Weird Science DC Comics: June 2016

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Teen Titans Annual #2 Review and SPOILERS

The Sisterhood of the Terrible Plan

Written By: Scott Lobdell

Art By: Cory Smith, Dean White

Lettered By: Corey Breen

Cover Price: $4.99

On Sale Date: June 29, 2016

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Sometimes we have encounters

That make us stop and wonder: why?

Like people that drink wheatgrass juice

Or have cheese with apple pie

A thousand-dollar sound system

To play bootlegged Grateful Dead

Having real, pure maple syrup

And choosing Log Cabin instead

A fireman that’s afraid of heights

It can make one lose their nerve

Like humanity’s worst examples

That have success, though undeserved

Like the executive board scapegoat

Who makes a mint by getting fired

Or the sleazy, lazy asshole

And the children that he’s sired

Why is living so unjust?

Why is there no manual?

Why does the fifth week of Rebirth Month

Have a Teen Titans Annual?

– Randy Newman

Black and White

Written by: Mike Johnson
Art by: Angel Hernandez, Alejandro Sanchez and Neil Uyetake
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: December 2, 2015

I am never good at endings. It's not just my laziness and severe ADHD that causes me to not finish things, with comics it goes beyond just that. I think somewhere deep in my crazy brain, if I don't review a final issue, the series will live on forever. It's something not reserved for just cancelled series either. I loved this six issue mini and yet, haven't been able to review the final issue...until now. Yep, once this review is over, I will have to close the book on Hal Jordan, the Lantern Corps and the crew of the Enterprise forever. So, it's with a heavy heart that I give you my review for Star Trek/Green Lantern: The Spectrum War #6. By the way, this introduction was a load of BS...I am just very lazy and am crippled by severe ADHD!

Super Cute!

Written by: Shea Fontana
Art by: Yancey Labat, Monica Kubina and Janice Chiang
Cover Price: $9.99
Release Date: June 29, 2016

I'm sure that if you read any other reviews for this graphic novel, you'll get a whole lot of "This really isn't my thing", "I'm not the target audience" and "Why did my editor make me review this?" You won't get any of that here, not just because our site has no editor (suprise, huh?!?), but because this book is right in my wheelhouse. While I haven't watched many of the Superhero Girls shorts or bought any of the merchandise, I really liked the FCBD comic (which is the first couple chapters here) because I love cute, fun comics with my favorite characters...and this book has them in spades. Hey, it's an all-ages comic, right? To me, that leaves plenty of room for a middle aged father of five boys to jump on the trolley with everyone else. Did I enjoy the ride? Let's find out...

Midnighter is back and he's bringing Apollo with him! I know what most of you familiar with our site and podcast are thinking..."But Jim, You hate Midnighter!" While it is true that I wasn't a fan of Steve Orlando's recently canceled series and garnered a whole mess of hate because of that fact, I'm actually glad about this news. In my opinion, the best part of the entire series was when Apollo showed up at the end to show everyone (especially Midnighter) how much they belonged together. Plus, they kicked major ass!!! It goes beyond that as well. While I had my ups and downs with the series (go back and look at my review for issue #1 HERE), other people simply loved it and I am glad they get their hero back for six more issues. Hopefully, these people do more than just hoot and holler on Twitter and actually put their money where their mouth is this time because if it sells, we will get more. You hear that people? Don't just praise the book...BUY IT!!! Here is the official press release...

The Legend of Wonder Woman #7 Review - Print Edition

The Decision

Written by: Renae De Liz
Art by: Renae De Liz and Ray Dillon

Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 29, 2016

What better way to spend the time waiting for Volume Two of The Legend of Wonder Woman than
reading the printed edition of...The Legend of Wonder Woman? I really can't think of any. This book has been one of the best things to happen to Wonder Woman in a long while and if you haven't jumped on the trolley yet, you best get your ticket and join us all right now. This issue isn't the best jumping on point, though, so I'd suggest you go back and read everything that led to this issue because as Glinda tells Dorothy, "It's always best that you start at the beginning." Who are we to mess with a Witch, no matter how nice or pretty she appears to be? Okay, enough of my nonsense, let's get down to the matter at hand...my review for the print edition of The Legend of Wonder Woman #7. Is it good? This book is always good, silly...the question here is "how good". Let's find out...

