Soloman & Hunter… Now Thorn

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James Byron Huggins is one of my favorite authors. I’ve enjoyed every book that I’ve read by him, and two [Cain and Hunter] are all-time favorites. In fact, I’ve always wished that Huggins would do a sequel teaming the two heroes, Soloman and Hunter, in a new adventure.

Although Sorcerer, Huggins‘ latest novel, doesn’t bring back either Soloman or Hunter, it does introduce us to a new hero, Michael Thorn. Thorn is an ex-cop, ex-Airborne Ranger who, at 45, has opted for early retirement after seeing more than enough action in the military and as a decorated detective. Thorne, his wife, and two children move to a remote New England town where they buy a house in the country.

Any hope for a peaceful retirement is gone when Thorn discovers a hidden room in his basement. In the room he finds a skeleton chained to the wall. The manacles are engraved with an ancient writing. When the skeleton disappears and people start turning up dead, Thorn suddenly finds himself allies with Assassini sent from Rome to do battle with the ancient evil that has returned from the grave!

Huggins has the ability to make a story move, but never at the expense of character development. He also has the talent to make the unbelievable believable. I must admit that before reading the book,. I was worried that the villain would be some kind of wizard like in Harry Potter or King Arthur. Boy, was I wrong. This sorcerer is an ancient evil who dared to challenge Moses himself!

I thoroughly enjoyed Sorcerer and wouldn’t mind a sequel. Hmmm… maybe Thorn could team with Soloman and Hunter on a new adventure?

Put Down Your Drink Now

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Although I’m not a huge David Spade fan, I was glad that I wasn’t drinking anything when I read that he said:

“A spokesperson for Michael Jackson announced the pop star’s
2,600-acre ranch will be closed. Now that the ranch is over 15
years old, Jackson isn’t attracted to it anymore.”

I’m afraid if I had been drinking something, I’d have sprayed.

The Walking Dead – Pick Your Edition

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If you’ve been searching for missing back issues to The Walking Dead, thinking about picking up the graphic novels, or looking for a great starting point to join in on this classic series by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore and Charlie Adlard; then wait no more.

The Walking Dead: Book One is a 304 page hardcover that reprints the first 12 issues. It’s a great bargain since prices for the original comics, if you can find them are through the roof. Of course, if you don’t want the hardcover edition, but still crave even more zombie action, you can take advantage of this special and get 4 trade paperbacks collecting the first 24 issues for just $32.23!

Price that low are to die [and reanimate] for!

Scary Batman

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DC has been putting out a variety of Batman statues based on designs by some of the best artists to work on their flagship character.

I told you about this one, based on Eduardo Risso’s Batman. It adorns a spot on my bookcase. There have been others in the series based on designs by Joe Kubert and Mike Mignola.

Now there’s even one on the horizon based on Kelley Jones’ Batman. I always liked Kelley’s Batman since it played up the horror aspects of the “Dark Knight.”

Of course Doug Moench’s writing and Big John Beatty’s inks played a key role in making Kelley’s Batman so cool… and I don’t think that they’ll have much to do with the statue. ; )

Dan Curtis – Rest in Peace

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Dan Curtis, best known as the creative force behind “Dark Shadows” died today at the age of 78. Curtis‘s career as a producer, writer, and director spanned five decades. Many would say that the high point of his career was in 1983 when he produced, directed and co-wrote the highly successful “Winds of War” mini-series starring Robert Mitchum. But I would argue that his work on “Dark Shadows” is what most folks will remember.

Curtis created a cult classic that was “must see tv” for the five years that it ran. Ok, ok, truth be told, it wasn’t until the second year and the addition of Jonathon Frid as Barnabus Collins that the series really took off; but boy did it! “Dark Shadows” spawned two feature films [not as good as the tv series], comic books, novels, trading cards, and more. Even now, as I think back at how all of my friends and I were “into” “Dark Shadows” I have to smile.

Curtis’s wife of 54 years died earlier this month. He is survived by his two daughters and a world of fans. Our thoughts and prayers are with them today.

Something Different from Eric Powell

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Today’s banner looks like something that you might expect in an Eric Powell drawing. As I’m sure most of you’re aware, Eric is the creator of the hugely popular The Goon series. The Goon frequently finds himself up against all manner of mobsters and monsters [werewolves, witches, zombies, etc].

So yeah, that’s a typical monster from The Goon in today’s banner, right?

Wrong.

Actually it’s part of this cover that Eric did for Marvel Westerns: The Two-Gun Kid! Although Eric didn’t do the enterior art [Eduardo Barreto did], it should still be worth a gander.

Steranko Returns – Kevin Leaves

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Steranko is back, baby!Just take a look at this limited edition cover for Mr. T.

Man, oh man, oh man!

Steranko shows just why he will always be considered one of the best to ever work in comics. 

