Search Results for: bill black

Sly Stallone as Stanley Rosiello from “Lords of Flatbush” by Bill Black!

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I’ve known Bill Black for over forty years.  Bill began his professional comics career in 1969 illustrating horror stories for Warren Publications’ CREEPY and EERIE magazines.  Since then Bill worked in advertising and in film production and illustrated comics for Marvel.

Bill’s real claim to fame came when he started AC Comics, one of the first 5 Independent comic book publishers in America and the only one of that group still in business.  Over the years Bill has done it all — writer, penciler, inker, painter, publisher.  What an amazing career!

I’ve been fortunate to know Bill as a friend.  I say fortunate because Bill is one of the most positive, fun people I’ve ever met.  Waaay back in 2006, Bill gifted me his take on Sly Stallone as Stanley from Lords of Flatbush.  I love it!

Sybil Danning / Paul Gulacy / Bill Black and Me

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The Black Diamond comics shown above each feature a cover drawn by Paul Gulacy.  A fan of the series and actress Sybil Danning recently posted the covers on Twitter with this response…

I responded to his Tweet with, “Funny story – I was Bill Black’s connection for both Paul Gulacy & Sybil Danning!”

I thought I had told that story here before but a search of the site indicates I didn’t… until now.  Let me take you back to 1980…

It’s about 10 at night and I’m watching tv.  The phone rings and I answer.  The voice on the other end asks to speak to “Mr. ZAB-blow.”  Dead giveaway that he doesn’t know me since he mispronounces my name. (For the record it sounds like ZAY-BLOW.)  I think he’s a nervy sales guy and am ready to hang up when he says, he got my name from a Bill Black publication that listed me as an editor.  The guy wants to get in touch with Bill Black.

Little does this guy know, my editing amounted to either putting Bill in touch with artists or copies of convention sketches.  My biggest contribution in this area was that I introduced Bill to Paul Gulacy.  Paul was my favorite artist, we talked fairly regularly and I had commissioned a few pieces from Paul.  Bill wanted to get Paul to do some art for him.

Ah, but back to the Sybil Danning phone call.

The guy says that he couldn’t find any phone number for Bill, but he was able to locate mine.  I tell the guy, that I can’t give out Bill’s number but would be glad to take a message for him.  The guy proceeds to tell me he is Sybil Danning’s manager.  He asks if I know who she is.  I do.  He says that they want to do a comic with Sybil as the main character.  They want Bill to publish it.  I take his number and tell the guy I’ll pass Bill the info.  We hang up and I go back to watching whatever I was watching.

I’m pretty sure it was the next day that I reached out to Bill to let him know that I had received a call from a guy saying he was Sybil Danning’s manager and they wanted to do a comic with him.  If you know Bill, you know how enthusiastic he gets.  Bill begins rapid fire asking questions, “When did he call – do I have his number – why didn’t I call him last night to tell him – etc.”  I explain to Bill it was late, I don’t know if the guy is on the level, etc.

Needless to say, Bill was able to contact Danning’s manager and the rest is history.

Ken Meyer, Jr.’s Ink Stains 1 & Bill Black’s Black Rider

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If you’re a fan of fanzines, then you’ve got to check out Ken Meyer, Jr.’s monthly column Ink Stains.  Each month Ken (who is an amazing artist) posts… well, let’s let Ken explain…

I have a collection of over 200 fanzines from the 60’s-80’s that I plan to scan and talk about, one at a time. I hope to have some of the participants answer a few questions. Many of those participants are established comics professionals now, while some have gone on to other things. I will show a few snippets from each zine and give you a link to download a pdf of the whole thing, which I hope all of you will do!

For Ink Stains 1, Ken took a look at The Collector 27 from the winter of 1973 published by Bill G. Wilson.  The issue featured an interview with Gray Morrow, several articles and art by Ken Barr, CC Beck, John Byrne, Steve Ditko, Steve Fabian, Alan Hanley, Jack Kirby, Gray Morrow, Joe Sinnot, Don Newton and others.