The Hunt Is On!

Written By: John Layman
Art By: Chris Mooneyham, Michael Atiyeh, Michael Heisler
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 27, 2016
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

While I can't say that I have the deepest knowledge of Judge Dredd and all his crime fighting antics, I will tell you that I've read some comics over the years, made fun of Stallone's take on the character and find myself watching Dredd every now and again...... because who doesn't love Karl Urban?...... So that's enough knowledge right?..... Whether it is or not, I do happen to be a big fan of Predator and the Aliens so hopefully that at least gives me some street cred when reviewing this book....... and as we all know, street cred is all that matters in reviews. So yeah, not a lot to say going into this book other than we've got three huge characters coming together for this story and hopefully Judge Dredd is able to set his Lawgiver on "Whoopass" and show these creatures from another world that he is in fact..... The Law. Let's jump into this first issue and see what our setup is like. Let's check it out.

Double Sided

Written by: Phil Hester
Art by: Mirko Colak, Roberto Viacava, Michael Spicer and Dave Sharpe
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: June 29, 2016

It's funny saying this, but I am a fan of the Deathstroke book while not considering myself much a fan of the character. Sure, I've grown to like him more and more with each issue I read, but it's more of the action movie vibe that makes me come back month after month. That is the reason I was looking forward to this Annual. Whether Phil Hester knows it or not (it is definitely the "not"), I am using this issue to gauge if I am indeed becoming more of a Deathstroke fan. So, am I? Let's find out...

Clip Show

Written by: Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing
Art by: Natasha Alterici, Flaviano Armentaro, Christian Duce ,Javier Fernandez, Roge Antonio
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: June 29, 2016

I mentioned in my preview for this Annual that this is the craziest Annual I have ever looked forward to reading and I stand by that. Sure, DC seems to be pushing the issue by giving Grayson it's third annual after only twenty issues, but if you can't beat them join them. What does that mean? I have no idea except I am jumping on the apple cart and enjoying the ride. I really don't have much more to say, so let's get on with the review...

Weird Science DC Comics Podcast Ep 77: DC Comic Books, Lebron James and Ray Delane

We talk every DC Comic Book that came out this week as well as discuss the news, read listener mail and talk nonsense like Roadhouse, Cici's Pizza and of course, our favorite Daily Planet reporter, Ray Delane. Sit back, have a laugh and maybe you might even learn something...like what a cheese curl is. Enjoy!

If I Could Turn Back Time

Written by: Brian Buccellato
Art by: Tom Derenick, Rex Lokus and Wes Abbott
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: June 28, 2016

With all the Rebirth hype, the Digital First stuff seems to get pushed aside by most other sites, but as you know...we ain't like other sites. Nope, we are much, much worse. Yea, don't let anyone tell you different, we are awful human beings who take pleasure in other's misery and would laugh at the less fortunate if we weren't at the bottom looking up. However, we do review just about everything DC Comics puts out each and every week, so we at least have that going for us. In fact, that's why you are here, right? You want to see what I think of the latest issue of Injustice and think I'm just going to tell you. Sorry, from here on out, there's a toll in the hole! Actually, there isn't. I'm just trying to be tough.

Written by: Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing
Art by: Natasha Alterici, Flaviano Armentaro, Christian Duce ,Javier Fernandez, Roge Antonio
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: June 29, 2016

Determined to find out the identity of Spyral’s Agent 37, detective Jim Corrigan gathers a collection of heroes who have seen the swirl-faced spy in order to hear their accounts. With guest appearances by Harley Quinn, Azrael, John Constantine and Green Lantern Simon Baz, get ready for some of Dick Grayson’s greatest hits!

