordano’s story of be careful what you ask for. Mr. Giordano had the assignment of pencilling a cover that featured a sexy female super-hero. He turned in art for final approval and received a note from the editor who shall remain nameless [ *cough* Jim Shooter *cough*]. The note said, “Make her breasts bigger.”

Mr. Giordano thought the breasts were already large, but he shook his head and re-drew the breasts larger.

He sent the artwork back to the editor.  Once again the page was sent back to Mr. Giordano. This time the note simply stated: “MORE BREASTS.”

Dick didn’t want to disappoint the editor. He sat back down, drew a third breast on the character and sent the page back. Needless to say, it wasn’t returned again.

Mr. Giordano shared this story to a group of us as I was getting him to sign my Demolition Man mini-series.

  • Updated 5/13/23

Not My Rawhide Kid

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One of the comics I enjoyed as a youngster was The Rawhide Kid. The Rawhide Kid was young and quick with a gun. He was thought to be an outlaw. He wasn’t.  The Kid traveled from town to town, stayed long enough to right a wrong and then moved on. He never drew his gun first, was shy and even drank milk. The Rawhide Kid had a real cool “costume” that was easily recognizable. Sure, he sounds like a cliché, but don’t most kids’ comics when you break them down into essentials? At any rate, The Rawhide Kid was a great role model for a young ‘un like myself.

When the western craze died out, so did The Rawhide Kid.

Now he’s returning in a new mini-series called “Slap Leather.” I can’t recommend it though. See, Marvel has decided to make The Rawhide Kid gay… not that there is anything wrong with being gay. My problem with the series is:
1) They’re approaching it as a joke. You know, NOW we know why he was shy and moved from town to town * wink* *wink*…
2) If they wanted to create a gay cowboy, why not create a new character instead of one that has been around for nearly 50 years?

And consider this… if the argument is that it will give a role model to young gay kids… how is it going to make the kids feel when they realize that the “hero” is being treated as the punchline?