Belgrade Rocky Statue

Craig / / 2007, Honors, Rocky Balboa
A huge statue of the film character Rocky Balboa is prepared for unveiling in the village square in Zitiste, about 60 kilometers (36 miles) north of Belgrade, Tuesday, Aug.7, 2007. The village of Zitiste is planning to erect the statue of Balboa, to attract tourists and show a new face to the world. Local officials have already contacted Philadelphia, PA, where a monument to the actor Sylvester Stallone’s film character already exists. The unveiling is scheduled for August 18. (AP Photo/Srdjan Ilic)

Workers cover with plastic sheets a statue of the film character Rocky Balboa, which is being prepared for unveiling in the village square in Zitiste, about 60 kilometers (36 miles) north of Belgrade, Tuesday, Aug.7, 2007. The village of Zitiste is planning to erect the statue of Balboa, to attract tourists and show a new face to the world. Local officials have already contacted Philadelphia, PA, where a monument to the actor Sylvester Stallone’s film character already exists. The unveiling is scheduled for August 18. (AP Photo/Srdjan Ilic)

Workers secure with ropes the statue of the Rocky Balboa film character, which is set for unveiling in the village square in Zitiste, about 60 kilometers (36 miles) north of Belgrade, Tuesday, Aug.7, 2007. The village of Zitiste is planning to erect the statue of Balboa, to attract tourists and show a new face to the world. Local officials have already contacted Philadelphia, PA, where a monument to the actor Sylvester Stallone’s film character already exists. The unveiling is scheduled for August 18. (AP Photo/Srdjan Ilic)

Bill Pruitt Checks In

Craig / / 2007, Celebs, Fan Art, Rambo 2
SZoner, Bill Pruitt checked in with the cool photo above and this… Hi Craig, Today I got to meet the stunt coordinator for “Rambo First Blood II,“ Diamond Farnsworth. Ironically, I was working on a new “John Rambo” piece at Universal Citywalk when he happened to be up there. He couldn’t have been nicer and was very impressed that I knew who he was. (I’ve only seen him in Rambo II photos when Sly is doing bow and arrow target practice.) He said he taught Sly how to shoot the bow and arrow. Bill
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That’s Diamond on the left and Bill on the right. Click HERE if you’d like a closer look at Bill’s new Rambo painting! Thanks to Bill for sharing. Check out his site HERE. – Craig

Sly by Adam Shippee

Craig / / 2007, Fan Art
SZoner, Adam Shippee is back with a new painting! This time he’s taken on Sly in the classic Joe Weider pose. Adam’s e-mail is ashippee1@cox.net if you’d like to drop him a line. – Craig

Sly Night

Craig / / 2007, Honors

Last night the Brooklyn Cyclones, a minor league baseball team, hosted Sly Night. Here’s how they advertised it:

SLY NIGHT: On July 28th, the Cyclones will celebrate Sylvester Stallone — one of the most iconic Hollywood stars of our generation — on “Sly Night” at KeySpan Park.

Stallone has created some of the most long-lasting and legendary characters in pop-culture history, from Rocky Balboa to John Rambo, to Lincoln Hawk, to Marion Cobretti, to Snaps Provolone, to Ray Tango, and more.

The Academy Award winner’s turn as the underdog fighter from the mean streets of Philly immortalized him to millions. On Saturday, July 28th, the Cyclones will pay tribute to him in a number of ways:

The team will show a variety of Stallone-themed entertainment throughout the night.

Fans are invited to dress up as their favorite Stallone character, with the winning costume receiving a prize pack.

Anyone named “Sylvester” will be admitted to the ballpark at no charge.

In commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the 1987 movie Over The Top (in which Stallone plays a struggling trucker competing in a Las Vegas Arm Wrestling Championship, and sporting a New York City Arm Wrestling T-shirt), the New York Arm Wrestling Association (NYAWA) will host over 100 men and women competing that day for the 25th Annual White Castle ‘Kingsboro’ Golden Arm Wrestling titles, featuring a championship match taking place on the dugout during that night’s game!

Anyone who participates in the arm wrestling competition will receive a Cyclones ticket to that night’s game. For more information on participating, contact Gene Camp at NYAWA@aol.com.

In addition to all the Sly festivities, the first 1,250 kids that night will receive Thunderstix!

So join in on the fun, and help the Cyclones pay tribute to the Itallian Stallion on July 28th!
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It would have been cool to have been there for the festivities! – Craig

Sly and MGM Chairman

Craig / / 2007, Celebs
From the Associated Press AP – Mon Jul 23, 9:15 PM ET Sylvester Stallone and MGM Chairman and CEO Harry Sloan at the Los Angeles Team Mentoring (LATM) 9th annual Summer Soiree event. (PRNewsFoto/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., Eric Charbonneau)

Ringo’s Jack Carter

Craig / / 2007, Craig's Sly Art
Mike Wieringo’s drawing of Jack Carter is one of my favorite pieces from this year’s Heroes Con. I not only love the look and attitude of the piece, but I was able to watch Mike sketch it!

Mike was selling his latest sketch book and if you bought a copy, Mike threw in a head sketch for free! Talk about a great deal. I was worried that because Stallone isn’t a character that Mike had drawn repeatedly, it might be more difficult and therefore he might decline my request. Boy, was I wrong. Mike proceeded to sketch it out in no time and like I said, he really captured the look and attitude of Sly as Jack Carter.

In my previous post, I suggested you check out Mike’s Blog. I should have remembered to tell you about where you can buy Mike Wieringo original art. Now you have all the facts and links you need. Enjoy!