This might be the craziest Annual I have ever looked forward to reading. Having another Grayson Annual feels off, but I'm excited by the craziest list of guest stars since Charo, Scott Baio and Willie Aames were on the Love Boat. We all know how that worked out, let's see hope Lanzing and Kelly do even better!

It's no surprise that Rebirth has been a big success for DC Comics. The sales numbers are not all in yet, but everyone at the Five and Dime is talking about it and that is something that makes me pretty damn happy. As we all know, though, sales numbers don't really tell the whole story. Any #1 is going to sell and a reboot (soft as it was) #1 is going to sell even more. The real proof is in the pudding and that's what I'm here to talk about...pudding. I prefer chocolate and vanilla and detest butterscotch. What? You want to hear about the Rebirth books? What about the pudding?!?! Okay. you win. Here are my grades for all the DC Comics Rebirth books...

Written By: Sterling Gates

Art By: Emma Vieceli, Sandra Molina

Lettered By: Saida Temofonte

Cover Price: 99 cents

On Sale Date: June 27, 2016

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

I think when DC Comics asked Sterling Gates to write a digital comic to tie in with the Supergirl television series, they didn’t expect him to write a sweeping, long form epic where several digital story arcs are combined into a massive überstory that suggests a confrontation that could change Kara Zor-El Danvers forever. “Hey Sterling, you wanna write Supergirl again?” asked Mr. DC from his heavily-ornamented rickshaw. “Do I?!” exclaimed Sterling Gates, looking up at Mr. DC with moistened doe eyes and clutching his threadbare newsboy cap in his gnarled hands. “I’ve got this idea for a multi-issue fractal storyline where the first issue ties in directly to the last and the middle issue are really the first issues and…” began Sterling, but he was cut off by Mr. DC who peered at Sterling through a pair of diamond-lensed opera glasses with ostrich eggshell frames, “No no, my dear boy, this would be a digital comic. You know we reserve our best yarns for the print lines.” Mr. DC lit an expensive cigar made of mummy’s remains on an original, mint condition Confederate bill, and added as an afterthought, “That’s what I’m told, at least. Never did get around to reading the silly things.” Sterling Gates rubbed his chin thoughtfully, and shouted, “So I can write whatever I like, Mr. DC? No one will be paying attention?” as Mr. DC’s rickshaw driver picked up his carriage and began jogging away. “Quite right, my dear boy, I say I’m scarcely paying attention to you now!” And so that charged Sterling Gates with writing a Supergirl series to the best of his abilities, and his abilities are quite keen in that regard. Don’t believe me? Read my review and see for yourself!

Summer Bummer

Written By: Joe Hill, Michael Benedetto

Art By: Gabriel Rodriguez, Ryan Hill

Lettered By: Robbie Robbins

Cover Price: $3.99

On Sale Date: June 22, 2016

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

When I heard there was going to be a Tales From the Darkside comic book series coming from IDW publishers, I thought, “Great! I loved Tales From the Darkside on television as a kid!” Then I read further to find that Joe Hill was writing it, and I thought, “Fabulous! He’s a great author who wrote the horror novel Heart-Shaped Box!” Then I read yet further and saw it was being drawn by Gabriel Rodriguez, and I thought, “Spectacular! Gabriel and Joe teamed up on the incredible IDW series Locke & Key, and Rodriguez is one of the best artists working today!” It was then that I decided not to react to a press release until I had read the whole thing. I was a huge fan of Tales From the Darkside as a kid, I watched it as young as eight years old, when it would air on Saturday nights at 11 PM on WPIX, just before Saturday Night Live on WNBC. It was important to temper Tales From the Darkside with the sketch comedy show, like a chaser after a stiff belt of hard liquor, because the show would scare the wits out of me quite often. Even after not having watched the program in thirty years, there are still episodes that give me the chills to think of. Plus, horror comics are my most favorite genre of comic book! We’re learning so much about me in this intro, but will the review be as informative and one-sided? Read on to find out!

