How Did Raizo Ninja Assassin Acquire His Signature Scar?

Flipping through those early black-and-white issues felt like discovering a secret map, and Baxter Stockman pops up pretty early on. In the original 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' comics from Mirage, he’s introduced as a human inventor — a scientist contracted by the Foot to build small, rodent-hunting robots called Mousers. He shows up as a morally dubious tech guy whose creations become a real threat to the Turtles and the sewers’ inhabitants. The cool part is how different media took that seed and ran with it. In the Mirage books he’s mostly a sleazy, brilliant human responsible for Mousers; later adaptations make him far weirder, like the comical yet tragic mutated fly in the 1987 cartoon or the darker, more corporate tech-villain versions in newer comics and series. I love seeing how a single concept — a scientist who weaponizes tech — gets reshaped depending on tone: grimy indie comic, Saturday-morning cartoon, or slick modern reboot. It’s a little reminder that origin moments can be simple but endlessly remixable, which I find endlessly fun.

Ever since I stumbled upon the original 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' comics, I've been obsessed with exploring every adaptation. Surprisingly, there are actually a few novelizations out there! The most notable one is 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Novel' by B.B. Hiller, based on the 1990 live-action movie. It expands on the film’s story, diving deeper into the Turtles' personalities and their bond with April O’Neil. The writing captures the gritty yet playful tone of the original comics, which I adore. There’s also 'TMNT' by Steve Murphy, a novelization of the 2007 animated film, though it’s harder to find. What’s cool about these books is how they flesh out moments the movies gloss over, like Splinter’s backstory or the Turtles’ training. If you’re a fan of the franchise, they’re worth hunting down—just don’t expect them to be as action-packed as the films. They’re more like love letters to the characters, perfect for slow afternoons with a slice of pizza (no pineapple, please).

Growing up glued to the 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' cartoons, I always had this mix of excitement and dread when the villains popped up. Shredder was the ultimate bad guy—his razor-sharp armor and relentless vendetta against Splinter made him terrifying. But what fascinated me was how layered he was; he wasn’t just a brute. His alliance with Krang, this brainy alien warlord from Dimension X, added this sci-fi twist that felt so wild to my kid brain. Then there’s Bebop and Rocksteady, the bumbling mutant henchmen who somehow made chaos hilarious. Their dumb antics balanced out Shredder’s intensity, like comic relief in a Shakespeare play. Later, I got into the comics and discovered darker versions, like the Utrom Shredder or even the Rat King, who brought this eerie, almost supernatural vibe. It’s wild how the franchise juggles so many antagonists without feeling messy. Even now, rewatching episodes, I catch nuances I missed—like how Shredder’s obsession with honor clashes with his underhanded tactics. That hypocrisy makes him weirdly human, despite the crazy ninja fantasy setting.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles universe is always expanding, and there's some exciting stuff on the horizon! IDW Publishing has been killing it with their TMNT comics, and rumor has it they're working on a new arc that might dive deeper into Splinter's past or explore the Turtles' dynamics with new allies. I overheard chatter at my local comic shop about a potential crossover event, too—maybe with 'Usagi Yojimbo' again? Those stories are always gold. On the book front, I wouldn't be surprised if we see more graphic novels aimed at younger readers, like the 'TMNT: Saturday Morning Adventures' series. Those have this nostalgic, vibrant art style that reminds me of the '80s cartoon. And hey, with the 'Mutant Mayhem' movie hype, there could be novelizations or behind-the-scenes art books brewing. My wallet’s already trembling.

There are a few routes I always suggest to friends who are starting out, depending on whether they want story, stealth, or just plain fun. If you want a classic, start with 'Assassin's Creed II' — Ezio's arc is one of those rare video game stories that genuinely sticks with you. The pacing teaches you the core stealth/parkour loop without overwhelming you with RPG stats. After that, 'Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood' and 'Assassin's Creed: Revelations' round out Ezio’s trilogy and feel like natural next steps if you care about narrative payoff. If you prefer something looser and ridiculously fun, 'Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag' is a blast: ship combat, open seas, and pirate vibes. For modern mechanics and a gentler learning curve into RPG systems, 'Assassin's Creed Origins' is a great entry — it reboots combat and quest structure and has a gorgeous, patient way of teaching you the ropes. Play what clicks: story-first? Ezio. Freedom and exploration? Black Flag. RPG and atmosphere? Origins.

