Mark's Epic Blog of Randomness

 By Mark Rodriguez Back when Udon had a better comic-release schedule, they released a comic called Street Fighter Prime which introduced new all-villains from the evil organization named Vortex. There would be following Masters issues in which several Street Fighters would run into the different Vortex members, like Guile, Elena, Zangief and Karin. While the Guile issue was supposed to be first, it was delayed and delayed and eventually Zangief beat Guile and Elena to the punch. Now after several months we'll get to see how Guile deals with these Vortex guys. Let's check it out.   The story opens aboard a huge ship on the Pacific Ocean, just off Tetpare Island. Guile is debriefed on the Skylancer X-1 and all its features. Guile tells Gibson that the pilot is the important thing, not the plane. He asks about the new pilot coming from South Africa. Gibson tells him that Air Force General Olufemi Lamech Gbajabiamila Gumede has an impressive flight record, 24 confirmed kills and ...

 By Mark Rodriguez We swung on by Third Eye Comics while being out and about and grabbed the local comics from the pullbox. I also re-purchased a comic that was lost during the move to our new house several months ago.   Batgirl # 16- Batgirl's adventures continue. Logan Black, White & Blood # 2- Similar to the Turtles and Venom, now Wolverine has a 'black and white' series which will be several stories from different writers and artists taking place during different points of his career. I missed the first issue but I'll eventually find a copy. Batman # 6- Batman now faces monsters as his adventures continue with the relaunch series. All-New Spider Gwen Ghost-Spider # 7- Spider-Gwen saves Gwen Stacy from an evil Green Goblin Gwen?  Thundercats # 23 - The series continues and someday I'll get to them.  Final Fight # 1- Not sure how I lost all my Final Fight comics, among other things, during the move, but they're gone. I just re-purchased the first issu...

 By Mark Rodriguez The Turtles have been captured by Savanti Romero as he had taken over the Battle Nexus tournament so he could take his revenge upon them. The Turtles met a mysterious figure that explains that Savanti chooses opponents based on people they have a connection with. Leonardo was defeated by the Mirage version of the Shredder. Now Raphael faces a very angry Alopex.  The story opens a year prior in the world of Shen'Kir. Umeko of the Ninjara Tribe visits a seer as she seeks to possess the Black Blade. The seer says the sword is one she will someday use to cut down a destined prey. Umeko takes the sword and asks how soon her destined prey will appear. The seer says the time is now as Savanti Romero appears. Savanti calls her Ninjara and the fox warrior tells him her name is Umeko of the Gnawed Forest and she is part of the Ninjara clan. Savanti dodges the sword strikes and says Ninjara is enough for a ring name. Umeko tells him that he is destined to die by her Da...

 By Mark Rodriguez Lara Croft has had several adventures in the world of comic books and one of her longest runs was the Top Cow run based on her original mid-90's version. Now she's back in a four part mini series from Dark Horse comics. I pre-ordered this one at Alpha Comics when I heard of a new series coming out 'in 2026' and it came here faster than expected. Let's check it out.    The story opens with Kate Cheney on her show 'Kate at Eight' as she interviews Lara Croft who has been out of the public eye for over a year. Croft Manor was nearly destroyed in a fire and Lara has been busy with renovations for 14 months alongside her butler, Winston Smith. Kate says she can't believe someone like Lara had just busy with renovation and wants details. She notes a cut alongside Lara's chin and asks if she got it after a run-in with a rival or from an encounter with another Egyptian god. Lara tells her not to believe everything in the tabloids.   Lara e...

 By Mark Rodriguez Savanti Romero has captured Renet and Lord Simultaneous and also taken over the Battle Nexus Tournament. He has summoned the Turtles to face several opponents from across different realities. While at first they were surprised by the appearance of Slash, who they thought was dead, Leonardo is suddenly attacked by the Mirage comics version of Shredder!!    The issue opens with the history of Savanti Romero's existence. He started as a son, a promising sorcerer and a husband, until eventually he would become a corrupted Time Lord's apprentice. He maintained his power until the Time Lords banished him. While this wasn't the first time, this time around he was sent to a limbo without time or energy. In this area, Savanti had lost his status, his companion, his freedom, but most of all, his power. His sanity soon followed. Savanti spent eternity without anything to eat or drink, sustaining himself with magic and his own madness. He starts hallucinating as he...

 By Mark Rodriguez As the cold starts setting in, we got several comics from a Hipcomic auction. I was hunting for a comic that Wendy brought up and that led to me finding it on a live auction for cheap, alongside other books. I got most of the comics I bid for and they were shipped just before any snow comes our way. Let's see what we got.   The Uncanny X-Men and Teen Titans # 1- Darkseid has taken control of the Phoenix, so the Teen Titans and the X-Men have to team up to save the world! This was the main comic that Wendy was looking for that led to today's mini-haul. Kitty Pryde and Wolverine # 1, 4 and 5- A six-issue mini-series as Wolverine and Kitty Pryde head for Japan. Before X23 or Jubilee, Kitty was Wolverine's sidekick. I'll eventually track down issue 2, 3 and 6. Batman # 454- This was the last issue of a 3-part story I never got to finish back when I was a kid in my Chicago days. In this one the Riddler had started a deadlier-than-usual series of riddles ...

 By Mark Rodriguez This time we hit Alpha Comics where suddenly we had a bit of a stack to take home rather than just two or three comics. Not only did I have to catch up on the Ninja Turtles... it seems Udon finally released several of their comics that have been oh hold for months... all the same time. They actually released three different Mega Man series on the same day! Anyways, let's see what we got.   Darkstalkers X Street Fighter Rogues # 1- Part three of the Lords of the Makai storyline. Tales of the TMNT # 3- Part three of the robot camp story as the rest of the Turtles show up to help Donnie and Metalhead take on Bishop. TMNT Battle Nexus # 2- Leonardo goes up against the original Mirage Shredder! TMNT Battle Nexus # 2 Review   TMNT Battle Nexus # 3- Raphael goes up against Alopex?? TMNT Battle Nexus # 3 Review   MegaMan X # 0- Separate from the Timelines one-shot series, this one is going to be a series. Street Fighter Masters- Elena # 1- After a lo...