Chaykin’s Fortune

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Dippin’ into the ZONE vault today we find a drawing by Howard Chaykin of his Dominic Fortune character.  Chaykin is best known for his groundbreaking work on his American Flagg comic series.  And while all honors and praise that came Chaykin’s way for it was well deserved, the series was just one of his many milestones.

Howard Chaykin is one of those artists whose work I will follow on just about anything.  His track record is pretty amazing.  Cody Starbuck.  The Scorpion.  Dominic Fortune.  Monark Starstalker.  American Flagg.  The Midnight Men.  Black Kiss. That’s just off the top of my head and just listing the characters that Chaykin created.

The last I heard, Howard Chaykin was working on a very cool sounding graphic novel about the last days of the wild west and the start of modern society.  Man, I can’t wait to see it.

Guess Who Dropped In?

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Another item from the ZONE vault.  This time we have one of my favorite Master of Kung Fu covers.  It’s from issue 80 cover dated September 1979.  Penciled by Mike Zeck and inked by Gene Day.  Nearly 30 years later and I’m still diggin’ it.

Frank Miller “Daredevil vs Bullseye”

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Another dip into the ZONE vault finds this ultra-rare pencil sketch that Frank Miller did for me back in the early 80’s.  Meeting Frank was cool and because, at the time, not as many people wanted sketches, and Miller wasn’t as well known then.   I was able to sit and talk with him as he sketched it out.

I told him I wanted something iconic with Daredevil and Bullseye.  Frank thought for a second and then asked, “Do you care who’s winning?”  “Not at all,” I replied.  Frank then proceeded to draw the piece above.

A year or so later I saw that Klaus Janson was going to be at a show within driving distance.  I made it a point to also be at the show.  I spoke to Klaus about inking the Miller sketch.  He agreed, but wanted to wait until he had returned home to ink it.  He was in Florida for the con and staying with his buddy, fellow inker, Bob McLeod.  About a week went by and then I received a call from Klaus.  He couldn’t find the sketch.  He profusely apologized and offered to pay for the art or replace it.  I could tell that he was truly upset.  I told him, that perhaps the art would turn up and not to worry about it.

Flash forward a bunch of years later.  I had long since gotten out of collecting original art [and had yet to start on my Stallone art theme].  I got a call from my buddy, John Beatty.  John had gotten a call from Bob McLeod.  Bob had been preparing to move, or doing some major spring cleaning or something… and guess what he found.  Yep.  My Frank Miller sketch.  Bob was sending it back to me by way of Beatty.  Since I was no longer collecting original art I decided to sell the piece and buy a laser disc player.  Truth be told, I think I’ve gotten more enjoyment out of this xerox of the Miller sketch than I did out of the laser disc player!

Things Could Always Be Worse

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Last night the a bunch of the family met up in DeLand to see my nephew pitch for East Tennessee State University against Stetson.  Although hanging with the family was fun, the game didn’t go our way.  Josh started as pitcher and went five innings.  The score was 4-2 when he was relieved [and two of the runs came after errors].  Things went pretty much downhill after that.  ETSU went through four more pitchers as Stetson hammered in a total of 19 runs.  Final score Stetson 19, ETSU 4.  Arrgh.

After the game, when we went out into the parking lot we discovered that one of the foul balls hit out of the stadium had busted out Josh’s mom’s car’s back window.  Sheesh!  You can see that Joey was shocked at the look of his Aunt’s car!

Still, the night did have it’s moments.  It was fun hanging with family members.  And Grandma Peggy came up with a few new ones:  “They’ve got more runs than a pair of my old hose” — “That kid is swingin’ like it’s the 60’s!”

Marshall Rogers’ Bruce Lee

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Time for another dip into the ZONE vault.  This time we come up with the front piece to “The Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #26” published by Marvel and cover-dated July 1976.  Ah, that was a great time.  My senior year in high school had yet to start… ah, but I digress.

The front piece is a tribute to the legendary Bruce Lee as drawn by Marshall Rogers.

“Give ‘Em Hell Malone”

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I first heard about “Give ‘Em Hell Malone” back in January.  I was surprised then that more people weren’t talking it up since it stars Thomas Jane and Ving Rhames in what looks to be a very hip, on-point genre movie.

I’m diggin’ everyrhing about “Give ‘Em Hell Malone” – from the way cool styized poster above [as well as these others] to the latest trailer which premiered at Cannes.  I am ready to see this bad boy in a theater NOW.

“The Mercury Men”

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If you’re a fan of “The Twilight Zone,” “The Outer Limits,” sci-fi, drive-in movies, or cliffhangers then you really should check out “The Mercury Men.” I love the feel of this.  Of course I’m in to “The Twilight Zone,” “The Outer Limits,” sci-fi, drive-in movies…

Roth is What Pitt is.

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IMPAwards scored the first look at another “Inglorious Basterds” poster.  I’m really diggin’ these character posters.  Let’s hope the Tarantino film is as enjoyable.  See it in it’s full glory here.

Free Comic Book Day

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Today is Free Comic Book Day.  Comic shops all over the country will be giving away free comics, having store signings with comic book writers and artists, offering big discounts on comic related items, having drawings, costume contests and all sorts of fun.  Although I love going to comic conventions, meeting artists and writers, and having all sorts of fun, I’ve never attended a FCBD event.  Today that changes.

The Queen and I have been up since 4:30am [had to drop my son & his girlfriend off at the Orlando airport] and have already driven well over 100 miles.  In an hour or so, we’re getting back on the road and heading down to Famous Faces & Funnies in West Melbourne, Florida.  Derec Donovan and Karl Moline will be there sketching and signing autographs.  We’re going to check out the festivities [and maybe see about a Stallone sketch or two].

Then it’s back on the road and down to Collector’s Comics in Port St. Lucie, where my buddy, John Beatty will be sketching and defacing comics with his signature.  His lovely wife, Bella, will also be there and it will be a chance for her and the Queen to get together and compare notes.  Oh, and store owners Keith Mallow and Monica will be on hand to keep Beatty and I in line.  A good time for all is guaranteed.

Then the Queen and I will get back on the road to head for home.  If we time it right a dinner a Dixie Crossroads is in the plans.  Yeah, this looks to be a great day.

CultRetro Goes Live

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That’s me lookin’ shocked.  You would be too if a giant woman was about to stomp you.  Don’t worry, you’ll understand in a second.

My buddy, Wild Bill Black, has put together a very hip website called CultRetro to showcase his movies.  In addition to the 75 or so dvd movies that he has available for immediate purchase, there are also downloadable films, video production blogs and more.  If you’re into vampires, monsters, horror hosts, rocket men, detectives, giant women, and, well you get the idea, then check out CultRetro.

If you’re still not convinced, then check out this extended trailer.  Not only will you get a better feel for what CultRetro is all about, but you also understand why I was about to get stomped.