Are Cena and Orton the next Flair and Steamboat?

Once again I deviate from the normal comics and games discussion to focus on one of my other passions: wrestling. Two days ago, one of the biggest PPVs of the year happened. WWE's Royal Rumble. Alas, I have not watched the Rumble 2017 yet but I did learn Cena became 16th time World Heavyweight Champion and Randy Orton won the Rumble match itself.


Both outcomes elicited groans from me. Was originally going to provide a quick mini-rant but then I got to thinking. What if John Cena and Randy Orton are the modern equivalent of Ric "The Nature Boy" Flair and Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat?


Okay, if Cena didn't just equal Flair's record of 16 World Championships I never would have that of it. But, as of Sunday, he has. Like Flair carried the NWA, and Jim Crockett Promotions, for years, Cena has been, to quote A.J. Styles, the face that runs the place for years. He's the WWE go to guy when they're busy not creating new stars.


What's that you say? There's a brand split again. By being the WWE 2017 Royal Rumble winner he can challenge the Raw champion? Why, yes Orton could. The preferable option in my opinion actually.


However, the WWE is incredibly nostalgic. Especially around WrestleMania time. If there is one feud among active wrestlers that has lasted the longest it's the feud between John Cena and Randy Orton. Which is the other reason why I state that Cena and Orton could be considered the modern day Flair/Steamboat rivalry. No other duo has wrestled each other as frequently. The one difference being, unlike Steamboat, Orton has one several championships off Cena. Randy Orton could one day win as many world championships as Flair and now Cena.


So there's the chance beyond nostalgia of WWE pushing for the 'Mania storyline of Orton trying to tie with Cena.


Although my WrestleMania match prediction goes out the window if WWE want both men to be champions at the same time. Kevin Owens has been the Raw champ for quite some time. Could easily see him becoming the sacrificial lamb at WWE's biggest PPV of the year. Furthermore, there's rumblings of Cena and Undertaker finally squaring off in the ring. What better place than WrestleMania? Okay, I would love to see Cena vs. 'Taker.


Regardless if Orton chooses Cena at 'Mania, they are bound to square off once more. Thus, firmly entrenching their long rivalry in the eyes of the fans. One day, even fans such as myself will look back and wax on about Cena/Orton.


Next time.

My Thoughts on Comic Book and Misc News of January 2017 Part One

My look at how quickly time flies. Was the beginning of the month since I last blogged. Plus I never did write my final installment of my 12ish Days of Blogging! As usual, life and burnout happens. After a couple days past the sixth, I decided my official final chapter just wasn't to be. Fret not the promised review is still forthcoming. In the meantime, I decided to get back in the swing of things with commentary on various news tidbits in the world of comic books and maybe some genre and RPG stuff too.


Sworn into office holding Captain America's shield - An elected official sworn into office holding Captain America's shield! Very, very cool. Politics can be quite heavy so some levity is always nice one in awhile.


Actual X-Men in upcoming X-Men Show - If there was one disappointing strike against Marvel's Agents of SHIELD show was that appearances from the characters that appeared in the movies turned out be much, much rarer than many expected. So kudos to those behind the upcoming X-men television series from FOX announcing actual X-Men will appear in the show. They're just coy about whom. Okay, fine. As long as the show doesn't wait until Episode 6 for Maggot to appear...


Avengers Project - Upcoming Marvel games courtesy of Square Ennix? Cool. I'd comment more but I, er, couldn't get the video to load...


Did Princess Leia's mission change? - Must confess I was too busy fan-boying at Leia's appearance in Rogue One to be bothered by the inconsistency in her mission. Here's the reason for the change or if you want to take the long path the novelization explains as well.


Uh, oh Game of Thrones cast getting into trouble - While filming for seventh season of Game of Thrones, the cast and crew got into trouble for not having any off-road permits for filming in Iceland. Who says there isn't bureaucracy north of the Wall?


MET: Werewolf Errata - By Night Studios released a shiny version of Werewolf for Live-Action Role-play. As is the case in the gaming industry nowadays, here's the errata. Did pick up a copy of the ebook recently so I'll comment more on that and the recent errata once I get around to writing a review...