On another note, it was Kevin Covais who got sent home last night on American Idol. Although he was the person that I felt most deserving to leave, I didn’t go with my feelings when I made my predictions and instead went with how I thought America would vote.

Still I did pick two of the bottom three. Bucky should start sweating now.

Zablo out!

Rumble in La Rambla

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As I was going through my Previews order this week, I came across a new comic mini-series that you might want to check out.

It’s called Rumble in La Rambla from IDW Publishing. I wasn’t familiar with the writer [Felipe Ferreira] or the artist [Rafael Albuquerque] so I went to the Rumble in La Rambla website and learned enough to know that I’m pre-ordering it.

Check it out, you may want to order it too.

American Idol – Predictions

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It’s American Idol and we’re down to the final 11. In a few hours it will be 10… so let’s see who might be going…

Katharine McPhee did well and looked great. She’s safe.

Ace Young was in the bottom three last week and just did “ok” last night. He could be in danger of leaving soon… but not tonight.

Chris Daughtry had the best performance of the night. I loved his take on “Walk the Line.” He’s safe.

Bucky Covington didn’t impress me. I predict the bottom three tonight.

Elliott Yamin can sing but didn’t live up to his potential last night. He’ll be back next week though.

Kellie Pickler is safe again… but the cuteness factor is fading fast.

Lisa Tucker was one that I initially thought would easily get to the final 4 or 5. She was in the bottom 3 last week [shows what I know]. She didn’t impress last night and could be in the bottom 3 again tonight.

Mandisa can sing and has a great personality…if she wasn’t the best performer last night, she sure wasn’t third… but I still don’t think that she’ll win.

Paris Bennett has so much talent. She is safe as can be tonight.

Taylor Hicks might have had the third best performance of the night… and the most fun! He’s safe.

Kevin Covais had one of his better performances… still I don’t think that he should still be around, but I’ll bet he’s safe for at least another week.

My bottom three for tonight: Lisa Tucker, Bucky Covington and Ace Young.

My prediction for the one leaving: Lisa Tucker [although I’d rather see Kevin or Bucky taking the trip].

Good TV is a Good Thing

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This is the best tv season in recent memory.

Tonight Prison Break returns. It has just the right mix of action, romance, drama, and right when it starts to go over the top, reigns it in. It’s a fun ride, if you’re willing to go with it.

And don’t forget that The Shield finale tomorrow night is one and a half hours long. My gut feeling is that a major character [maybe Lem] is going to buy it. I’m glad to report that The Shield will be back for a sixth and possible final season.

I’d like to write more, but there’s just too much good stuff on right now.

Samuel Hiti and Two of his Rambo Drawings!

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Samuel Hiti is a 30-year-old artist, who made his graphic novel debut in New York with his Xeric Award-winning “End Times/Tiempos Finales.”

Mike Mignola, creator of the cult favorite “Hellboy,” said it was the best graphic novel of the year.  Samuel was nominated for “Best New Talent” for the 2005 Harvey Awards. Samuel has worked for major companies such as Nike, The New York Times, Disney, and adapted The 2004 Paramount/Dreamworks movie of “Lemony Snicket – SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS” into comic book form for Nickelodeon magazine.

I discovered Samuel’s site while surfing the web. While enjoying Samuel‘s art, I also learned that he’s a Rambo fan. Samuel recently drew a scene from Rambo and had so much fun with it, that he now does a Rambo Quote of the Week. Samuel graciously agreed to me posting a couple of examples here on the SZ.  – Craig

Scanning the Day Away

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Yesterday, James Howell [top left], John Higashi [top right] and I [middle] spent the day at John Beatty‘s [not pictured – every time I tried to get a pciture, he shot a bird! LOL!] We get together every so often just to hang out, catch up and share a few laughs. We generally arrange a get-together after a comic book convention to scan in our new art acquisitions and to share “con stories” like this one. It’s always a blast and yesterday was no exception.

Of course Higashi was the first to arrive [just as he’s always first in line at conventions]. I arrived second and Beatty was already scanning away. Higashi has an unbelievable Star Wars art collection, but he doesn’t just limit himself to the realm of the Jedi. Yesterday John showed us two really nice Walt Kelly Pogo strips that he’d picked up, as well as a Stan Drake “Julliet Jones” strip.

Finally “The James” Howell rolled in. James needed to get some pieces for his Batman collection scanned. James is always entertaining and yesterday he had us nearly crying as he told us of his recent charity race. In the last several months James has dropped 70+ pounds through exercise, diet, working out and now jogging. He recently decided to enter a charity run, and not only did he finish, but he had an experience with “the runs” during the run. LOL! Luckily there were strategically placed port-o-potties along the way. James also had us dying as he told us about special preparations and clothes needed for longer races! The thought of James “lotioning up” is just not something you want burned in your mind. Then again, maybe it is.

