This week we have the return of Mike Torrance and Rocky, too.  (Yeah, I know, I've got to stop with the puns.)

I went online to reserve my hotel room at the Westin only to find that they are sold out at the Hereoes rate -- and who can afford their normal prices?  Unless they open up more rooms (which they have in the past), I'm looking to stay somewhere else close.  I've done it before years ago and it wasn't bad.  So... any recommendations?

Until next week...

This week we have Mike Torrance with the first of a series of Rocky cards that he created for me.

I took the first step towards prepping for my annual trip to HeroesCon.  I went online to reserve a room for the wife and I at the Westin.  Word came back it was sold out.  What!  This has happened before and then new rooms were opened up.  Hopefully that will be the case.  If not I do have one of their Starwood preferred accounts, so maybe that will help.  We shall see.

The fact that the hotel is sold out reinforces that we're getting close to con time.  Next will be my annual perusal of the artists in attendance that I might be able to sketch Stallone.  Jack Carter, anyone?  Rocky?  Rambo?  Barney Ross?  Artist suggestions?

Until next week...

Cory Walker makes his first appearance with his riff on Sly as Rambo.  Awesome.

If you collect sketches, you might want to check out Jerry Gaylord.  He is running a half-price sketch sale.  His sketches are great, he communicates quickly and the turn-around time is quick.  If you like great art and can help a brotha out, order one or a dozen.  Tell him I sent ya.  [link]

I'm starting to get psyched for Heroes Con.  It's my favorite show of the year.  The guest list continues to grow and is already amazing.  I'm planing to plan early for this show.  I don't want it to sneak up on me like MegaCon did.  ; )  Check it out... [link]

I've been watching the new History Channel series Vikings and it is really growing on me.  [link]

Until Next Week...

Mike Torrance is back!

I went to MegaCon last weekend.  For the first time since I can remember, I was a bit disappointed.  I still had fun, but just not as much.  Usually, Beatty and I hang at his table (when I'm not scouting for Stallone sketch artists).  This year, John didn't stay in Orlando and was late getting to the show on Friday and Saturday.  Also, I didn't find any new artists for sketches.

Ron Salas and Shawn Surface came through like bosses!  Ron gave me a riff on Sly as Jimmy Bobo and Shawn rocked Stallone from Nighthawks.  I also met Franc Rayes.  He is a super-talented former comic book/Disney artist who has decided to come out of retirement.  His art is amazing.

I was able to get Dave Johnson and Darwyn Cooke to autograph hardcovers from my collection.  I was also able to get around and see old friends, I rarely see.  

All in all, it was a fun weekend, but I'm considering making MegaCon 2014 a one day show for me and going for the full weekend to the Florida Super Con.

I saw Olympus Has Fallen this weekend.  It was awesome.  Highly recommended.

Until Next Weekend.

This week Mike Torrance is back with a very nice shot of Sly as Deke DaSilva from Nighthawks.

I can't believe MegaCon is starts next Friday.  I shouldn't be surprised for a couple of reasons... 1) I've been talking about it for weeks and 2) It always seems to sneak up on me.

Of course I have at least 3 late/long days this week and I still have a lot to do to get ready for the show.  Ah, but it will be a great weekend.  Hope to see you there.

-Craig

Adam Shippee is a Stallone fan and he sent in his take on Sly as Jimmy Bobo from "Bullet to the Head."

I am starting to get a bit of con fever... MegaCon, that is.  Yesterday, I ordered my 3 day pass and reserved my hotel room.  Next I'll start looking at artists for potential Stallone sketches.  Suggestions?

Until next weekend...

Craig

This week we have the return of Mike Torrance with his take on Sly as Deke DaSilva from Nighthawks.

Pretty soon it will be time for some serious MegaCon planning.  I've already started looking at the artists that will be there to see who I might want to approach for a Stallone sketch.  If you're an attending sketch artist, please consider tweeting or posting your sketch options and rates.  

Until next week...

This week we have the return of Evan Bryce with his take on a Rocky Valentine Card.  I won the piece in a random drawing Evan did to reward his followers.  How cool is that?

I don't know how the temperature is where you live, but it's cold here in Daytona Beach, Florida.  I'm talking lower 30's!  At least it's Sunday and I have a log for the fire place.  My couch awaits...

Until Next Week...

Craig

This week we have Jerry Gaylord giving us his take on Rocky.  Jerry is great for commissions and I highly recommend him!  He is also on DA so check him out!

The Walking Dead returns tonight and I am stoked.  Also, if you've been reading the comic, you know that Kirkman has been amping things up.  While I don't think that -didacted- has been killed, it would be something if -didacted- has.

I've been getting a bit of con fever... MegaCon that is.  Almost time to finalize plans and start thinking about con sketches.  If you're going to be there -- give a shout out!

Until Next Week...

CZ

Jon Riggle is back.  Jon is very active on DA -- so check him out!

If you like action movies, check out Bullet to the Head directed by Walter Hill and starring Sly Stallone.  

It is Super Bowl Sunday and I've spent wayyy to much time on the computer today... so until next weekend...

Robin Holstein makes his second appearance in my Stallone Sketch Gallery.  I somehow forgot that this piece had never been posted -- I got it at Heroes Con 2011 and it was one of my favorite pieces from the show.

Last night the UFC had free fights on.  The prelims started on FX at 5pm and ran until 8.  Then at 8 the main event was shown on FOX.  It was a great night of fights.  Hopefully the ratings were good and we'll see more fight cards that run on both channels.

I'm looking forward to the Super Bowl and am pulling for the 49ers since my buddy is Joe Staley's cousin.  