The spot illo I chose to post with this piece was done by my buddy Bill Black!  I loved the days of fanzines and thanks to Ken, we get a chance to enjoy them again!

“Damsel in Distress” – A Bill Black Short

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Damsel in the Dark  is a short [less than two minute film] that is a lot of fun — moody, great soundtrack and reminds me of the shorts that used to accompany episodes of Night Gallery. 

And I’d give it all that praise even if it wasn’t created under the direction of my ole buddy, Bill Black.

Hey Bill!  If you do a sequel I want to play C.Z. Pickens.  EZ’s brother.

Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Roy Rogers… Bill Black

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My buddy, “Wild” Bill Black is a writer, penciler, inker, editor, publisher, chief cook and bottlewasher for AC Comics, an independent comic company that he created over 20 years ago. Bill has been favorably compared to Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Roy Rogers — and that’s just the comparisons that Bill uses when talking about himself!

Okay, okay… all kidding aside. Bill has been running AC Comics [the company that he really created] for over 20 years, but now he’s bringing his comic creations to the silver screen… or at least your tv screen… if you have a dvd player.

I guess now Bill will add Roger Corman to his list of comparisons!

Meet Bill Black

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Bill Black has been publishing comics since 1969. He’s outlasted every other independent comic company and is still going at it. 

Bill is best known for writing and drawing his own creations, but has also published the work of big name artists such as Mike Zeck, Dave Dorman, Dick Ayers, Erik Larsen, George Perez, Greg Horn, Jerry Ordway, Pat Broderick, Paul Gulacy and Wm. Michael Kaluta to name just a few. Bill even gave Big Beatty his first professional job in comics…
…and believe it or not Beatty pencilled, Jerry Ordway inked and I scripted a story which appeared in the comic above!

Wow! Bill Black!

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Wow!

I’ve known “Wild” Bill Black for over 25 years and that’s the first word that comes to mind when I think of him. Bill is one of those rare individuals who has a real enthusiasm for the things in life that he likes. And Bill likes a lot of things. Good Girl Art, Comics, Horror Movies, Old Time Westerns and Old Time Science Fiction Movies. You know, the really cool things in life.

Not only does Bill enjoy all of these things but he takes an active part in them as well. Bill has made horror movies, worked as an artist for Charlton, Warren and Marvel, run conventions for the subjects he loves and more. But Bill is best known as the founder of AC Comics, the longest running “Independent Comic” company going today. AC Comics focuses on good girl art and westerns but that’s not all that they do.

I just spent over an hour previewing the CD-ROM pictured to the left. It’s packed with hours of material (over 1,000 “pages” and around 6,000 pictures)! I’ve known Bill for over 25 years and was learning stuff I never knew! If you enjoy the stuff that Bill does (and who doesn’t?), then check out the CD! After you get a look at it I know that you’ll say:

“Wow!”

Bill Sienkiewicz’s “The Creature from the Black Lagoon”!

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Bill Sienkiewicz’s riff on The Creature from the Black Lagoon is one of the best I’ve seen.  Bill makes the creature his own with subtle changes which make the monster more menacing.  Look at those claws on his webbed hands.  Sometimes artists make the creature’s face look a bit funny with the fish lips.  Not Bill. I would love to see a Creature from the Black Lagoon story drawn by Bill Sienkiewicz!

You can see more of Bill Sienkiewicz’s art at his website or on his Twitter.

“The Outfit” (1973) starring Robert Duvall, Karen Black, Joe Don Baker and Robert Ryan / Z-View

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The Outfit (1973)

Director:  John Flynn

Screenplay: John Flynn, Walter Hill (uncredited); based on THE OUTFIT by Richard Stark

Stars: Robert Duvall, Karen Black, Joe Don Baker, Robert Ryan, Timothy Carey, Richard Jaeckel, Sheree North, Felice Orlandi, Marie Windsor, Jane Greer, Henry Jones, Joanna Cassidy, Tom Reese, Bill McKinney, Anita O’Day, Archie Moore, Tony Young and Elisha Cook Jr..

