Saturday Showcase: Spider-Man Doopelganger

Maximum Carnage

    With the release of Marvel's VENOM film, I thought I would showcase another baddie from the Spider-Man universe.  There is a long list of notables, that is for certain, but I wanted someone who is twisted and evil like Carnage and Venom, so I chose the Doppelganger.

    The Doppelganger first made his appearance known back in '92.  The issue of his birth was Infinity War #1 and his creators include Jim Starlin, Ron Lim, and Al Milgrom.  He became "popular" when he teamed up with Shriek and Carnage during the Maximum Carnage story-line.  That story-line was so popular, that it became a highly demanded video game with the Doppelganger as one of the level bosses.

Spider Kick!

    I feel that I am beginning to stray from the importance of the Doppelganger.  He was just truly a bad ass villain.  No one got into Spidey's head like his Doppelganger.  Why?  Because he represented what Peter feared most.  Peter always feared that his mutations where not complete and deep down inside he thought he would eventually become the monster that the Doppelganger represented.

    Another reason I love the Doppelganger is the simple fact he made for one kick ass figure.  When Toy-Biz launched the Spider-Man animated line, Doppelganger was the figure everyone wanted.  Hell, I still have mine.  I mean, look at the picture below and tell me that isn't kick ass.

    My only wish is that toy lines like Funko and Marvel Legends create new versions of the Doppelganger.  Hell, if they made him into a Funko Pop, I would buy everyone I see.  He just has that cool look.

Surprise!

    His abilities include superhuman strength, agility, stamina, reflexes and speed.The ability to adhere to solid surfaces, The ability to produce razor-sharp organic webbing and hardened talons.  This made him the perfect killing machine.  

    My wish is to someday see the Spider-Man Doppelganger on the big screen or in a new video game or app.  I would definitely love to see his return to toys as well as a possible diorama or statue.  You hear that Marvel?  Get to work!

                            Until next time, get your READ on!

X-Men: Dark Phoenix Official HD Trailer #1

R.I.P. Norm Breyfogle

Batman: Holy Terror (Elseworlds) Cover

I am deeply saddened to hear about the death of Batman artist, Norm Breyfogle.  He was truly one of the greats.  In his honor, I share his cover to one of my favorite Esleworld stories ever written, Holy Terror.

R.I.P. Norm Breyfogle

Hell in a Cell 2018 - My Picks

Roman Vs Braun

    This Hell in a Cell promises to be one of the best Hell in a Cell pay-per-views of all time.  The card is stacked full of potential show stealing moments all night night.  Let's take a look at what I think will go down.

Jeff Hardy Vs RKO

Jeff Hardy and Orton will bring their "A" game and try to delete one another.  Their is some speculation that Woken Matt Hardy may try to assist Brother Nero, but since it is a Hell in a Cell match, this may be proven difficult.  We all know that Jeff is a risk taker and this may prove to be his weakness.  I look for one hell of a match but Orton will be the one standing tall.

AJ Styles Vs Samoa Joe - WWE Championship

AJ Styles Vs Samoa Joe - WWE Championship

    Oh what a slobber knocker this will be.  These two have known each other for decades.  Joe has gotten in AJ's head, which is not good for the champ.  This match will be PHENOMENAL, but I think Samoa may just keep his promise and leave your WWE Champion.

Ronda Rousey vs. Alexa Bliss - RAW Women's Championship

    Alexa made a very bad mistake.  She and her trio injured Rousey.  Which means, Ronda will be fighting like a wounded animal.  Which means, anything goes and Ronda will stay champion.  Don't get me wrong, Alexa will give maximum effort, but Ronda will show why she is the baddest woman on the planet.

Friends now Foes

Charlotte Flair Vs Becky Lynch - Smackdown Live Women's Championship

    It was the best of times and it was the worst of times, and each time Charlotte took Becky to be an ally and not someone who is hungry for gold.  Far too long has Becky been cast aside.  I foresee the Fire burning brightly in her that will allow her to capture the gold yet again.  The match will be legendary, but the Queen shall lose her throne.

Daniel Bryan & Brie Bella vs. The Miz & Maryse

    Why is this even a match on such an epic PPV?  This is a match that should have taken place on Smackdown Live, not Hell in a Cell.  Don't get me wrong, the match will be entertaining, I just think maybe this should have been the kickoff instead of a tag title bout.  I like Miz and Daniel both, but I'm sorry Daniel, I think this match will be just too AWESOME for you or Brie to handle.

the Dogs of War Vs the Hounds of Justice

Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre Vs Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose

RAW Tag Team Championship

    Oh what a match this will be.  I believe the team of Seth and Dean willdo everything they can to burn it down.  Will Roman or Braun interfere?  Who knows?  Regardless, I think the Dogs of War will arrive as well as leave champs.

