Tampa Con Report

On Saturday, August 7th my son Mike, John Beatty and I loaded into my "Jack Carter XG350" and headed to Tim Gordon's Tampa Comic Book and Toy Convention. We try to make it to at least 2 of the three shows Tim puts on each year because they're just_ that _much_ fun. And this show was no exception.

We decided that we'd get a good buffet breakfast before the show opened. As we sat down with our plates, in walked Alex Saviuk who was also in search of some morning nourishment. Alex usually attends Tim's Tampa shows and it's always nice to see him. We finished eating and headed over to the convention. The doors hadn't opened, but there was a huge line waiting. No doubt, the word is getting out about how much fun Tim's cons are.

Ethan Van Scriver was already set up. Ethan is one of the DC comics most popular artists and always shows up for Tim's conventions. The doors hadn't even opened and Ethan was already working on sketches for fans. The guy is ALWAYS busy. John Higashi "turned me on" to Ethan's art a couple of years ago so that's ANOTHER thing I owe to Johnny Star-Warz.

Alex Saviuk was set up. Next to Alex was Mark and Stephanie Heike from AC comics. Although I never get to spend much time with 'em, the Heikes always have something funny to say. Behind the Heikes was Miguel Insignares with a nice "Dawn of the Dead" trailer running on a loop next to the cool DOTD poster. That's Tim Gordon and Miguel in the pic to the left... looking like they just stepped off the set of "Dawn of the Dead!"

Marc Maculay, an actor who has appeared in "Monster," "The Punisher," "Bad Boys" and many other movies was ready for the fans. Some small press artists were set up to our left. Mitch Hyman, creater of the ever-popular Bubba the Redneck Werewolf, Jesse "Cadre" Hansen, Michael "The Ciderview Project" and Austin Janowsky were all having a blast. Dick "Cracked" Kulpa was set up at his usual spot just as you entered the convention room.

Yeah baby, things were looking good.

When the doors opened, the convention room quickly filled. The room is really huge and so even though there were hundreds [and hundreds] of people coming in, there was never that claustrophobic feeling that some convention rooms produce.

Several fans came up to John for autographs or sketches. John has really been doing some cool sketches lately and the fans are definitely digging the tones and colors that he adds to them. I got pictures of some of them, but missed out on a few... one was a really nice Cap that John did for a fan's Captain America themebook.

I had a chance to talk briefly with Randy Martin. Randy collects Edward Scissorhands. In fact it was Randy's Scissorhands sketches that inspired me to start my Stallone sketch theme. Randy's one of the good guys and so it was cool touching base with him.

Miguel Insignares remembered me from Atlanta Con and said that he still wanted to do a Stallone piece for my gallery when he gets some time. That'd be sweet. Miguel has been attached to some really cool projects and you just know that there's more to come!

Marc Maculay [pictured above with Mike and me] noticed my StalloneZone t-shirt and asked me about it. We ended up having a nice conversation about movies, education, etc. Marc's been acting professionally for over twenty years and did it without having to relocate to New York or LA. It was ironic that he played a scene in "Monster" with Charlize Theron that Beatty had been telling me about just a week earlier. John had watched the movie and it really impresed him. The next day he was telling me about this particular scene and sure enough the actor involved was Marc! Now how often do we get to meet actors who've impressed us?

The costume contest was a hoot!

There were two divisions... kids and adults. The three kids that entered all won some convention cash and had a fun time. Then came the adults... I never quite know what to make of costumers at conventions. Sometimes they are so good, they look professional... but other times...

There were several outstanding costumes. I thought that Catwoman would take first or second, Wolverine would get whichever spot Catwoman missed and third place would go to... well, one of the others. I was so surprised when the guy who came in first won, that I didn't even get a picture of him! At any rate, everyone enjoyed the costume contest... and I mean everyone. Even the artists stopped drawing to watch the action.

Then all too quickly it was time to go. The con ended at 4:00 and we still had to drive back to Daytona. We made sure to tell Tim what a great time we had and hit the road.

Tim's next show is November 14th.

As I've said, all of Tim's shows are great, but this one is going to be really special. NOEL NEILL [Paramount Movie Star, Popular Pin-Up for WWII GIs, and best known as Superman's Girl - Lois Lane] will be a guest! Ethan Van Scriver, Jim Fren, and Rob Granito have also already agreed to appear!

Who knows, maybe we'll see YOU there as well!

Tampa, Here I Come!

I'm looking forward to next Sunday!

Why, you ask? Because I'll be attending the Tampa Comic Book and Toy Convention!

