FLYING ELBOWS ON VHS: THE MACHO MAN RANDY SAVAGE

It's honor to name the first ever inductee into The 8R8 HALL OF FAME....THE MACHO MAN RANDY SAVAGE. He was the kind of wrestler you wanted to be as a kid. I think back 3 days ago when I was standing on top of chair cutting my best Macho Man promo as I attempted to drop a flying elbow onto my significant other. I didn't drop that elbow though because of fear. I talked the good talk but couldn't fly like Randy Savage. I think about all times he dropped the elbow with no fear and sacrificed his body to entertain wrestling fans all around the world and know he was something special. The very first Pay Per View I purchased was SummerSlam 1991. I was twelve years old and I couldn't miss the wedding between the Macho Man and Miss Elizabeth. It was the match made in heaven to then WWF fans. I saved up my money all summer for that pay per view and was crushed when I realized my sister's VCR didn't record the program. I was so into the event that I was able to watch it again and again in my head and imagination so in a way I absorbed it all. The wedding didn't define the Macho Man's career. I started to become a smart wrestling fan as I scrambled to watch any tape I could get my hands on and learned the history. I started to realize The Macho produced great matches against wrestlers like Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior whom most of the fans cheered for. His match with Ricky the Dragon Steamboat at Wrestlemania III is considered by some wrestling fans as the greatest match of all time. I can tell you he was a multiple time World Champion and he held just about every major title in both the WWF and WCW but those accolades did not make him a permanent staple in American Pop Culture. It was his heart. His in ring abilities showcased a talent that was way before his time. We will never forget his interviews and promos that are still being mimicked by comedians like Daniel Tosh and entire generation of YouTube impersonators today. Professional wrestler Jay Lethal called himself Black Machismo which was a character inspired by Randy Savage. They say imitation is the one of the best forms of flattery and it is true some gimmicks never die. The Macho Man was more than a champion and more than a Hall of Fame-er. He was the wrestler I wanted to be as a kid. I am honored and fortunate to be one of his fans. I didn't drop that elbow 3 days ago because of fear but my hero, The Macho Man, was never afraid to fly. Welcome to The 8R8 Hall of Fame of Life Randy Savage. You more than deserve it.

TEAR JERKING PAGES #2 :OH MY GOD, IT'S JASON TODD

Some people don’t read comic books because they have no idea where to start. When I recommend comics for people that don't read comics books, BATMAN: HUSH is at the top of the list. Jeph Loeb, one of my favorite comic book writers, and the legendary artist Jim Lee produced, in my opinion, one of the greatest Batman story ever told. Some of the covers are breath taking works of art.  The words and storytelling are as stimulating as a Hyper Crush laser show. This story is packed with some of Batman's greatest foes but the mystery around the main villain Hush is what makes this series an awesome read. You can learn in any of the Batman films that Bruce Wayne is the evolution of the human brain when it comes to intelligence. The depths of his psyche are explored in Hush as his mind is put to the test. It took subliminal warfare to breach Batman's mind. Jeph Loeb's story telling in this series is genius. When I describe Hush to potential readers I describe it is part psychological thriller, mystery, action, suspense, drama, and love story. I am certain I am leaving a genre or two out because this tale truly has something for everyone. Loeb took Batman and Catwoman to places that this average fan boy would only dream about. The chemistry between these two characters highlighted one of the most mysterious and intriguing love stories set among the chaos of Gotham. I remember reading BATMAN #617 and having to run and tell my parents, who didn't read comics, about what just happened. I was so shocked I just had to tell anyone that would listen. BATMAN #617 was part 10 of the series and it left me reeling when these words were spoken by Hush, “The world's greatest detective, and you still haven't figured it out? Life's just a game, Batman... and this time, you lose.” The mummified wrapping came off to reveal Hush's true identity. It was a shocking moment and it appeared that Hush’s identity was a bombshell in form of one the most infamous Robins in the Batman Universe. Jason Todd was murdered by the Joker in the Death in the Family series which was published in 1989. The fans actually decided Robin's fate in that book. It rocked my world to see Jason holding a knife to the neck of the current Robin. (Tim Drake) The death of Robin was a very controversial moment for DC Comics that was well publicized in media. It marked the death of major character in the DC Universe and a kid for heaven’s sake. The look on Batman’s face as I turned the pages for the reveal was where I emotionally connected. I shared the emotion of shock in the pit of my stomach as I watched a stunned Batman stand in disbelief. This moment left me as a reader with the true uncertainty of where Hush was really going to go next. Loeb reminded me that I still had two more issues to go in this series. In the world of comics sometimes people, places, and things are not what always what they seem. There would be years of amazing Batman stories to come but Hush will stand the test of time as one of the greatest Batman stories ever told. This issue didn't produce tears from my eyes, but being a fan of Batman and knowing how the death of Jason Todd haunted him throughout the years had me emotionally invested in the story to come.

TEAR JERKING PAGES # 1: COAST CITY'S LIGHT

GREEN LANTERN #25 was part 11 in The Sinestro Corps War which featured some of the best of DC’s rouge gallery. The elite bad guys joined forces with the evil Sinestro. The battlefield was set on Earth in the resurrected Coast City. The evil invades the earth and the hero Hal Jordan (The Green Lantern) orders the people to evacuate because the he didn't want see lives lost. The people of the Coast City decided that home was worth fighting for and made a bold decision when they were asked to evacuate the city. They stood behind in one of the most moving moments in comic book history in this reader's opinion. The windows of Coast City shined with GREEN LIGHTS in support of their home, their hero, and to honor the lives that were lost many years ago. The people of the Coast City showed overcame the fear of past. The city was completely wiped out during The Reign of Superman which caused a chain reaction of unfortunate events. The Coast City's Resurrection did not come overnight. There were moments where it was hard to find the words Coast City in the DC Universe. This was the moment when the Coast City showcased it's WILL and I felt it was the true moment that Hal Jordan was resurrected as a hero. It surprised Hal Jordan and I think it surprised me as a reader because of the history. I was really moved as a fan because there was I wanted to believe in Hal Jordan again and I think this moment made me believe again. It was a nice addition to an awesome story that showed a community raising up against those whose worship evil's might.