Tagline: Nobody plays rougher than The Outfit…Except maybe Earl, Cody and Bett!

The Plot…

When Earl Macklin gets out of prison, his girlfriend Bett picks him up.  She drives to a motel and informs Earl that his brother was recently murdered.  Late that night a man breaks into the hotel room and attempts to kill Earl.  Earl survives and gets the upper hand.  He then tortures the man for information.

Earl’s brother robbed a syndicate bank.  That’s the reason he was killed.  They sent the killer to take out Earl so he wouldn’t seek revenge.  Earl lets the killer live on the condition he takes a message to the people that hired him.  The message: The Outfit owes him $250,000.00.  If they pay, Earl will go away.  Until they do, Earl is going to cost them money that he’ll keep.  And they will still owe him the quarter million.

Earl wants his money.  And he doesn’t care how many people he has to kill to get it.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Film legend, Robert Ryan’s last released film. He was also in Executive Action filmed after The Outfit, but released first.

The Outfit features Joanna Cassidy’s film debut.

Former Light Heavyweight Champion Archie Moore has a role as a tough guy.  Moore held the light heavyweight boxing title for ten years — longer than any champ in that division.

The great (and eccentric) character actor Timothy Carey appears in a supporting role.  Same could be said of Elisha Cook, Jr.

The Outfit (1973) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Capricorn One” written & directed by Peter Hyams; starring Elliott Gould, James Brolin, Brenda Vaccaro, Sam Waterston, O.J. Simpson, Hal Holbrook, Karen Black & Telly Savalas / Z-View

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Capricorn One (1978)

Director:  Peter Hyams

Screenplay:  Peter Hyams

Stars: Elliott Gould, James Brolin, Brenda Vaccaro, Sam Waterston, O.J. Simpson, Hal Holbrook, Karen Black, David Huddleston, David Doyle, Lee Bryant, Denise Nicholas, Robert Walden,  James Sikking, Alan Fudge, James Karen, Barbara Bosson and Telly Savalas. 

Tagline: Would you be shocked to find out that the greatest moment of our recent history may not have happened at all?

The Plot…

Capricorn One is set to be the first manned mission to Mars.  Mission Commander Charles Brubaker will be joined by Peter Willis and John Walker.  Just minutes before liftoff, the crew is secretly taken out of the capsule and driven to a remote desert military base.

In the meantime the launch proceeds as normal.  The world as well as mission control believe the crew is onboard.

The Capricorn One crew is met by NASA head Dr. James Kelloway.  Kelloway explains that it was recently discovered that Capricorn One’s life support system contained a fatal flaw. Had the crew been sent up, they would have died in route to Mars.

There was too much riding on the mission to cancel. A contingent of politicians already felt that the money to support the Mars mission and other NASA projects could be better spent elsewhere.  If Capricorn One failed, all funding would be cut off.  Private contractors and powerful politicians would lose billions.

So a secret plan was developed.  The mission to Mars would continue. The crew would perform their scheduled activities from a soundstage.  The audio/video would be sent via relays to appear that it was coming from Capricorn One. Very few people in the world would know.

Charles Brubaker isn’t buying it.  He believes that the public would understand. Peter and John agree.  They don’t want to fake the trip.  Funding need not be lost.  Kelloway says that powerful people aren’t willing to take the chance.  If Charles, Peter and John don’t agree to play along, not only are their lives in danger, but so are the lives of their families.

Reluctantly Charles, Peter and John agree to the charade.  Secretly Charles informs Peter and John when they return and their families are safe, he is going to come clean.

All goes well on Capricorn One’s trip to Mars.  The crew’s videos have everyone fooled.  The return flight to Earth is by the book.  Then on re-entry, the ship’s heat shield fails.  The ship explodes.  The crew could not survive.

Meanwhile back at the remote military base, Charles, Peter and John realize if they are thought to have died on the mission, there is no way that they can ever be seen again alive.

