Derf's Picks of the Week (May 20, 2026)

 

Greetings fellow Comic Book Nerds!

I apologize for my absence, 

but I broke my arm and it has taken me a while 

to get back in the swing of things.

Here are my picks for this week.

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DARK HORSE

Cyberpunk 2077: Chrome #3

Usagi Yojimbo: Kaitō '84 #3

Young Hellboy: Thrilling Sky Adventures #1

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DC COMICS

Absolute Green Arrow #1

Batman / Superman: World's Finest #51

Lobo #3

Superman Unlimited #13

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DYNAMITE

Mumm-Ra the Ever-Living #2

Thundarr the Barbarian #4

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IDW

Star Trek: The Last Starship #7

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder #8

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IMAGE

The Darkness #5

G.I. Joe #22

Gunslinger Spawn #54

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MARVEL

Alias: Red Band #3

The Amazing Spider-Man #29

Fantastic Four #11

Inglorious X-Force #5

Moonstar #3

Predator: Bloodshed #4

Punisher #4

Rogue #5

Ultimate Impact: Reborn #1

Venom #258

Wolverine: Weapons of Armageddon #4

X-Men United #3

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Well that is all for this week.

Until next time, get your READ on!

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Comic Cover of the Week

Wolverine: Weapons of Armageddon #4 (Variant)

MARVEL 

Cover Art by Fabrizio De Tommaso

Derf's Picks of the Week (July 30, 2025)

 

Where has all the time gone?

It's the end of July already.

I'm looking forward to see what August has to offer,

but let's see how July ends this week.

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DARK HORSE

Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories – Tides of Terror #1

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DC COMICS

Batman: The Long Halloween – The Last Halloween #8

DC's Kal-El-Fornia Love #1

DC x Sonic the Hedgehog #5

The Flash #23

Gotham City Sirens: Unfit for Orbit #5

Justice League: Dark Tomorrow Special #1

Nightwing 2025 Annual #1

Titans 2025 Annual #1

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DYNAMITE

Space Ghost / Jonny Quest: Space Quest #3

ThunderCats: Lost #4

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IDW

Godzilla vs. America: Boston #1

Sonic the Hedgehog #80

TMNT: Best Of - Renet #1

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IMAGE

Medieval Spawn #4

Sam and Twitch: Case Files #16

The Scorched #43

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MARVEL

Bring on the Bad Guys: Loki #1

Savage Wolverine #1

Spider-Man vs. the Sinister Sixteen #1

Spider-Man & Wolverine #3

Star Wars: The High Republic – The Finale #1

The Thing #3

The Ultimates #14

Ultimate Spider-Man #19

Werewolf by Night: Blood Moon Rise #1

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Well, that wraps up July!

Until next time, get your READ on!

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Comic Cover of the Week

Spiderman & Wolverine #3

MARVEL

Cover Art by Kaare Andrews

Derf's Picks of the Week (May 14)

 

Greetings Boys and Girls and Nerds of all ages!

It's Wednesday and you know what that means.

NEW COMICS!!!

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DARK HORSE

Usagi Yojimbo: Ten Thousand Plums #3

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DC COMICS

Absolute Batman #8

Action Comics #1086

Aquaman #5

Batman: Dark Patterns #6

DC vs. Vampires: World War V #9

Green Lantern Corps #4

Supergirl #1

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DYNAMITE

SilverHawks #4

Space Ghost #12

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IDW

Godzilla: Here There Be Aliens #1

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Nation #6

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IMAGE

Energon Universe 2025 Special #1

Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #1

King Spawn #45

Spawn #364

Transformers #20

Witchblade #11

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MARVEL

Daredevil #21

Doctor Strange of Asgard #3

Godzilla vs. X-Men #1

Gwenpool #1

Miles Morales: Spider-Man #33

One World Under Doom #4

Phoenix #11

Red Hulk #4

The Spectacular Spider-Men #15

Spider-Verse vs. Venomverse #1

Star Wars: Jedi Knights #3

Thunderbolts: Doomstrike #4

Ultimate Black Panther #16

Ultimate X-Men #15

Uncanny X-Men #14

Wolverine #9

X-Factor #10

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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

Wolverine #9 (VARIANT)

MARVEL

Cover Art by Rod Reis

Derf's Picks of the Week (09/11/24)

 

Even Hurricane Francine couldn't keep me away. 

