I've been a little quiet. Let's mix things up a bit... box is still not finalized.

Below are my favorite illustrations from the latest issue of ESPN magazine's NBA preview issue. ESPN cleverly collaborated with Marvel comics to come up with illustrations that mixed elements from Marvel's superhero world with key aspects of each NBA team that deserve attention in the upcoming 2010-11 season. It was very hit-or-miss from the different artists that participated in the project. Alex Maleev's depicton of Michael Jordan as Nick Fury was perfect in tone and execution. Skottie Young's take on the Sacramento Kings was cute. Simone Bianchi's interpretation of Yao Ming's rebuilt knee was awesome. They should have put Carlos Boozer/Red Hulk in a cast!

I've been reading tons of Eiichiro Oda's ONE PIECE manga. I'm loving every moment of it. This year, Viz decided it was time for the English version of ONE PIECE to catch up to Japan's publishing schedule. In theory, that sounds cool... but it meant releasing around 4 volumes of ONE PIECE a month. Right now, I've got around 10 volumes of ONE PIECE stacked up and ready to read. I also have another 5 volumes to purchase to FINALLY be caught up on the English translations of the published series. What's supposed to be a hobby has become a marathon!

Fortunately, reading ONE PIECE is a joy. I love how Oda's illustrations zing with joy. I love his zany imagination and deft sense of design. I also love how Oda attempts to find new ways to make stories that are more epic and odd than the previous onea. It's the only Shonen-style comic that consistently and persistently builds upon what Akira Toriyama so expertly established in DRAGON BALL. I just wish I could find more time in the day to catch up on reading all those pages of manga!

Issue 3 of UNFABULOUS FIVE: GREASERS FROM THE BLACK LAGOON is now available for free. You can read it on your iPad or any internet browser. Find out what Red Demon and the rest of the Luchadores Five are up to as they search for the missing Diablo Loco.

CLICK HERE to read issue #3 of THE UNFABULOUS FIVE.

Previously released issues:

CLICK HERE FOR ISSUE #1.

CLICK HERE FOR ISSUE #2.

CLICK HERE FOR ISSUE #3.

For those of you (like myself) that were unable to attend NYCC, here are some photos of King Katch as featured on VINYL PULSE and TOYSREVIL. I'm a little bugged by the way the fists were positioned (I'd have made them more symmetrical!)... but otherwise it's a very accurate portrayal of the final production version of the figure. I've received confirmation from the factory that they are in the last stages of production. We should be on track for a November release date.

If you're in New York this weekend for the NYCC (New York Comic Con), be sure to stop by and check out the Vinyl Pulse booth in The Cultyard (booth #2577). Vinyl Pulse will have an exclusive first look glimpse at an upcoming Muttpop figure. This will be the first reveal of the piece in its full form, color and glory!