Starlin has earned more in royalties for KGBeast?! - Recently, comics creator Jim Starlin, creator of Thanos, Drax, and Gamora, announced he's earned more on royalties from KGBeast than his Marvel creations. Say what?! KGBeast was in Batman vs Superman?! Guess, it was a minor appearance in his civilian identity. Don't recall it being a big part so that says much about how much in royalties Marvel pays creators from its films. Maybe they'll cut Starlin a bigger check seeing how several upcoming movies (GotG 2 and the two Avengers Infinity War films) owe a huge debt to him...


More GoT cast pics - More Game of Thrones cast pics along with cast sightings while filming in Iceland. Awesome.




Well, eight links/news stories is enough for one installment. Since January isn't over yet, there'll be a Part Two. January 2017 Part Two will include my commentary on DC's pricing changes for Rebirth. That may or may not be lengthy and veer and the ranting side. Time and my mood will tell.


Till next time.

12ish Days of Blogging: A Very Flash Christmas and the End of the Ghost Rider Arc

On the eleventh day of my 12ish Days of Blogging I give to thee: the winter finales of both the Flash and Marvel's Agents of SHIELD.  Both episodes debuted the same week as two other comics-related television show, Arrow and DC's Legends of Tomorrow. Highlights for those will come in a future post. While I have been watching the Flash, I haven't really done much in the way of write-up for it as I have Agents of SHIELD. As such, there are revelations that are still mysteries in earlier episodes. As such, when I blog about them don't be surprised at my 'ignorance'. I just couldn't pass up the chance to blog about an actual Flash Christmas Episode! Meanwhile, Agents of SHIELD ends the Ghost Rider Arc. Since the new arc starts Tuesday, no better time than now!


As always SPOILERS




Flash Winter Finale "The Present"

• Ooh, Julian was actually an archaeologist! Talk about Indiana Jones vibe!
• H.R. has the Christmas spirit alright!
• Philosopher's stone - ancient hindu talisman that could create metas written by an Albert Desmond aka Julian.
• John Wesley Shipp Flash, okay Jay Garrick vs Mark Hamill Trickster. As a fan of the old CBS Flash show I approve!
• Savitar - first speedster. Sends a messenger to prepare - Alchemy
• HR secretly training Wally while wearing santa hat. Faster than Barry at that corresponding point in training. Meanwhile, Cisco is seeing Dante. Love the Garrick speech to Barry about spending the holiday with his loved ones
• Garrick vs Savitar and Barry vs Alchemy!
• Barry learns Alchemy's secret ID.
• Cisco is visited by Dante's "ghost" while Barry and Wally fight Savitar. Very cool.
• We learn Savitar is poltergeist of sorts who manifests through Alchemy. Alchemy is Savitar.
• Future Barry trapped Savitar. So Savitar from future - provides prophecy.
• Both Flashes join forces to hurl Savitar box into the Speed Force!
• Barry propelled to the future! Jay brings him back but not before Barry witnesses Iris's death. Wonder if it actually Iris...
• Another Jay speech about living one's life!
• Gang has a Christmas celebration together. Very Christmas-y segment. Enough to cement this episode's designation as the Flash's Christmas Episode.

Absolutely loved this episode. Hope their are future Christmas episodes in either the Flash's future or the other CW-DC television shows. Excellent way to end the Fall season too.




Marvel's Agents of SHIELD Winter Finale "The Laws of Inferno Dynamics"

• Coughing up diamonds, 'Aida is an android.' 'Sur, I was attracted to her but this goes against the Sokovia Accords. Does anyone remember Ultron?' May and Coulson having a romantic moment? 'Eli, you want to play with fire, let's play.'
• 'Eli is working his way through the periodic table from carbon to cesium.' Robbie speared by a shaft of carbon! 'Eli has worked his way to plutonium.'
• 'Between the radioactive plutonium and quantum energy fields bombarding you and the carbon spike, a normal person would be dead ten times over. But I guess you are not normal.' Double-spiked! 'In case you haven't noticed Phil, we're not a team that trusts. We are not a team at all.' 'Turns out you're not a god. You're just a petty thief.'
• Stealing energy from other dimension creates seismic rifts. Phil using a chain to pull Ghost Rider out but GR drops the chain to penance stare Eli as device sucks both to other dimension. Aida suffers pain... After absorbing seismic tremors, Quake propels herself into the air when she is discovered by the press. Fortunately, Mace does the PR thing saying she was an undercover agent.
• Phil says previous Ghost rider came back... Mac and Yo-yo finally kiss. Mace says all LMD work will occur on SHIELD property. PR guy discovers something when Aida kills him. Knew something was going to happen.
• Turns out is a beaten up Agent May! So the May that shares a bottle of wine with Phil is an LMD...