Sure she delayed me a little bit,

 but you still got my picks before week's end.

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DARK HORSE

Masters of the Universe: Revolution #4

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DC COMICS

Absolute Power: Task Force VII #6

Batman '89: Echoes #4

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age #4

DC vs. Vampires: World War V #2

Green Lantern #15

Nightwing: Uncovered #1

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DYNAMITE

Jonny Quest #2

Space Ghost #5

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IDW

Godzilla vs. the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers II #5

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2

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IMAGE

Geiger #6

The Scorched #33

Transformers #12

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MARVEL

The Amazing Spider-Man #57

Fantastic Four #25

Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #5

Spider-Man: Reign 2 #3

Star Wars #50

Star Wars: Inquisitors #3

Ultimate Black Panther #8

Uncanny X-Men #2

Vengeance of the Moon Knight #9

Venom #37

Venom: Separation Anxiety #5

Venom War: Carnage #2

Venom War: Wolverine #1

Venomverse Reborn #4

Wolverine #1

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Well, that is all I have for this week.

I hope you found something that caught your interest.

Until next time, get your READ on!

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Comic Cover of the Week

Wolverine #1 (Variant)

MARVEL

Cover Art by Patrick Gleason

Deadpool & Wolverine (Official Trailer)

In Theatres July 26,2024

Derf's Picks of the Week (02/07/24)

 

New Month, New Week, New Day, New Comics

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BOOM!

Ghostlore #8

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return #1

Pine and Merrimac #2

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DARK HORSE

Count Crowley: Mediocre Midnight Monster Hunter #2

Time Traveler Tales #3

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DC COMICS

Batman #142

The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #2

Birds of Prey #6

DC's How to Lose a Guy Gardner in 10 Days #1

Fire & Ice: Welcome to Smallville #6

Kneel Before Zod #2

Superman '78: The Metal Curtain #4

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DYNAMITE

Thundercats #1

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IDW

Godzilla: Valentines Day Special #1

Star Trek: Defiant #11

TMNT: Saturday Morning Adventures #10

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IMAGE

Gunslinger Spawn #28

The One Hand #1

Rogue Sun #18

Saucer Country: The Finale #1

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MARVEL

Alien #4

The Avengers #10

Captain America #6

Daredevil: Gang War #3

Doctor Strange #12

Fantastic Four #17

Star Wars: Mace Windu #1

Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi #5

Wolverine: Madripoor Knights #1

X-Men #31

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Until next time, get your READ on!

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Comic Cover of the Week

Superman '78: The Metal Curtain #4 (VARIANT)

DC COMICS

Cover Art by Steve Epting

Derf's Picks of the Week (5/10/23)

Wednesday + Another Week = New Comic Book Fun!

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DC COMICS

Batman Incorporated #8

Batman: White Knight Presents - Generation Joker #1

Danger Street #6

Green Lantern #1

WildC.A.T.s #7

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IDW

Godzilla Rivals: Biollante Vs. Destoroyah #1

Star Trek: Defiant #3

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IMAGE

Junkyard Joe #6

Something Epic #1

Spawn #341

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MARVEL

The Amazing Spider-Man #25

Captain Marvel #49

Cosmic Ghost Rider #3

Daredevil #11

Extreme Venomverse #1

Cosmic Ghost Rider #3

I Am Iron Man #3

The Invincible Iron Man #6

Spider-Man 2099: Dark Genesis #2

Star Wars: Darth Vader #34

Star Wars: The High Republic #9

Wolverine #33

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Until next time, get your READ on!

Random Questions with Jon McCarthy

Back in June of this year, I interviewed my friend and comic writer Jon about his comic Endangered.  Well, issue #2 hits newsstands today and I wanted to share some random questions asked in a speed round format with Jon while conducting our interview.  If you have not read the interview or you just want to enjoy reading it again, click here.  After reading this, make sure you pick up the second issue of Endangered.  If you haven't checked it out yet, make sure to pick up the first issue as well.

1. Favorite superhero?

Tie between Spider-Man and Invincible

2. DC or Marvel?

Although I enjoy both, I’ve always been more of a Marvel guy. They’re heroes were the first ones I fell in love with and my oldest son is named Logan.

3. Favorite Film?

I’m a movie buff, so naming one is too hard. Here are a few off the top of my head. Empire Strikes Back, Pulp Fiction, Unforgiven, Aliens, The Thing, and Predator.