I really enjoy going to Tampa Con. Tim Gordon, who runs the show, is one of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet. Although he's in charge of making sure that all of the fans, pros and dealers are happy, and runs tables of his own, Tim always makes time to talk to fans and make sure that everything is going "just right."

Since Tampa Con isn't one of the huge events like in San Diego or Atlanta, there's more time for fans and pros to interact. Guest for next Sunday's show include Ethan Van Scriver [one of DC's rising stars -- he's being compared to Brian Bolland, which is quite a compliment in itself!], Alex Saviuk, John Beatty, Austin Janowsky, Mark and Stephanie Heike, as well as other artists. Marc Macaulay who has had roles in "The Punisher," "Monster," and "2 Fast 2 Furious" will also be on hand. Heck, you'll even be able to get your picture taken with "Robocop" if you want!

If you're within driving distance, come on by. I'll be hanging out at Big Beatty's table trying to keep him in line. And I can use all the help I can get!

No Happy Ending for Mike

Mike Tyson, once the most feared fighter in the world, and a 9-1 favorite was knocked out in the fourth round by British heavyweight Danny Williams.

Yeah, Tyson's 38 years old. And yes, Williams outweighed Tyson by over thirty pounds. And it's true that Tyson won the first three rounds on ALL of the judges' score cards. Tyson's people are already blaming the loss on a knee twisted in the first round.

Perhaps they didn't see the flurry of punches Williams unleashed on Iron Mike in the fourth round which left him sitting on the canvas bloodied and beaten.

I was pulling for Tyson. Sometimes I'm not sure why. He had it all and blew it. From what I've read and seen of Mike, I doubt if I'd like to hang around with him for very long. Still he intrigues me. Tyson has a vast knowledge of boxing and a love for the sport and it's history. He WAS the baddest man in the world until he hooked up with Don King. It's like the storybook tale of a kid born with everything against him who overcomes it all... and then loses it

I guess I just keep hoping for a happy ending.

Pleasant Nightmares!

Sammy Terry returns!

If you grew up anywhere in the midwest from the early 60's to the mid 80's you probably made a habit of tuning in on Friday [and later Saturday] nights to watch Sammy Terry's Nightmare Theater. Sammy would introduce horror movies and then return with some commentary after each commercial break. Sammy was one of the first "horror hosts" and definitely had one of the longest running shows.

If you grew up watching Sammy and would love to see him again, or if you never had the chance and want to see what he was all about...

Sammy will have his first official Sammy Terry Live Webcast will be on Friday, July 30th from 9:00 pm to 9:15 pm. The Sammy Terry chat will start at 9:15 pm and run to 10:00 pm. I plan to tune in, and if you love horror movie, hope that you can make it as well.

Until then... I wish you all... "Pleasant Nightmares."

Transformed by Dance

One of the funniest [and coolest] things that I've seen lately has to do with Transformers.

Yeah, I couldn't believe it either... Transformers!

Even if you're too old or young to have played with them, you're probably aware of 'em. They were toys in the shape of cars, trucks, and just about anything that with a few twists could be, uh, transformed into something else.

At any rate I discovered the link while checking out Dean Trippe's new blog... click on THIS LINK and check out the coolest Transformer ever.

And I swear on all that is good... Big Beatty used to dance just like that!

Calling All Horror Fans

Calling all Horror fans...

Calling all zombie fans...

Calling all George Romero fans...

There' s an interview with George Romero over at AICN. Romero talks about his latest zombie movie and more...

That is all... [for now]...

I Want "Sin City" Now

I can't wait to see Sin City on the big screen.

Frank Miller.

Robert Rodriguez.

Mickey Rourke.

Bruce Willis.

Jessica Alba.

Rosario Dawson.

Benicio Del Toro.

Michael Clarke Duncan.

Josh Hartnett.

Michael Madsen.

Clive Owen.

Nick Stahl.

Elijah Wood.

Whew! This baby is gonna rock.

Don't believe me? Read this interview with Robert Rodriguez [brought to us by Quint at AICN] and you'll be a believer! Man, I can't wait...

Buried Secret Goes to Far

The Sci Fi channel has, for weeks, been advertising an "unauthorized documentary" [some even called it a "disturbing expose" ] about M. Knight Shyamalan. The story was that M. Knight first cooperated, but then tried to shut it down when producers delved too deeply into his personal life. The documentary advertised that it would present a "buried secret."