Miles from nowhere… in the middle of a desert… unsure where the closest city is, the three begin a run for their lives.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

NASA provided mock-up spacecraft, sets, vehicles and other technical assistance.

Capricorn One was the most successful independently produced movie of 1977.

Writer/director Peter Hyams wanted Robert Hooks or Bernie Casey for the role that went to O.J. Simpson. Simpson was the producers’ choice and they wouldn’t budge.

Peter Hyams also wrote and directed Outland (1981).  The corporation Con Amalgamate appears in both films.  In Capricorn One, it is the company that cut corners and made the faulty life-support system. In Outland, it is the corporation that runs mining on Io.

The scenes of the crop duster with Brubaker hanging on to the wing as it is chased by two military helicopters works!

Stunt pilot, Frank Tallman, said that the scenes with the crop duster chased by two military helicopters and all flying low to the ground through zig-zagging canyons was the most dangerous flying he ever did.

There were two different novelizations written for Capricorn One.  Each had a different author. Ron Goulart wrote the version published in the United States. Bernard Ross’ (aka Ken Follett!) take was published in the United Kingdom.  The U.K. version puts more emphasis on the reporter than the U.S. novel.

Capricorn One‘s two stars, Elliott Gould and James Brolin were both married to the same woman in real life.  Gould was married to Barbra Streisand from 1963 to 1971. Brolin married Streisand in 1998.

Capricorn One is my favorite film written by Peter Hyams.  It is also my favorite film directed by Peter Hyams.  It also features my favorite Elliott Gould performance.

Capricorn One is under-rated.

Capricorn One (1978) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Sling Blade” (1996) written, directed and starring Billy Bob Thornton / Z-View

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Sling Blade (1996)

Director:  Billy Bob Thornton

Screenplay: Billy Bob Thornton; based on Some Folks Call It a Sling Blade by Billy Bob Thornton

Stars: Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam, J.T. Walsh, John Ritter, Lucas Black, Natalie Canerday, James Hampton, Brent Briscoe, Mickey Jones and Robert Duvall.

Tagline: A simple man. A difficult choice.

The Plot…

Karl Childers is a mentally challenged man who has been in state custody for decades.  From the time Karl was born he was abused by his mother and father.  When Karl was twelve he accidentally caught his mother and a teenage boy having sex.  Karl believed the boy was raping his mother so Karl killed the kid using a sling blade.  When it became clear that his mom was enjoying the sex, Karl killed her as well.

At the state home Karl never had a problem.  Passive and shy, Karl spent most days just staring out a window.  So the state determined that Karl was no longer a danger to society and scheduled his release.  Karl begged his doctor to stay, but was forced to leave.

Now Karl has returned to his small hometown.  He gets a job repairing small engines.  Karl meets and befriends Frank Wheatley.  Frank is twelve.  His mother is divorced and in an abusive relationship.  Frank’s mom sees Karl is a kind man. Despite her boyfriend Vaughn’s misgivings she invites Karl to live in their garage.  Vaughn says that Karl could end up killing her or Frank.

Karl sees that Vaughn is a bully and cruel to everyone.  Karl especially worries about how Vaughn treats Frank.  Things are about to reach a breaking point.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sling Blade was nominated for two 1997 Academy Awards and won one…

  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Billy Bob Thornton
  • Winner for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published – Billy Bob Thornton

Sling Blade is based on a short film written by Billy Bob Thornton and directed by George Hickenlooper.  It starred Billy Bob Thornton, Molly Ringwald and J. T. Walsh.

Billy Bob Thornton made his feature film directorial debut with Sling Blade.  It is also the film that made Thornton a famous actor.

Sling Blade (1996) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Blackboard Jungle” (1955) starring Glenn Ford, Anne Francis, Vic Morrow and Sidney Poitier / Z-View

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Blackboard Jungle (1955)

Director: Richard Brooks

Screenplay: Richard Brooks; based on THE BLACKBOARD JUNGLE by Evan Hunter

Stars: Glenn Ford, Anne Francis, Louis Calhern, Margaret Hayes, John Hoyt, Richard Kiley, Emile Meyer, Warner Anderson, Sidney Poitier, Vic Morrow, Dan Terranova, Paul Mazursky, Horace McMahon, Richard Deacon, James Drury, Emil Sitka and Jamie Farr.