4. Favorite Villain?

Of all time? I’d say Darth Vader.

5. Favorite Artist?

Comics? Probably John Romita Sr and Bernie Wrightson. Of course Ron Joseph is a default answer lol.

6. Favorite Writer?

Robert Kirkman for Invincible.

7. Favorite TV Series?

Breaking Bad, First four seasons of Game of Thrones, Mr. Inbetween, Atlanta, and, most recently, Arcane.

8. Favorite Insect?

Now we’re talking! The pill bug, aka Rollie Pollie.

9. Favorite Actor or Actress?

Probably Leonardo DiCaprio or Gary Oldman.

10. Guilty Pleasure?

Fortnite

11. Favorite Snack?

Either chips and queso or boiled peanuts

12. Favorite Comic Issue and Why?

Frank Miller and Chris Claremont’s Wolverine #1. I have very vivid memories of seeing that cover for the first time and being blown away. That book is WHY my oldest son is named, Logan. After reading it as a 10 year old, I remember asking my mom if I could change my name to Logan. When she said no, I swore to her that one day, I would have a son and his name would be Logan and there was nothing she could do to stop it. Fast forward 18 years and Logan McCarthy was born.

Derf's Picks of the Week (May 11, 2022)

DC COMICS

I Am Batman #9

Justice League vs. The Legion of Super-Heroes #3

Suicide Squad: Get Joker! #3

IDW

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #292

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero - Saturday Morning Adventures #3

The Kill Lock: The Artisan Wraith #3

Transformers: Last Bot Standing #1

IMAGE

The Scorched #5

Spawn #329

MARVEL

Captain America: Symbol of Truth #1

Hulk vs. Thor: Banner of War Alpha #1

Moon Knight: Black, White, & Blood #1

Looks like a lite week for reading.

Until next time, get your READ on!

Comic Conversations: Wolverine: Patch #1

 

It's time for another round of Comic Conversations.  Today, we will go down memory lane when Logan was known as Patch and he was a silent partner with Tyger Tiger of the Princess Bar in Madripoor.  we were first introduced to this persona of Wolverine back in the late '80s. For those of you who may not been born at the time, let's look at the content page Marvel was nice enough to include in issue #1.

The first issue starts off with some suspicious activity going down in the jungle.  Which has some of the locals, human and animal, very nervous.  When you turn the page, we are in the Princess Bar,  while Patch and Archie enjoy a drink to was away their cares.  It is then they are offer a job that they cannot refuse.  What's the job?  Well, you will have to read the issue to get the full details but let's just say it might be related to what is spoking the locals.

As they are flying around and doing recon,  they discover a downed Russian plane in the jungle.  Before they could get too close, a couple of jets surround them and ask them to land on what you can see is a S.H.I.E.L.D. Hellicarrier.  It turns out the boys accidentally found themselves in a secret ops led by Nick Fury.

Well, Fury let's them go with a warning.  Like a warning is going to  stop Logan, lol.  As they fly away, Patch jumps out the plane to see what he can find.  Besides a couple of broken bones, he comes across some heavy hitters that give him a run for his money.  After an intense fight,  the two heavy hitters leave Logan for dead.  What they don't know is, Patch has a healing factor.  He had wounded one in the battle and once they are gone, he gets up and proceeds to  follow the blood trail.

What will happen next?  Well, we have to stay tuned until issue #2 to see what fate awaits Patch.  This issue has set up nicely what potentially could be the best Wolverine story in years.  Patch was always a fan favorite and bringing us a storyline that deals with an adventure in Madripoor is what we needed.

I give this issue a 4 out of 5 rating.  It would have gotten a full 5 if there was just a little more action.  There wasn't enough Slice 'N' Dice for me.

Until next time, get your READ on!

Derf's Picks of the Week (March 9, 2022)

DC COMICS

Batman: Urban Legends #13

Detective Comics #1056

Future State: Gotham #11

I Am Batman #7

The Joker #13

Justice League vs. The Legion of Super-Heroes #2

Superman Vs. Lobo #3

Trial of the Amazons #1

DYNAMITE

Draculina #2

Elvira Meets Vincent Price #5

Evil Ernie #4

IDW

Kill Lock: The Artisan Wraith #1

IMAGE

Little Monsters #1

Radiant Red #1

Spawn #327

MARVEL

The Amazing Spider-Man #92

Captain Carter #1

Devil's Reign #5

Devil's Reign: Moon Knight #1

Punisher #1

Sabretooth #2

Star Wars: Han Solo & Chewbacca #1

Until next time, get your READ on!