Get My Recap On

Written by: Nick Spencer
Art by: Ramon Rosanas
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 15, 2016
Review by: Paul B. (with intro by Spoon James)

With everyone grabbing up all the Marvel books, it was funny to me that nobody grabbed this book. I figured that both Ant-Man and Nick Spencer were pretty hot commodities nowadays and this would be one of the first books scooped up. I was wrong. As the day went on and the reviews started piling up, I figured "Someone will eventually at least claim this one for later", but again, I was wrong. So, I started catching up on the series and got to issue #7 when Paul sent me a message that he had written a review. Paul, you S.O.B.!!! Actually, I'm glad that someone with more knowledge of the character was reviewing it, though, now that I've jumped into the series, I am really enjoying it. Maybe I'll even get around to watching the movie! Yea, like always, I'll be the last one to see it, if I ever do get around to watching it. Some day. So, here is Paul's review for Astonishing Ant-Man #9 and after I get done writing this intro, I'm going back to finish catching up myself. - Spoon James

Drax #8 Review - Marvel Mondays

In Space...

Written by: C.M. Punk and Cullen Bunn
Art by: Scott Hepburn, Marcus To, Scott Hanna, Antonio Fabela and Clayton Cowles
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 22, 2016

Jumping into this series, I knew two things...C.M. Punk was writing it and Drax was my least favorite character in the Guardians of the Galaxy movie. Luckily, my love of Punk won out because this comic book surprised the crap out of me. What I thought was going to be just another ultra violent slug fest actually is a fun book with a colorful cast of characters and a real sense of humor. Sure, the basics of the story are just that, pretty basic, but this book is all about the journey and the journey has been pretty damn hilarious. So, here goes my review for Drax #8...

The 1% of The 1%

Written By: Jason Aaron
Art By: Russell Dauterman, Matthew Wilson, Joe Sabino
Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: June 22, 2016
Publisher: Marvel Comics

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

While I was never the biggest fan of Thor growing up, what with my love for Greek Mythology and Thor having to go and be all about the Norse side of life, but even with that I always respected the character for being a sorta Superman to the Marvel Universe....... Yeah, that might piss off long time Marvel fans...... or just long time Thor fans, but it's the way I go about thinking of things since I'm a DC guy. So yeah, while I never got on the Donald Blake trolley, now that Jane Foster is our "Mighty" one, I think that Thor has become a more interesting character, especially since our lead is dying of cancer........ That's a strange twist on our hero that I can really get behind because while before we had the son of Odin being all Metal by throwing down the lightning to smite his enemies from a world populated by Gods, now the character has been humanized to the point of actually being on the verge of death and nothing is more human that death. Let's jump into this issue and see what Jane Foster is up to and what threats she'll have to Mjolnir the hell out of. Let's check it out.

Sloppy Fist Bump!

Story by: Skottie Young

Art by: Brett Bean

Price: $3.99

Release Date: June 22, 2016

Publisher: Marvel

Review by: Paul B. Check out his site HERE

This is a series that Jim's local comic shop owner tried pushing on him back in the day, and it pissed him off!! Is it sad that the my favorite stories involve Jim getting pissed off? Maybe it's the fact that he may be my Quakertown Doppleganger and we have the same crazy experiences. I think I need to make a comic about that, but that's for another time!

Crush-tacean...Period!

Written by: Brandon Montclare and Amy Reeder
Art by: Natacha Bustos, Tamra Bonvillain and Travis Lanham
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 22, 2016

When we decided to do this whole Marvel Mondays thing, there was a mad scramble to claim books to review. As I've mentioned numerous times, I have no real Marvel pedigree, so I grabbed books that looked like fun and this was one of the first ones I claimed. Is is wrong to admit that all the Spider-Man, Inhumans and Avengers books were still up for grabs? I don't think so. Marathoning through the series to get up to this issue was a bunch of fun and now I am ready to review the crap out of this book. Now that sounds like fun, huh? Well, here goes...

