Classic Cover of the Day

Classic Cover of the Day

She-Hulk #10

MARVEL Comics

Saturday Showcase: Titania

    Today's showcase, in my opinion,  deals with one of the most underrated villains in Marvel Comics history. Her birth name is Mary MacPherran but she is better known as Titania.  She was introduced to us in July of '84 during the Secret Wars (issue #3 to be exact).  She was created by Jim Shooter and Mike Zeck.

The name Titania, is born.

    Titania is a ruthless villain in every which way.  She has teamed with Dr. Doom, Ultron, Constrictor, and Kang the Conqueror  to name a few.  She has been a member of the Masters of Evil, Femizons, Frightful Four, the Worthy, and the Illuminati.  Hell, at one point of her life, she wielded the power of one of the infinity stones and gave She-Hulk a run for her money.  You could also say she is an honorary member of the Wrecking Crew since she is married to the Absorbing Man.

Moonstone, Titania, and the Absorbing Man 

    She has fought the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, the X-men, Thor, She-Hulk, Spider-Man, and well heroes and villains alike during the Secret Wars.  She is just someone you do not want to mess with.

    Her abilities include:

1.     Expert Street Fighter
2.     Immense Superhuman Strength
3.     Superhuman Stamina
4.     High-level Resistance to physical injury

Titania attempts to show She-Hulk who the baddest woman really is.

    Titania has been used in the world of comics for a long time.  She has even made it to TV on the Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. series as well as the Avengers Assemble show.  She has also been featured in the Marvel: Future Fight game as a playable character as well as a boss character in the Iron Man and X-O Manowar in Heavy Metal game.  However, I feel she can be so much more.  She has history with every major character in the Marvel Universe so why not have her in a movie or an let her make an appearance in a Netflix show.  The possibilities are endless.  Titania deserves the respect and I hope she gets showcased by more than just NERDs like me.

Until next time, get your READ on!

As always, unleash your inner NERD!

Luke Cage: Season 2 Review

BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO!

    Netflix has done it again!  The writing for Luke Cage is always phenomenal but season two pushed it over the top.  This is by far my favorite season of any of the Netflix/Marvel series hands down.  Hell, I am a Punisher fan and this season blew it out of the water.  Not everyone may agree with me, but you have to realize something. I am a fan of comics in general, and when the story lines match up with the comics with a modern day twist, you know the writers did their research.

    First of all, I need to give props to Mustafa Shakir for his portrayal of the Bushmaster.  You know he is the villain, but you route for him.  That is how powerful his acting and portrayal of the character real you in.  If Netflix shows were able to be for the Oscars, Mustafa Shakir would win best supporting actor hands down.

Mustafa Shakir as John McIver aka the Bushmaster

    Next, you have Misty Knight getting help from the Rand corporation.  Why is this important?  Well, that is how Misty gets her kick ass cybernetic arm.  This not only gives her a little extra strength, but allows her to fit her role as a "Hero for Hire" that we all know in love from the world of comics.

Misty Knight shows of her new arm while on a mission with Luke Cage.

    Speaking of "Heroes for Hire", Daniel Rand aka Iron Fist shows up along the way to help Cage in his battles to fight Bushmaster and Stokes.  It is in the episode where you first hear the mention of Power Man and Iron Fist in the series.

Daniel Rand aka Iron Fist lets Luke know that he is here to help regardless of how Cage feels.

    As a comic fan, this was a total joy to watch.  The Power Man and Iron Fist reference alone had me giddy.  If you are not familiar of the old Luke Cage/Power Man series I suggest you pick up some issues or graphic novels to see how well the writers did with keeping the story of Luke Cage true.  Sure, some things were changed like outfits or some origins were changed, but it stays true.  At the end you will realize that they introduced another player for the throne of Harlem.  If I tell you their name, you will know pretty early who I am speaking of, so I will leave that alone.

Mike Colter as Luke Cage

   Can a none comic fan love the show?  Hell yeah!  That is how well teh writing is on this series.  Luke Cage has the potential of being on the air for a long time if they keep the group of writers that they have.  You know the show is hot when you have legends like KRS-One and Rakim performing on the stage of Harlem's Paradise.  Speaking of Rakim, he wrote an original track for the show called King's Paradise.  I have included the video below.  Please do not watch it unless you have seen the show or don't care if there is a spoiler or two.  

Until next time, unleash your inner NERD!

What You Should Be Reading: G.I. Joe Vs the Six Million Dollar Man

    I just finished reading issue #4 of the G.I. Joe Vs the Six Million Dollar Man mini-series from IDW Publishing/Dynamite Entertainment.  I know the series ended in Mat and I am a little behind with my reading, but this series had me hooked from the beginning.  

    First of all, I remember watching the reruns of the Six Million Dollar Man as a kid.  I was also there, when the G.I. Joe cartoon first hit the airwaves.  So this series, to me, was like reliving part of my childhood. So kuddos to ythe writers for that.