Derf's Picks of the Week (March 2, 2022)

 

I hope you MARCH to your local comic shop and pick up some of these great titles.

BOOM!

Jim Henson's The Storyteller: Shapeshifters #1

Magic: The Gathering #12

DARK HORSE

Manor Black: Fire in the Blood #2

Radio Spaceman #1

DC C0MICS

Batman #121

Batman: Killing Time #1

Dark Knights of Steel #5

Dark Knights of Steel: The Gathering Storm #1

Detective Comics #1055

IDW

Transformers: Beast Wars #13

IMAGE

Crossover #12

Nocterra #8

Rogue Sun #1

MARVEL

Alien #10

The Amazing Spider-Man #91

Captain America / Iron Man #4

Devil's Reign: Spider-Man #1

Devil's Reign: X-Men #2

Fantastic Four #41

Moon Knight #9

She-Hulk #2

Star Wars #21

Strange #1

The Thing #5

What If… Miles Morales #1

X-Men #9

Well that's my list for the first week of March 2022.

I hope you saw something you will enjoy!

Until next time, get your READ on!

Derf's Picks of the Week (February 2, 2022)

FIRST BOOKS OF FEBRUARY

DC COMICS

Arkham City: The Order of the World #5

Batman #120

Dark Knights of Steel #4

Detective Comics #1051

Justice League Incarnate #4

Suicide Squad #12

IDW

Transformers: King Grimlock #5

IMAGE

Geiger 80-Page Giant #1

Spawn #326

MARVEL

Alien #9

The Amazing Spider-Man #88

Fantastic Four: Reckoning War Alpha #1

Sabretooth #1

Savage Spider-Man #1

Shang-Chi #8

Star Wars: Crimson Reign #2

The Thing #4

X Lives of Wolverine #2

X-Men: Legends #11

Tune-in next week to see what other goodies I recommend.

Until next time, get your READ on!

Saturday Showcase: Razor-Fist

Razor-Fist

    My mind has been wandering lately about the Marvel Universe and the limitless possibilities for villains in there upcoming endeavors, especially for original programming for the Disney + streaming service.  I come to the conclusion that instead of fighting the same old villains, the heroes should have new and improved versions from Marvel's past.

    Let's take the assassin known as Razor-Fist for example.  Today's Marvel follower may have never heard of him, but he has fought such icons as Captain America, the Master of Kung Fu, and Wolverine.  So, it is only natural to think he would be  a good fit for the future plans of Marvel Studios whether it be for TV or the big screen.

1st Appearance

   Let's get to know all about Razor-Fist shall we.  There have actually been 3 characters, all virtually identical in appearance and ability, to go by this title. The original Razor Fist was killed off in the comic books in the '70's. The next two characters to take the title were brothers. The current Razor Fist is the only surviving brother.

    The first Razor-Fist was a man named William Young.  He was an assassin, bodyguard, and enforcer employed by Carlton Velcro, working at Velcro's estate on the coast of the Gulf of Lions, southern France. Razor Fist battled Shang-Chi, and was accidentally shot to death by Carlton Velcro's guards during the battle.

    The second Razor-Fist was Douglas Scott.  He was called Razor-Fist because of his fast punches, this man and his brother took the same title and pretended to be only one person. Each brother lost one hand in a car accident, which were subsequently replaced by long knife-like stabbing weapons by Carlton Velcro. Velcro employed the brothers at his mansion on an island in the Marquesas. The brothers were assigned by Velcro to hunt down Shang-Chi and Pavane. This Razor-Fist was accidentally shot to death by Velcro.  (Are we sensing a pattern here?)

    The third a final Razor-Fist is William Scott, Douglas's brother.  This version of Razor-Fist is the one I am more familiar with because he fought Wolverine back in the Marvel Comics Presents series.  Razor-Fist was working for the crime lord Roche in Madripoor, and was assigned to kill Wolverine. With the assistance of a mutant pseudo-vampire, he overpowered Wolverine and was able to knock the weakened Wolverine off a cliff. The mutant, Sapphire Styx, had drained all of Wolverine's strength with her vampiric powers.  When next they fought, Wolverine barely beat him and appeared to kill him. Razor Fist's recovery from this seemingly fatal encounter has never been explained.

the Death of Razor-Fist?

