Saturday, March 17, 2018

Saturday Showcase: Cheetah

   
    With the news that they cast Kristen Wiig as Cheetah for Wonder Woman 2, I thought it would be a good time to showcase this amazing villain.  I first saw Cheetah on my Saturday Cartoons as she had a major role in the Legion of Doom.  I always liked her battles with Wonder Woman as a child so the character stuck with me throughout the ages.

    One thing that any comic fan can tell you is that there is more than one Cheetah, but the story stays the same.  She was made to be a Wonder Woman villain.  She is to Wonder Woman what Joker is to Batman.  You cannot have one without the other.


    Cheetah was first created in 1943 by the talented William Marston and H.G. Peter.  Her appearance in Wonder Woman #6 was a fine introduction to this Beautiful but Evil foe. Wonder Woman always tries to save the Cheetah, but they never seem to listen.  The first Cheetah was Priscilla Rich.  She retired her criminal ways and died in her mansion.

    The second Cheetah was Deborah Domaine.  Deborah is the niece of Priscilla and was at her mansion when she died.  Kobra wanted the Cheetah so they kidnapped Deborah and the costume and brainwashed her into the second coming of the Cheetah.  This Cheetah made her first appearance in Wonder Woman #274.  Her career as the Cheetah ended on the Crisis story-line.

    The third version of the Cheetah was Barbara Ann Minerva.  She is probably the most popular due to the fact that she was drawn by George Perez.  Her first appearance was in Wonder Woman Vol. 2, #7 (1987).  She stays the Cheetah even during the New 52 and Rebirth years only to be replaced by the fourth Cheetah.  But mark my words, you will see her again.


    The fourth Cheetah has a twist.  The fourth Cheetah goes by the name Sebastian Ballestros.  Yes, the Fourth Cheetah is a man. He is later killed by Minerva and she reclaims the power of the Cheetah.  Like I said earlier, you will see her again.

    My only question is, which version of the Cheetah will Kristen play?  My money is on Minerva.  I mean, she is the longest running version of the Cheetah so it would only make sense.

    Until next time, get your READ on!


Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Derf's Picks of the Week (3/14/18)

To see my picks of the week, click here.

While you are here, enjoy this week's cover.


Comic Cover of the Week

the New Mutants: Dead Souls #1 (Variant)

MARVEL

Cover Art by Mark Brooks

Saturday, March 10, 2018

Saturday Showcase: Iron Man (Eddie March)


    Before there was James Rhodes as the Iron Man, Tony trusted another individual to wear the armor and call themselves Iron Man.  That man was Eddie March and it is about time he gets his due, that is why he is today's Saturday Showcase.

    Eddie started his life as a professional boxer.  It is during his boxing days where he met a sparring partner that would introduce him to Tony Stark aka Iron Man.  Who is this sparring partner you ask?  Why it was Happy Hogan, Tony's left arm (since Pepper was his right, lol).    Eddie's boxer career was ended by a blood clot and that is when Happy introduced him to Tony and his career at Stark industries began.

    It was during his employment at Stark industries that Tony saw someone who he could trust and let Eddie in on his secret.  Tony eventually trusted Eddie so much, that he gave him a set of Iron Man armor to help him out in case a mission was to dangerous to handle alone or if Tony was needed elsewhere.


   Eddie was thrilled at Tony's offer and trained harder than ever before to be the best Iron Man that he could be.  Unfortunately, his stint as Iron Man had a some tragedies that would occur that eventually led some to lose faith in the Iron Man.
One such tragedy is when Eddie was fighting Dr. Spectrum and the crystal possessed him and made him lash out and appear to be going insane.  It took the mighty Thor to stop the madness and allow Eddie to get the help he so desperately needed.


Eddie's career as the Iron Man may have been short lived, but he took on villains such as the Crimson Dynamo, Doctor Spectrum, and Ultimo.  Though his hero days may be over, he is still a key figure in the world of Tony Stark as well as in the Marvel Universe.



Well Done Eddie, Well Done!

Until next time, get your READ on!


First Appearance: the Invincible Iron Man Vol. 1, # 21

Marvel Comics

January 1970

Sunday, March 4, 2018

Aliens Ate My Homework


    I recently got the pleasure to interview Tristan Risk, who plays Madame Pong in the film Aliens Ate My Homework. Check out the trailer above and then click the link to read my interview I did via Somewhatnerdy with this amazing talent.




The one and only, Little Miss Risk aka Tristan Risk