Mark's Epic Blog of Randomness

 By Mark Rodriguez Back in 2003, Dreamwave got the rights to make a comic based on the new Ninja Turtles cartoon at the time. The first few issues adapted the cartoon episodes until they started going with original stories. Rather than adapt them outright, Dreamwave chose to show the stories from the point of view of a certain character. In this one we take a look at things from Baxter Stockman's perspective. "Attack of the Mousers" starts with Baxter narrating about how in life there's always a woman trying to get to you and take what is most valuable. Baxter says he knows since he's 'been there, done that'. As he narrates, he oversees how his Mousers break into a bank vault and steal all the valuables.  Baxter remembers his high school days as he accidentally bumps into a large dude named Tom. He says hi to his girlfriend April and Tom shoves him against a locker. April says Tom is always cranky before a big game and Tom says humiliating a geek always c...

 By Mark Rodriguez Rintaro has a unique problem. Due to a weak heart, if he gets too worked out, he risks dying. Thinking he signed up for an all-boys school, instead he got stuck in an all-girl school! Other than having temptation everywhere, he also got stuck between a three-way rivalry between the Dragons, Ayane, Kyoka and Rino. After showing off his skills while being caught up in a fight between Ayane and Kyoka, Ayane wants to become Rintaro's pupil. What will happen now? Chapter 2- After the Rain comes Fair Weather Rintaro attends class, dealing with the fact that it's full of women and Ayane is sitting right next to him. The teacher, Okina comments that Ayane leads the Flashing Dragon Anchor and wishes her luck against the other two Dragons. Rintaro thinks he just has to survive the first day of school and then he'll apply for a transfer. He makes a break for it and zig zags his way out of the classroom at rapid speed. Ayane is impressed that he is so fast, no ...

By Mark Rodriguez Hakufu Sonsaku has unleashed her fighting spirit and the higher ups at Nanyo Academy are beginning to take notice. A deadly woman wearing an eyepatch has now crossed paths with her and wants to test her skills in battle. But before we get into that, let's go back in the past and learn more about the Magatama and Toushis. Chapter 0 This story goes back to China near the end of the Gen Era. A man calls out to Chou Shisei and tells him to give up the seal and the Magatama Gem under Imperial Order. Shisei taunts the man for calling himself Emperor and quickly loses his head to the Emperor's sword. Shisei's head continues to talk and tells the Emperor that he will never be able to contain the aggression within the gem. The Magatama was lost to China and discovered in Japan during the Sengoku Era.  We cut to a modern time where a guy with spiky hair and tanned girl beat up on everybody, both of them being Toushis. After the fight they realized they lost their fr...

 By Mark Rodriguez Madam Masque was on trial when members of AIM broke into the court room in battle suits with the intention of killing her. An All-New version of Venom came in and fought them off, making them retreat. It was noted that Luke Cage, Robbie Robertson and Rick Jones ran out during the fight and conveniently returned after Venom had left. Likewise, Madam Masque escaped during the commotion. Now Dylan Brock says Masque, Cage, Robertson or Jones has the Venom symbiote and he wants it back. Who is the All-New Venom? The issue opens at Times Square as Venom is standing in front of several huge ads, all conveniently showing Robertson advertising the Daily Bugle, Rick Jones promoting his book 'Sidekick', a wanted poster on Madame Masque and a poster showing how the mayor, Luke Cage keeps the city clean. A voice off-panel says that there are four possibilities here. The leader of the Death-Throws, Ringleader, says the first two options are they can beat him into paste, or...

 By Mark Rodriguez Originally written on Sunday, February 2, 2014. Keep in mind, these were our thoughts as they were back in 2013 when the show was new and was written shortly after seeing the episodes after their initial broadcast. At the time we had zero way of knowing what to expect. After appearing in two episodes to build up how tough, crazy and how good a fighter he is, Casey finally makes his full-on debut as the vigilante we know and tolerate. Despite all the dramatic changes this show has done, this episode actually pulls a lot from the classic issue Raphael# 1 from the Mirage comics which is the first time we ever saw Casey Jones. The episode opens with Casey Jones monologuing (as well as writing) about the recent rash of mutant monster and robot ninjas in the city as he starts to suit up. He mentions he won't risk losing anyone he cares about like he did his father and his sister (???) or even April. He's ready for action and we cue to that epic theme song (that sti...

 By Mark Rodriguez Originally written on Sunday, December 1, 2013. Keep in mind, these were our thoughts as they were back in 2013 when the show was new and was written shortly after seeing the episodes after their initial broadcast. At the time we had zero way of knowing what to expect. Slash and Destroy opens with Mikey playing an arcade game in the lair. He soon loses and it's Leo's turn to play. Suddenly Raph steps in, with Spike on his shoulder, angry that Mikey got pizza stains all over his Modern Ninja magazines that he spent six years to collect. Mikey says they can't be all that modern if they're six years old and says they're still good as he starts licking the stains off. Raph smacks Mikey which makes Spike smile. Leo tells him to calm down since it's just material possessions, but the red-masked Turtle reminds him how much he cares about his own comic books. Meanwhile Don is working in his lab trying to find a way to make the RetroMutagen, complainin...