   I hope you find my post helpful.  If anything, I hope I was able to introduce you to a new character that would work on the big or small screen.  Until next time, get your READ on!

First Appearance:

• (William Young) Master of Kung Fu #29 (June, 1975)
• (Douglas Scott) Master of Kung Fu #105 (October, 1981)
• (William Scott) Master of Kung Fu #105 (October, 1981)

Created by:

• Doug Moench
• Paul Gulacy

Abilities:

• Extensively trained hand to hand combatants and martial artists
• Peak-level physical attributes
• Hands replaced by steel blades

Saturday Showcase: Bloodscream

    For this Saturday Showcase, I want to discuss one of my favorite Wolverine villains from the '80's.  The villain in questions is Bloodscream. Bloodscream originally debuted as Bloodsport back in 1989 in Wolverine Vol. 2 #4.  He was created by Chris Claremont and John Buscema.  He made is debut along with Roughouse to attack Patch aka Wolverine in Madripoor.  Why does he attack Logan?  Well to know that you need to know his story.

First appearance of Bloodsport aka Bloodscream and Roughouse.

    Bloodscream was born in England in the 16th century.  As a young adult, he served as a naval surgeon in Sir Francis Drake's pirate fleet between 1577 and 1580.  He is critically injured in battle and brought before Dagoo, a necromancer, to save his life.  In the process of saving his life, Dagoo made Bloodscream into a vampire-like being.  Before killing Dagoo, he learns that the only way to reverse the transformation is to use the blood of an immortal.  (See where I am going?)

    Fast forward to World War II...Bloodscream is now an officer of Nazi Forces. During the battle of Normandy, he  comes across a Canadian soldier known as Logan.  Bloodscream gets wounded and is left for dead.  Years later, while in Madripoor, Bloodscream comes across Logan again and notices that Logan has not aged.  He assumes that Logan is the key ingredient to cure him of his immortality.  Well, little did he know that Wolverine had some tricks up his sleeve besides a damn good healing factor.  Several battles are fought, but Wolverine stands tall and Bloodscream is forced to vanish into the shadows...for now.

Healing Factor

    Bloodscream's powers and abilities include superhuman strength, speed, stamina, agility and reflexes. He also has a regenerative healing factor which causes him to have an extended lifespan. He has a limited shape-shifting ability as well as the ability to drain blood from victims by touching their skin with his hand.  Since he has fought in many wars, he is a good hand to hand combatant.  He also created many underworld connections.  I guess you can have a lot of connections if you live forever.

    Bloodscream eventually returns to the Marvel universe to take on teh X-men, Avengers, Reavers, and many, many more.  Bloodscream has met his death in many fashions.  Some notable deaths were a beheading by Typhoid Mary and basically an explosion caused by Ant-Man.  Of course Bloodscream cannot be killed.  He just pulls himself together and returns to the fight once he is healed.

Death by Ant-Man

    I hope you have enjoyed this spotlight on Bloodscream.  If you are not familiar with the character, I suggest you try to get your hands on some classic issues of Wolverine to see the being known as Bloodscream.

Until next time, get your READ on!

Marvel Universe Handbook

R.I.P. Len Wein

One of my favorite comic writers/creators has passed.  Len Wein was the mastermind behind characters such as Swamp Thing and Wolverine.  More importantly, he did some pf the best writing that Marvel and DC has ever seen.  I will do a more detailed post in the future, but for now I will share an ad from on of his great comic story runs from DC Comics...the Blue Beetle.

Classic Cover of the Day - Uncanny X-men #234

Classic Cover of the Day - MARVELous Monday Edition

Uncanny X-Men Vol. 1 #234

Marvel Comics

Still on of my favorite covers of all times.

The Ultimate What If?

What if Wolverine was a Saiyan?

That would be bad ass!

Thanks to Steven Oaks for sharing his artwork.

http://siriussteve.deviantart.com/

Books Worth Reading: Savage Wolverine

Check out my thoughts of the Savage Wolverine comic series over at somewhatnerdy.

http://somewhatnerdy.com/home/books-worth-reading-savage-wolverine/

MARVELous Monday

Have a MARVELous Monday!