I don't know about you, but 'I Am Bruce Lee'

"If someone says that they can't watch a Bruce Lee film, then I can't talk to 'em."
- Reginald Hudlin

Word, Reggie. And 'nuff said... 'cause I can barely think...or speak...or write after seeing this trailer. To get more information on this amazing-looking film, visit the I Am Bruce Lee website.



P.S. I just popped by the Bruce Lee Facebook page and according Shannon (his daughter), the film will air on March 7th on Spike TV. Additional information about limited theatrical screenings are available at the I Am Bruce Lee website.

The Blackest Terror #1

Remember that scene in the movie Chasing Amy where the leather-clad black militant comic book creator whips out a fake pistol while he's on the stage at a comic book convention? And remember how he fires a blank round at a heckling audience member (his buddy Banksy), and then continues to fire off a few more rounds to the cackle-inducing call of "Black rage! Black rage!" Well, the debut issue of The Blackest Terror is a lot like that scene–except that when this guy's gat goes off, somebody catches a bad one.

Written by Eric M. Equivel and illustrated by Ander Sarabia, The Blackest Terror is a cool-looking book that I mostly just spotted on the rack at the local comic book shop some weeks ago. Unfortunately, that particular copy was the very last one on the rack and had been so manhandled by curious customers that I wasn't gonna fork over my hard-earned ducats for something that looked like sloppy seconds, or worse.

To my fanboy surprise, when I stopped in to visit the shop again yesterday there was a dozen or so new copies of The Blackest Terror on the rack. Right on. I promptly added one of the minty fresh copies to the short stack that I was carrying and made way for the cash register. When I got back to the lab, The Blackest Terror was the first book that I pulled from the pile.

Now, since I'm not one for spoilers you're just gonna have to do what I did and judge this handsome book by its cover: It's called The Blackest Terror, for Pete's sake, and boasts a mask-wearing brotha' with a skull and crossbones on his chest, passin' out knuckle sandwiches and free-toes at a Klu Klux Klan rally. (Well, I will actually say there aren't any Klansmen in the story, but do not let that keep you away from this righteously written and illustrated comic book.

Verdict: The Blackest Terror's kung fu does NOT suck.

St. Paco
Kung Fu Grip! zine

"There's no place like..."

"It's just about 12:30 in the morning and I'm on my way home from work. Great peaceful quiet walk to the Metra. Thought it was worth taking a picture. "



My new homie AK sent me this sweet snapshot from Chicago's downtown area. It's a great nighttime capture that almost makes me homesick–which is something I haven't felt in a while.

[Sigh]

Happy 'Subway Art' to Me

Image from Subway Art, 2009. Courtesy of Chronicle Books.

At Barnes & Noble today, I chanced upon the 25th Anniversary Edition of Subway Art sellin' for the discounted price of $9.99. That's right, true believers, the super-sized version of Subway Art (original SRP $40.00) is sellin' for the low, low price of $9.99.

Well, the book had actually been in the virtual discount bins at barnesandnoble.com and amazon.com since last year, if not even earlier. But it was still really cool to see it in the discount section of a brick-n-mortar store. This is especially true when considering that I've been draggin' my shell-toes about buying a copy since its release in 2009.

I know, I know. Blasphemous, right?

Well, after 'oohing and ahhing' through the copy that my homeboy Mikey picked up back when it first came out, I wasn't in any rush to get my own copy. Maybe it was stubborn sentimentality that just kept me referencing the original copy that I purchased way back in the 1980s, beat to utter crap though it may be.

With my birthday coming up (on Friday), and for the price, I figured it was finally time to make my move. But I still haven't cracked the cover yet. In fact, the book is still in the B&N bag. Like I said, my b-day is just around the corner and since I've waited nearly three years for it, I can wait another 48 hours, can't I?

NOW SHOWING...

Your Kung Fu Sucks! Desktop Cinemas proudly presents Return of the Kung-Fu Dragon (1976), starring the beautiful-but-deadly Sun-Kuan Rin-Feng, aka Polly Kuon (Dragon Gate Inn).



Free MP4 downloads of this film available courtesy of Archive.org.

The Art of Biting (What's Your Style?)

Enter the Dragon (1973)


Enter the Dragon (Production Still)


Fury of the Dragon (1979)


Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970)


The Empire Strikes Back (1980)


The Dragon Strikes Back (1972)


Return of the Jedi (1983)


Return of the Dragon (1972)

Jim Jarmusch on originality.

The RZA & Jim Jarmusch

"Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) with be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don't bother concealing your thievery–celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: 'It's not where you take things from–it's where you take them to.'"