I was pleased with this episode. Understand they had to do something with Ghost Rider. Wished the Darkhold remained the mystical tome it is in the comics but there's still the rest of the season. Actually kind of wished the final had more mystical elements instead of the implied techno-magical elements present elsewhere in the MCU. Looking forward to the LMD arc. So does this mean Nick Fury will appear?


Till my 12th installment!

12ish Days of Blogging: Shape of Things To Come and Other 12 Days/New Year's Stuff in the Blogosphere

On the tenth day of my 12ish Days of Blogging, I give to thee another blogger's new year's resolution, Paul Cornell's 12 blogs, and the tentative plan I have for my blog for the next six months. Believe I mentioned it before, but I used to frequent the blogosphere regularly and occasionally spread the word of blogger's works. Since my 12ish Days became more a New Year's thing instead of Christmas thing, yeah the timing played a role on my psyche, I tout another blogger's New Year's Resolution. While I stated Paul Cornell inspired my 12ish days, I figured it would only be proper if I provided links to his stuff. Meanwhile, with an entire year ahead, I want to let you, oh gentle reader, aware of what I have planned ahead. And by plan I mean tentative cause when it comes to blogging I'm like what Heath Ledger's Joker says about plans and not having no clue what to do with it.


Anyway...


The blog Outsyder Gaming examines 2016 goals as well as presents 2017 goals HERE. Have to say, that's quite the New Year's Resolutions for both 2016 and 2017. Very detailed. I'm in awe...


Meaningful post:
Admittedly, one can say practically all my posts are a variation of 'hey, isn't this cool!' Do write the occasional gem though. Think my piece on Wonder Woman and New Year's Resolutions was some pretty top-notched stuff. Sure, it could probably have been fleshed out more but its deeper than any solicitations hype given how succinct it was. Would be neat to try but I don't think I'd try for one a month. Cause that probably won't happen that way...


Writing project:
Years back when the Rifter was just being started by Palladium Books I tinkered with the notion of submitting a piece. If there's any writers whose name could be abbreviated to Matt C, that's not me. Never wrote anything. Love gaming. Occasionally I come up with ideas. But if I do they're probably going up on this blog and not in a forum such as the Rifter. My ideas simply never get fleshed out to be a full article let alone a book. So that definitely leaves out running my own business.


What you're tired of New Year's talk? Okay, Paul Cornell's entries are a little more Christmas-y. Okay, they're mostly plans for this year but Christmas is in the title. And they were written in December. And there's only 5 of them... Yeah, I suppose when you're a professional writer blogging twelve installments becomes more than a little tedious. After blogging for roughly ten days in a row, it becomes an exercise in willpower at this point.


Paul Cornell's reasoning for leaving licenses and doing original work was Day One. Day Two is a little more personal but it deals with children's books he reads his son. His upcoming projects that debut on Day Three. Some additional tidbits on Day 4. The 5th Christmas blog ends on a dour, political note. Judging by the tone, Christmas came at the right time! Once again, it was this series of blog posts that inspired my 12ish Days of Blogging.


The Shape of things to Come


Had to put it in bold. Too irresistible not to.


Yes, the 12 days of Christmas ends to tomorrow. I've blogged this far so I'll finish the series and actually blog two more days. One day will center around two of the four, originally I meant to do all four, comic book-based TV show winter finales that aired within the same week. Instead, I'll do my customary episode re-caps for the Flash and Marvel's Agents of SHIELD winter finales. The Flash is basically a Christmas episode and Agents of SHIELD resumes next Tuesday and I've covered all the previous episodes. Unless some time distortion occurs, Arrow's and DC's Legends of Tomorrow will have to wait for when I do a massive recap, ala Walking Dead Season 5, of their respective seasons. The other day will feature the Disney Halloween Hex and maybe the second Disney and Mickey Christmas comic.


