UNOFFICIAL STAR WARS ANIME.....

 As much as I don't need any more Star Wars in my life this unofficial (hated by LucasFilm ltd.) clip of Star Wars anime is the dugs baws.....

NEW PACIFIC RIM POSTER...spoiler?

 With the release of the first Pacific Rim trailer comes a new poster for what looks like being the answer to the inevitably disapointing onslaught of Star Wars sequels, RoboCop remakes and (the gods help us) Transformers reboots but I'm a wee bit surprised at what looks like a bit of a huge spoiler because it would seem that the main robot gets battered and loses an arm. But in del Torro we trust and Pacific Rim so far  looks like being the biggest shot in the arm to Sci-fi since the Matrix.

And in case you've missed them here are the already released promo posters......

Detailed Map of ER Burroughs 'Barsoom'

By the fantasticaly named Oberon Zell. Click here for more info over at erbzine.com
I have to admit I've never read any of Burroughs Pulp tales of Martian civil war and I thought the John Carter flick sucked eggs for me the only Mr.Carter is the one who appeared in Marvel Comics John Carter: WARLORD of MARS (1977-79) which is one of the first Marvel comics I can remember reading bought secondhand as part of a jumble sale bundle. I can also appreciate them now for being drawn by some of the greats including  Larry Hama, Gil Kane and Carmine Infantino. These are a few choice covers, colourful, dramatic and brimming with golden sci-fi action....
 

 ...and as a side note the cover to issue 16 (1978) drawn by Ernie Colon predates the much imitated George Perez 'Death of Supergirl' cover to DC's Crisis on Infinite Earth #7 (1985).

 

A Sketch a Day: Royal Mile...ish.

Sketch by Kev Harper

This is a quick sketch of a bit of the royal Mile in Edinburgh which I referenced from a photo by Chris 'the Laird' Nicholson....

Alabama 3: 'Monday Don't Mean Anything...'

OBLIVION - Official Trailer

Here is the trailer for the new Tom Cruise flick OBLIVION and don't it look sweet. Even though it looks like a mixture of Wall-E and Space Hunter: Adventures in the Forbiden Zone with a hint of the Matrix this looks like a solid shot of Sci-Fi....

Beastie Boys: Ch-Check It Out

A Sketch a Day: 'COCK IT...the unwanted redux'

Illustration by Kev Harper

I put this up the other day but went back, added to it and switch the colours instead of doing some real work  but any excuse to show a spunk firing Cock 45. being pointed at Piers Morgan's misshapen face.....ooft!

Blondie - Sunday Girl / Dreaming (Top Of The Pops 1979)

 Has there ever been a more beautiful pop star than Debbie Harry.....

Before it was famous: the first appearance of Adam West's 1966 Batmobile

This is a clip from the 1956 movie 'It Started With a Kiss' which features the first on screen apperance of the 1955 Lincoln Futura that would 10 years later be customised by George Barris to become Adam West's Batmobile.


This is what the cats over at the always excellent Bat-Blog  have to say on the origin of a  screen icon....

The original one-off 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car was originally created by Ford Motor Company and a design team at the Lincoln Styling Department. The 19-foot long, two-seat, bubble-topped grand touring car prototype was entirely hand-built in 1954 by Ghia Body Works in Turin, Italy, and unveiled in its original pearlescent Frost-Blue white paint finish in 1955 at the Chicago Auto show......

Barris then acquired the vehicle and kept it in his garage for several years. In late 1965, 20th Century Fox Television and William Dozier's Greenway Productions contacted Barris and asked him to produce a Batmobile for the upcoming TV series. With only 15 days and $15,000 budget to build a Batmobile, Barris decided to transform the Lincoln Futura concept car into what is now widely recognized as the original and iconic crime-fighting vehicle.''

It's also a nice coincidence that it's sporting a red paint job similar to the first comic book Batmobile (Detective Comics #27, 1939)

Ulysses 31 the Final Episode...

A cracking cartoon show that mixed the grandeur of Greek Myth with the sci-fi adventure of Buck Rodgers and Flash Gordon. Produced by DiC Entertainment (in conjunction with Tokyo Movie Shinsha) 26 episodes were made and unlike many cartoon series followed a linear narrative which ended with a defanite conclusion.
It's also a nice touch that Homer (who's epic poem the series uses as it's basis) is credited as 'writer' on it's IMDB entry.




When I watched this as a youngster it was on BBC 1 as part of it's afternoon childrens programing were the theme tune took on cult status championed by then presenter Phillip Schofeild.....



And because it is quite clearly one of the greats here is the full version of the Ulysses 31 theme tune.... YASSS!....

THRIFTSHOP XL - Been Caught Stealing on a Blue Monday

EC COMICS DOCUMENTARY: Tales from the Crypt - From Comic Books to Television

EC Comics.......nuff said, enjoy.

Stan Lee's 'To Whom It May Concern' letter to Steve Ditko...

'To Whom It May Concern' (Nov.1999)

This is a copy of the letter Stan lee gave to Steve Ditko 'confirming' Ditko's part in the creation of the Amazing Spider-Man. Ditko rejected the letter as wholy unacceptable and Lee still fefuses to come flat out and give Ditko his deserved credit (as seen in the excellent documentary In Search of Steve Ditko)

 'What Ever Happened to Common Sense?' (July. 1999)

These strips are Ditko's personal veiw of his relationship with Lee which are typical of the Ayn Randian streams of consciousness that fill his later career, all of which where reprinted in STEVE DITKO'S 32-PAGE PACKAGE (Vol.5 in the Ditko Package Series)

'Why Do Some People Seek the Unearned...' (Nov. 1999)

A Sketch a Day: COCK IT!

