Book Cover Art

Here's the cover art I created for a book my friend has written.

Previews, June

Diamond Previews for June presents new merchandise coming out two months from now.

New comic books to look for are Thun’da, Hawkeye, The Creep, Before Watchmen, The Victories, Superman: Earth One, The Rocketeer: Cargo Of Doom, It Girl & The Atomics, Black Kiss II, Gambit, Spike, Lost Tribe Of The Sith, Annuals: The Flash, Superman, Detective and Green Lantern , Phantom Lady, Looker, Godzilla: The Half-Century War, Deadworld: War OF The Dead, Think Tank, Harvest, New Crusaders, Idolized, Homecoming, Li’l Homer, Peanuts Vol. 2, Pathfinder, Dark Shadows/Vampirella and Mortifera.

Magazines and books to read include Totally Mad: 60 Years, James Bond: 50 Years and Firefly: A Celebration.


Trade up with the following trading card sets: The Walking Dead, Star Wars: Galactic Files, DC Comics: The New 52 and Falling Skies.


Toys to play with are Game Of Thrones, Halo 4, Batman: Arkham Asylum Series 3, Domo Action Figures, Living Dead Dolls: Child’s Play Chucky and Marvel Select.


Game on with Star Wars: X-Wing, Marvel Heroic: Annihilations and DC-Comics Deck-Building.

Yosemite And The Grand Canyon

My wife and I like to travel when we have the opportunity. One of our favorite vacation spots when we are on the West Coast is Yosemite National Park. Located in the High Sierra Mountains, Yosemite is actually four parks. We’ve visited three out of the four and next time we’re there we’ll trek the fourth.

Yosemite is breath-taking and like nowhere else on earth. It’s hard to describe and put in pictures. That’s why I’m so excited and impressed by Mill Creek Entertainment’s new Yosemite The High Sierra Blu-ray which is part of Mill Creek’s National Parks Exploration Series. It offers a stunning, high-definition virtual tour of the park accompanied by park rangers’ and park enthusiasts’ interviews, short historical facts and absolutely stunning photography of the park as seen from the air and on the ground. I felt as if I were back in the park. The pictures are so realistic it looks as if you could walk right into the scenes.


Also included in the National Parks Exploration Series is the Grand Canyon: A Wonder Of The Natural World Blu-ray. My wife and I have never visited the Grand Canyon (it’s on our Bucket List), but like the Yosemite Blu-ray we felt as if we had actually visited it because of the awe-inspiring photography and excellent narrative that walks you through the park step-by-step. Is it possible to feel tired after walking a virtual pathway?


It is a breath-taking Blu-ray documentary that is not only informative but visually stimulating and relaxing at the same time. I could almost feel the hot canyon air whipping around my head. Now that’s realism!


For some spectacular travel time without leaving the comfort of your living room be sure to check out both Mill Creek Entertainment Blu-rays.

Fangoria #314, June

This issue of Fangoria Magazine (The First In Fright Since 1979) is filled with lots of gory goodies spotlighting movies, actors, actresses and more. It’s horrific!

Chris Alexander offers his own unique First Rites, Monster Invasion looks at some new film releases including Paranorman, Buppets, Lollipop Chainsaw and God Bless America-Death To Media Morons!


Lots of new DVDs are featured in the DVD & Blu-ray Chopping List, Director Robert Faust talks about his famous creation: Doctor Phibes and stay away from The Devil’s Carnival. Take a look Through The Keyhole at filmmaker Guy Maddin’s unique take on the horror genre, see who or what is haunting Apartment 143 and what’s a little Death Among Friends?


Actress Danielle Harris proves why she’s the Queen Of Blood, The Red Lips Of Danielle Ouimet are delicious but dangerous, Abraham Lincoln was President and a vampire hunter, Noomi Rapace is an actress rising in Prometheus and check out Fangoria’s South Texas Blues comic strip.


Debbie Rochon talks about her career, beware the Wrath Of The Crows, Mad goes horror, the Dead Stalk On in video, Dr. Cyclops eyes some videos and DVDs, David Blyth loves blood and sex, enroll in the School Of Shock, Lola loves Prom Night, Let Love In and Hellraiser returns in Hellbound: Hellraiser II.

Drawings, Sketches, Sketches!