    Secondly, this story was so well written, that it was relevant to today.  Countries at war, organizations trying to have the best weapon, and so forth.  I do not want to give too much away because I want you to read this for yourself.

    Basically, COBRA finds a way to control Col. Steve Austin aka the Six Million Dollar Man.  He turns out to be COBRA's most effective weapon and proves to be a challenge for the Joes.  Battles are fought, lost, and eventually won leaving COBRA to try to conquer the world another day.  

    This series has all the favorites of my youth, Snake-eyes, Storm Shadow, Roadblock, Recondo, Zartan, and even the Cobra BATs.  Ryan Ferrier did an outstanding job on writing this series.  The writing was done so well that I would love to see it as an animated film.  I would buy the Blue Ray in a heartbeat.  The artwork of SL Gallant was spot on.  This is a must read for any fans of the G.I. Joe organization as well as the Six Million Dollar franchise.  Do your self a favor and go to a local comic store and get the 4 issues today.   If you cannot find them, keep your eyes posted for the trade of this series when it hits shelves in early August of 2018.

Yo Joe!

Until next time, get your READ on!

Classic Cover of the Day - THORSday Edition

Classic Cover of the Day - THORSday Edition

the Mighty Thor, Vol. 1 #378

MARVEL

Who's Who: Dark Destroyer

Comic Cover of the Week (June 27, 2018)

Comic Cover of the Week

Detective Comics #983 (Variant)

DC Comics

Cover Art by Mark Brooks

Comic Picks of the Week

DC Comics:

BANE: CONQUEST #12 (OF 12)

BATGIRL #24

BATMAN: PRELUDE TO THE WEDDING - HARLEY VS JOKER #1

DETECTIVE COMICS #983

FLASH #49 

HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #47

MAN OF STEEL #5 (OF 6)

MERA: QUEEN OF ATLANTIS #5 

MARVEL

BLACK PANTHER #2

DEADPOOL: ASSASSIN #2 (OF 6)

MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #7

MOON KNIGHT #196

MULTIPLE MAN #1 (OF 5)

SENTRY #1

STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA #21

STAR WARS: LANDO DOUBLE OR NOTHING #2 (OF 5)

THOR #2

WAKANDA FOREVER: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 (OF 3)

Classic Cover of the Day - THORsday Edition

Classic Cover of the Day

the Might Thor #301

MARVEL

Who's Who: Doctor Fate

Comic Cover of the Week

Comic Cover of the Week

Batman #49 (Variant)

DC Comics

Cover Art by Stanley Lau

Derf's Comic Picks of the Week

BOOM!

PLANET OF THE APES URSUS #6 

WWE #18

Dark Horse:

USAGI YOJIMBO #4 (OF 7) THE HIDDEN

DC Comics:

AQUAMAN #37

BATMAN #49

BRAVE & THE BOLD BATMAN & WONDER WOMAN #5 (OF 6)

GREEN LANTERNS #49

HARLEY QUINN #44

MARVEL:

ANT-MAN AND THE WASP #2 (OF 5)

CABLE #158

INFINITY COUNTDOWN BLACK WIDOW #1

INFINITY COUNTDOWN CHAMPIONS #1 (OF 2)

STAR WARS POE DAMERON #28

TONY STARK IRON MAN #1

X-MEN GOLD #30

Valiant:

NINJA-K #8

Well, that concludes my picks for this week.

  I hope you saw something that caught your interest.

Until next time, get your READ on!

My Picks for Money in the Bank

All photos in this post provided by the WWE.

Man, nXt Takeover put on a show.  I do not know how the 2018 MITB can top it, but I m sure the WWE superstars have some tricks up their sleeve.  Let's take a look at the matches and I will give you my thoughts on who should win.

WWE Champion AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura 

(Last Man Standing Match)

First up, the Phenomenal AJ Styles Vs the Artist Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE Championship.  It is no secret that I am a huge AJ Styles fan, so it shouldn't be a surprise that I pick AJ for the win.  Sure, Shinsuke likes to play dirty and that is the main reason for choosing a Last Man Standing match, but AJ is capable of defeating Shinsuke at his own game.  I mean, he was the leader of the Club for Pete's sake.  You think they are going to stay behind the scenes and let their friend lose his title?  Not on their watch!  Even if Gallows and Anderson do not help Styles, Styles will come out on top because he is just too phenomenal for Shinsuke to handle.

Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match

Now this match could get really interesting.  On paper, one would think that Braun will win, but I have the feeling that the other 7 men will try to take him out the picture immediately.  

Another factor one has to think of is exactly who is representing the New Day in this match.  I mean, Who? Who? Who can it be? (see what I did there)  Will it be Big E?  Kofi?  Woods?  If it is Big E, you are in for a power show.  If it is Kofi, you have another high flyer.  If it is Woods, you have a complete strategist.  If the New Day wants to win the case, I would send in Woods.