Web Com

Written by: Dennis Hopeless

Art By: Javier Rodriguez

Price: $3.99

Release Date: June 1, 2016

Publisher: Marvel

Review by: Paul B. Check out his site HERE

The first thing that I need to say is that I am a huge Spider-Women fan. I enjoy all the titles and look forward to them most of all. I was a little bummed about the Alpha/Omega cross-over, but it was not bad, I just think I was expecting more. I am glad we are moving on from there, however, and back on track with the regular issues. So, on to Spider-Woman #8.

Welcome back to my weekly list of things I love that you should love too for the week of June 27, 2016.

Story by: Jason Latour

Art by: Robbi Rodriguez

Price: $3.99

Release Date: June 15, 2016

Publisher: Marvel

Review by: Paul B Check out his site HERE

I am a huge fan of all the Spider-Women books! They each have a unique point of view, but have a common thread that usually brings them all together from time to time. Sometimes it is a fluid transition into each title, and at other times it seems forced. So when Spider-Women Alpha and Omega came out, I was on board. It was a bit rocky in my opinion, and I feel that the drastic differences in the art teams played a big part of that. I thought that each book looked good individually, but overall it threw the vibe and feel of the book off.

Written By: Sam Caitlin
Directed By:
First Aired: June 26, 2016

Welcome to the weekly Preacher recap.

I read the funny pages version of this show a few years back and since I'm not some comic book nerd boy I don't remember much other than liking it a lot, shit was fresh. The show is hella different so far and that is cool too. I guess what I am saying, is don't expect some in depth analysis comparing the two, because that really ain't what this is about.

As we are jumping in on episode number 5 lets get caught up hella quick.

Written By: Jim Zub

Art By: Jon Malin and Matt Yackey

Cover Price: $3.99

Publisher: Marvel
Review by: Paul B. Check out his site HERE

Last month, I rushed to my local comic shop to get Punisher #1. It was the book I was looking forward to the most and the book I was most disappointed in. That book just pissed me off, it was like reading a reprint from a 90's Punisher comic. Lucky for me, I got two other books that day. Oddly enough, they were written by the same guy, Jim Zub! Those books were Dungeons and Dragons and Thunderbolts. And I loved both books! D&D had humor and action and Thunderbolts had a good combo of character introductions with a great cliffhanger right off the bat. I gave both books a 9.5 and was waiting for both issue #2's.

Eulogy

Written By: Nick Spencer
Art By: Angel Unzueta
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 22, 2016

Publisher: Marvel Comics

*Non-Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Well, it's time for my first Marvel Monday, and one of the series I will be covering is Captain America: Sam Wilson. To the few who haven't heard, Steve Rogers lost his super-soldier serum and had given the shield to Falcon. Since then Sam has flown through turbulence while trying to inspire America like his successor. He tried to unite the people with his own political beliefs but turned a good chunk of the American population against him.He uncovered a secret conspiracy to control the world but the people behind it were S.H.I.E.L.D. and they completely back out of his funding to help save it. He tried to help kidnapped illegal immigrants but ends up being transformed as a wolfman. His latest adventure had his oldest friend regain his youth and super soldier serum, and while Steve may have gotten the serum back, he believes that Sam should continue to carry the shield. So what does that mean? TWO CAPS FOR CIVIL WAR II!

Civil War II is marvel's current big story arc and there are tie-ins being released nearly every week. This tie-in follows Sam as he goes to the funeral of a hero while he questions himself and his motives. Let's dive in...

Home Is Where the Heart Is

Written By: Dan Slott

Art By: Michael Allred, Laura Allred,

Lettered By: VC’s Joe Sabino

Cover Price: $3.99

On Sale Date: May 18, 2016

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

When Marvel first announced the new run on Silver Surfer with Dan Slott and Mike Allred, I snorked. Good job, Marvel, I thought, smug in my comics business superiority, you could have made me get a comic from either one of those creators, but with them both on the same book I only need to buy one! Dan Slott is one of my favorite writers, since that Spider-Man/Human Torch four issue miniseries with the unfortunate-looking covers, and if you have a problem with the Allreds’ artwork then your eyes are undoubtedly broken. In fact, when I heard Mike Allred was connected with new stories of Norrin Radd, I whacked my forehead like I coulda had a V8, because he’s perfect to draw this chromed-out character from the cranium of Kirby. What I’m trying to say is that I have very positive feelings about this comic book, and you can read some of them in my review right now!