Team Cul de Sac

Richard Thompson, the cartoonist and creator of the hilarious comic strip Cul de Sac, recently found out that he has Parkinson’s disease. Most people associate the disease with the actor Michael J. Fox of Back To The Future fame. Michael is a huge advocate in finding the cure for the debilitating disease.

Friend and webmaster of Richard Thompson, Chris Sparks, wanted to do something for Richard. Knowing of the Team Fox foundation Richard decided to gather a bunch of Chris Sparks contemporaries and create a book filled with illustrations of Richard’s Cul de Sac characters as imagined by his friends and colleagues.

Proceeds from the book will go to the Team Fox organization for finding the cure to Parkinson’s.


Cartoonist and illustrators of all types contributed drawings. Editorial, syndicated, magazine, graphic novel, illustrators and Cul de Sac fans all pitched in and created an impressive hardbound book filled with full color and black and white illustrations.


Artwork is accompanied by artist comments and tributes to Richard Thompson. It’s a truly unique book assembling the work of a vast number of artists-something seldom seen in today’s publishing world. Cul de Sac Cartoonists Draw The Line At Parkinson’s is published by Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC. and edited by Chris Sparks.

LEGO Heavy Weapons

LEGOs have been around for decades. Small plastic pieces that snap together were first introduced packaged in large tubs filled with the multi-color small blocks. Kids assembled various objects using their own imaginations.

Later LEGOs transformed to kits that when assembled allowed LEGO owners to make specific items such as Star Wars ships, Harry Potter scenarios and various other pop culture or movie props or scenes. The popularity of LEGOs continues to build. Theme parks have cropped up based around LEGOs. Everything in the parks, including the rides, are assembled from LEGOs. Amazing.

Over the years I’ve seen every imaginable object, item or thing constructed from the sturdy little plastic pieces. But…No Starch Press pulled a fast one on me and introduced me to a whole new use for LEGOs…weapons!


Not real weapons, but facsimiles of weapons. In Lego Heavy Weapons, author Jack Streat (who happens to be only 17 years old!) has assembled an impressive piece of work. Talk about a LEGO fanatic!


In his new book Jack instructs readers how to assemble replicas of four impressive 1:1 Scale guns. They include the Desert Eagle, AKS-74U, Jungle Carbine and SPAS 12. Full assembly instructions guide the readers step-by-step through the process. What’s so impressive about the weapons is not only their look but the fact that the bullet chambers actually work! What’s next, LEGO landmines, bazookas and grenade launchers!?


Given Mr. Streat’s talents, full-scale tanks and aircraft will be next. To say I’m impressed would be a huge understatement. LEGO fans of all ages need to check out this book. However, pay close attention to the warning statement-these weapons can actually fire and they have been mistaken for the real items.

Street, Runner, Crate, Rod, Lowrider, Sport And Coupe

I remember as a child the excitement I felt whenever I got to go to the Hobby Shop or Department store.  The first place I headed was the model section to check out the new model cars Revell/Monogram had just released.

Back then model-making had one level-challenging!  All of the Revell/Monogram models produced required glue, paint and decal application.  Revell/Monogram models made models that fit together snuggly, required little in the way of part trimming and included instructions even a young struggling model maker (like myself) could follow.  All of those things still hold true today with Revell/Monogram models.

Sure they are a little more expensive to purchase (just like everything else) but they're still fun to put together.  In fact, with their new Skill Level designations, easy-to-apply decals and even more comprehensive instructions making Revell/Monogram have never been easier or more fun.

Revell/Monogram has just released seven new automobile models-all of them classics.  They range from 1:24 to 1:25 Scale and Skill Levels 2 and 3.  

For triple value for your hard-earned cash be sure to check out Monogram's '29 Ford Rat Rod 3 'N 1.  Customize this classic Ford as a matte gray pickup truck with whitewall tires, running boards, short bed, chrome bumpers and grill and very distinctive door panel decals. 

Or, you can choose a candy apple red hotrod with white cab, full chrome grill, bumpers and wheels with whitewall tires.  If that's not hot enough for you check out the aqua/green roadster with wraparound flame decals, open passenger compartment and enclosed streamline grill. 

The Revell Muscle '67 Chevelle Pro Street model is a two-door darling of an auto with flat front chrome grill, bumpers, wheels, trim and mirrors.  An integrated bumped up airfoil hood hints at the power under its hood.

Don't let its innocent appearance fool you.  This hot little number hides inner roll bars, a stripped down interior and enough muscle to give the 'big boys' a run for their money.