Tagline: Is The Most Startling Picture Of The Year!

The Plot…

Richard Dadier (Ford) is a war vet and recent college graduate (thanks to the GI Bill).  His wife is pregnant and Dadier needs a job.  So Dadier accepts a position at North Manual Trades High School.  North Manual is an inner city school for boys.

From day one, the students attempt to run Dadier off.  But Dadier is not a quitter.  Although most other faculty members allow the students to run wild, Dadier is determined to reach and teach his students.  Dadier’s attempts to win over Greg Miller (Poitier) and Artie West (Morrow) are unsuccessful.  As time goes on West’s leadership turns the students from mild defiance to insubordination and worse.

Dadier is determined to teach his students, no matter the cost…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Blackboard Jungle was nominated for four 1956 Academy Awards…

  • Nominee for Best Film Editing – Ferris Webster
  • Nominee for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White – Cedric Gibbons, Randall Duell, Edwin B. Willis, Henry Grace
  • Nominee for Best Cinematography, Black-and-White – Russell Harlan
  • Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay – Richard Brooks

Blackboard Jungle features the film debuts of Vic Morrow, James Drury and Jamie Farr.

Morrow was 26 and Poitier was 28 playing high school students.

I liked Blackboard Jungle, but it didn’t resonate with me like the audiences in 1955 (and maybe most today).  I thought it was good.  Glenn Ford was an excellent choice to play Dadier.  Anne Francis doesn’t have much to do other than look pretty and she fulfills that role.  Vic Morrow and Sidney Poitier look right despite being a decade too old in real life.

The characters and story have all the expected arcs and plot points.  The students don’t seem that scary of course in 1955, they could have seemed shocking.  I liked the film but most folks seem to love it.  Your mileage, as always, could vary.

Blackboard Jungle (1955) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Nosferatu” (2024) written & directed by Robert Eggers; starring Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult and Bill Skarsgård / Z-View

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Nosferatu (2024)

Director:  Robert Eggers

Screenplay: Robert Eggers; based on Nosferatu by Henrik Galeen; inspired by DRACULA by Bram Stoker

Stars: Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Bill Skarsgård, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, Ralph Ineson and Willem Dafoe.

Tagline: Succumb to the darkness.

The Plot…

Thomas Hutter (Hoult) is sent to Transylvania to finalize an estate purchase with Count Orlok (Skarsgård).  Hutter is unaware that his employer is involved in the occult and that Orlok is a vampire infatuated with Hutter’s wife, Ellen (Depp).

Orlok intends to leave Transylvania for his new manor in Wisborg, Germany. In this new metropolis Orlok will be able to feed without fear of discovery.  Orlok will also take possession of Ellen.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The exteriors of Orlok’s castle are an actual Transylvanian castle.  Vlad Dracula was once imprisoned behind the castle’s walls.

Count Orlok is often surrounded by rats.  Professor Albin Eberhart Von Franz (Dafoe) and Ellen (Depp) are often seen with cats.  Cats kill rats.

This is Willem Dafoe’s second movie in regard to Nosferatu.  In Shadow of the Vampire (2000) he played Max Schreck, the actor who played Nosferatu in the original film.

Eggers’ Nosferatu has the feel of a creepy old black and white film thanks to use of a computer to remove the red and yellow color spectrums.

I like the idea of keeping Orlok/Nosferatu’s appearance a mystery in ads and much of the movie.  Sadly, I was disappointed in the look of Orlok/Nosferatu when we finally see him.  The big bushy mustache makes no sense if the rest of his body is decaying.

The solution to killing Orlok is found in an ancient text.  If the method to his demise is so well known, how come Orlok isn’t aware?

Eggers’ Nosferatu is a scary character study that slowly builds tension.  Settle back and enjoy the ride.

Nosferatu (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.