I'll be the first to admit that the documentary sounded interesting, but something about it just didn't seem right. My wife speculated, a couple of weeks ago, that M. Knight was probably behind the whole thing... and it turns out she was right.

Today the Sci Fi cable network and parent company NBC Universal acknowledged that the documentary was really part of a "guerrilla marketing" hoax that went too far. It seems that "a number of entertainment journalists..." were left "...grumbling after they were duped..."

I watched the special and it was so obvious that the doc was set -up, that anyone who is upset because they were duped should be upset with himself for being so gullible.

Cool Stuff from the Sky Captain

The Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow site is starting to make available more and more cool stuff to get us all psyched for the movie.

In addition to the cool movie poster shown to the left, JoBlo.com has six others that are just as cool. [Well... most of them are.]

JoBlo also has several images from the movie.

The official site has a new trailer, which looks even better than the teaser did.

There's also a cool clip of an undersea battle available at Apple's trailer site for Sky Captain.

I really don't know how Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow is going to do at the box office, but I do know that I can't wait to see it.

Land of the Dead Dawns

The cheers that you've been hearing may be from horror fans around the world.

It's been announced that George Romero is finally going to get to see his fourth "Living Dead" movie make it to the big screen! Written and directed by George his-own-bad-self, it'll be titled Land of the Dead. [Leaving behind the "time" theme of Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead and Day of the Dead.]

In this one, the zombies have overrun the world and the few people still alive are forced to live behind fortified skyscraper walls. Only now the slow-moving brainless zombies are starting to change...

The film is set to begin production in October. For full details click HERE!

Not Your Father's Ringo

Since many ZONErs are comic fans, you probably already know who Mike "Ringo" Wieringo is. For those of you who don't...

... Mike has worked for Marvel, DC and Image Comics. He also is co-creator of the Tellos comic series with writer Todd Dezago. Mike is currently teaming with writer Mark Waid on Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four which continues to receive rave reviews.

What's really cool, in addition to the comic work that Mike's doing, is that he has his own website. There you'll find a bio, a gallery, and a bunch of other neat sections... but my favorite is Mike's blog which he has been updating regularly of late.

I'm about to drop him a line and let him know how much I'm enjoying his art updates. Check out his site and you may want to do the same!

Another Welcome Rain

Critics have praised Barry Eisler's first two novels, Rain Fall and Hard Rain, calling Japanese-American John Rain, the cynical, romantic, conscientious assassin, "one of the most memorable characters in recent thrillers."

Yeah, I'd go along with that.

In fact Eisler's two novels featuring John Rain have been some of the best novels that I've read in the last few years.

So you can imagine how much I'm looking forward to his latest, Rain Storm.

And if you'd like to take a look, just click HERE.

A Peek at Peak

Bob Peak. You may not know the name but I'd guarantee you know his work.

I just spent another session at his web site [always longer than intended]. I've seen most of his paintings many times before, but there's just something about them that calls you back.

Peak was called the "Father of the modern movie poster" and I'll bet that you'll agree that at times his paintings were better than the movies they were promoting. Peak also did dozens of Time and TV Guide covers...US postage stamps... and examples of his paintings hang in the Smithsonian.

If you'd like to check out his work, click HERE. But don't be surprised if you stay a little longer than anticipated.

Knowing Too Much...

As most of you know, Michael Mann and Tom Cruise are teaming on Collateral.

It's the story of a hitman [Cruise] who hires a cab driver [Jamie Fox] to drive him to five locations in one night.

What the driver doesn't know [at least at first] is that a hit is taking place at each stop.

The initial teaser trailer was released a few weeks ago, and while it looked interesting, I wasn't completely sold.

The full trailer is now available, along with some more stills from the film. I've got to admit that NOW the movie is starting to look better. The producers have to walk a thin line in how much they show though... they need to show enough to get interest up, but if they give away too much, then no one will want to see the movie.

Knowing too much can be a bad thing. If you don't believe me, just ask the taxi driver.

Jeb Misses the Mark

Since my blog is geared towards fun stuff, I usually don't discuss politics too much. But this story was just too good not to mention.

Florida's Governor, Jeb Bush, was speaking to a group of 200 honors students and opened it up for questions. An 18 year old student asked the Governor if he could answer an FCAT Math Question.

FCAT is the test that students are required to pass in order to get a diploma. And while I think the idea of FCAT is a good one, I do have some problems with the way its implemented... but I digress.

According to the article, "the governor gave a steely grin and then stalled a bit. "The angles would be ... If I was going to guess ... Three-four-five. Three-four-five. I don't know, 125, 90 and whatever remains on 180?"