Universal Championship - Roman Reigns Vs Braun Strowman

    Honestly, this match could go either way.  The Monster among men has had Roman's number on more than one occasion.  However, this is Hell in a Cell and anything goes. So, with that said, it is going to be a fight for survival.  I know Roman got the upper hand on RAW and fans believe that is an omen that Roman will lose, but I don't think so.  I think Roman will come out victorious.  He may get some help from some hounds or maybe even a beast, but he will leave champ just like he arrived.

KICK-OFF SHOW

New Day Vs Rusev Day

    This match should have been on the main card and not the kick-off show.  That alone makes me furious.  I look for this match to be entertaining and full of surprises.  The New Day is great, but I am hoping for a Rusev Day victory.  Somehow, I think the Bar might get involved causing a DQ, but you never know.

Saturday Showcase: Nova (Richard Rider)

Nova (Richard Rider)

    Today's showcase is on a character I loved as a child, a character that I always believed to be Marvel's answer to a Green Lantern.  That man is named Nova.  The original concept of Nova started in the 60's but was later tweaked when Marv Wolfman joined forces with John Romita, Sr. to give us the Nova we all know and love in the 70's. Richard Rider aka Nova, first made his appearance in The Man Called Nova #1 by Marvel Comics (September 76 to be exact).  

    Nova has fought alongside with the Avengers, Guardians, Spider-Man, Silver Surfer, and the New Warriors.  He has fought the Yellow Claw, Skrulls, Spider-Man (long story), Thanos, Kang, and a multitude of other cosmic villains.  So needless to say when the Guardians film was announced I was super excited, only to see a Nova Corps without a Richard Rider Nova.  To say I was disappointed is an understatement.

Galactic Booty Call

    Then, I heard about the MARVEL plans for an Infinity War, and I was like and this is where Richard will make his debut, but Nooooooo!  It never happened.  Now we have Captain Marvel coming to the big screen and there will be Skrulls.  Does this mean we may at least hear a mention of Richard or his alias Nova?  I sure hope so.

    I mean let's look at the facts.  

  Team Affiliations:

United Front

New Warriors

Defenders

Champions of Xandar

Secret Avengers

Nova Corps

Panel from the Thanos Imperative

Abilities:

Flight

Superhuman strength, speed, and durability

Expert hand to hand combatant

Infinite control over the Nova Force granting energy projection and absorption

Ability to exert influence over gravitational forces and open wormholes

Nova Force at Maximum

    How the hell has he not been in a Marvel Studios film or had his own film by now?  This is ridiculous!  He fought Thanos for Pete's Sake!  What is going on in the movie world?  You want an intergalactic champion?  Instead of talking about who will replace Henry in the Superman franchise, we should talk about who is worthy of playing Richard Rider in a Nova film.  Okay, I am finished with my rant and I am officially off the soap box.

    Do yourself a favor and get yourself some issues of The Man Called Nova and Annihilation so that you can truly understand why a film is needed.

Until next time, Unleash your inner NERD...

and as always, get your READ on!

The Man Called Nova #1 (September 1976)

Happy 42nd birthday Richard!

Saturday Showcase: Footloose

Footloose sneaking up on COBRA (Vintage toy photography - Photographer Unknown)

    Today's showcase comes from my childhood and all the adventures I had in my backyard playing with my elite force of soldiers known as G.I. Joe as they stopped the terrorist organization known as COBRA.  One of my favorite Joes was Andrew "Footloose" Meyers.  As a toy, I loved his look but as a cartoon character I absolutely loved his personality.

Now with Swivel-Arm Battle Grip!

    Footloose first made his appearance in 1985 when he was released in the great G.I. Joe action figure line.  He, like so many others, then debuted as a cartoon.  He was voiced by the talented Will Ryan.  Also back in '85, Andrew made his first appearance in the Marvel G.I. Joe series, issue #37, to be exact.

   Issue #37 is one of my favorite comic covers hands down, in the G.I. Joe series.

     I just explain my love for Footloose.  He was just one of my favorite characters from the series and I always felt he could have been used more.  He should have been featured better in the films and if they ever make another one, he better be in it.

    Needless to say, I was happy when I saw his 25th Anniversary figure when the Joes started hitting shelves again.  I was also ecstatic when I first saw his card in the G.I. Joe Battleground app. (BTW I wish that game was still around.)

Footloose as seen in G.I. Joe Battleground

    I could give you more facts about Andrew "Footloose" Meyers, but I figured I would let his File Card say the rest.  Until next time, unleash your inner NERD!

Yo Joe!

Code Name: Footloose