Saturday Showcase: John Stewart

    Today marks the last Saturday Showcase spotlight for Black History Month, so I decided to end with my favorite African-American hero of all time.  I chose Green Lantern Corps member, John Stewart.  I know he is used more than past Saturday Showcases have been, but I feel his story is still important.

    We were first introduced to John Stewart back in the '70's (December '71/January '72 to be precise).  His first appearance was in Green Lantern #87 and he was created by Neil Adams and Dennis O'Neal.  He is noted as being DC Comics's first black superhero.  He was created at a time when a positive role model was needed.  Why should all the heroes be white?  It wasn't right!  So Neal went to then editor Julius Schwartz to pitch his idea and John Stewart was born.

    One thing I always loved about John is that he spoke his mind.  He was the first lantern to say no to a mask.  He had nothing to hide.  He was a black hero and not a villain so why hide his face?  Exactly!  Hal may be the most popular lantern, but in my opinion, John is the most loved.  That is why I feel that it is the John Stewart lantern than shows up in the cartoons and animated films of the past few decades.

    Another reason I love John, is the simple fact that he represents the military. It is no secret that John served as a sniper in combat.  His experience as a sniper has come in handy as a Green Lantern and has saved many lives.  In the Blackest Night saga alone he can be credited with saving thousands of lives with his quick thinking and sniper skills.

    In a world full of villains, it is nice to turn to comics and find heroes that inspire us to do right.  John is such an inspiration to all, not just the African-American community but all.  I have always felt that John could be the Lantern that the DC films needs to concentrate on.  I would pay to see a stand alone John Stewart Lantern film or a Justice League film with John in t.  With the success of the Black Panther, the time is NOW!

    Until Next time, get your READ on!

Cover of the Week

Cover of the Week

 the Mighty Thor #704

 MARVEL 

 Cover Art by Russell Dauterman

Derf's Picks for February 21, 2018

BOOM! 

 Kong on the Planet of the Apes #4

 Lucas Stand Inner Demons #1 (of 6) (MR)

 WWE #14

 Dark Horse

 Hellboy & B.P.R.D. 1955 Burning Season (One-Shot)

 Mata Hari #1 (MR)

 DC Comics

 Batman Sins of the Father #1 (of 6)

 Batman Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #4 (of 6)

 Brave & the Bold: Batman & Wonder Woman #1 (of 6

 Damage #2

 Wonder Woman Conan #6 (of 6)

 MARVEL

 Deadpool vs. Old Man Logan (2017-2018) #5 (of 5)

 Doctor Strange Damnation #1 (of 5)

 Mighty Thor #704

 Punisher: The Platoon (2017-2018) #6 (of 6) (MR)

 Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2016-) #17

Until next time, get your READ on!

Classic Cover of the Day - Saturday Showcase Edition

Classic Cover of the Day

the Uncanny X-men Vol. 1, #119

MARVEL

Saturday Showcase: Moses Magnum

    This week's Saturday Showcase is dedicated to the first villain that I thought really kicked ass and his name was Moses Magnum.  You have to understand, when I was a child Marvel was on top of the world and I was really into Spider-man, the Uncanny X-men and the Punisher titles.  So, when I see this dude debut in a Spider-man title and then beat up on the X-men, my mind was blown.  I am still confused to this day why they did not keep Moses around.

   Moses Magnum got his start back in '75 in the Giant Size Spider-Man #4.  He was created by Gerry Conway and Ross Andru. In this issue, Moses is an arms dealer who battles Spider-Man and the Punisher.  At the end of the issue, the Punisher exposed him to chemical weapons, but as we find out he lives to fight again.  As a result of this encounter with costumed heroes, Magnum takes matter into his own hands and fights any hero that stands in his way.  This list is not short list, but some of the big names are Luke Cage, Black Panther, Deathlok, and the X-men.

    Why the X-men?  Well, it turns out that Moses had some help from none other than Apocalypse (Image Above)  in reaching his full potential.  He stood toe to toe with Colossus and actually knocked him on his ass. (Image Below)

        I am really sad at how Marvel handled such a wonderful character that is Moses Magnum.  I would love to read a recent issue of the Punisher or the Defenders and see Moses pop up.  Hell, it would be cool to see him appear in the Netflix universe.  One can dream.  What it comes down to is that Moses Magnum is a bad man and he could take on anyone.  Marvel needs to bring him back in the fold.

First Appearance:

Giant Size Spider-Man #4 

April 1975

MARVEL

Abilities:

Releasing Seismic energy through his fingertips, 

using it to create earthquakes or shockwaves.

Until next time, get your READ on!

Comic Cover of the Week (February 14, 2018)

Comic Cover of the Week

the Power of the Dark Crystal #11

BOOM! Studios

Cover Art by Sana Takeda

Derf's Picks of the Week

Saturday Showcase: Man-Ape

    The Marvel Studios film, Black Panther, will be released in 6 days.  I thought their is no better way to show some love by doing my Saturday Showcase on someone from the world of the Black Panther.  Of course as you know, my goal in my Saturday Showcases are to spotlight those characters who I think we should hear more of and not necessarily the main stars.

    M'Baku was born in Wakanda, Africa and was a fierce warrior second only to the Black Panther.  M'Baku disagreed with the direction was going and joined the White Gorilla Cult in attempt to overthrow the reign of the Black Panther.  He killed a White Gorilla and bathed in it's blood which appeared to increase not only his strength but his agility.  To honor the slain gorilla, he skinned it and wore his fur into battle.  M'Baku became the White Gorilla and he is in a constant mission to overthrow T'Challa and takeover control of Wakanda.

    In his attempts to stop the Black Panther, the Man-Ape has even taken on the Avengers.  When he realized that a group of heroes was a little too much for him, he joined up with the Grim Reaper and his Lethal Legion.  After several failed attempts of stopping the Avengers, Man-Ape clashed with the Reaper and headed back to Wakanda to plot his next move.

   Man-Ape has made a few changes through the years, but the major change that fans will notice in the Black Panther film is the disappearance of the Gorilla Head  and chest piece of his costume.  In fact, he will not even go by the name the Man-Ape but only be known as M'Baku.  I can understand the flim maker's decision on changing that aspect of M'Baku's appearance with PETA and other organizations that may protest, but I don't understand why he can't use the name Man-Ape.  However, I am excited to see M'Baku's presence on teh screen and I know that Winston Duke will do justice to M'Baku and bring the great warrior to life.

Until next time, get your READ on! 

Oh, and as always, unleash your inner NERD!

First Appearance:

Avengers #62 (March '69)

Created by: Roy Thomas and John Buscema