–Jim Jarmusch

Circa 1975 - The Fantastic Four Radio Show

Before reaching adolescence, the age when I 'mutated' into something of an X-Men fanatic, I was a fierce fan of the Fantastic Four. In addition to their monthly comic book exploits, the FF had a Saturday morning cartoon that I used to like to watch–despite a really annoying half-sized robot named Herbie who served in place of The Human Torch. (Were the show's producers really concerned that some dumb kid would drench himself in lighter fluid and strike a match in imitation of Johnny Storm?)

Well, I didn't know it back then, but in addition to the print and TV adventures of the Fantastic Four, co-creator "Smiling" Stan Lee had also made a considerable effort to bring Marvel's first family to kid's radio programming. His little known 1975 production of The Fantastic Four Radio Show featured the nearly word-for-word adaptations of some of the Fantastic Four's first adventures, with narration by Lee himself,

In addition to the voice of Stan Lee, also featured in the production were the voices of Bill Murray (yup, that Bill Murray) as the Human Torch, Cynthia Adler as the Invisible Girl, Bob Maxwell as Mr. Fantastic and Jim Pappas as the Thing. A few of the heroes, and villains, who appeared in these audio adaptations were Namor the Sub-Mariner, Ant-Man, the Incredible Hulk, the Moleman and Dr. Viktor Von Doom.

Oh...and speaking of Doctor Doom. Hardcore fans of rap artist MF Doom may recognize at least one segment that was sampled from one of the episodes that bears the metal faced super-villain's name.

Apparently, less than a dozen episodes were produced before the plug on the show was pulled due to anemic ratings. Having been largely forgotten about in the interim years, the copyright protections have lapsed, and these lost bronze age productions are now in the public domain. That's right, true believers, you can own 'em for the pulse-pounding price of free-ninety-nine.

It was well over a year ago that I found the ten known episodes over at archive.org, but I didn't get around to actually playing 'em until recently. After giving 'em all a thorough listen, and because it felt like the naturally nerdy thing to do, I scanned the covers of two 1970s FF comics and banged out a retro-ish 'album cover' for a proper presentation in iTunes (or whichever digital player you use).

Submitted for your approval, The Fantastic Four Radio Show.

Click here to download.
Click here to sample.

Thanks, Zine World

My previous January posting related to the most recent reviews of KFG zines in Zine World #30.5 (Nov 2011) has been deleted in favor of this revised post. The supplement edition of ZW that came out in the fall actually contains three reviews of my publications (well, four...technically), and it seemed like a good idea to go ahead and share 'em all. I'm not even certain as to why, but last time around I only shared Clint's review, even though the one written by e.war preceded it. The third review, I should point out, caught me unawares.

Since Zine World posts their critiques in alphabetical order, I'm just gonna come right out and confess that I flicked through to the page where publications starting with the letter K could be found and absorbed the reviews of KFG 4 & 5. After that, I flicked back to page one and began reading the reviews of all the other publications. A little more than midway through my reading, I got a jolt from the unexpected realization that an additional review of Octopussy #1 was also contained.

Since publishing the aforementioned, I've been curious as to whether it's as accessible to chicks as it seems to be for dudes. I say this because the majority of orders (and perspectives) have come from guys, including a few from love-starved fucks behind bars. Well, one of my ex's started blowin' up my Facebook after she got her eyes on a copy, and I did take that as a positive sign (haha). But the review of Octopussy turned in by P5! offers a feminine perspective that has snugly tucked my curiosity into bed with a smile on its face.

Thanks, Zine World

–––––

Kung Fu Grip! #4
Historical writings personal and otherwise, touching story about a dying father. A very interesting article titled "Black East" about dark-skinned or even African-looking Phillipinos. Paco discusses [human] origins frankly and with good foundations. Retro ads are splashed throughout, appealing to the kung-fu afro in you.
– e.war

Kung Fu Grip! #4 and #5
Perhaps it's unfair to hand me these, since I gave #3 such a glowing review last time. But I have them and that's that; I have no choice! Everything I said last time about the marvelous mix of pop-culture obsessions and storytelling remains true. Issue #4 includes the moving "A Year to Say Goodbye," Paco's account of his father's passing. Issue #5, twice as big, features an extensive survey of sticker art and a terrific, in-depth feature on Shiro, one of the few high-profile female graffiti artists, including lots of flicks of her work. Money and time well spent here.
– Clint

Kung Fu Grip! Special #1: Octopussy
This zine has a sexy look that immediately draws you in! An intriguing mix of hot girls, octopi, stripper haikus with great accompanying footwear photos, a smutty graffiti gallery, the (incredibly inspiring) art of Katsushika Hokusai (I love that centerfold!), pictures from India's Kama Sutra temple, and more! This zine is original and beautiful. Recommended!
– P5!