We decided to go to the Ale House for lunch. Big Beatty has lost over 25 pounds and limits himself to a “sloppy meal” every week or so. He had the Chili-Burger with onion rings. The James, ever vigilant had a chicken breast sandwich with no condiments, steamed broccoli instead of fries and a side salad. I normally would have gone for some wings, but since I’ve been watching my diet, I opted for the Chef’s salad. Higashi, who doesn’t need to watch his weight, went for the Mushroom burger and fries.

The meal was a lot of laughs. I had to try to get Beatty to talk a bit quieter when he began to loudly share with us what to expect during a colonoscopy. Luckily our meals came and the conversation drifted. We only had one “near incident” and that was when Beatty asked our waitress if he could see her “tat” and I misunderstood his question… luckily she didn’t. ; )

After lunch we hit Circuit City. I picked up a couple of DVDs [Antz and the Thief: Special Edition], and Beatty picked up two DVDs [Big Trouble in Little China and Poolhall Junkies] and a cd. Then it was back to Beatty‘s for more scanning and nonsense.

The James, Beatty and I were cutting up when I looked over to see Higashi had nodded off. How he could do that with all the noise, not to mention funny stories, is beyond me. I’ve seen Higashi work all day [overtime even], drive through the night and then work [and I mean work] a convention and still have enough energy to stay up late into the night, only to rise before the crack of dawn and do it again. Yet, there he was catnapping! A sixth sense must have alerted him to the fact that our attention had turned to him and he snapped out of it and picked up the conversation as if nothing had happened.

Unfortunately, The James needed to get back to J-Ville, so the party broke up around 5pm. Still, as we were all leaving, we discussed plans to “do it again.”

Kevin Dodges the Bullet

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Wow! Was I shocked?

When American Idol opened with the annoucement that either Kevin Covais or Ace Young was in the bottom three; I would have bet the house that it was Kevin packing up to go. And, man-o-man, would I have been wrong.

The second shocker was that Lisa Tucker was in the bottom three! I was thinking that she was a lock to get to the later rounds.

The fact that Melissa McGhee got the boot made sense [if it wasn’t going to be Kevin] since she forgot her lyrics on Tuesday.

So, Ace and Lisa were on the bubble. I wonder how that will affect their performances next Tuesday. I guess we’ll know in less than a week.

Say Goodbye to Kevin

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This is, without a doubt, the best season of American Idol yet. We’re down to the final 12 and there are at least 4 who have a real shot of winning.

Unfortunately Kevin Covais isn’t one of the four. He seems like a nice enough kid and all, but I’m actually surprised he’s made it this far.

Let’s look at the rest of the group:

Katharine McPhee had the best performance last night and she could go all the way.

Ace Young has the right look and can sing so he has a shot too.

Chris Daughtry can sing, is comfortable on stage and knows “who he is” — I just wonder if a rocker can actually be the next American Idol.

Bucky Covington seems like a nice down to Earth guy, but I don’t think he’ll be around much longer.

Elliott Yamin can sing. I mean the man CAN SING. The question is does he have the “it” factor to get enough votes to win?

Kellie Pickler is the country cutie. She’s got a great voice for country music. Cute as can be… but that may get old quick. “I feel like I got tarantulas on my eyes! They’re not real though!” Arrrgh!

Lisa Tucker is the youngest in the finals and without a doubt, one of the best. She… could… go… all… the … way!

Mandisa can sing and has a great personality… but I don’t think that she’ll win.

Melissa McGhee has her moments, but my guess is that she or Bucky will be the next to go.

Paris Bennett could take the crown. Her rendition, a few weeks ago, of “Midnight Train to Georgia” was the best performance that I’ve ever seen on American Idol. The only thing that could mess her up is that her “cuteness” may wear thin as the weeks drag on.

Taylor Hicks won’t win. He’ll go far but I just don’t see him taking the crown. I love the guy’s style and he’s a fun performer but I don’t see him beating out some of the others. I think I look forward to his performance more than any of the finalists, but he’s still a longshot to take the crown.

So, am I on the right track?

They’re Coming to Get You, Barbara!

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Many of you Zoners, like me, love a good zombie story. You can’t get enough of “Night of the Living Dead,” “Dawn of the Dead,” “The Walking Dead,”… well, you get the idea.

So how does this sound:

An event of nightmarish proportions has begun! The dead are walking the Earth and tearing the living limb from limb in an endless pursuit to quench their insatiable hunger for flesh. Yet not all killers are undead.

Eight of the country’s most notorious murderers are being transferred across state when their bus enters a town overrun with feasting corpses! Now the town’s remaining survivors find themselves fighting
a battle on two sides. Five innocents, countless zombies.

If you like the sound of that, then you might want to check out Zombies! a new series from IDW written by Shane McCarthy and art by Chris Bolton.