Illustration by Kev Harper

This was gony be called 'Piers Morcunt' then it changed to 'Prick Morcunt' but then settled for 'Cock It' cause the charicature got lost a wee bit but the girl shooting a Cock 45. worked out so, cie la vie.

Guilherme Marcondes 'The MASTER's VOICE' trailer.......

The great Shaky Kane posted up this trailer for Guilherme Marcondes new short film 'The Master's Voice'. Is it the finest peice of animation you'll see today, let's just agree to say yes and go have ourselves some crumpets and tea....
"The Master's Voice" is the story of the city-island of "M.", a decadent metropolis inhabited only by ghosts and ghouls. Director: Guilherme Marcondes Hornet Inc. Executive Producer: Michael Feder Head of Production: Greg Bedard Producer: Sang-Jin…

vidaru.com : The Master's Voice : Teen Wolf - 2x12 'Ma

A Sketch a Day: FISHBOWL.....

Illustration by Kev Harper

Jon Favreau to direct Star Wars...?

Romors, romors everywhere.... with every director in Hollywood seemingly avoiding what could be a bit of a poison chalice Ironman's Jon Favreau would be a great choice and has hinted that he would be interested and is quoted as saying......
“The idea of another trilogy that further shrouds the Force in mystery as its secrets are lost to time – that’s extremely compelling. I want so bad for it to be good. Can you imagine?”
 Also is his Twitter ID pic a cheeky fanboy nod and a wink?

NOW SHOWING: Frank Zappa's 200 MOTELS

A story of Rock'n'Roll'n'Groupies'.......enjoy

Terry Gilliam Animation Demonstration.....

This is from an episode of the BBC's 'Do-It Yourself Film Animation Show' (1974) hosted by the legend Bob Godfrey and it and features the greatness that is Terry Gilliam demonstrating how he made his now classic 'cut out' style animations which were a massive part of what made Monty Python so memorable.

the ROBOCOP remakes SIZZLE REEL: a closer look at a film you won't like.....

This clip has everyone involved trying desperately trying to convince people, invertors (and themselves) that this flick will be anywhere near as good as the original sure it'll rake in the cash but just like Tron legacy, Total Recall and every other remake before it, it'll will quickly be forgotten only ever referred to with the phrase " ...it was alright but I prefer the original"...

 
RoboCop - Featurette Concept-Art Licensing... by Lyricis

RoboCop - Featurette Concept-Art Licensing... by Lyricis

...and with the metalic suit and one human hand does anyone eles see a resemblance to Quicksilver of the Silver Hawks cartoon?

SCHEME COMIX t-shirts, i-phone & i-pad cases...

Illustration by Kev Harper

New Scheme Comix t-shirts and cases for i-phones and i-pads, get them while they're hot....

The Black Belles - Wishing Well

A Sketch a Day: RISE of the QUIET BAT-PEOPLE...

Sketch by Kev Harper

Promotional Artwork for the Citizens Theatre's SLEEPING BEAUTY by me...

 Illustration by Kev Harper

This year I provided the promotional art work for the Citizens Theartre's production of Sleeping Beauty which included this animated add which was done in colaberation with the good folks over at Toad's Caravan studio.....

A Sketch a Day: Gawd LUV ER....

Illustration by Kev Harper

 This design is also available as a t-shirt, hoody and sticker over on redbubble.com

NEW SCHEME T-SHIRTS....

Illustration by Kev Harper

New Scheme T-shirts available from redbubble.com go on treat yourselves....
All designs available in girly fit, baseball shirts and hoodies just click on the 'style' menu to pick what suits...

4 Reasons the original characters shouldn't be in the Star Wars sequels....

Like it or not there are new Star Wars flicks looming on the horizon and although everything about them just now is rumor and fan-boy wishing there are some tales doing the rounds about the original cast making an appearance which would be a stone cold downer because the unescapable truth is the actors who played them got old. And that my friends is fine I'm not having a dig they are after all only human but Han & Co aren't and I'd rather remember those characters as the young rebels they are than have them wheeled out for the sake of one more, bad Hollywood nostalgia trip....

'Flying Saucers Over Hollywood: The Plan 9 Companion' (1992)

Legends one and all, enjoy...'Nuff said!

A Sketch a Day: A tale of two Vamps......

Sketch by Kev Harper

This started off as a Count Orlac then took a turn at Salem's Lot and became a mix of the two.... 

Disney presents STAR WARS EPISODE 7: A small prediction, DASH RENDAR....

The news has hit and thanks to Disney we'll be getting new Star Wars sequels. Star Wars was ruined for me by the awful prequels (and the good but pointless animated shows) so I'm less than jazzed about the prospect of a new trilogy but for shits and giggles here's a small casting prediction.
The only character that didn't get tainted by the prequels was Han Solo (which is surprising considering he his arguably the most popular) so to get the 'scoundrel' back into a galaxy far,far away (and asuming they go with the characters that appear in the hundreds of book and comics that already act as sequels) the best option would be to add the rougish Dash Rendar. 

And to play him you could do worse than Ryan Renolds, but with a few blockbuster flops to his name he might not be the money mans first choice....

But with his recent drop out of the Logan's run remake and lack of a big budget blockbusting headliner Hollywood favorite Ryan Gosling could be the house wives favorite....

NOW SHOWING: the MONSTER SQUAD

Ladies and Gents, Cats and Kittens, Spooks and Gouls the ridiculously better than it should be Monster Squad...enjoy!

My homage to the GREEN HORNET

Illustrations by Kev Harper