There’s something electric about holding a piece of the 'Assassin’s Creed' universe that wasn’t meant for mass shelves — those are usually the pieces that climb to the top in value. From my own shelf of cluttered collectibles, the big hitters have always been early limited-run statues (think the Ezio statues from the original collector’s runs), rare convention exclusives, sealed limited editions, and authentic replicas of signature gear like original hidden-blade replicas or high-quality Jackdaw ship models from the 'Black Flag' era. What really drives price though is rarity and provenance. A sealed, numbered collector’s box from the first run of 'Assassin’s Creed II' with the artbook and statue will often sell for substantially more than a loose statue that’s been on display for years. Signed pieces — a print or box signed by a key developer or voice actor — can multiply value, especially if they’re authenticated. Condition matters: intact packaging, numbered certificates, and original inserts are huge pluses. If you’re hunting, check marketplaces like veteran collector forums, auction houses, and specialized memorabilia sites. Don’t forget to verify photos closely (serial numbers, sticker seals) and ask for provenance or receipts. I keep an eye on completed listings and it’s wild how a niche variant can spike after a franchise revival or a new game release — nostalgia plus demand does weird things to prices.

I get a little giddy talking about this because the novels feel like secret corridors off the main streets of the games—familiar, but offering different sights. If you want the short map in your head: many Assassin's Creed novels are novelizations of the games' historical arcs (they retell and expand the in-game story), while others are original tie-ins that slot into gaps or rewind/fast-forward parts of characters’ lives. For example, novel versions of Ezio’s trilogy such as 'Renaissance', 'Brotherhood', and 'Revelations' largely mirror the games but lean harder into internal monologue and everyday detail. Then there are books that bridge narrative gaps—'Forsaken' dives into Haytham Kenway’s past in a way that enriches what you play in 'Assassin's Creed III', and 'The Secret Crusade' fills out Altaïr’s life beyond the first game’s beats. I tend to read them as someone who binge-plays then reads for the emotional leftovers, so I notice how the prose format allows scenes that games cut for pacing to breathe. Where a game might show an assassination and keep moving, a book can linger in a character’s thoughts, describe a city market’s smell, or explain a political nuance that would require lengthy dialogue in a mission. That makes some novels feel almost canon-complementary: they don’t contradict the main timeline’s events but color the motivations and private moments. Still, take the word 'canon' with a grain of salt—Ubisoft has been selective about what tie-ins they treat as official continuity. Some novels are explicitly integrated into the broader lore, and others are 'inspired by'—so if you’re hunting for facts that will change how you replay a game, double-check whether that novel is listed as integral to the series’ timeline. If you want practical suggestions: read novelizations of games after you’ve played those games so you can enjoy the added layers without spoiling mission twists. For novels that tell stories between games or add historical depth, you can slot them chronologically into the historical timeline of the series or read them by release to follow how the modern-day narrative shifts. Personally, I like mixing both approaches—play the game, read the novel that expands it, and then read the in-between books when I want to savor the world rather than chase plot beats. The novels won’t change the big strokes of the timeline, but they make the smaller ones feel lived-in, which, for me, is the whole point of diving deeper into this universe.

Man, 'The World's Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat' is such a wild ride! I stumbled upon the anime first, binged it in one sitting, and then went digging for more. Turns out, it's actually based on a light novel series written by Rui Tsukiyo and illustrated by Reia. The light novel started in 2019, and the manga adaptation came later in 2020, illustrated by Hamao. What's cool is how the manga expands on certain scenes with Reia's gorgeous artwork—especially those tense assassination sequences. The anime blends both sources but adds its own flair too. If you're into dark fantasy with a calculating protagonist, I'd recommend checking out all three versions; each has unique strengths. That scene where Lugh trains in the forest? Chills every time!