My original plan included my Christmas comics. However, as my 2017 resolution shows, I just never got around to reading them. So those reviews will happen sometime this month, or I'll read them and post my reviews next December.


As alluded to, many TV Rundowns await for the Flash, DC Legends of Tomorrow, Arrow, and MacGyver. Plus, I wanted to squeeze in the final episodes of last season's Grimm and Sleepy Hollow before their premiere's on the 6th but that'll come afterwards. Expect me to blog about various genre shows here. That's more likely to happen over the next sixth months than writing comic reviews. Still planning on those - just don't know how often or how many. One thing I count on is my comics blog will continue to be more of a comic-based TV blog.


Honestly, my major problem with reading comics is I collect so many yet don't have a system to organize how to read them. If I don't read them, then I can't review them. Don't think too many want to see how what my comics haul is for the sake of what it is.


Gaming will depend on my muse and how often I game. Over the next six months, I want to provide game session reports and brief reviews of the Adventurer's League and Shadowrun Missions mods that my PC's Morland Doyle, Tor, Grogg, and Nox were played in last year (and of course any this year). Took notes. Just haven't blogged them. Meanwhile, I also want to finish up my analysis on how accurate the templates are based on the character creation system within the Shadowrun 5th Edition Core Rule Book.


And as always whatever strikes my fancy. Think some of my best work was my spontaneous posts. Probably once a week or in short string of about three to five posts. Feel I do my best work and blog more frequently in bursts. Although I will take a rest afterwards...


Till my 11th installment!

12ish Days of Blogging: 40 Years of the Amazing Spider-Man Newspaper Comic Strip!

On the ninth day of my 12ish Days of Blogging I give to thee: forty years of the Amazing Spider-Man comic strip! What two posts within one day? Technically, I missed a couple days so you could say I'm making up for lost time. Plus, the previous entry was intended to go live on the 2nd. Besides, celebrating 40 years of the Amazing Spider-Man Newspaper Comic Strip holds special significance today.


Why?


On January 3rd, 1977, the very first strip of Amazing Spider-Man, written by Stan Lee and drawn by John Romita (Sr), was published in several newspapers. Which means today, January 3rd 2017, marks 40 years that the Amazing Spider-Man Newspaper Strip has been running in newspapers and online.


As a Spider-man fan, that is simply awesome!


As a kid, I eagerly awaited the occasion when I could read the comic strip within the pages of Sunday paper. The Spidey strip may even have appeared within my local paper but if it did it was very brief run. Heck, the Sunday paper, which I had access to didn't run if for long. So reading the adventures of the webslinger within the funnies was a rarity for me. Honestly, there's only two brief periods aside from being a kid that I recall reading it in a newspaper. Absolutely relished reading those strips. Sure the strips were a bit corny but I savored every occasion.


Then I discovered that King Features had an online presence, which published X number of strips online. That presence became DailyINK and is now called Comics Kingdom. Honestly, Comics Kingdom is a rare better name for King Features online distribution of its comic strips in my mind. If you want to take a gander at the latest installment of the Amazing Spider-Man Newspaper Strip, here it IS.


The January 3rd 2017 is... corny. However, I suppose for the general newspaper audience there's probably limits to what the creators of the strip want to push. After all, parents could be reading it to their four year old. Written by Stan Lee (well, credited to him anyway) and drawn by Larry Lieber and inked by Alex Saviuk (loved his work in Web of Spider-Man) Spider-man is busy fighting Rocket Raccoon. Oops - excuse me, Rocket. That's how all the movie fans know RR as.