The man I want to see victorious is the Destroyer, Samoa Joe.  I feel that the others will team up against him as soon as Braun is taken care of.  Look for the Miz to try to steal the win and capitalize on others effort and hard work.  

Honestly, this match can go either way, but I am sticking to my gut and picking Samoa Joe.

Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match

Another talent filled ladder match, this time for a shot at the women's title of their choice.  Last year Carmella won due to a technicality in the rules.  This year the competition is fierce.  I expect a good showing by all, but I think Becky Lynch has the fire that will drive her for the win.  Others may disagree, but I see several wrestlers who are having issues with each other like Lana and Naomi or Bliss and Sasha.  So, like I said earlier, Lynch for the win.

Raw Women’s Champion Nia Jax vs. Ronda Rousey

Nia may think she can just walk over Ronda like she has done to others, but she is in for a fight.  None of the women on Smackdown or Raw have ever faced a competitor like Ronda.  If Nia wrestles fair and keeps it legal, Ronda should walk away the new women's champion of Raw.  Something tells me that Nia has an Ace in her pocket.  Hell, it wouldn't surprise me if the Authority has plans to help Nia keep her belt.  That is the only way I see Nia remaining champion.  My pick is for Ronda, but it wouldn't surprise me if Nia cheats to win.

SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella vs. Asuka

No disrespect to Carmella, but Asuka will win hand's down.  Unless, she gets help of course.  Last year, she won MITB thanks to James.  She won the title thanks to the Iconic Duo.  So, by my math, she has to cheat to win.  The only way she walks away champion, is if she gets help from some friends.

Roman Reigns vs. Jinder Mahal

The big dog is looking for a fight and Jinder will give it to him.  When it comes to this match, the question you need to ask yourself, is Roman ready to turn heel?  The only way I see him walking away victorious is if he finds that inner enforcer like he was in the SHIELD days and just destroy everything and everyone.  I pick Jinder for the win.

Bobby Lashley vs. Sami Zayn

I am pulling for Sami in this match.  Why?  He is too talented of a wrestler to just be used as a jobber to make others look good.  I look for Sami to dig deep and kick Lashley's ass.  He is halfway there already because he has a room in Bobby's head.  If it was a match of power, Lashley would win hand's down.  But since this is a wrestling match, I look forward to Sami out-thinking Bobby.

Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins vs. Elias

These two men despise each other, that is no secret.  Elias may be on a roll and think he has what it takes to beat Rollins, but I fear he will fall short.  I pick Rollins for the win.

Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass

Big Cass is a bully and cannot keep up with the talent that is Daniel Bryan.  Daniel should win by submission, however I feel Cass will play dirty.  So, I think Daniel will win but by DQ.

SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match:

The Bludgeon Brothers vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson (Kickoff Match)

To be honest, I am pissed off that this is a kick-off match.  I mean, What the Hell?  It is for a championship.  Why couldn't the match with Sami and Bobby or Jinder and Reigns be the kick-off match?  Those matches aren't for a prize. I think it shows disrespect to the tag champs as well as the soon-to-be tag champs.  I am going to pull for the Club aka the Good Brothers to show the Tag Champs that they can take the titles at any time.  However, I feel there will be a bludgeoning which will end a DQ so the belts won't change hands.  I pick the Club for the win, but I think the championship will stay where it is.

Closing thoughts:  What the hell happened to the Raw Tag Title match?  It's not even mentioned on WWE.com as a match for MITB.  Was it deleted?  Just in case it does happen, I pick the Deleters of Worlds to take care of the B-team causing them to be WOKEN.

Saturday Showcase: Ghost

Ghost as seen in the Thunderbolt series

With all the excitement for the upcoming Ant-man & the Wasp film, I thought I would spend today focused on the villain of the film.  When you watch the trailer, you notice that the villain will be the Ghost.  For you comic book fans, you will know the Ghost was originally and Iron Man villain but it appears that the Ant-man & the Wasp film will do the Ghost justice.

Ghost's First Appearance: Iron Man #219 (1987)

What makes Ghost's character work is the mystery that surrounds him.  We all know that he was an IT specialist and we all know that due to the accident that created the Ghost, that he is anti-corporation.  A modern day Robin Hood with a twist.  Instead of giving to the poor, he just makes it so the corporations are shut down permanently.  This may explain why Ghost when from super-villain to anti-hero.  As we all know, opinions change over time.  This theory also allows why the Ghost would be after Pym.  

The Ghost as seen in Ant-man & the Wasp.