As you've probably already figured out, the answer was wrong.

Does that mean that the Governor is stupid? No. Does it mean that he shouldn't be allowed to be governor? No. Does it mean that he couldn't pass the test? No.

I don't think that we should judge a person on the basis of one test. But that's what they do with the FCAT.

July is Big Beatty Month

July looks to be a good month for Big John Beatty.

The first issue of the two issue story in Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtes is out now. Big John provided the inks over Rick Remender's pencils to Steve Murphy's story and Scott Cohn kicked in some beautiful tone work to top it all off!

I'd NEVER bought an issue of TMNT before and had it not been for the really nice job these guys did I would have let this issue sit as well. Heck, their work together is so nice, I'd have bought it even if Big J wasn't my buddy and I wasn't a fan of Rick's work. Check it out and you'll become a fan too!

And if the issue of Tales of TMNT wasn't enough, John has started his weekly blog. This time out he talks about Southern Comfort... and it ain't what you're thinking.

Finally, the Big B has started accepting commissions again. He took a few before Heroes Con and really enjoyed doing them. Click HERE if you're interested in a commission.

Like I said, July looks to be a good month for Beatty... I wonder what August has in store...

Miller & Rodriguez Talk Sin City

Comics Continuim has coverage of MTV's Total Request Live behind-the-scenes look at Sin City.

Brittany Murphy, who plays Shelly, hosted and was joined by Sin City creator and film co-director Frank Miller, director Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. For full details click HERE.

I am so stoked for this movie. Frank Miller used to say that a movie would never happen, but Robert Rodriguez won him over by bringing in stars and filming a sample reel of what he would do if given the chance to direct Sin City on the big screen.

What makes this story even cooler is that Miller came on board as co-director! And the cast they've assembled is unreal. Bruce Willis is Hartigan. Jessica Alba is Nancy Callahan. Michael Clarke Duncan is Manute. Josh Harnett is Dwight. Mickey Rourke is Marv. Bennico Del Torro, Michael Madsen, Clive Owen, and Nick Stahl also appear.

Time to Take Things Easy

Walter Mosley's eighth Easy Rawlins novel is now available and I'm putting in my order!

I've read, and enjoyed all of the Easy Rawlins' stories and Little Scarlet, set during the Watts riots of 1965, looks to be a welcome addition to the series. Easy, an unlicensed PI, along with his best friend, the cold-blooded killer called Mouse, find themselves in the middle of a murder investigation which could land Easy in jail or dead.

Devil in a Blue Dress is the only film adaptation of an Easy Rawlins' novel, and although it didn't set the box office on fire, it's definitely worth a look. Denzel Washington plays Easy Rawlins, but the movie is OWNED by Don Cheadle as Mouse. Jennifer Beals, looking as pretty as ever, also co-stars in this excellent film by Carl Franklin.

Yeah, I think I'll order the book tonight and pull the dvd off the shelf. It's time I spent a little time taking things Easy.

RIP - Marlon Brando

Dim the the lights. A legend has died. Marlon Brando passed on today.

Arguably the greatest actor who ever lived, none can argue that he influenced a generation. And I'm not just talking about actors such as James Dean, Robert DeNiro, or Johnny Depp. Brando literally influenced a generation of kids who wanted to rebel... and Brando continued to rebel throughout his life.

If all you know about Marlon Brando was that he played Superman's father or was pretty strange when interviewed by Larry King. If you only know Brando from impressionists doing their take on Brando as Vito Corleone from The Godfather then you owe it to yourself to check him out.

Yeah, he was cool in Apocalypse Now... and you may have heard how strange he was in The Island of Dr. Moreau [both on and off the set]...

...but if you want to see Brando at his best then check out On the Waterfront... A Streetcar Named Desire... Guys and Dolls [he could do it all!]...One Eyed Jacks [which he also directed]... Mutiny on the Bounty... and of course... The Godfather.

Marlon Brando was indeed the man. Our prayers go out to his family, friends and fans.

Now I think I'll dim the lights and put on a classic Brando movie...

Lesnar Takes a Shot

Brock Lesnar, touted as The Next Big Thing in the WWE, a legitimate National Champion in college and a 3 time Champ in the Pros has walked away from his multi-million dollar contract to try out for the NFL.

And while Brock is big enough, strong enough, and even fast enough to make it in the NFL, he has an uphill battle to get picked up since he hasn't played in nine years and the last time was on a high school team.

Still ya have to admire a person willing to turn down millions of dollars to pursue a dream.