Here's a brief summary for those who may check out the provided strip once future strips are posted as only paid members of Comics Kingdom have access to older strips. The January 3rd 2017 strip opens with a gloating Rocket standing over the beleaguered Spider-man continuing the long-established tradition by Stan Lee of two Marvel heroes fighting each other when they first meet. The strip ends when Spider-Man webs Rocket and is pleasantly surprised when Rocket doesn't immediately break the webbing. I admit I haven't read the strip since the last time I blogged about it here. So clearly Spider-Man isn't a world-class hero within his own strip and his webbing isn't the be-all-end-all that it is within the pages of his comic book. Suppose they got to create tension for the next day, huh?


Once every year, for having the chance to regularly read Spidey's newspaper strip along other King stalwarts such as the Phantom and Mandrake the Magician, I contemplate becoming a member of DailyINK now Comics Kingdom. Much like a failed New Year's Resolution, I just never do. Perhaps, this year, I will finally become a premium member. If I do, I may write monthly reviews of the Amazing Spider-Man Newspaper Strip much like website Spider Fan does. Here are REVIEWS they've done. I will probably view the strips in a more favorable light as the strip is intended for small children who may not even be reading age yet.


As for the older material, Marvel reprinted the first four years of strips into two separate volumes years ago. I do own a copy of each of them. Most recently, IDW via its Library of American Comics imprint has released three volumes of the first six years and plans on continuing releasing its archival books. As such may have to "upgrade" to the IDW editions!


To commemorate the occasion I may read some the strips from Marvel's second volume. Heck, I'll probably do a review of the out-of-print book.


So happy 40 year anniversary Amazing Spider-Man Newspaper Strip! May it continue on like other venerable strips such as the Phantom, Flash Gordon, and Mandrake the Magician!


Haven't decided if I'll do a double post or post on the 6th yet such that I have "12 days" of blogging.


Till my 10th installment of 12ish Days of Blogging and happy reading!

12ish Days of Blogging: The Promised Wonder Woman Review and Connection to New Year's Resolutions

I promised to phrase my blog subjects ala the twelve gifts of Christmas. Alas, it just doesn't work. Maybe if I timed the numbers out... So back to the old intro: on the eighth day of my 12ish Days of Blogging I give to thee: my promised review of Wonder Woman 75th anniversary special #1 and an essay-of-sorts of the character's connection to New Year's Resolutions not to mention the reviewed comic's connection to my very own New Year's Resolution for 2017.


First, I'll start with the review of Wonder Woman Special #1.


It's an anthology so my normal approach to reviews don't apply. My feelings on anthologies are you either love them or hate them. I really liked this special as it does an excellent job representing various facets of Wonder Woman. But I don't love every story equally. For ratings purposes, I'll give it an overall 4 Out of 5 Stars although I could also give it a 3 out of 5 stars. Its solid and I think people should read it but if money is an issue the lower rating applies.


What that's it? Well no. I just didn't read it like I would a typical comic. In fact, I read it more along the lines of my seventh installment of 12ish days on New Year's Day Sunday Comics. As such my review will be more along those lines. The above grade is more of a summary of the overall package.


Guess you could say there's some Spoilers too:




So:


Gives Us Strength - a lovely WWII piece where the messenger (three guesses who) saves the day when a group of Nazis surround a church in Occupied France. Very iconic.


Predators - An excellent example of Wonder Woman's rapport with animals as well as her commitment to all walks of life not just the two-legged variety.


The three unused Brian Bolland covers were neat.


One Side Alone - An interesting discussion on the changing nature on what constitutes justice all within the framework of a Giganta story. Wonder Woman bringing Giganta Empire Strikes Back AT-AT style with her lasso was very cool! Plus its nice to see her not use a sword. Nice reference to the concept of mercy too.


Wonder Woman: In Conversation by Lois Lane - author Greg Rucka returned to the Wonder Woman title as of Rebirth. Its a text piece and the crown jewel of the issue. In a nutshell its an interview in which some very interesting and complex topics are discussed. I'll expand on this later. Highly recommended. As an aside, had to reference what mendacity meant...


Oh, Themyscira: Liam Sharp channels his Spawn Dark Ages work.


The Age of Wonder - Lovely story about simply that, wonder.


Wonder Woman 75 song - Okay, I found this rather flat - although there's a nod to DC's Bombshells title.