I was speaking of how the character of the Ghost has changed over the years.  He went from super-villain to a member of the anti-hero squad known as the Thunderbolts.  In the upcoming film, the Ghost is also know a woman.  Some fans may have a problem with it but personally I do not.  We need to adapt and change characters to appeal to today's audience.  I mean, who knows, maybe her dad was the original Ghost.  We will just have to wait and see.  Since we do not know a whole lot about the Ghost, anything is possible.

Thunderbolts #151

I for one am glad to see the Ghost on the big screen.  I loved the character in the pages of Iron Man and I know I will love the character in Ant-man & the Wasp.  

Until next time, get your READ on!  

As always, unleash your inner NERD!

My Picks for nXt Takeover Chicago

Tomorrow is Takeover Chicago and there is going to be a lot of great matches.  This PPV promises to outshine MITB, that is how many quality matches there are on this card.  Let's take a look.

nXt tag titles:  The Undisputed Era Vs Lorcan and Burch

I think this will be a hard fought title match but the Undisputed Era will rise to the top.  Not only are they a more focused group, they are on the same page.  I mean, Lorcan and Burch are enemies who formed a team to get gold.  The Undisputed Era will use this to their advantage and make the team of Lorcan and Burch nonexistent.

Ricochet vs. Velveteen Dream

I believe this could be the match of the night.  Both men are very talented but Ricochet has the edge and the experience that should cause him to walk away with the win.  I know there are rumors out there that Ricochet is wrestling injured, but I believe he will still make the Velveteen Dream realize that not all dreams come true.

NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler vs. Nikki Cross

Shayna is a talented and brutal fighter, but Nikki is insane.  Nikki's chaotic ways will lead to the most challenging match that Shayna will ever have.  The match is Nikki's for the taking, but in her chaotic state she could become distracted which would be the only way I see Nikki losing.  I believe Nikki should and will win the nXtWomen's Title.

Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa (Chicago Street Fight)

As much as I love and appreciate Johnny Wrestling and Ciampa, I really hope this is the last match these two have against each other.  Since it is a street fight I expect a lot of emotions and blood to be spilled.  Johnny is a great wrestler but Ciampa has proven to be fearless and has a blood lust.  This thirst is what I believe will allow Ciampa to walk away with the win.

NXT Champion Aleister Black vs. Lars Sullivan

This will be an epic championship match.  Black is a very talented striker but Lars is a monster.  I expect Lars to push Aleister to his limits, but I think the monster will tire out before getting the pin.  So, I am picking Aleister Black to successfully defend his title and walk away champion.

Comic Cover of the Week

Comic Cover of the Week

Mister Miracle #9 (Variant)

DC Comics

Cover Art by Mitch Gerads

Derf's Picks of the Week

Dark Horse

 TOMB RAIDER INFERNO #1 (OF 4)

 DC Comics

 BATMAN PRELUDE TO THE WEDDING BATGIRL VS RIDDLER#1

 HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #46

 HAWKMAN #1

 MISTER MIRACLE #9 (OF 12) (MR)

 PLASTIC MAN #1 (OF 6)

 IMAGE 

 BLOODSTRIKE #0 (MR)

 WITCHBLADE #6 (MR)

 MARVEL

 DEADPOOL ASSASSIN #1 (OF 6)

 MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE ANNUAL #1

 PUNISHER #226 

 STAR WARS DARTH VADER #17 

 STAR WARS THRAWN #5 (OF 6) 

 THOR #1 

 Valiant

 BLOODSHOT SALVATION #10

Classic Cover of the Day: Power Man #49 (1978)

Classic Cover of the Day

Power Man Vol. 1, #49 (1978)

MARVEL Comics

Saturday Showcase: Bushmaster

     Just in time for Luke Cage season 2 comes my spotlight on the main villain, Bushmaster.  Now don't get him confused with Bushman or Bushwhacker which are other notorious villains in the Marvel Universe.  No sir, my focus is on this tough son of a gun who is capable of ruining Cage's life.

    Bushmaster first appeared in 1977 in the 15th issue of the Iron Fist series.  He was created by Chris Claremont and John Byrne.  Bushmaster was born John McIver and was a powerful crime boss in the Maggia organization.  He was a crime boss who didn't mind getting his hands dirty.  In fact, he lived for it.

    In an undercover mission, Misty Knight got a little too close to Bushman which almost got her killed.  If not for Luke Cage, Misty would be dead and Harlem would be his.  Bushman and Cage had some classic battles but Bushman was wounded in a battle with Cage which eventually led to his death.  After his death, his little brother Quincy took over the Bushmaster alias but that is a story for another day.

    I look forward to seeing how they portray Bushmaster in the Cage series.  I hope the show does him justice, with an actor like Mustafa Shakir they are heading in the right direction.  

    While you are waiting for the new series of Cage to start, I recommend downloading or purchasing some old school Power Man comics to see the original battles between Cage and Bushman.  You will be glad you did.

Until next time, get your READ on!

As always, unleash your inner NERD!