The Ultimate Warriors

Written by: Al Ewing
Art by: Kenneth Rocafort & Dan Brown
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 22, 2016
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Reviewed by: Branden Murray

I’ll admit this was one of the books I originally overlooked when the All-New All-Different Marvel lineup started. Once I saw it was getting such rave reviews and also contained Black Panther, I was sold enough to give it a try and jumped on the bandwagon. A funny thing happened once I started reading the series, though...I fell in love with it! Not quite to the extent I fell for Kelly Kapowski from Saved by the Bell back in the day, but more than Jessie Spano. And don't even get me started on Lisa Turtle! It eventually became one of my favorite titles since the relaunch because of the cosmic spectacle and stakes involved each and every month. So, let’s hesitate no longer and see what our collection of characters referred to as the Ultimates are up to this issue...

I'm a Survivor (What?)

Written By: Ben Acker, Ben Blacker
Art By: Danilo Beyruth, Cris Peter, Joe Sabino
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 22, 2016

Publisher: Marvel Comics

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

It's time to get into Weird Science's new Marvel Mondays....... and goddamn it's weird as hell because ever since we started talking about all things DC, there really hasn't been a lot of time for me to delve into my Marvel roots and see Spider-Man swinging through New York or watching The Thing yell "It's Clobbering Time"......... Marvel still prints Fantastic Four comics right?........ Oh man! Well, hopefully my favorite Marvel team will return while we're getting all crazy on Marvel reviews and speaking of teams....... well, do I have a hell of a team-up for you. In this first issue of Deadpool V Gambit, we see the man who made me buy a brown trench coat as a kid in the early 90's just because he was so damn cool, go up against the guy......who....... maybe made me afraid of burn victims?...... Cancer?..... Well, Deadpool is something alright. Let's jump into this issue and see why a dirty Cajun and dirty wise ass have gotten themselves all in a tizzy. Let's check it out.

In The Middle of The Ocean, No One Can Hear You Scream

Written By: Gerry Conway
Art By: Mike Perkins, Andy Troy, Joe Sabino
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 22, 2016

Publisher: Marvel Comics

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Back in the late 80's and throughout the 90's symbiotes were all the rage and it seemed like any Spider-Man fan of either the comics or the cartoons were all about getting themselves something Venom or Carnage and to my astonishment, here I am twenty years later looking at a Carnage book and hoping I can get as much enjoyment out of it as I did my Carnage action figure from the Spider-Man Animated Series....... because goddamn that figure was cool as hell. Besides for having a basic knowledge of the character..... like knowing his origin, playing Maximum Carnage on the SNES and playing with my action figure of course, Carnage was never a character who I was really drawn to and because of that I never really payed attention to what the character was up to throughout the 2000's, but hopefully that all changes with this series by it giving me something with this lunatic that I can't stand to be without....... Yeah, that's a tall order, but when comics are concerned, I never say anything's impossible. Let's jump into this issue, where the Anti-Carnage Task Force is on the trail of Carnage as he makes his way with the leader of a old religious cult: Brother Gregori to an unknown island to find an alter, where Carnage can bring about the end of the world. Yeah, we've got some strange ass mystical shit going on with this alien imbued murderer and hopefully it's not too strange to follow. Let's check it out.

Navigation

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Black and White

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Double Sided

Clip Show

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

If I Could Turn Back Time

Get My Recap On

Monday, June 27, 2016

In Space...

The 1% of The 1%

Sloppy Fist Bump!

Crush-tacean...Period!

Web Com

The Ultimate Warriors

I'm a Survivor (What?)

In The Middle of The Ocean, No One Can Hear You Scream