Derf's Picks of the Week (October 22, 2025)

 

It's a new week which means new treats.

Will this week be better than last week?

I guess we need to look and see.

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BOOM!

Hello Halloween #1

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Halloween Special #1

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DARK HORSE

Star Wars: Tales from the Nightlands #2

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DC COMICS

Detective Comics #1102

Green Arrow #29

Green Lantern #28

Green Lantern Dark #7

Immortal Legend Batman #3

Justice League Unlimited #12

Superman #31

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DYNAMITE

SilverHawks #9

Space Ghost #4

The Terminator: Metal #1

ThunderCats: Lost #7

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IDW

Sonic the Hedgehog: Chaotix's 30th Anniversary Special #1

Star Trek: Voyager – Homecoming #2

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #12

TMNT: Saturday Morning Adventures #30

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IMAGE

Deadly Tales of the Gunslinger Spawn #10

Gunslinger Spawn #48

King Spawn #50

Skinbreaker #2

Universal Monsters: The Invisible Man #3

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MARVEL

Fantastic Four #4

The Last Wolverine #1

Miles Morales: Spider-Man #39

Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu #13

Predator: Black, White & Blood #4

Predator Kills the Marvel Universe #3

Star Wars: Jedi Knights #8

The Ultimates #17

Ultimate Spider-Man #22

Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion #5

The Undead Iron Fist #2

X-Men: Book of Revelation #1

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Well, that's it for this week.

Until next time, get your READ on!

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Comic Cover of the Week

Justice League Unlimited #12 (Variant)

DC Comics

Cover Art by Derrick Chew 

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!

Saturday Showcase: the Toyman

(Toyman by Alex Ross)

    Since Christmas is only 2 days away, I figured I should do a Saturday Showcase that sorta relates to the holiday.  So, I started thinking that the materialistic world of Christmas is all about the toys so why not discuss the Toyman?  So let's begin our discussion. 

    The Toyman has been a favorite villain of mine since seeing him as a member of the Legion of Doom on the popular Challenge of the Superfriends cartoon.  I always thought he was one of  Flash's rogues until I did some "research" and realized he was originally a villain for Superman.

(Action Comics #64, September 1943)

       The Toyman has gone by many names in his life in the comics.  The original Toyman was Winslow Schott created by Don Cameron and Ed Dobrotka.  Then their was Jack Nimball, who I was first introduced to, created by Cary Bates and Curt Swan.  Later, the Toyman name would be used by Hiro Okamura created by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuiness.  Even though Winslow is the most published and popular, I still like the style of Jack Nimball the best.

(Toyman aka Jack Nimball)

   What made Toyman so dangerous was his toys of course.  Without them some would consider him to be a pitiful excuse for a human.  In fact if you look on Wikipedia under abilities, it states mechanical genius manifested through destructive toys.  

    His team affiliations is an impressive list as well.  Besides the Legion of Doom, the Toyman has been affiliated with the Superman Revenge Squad, the Super Foes, the Society, and the Injustice League.  He may seem to be a team player with a list like that, but he is most dangerous when he is alone.

(Toyman, Jack Nimble, takes care of some security guards during a heist.)

    Sure, the Toyman character has had success in comics, cartoons, and as of recently toys, but I feel there is more there.  I know he was used in Smallville, but I feel the Toyman needs to cause havoc on the DC shows that are out there ruling the airwaves.  I would love to see a crossover event where Arrow, Supergirl, and the Flash have to team-up to stop him, hopefully Jack Nimble.  However you see it or say it, the world needs more TOYMAN.

    Until next time Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday, and get your READ on!

DC Comics Robot Chicken Special

Justice League: Doom

Today I would like to review the animated film, Doom starring the Justice League from DC Comics.  First of all let me say I am a big fan of the animated movies from DC Comics, but this was not my favorite film that they have released recently.  Don't get me wrong, it was a decent film and the animation as well as voices were astonishing, but when I think of the Legion of Doom I think of Bizarro, Grundy, and Sinestro.  I understand that they were trying to have villains for the team members they showed, but if you are going to have Hal Jordan as the Green Lantern, you need to have Sinestro as his nemesis in the Legion.  I am not a big fan of Cyborg being in the league but it really did fit for the film.  I would have love to seen Aquaman though. 
All in all the film is worth a viewing.I do not want to give the story away so I will not go into detail of the plot.  I will say however, the Green Lantern effects and Bane scenes were great!  I give this film a strong 7 out of 10.  Like I said earlier, it is not my favorite DC animated film, but it is good none the less.

Flashpoint: Legion of Doom

I will be the first to admit I do not like where DC is going with the conclusion of Flashpoint.  We have all seen how the story are going to change as well as the looks of our favorite DC heroes.  No one is safe, not even Superman.  Well, I was looking at my favorite comic store on ebay (Horizon Comics) and I saw the cover for the Flashpoint: Legion of Doom.  I have always been a fan of the Legion of Doom so I decided to check the book out just to see where it would lead and I have to admit, I liked the story.  I loved how the focus was on the villain Heatwave, who as we know was never mentioned in the Legion back in the day, and his troubles after Cyborg locked him up.  What I really loved was how, Plastic Man came into the fold.  What role does he play in the L.O.D.?  We will just have to wait and see until issue #2 hits the shelves.  Although I am against the changes, I will continue to read this title just for the pure joy of a great Legion of Doom story.  Enjoy boys and girls!

Check out how bad ass Plastic Man is looking.

              

                                                                                                       

 I love the L.O.D. logo!

Born on Monday ~ Solomon Grundy sketch

I do not know why that on Valentine's Day, I decided to draw a sketch of Solomon Grundy.  I guess it was the fact that today was Monday.  Who knows? 

"Swamp of the Living Dead"

Great Superfriends episode