Just as impressive is the bright red Monogram Classic Cruiser '70 Plymouth Road Runner.  This is the car I wanted as teenager.  I mean who wouldn't have wanted a car synonymous with speed, grace and plenty of "beep-beep" get-up-and-go!?  

Sporting just enough chrome to sparkle the solid red roadster has red wheels, a solid black interior and one mean profile!

Revell's Car Show Orange Crate '32 Ford Sedan is solid chrome engine that barely fits into its swing up chassis.  Oversize rear and front chrome wheels hold custom racing tires, hide behind a distinctive grill and nestle in between them a eight-barrel monster of an engine hid underneath a two door, slit window passenger compartment. No wonder it won a god award!

The Cadillac Custom Lowrider is a California Wheels that is sure to bring its share of stares and looks of admiration and envy.  With its square front, maxed-out-in-chrome, gold wire wheels, custom green paint scheme with gold stripe accents and a sunroof and white leather passenger compartment this white-on-green machine is a favorite.  Sweet!

Motor Sports 'sports' a Corvette Grand Sport from Revell.  With its distinctive shark shape this two-tone, blue speedster has decals galore, twin white and red strips running the length of the car and some impressive oversize tires on chrome wheels.  Emblazoned with the number 3, the car is a 3-time winner for speed, looks and performance!

K.S. Pittman's Willy's Drag Coupe is a Motor Sports model from Revell that is red devil with full chrome wheels, under carriage, hood air scoop, grill, trim and rear bumper.  Its streamline retro look chassis is bulky enough to look like power captured while its streamline design unleashes enough horse power to burn up the racetrack.  This two-door demon is a dragster that has every reason to display the Olympic symbols on its sides.  It's a winner!

G.I. Combat #1

As part of DC Comics second wave of New 52 titles DC Comics couldn’t have chosen a better title: G. I. Combat.

What makes G.I. Combat so special is that not only does it feature two stories but the stories have a hint of the bizarre behind them.

First up is The War That Time Forgot written by J.T. Krul and beautifully illustrated/painted by Ariel Olivetti. The story centers on the two surviving members of a special military Ops team sent to investigate a mysterious blacked out area in North Korean.


Arriving on site the Ops team’s helicopters are attacked and the majority of the crew killed by giant flying reptiles. Only two soldiers survive and what they discover sends chills up their spins.


If you are at all familiar with the original The War That Time Forgot series then you’re sure to love this new take on an old classic-especially the stunning art.


In The Unknown Soldier a single soldier with a bandaged face becomes a one-man killing machine. He is swift, deadly and takes no prisoners. The only problem is-no one knows who he is-or at least that’s what the military brass claim.


In truth his identity is found out and the military uses his thirst for revenge for the killing of his family to its advantage. He is recruited clandestinely and the war against terrorists and bad guys just got a whole lot more deadly. Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti provide the words and Dan Panosian the art.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

As a kid I loved reading Jules Verne’s novels. My favorites were Journey To the Center Of The Earth and The Mysterious Island. Coincidentally two of my favorite movies from the 1950s and 1960s were the movies of the same names.

Warner Bros. has taken the Jules Verne novels and modernized them and reintroduced them as movies for a whole new generation of movie goers. Journey 2: The Mysterious Island brings back Sean Anderson from the recent Journey To The center OF the Earth movie in a brand new adventure. Sean receives a coded distress signal containing clues to the location of The Mysterious Island.

Sean’s stepfather Hank (played by Dwayne Johnson) agrees to accompany Sean to look for the island. Did I mention that the message was sent by Sean’s grandfather who no one has seen or heard from in two years?


Renting a helicopter owned by the bumbling Gabato and accompanied by his beautiful daughter Kailani the four adventures discover the island after their helicopter is swept up in a hurricane and crashes on its shores.


Once there they encounter giant flowers and insects, a volcano spewing gold lava, the tomb of Captain Nemo, the lost city of Atlantis, a giant flesh eating lizard and are reunited with Sean’s grandfather played by Michael Caine.


The valiant group of five explorers learns that the island is sinking back into ocean and they only have hours to find Captain Nemo’s submarine the Nautilus if they are to have any chance of escaping.


Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is a fun, action-packed movie that families are sure to love. The special visual effects are stunning and the sets are amazing.


The Bluray/DVD/Ultraviolent Combo pack also contains several extras including a gag reel, an interactive map and deleted scenes.