The Legend of Wonder Woman & Wonder Woman: The True Amazon - Want an idea what both respective titles are like? Well, both short stories provide a stellar demonstration!


Democratic Design - A quirky story which points out the price tag of the havoc wrought.


Big Things One Day Come - A very touching story involving Superman, Titano, and a budding just starting out young super-heroine.


Which brings me to my...


Mini-Essay


Throughout the course of 2016, and even 2015, I'd comment that I really should read more comics. It wasn't until I was reading this very comic, the text piece to be precise, that I had my epiphany. I was struggling to read it. Not because it was boring, but because I was starting to become wide-eyed from reading something very complex and thought-provoking. Yeah, there's such a thing as light reading and heavier fare but reading is like a muscle. If you don't exercise it enough, reading becomes less and less frequent. Plus, its rather ironic that such a truth dawned on me while I was reading a comic centered on a character who is about truth. Thus that's how the comic is connected to my 2017 New Year's Resolution.


Truth is a huge component of New Year's Resolutions (NYR). How successful they are hinge on how well we fully understand ourselves. Much of the disillusionment that arises from failed NYR's are probably because we don't like what we perceive as the truth that such a failure brings. However, that brings me to the other facet of how Wonder Woman represents the concept of the New Year's Resolution.


Aspirations.  NYRs are aspirations. Something we aspire to accomplish during the New Year. However, much like how Wonder Woman seeks to bring peace, truth, and understanding, the success or failure of the aspiration is not what's important. The striving and looking over the next horizon is. Plus, every NYR reveals something new about oneself. Reveals a new truth much like Wonder Woman's magic lasso does.


A big thank you to the text piece Wonder Woman: In Conversation by Lois Lane for being my inspiration for what I just wrote.


Till the 9th installment of my 12ish Days of Blogging, happy reading!

12ish Days of Blogging: New Year's Day Sunday Comics!

On the seventh day of 12ish Days of Blogging I give to thee some quick thoughts on Sunday comic strips - New Year's Day edition! Sure, Sunday comics on New Year's Day aren't common; but I am confident there won't be Sunday comics on New Year's Day in 2018. Such novelty alone bears noting. Plus, I am more in the mood of quick, easy blogging tonight, which doesn't include using links. Actually, did read a comic book to mark the New Year. Just going to save that review for tomorrow. And the use of the countdown from the classic Christmas carol.


I'm not going over every Sunday strip that appeared in my local Sunday paper that I normally read.


So:


For Better or For Worse: Really like the reference to thank you letters. My memories are fuzzy; and I think I may have had to write a thank you letter for a gift once or twice. Then again, that could be my mind playing tricks on me! Love the punch line at the end.


Zits - This one was flat. Not going to lie Zits may be benefit from advancing the characters ages as the jokes are starting to age anyway. Or wait for the next technological-sociological advancement/trend to freshen up.


Garfield - Worth a chuckle. Reminds me of meme on social media where the individual says they won't change with the New Year. For Garfield, rather fitting.


Dustin - Nice commentary about how there's euphoria over the holidays... and then nothing. The dad does have a nice punch line with the final panel.


Beetle Bailey - Bait-and-switch humor here.


Foxtrot - Sumo wrestling inside snow men? Hilarious.


Hagar the Horrible - Love the  reference to the months old pumpkin...


Doonesbury - Brace yourself, Arnold Celebrity Apprentice-related strips are coming.


Dilbert - Priceless. Simply priceless.


The Lockhorns - Love the panel on milk purchases. Nice parody.


Sally Forth - Knowledge of the Simpsons as a baseline for a generation as far as cultural references are understood? Feel old now...


Wizard of I.D. - A New Year's Countdown where the King of ID is his usual unpredictable, predictable self.


Peanuts - A classic strip related to head beagle report cards. Meh. Kind of flat. Not too much of a fan of the head beagle references so I'm less of a fan of an extended one.


Bizarro - Ok, that mural is cool... and yet so, so wrong.


Prince Valiant - The end of Azar Rasa arc. Yeah, its a bit of cliché ending for an arc dealing with a sorcerer and all-powerful mystical artifact but its a fitting end.


Well, Until the 8th 12ish Days of Blogging, Happy New Year!