It's about time to start thinking about booking rooms for MegaCon and Heroes.  My wife must have con fever -- she asked me if I'd done it yet.  

Until next weekend.

Kyle Holtz makes his first, but not last appearance in the Stallone Sketch Gallery!

I am really hoping that the playoff games are close and competitive today.  Last week 3 of the 4 games were awesome.  Let's hope today is more of the same.

It won't be long and it'll be time to start prepping for Mega and then Heroes Con.  I feel a (Con) fever coming on.

Until next weekend...

This week Jerry Gaylord aka The Franchize make his first, but not last, appearance in my Stallone Sketch Gallery.  I can not recommend Jerry highly enough.  Great prices, excellent communication, amazing turnaround time, and awesome packaging.  A+ rating for sketch collectors.

I caught a cold/flu bug that just won't let go.  I'm over being sick but can't shake being tired.  I had hoped to go to the DeLand Comic and Toy Collectors Show today, but instead will spend the day on the couch.  Again.

Thank goodness the NFL Playoffs are on and the games have been great.  May the best teams win!  Just as long as the games are close and competitive.  [My Bears will have to wait until next year.]

Until next week...

Craig

Jon Riggle is our guest artist this week.  Jon is active on DA.  Send him some love.  [link]

2012 was a good year.  Like all years, it had ups and downs, but overall, it was heading into the right direction... a better year in 2013!

Over the Holiday Break, Doralya and I drove up to Indiana to see my dad, stepmom, stepbro and cousin.  We drove right into the aftermath of a blizzard.  Exciting times.  For several hours we couldn't even see the road.  It was slow going and we saw dozens of abandoned cars, cars sliding off the road, an overturned tanker truck and more.  Thankfully, we made it to Terre Haute without incident.  It was nice visiting with family and seeing places I grew up.

Now, I'm back home and ready for work tomorrow... even if I can't shake this cold.

Until Next Week

Craig

Doug Dabbs makes an awesome second appearance in my Stallone Sketch Gallery.

Well, as the headline suggests, I am ready for some downtime.  So Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!  I'll be back to posting more Stallone art after the 1st.

best,

Craig

Jon Riggle is back.  Check him out at [link]

There's still time to jump on board Jerry Gaylord's sketch sale.  I went back for another.  The art and deal is THAT good.  Don't miss out!  Currently, Jerry Gaylord is running a great deal for sketch collectors.  Check it out:  [link]

I got by to visit John, Bella and Jacob Beatty.  Mom and Dad are doing great and Jake is doing even better than them.  Jake is one cool kid.  Speaking of the Beatty's, Big John said he's thinking about getting back into his headsketch sales and u-streaming.  If you enjoy that kind of thing -- head over and give him a poke.  [link]

Until Next Week...

Mike Henderson makes his first appearance in my Stallone Sketch Gallery.  Hopefully it won't be his last.

Last week I saw Killing Them Softly.  As I said then, I really liked it.  I was one of the few.  It got a Cinemascore of F and died at the box office.  I still like it.  

Currently, Jerry Gaylord is running a great deal for sketch collectors.  Check it out:
[link]

Until next week...

Craig

Gerardo Moreno is back with his take on how a "Cobra" poster should look.  

I saw "Killing Them Softly" and really enjoyed it.  One of the best films I've seen in a long time.  It won't be everyone's cup of joe, but it worked for me.  Perhaps it will for you as well.

Until next week...

Doug Dabbs makes his first appearance in the Stallone Sketch Gallery.  I love Doug's art and got two commissions from him at Heroes Con last year.  Doug is a great guy and fantastic artist.  Check out his site and let him know I sent ya.  [link]

Last Sunday, Steve Meyers' Daytona Comic and Toy Show was a lot of fun.  The show had a special room for Bill Black and his AC Comics crew.  Steve had a huge cake for everyone to help celebrate 30 years of AC Comics.  Bill & his wife Rebecca, Jordi Ensign, Nick Northey, Mark Dail, and others AC writers and artists were there.  (Way back in the 80's, I worked with Bill helping to get art/artists for his publications, sending out press releases, etc.)  We had a great time sharing stories and talking about the good ole days.

This Friday was Black Friday and while a lot of people were out fighting crowds to save a few bucks, I was at home enjoying Jon Riggle's Black Friday Art Cast.  [link]  Jon was live sketching and offering great prices.  I picked up 6 Stallone 5X7 pieces for myself and 1 5x7 sketch for my buddy, Little John312  [link]   It was fun spending the day watching/interacting with Jon as he sketched as I updated the StalloneZone.

I put in an order for 10 sketchcards and 1 8x10 from the Krayola-Kidd aka Mike Torrance.  [link]

theFranchize aka Jerry Gaylord has a sale that is still running and I put in an order for a sketch with him as well.   [link]

As you can tell, I love the Black Friday Art Deals.

I got a chance to see "Lincoln" this weekend.  I had actually planned to see "Red Dawn" but the word on "Lincoln" was that it was awesome and not to be missed.  For once, "the word" was right.  "Lincoln" is amazing.  I see a ton of Oscars for it and all involved.  If you are even remotely interested in "Lincoln" you should give it a go.

Until next weekend...

Dave Wachter returns with his take on Sly as Cobra.  Dave is a great guy and a fantastic artist.  If you get a chance for a sketch from him, you won't be disappointed.

This morning I'm heading over to a one day show, the Daytona Beach Comic and Toy Show.  My buddy, Steve Meyers puts it on.  Today they're celebrating 30 Years of AC Comics.  Another buddy, Bill Black is the man who got AC started all those years ago.  For a while I worked for Bill -- helping him to get artists and publicize coming comics.  Fun times.  It will be a blast to see everyone.

Until next week...